Weekend Wine Tasting

We planned a weekend getaway to the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country which is nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara County's legendary vineyards.  Only a 45 minute flight from Long Beach to the quiet Santa Ynez airport in Joe's trusty Bonanza.  We visited several wineries in the area including Roblar, Buttonwood, Blackjack, Gainy and Qupe.  We explored the charming town of Los Olivos and the quaint Danish Village of Solvang where we had an outstanding dinner at Root 246 and stayed the night at the Hadsten House.  

It's breathtaking places like this that remind me of why I live in California despite the high taxes, smog and congestion.  Can't wait to go back again.

Joe enjoying one of the MANY tastings

Me doing the same as Joe

We were surrounded by gorgeous vineyards

Enjoyed the outdoor setting at Buttonwood and want to come back this summer for homemade peach pie and peach ice cream.

The ever popular Blackjack Winery put itself on the map after Sideways was filmed there.  We bought a case of a delicious 2006 Syrah called Double Down.

Wine, wine, wine and more wine.

Lunch at the Los Olivos Cafe of a delicious thin crust pizza and caesar salad and of course more wine.

Small world...got to talking to this guy (Mark Huggs and son Finn)  next to me and found out that he lives in Santa Barbara but is the owner of 24th St. Cafe in Bakersfield which Joe frequents.  No wonder they thought each other looked familiar. 

Mother's Day at Roblar Winery.  Not crowded yet since it just opened.

Back in Long Beach and unloading the wine.

Wine to car and then home.  What's better than a weekend of wine tasting!!?

Expanding My Resume!!!

Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery, and in this instance, I must agree.

In June 2010, my boyfriend Joe decided to repaint his airplane and asked that I create a unique design and color scheme.   I came up with what I thought was a striking design but it took some convincing to get unartistic Joe to envision it.   Of course, when the paint job was completed in July 2010,  he was absolutely delighted with my work.

Apparently Joe is not alone because in April 2012, someone else copied my design, probably from the file of the same aircraft painter, and it became the cover poster for Falcon Insurance Company.

Obviously, Falcon knows good design work when they see it!  Does this mean I can add aircraft paint designer to my resume?

Beth's original aircraft paint design for Joe's Bonanza  - painted in July 2010.

April 2012 magazine ad featuring a Bonanza copying Beth's original aircraft paint design.