n. an experience of unrestrained excitement

BonJour!

It is December 31st and it is time to say Au Revoir to 2009 and to the ought’s of the 21st Century. It is a time to reflect upon all that has happened, not only just this past year but also during the past ten years ~ and it is a time of excitement of what is to happen in 2010 and in the next ten.

I remember that it was only a short while ago that we had to wait to get home to receive phone messages on our answering machines, and letters coming in the mail and we even had to wait for internet connection (dial up i.e. “You’ve Got Mail” ). I remember using the Yellow Pages to get phone numbers and I remember waiting excitedly for the latest edition of my favorite magazines (I will miss Gourmet and Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion and Country Home magazines tremendously). I remember using a map to find a specific location and a dictionary to find the correct spelling of a word. Now…everything is immediate and gratification is instant…..Hmmmmmmm it is a day of reflection..

John and I will be leaving on Monday for London then on to France (Provence and Paris) for a short, yet sorely needed Europe “fix”. We are leaving Petit Soleil in Andrew’s capable hands and he is also in charge of our home and our loveable yet squirrely dogs, Wally and Nottie (you can see their cute little pictures on Petit Facebook page). If you are planning on staying at Petit in the next week or so, please introduce yourself to our son, Andrew. He, with the help of all our great Petit family, will make sure that your stay exceeds your expectations, as always.

The wines for January are some fun new finds and some good old faves….
2008 Babcock Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Luna Vineyards FREAKOUT - a delicious blend of Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. I thought the name “Freakout” was apropos for the New Year as it is defined as "n. Freakout an experience of unrestrained excitement".
2008 Sauvion Rose de Anjou - my favorite Rose, yep..AGAIN!
2005 Laetitia Winery Nadia a true Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc gorgeous!
2008 Le Paradou a blend of Grenache and Syrah from Cotes de Luberon

During January we are continuing to offer our $159.00 daily rate and the gift of a bottle of a local wine, latte mugs or travel mugs to our guests. Make sure you mention the gift when you make your reservations at Petit so we can make sure to have everything available upon your check-in.

Oh, and one more thing! The new restaurant “Chow” has opened on Monterey Street just up a few blocks from Petit and it is fantastic! Superior Asian fusion cuisine born of Robin, owner of Novo Restaurant and Shanny, owner of Robin’s in Cambria. We have been there three times and each time the food and the service have been extraordinary!

So, in this New Year and new decade I wish you good health, good food, good wine, and family and friends to share it all with.

With smiles,
Dianne