Eat, Drink, Be Merry–in Moderation

On vacation in Sonoma/Napa Valley California with my sister. We are staying in Sonoma at The Lodge at Sonoma a Marriott property which features cottage like accommodations.

Bright and early on our first full day we decided that we wanted to eat breakfast some place other than the lodge.  Not that they did not have a very good restaurant–we wanted something else, something local.

We came upon a wonderful pastry shop in Sonoma. It is Crisp Bakeshop.

Just walking in the shop makes you forget about calories, points, tracking  and everything else.

They have a choclate chip sea salt cookie that knows everyone by name.

What made the shop even more enjoyable were the wonderful, friendly customers inside and on the porch. We struck up wonder conversations with some of them including Dr. Tom Jones who lived down the street.

After breakfast we were off to Napa for a wine tasting tour of The Del Dotto Winery and  Caves.

First of all the very good looking Italian man said my name like music. I was smiling so hard I forgot to take his picture. Our group was led by Rob and included a young couple going back to Canada and a wonderful couple from Baton Rouge,  Louisiana. I am not a red wine drinker, but this tour has made me think of trying reds a lttle more. The tour was fantastic and informative. It was not your run of the mill tasting.

Right next to the winery was The Jessel Gallery with art, clothing and much more.

My favoite find in the gallery was Janet Summers Resourcery. It features fine art, clothing and jewelry.

After returning from a full day I knew exactly what I had to do. I had to take off the sweater, grab a bottle of water and get to moving. I walked for about 45 minutes. Hey I pay trainers and still go to Weight Watchers meetings, and  Dr. Tom Jones had told us where to go for dinner.

We had dinner at LaSalette  which serves inventive, contemporary Portuguese Cuisine. After a day of red wine I needed a glass of white.

I really wanted the fish except they serve the dish I wanted with the head still on it. I can’t eat something that is still looking at me so I went for the steak and we shared scallops for an appetizer.  Dr. Jones was correct–LaSalette was wonderful–wonderful ambiance, wonderful service and wonderful food.

My first full day in Sonoma/Napa Valley was filled with wonderful people, food, wine and even exercise. I know that I have to watch what I eat, but I know that as a woman of a certain age I am going to enjoy life. While my sister goes to the spa in the morning I will strike out walking again and even keep track of my points. Breakfast will be fruit and coffee, but as I eat my apple I will remember the taste of the wonderful pastries at Crisp Bakeshop.

Enjoy your vacation, eat and drink in moderation and dont’t forget to exercise.  Remember ” thisisyourbestyear”.

Today was even more special because I got to spend it with my baby sister.