Hi Celeste,
Hope all is well with you and your family. We wanted to share a few
pictures from our stay at your wonderful B&B.
We truly had a great time meeting you and Bruce and all your wonderful
energy and care you very obviously have.
If you are ever in Tucson, please look us up.
Tanti Saluti,
Flaminia and Cosimo
This is an article regarding the fact that we opened our doors to the Landmarks annual Holiday Candlelight Tour on Saturday December 8, 2007 - they also mention that I’ve won an aware for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the property!
Link to full article
Hi everyone, family, friends, fitness colleagues and guests, just an update on the weekly training for this annual race. Last week I ran 10.8 miles , the week prior 11.25 miles. Feeling pretty strong this year. Those of you who tracked me last year know that it was a difficult race as I had injured my knee wake boarding in June, right in the middle of building substantial mileage. I had to taper off, rest for 2 weeks and visit one of my favorite docs- Marko Bodor, who seems to fix broken parts and get them up and running again in no time! I did run last year, 20 minutes slower than the year prior but I completed the race. It was amazing because Marko injected my knee with this natural restolene product that expanded the joint, reduced swelling and allowed me to run moderately through the injury. All behind, this year is going to be great, I’m going to try and stay off the wake board until after the race 7/15. The running routes are beautiful this time of year. The grapes have budded and the hills are green. The mornings have been cool, with afternoon temps reaching 70’s-80’s and no humidity. Last week I did a 6:30 am run and seemed to fly through the miles. I started from the B&B, up Randolph and took a right - Pine St. to Jefferson -Left to Old Sonoma Rd.- right. Up over notch, and continue on Old Sonoma Rd. about 2-3 miles to Dealy Lane- right. Follow Dealy Lane to first right, take a right and follow up over hills to Buhman and take a left on Buhman to Congress Valley Rd. At this point you will have enjoyed rolling vineyards, little ponds, great hills, and making a right onto Congress Valley you will be into the eucalyptus trees- I always breathe better at this point! Follow Congress Valley to Old Sonoma, left and back up over the notch to Jefferson. Right on Jefferson to Spruce, left on Spruce to Coombs St. Left on Coombs to Third St. and Third St. to Franklin, left onto Franklin to Division and back to the B&B. This will be 10.5-11 miles. Great run , especially with the Ipod shuffling a variety of Alicia Keys, India Arie, John Mayer, Jule, and a few spin songs thrown in there to work on tempo! Out tomorrow @ 6:30am to go for 12 !Will keep you posted!
6/8/07 The Barrel Auction kicked off the first of the major event at the 2007 Napa Valley Wine Auction featuring 106 Napa Valley Wineries showcasing their 2005 Wines. As the auction room buzzed with excitement - over 3000 attendees competed as they placed their bids on future cases from these well represented Napa Valley Vintners. The backdrop was Trinchero ( Sutter Home) Winery who was so gracious to host the barrel auction and to allow bidders to view the auction lots that would be featured and auctioned live at the culmination on Sat. (today) at Meadowood Resort. E- Stations allowed bidders from all over the world to attend and place record setting bids, including some of the highest wine bids and purchase prices from Tokyo. It was great to attend and be with Bruce Ahnfeldt and pour the 2005 Ahnfeldt Napa Valley Merlot. What a treat for attendees as we were the only Merlot offering among Cabernet & Cabernet Blends. Many bidders returned to taste and repeat their taste as they pushed our case bids higher and higher. We are extremely pleased with the accolades and case prices for the ‘05 Napa Valley Merlot. It has an amazing full bodied entry, mid palate balance with depth and complexity and a lingering finish full of great tannin to cellar well for years to come. It will be released in Spring 2008. In the meantime the killer 2002 Cabernet and 2003 Merlot is available ($45.00/btl. - great deal) and the Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with melon, citrus , grapefruit flavors, also easy to drink and a perfect hot summer libation!( $15.00/Btl.) If anyone is interested let me know I have a special in with Bruce! Also Garrett (Bruce’s son) just released the “G” Wine series , a Sauvignon Blanc blend, Cabernet and a Cabernet Blend. Cheers to this year’s Napa Valley Auction, it was great to meet many new people and future B&B guests.
Hello B&B Guests, I just returned from 10 days in Italy researching the possibility of rennovating my Mother’s home located just outside of Rome. It is in Ceprano about 1 hour south of Rome and about 20-30 minutes to the coast. What a great little town, I have been there several times over the last 30 years and each time it gets a bit more progressive. At this time we are evaluating the costs involved. It is badly in need of repair but it would be a great destination to establish as a base while traveling through Italy. Florence was just 3 hours north, similar distance as Napa Valley is to Carmel. Shopping in Florence was great and it is all by foot. A car is impossible as the streets are all pedestrian friendly. Rome was easier to drive into than Florence, although very fast paced. I felt like Mario Andretti on the Autostrade, it is really neat going 160 Kilometers in a “Smart” car. It was economy size ,4 door but I could hang it on the wall in my garage! Tuscany was superb, the villas, hillsides, terraced vineyards-all breath taking , the wines are lower in alcohol and if in question as to which Sangiovese, Trebbiano , or Merlot to choose just ask for the house selection, it’s all very good. I’ll keep you posted on my rennovation project. It will be a bit more difficult than The Tuscan Sun project, but a cute flat in a quaint town could be the perfect Italian get a way! Ciao Celeste p.s. look for pictures to come.
From NewOrleans to Napa 
Happy Holidays to all. The Harvest Season has come to an end and the quiet ambiance of the Napa Valley sets a perfect backdrop for Holiday Travel. Thanksgiving was abundant and we began decorating for the next event ! Our annual B & B Holiday Tour will take place on 12/2 from 3-8 pm. We will be showcasing Ahnfeldt & Destino wines.
Entertainment will include live Classical & Flamenco Guitar and Piano. Of course our surround sound will set intermission enjoyment with Nat King Cole, daughter Natalie, Harry Connick, Michael Buble and many more celebrated artisits!
If you miss this year’s event, we will have photos posted. Also our gift certificates are available. Give your special person a memorable stay in the Napa Valley- Wine , Food, & Fun!
Serves 8 peopleSpray baking dish with non stick spray.
Line baking dish with 8 pieces of white bread, cut off crusts.
Mix 6 eggs, 4 cups of milk and 3 bananas.
Pour mixture over layer of bread.
Layer another 8 pieces of white bread, cut off crusts.
Lightly sprinkle granulated sugar on top of bread.
Mix 3 eggs, and 2 cups of milk.
Pour second egg mixture over second layer of bread.
Bake 45 minutes at 375′.
Take out of oven, and cut around the 8 pieces.
Serve in a nice china bowl, with a dop of light whip cream around 4 sides and one in the middle.
I use 2% milk, it seems to turn out fluffier and lighter. You can also use Half and Half for a richer texture.