This year, as with last year, and the year before that, and probably the year before that, I skipped out on passing out Halloween candy. This year, I went to a Pinot Noir wine tasting party. Everyone brought a bottle or two and the hosts put them in numbered paper bags. We ranked as we drank and after the votes were tallied, J (Russian River Valley), a California vineyard, won. Frankly, to me, after about the 7th or 8th tasting, they all tasted juicy and delicious.
Today, I went to Skyline Drive again and it was much emptier because many of the leaves have fallen at the tail end of the leaves turning colors. Plus on our drive there, it was raining almost the whole way. As we reached the beginning of the Drive though, the rain stopped and the sun came out, almost perfectly timed. Without the traffic, I got to go much farther and see more of the lookout points. On our way back, we stopped by to walk through a trail. It’s so peaceful when everywhere you turn are trees and more trees.
We stopped by Thai Basil for a late lunch. I’ve wanted to try it ever since seeing chef/owner Nong featured on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown. I don’t know who won, but it doesn’t matter because I wasn’t very impressed with the signature dish there, pad thai. I liked that they let you choose the degrees of spiciness which ranged from mild American, to Mexican, to Thai, and Laotian. I asked for Thai spicy and my nose was running but it wasn’t so spicy I couldn’t finish. But I didn’t like that it seemed too brown-saucy, and Westernized for the clientele where it’s located. It was too salty too. I also tried the penang curry which was flavorful but again, salty. It was cool to see the chef doing a demo of her cooking to a party of 10 or more people though.
This marks the first weekend I’m completely finished with school (forever?).
mmm looks delish.
congratz!!