The Napa Valley

Heading to Bodega Bay, my husband likes to stop in Calistoga.

We stay at the fairgrounds in our 5TH Wheel trailer. That way, right outside our door is both a race track (He likes Spint cars) and a golf course. That makes him happy and there is plenty for me to do. Like sight seeing, wine tasting, a little gourmet shopping, and there was a farmers market on Saturday morning.

Yippee!!

Traveling through the countryside.

The farmers market was small but quaint. I got 3 jars of preserves.

Key Lime Curd

Jalapeno Garlic Jelly

Meyers lemon Marmalade

I also got tea!

Of course, my camera batteries died at the market, so...,

no pictures for you! (sorry)

The bounty looks plentiful!

We stopped at the Culinary Institute.



I've been by this place a number of times but I have never stopped.

Lunch for two will run you about $150.00.

I didn't think there was anything to see, unless you went to the restaurant.

I was wrong!


There is a store inside. More shopping!

These is even a cooking demonstration you can take for $15.00.

Now that I know... Next Time!!!



This is one of the classrooms.


Imagine..., you sitting there..., listing to the instructor,

Turducken on your mind...


This is where you would be sitting!
Cool! Huh?




We also went to Dean and Deluca.

Gourmet shopping at it's best!

I have to say, the first time I ever went in here, I was over whelmed.

I didn't have a clue what to get.


Still Don't!



What did I get?



Some cocoa nibs! -I have big plans for these.


Large pearl tapioca! -These just look fun!


Rose Flower Water-Marye has a scone recipe I want to try.


Tomato Paste-I needed some.


And some mini macaroons!




I also got some cheese!

See that slice with the herbs on it.
Well, lets just say it was dubbed as the stinky cheese.
At $49.99 a LB,(I only bought a 1/4 pound) it was not worth it.
I think I'll probably be returning home with leftovers of that.



But that container of cheese-see it?-
that was Cowgirl Creamery's Fromage blanc.
It was worth it's weight in gold. I will always pick up some of that when I see it.
The guy at the shop said you could use it any place you would use cream cheese.
He also said it would be wonderful stirred into polenta.

We just ate it on crackers.





And then there was my Tomato and Nectarine stack!
More about that in just a moment.





I'm excited about these macaroons. I see them everywhere in blog land and I want to know whether to invest the time and calories into perfecting these little gems.

We'll see!


With this little stack of goodness, I scored on the shopping trip.
I don't know what I thought it was when I bought it, but it wasn't that.

It is a cheese stack with nectarines and Heirloom tomatoes.

A little lavender with some chives sprinkled generously around it, this was great on crackers.

I wish I would of paid closer attention to the sign.

And asking a few questions would of been smart also. (Sigh!)





So that's it. My trip so far.

Sunday Morning we leave for Bodega Bay and

I wont have any Internet service. :(



I hope you enjoyed our little journey together.

See ya when I get home!







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