The 4th of July has always been one of my favorites. It was made even more wonderful about 62 years ago, when Jimmy and I had our first kiss under the fireworks with the Boston skyline before us. Okay maybe it wasn't that long ago. And maybe it was way after fireworks, awkwardly at the bottom of the apartment stairs with a bit too much liquid courage in our systems.  But it was still a memorable holiday! Since then we've enjoyed the holiday in all sorts of ways, but this year we decided that today we'd just enjoy it together.

Last night we traveled to Napa and ate our hearts out at Ciccio in Yountville (the cutest little Italian place you ever did see). Squash blossoms on pizza?? GENIUS. $10 for the best beef carpaccio ever? I'll take it. Rubbing shoulders with the legendary Francis Ford Coppola was fun too; I guess he eats there (hey I ain't afraid to name drop). We slept in today and enjoyed a homemade breakfast, then lounged all day by the pool just relaxing and talking about everything from summer plans and future tattoos to alien conspiracies (Jim's fave) and what's for dinner. For some reason I think this "lack of plans" holiday might end up being one of our most memorable.

I hope everyone's holiday was equally relaxing and filled with love. Happy weekend, everyone!

photo cred: LA Times

Wine, wine, wine, cheese, wine

So, one of the ONLY bad parts about driving cross country and seeing a million things in 3 weeks is that you can only stay in any one place for a short period of time. Napa is one of the most glorious places in the world, and if given the chance we would have spent much, much longer there!


We arrived fairly late on the first day but still managed to fit in a tasting. Googling "Napa wineries open past 6pm" led us to Somerston in Yountville, where Jim was wooed into wine membership by the grenache-blanc and the prospect of  a 1/2 price ATV ride.

 Then we pigged out on the most delicious garlic fries ever.

The next day we woke up at the campground (Bothe-Napa Valley State park was amazing!) and realized we didn't have the quarters necessary for our much needed showers, so we snuck into the spa showers of a nearby hotel that had been recommended to us by some wine-drunk passersby on the road. Yes, the 8 jets per shower were awesome, and no, we didn't feel guilty about it.


The rest of the day was spent consuming nothing but wine, cheese & bread, and enjoying the much needed sunshine.

Points of interest:

• The people at Peju are amazing and will definitely convince you to buy some wine - they also may or may spell out your life and read your fortune the way that our wine guy Rich did
• At Velo Vino you can get 2 for 1 tastings, plus free snacks, an espresso drink and Clif/Luna bars with a wine purchase
• Sonoma is the land of free wine tasting, Napa is not. We'll make it to Sonoma next time!