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Kiddo at Bocce Last Season

Kiddo at Bocce This Season

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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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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

Seems to me that bocce is the official pastime of Saint Helena.

There is an actual Saint Helena Bocce League, which according to Metroactive “holds the title of the largest and most contentious area bocce league, with almost a sixth of the citizenry competing on 89 teams” (click here for the entire article).

Though I am not currently playing due to that huge-new-job-thing, Tom and I have been part of the world’s greatest bocce team Joanie Loves Bocce for a few years now.

While league play takes place just about every evening during the spring, summer and fall, the courts are ususally open and available for general use during the daytime.

And while our kiddo at 3.5 years old is still too young to really play, she enjoys the experience.

I can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon than hanging out at the park, rolling some balls and having a little picnic. And if your kids are older, you could definitely engage in some fun family competition.  That’s our plan for next summer…

Bocce balls can be purchased at any number of online sites. Sure, if you’re visiting from Wisconsin for the week, you’re not going to buy a set of bocce balls, haul them out and back on the plane, only to stick ‘em out in the garage.

But if you are SF Bay Area-local, investing in a set is a smart idea as bocce is becoming more and more popular and courts are springing up all over the place. Just google bocce and you’ll see…(you can also find the game rules with that quick search). And of course if you are a local, you just have to get involved.

Who: All ages for the experience, probably 4-5 years+ to play

What: An easy-going game you can play with glass of wine or snack in hand

Where: Crane Park

When: Beautiful days

Why: It’s fun

The Bocce Scene

On the Court

Cheering on Our Team

Bocce season has started up again; last Thursday was the first week.

But with starting the new job, I decided that I just couldn’t commit this season. My focus right now is work and family.

Tom is playing though, so we all still go. It’s so nice to hang out at the park and spend time with that group of friends.

And of course, eat and drink wine.