Icky Nikki is not Icky

Wednesday was the perfect day to visit. 
We had electricity and gorgeous weather 

We carted around

libated and ate

duck hunted

And scrabbled our brains

Our Country Estate

Is a castle in Windsor

With a view of Swan Lake

But, that's not it

This is Heron Hill

our wine country estate

It also has a lake

and a Bocce Ball Court.

'Heron Hill' is nestled on two and a half-acres surrounded by an oak forest, the coastal hills, and a private lake. It's a big WOW.

Hope to see you all there.

Jim and I had a wonderful time on our search for our next destination, Wine Country. We spent all day Saturday in San Francisco on an absolutely picture perfect day.

We began the day at "The Buena Vista" with an Irish Coffee. After watching the Badgers stomp Purdue at Knuckles, we hung around Fisherman's Wharf; toured a couple big ships; gazed at the boats sailing under the 'Golden Gate' and took in the sights at The Palace of Fine Arts (pic. at the top). Then, we climbed Mt. Tamalpais and looked out

over Mill Valley, the entire bay, and Stinson Beach. It was breathtaking.

Then, Daria & Phil made us a wonderful rib and risotto dinner in the backyard of their lovely 100-year-old Victorian home. Daria and I danced to the 'Doors' after a couple of glasses of wine. Rock On. So much fun.

Sunday was house hunting day. But first, Spencer, Daria's 14-year-old son made us a gourmet brunch. Like mother, like son. It was wonderful. Thank you, Spencer.

The first two houses didn't work out, and we were really concerned. But, as luck would have it, we finally arrived at Heron Hill. We knew it the moment we saw it. There was a family of deer wandering around the bocce ball court.

Sunday afternoon we were invited for wine and cheese in the library of a new hotel in Healdsburg called, Les Mars. Sarah & David Mars have a home in the desert. They have impeccable taste. The hotel is gorgeous.

Sunday night we dined in Healdsburg with Daria, Phil, Ted & Lisa (friends of Daria's) Ted's family owns Seghesio Family Vineyards. He brought one of his bottles of Zinfandel. Yum!Yum! Try a bottle or two.

Monday we did some business in San Fran, had lunch at the Flower Market and met up with Peter Samuels. He is the diamond dealer that met the Dalai Lama thirty years ago. 

Flew home...Spent twenty hours without electricity on Tuesday, and then, when we finally could see the light it was Wednesday.

Little Red Riding Hood

is really a fox

Ya Gotta Have Friends

The Blogger played Maj Jongg

The Blogger had bananas flambe with 
Deborah & Jerry Bloore

The Blogger actually took this picture last night The Blogger had lunch with her friend,

Marie-France

The Blogger Slept in this

t-shirtThe Blogger did all this 
within the past 24 hours

Dinner with Cindy and Geoff

Good Morning Everyone

I would like you all to meet Cindy and Geoffrey Eix, our landlords and friends. Aren't they adorable? We had a delightful dinner party with them on Tuesday night at OUR (meaning all of our) home. They brought Banana Cream Pie. We BBQ'd lamb chops, roasted rosemary and garlic potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, steamed broccolini, and baby squash, and asiago panini garlic bread. They are a great couple. We will definitely do it again.

Badger Blogger Goes To Homecoming

Wisconsin 48
Minnesota 12

Cheers To The Badgers. They Kicked Ass.
Cheers To My Girls. They Kicked Ass, Too.

Bless All College Co-Eds and Big 10 Schools.

Not only are they absolutely the cutest bunch of kids I've ever seen, but they match their looks with kindness.

After a four hour commute and a four-hour delay in Palm Springs to O'Hare, Jim & I landed safely at The Edgewater, Room 69. It was two a.m. but we kept our sense of humor. After all, the kids were still out, so why not us?

Actually, Steph fell asleep at nine and called us at 1:15 wondering where the heck we were.

Amy hung out with friends. Unfortunately, I had to wait for kisses until Friday.




Breakfast at the Sunroom was great.

We shopped. State Street is great for trick or treating and we saw Jenna Schwartz and her pretty new Pedicure. A very happy freshman. 

Then off to H & M where even bloggers can find clothes.

The Homecoming Parade was at sunset and while it circled State Street, Stephanie ran behind the Chi Omega float. Energy abounds. 

Friday night we went to Crave. Tracy, Katie, Bonnie, Amy & Stephanie joined us for a wonderful dinner with great friends. On the way to dinner we met up with Jeff and he is always a pleasure to see. We love you all.

Saturday was Game Day. It began at Einsteins Bagels and just got better and better as the day progressed. Randall Stadium is a giant red bathtub filled with hot looking fans and a team that ROCKS. Kudos to Stocco & P.J. Hill for a great throwing and running game. What energy & effort. The whole experience was electrifying.

With little energy to spare, we went grocery shopping and ended up taking a two-hour nap.

Saturday night we went to dinner with Stephanie and her roommate Melissa (from Santa Monica). Blufee's is always great. Happy 19th Birthday, Melissa.

After dinner, Jim and I took a walk up Wisconsin Avenue with the capitol gleaming in our path. The girls each had their own plans.

We landed at a great bar called GENNA'S across the street from the capitol. The music was fantastic. We strolled back leisurely and slept like rocks with the lake lapping outside our hotel window.

Sunday we had brunch at Panera, shopped at Target, dropped the girls off and headed for the Radtkes in Buffalo Grove. Chicago Pizza blows away NY pizza. Always great to see you and the kids Kimmie. Love you all.

A brief sleepover at the Hilton O'hare and it was back to Palm Springs for Moosehead and his favorite Badger Blogger.

Home Sweet Home

We had the best dinner tonight. Homemade turkey burgers prepared with crumbled Gorgonzola, scallions & grainy mustard. Sauteed mushrooms tossed with Romano/Parmesan cheese, grilled onions, sliced tomatoes, avocados & lettuce were the condiments piled high on top of roasted garlic asiago bread.

Way too good. Try it. You'll like it.
Everything came from Trader Joes.

OK. I'm Done. Too full. Too tired.

Happy Birthday Dad

Good Morning Everyone

I want to wish my dad a very happy and healthy birthday. Tomorrow we're off to Madison, WIS., for homecoming weekend. Can't wait to kiss my girls. I love you.
OK. Here's some Rancho Mirage news.
Jim has befriended a delightful retired American Airlines pilot named Capt. Jack Irwin. It seemed that every time Jim went out to play golf, he played with Capt. Jack. 
On Monday, we went to dinner with my friend Chic Watt. After dinner, we ran into Capt. Jack again and he invited us to the Westin for a drink (at his fire-pit). We learned that Capt. Jack is a very well liked man at the Westin and in his honor they built him a huge outdoor fire-pit to enjoy cocktails under the stars. Everyone at the Westin knows Capt. Jack! We felt like royalty! The night ended with a visit to Capt. Jacks beautiful home here at Mission Hills CC. Jack and his wife Bonnie are from St. Louis. Bonnie, unfortunately, is not here this week. We look forward to meeting her, too! On his computer, Jack was showing us a hotel in Healdsburg that his best friends own called the Les Mars Hotel. While scrolling through the web pages of the Les Mars Hotel, Jim and I notice the gorgeous furnishing in every room. Jack mentioned that the designer who worked with Sarah Mars on the hotel also works for Mrs. Getty.

Almost immediately Jim mentions the name Helga Horner and Guillermo Compero (tenants in our building in San Francisco). We know that Mrs. Getty has all of her furniture made by Compero. She buys one-of-a-kind pieces in Europe and he replicates them in his San Francisco office. Jack couldn't believe Jim knew these people. We met Sara and David Mars and had a great time discussing our children, our interests and our mutual friends. Anyway...her name is Sarah too, and her dad is the Senator from Nebraska. I'm not sure if he still is Senator, but whatever, it's the second Senator to be named in this blog. Jim's off to Los Angeles today to pick up our box of ski clothes that we left in storage because we never imagined we'd need them in Rancho Mirage. But..we forgot about our trip to Wisconsin and Vail in October. 

Curious?

I know you are all curious about what an umbilical hernia looks like when it's repaired. 
I've had so many inquiries.

Hernia Fix

High-five to Jimmy

Yesterday he had his umbilical hernia repaired. He is recuperating at home and feeling a little sore. The procedure was a success! The Vicodin is an even greater success.

Unfortunately, he is unable to operate any heavy machinery so that bulldozer project that he had in mind will have to wait.

He's a happy man though. During our Break the Fast dinner last Monday night, Jim had a nice chat with Senator Barbara Boxer. He loves talking politics. She was a warm and genuine individual. Keep up the good work Senator.

At the moment, Jim is watching his talking heads as they banter about our Page Preditor Congressman Foley. The House of Cards is rapidly tumbling down. Pray for change, will ya?

Meet My Driver, Moosehead

Hello Blogheads

I'd like you all to meet my driver 
Moosehead and his pal James

Our Shower Is Broke. NOT.

Do you know what it's like to just move into a new house and not be able to take a shower in your own bathroom? How frustrating is that?

Well, anyone who knows me well will know that I come up with creative solutions to just about everything. I don't let anything get me down. When there's a will, there's a way.

My way. Happy Yom Kippur.

Getting All My Ducks In A Row

Good Morning Blogger Friends

You'll be happy to know that just this morning, 
I got all my ducks in a row, see?

Quacked Me Up