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Dad needed to get fitted for his suit and I needed to get some questions answered about bridesmaid stuffs so we all (mom, dad and I) shuffled off to San Francisco. Also, I didn't get to visit my brother at the holidays so I wanted to see him. We arrived on Wednesday and found T's mother there visiting at the same time. We've met her once, liked her, but we only met her for about 2 hours 6 years ago. Well, you'd think she and mom were old school chums. They hit it off and I don't think they stopped talking until the plane lifted off taking us home.
Thursday we drove up to Petaluma to check out a new place @ had found. Marin French Cheese. They're a small, hand-made, mostly goat and sheep cheese company. All the cheese are made in old French style. I love chevre. I've made chevre with Fox from her goats. Until this place, oh my oh my this was amazing. In addition to the chevre, we picked a brie and a schloss, grabbed a bag of sliced homemade French bread, olives (also French) and some salami and headed to the picnic tables next to the pond on the property. There were a pair of Canadian Geese who also decided to join (French cheese, French bread, I'm guessing they were summering from Montreal). They were mostly friendly unless you're a thieving seagull. I walked right up to them and gave them some bread and cheese. The seagull tried for the steal and that's when the hissing, snapping and chasing began. They ignored the finches.
Friday was wineries in Napa. T suggested Benzinger. None of us had been there yet besides her so it seemed like a good idea. Wow was it ever. That's some of the best wine I've ever had. Joined the club. Now there will be wine in the house from this lovely place for time to come.
Saturday was girl's day. Dad & @ had their fittings so T, the mom's and I headed to the de Young museum for the day. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. They have a tendency to mix classical and modern art in a way I didn't appreciate. I've seen it done better. I will note that the rooms were amazingly huge and the use of space was awesome. The highlight was that they were hosting a Nureyev exhibit. Film of his works, bio sheets on the walls and displays of all the costumes he and the lead ballerina wore in his shows. it was impressive. I got Fox a postcard from the exhibit :-)
Saturday was also dinner at La P'tit Laurent, a French Bistro in the city. Oh how I love the food here. Amazing every time. We go all out. Apps, dinner and dessert with wine. I had rabbit Normandy, @ had real cassoulet with duck confit, and the dad had a 6 hour braised lamb shank. I still can't get past the goodness. We had an amazing waiter. Well, 4 really, but one stood out. He was hysterical. One of the family that owns the restaurant. He teased us all through dessert that no one had the caramelized French Toast. I actually really wanted to have it, but mom hates French toast and we were splitting dessert. @ told him as we were leaving that we would be back and someone would order the French Toast then. His reply? in heavily accented English "No, you've missed your chance. It won't be the same next time and there's just no making it up now." Yeah, we tipped well. You play, we pay.
Sunday we went to see where the wedding will be held, it's perfect and beautiful. It really is a little piece of redwood forest (Stern Grove) in the middle of downtown San Francisco. I cannot wait! And since the wedding is outside in a meadow, I need to find wedding shoes what won't sink in the mud.
Monday I took the mom's shopping to the mall. The Vatican tells me my sainthood has been fast tracked. They have neither one bought a dress for the wedding. Turns out the both want sparkle, sequins and beading. It's going to be the shiny wedding of SF. Don't say it.
Thursday we drove up to Petaluma to check out a new place @ had found. Marin French Cheese. They're a small, hand-made, mostly goat and sheep cheese company. All the cheese are made in old French style. I love chevre. I've made chevre with Fox from her goats. Until this place, oh my oh my this was amazing. In addition to the chevre, we picked a brie and a schloss, grabbed a bag of sliced homemade French bread, olives (also French) and some salami and headed to the picnic tables next to the pond on the property. There were a pair of Canadian Geese who also decided to join (French cheese, French bread, I'm guessing they were summering from Montreal). They were mostly friendly unless you're a thieving seagull. I walked right up to them and gave them some bread and cheese. The seagull tried for the steal and that's when the hissing, snapping and chasing began. They ignored the finches.
Friday was wineries in Napa. T suggested Benzinger. None of us had been there yet besides her so it seemed like a good idea. Wow was it ever. That's some of the best wine I've ever had. Joined the club. Now there will be wine in the house from this lovely place for time to come.
Saturday was girl's day. Dad & @ had their fittings so T, the mom's and I headed to the de Young museum for the day. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. They have a tendency to mix classical and modern art in a way I didn't appreciate. I've seen it done better. I will note that the rooms were amazingly huge and the use of space was awesome. The highlight was that they were hosting a Nureyev exhibit. Film of his works, bio sheets on the walls and displays of all the costumes he and the lead ballerina wore in his shows. it was impressive. I got Fox a postcard from the exhibit :-)
Saturday was also dinner at La P'tit Laurent, a French Bistro in the city. Oh how I love the food here. Amazing every time. We go all out. Apps, dinner and dessert with wine. I had rabbit Normandy, @ had real cassoulet with duck confit, and the dad had a 6 hour braised lamb shank. I still can't get past the goodness. We had an amazing waiter. Well, 4 really, but one stood out. He was hysterical. One of the family that owns the restaurant. He teased us all through dessert that no one had the caramelized French Toast. I actually really wanted to have it, but mom hates French toast and we were splitting dessert. @ told him as we were leaving that we would be back and someone would order the French Toast then. His reply? in heavily accented English "No, you've missed your chance. It won't be the same next time and there's just no making it up now." Yeah, we tipped well. You play, we pay.
Sunday we went to see where the wedding will be held, it's perfect and beautiful. It really is a little piece of redwood forest (Stern Grove) in the middle of downtown San Francisco. I cannot wait! And since the wedding is outside in a meadow, I need to find wedding shoes what won't sink in the mud.
Monday I took the mom's shopping to the mall. The Vatican tells me my sainthood has been fast tracked. They have neither one bought a dress for the wedding. Turns out the both want sparkle, sequins and beading. It's going to be the shiny wedding of SF. Don't say it.