the ranch + my ultimate city slicker moment {sonoma}

Wednesday after Christmas the Mr. & I jetted across the country to California for a 7 night honeymoon in the wine country! After a plane change in Houston, we arrived just in time for a late lunch in San Francisco!

Our rental pimpin' chariot (the lovely folks at Enterprise decided that since it was our honeymoon they would switch our assigned grandma ride Mercury Grand Marquis, for a rapper inspired Chrystler 300) awaited and took us into San Fran for a yummy & quick lunch at the Fog City Diner.

Over the Golden Gate Bridge and to Sonoma County we went!

Upon the suggestion of T&L magazine's "Best Kept Secret" we checked into The Beltane Ranch for 3 nights as our home while we scouted out all that Sonoma has to offer. As we checked in the proprietor had warm ginger cookies just coming our of the oven. I think I ate the whole jar a dozen myself!

The Beltane was exactly what we wanted. A cozy & quite beautiful spot to rest after a day of exploring with a fabulously amazing farm fresh breakfast (have you ever heard of brushing bacon with brown sugar? pure decadence) cooked for you each morning. If you're looking for modern spa like amenities, this is not the spot for you. If you're looking to get away from it all & see one amazing night sky, & don't mind old house quirks, it's your place!

{the beltane truck. alot cooler than our ride.}

{aforementioned perfect ginger cookies. i've got to find that recipe!}


{yep, Julia & Paul Child stayed there. good enough for me!}

{the fresh board: we had eggs, spinach, persimmons, & onions while we were there. i'd love to be there in the summer!}

{after years of selling their grapes to some of the big guys in Napa, 2009 ushered in the first vintage of Beltane vino! can't wait for our shipment to arrive.}

{so green & beautiful! a plus of hitting up winecounty not during growing season}

{might not have been season for grapes but it was olive season! olives, olives, everywhere!}

{the beautiful ranch house as seen from the pasture, just prior to my ultimate city slicker moment}


After breakfast on a chilly morning we decided to follow the path down to visit with the youngster Clydesdale's that live on the ranch. Now you see I am a horse lover and have been since I was about 6 years old. I like to think I know my way a barn & a pasture. I eagerly frolicked out towards the pasture off the paved path to greet the on-their-way-to-being-humongous-creatures with a morning pat and

squish.

You see, January is rainy season in wine country. The tall vibrantly green grass is deceiving and doesn't shout "hey there's sinking mud under here!" I quickly sank up to my ankles in cold squishy mud in my black patent Revas.

Dressed for a day of wine tasting? yes. For a day at the ranch? no.

Rescued with a piggy back ride back to our room from my lovely husband where my feet were heated up in the claw foot bath-tub & my flats rinsed of the sludge. Oh what a city slicker I felt like!

{post mud-sink. i'm barefoot in the pasture. sidenote: winter white jackets & adolescent giant horses are about as compatible as tb flats for ranch life, just so you know.}

After my poor showing I decided to try again the next morning. Wellies are much more suitable.

{think pete would like a big brother?}

And just because I can, a few more photos for your viewing pleasure.

Still to come, vino, vino, more adventures, & napa!