Hang on – this post is going to be all over the place.
I have a thing for cupcake liners. I bought these at Sur la Table along with some blue striped ones. My camera is down at my Dad's and my cellphone tends to want to turn red into orange. They really are bright red and bright blue. Hmm this post would have been a bit more timely before the 4th of July…
Anyway I am smitten with them.
Speaking of smitten – I just made banana bread using Smitten Kitchen's Jacked Up Banana Bread recipe. Or Elise’s Friend Heidi’s Friend Mrs. Hockmeyer’s Banana Bread, As Jacked Up by Deb as she likes to refer to it. I think it's the best banana bread recipe I've made.
I can't believe I actually used up the seven black bananas sitting on my counter, rather than just looking at them guiltily all week until I threw them away.
Finally I wanted to throw this out here. I got a comment from a reader that wants to surprise her husband with a trip for their anniversary. Here's her request for recommendations (I'll leave out pertinent details in case her husband reads this blog…it could happen):
I'm trying to plan a secret getaway for my hubs for our anniv this winter. He is a wine enthusiast, and I'm really interested in a wine tour getaway…we are interested in the off-beat, quaint, cozy, warm locales. Any ideas? B&B's with wineries close by? We have about 3-4 days to spend.
Personally I am not a big fan of Napa. I think it is over-hyped but then I might be missing some really great B&B's in the area.
My suggestion would be to visit wineries in Pasa Robles and maybe stay at the Olive Cottage at Alta Cresta Orchard & Inn (no experience staying here – just looks nice and the reviews are very positive). From there you could take day trips into San Luis Obisbo, Cambria and visit the Hearst Castle.
Or our stay at the Glendeven Inn in Mendocino was amazing and the town of Mendocino is charming. But it's a longer drive for wine tasting. You can visit the Russian River area wineries.
So readers – what would you suggest? Any particular B&B's or wineries you would recommend?
I would send her to Healdsburg. It has the small central plaza, good eats, quaint shopping, bikeriding if its not too cold or raining and best wine and food around.
I am former bay Arean and long to retire to the Santa Rosa area. It has just gotten too expensive so we take long weekends. You can’t go wrong. Madrona Manor is piricey but there are plenty of B&B’s arond the Plaza. Have fun.
I’m not a B&B type person, I prefer more privacy. I really enjoyed the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Resort and Spa. The king suites are like little bungalows and the beds have curtains to draw at night (or anytime really!) The bathroom is huge, with a wonderful tub. The spa there is wonderful, there is an adult only pool in addition to the regular pool. The restaurants in downtown Sonoma (5 minute drive) are wonderful and reasonably priced. I’m sure the staff at the Fairmont can assist with the wine tasting.
For a romantic, adult getaway I don’t think you can beat the Mission Inn.