bebe Christmas x2.

As I always say, I am truly grateful for the amazing team I have.  They are not only incredibly smart but hysterical.  They get me through each & every day.  Here are some photos of the Employee Appreciation Day & our "2b" Fabulous dinner.

home brew and homemade pizza.

So...the first home brew was a blonde ale.  The second home brew is a hef and we did a smaller batch of a cranberry hef.  These beers are amazing.  The first time around we had some spotty carbonation and it was just ok.  But not kidding, this batch of hef is outstanding it has great carbonation and foamy head.  The cranberry hef is delicious, you don't really get cranberry from it but you do get the tartness & fruitiness from it.  Here are some photos from home brew & pizza night with Casey & Nick.

Italian Sausage, Mozzarella & Eggs

Potato, Bacon & Blue Cheese

Nutcracker 2010.

The night we go to the Nutcracker is probably my favorite night of the year.  I think it is so important to have these traditions.  I can't believe it was our Sixth year! And this year we were so lucky to have great friends come with us!  Mary & Roshan and Casey & Linda came with us to the ballet.

bebe Christmas.

I feel very lucky to work with a great team both in San Francisco & LA.  These are a few shots of the unofficial holiday party. 

It's Christmas Time!

I have been wired for the last couple of weeks with the holidays approaching.  This time of year gets me so excited.  I am counting down the days until Nutcracker!  We got our sweet little Christmas Tree today.  I think it is adorable.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I am truly thankful that we have such amazing friends out here.  Jennie & Bowen hosted a Thanksgiving Potluck for our group of friends that stayed in the city for the holiday.  Our friends are all pretty great cooks, so the meal was amazing. 

three amazing cooks in the kitchen!

the pineapple turkey.  bowen's mom makes them.  I really want one (obvi)

Jennie's first pie ever...amazing first pie.  and beautiful!

Our Sweet Potato Soup w/Cranberry Oil & Crispy Sweet Potato Matchsticks.

The hostess with the mostess & the Turkey.

the multiple side dishes.  YUM.

the boys dishing up!

more full plates, that were very happy plates at the end of dinner

Off to Spring Mountain...(a Napa Appellation)

Linda (Casey's Lady Friend) came for a visit & we headed up North to Spring Mountain.  It was a really great trip with the exception of the terrible weather...rain, hail, lighting & thunder.  Best part was we went to the original Taylor's (Gotts Tray Gourmet).  Love that place. 

Casey & Linda at the new Oxbow Wine Merchant location.  The shop that Nick opened a couple of years back has relocated & is now in the main hall of the Oxbow Public Market.  The new space is amazing & has great energy inside the hall.  Can't wait to go back soon!

Me & Nick, as you can see in the background it is right across from Hog Island.

In the caves during the tour at Pride.

Outside at Pride, post-Harvest is one of my fav times of year to visit.  The leaves on the vines are changing color & it is very quiet in the Valley. 

arizona vs. stanford.

 although we lost, we still had a really great time.  go CATS.

me & dave at brick yard, waiting for the bus.

on the bus!

made it to stanford.

before the game started and before we started losing.

pumpkin carving.

we had such a great time having everyone over for pumpkin carving.  everyone did a great job!

Mel's Pumpkin

Robert's Pumpkin

Nick's Pumpkin

Casey's Pumpkin

Shannon & Derek's Pumpkin

 

the line up

Bowen's  Pumpkin

Lori's Pumpkin

Jennie's Pumpkin