happy birthday Marci

I escaped to Seattle over the weekend for Marci's big birthday girls' weekend. It was days of eating, drinking and talking. Utter indulgence for a group of six mamas.
Friday night was dinner/cooking class at Volterra - the chef was chatty and fantastic and made an amazing menu - roasted onion tart, pasta with duck sauce, perfect pork roast and poached pears with chocolate sauce. The Brunello vino didn't hurt. Marci's dear friend Lynnanne surprised us with big lovely bottles of extra virgin olive oil from Volterra - sigh.
The class was in the private dining room with stunning art done by Dale Chihuly.
On Saturday we had a great lunch at Purple and then went wine tasting. We got a little crazy by the last stop - though Marci and I couldn't stop talking long enough to really pose properly at Novelty Hill/Januik Winery.


Saturday night we hit Wild Ginger - which was amazing - though what was most amazing was that we were still awake after the wine.
Sunday was more of the same - talking, laughing, commiserating. The whole experience was really a get away. Marci has great friends - I feel lucky to be one!