Full Moon Feast and Fever

The full moon on Saturday was well thought out, with a visit from Lisa from Mendocino and several hand chosen ladies. The order of the evening was to relish each other's female energy at the height of the full moon in Cancer. The house was cozy with a fire crackling, candles were lit and I began with a Patchouli and Musk bubblebath to soak off my day of work.

Lisa and I spent the time before everyone else's arrival catching up. The first bottle of bubbly was opened, a gift from my boss. I opened it with the intention to toast positive energy between us. Given my enjoyment of the light golden elixer, I deduced my desire would be fulfilled. The J 20, so named to commemorate their 20th year of making sparkling wine, was to me, a success.

The other ladies arrived, bearing their sweet spirits and special bottles to share. We proceeded to chatter the night away, and in the meantime afforded ourselves dinner and an incredible midnight moonlit hike. Dinner was simple, but fitting and as filling as a lady would like. Red wine braised ranch turkey leg with a ragout of butternut squash gnocchi, roasted chestnuts, garden kale, baby shitakes and cippolini onions was the entree. A fresh picked garden salad was there to brighten things up a bit. Of course, before that even transpired, we had some incredible cheeses. Local Andante Dairy Quattro Staggione, leaking all over the place with its gooey goodness, Humboldt Fog, Epoisses, Comte, and the ringer-James' truffle brie (again-we can't get enough of this stuff-when in season!). Along with some smoked salmon deviled eggs, these were the precursors to our meal. I made Calendula panna cotta with walnut cookies and muscat syrup for dessert. We finished the night over copious pots of osmanthus oolong and wildflower honey with ginger thins. Those not slumbering at my home had left. With Kimberly long since passed on the couch, in her pink jammies and flannel sheets, and Lisa in the chair, I puttered away in the kitchen so as to awake with a sence of order and cleanliness. And so it was. At 2:00am I turned off my light and snoozed until 9:00.

Over a pot of black tea, Lisa and I said our farewell, and the unseasonably warm day beckoned me to hike with my yoga bag to the Rim of the World. And so it went, a coupel hours of beautiful outdoor yoga in weather seeming of summer. Although nice, it's a bit scary as we all need rain. The animals, birds and plants are confused, as are we. The biological clock is off, and I'm not sure what will transpire. For now, I'll enjoy the sunshine and water my plants. My Hunter mucks sit in the closet, covered in dust. I should have bought the cheapies.

I proceeded to Daniel's where we enjoyed the rest of the night in comfortable, simple luxury, with the remnants of some incredible bottles and flavorful nibbles. The wine list from the evening follows.

J Winery Cuvee "20"
2001 Iron Horse Brut
1996 Iron Horse Late Disgorged Blanc de Blanc (our special ladies' bottle. mmmmm...)
1990 Mumm DVX
Andre et Mireille Tissot Cremant du Jura
2002 Chateau Loudenne Bordeaux Blanc
2004 Jean Marc Brocard , Montee de Tonnerre Premier Cru Chablis
2002 Kelly Magee Meritage, Napa Valley
2004 Kuleto Estate Cab Franc