Nanas, chocolate, and toffee, oh my!

These muffins are, well, as my mother says, "sinful." One cup of bananas must mean they are good for you, or at least equal out the chocolate chips and toffee.

Regardless, with a glass of ice milk, these muffins are just too yummy. If only I could find a way to include peanut butter, and they might just be perfection in a muffin shape.

The magic of carpet

While we stayed in Sonoma, the bedrooms in the house were carpeted, and I was able to see both my babies asleep, because there was no creaking floors to wake Lillian or Charles as I sneaked in to see them.  Here are pictures of my preciouses.

See Stinky the Skunk half buried?

Yes, Lily is in a closet...

Wine anyone? or Project Backdate #6

Jay and I elected to call our Sonoma trip a very large date. And it was. Based just on the picture above!

On Thursday, we drove up to Sonoma with one grandmother, two cars, a pack n play, 2 babies, a cooler of food, and Finding Nemo playing on the DVD player. After stopping at Ravenswood (who doesn't like their Zins?), we found our house, and were so delighted to find fresh flowers and a bottle of champagne in a lovely home.

Jay and I had a busy day on Friday, starting with a cave tour at Schramsberg, that ended with 4 half-glasses of champagne, and a Cab. Next stop was Rombauer, where I had not one, but four Zins that were fabulous!! I became a "Joy of Zinfandel" cub member...can't wait till January. Then onto Chateau Montelana, for the famous Chardonnay. And found out that unlike in the movie Bottle Shock, the wine didn't actually turn brown.

It was time to leave Napa, and move to Sonoma. We first went to Dry Creek, then Passalacqua (where I still have fond memories of the bathroom from 5 years ago...it was still lovely, and functional!).

Two more wineries to go. Lambert Bridge, with sweet Gus (the dog) and another wine club membership, and finally Quivera, where Jay was very impressed with the full solar panels, and our very helpful bartender who talked food and wine with us nonstop.

Saturday had fewer wineries, but more per hour! Wellington, Loxton, VBJ, Landmark, and finally Enikdu (which is a character from the poem Epic of Gilgamesh).


It was a wonderful, fun holiday, and Jay and I had so much fun exploring Sonoma and Napa, and the wines. One of favorite things to do. Once again, all I can say is thank you to my mother for the babysitting, and to Jay spending the time with me.

Project Backdate #3 and #4

Although I didn't blog about these immediately, doesn't mean they didn't happen.

Date #3 was supposed to be a cooking project (Jason's idea) but with an oven that could only reach a max temp of 270F after 95 minutes, that was out. So whiskey and chess occurred, with EP taking the king once, Jay winning nice, and a draw once. Not bad for two rusty players.

Date #4 was just dinner and a movie, steak, baked potaoes, and salads, outside on our deck, talking about work, lack thereof, and friends. We ended the night watching Edge of Darkness, where Mel Gibson kicked some major ass.

Quite boring honestly, but it was nice to have quiet time together. And with Jay and I going to be apart for about a month, we needed it.

Charlie's first theatre experience

We have been anticipating Toy Story 3 coming to theatres since January when Charlie began his Toy Story obsession.

And today, on June 22nd, Charlie sat in the movie theatre for the first time, between his mother and father, on a yellow booster seat, popcorn box in lap, Woody and Buzz seated next to him.

He was a wonderful boy during the entire movie, 30 minutes of previews and 2 bathroom trips included. We're proud of you Charles!