What Inspires you?

What Inspires You?
That question seems to be the “buzz quest” of the moment. On TV and the movies, in food blogs and web sites, art blogs and publications, decorating blogs, and in emails I read the question, “What inspires you?” and I did! I asked myself “What does inspire me?”

The answer! Hmmmmmm

EVERYTHING! Everything inspires me!

The beautiful cookbook from Williams-Sonoma that Andrew gave me for Mother’s Day A Taste of the World. Inspires me! It is magnificent – the photographs, the recipes, the stories. It has inspired me to travel , to cook something different, to take pictures, to try new spices and flavors. My dear friend, Tami, gave me a little Tapas cookbook and I am inspired to try Tapas at Petit and to pair them with Spanish wines and make paella and indulge in saffron and Spanish paprika. I have the new Stampington publication “Sew Somerset” and I am inspired to sew aprons for people and find some new fabrics to play with and to have some fabulous chairs reupholstered in burlap and sew some crazy fabulous pillows to make the chairs more comfortable. Andrew and Annie continually inspire me, and everyone that colors “outside the lines” inspires me. I am inspired by life and people, cultures, colors and foods, wines and books, textures, flavors, movies, art and artists, athletes, writers and rebels, Petit’s guests and the great gals that work for Petit.
John and his love of hotels and hospitality inspire me and memories of my extraordinary parents and family inspire me. My past, present and future inspires me… So, really! What a silly question.

But, I am a silly person, so “What inspires you?”…

………..

Wines for August at Petit Soleil! We have a lovely just released 2008 Grenache Blanc from Tolosa Winery and a 2007 La Boronne Blanc, a Vermentino/ Grenache Blanc Blend from the South of France. It will be fun to compare and contrast those two brillant wines! We brought in a 2007 Steele Winery Pinot Blanc as well because 1. We love Steele wines and 2. We love Pinot Blancs!

As you know I love roses, This month we are featuring a Vin Gris (pronounced van- gree) from Cambria Winery in the Santa Maria Valley. This is a true rose produced from Pinot Noir fruit. Once again, this is a lovely dry wine and could become a new favorite!

The red wine selections are unique wines, as well. We have a Rhone blend, Heritage Cuvee from Curtis Winery of Santa Ynez in the Santa Barbara County appellation. We also have a trio of wines from Changala Winery of Paso Robles: the 2006 Willow Creek Red (again, a yummy Rhone blend), a 2005 Zinfandel and their 2005 Sublime (a Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah blend) that truly is s u b l i m e! And for tapas nights, we are pouring a beauty from Northern Spain, 2003 Museum Crianza. All the wines are distinct and will be delight additions to the wine and appetizer hours during the month of August.

In addition to the above wines, Petit Soleil will be supporting ONE HOPE WINERY and its vision. I was “inspired” by the winery representative that shared their wines with me last week. These are not wines that are particularly extraordinary or distinct, but they support great causes that are personal for both John and me. I chose the One Hope Chardonnay, because it gives 50% of its profits to Breast Cancer research. My mom succumb to Breast Cancer in 1980 when only a very few women survived the disease. Breast cancer research and education has made monumental leaps and bounds since 1980 and I do believe that continued support plus, my mom inspired me!

I also chose the 2006 One Hope Merlot as 50% of its profits go to the fight against AIDS. Some very wonderful and inspirational people in my life have passed from that cruel and devastating disease. It deserves continued support and education!

We also are pouring the 2006 One Hope Zinfandel. We know this one will touch your hearts, as well, as 50% of the profits go to organizations that help support the families of our military men and women. This one was very near and dear to John’s heart as both his dad and his mom served in the Army and were both buried with high military honors in Arlington, VA. (John’s mom was a huge inspiration to me as she was to Annie and Andrew and, of course, to John).

We so appreciate that this winery is working hard to make a “meaningful impact and to raise awareness for causes that affect millions of people on a daily basis”. Please read more about the winery, the wines and the vision at www.OneHopeWine.com.

I hope you find inspiration in this little blog, in something or someone special at Petit Soleil

Inspirationally Yours,

Dianne