FARMHOUSE INN BLOG AND ALL ABOUT THE SONOMA WINE COUNTRY

You know you want to...you know you want to... "Live like a Local" in Sonoma County!

We wake up here in the wine country every day and we really, really don't take it for granted.  There is so much diversity and focus on the right things in this area; so much to do and every day is beautiful- yes, even when it rains (not that it has lately - close to summer like conditions again this weekend).  We live in a little slice of heaven and we know it! 

Luther Burbank  referred to this area as "God's chosen place in all the world, as far as nature is concerned."  Even if you don't believe in God there is absolutely something very special about Sonoma County.  If you don't know who Luther Burbank was the above link is to the Wikipedia entry about him - astounding - reponsible for over 800 strains and varieties of plants.  Does the Russet Potato, Shasta Daisy, Fire Poppy, Freestone Peach, or Santa Rosa Plum sound familiar?  If you make it up (or down) this direction be sure to stop by Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa or the Experimental Farm in Sebastopol.

Let's bid adieu to 2011 and ring in 2012 with a "to-do" bucket list in the Sonoma Wine country!

At last, lights and stockings are all hung, shopping and wrapping is done, the goodies and treats are baked...though I see kitchen Elves very busy in the restaurant getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner here at the Farmhouse Inn. The concierge staff have processed literally hundreds of gift certificates...I hope you are one of the lucky recipients.

This time of year the Farmhouse Inn concierge team tries to get out and about exploring anything new in Sonoma County that they may want to share with our guests. Remember last year when our Anna went out to Sonoma Canopy Tours to explore the new ziplining experience in the Russian River redwoods. Many of our guests have made their way out that way after hearing what an amazing experience it is.

We have a live tree in every room this year, guest services is looking very festive, wreaths, ribbons, squirrels, and acorns galore.  What else could be needed for the Christmas celebration? Oh, must be Catherine's old fashioned candy and treats at our "do-it-yourself" stocking bar...

Sonoma County in the fall...the trees and vineyards awash in such vibrant colors.  My son brought his family up last weekend and they were just blown away by the gorgeous fall color everywhere. I have a bush by my gate that is spectacular (I think it is an Australian native that normally has a burgundy leaf but has turned almost fluorescent, glowing orange).  And the dogwoods I planted a few years ago are completely yellow, as is the catalpa.  I can't even post a picture because pictures just don't do it justice.  By next week, they will be losing their leaves and winter will be upon us.  

This is a good weekend for hitting the Pumpkin Patches- you need time to do a spooktacular carving job, don't you?  But if you get distracted you still have time - Healdsburg is having a Pumpkin Festival next Saturday at the Farmer's Market. 

Northern California weather is pretty amazing all the time but has this Sonoma County weather ever been more perfect?  I forget how much I love October every year...the colors changing, the still warm days (but with that fall crispness in the evenings), all manners of Harvest going on and of course, amazing wine country fall traditions. 

Summer is winding down with a crash!  Misty, foggy, almost drizzling morning- had to use my windshield wipers.  Have you ever wondered what we do in the fall here in the wine country?  This weekend is a perfect example of a couple of the wonderful things we have to keep us busy.

This has been a crazy week...first we had a big lifestyle article about Catherine & Joe (the brother and sister team that own the Farmhouse Inn) come out in Better Homes and Gardens ("Innkeepers Recreate Their Wine Country Childhood" -page 50).  And then on Sunday Jeff Cox of the local Press Democrat reviewed the Farmhouse restaurant  (called it an "exquisite experience").  Monday night Catherine and Joe went with the chefs to the Zagat release party and out dinner to celebrate the Zagat reviews (27 for food and tops for service- Yeah!).  And yesterday Joe came in waving the new Sunset magazine issue with the Best of the West hotel awards and there we are...again!  (Specifically mentioned for best for Food & Drink.)