Trick-or-Treat




















Kit had to warm to trick or treating.... Once she found how the candy accumulated in her boo bag, she managed to call out "tickorteat" and "dankoolady" from the safety of her daddy's arms. Elsie, however, had no fear and was not only adorable but an excellent scout pointing out good candidates for treats and houses that were probably too scary for her sister. With all of the ridiculous controversy, we'll enjoy more Halloween festivities this evening as well.

Poppell Farms




























So after Allison Belzer's book bash Friday night, we headed to Jesup yesterday to keep David company while he was on call. We managed to make the most of our time with a morning at the incredibly well-run and perfectly entertaining Poppell Farms nearby in Odum. There, we enjoyed a hayride, pumpkin picking, a cow ride, lots of jumping, a petting zoo, feeding catfish, a play area, and lunch--the sum total inspiring excellent naps for all.

Happy Halloween!

Mo Gumpman

Elsie picks a pecka punkins...

Picking Pumpkins.... I mean Gumpmans, Part I

Day 4

After our last night in Healdsburg, we gathered an Oakville Grocery picnic to head to Sonoma with stops in Mantazas Creek, St. Francis, Chateau St. Jean, Arrowwood, Gundlach Bundschu, Schug, and Domaine Carneros. Dinner at Cafe La Haye and a night at the Hotel MacArthur were tempting and satisfying, relaxing and inspiring, a reason to be excited to return home and eager to return.

Sunset





After Gary Farrell and J Vineyards, we ended the day with a rest and the meal of our lives at Cyrus in Healdsburg. From the caviar cart to the cheese tray, from the 5 courses to the amuse bouches and palate cleansers, we were clearly out of our league yet in paradise. We tried to survive and relish each course as it presented itself, awed by the opportunity, grateful for the experience, and eager to share...

Picnic lunch






And after tasting at Preston, we picnicked at Quivira and tasted at Hop Kiln and Rocchiolo. It was a thrill to select wines to take with us on the plane, to ship in a 1/2 case or full case, or to disregard. We were quickly able to find a way to reach consensus on something that didn't concern toddlers!