Through the wine country to the farm

So yesterday, we all went up to Alex's sister's farm. The drive went through the beautiful Sonoma and Napa wine country. We passed by some beautiful vineyards and saw Robert Mondavi's. We then started going up through the mountains up through the twisty roads and woods. We stopped off in the woods and had a little tailgate picnic with sandwiches. Then we sped along to Middletown, where the farm is.

Alex's sister, Vanessa, and her family have about 10 acres up the mountain and a farm with goats and chickens and dogs and the cutest little sheep. She also has three BEAUTIFUL daughters, Sophia, Keona and Natalia. Vanessa put us right to work, collecting fresh eggs from the hens and then picking fava beans (very tasty). We then headed up to the deck they have up the mountain for a beautiful view of the mountains.

Then we headed inside. They live in an adobe mud house, circular and with a living roof (plants growing on it) We made some tea with fresh mint, it was absolutely delicious. Then we had birthday cake, since Natalia was turning three on Monday. We somehow ended up with three cakes: Alex's mom got two and Sophia made one. We put a sparkler on one cake and it scared Natalia so she jumped up and ran away. Then we gave her the presents and she was too busy doing puzzles with Flavia to eat any cake. (Which was good, because she didn't need any sugar, she was hyper enough)

After a few hours we left as Vanessa and the family had a party to go to, and we headed back through the wine country. Flavia got a little carsick as we went through the twisty windy mountain roads, so she stared straight ahead and didn't say a word. But we reached the bottom vomit free! Hooray! We stopped at the Napa Whole Foods for dinner. I got the most delicious Thai carrot salad and a hummus red pepper wrap. Heaven.

We made it back to Novato, then headed out for margaritas at Tres Hombres with Alex's best friend Melanie and her friend Joe! We had tasty spicy salsa, then Flavia and I had a chip fight. Then we headed to Taps and played Circle of Death, although only Joe was drinking at that point, so it was pretty amusing.

Then we headed back and my Spanish lover and I headed to bed.

Lazy pool day

Today, we decided to veg out. By the pool. In the gorgeous sunshine at the foothills of the mountain. In Alex's backyard. It was such a difficult day. I had to lift my heavy book, and take my headphones out when I wanted to say something to someone. It was so hard. Then we decided to get out of the sun, so Flavia and I watched Men in Black, Flav's first time watching it in English, so that was fun. Then we had delicious barbeque. I had a delish Bocca burger with potato salad and broccoli with a Michelob Ultra. Sooooooooo good. Then we got some FroYo (aka Frozen Yogurt) holy crap, again, more delicious food. I could get used to this.

Now we're drinking some wine on the couch, watching Glee with Alex's Mom. A very good day.

And no, Flavia is not pregnant in this picture. Her dress was blowing with the wind.

I left my heart in San Francisco

So yesterday, The Flav, Alex and I went with two of Alex's friends to SAN FRANCISCO. The weather was sunny and warm, but not humid, completely perfect. We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, it was so beautiful. Then we headed to Haight and Ashbury, the hippie district, to get the most delicious Thai food I've ever eaten at a place called Siam Lotus. I got spicy eggplant basil with red peppers and onions. Heaven. Then we walked around and did some shopping in the hippie stores. I found some awesome turquoise jewelry for Emily (which, after I bought, I had to talk myself out of stealing them for myself.)

Then we headed out to smoke some hookah and drink some Arabic tea at the cutest hookah bar. Afterwards we headed back to Novato via the road that goes along the bay. So beautiful, so beautiful, so beautiful. A perfect day. Then we got back and watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Just put some Windex on it!) (He don't eat no meat? What do you mean he don't eat no meat?!)

Sausalito: Tourist destination or perfection?

On our first full day in California we three went to Hawk Hill to get a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. On our way up we passed a Susan Street and then a Palmer Street. Mom, you were there with us! I almost choked and died while going through a tunnel. We were holding our breaths and making a wish during a tunnel and as soon as the end of the tunnel came into sight, the Golden Gate Bridge came right into view, I shrieked, and thus nearly died. It was so beautiful, and so amazing when you think about that kind of architectural feat being constructed in the 1930s.

Unfortunately Hawk Hill was under road construction. Alex said "How can there be road construction? There aren't any roads!" To which Flavia responded "Well that's why! They're building some!"

So we went over to the other side. And had the view you see in the picture on the left. Hideous right?

Then we headed to Sausalito. Sausalito was so unbelievably beautiful. We went walking around and found a fish and chips place to eat. I had the most delicious citrus salad. It was heavenly. Then we went around the shops and found some really funny touristy stuff, like Al Capone at Alcatraz bobbleheads, etc. And the top picture is the view of San Francisco from Sausalito. Then we headed back.

After dinner, we met up with some of Alex's friends in Petaluma, and went to some bars. I had some beer and a very very very very strong, very very very large glass of champagne cider. And that was that. :)

Voyages

So, on Tuesday Alexandra, Flavia and I headed to Midway Airport. After making some jokes about words you can't say in an airport (terrorist, gun, bomb etc.) that we were very fortunate no one heard, we boarded the plane and headed to Oakland Airport. We three read our books on the way over. By the way Southwest is the way to fly. Free non alcoholic drinks, as many as you want, free snacks, and out flight attendant looked like a brunette Claudia Schiffer. On the way over, we went past the Rocky Mountains, beautiful and snowcapped. Soon enough we were flying over the Sierra Nevadas minus the snow. Then we began our descent over the water. This makes me nervous as it looks like we'll be landing on the water, just like when I flew into Copenhagen on the way to France. But we landed on land, not on water (phew) and we were in California!

Immediately after landing we walked into the terminal and saw a Peet's Coffee, a California coffee chain and Alex shrieked "AH! PEET'S COFFEE) She was so happy to be home. We were greeted with hugs by Alexandra's parents and headed out into parking lot. The weather was warm, with a little wind, SO BEAUTIFUL, although some of the native Californians thought it was a little too chilly (I was just happy to leave the humidity in Chicago and the record highs for the day (highest in 114 years) behind.) So we left from Oakland and headed to Novato in Marin County.

When we got to Alexandra's house, we put our stuff upstairs. Flavia and I are sharing the big bed in the guest room (ROOMIE! Flavia's boyfriend Philip is very jealous...) We then got some delicious Chinese food and ate all together. Afterwards, Flavia, Alexandra and I split a bottle of wine, and stared out the window at this gorgeous sight. (see above) Then we hit the hay! It was so nice, because we slept until 11 CST, but it was only 9am PST! what what?!