Birthday, Vacations and General Catch Up

So much time has passed. Who knows where to start? Almost every night is worth writing about. I'll highlight a few.

Daniel butchered his first home-raised lamb. Barbados-dorset mix. 10 weeks old. Scrumptious. He took the utmost care and had much reverence for the little guy. We enjoyed the rack fresh with broccolini and roasted potatoes. We made stock from the bones and froze the rest. Maybe our special friends will enjoy a lamb dinner with us.

My birthday was something of a fantasy. Instructed to dress in a dress, I arrived at Daniel's to a half bottle of bubbly while he gave me a few trinkets. A limo arrived to take us to Yountville. Amazingly, the day was sunny, but along came a deep storm cloud. It seemed to want to follow us to Yountville. We raced, with Bocelli to salute the procession. Brilliant sun on one side, the cloud coming from the rear, soon the two met just above us, and rain drops fell as we arrived at the V Wine Cellar. Seemingly calm, I awaited the next move, but as the storm raced on, Daniel had to forget the trick, and off we went, with a stolen Bouchon umbrella, Northward. Saturated feet in heels and his hair damp, we graced the foyer of the French Laundry for a procession of gastronomic and servitude delight. Knowing most of the staff, we pleasantly cascaded through the hedonistic chef's menu. Three half bottles selected by the birthday girl were thoroughly enjoyed and married deliciously with the degustation. A Reisling, followed by a Puligny Montrachet, and then a Gevrey Chambertin. D had port and asked them to proffer cigars of which he selected three.

We smoked them on the way to Manchester, to visit Pauline at Victorian Gardens. He made us a most memorable feast, in honor of the late patriarch. Eggplant involtini with my garden tomato preserves and fresh chevre and basil leaves began the procession. Braised wild turkey with a simple white risotto and baby carrots followed. We ate it paired with a 2005 Far Niente Cabernet.

How could anyone top this? We set out the next morning for a hike to the ocean. It was to be the lowest tide of the year. We foraged beautiful mussles, hoping to take them for dinner. We got busted. Apparently, you need a fishing license to do such things. The rangers were nice enough. I guess they have enough experience to figure we were just ignorant gourmands, planning a transendental supper. Indeed.

So off to the trout farm we went. Daniel's friends (Mike and Stephanie) have a sustainable trout farm on the coast. We had a feast. We brought cheese and rillettes, and they made a once in a lifetime lunch of fresh abalone, pan fried with roasted potatoes. We made a fresh salad, and we all sat on their back deck, drinking Chardonnay and Asti until the sun began to wane.

Our lunch ended at 7:00 pm, and Daniel and I wandered into a B&B we had seen before in Elk. Much to our pleasant surprise, the rooms were lovely. We chose the oceanfront suite and decided to camp out. Dinner was included, so we went to the restaurant with a bottle of Kuleto Estate Danieli in tow. We shared with Luis, the multi-tasker of the night. Then, he opened a '97 Jordan. We took a couple glasses to the bedroom with us to take a tub in the huge claw foot bathtub. The room had a fireplace as well, so the evening caressed us with the sound of the ocean and the fireplace. In the morning, we hiked down to magical caves and reefs exposed with the low tide. It was as if we were 10 years old again.

Re-entry came with a bang, and upon arrival home we propped the hatch of the bus and took a nap with Dante at our feet. Going home was merciless solitude, as we had had such an energetic high, I knew not how to process the norm.

Since then, we've continued to live as we do. Chicken liver pate, frog legs, rillettes and local artisan cheese have graced our platter.

In the constant effort to balance the seemigly indulgent palate with appropriate physical exersion, I finally bought my mountain bike. It had been 16, yes 16 years, since I had ridden a bike! Wine country terrain and inhibitions rendered me timid as I clumsily faltered to gain agility. As I have practised, I notice immediately the lovely results of intense excersise. Muscle memory.

The biggest highlight, seeminly a lifetime passed, was mom and grandma coming to visit. I ended up working quite a bit, but their visit reminded me of the simplicity of the moment. Crystaline claririt of our DNA connection. Three generations of females. I so connected in a new way with my grandma. Maybe it;s my getting older. Daniel did his wild turkey breast, as mom always looks forward to, and we wiled away the days in conversation and living. We sipped champagne at the rim of the world, and we went to Nick's. But the true beauty of it all was that it was. And my mother reminded me of reisling again.

That's all I can remember for now.

My sweet nephew grows by the day, and my house is littered with his photos. Unbiasedly speaking, he is the perfect baby, and I can understand why. With a mother and father so doting and attentive, an infant grows without fear and insecurity. I am so proud of them. I can only hope he grows to know his crazy western relatives.

Bon Soir~

Lessons from Daisy

Daisy didn't make it. She died last night, after the most valient attempt to stay alive.

I never imagined how amazingly strong the life force can be, until I witnessed this sweet little lamb, but five days old, struggling to get every last breath. It taught Daniel and me a lot.

It taught me that tenacity is relative. I saw a will to live without expectation, pretence or judgement, that I will carry with me forever. It showed me what a little love and affection can do for another creature. Love really transcends all boundaries. Daisy bonded with a human. Up until her very last breaths, you could see her try to respond to Daniel's voice. It was amazingly touching and beautiful. There was not a fragment of negativity in this little creature. She radiated love, affection, and gratitude--and I am not being anthropomorphic!

Upon her death I wished every human could possess a moment with her to learn her lessons.

Of Daniel was the most sweet and loving strength to keep her alive. He really tried. He was so sad to see her not make it, but also learned a great deal.

Our friend Pauline said to us the first time we stayed with her that she had tried so many times to rescue little lambs from their non-maternal mothers, but to no avail if they couldn't be administered the mother's milk within the first 24 hours. And so it is.

She also said there is nothing so sweet as a newborn lamb.

And so we learned a lot from sweet little Daisy. We know she knew we gave it our all.

She "slept" again last night in the claw foot tub, as we were not ready to accept she had passed. Today Daniel buried her and we shall plant daisies there.

Loving Daisy

The sheep have been busy, and most all of their kid's arrivals have been easy and well received by their mamas, save a couple instances. Daniel awoke to find a small little gal, (a ewe), alone in the corner of the sheep pen, still wet from birth. Mama didn't care to clean her, let alone feed her.

I guess it's true that some women just don't have the "motherly instinct." I can't imagine leaving such a helpless, precious little one alone to die, but indeed, that's what happens, both in the sheep pen and in the human pen. So, Daniel forced the ewe to let the little one feed, at least long enough to get the immune boosting milk produced in the first 48 hours.

Since then, she's been enjoying her bottled meals in the comfort of Daniel's home, on the couch and by the light of the fire. She sleeps contented in the claw foot tub, upon towels and blankets, and makes not a whimper, full from engorging on the vitamin rich Kefir.

Daniel calls her Daisy, and she knows only his love and affection, and she follows him everywhere!

Love knows no boundaries and is such a beautiful thing.

Dinner on the Block

On Monday, my (usual) day off, during which I always hike to the garden for my dinner, I did the same ritual, filling my basket to the brim, making it cumbersome to get home. Winter vegetables are really gratifying to me, their wholesomeness and flavor, as satisfying as meat. I loaded my basket with Savoy spinach, kale, a head of romanesco and one of cauliflower, some spring onions and a few daffodils and a single rose (the day before pruning) for my bedside vase.

Daniel moved his chickens, new laying pullets, I should say, down to the sheep pen. They are so excited to roam and graze, plucking through the dung-laden hay, for grubs. This summer they should make a great dent in the fly population, and in turn return us the favor of flavorful, fertile eggs. Old Man Red, the short-tempered and very territorial rooster who regularly pokes at Daniel's boots (and his hens), jabbing with his razor sharp daggered feet, is still a viril male and looks after his new pullets with great affection and zeal.

Daniel brought me a little basket full of eggs the other night. The eggs are small and brown. I was excited to try them, as we awaited their arrival for many months.

So, to the point of my story. The beauty of simplicity. The unique and fully satisfying experience of a meal completely sourced from within your immediate surroundings. You couldn't get it anywhere-but right here.

I sauteed some kale with ample shallot. Two farm fresh eggs went into the pan to be returned, perfectly basted. The flavor of the eggs was incredible. I doubt I've ever tasted such an egg, and I eat them from the pen, fresh-laid, regularly. Both were lubed up with Sevillano olive oil from Daniel's trees at Nickel & Nickel. I popped open a bottle brought to me during a recent visit from Alexandra, the perpetual wanderer-currently residing in Spain. Her 2004 Pinot Noir shiner was perfect for the occasion. Alone, by candlelight, I savored the simplicity of the concoction. I wondered if anyone would ever understand how intensly flavorful and satisfying my simple meal of sauteed garden greens and two basted fresh laid eggs with Dago red could be. I still wonder.

How lucky we are. Cheers to the new pullets, having arrived at the Maiden stage, and thanks to the Red Rooster for granting them more fertile flavor. Thanks to the sheep for attracting the bugs that make the eggs so flavorful. Most of all, thanks to the man who lets the birds out and puts them safely in at night, so as not to let the sneaky, hungry cats in to feast as they did earlier this year. Thanks to Alex for her raw, uninhibited and unpretentious style, exemplified in her life and her wine. And thanks to Pat for building Casa Paloma and letting me live in the safety of her womb. I have enjoyed many a dinner of this sort alone here, by the light of the wood stove glow.

Blissful Romance

Daniel never ceases to amaze me. He keeps me smiling, loving, and always challenges me to look at things in different ways. I am greatful to have such an amazing partner. Our relationship is one that is timeless and well traveled, as I imagine we have been united throughout our souls' journeys. Today, after a weekend of bliss, I can only revel in the sea of selfless love my partner bestowes upon me.

After the aforementioned trying week, I began a Saturday with a surprising shift of perspective and inertia that propelled me through to today. I cleaned out 4 1/2 years worth of computer dis-organization at work! I accomplished so much in record time that I would have never believed it possible! I had a rescheduled massage appointment from the day mentioned below. When I arrived, my therapist informed me of two lovely things: in regret for her having missed our Thursday appointment, she had a gift certificate for a half session waiting for me, and, Daniel had been there the previous day and had treated me to my appointment! Wow! I proceeded to enjoy yet another transcendental, 2 1/2 hour massage. Fabulous.

When I left, I stumbled upon a message left on my cell phone. My sweet love had informed me that no matter how I felt, how I looked, or what I had planned, I should drop it all and meet him at Auberge, our regular "neighborhood bar and grill," Relais~Chateau style. And so I did. With a pleasantly radiant greasy face and body, and in my jumpsuit, I applied a little MAC liner and lips and sauntered through the bar to meet him at the deck. A beautiful night it was, stars out, twinkling in the oddly warm January splendor. Always reading my mind, a half bottle of bubbly was being cradled in the bucket alongside the table. Nicolas Feiullatte, a special selection of which I cannot reiterate, was poured into my glass. Its noble and yeasty bouquet met with the pre-orderd oysters on the half shell and tuna tartare with a splendid affinity. Sneaky, sneaky, man!

He toted with him a bottle procured on our recent trip to Oregon; a 2006 Archery Summit Premier Cuvee. To show it in its best light, we ordered our favorite gnocchi with wild mushrooms and parmesan nage. Next was delivered a new york steak with more mushrooms and thinly chiffonaded brussels sprouts. Perfect.

Off we went. It was still early. Any thought of going home to collect my "necessities" rolled away with the previous week's tribulations, and we entered his house to continue enjoying one another's company. We opened a fun, unassuming standby, Graham's Six Grapes, and he played for me some old Enigma while we took a hot tub. I'll allow you to surmise your own conclusions for the rest of the evening!

The morning greeted us with equal enthusiasm, and we headed right back to the Auberge to enjoy an unseasonable warm Sunday morning on the very same deck. With another bottle of Feuillatte, a glass of Billicart-Salmon, the day was already off to an amazing start. He read the paper,and my mind traveled in its usual, deeply inquisitive ways.

We opted for a four wheeler ride, and I continued drinking champagne as I read The Mists of Avalon on his sun filled deck.

Later, I made braised Chicken with mushrooms and homemade fettucini. We enjoyed a bottle of Dave's wine, a 2004 Craven Lattin Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Yum.

Tonight I made a good ol' standby with left over braised pork shoulder...split pea soup with generous chunks of full moon butchered estate pork.

This morning I came home to a magnificent holiday of spring welcome. And, in a decision to start a blog to which Daniel does not have to feel responsible, I created a new blog. For those who enjoy my crazy rantings, you may access it at the link provided...

Bon Soir!

Contemplating Compassion

Over the course of two weeks, there have been 8 additions to the homestead at Daniel's. One of which, a sure stud, Daniel delivered himself! Markedly different from the other lambs, this little guy's legs are abnormally large for his body. He is very agile and momma likes to be very protective of him. I guess that's how mother's are, especially when they know they have a future stud on their hands! Daniel says he sucks the tip of his nose. So cute! Now, of course, the moonchild has even more need to stay home and not have to venture up the narrow dirt road to Venus' house. That little caniver...

Animal activity is no less apparent here. If it isn't the local raccoon gang waking me up at 4:30-6:00 in the morning, making their pilgrimage from the north end of the house to the east, then it's the ballsy bobcat, using my roof as a playground, leaping from the ground, to the trees, and back on to the roof again.

It occured to me today, though, that although the animals' timing is annoying, their intentions are not maligned. Humans, you'd think, with their "consciousness," would be able to rise above their personal microcosms to the collective, and therefore bring forethought and compassion to their actions. I know, the optomist in me is forever put to the test.

After a couple days of feeling under the weather due to some medical difficulties lately, I embarked to the lab to get some tests. After waiting two and a half hours for the doctor's office to call me back with regard to the lab scrip, with no response, I set out anyway. Of course, it was noon by then and I had been fasting for the bloodwork.

Later, I came to a four way stop on a sleepy afternoon in St. Helena. As a truck passed through the intersection, I went to make my right hand turn. A lady from the opposite lane was already half way into her left hand turn. I smiled in concession, but was too far ahead of her to offer her the lane. Her unkind and aggravated face made her mood quite clear. I thought how awful for her to have her face in such a grimace. So, regardless of who was in the right or wrong, I mouthed an "I'm sorry." As I then missed my immediate right hand turn into the hardware store's parking lot, I put my right hand blinker on to turn around. As I slowed, I realized there was room to make a u-turn. So, I changed the blinker to the left one, and proceeded to begin in the other direction. Unbeknownst to me, the lady with the grimace had gone to illegally pass me on the left. Imagine her face after I went to turn left! This time I looked at her with the thoughts that were in my head, on my face, wondering why her driving had to be so presumptious and rash.

She took the time to stop, in the lane of oncoming traffic nonetheless, and tell me that I almost caused two accidents. Feeling both perplexed at her audaciousness and repelled by her obviously frequent grimace, I only wanted her out of my presence. All I said to her was, "I apoligized to you already. What more would you like from me?" As she sped off in her BMW, obviously unaware of her part to play in the near misses, I was saddened by what I see frequently in peoples' unkindness and self -absorbed behavior.

I think of it often when I see young people fail to heed to an elderly person, or offer them help. I think of it when I see young men sit while a pregnant lady stands. I think of it as I approach someone in a grocery store, and rather than connect with one another and smile, the person looks down and acts as if we are not two human beings crossing paths. All day, everyday, there are many examples.

So, I later fled back up the hill, eager to get back to the minor annoyances of the local raccoon gang, or the rogue bobcat, perhaps the infrequent but occasional homily opossom. At least their irreverence for my human sleep schedule is unintentional.

I see there's a trout following us now! I like the free-spirited trout. We don't see him as often as we'd like. Maybe we should go fishing soon.

Every day, I make it a point to be compassionate. It is part of my daily mantra. I try to understand that we are all on a path, and that it is important to be respectful and even helpful of that path, whether a stranger or not. I try to smile, in hope that a moment of positivity can come of a split second. Every day I am put to the test.

Now I think I'll head down to my "other" home in the hills, where the moonchild may have a consoling glass of wine and an open ear, not to mention a beautiful presence. He's good like that.

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