The Garden (Bodeci) Party

My sun tea, from left: white pomegranate, black mango and "Duchess Grey".  Trader Joe's

Simple flower arrangement on the food table.  Pretty hand towels in ceramic holder (a birthday gift from Adrienne.  I loved one of her first blogs about them) beautifies my bathroom.  

My flowers were all dead-headed recently, so I welcomed my girls with this cute little sitting area near my front door and a painting I did years ago depicting Sonoma Valley lifestyle.


(As you sing my song, please sing it to the musical score of "Garden Party" by Ricky Nelson)

I had a BODECI party to reminisce with my old friends

a chance to share old memories and talk 'bout our kids again.

 So, I went to the veggie garden to harvest stuff to eat.

Then I washed, sliced, grilled, seasoned and created a wonderful treat.

Grilling my harvest is easy with one of these vegetable grillers.

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

"If you can't please anyone then ya got to please yourself!"

I tossed my grilled vegetables with olive oil, vinegar, fresh ground pepper, sal de mer, fresh basil and shaved Parmesan Reggiano.  Served in my grandmother's 1950's salad bowl.

Christina's white bean roasted pepper casserole,  Kathy's chicken lettuce wraps,

Amy's arugula, fig salad and the sun tea brought major claps!

Deborah's sliced tomatoes vinaigrette and steamed green beans from the vine
with Ellen's stuffed mushroom caps, Oh! it was quite divine!

 Easy party trick: keep a Bodeci basket nearby to toss those papers, notes and stuff
you always have on your counter top. (My laptop fits in nicely, too!)

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

"Ya see we can't please everyone so we got to please our self!"

The girls arrive!

Donna made this awesome vegetable farrow (sp?) salad, a highlight of our day
We were getting ready for desert  along with a bit of Chardonnay.
Then April's oatmeal/ coconut cookies and Trisha's soft brie & grapes
We knew to enjoy just a bit cuz we want to keep our shapes!

From left background: Christina, Kathy, Amy, Deborah, Donna
Foreground:  April and Ellen

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

"Ya see you can't please everyone so ya got to please yourself!"

Said hello to Seamac, our "pool guy" and good friend,
he said, "Have fun and take a dip, just gotta give it 'bout ten.
So Donna, April, Amy and I stripped down to our swimsuits
then jumped into my warm, aqua pool with giggles, hollers and hoots!

Amy, Donna and April splash  and play!

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

Ya see I can't please everyone so I got to please myself!

Stay tuned for my scarf tying competition modeling show!

Asked to model my Hermes scarf, (Oh, I'm such a ham!)
Everyone had a chance to try and make me a bit more glam!
We can show those photos another time cuz I'm sure you want to take
a little time off (Well, it's Labor day, so, go take a break!)

Rocky and Boomer share a bit of insight about us girls.

But, it's all right now, I've learned my lessons well, 

Ya see we can please everyone as long as we please ourself!

The End (for now!)

"The Rich Life" and "Bodeci" do Napa!

I am so very bad at being sick!  I had to cancel my birthday "hang-out" with Adrienne last Wednesday because I felt so slow.  I almost bagged out on her again today, but got an email from her this morning saying, "Yipee!...I have no time constraints.  Give me a ring when you are ready to go..."  That is all I needed!  My head cleared up and I was ready to go at 1:30.  We were on our way to Napa!

On the winding drive over the Cavedale grade, we discussed everything from what I should do with my hair to husbands and writing our blog.  "Should I change the name of my blog?"  I asked, "Everyone has such cool names for theirs."

"No way!"  said Adrienne, "'Bodeci' is my new word!  It means..."  (We'll get into this later.)

Adrienne taking a picture of me. You can see the other side on her blog

  (Gosh, she is so gorgeous! But, I love her anyway.)

She took me to one of her favorite restaurants, the Rutherford Grill, in, of course, Rutherford.  But,  we are supposed to be on a budget!  (And she's my teacher!)   She said, "I'm not cheap, just selective.  Pu...lease!  Can anyone live like a freaking miser all of the time?"  HELL NO!  We both agreed.  "What I want people to know is that I am choosy on how I spend my money."

While sipping fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and Kettle One vodka cocktails, we dined al fresco.  We shared grilled artichokes, a seared yellowtail sandwich, 'very wild rice' salad and heirloom tomatoes with fleur de sel.  Awesome!!  Our waiter, Tad was a great guy.  Don't you just love it when you feel welcome at a fantastic restaurant?



With our tummies satisfied (we don't do 'full') it was time for a bit of shopping.

We had fun at Dean & Deluca's looking at the price tags.  Ouch!
I still haven't been tutored in the art of Hermes scarf tying.
What should I do with my hair?  Cut it really short again?  It is so much easier for my profession.

What is 'bodeci'?

 Bodeci is the beautifully woven basket I bought at the farmer's market I use to harvest my vegetables with.

Bodeci is the faux patent leather shopping/ picnic bag I purchased at Dean & Deluca's.  I will use it as a my everyday bag and more!  (There are compartments for two bottles of wine and a cell phone.  Very handy!)

Bodeci is eating mostly healthy vegetables and fruits.  (This is my 'salad sandwich with fresh strawberries.  All from my garden.)


And the occasional treat....

We didn't eat these, but we did share a gelato!

Bodeci is knowing when to say, "let's go play hookie!"

I love my girlfriend, Adrienne.  We are kindred spirits!  Thank you for such a fabulous day!  (Any thoughts on what I should do with my hair?)

Now, find your 'bodeci' today!  You want to hear more?  Go to the rich life on a budget.