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Here’s the a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.
Cheers!

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It’s hard to believe that another Fourth of July weekend is winding down. Has an entire year really gone by?

This year, with Samantha going on five, has been much different than last.
Last year she was still more of a toddler; this year, she is surely a little girl.
She has opinions on what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.

So this year, we started with bocce on Thursday night.
There were friendly conversations, high fives, and fireworks on the courts.

This year, we went to the farmers market.
There were beautiful flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

This year, we went swimming with friends.
There were girly giggles, squabbles, and hugs.

This year, we went to Cheers! St Helena.
There were ladybug bracelets, music, and wine.

This year, we relaxed and we did chores.
We shopped and we napped.
We made ribs, corn on the cob, and salad.

This year, we went to the parade in Calistoga.
There were horses with flags…

dancing horses…

…even a unicorn.

There were patriotic headbands.

There were firetrucks.
Old-fashioned…

and new.

There were dancing ladies.

There were antique cars…

and modern motorcycles.

And of course, there was the high school band…

and ice cream.

Through it all, we’ve remembered that the Fourth of July is not only about pool parties, BBQs, and days off work.

It’s about independence, freedom, and gratitude for all those who have fought and are fighting to make our country the best in the world.

We hope you had a happy Fourth of July too.

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Last year, a friend of ours started this little thing called Cheers! St Helena.

He calls it a “Friendship Celebration” and a “Main Street Toast to Friends & Wine.” I can’t even imagine all the work he’s put into it, and all of the hoops he’s had to jump through.

See, our little wine country town is very, well, careful. And I am glad it is so.

And Cheers! St Helena, what with the 100+ fabulous wineries pouring their wine in all the wonderful establishments downtown, the live music, the street closures, the street performers, the face-painting, the sidewalk food vendors–and, of course, the Wine Train actually (gasp!) letting off passengers–is rather revolutionary. In a good way. In the best way.

Did I mention you get to walk around town sipping fabulous wines from premier Napa Valley wineries (out of another friend’s govino glasses no less)?

But more importantly you get to really, truly experience our town.

I’d never been in most of our shops and boutiques until Cheers! St Helena. And I most certainly didn’t spend much money in these shops; I always thought we were priced out. But, I’ve found that the prices aren’t really all that much more than elsewhere. Plus, it makes me happy to be spending money–even if it is more–locally and supporting our community.

By the way, Tom bought me the most beautiful locket at Daisy.

Thursday night was the second bocce game of the season.

Our good friends on the Tipsy Moonshiners and Joanie Loves Bocce shared a picnic table.

Our theme: Medieval Times
Their theme: Movies

Inspired by Lady and the Tramp, the dear Terilynn brought this clever adaptation of spaghetti & meatballs. Pre-twirled and on-a-fork! And perfect for the one-handed eating of bocce (as the other hand is busy with a glass of vino, or a bocce ball).

Samantha loved it and ate three of four forkfuls.

I see a lot of fun variations on this presentation; summer vegetable angel hair secured by a tomato, wild mushroom pappardelle secured by a portabello, seafood linguine secured by a prawn…

What possibilities can you come up with?

Pre-Twirled Spaghetti

One of the other winners of most-genius, the twist & recycle jello shot cups of the most masterful jello shot maker and Tipsy Moonshiner Katie H:

Jello Shots!

One-Handed Bocce

I am sorry, dear jessicapecota.com readers, that I have been neglecting this site.

See, I’ve been busy starting my own business.
Oh, there’s that new part-time job too.
And, my other full-time job as wife & mommy.

Plus, of course family, friends, home-keeping, gardening, grocery shopping…yadda, yadda, yadda.

But, know what?
I’m about as happy as I can remember being. Ever.

Anyway, here’s a cute picture of kiddo diddo. For now.

Below are scenes from our New Year’s Eve 2009 celebration, as seen through the eyes of two four year-old aspiring photographers.

Whose parents were too busy eating, drinking and talking to notice what they were doing with our camera. Our good camera.

On Sunday, we attended the annual Saint Helena Fire Department Station Open House.

Although we missed last year, it is one of Samantha’s favorite events. Tom & I enjoy the small-town, old-timey atmosphere as well. So we were quite pleased when we ran into kiddo’s BFF Brookie there.

And in reviewing the photos from the day, I was struck by how much the girls have grown.

Saint Helena Fire Station Open House, October 2009

Kiddo's First Birthday, December 2006

That’s Brookie second from left and Samantha on the far right, at kiddo’s first birthday celebration at school.

Only in the Napa Valley, do you get to attend a four year-old’s birthday party at a place like this:

Princess Playhouse

Which is situated along the Napa River; whose neighbor across the river is:

The Back of Opus One

And with this view:

View North, to Mt Saint Helena

And with wine. Bubbles, actually.