Napa Goodness

How is your summer going? I just got back from a long weekend in Napa where my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. Napa was the perfect place to go; it's not that far from home and yet it feels worlds away. And it is one of the most magical spots for a celebration. We spent three days exploring and just hanging out...

There were quaint farms and wineries

Welcoming signs

Lush vineyards

Cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Institute

Champagne tastings

Beautiful spots to relax

Icy drinks by the pool

Country flowers

Favorite places for lunch

A magical setting for celebrating an anniversary

And great wines and champagnes for making that special toast

It was the perfect place to be!

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I hope you have been enjoying the summer. The last couple of weeks were a great time for me to catch up on some reading -- a delicious summer novel as well as stacks of magazines and newspapers.

There is so much to talk about! Stay tuned...

But I am wondering, have you seen this?

Or this?

Two different covers of the August issue of British Harper's Bazaar and it is out now. There is a ten page article that features the women of "Downton Abbey" in a glamorous photo spread. The timing couldn't be better for those of us still going through "Downton" withdrawal. The fifth season of the show debuts in Britain this fall. Can't wait to get a copy of the magazine. Looking forward to reading about the "Downton Sisterhood"!

Favorite Finds in Napa

Napa, the famous wine region in northern California, is truly a feast for all the senses.  First there is the beautiful natural scenery.  Country roads that wind through miles and miles of vineyards and trees.  At the end of the afternoon, the lighting is golden and lovely and produces scenes such as the one above.  Then of course there is the wine, some of the best you will ever taste.  And to go with that wine is delicious food at an array of excellent restaurants.  I was there recently and had some fantastic meals.  Foodies will feel like they've gone to heaven here.  The little town of St. Helena is lined with cookware stores featuring every pot, pan, or specialty gadget for home cooking you could think of. Chocolate shops, olive oil purveyors, specialty linens, garden stores, and even a fabulous rare book store are in abundance.  Here are some of the places and products that stood out during a recent visit to Napa:

The food was so good in Napa.  Press is one of the best restaurants in the area.

Sunflowers greet you at the entrance of Press Restaurant

 The meal begins with this delectable bread basket filled with gougeres, brioche rolls and bread sticks

The streets of St. Helena have a great collection of food and wine shops.  Woodhouse Chocolate is one of the prettiest and carries delicious chocolate candy.

The packaging is gorgeous 

Olivier is a purveyor of great food products as well as beautiful ceramic products for the kitchen.  I couldn't resist buying one of the charming olive oil dispensers pictured above.

The St. Helena Olive Oil Company has some of the best olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar I have ever tasted.  I left with a bottle of each.

More gourmet food products at St. Helena Olive Oil Company

They carry many types of gourmet salt

Acres Home and Garden was a treasure trove of everything for the gardener

Every corner of the store was loaded with unusual and beautiful gardening products

It is hard to believe that these flowers are not real

Jan De Luz carries beautiful embroidered linens which they will also monogram for you

A little nook at Jan De Luz for travel books

Another great restaurant for dinner

As the last golden days of summer come to an end, Napa is a great place to spend them.  The country roads and vineyards, the lush natural scenery, the delicious food and the legendary wines all add up to a beautiful trip filled with great inspiration.  It's hard to believe, but fall is right around the corner...