Viognier, San Mateo, California

While I was definitely feeling gratitude this year on Thanksgiving ( six days after my right total shoulder replacement and not feeling that terrible arthritic pain anymore ), I didn't feel like a two hour drive to Sacramento for a family gathering.  My arm was still in a sling ( for another five weeks ).  

My dear friend, Kris Bleything, who had welcomed me back from India and offered her home to me, agreed we should dine somewhere locally in the San Mateo area.  She left the choice of restaurants up to me so I spent an hour or so reading reviews and finally picked Viognier.  I liked the menu and their wine list was excellent.  I figured I might have to drink dinner since my right hand was pretty ineffective at cutting meat!

We opted to go early which was good.  Draeger's, the gourmet market that houses Viognier, was not open, so we were given instructions to park in the garage and to phone up for someone who would bring the elevator down to us.  

The restaurant was bright and airy, with light woods and huge flower arrangements of blue hydrangeas.  

It wasn't crowded at that time and we were seated by the crackling fireplace and had an energetic, cheerful server who made excellent suggestions.

I hadn't thought to consider that Viognier might be serving a set menu for Thanksgiving.  I had already looked at their regular online menu and chosen my meal for the evening.  Not so.  Kris was happy to have turkey and dressing but I opted for a meal and an appetizer of pork!

My very good Sazerac cocktail!

A champagne cocktail - lovely but I can't recall its ingredients

We had a long leisurely lunch, enjoying the fire, our meal and an excellent bottle of California pinot noir, recommended by our server.

Turkey and dressing - with a turkey sausage, for good measure

My pork appetizer

Pork, again

I really should have ordered something different.  The pork was delicious but appetizer and entree were so much alike, I found myself craving fish at the end!

Our fine pinot noir

Bread pudding - out of this world

There was a second dessert but I can't seem to find a picture of it - a heavenly pumpkin pie cheesecake.  We must have consumed it so quickly, I forgot to snap a picture...or my phone battery protested.  

It was a nice lunch/dinner but very expensive ( $250 ) and I think both Kris and I missed being with family - though she is like a sister to me.  I was longing to hear little Harper, calling out "Nana."

New Year's Thoughts - From a Seventy-Year-Old! - December 30, 2014

I've just been reminiscing,

About great New Year's past,

I would dance the night away,

And have a merry blast!

I'd party hearty with my friends,

Raise my voice in "Old Lang Syne,"

And join the happy, rowdy bunch,

In a midnight conga line!

I'd wear a slinky, sparkly dress,

And heels, the six-inch kind,

And cleavage showing far too much,

Sexy BUT refined!

I'd see the New Year's sunrise,

Not ready yet for sleep,

And resolutions weren't for me,

Promises I'd never keep!

I'm lucky now to be awake,

When the New Year saunters in,

One martini and I'm asleep,

Much to my chagrin.

I'd love to find a partner,

To hold me while we dance,

He'd need strong arms and back,

Forget about romance!

I keep my cleavage covered,

Saggy boobs are best that way,

I do admit to vanity,

In covering up my gray!

I make one resolution,

To try to keep life fun,

To cherish those I've grown to love,

Till my New Year's days are done.

None of us can know, for sure,

When our sojourn here will end,

I'm grateful for God's gifts to me,

For each and every friend.

I wish my lovely family,

And friends both far and near,

Health, love and happiness,

In the coming year.

Carmen Henesy

December 30, 2014

Copyright Carmen M Henesy, December 30, 2014

Six Word Friday - Free - July 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July

Photo thanks to Bing Images, domain free

This is a day of celebration,

Of flags, families, fireworks, and friends,

Free and brave, we owe much,

Whisper thanks as this day ends.

We often take liberty for granted,

But I feel blessed every day,

 I was born in this country,

The best place of all - USA!

Carmen Henesy

copyright July 4, 2014 Carmen Henesy

I am participating in 

Six Word Fridays - Free

Join in the fun with your "six word" effort!

Happy Friendship Day - August 4, 2013

,

I used to think the world was vast,

With most lands unknown to me,

But, now, a venerable sixty-eight,

I've sailed most every sea.

I've visited foreign countries,

Dined on all sorts of cuisines,

Drunk wines in lands about the globe,

Prevented illness with vaccines.

I saw the shimmer of Northern lights,

 Watched fiery lava flow,

Marveled at Iguazu's thundering falls,

Saw the Swiss Alps blanketed in snow.

The most wonderful gift that I've gotten,

As I've journeyed so far on my way,

Is the cherished and wonderful friendships,

That mean more than words can convey

These friends and those of a lifetime,

Are worth more than their weight in gold,

From the earliest days I remember,

As my hair turns white and I'm old.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright © August 4, 2013 Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved.

A Most Exciting Day, Three Weeks Away - March 31, 2013

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.  Mine was spent alone, contemplating
my return to India and beginning to order medications/ necessities I will need, 
preparing my packing list - and trying not to get TOO excited about the next three 
weeks because - my FIRST grandbaby is due to make his/her debut the 21st of
April.  Since I am already 68-years-old, I think my three sons have failed me
miserably in providing me with grandchildren to spoil.  Thankfully, Alex, my 
middle son ( and the only one married ), at 30, is fulfilling this responsibility.
His beautiful wife, Laura, who is still as pretty as every in her final weeks of
pregnancy is still working but will take off the last two weeks before her due 
date.  Her baby baby shower was three weeks ago and that was so delightful,
held at her mom's house in Antelope, CA.  I'm going to post some pictures from
that special day.  I'd like to post the video I got from Alex a few days ago -
it was just hysterical - but I don't think Laura would appreciate having her gravid
belly shown to one and all.  All I can say, is I've never seen a baby move that
much in utero!!  Alex's comments were hysterical...."dude, that's freaky."  He 
told me he thought the baby was going to pop through her belly like a scene
from "Alien" - I wonder if there is anyone left who saw that movie.

Jeremy, my youngest son, drove up with me so he could visit with his brother.  We

went south to pick up Laura's grandmother and great aunt, then headed north 

for two hours to the Sacramento area.  There was still ground fog but not too 

much traffic on these older freeways ( I wanted my Indian friends to see our 

California roads ).  

The hills are still green from the winter rains.  In a couple of months, it will all

be "gold".

The yellow mustard was beautiful in bloom, along with all the flowering fruit and

nut trees.

I'm not sure what these trees are but the blossoms look like snow when they fall.

Here is the lady of the day, my lovely daughter-in-law, Laura Vukasinovic

Soon to make her or his debut is my first grand child

Presents for the baby are starting to arrive

Laura, with her great aunt, Patt

Laura and her mother, Christine Calhoun, who is also a nurse

Laura's "granny", Trudy and her friend

Wonder what the ladies are discussing?

Leah Serb

Mandy

More presents

Yummy food - we had a feast!

Enjoying lunch

Kristen Winterhalter, Lynn Hawkins, Mandy

Dawn Lockhart - who my oldest son, Shawn Smith, is lucky enough to be dating!

And here I am - soon to be "Nana" - though Alex tells me it will be "Grandma"

Laura's aunt Shirley

Lynn and Leah tied in a game and are drinking out of baby bottles for the tie breaker

Here's a better shot of Leah

Mama-to-be seems happy

I wish I could sit like that!!

What a sweet baby - and, of course, I remember no ones names!!!

The first of many presents!

Of course, being an elephant freak, this was one of my favorites!

I even wore my new elephant shoes for the first time!

So many gifts....

Ummm, can I read this writing?

Nice, a bathtub!

Here's Alex's present!

A little bit of everything...

"Let's party...my crib...2AM"

You're going to be using a lot of those!

A special blanket

Coming to an end

All smiles

Hugs

Paramedic buddies of Laura's

Forever friends

Mother, daughter, and grandbaby-to-be

It was a most wonderful day.  I will go up to visit Laura, Alex, my soon-to-arrive 

grandbaby and the granddogs for a couple of days this week.  I can hardly

wait to hold that little sweetheart in person....my shoulder is healing beautifully

and I should get the okay on April 9th when I see Dr. Belzer.

With Laura's permission:  You can post the "freaky" tummy video. I don't mind.