Three hour drive and we are in Alameda at the Naval Air Station of decades ago. This is Hangar 1.
Here we met up with our dear friends Brad and Amy and her parents who flew in from Minnesota. We are going to tour St. George's Distillery (click this link for their site). It is their 30 year anniversary. It is a small boutique distillery that makes several varieties of alcohol. The most noted is Hangar 1 Vodka.
Here is our guide explaining the copper stills and what the process is. Very interesting.
After the short tour we had a tasting of about seven of their specialties. Of course I didn't get photos of our group tasting...much too busy getting on with the business of learning. They make St. George Spirits Absinthe Verte is made eith fine brandy, star anise, mint, wormwood, lemon balm, hyssop, meadowsweet, basil, fennell, tarragon and stinging nettles. First we tasted it straight from the bottle in its clear greenish tint of herbal freshness. Then the ice cubes were added and just like magic it changed to a milky cloudy different tasting deliciousness. Yes, Absinthe was outlawed since the early 1900's but it is back and ever so interesting...not only the taste but also the lore.
Lunch at Scott's Seafood on the waterfront. The weather was glorious with sunshine and blue skies yet crisp with winter chill. As the sun went down the twinkle lights came on the various boats in the harbor.
The huge Christmas tree in Jack London Square. At night it was all lit up and the whole square was very much in the holiday spirit. As were our happy little group who did some serious pub crawling spreading the holiday cheer everywhere we went.
This is a clever use of old suitcases. In the lobby of our Waterfront hotel and I just couldn't resist taking a photo to pass along for inspiration.
Now back to reality and the ever increasing list of things to do. I am continuing to enjoy the season and not focus on the stress of it all. Of course I have scaled my shopping down to almost none. My decorating is not complete and that is how it will stay...and I am okay with that this year. As for wrapping and mailing...this is one that I am struggling with daily. I do what I can and hope I will get more done tomorrow. Silly girl that I am this is how I am going to continue to enjoy this magical and wonderful time of year.
May each of you have the time to enjoy your favorite parts of this season. Most of all...Holiday Bliss!
What a fun looking weekend!!! And the suitcases holding up the table! Now that's a great idea for making use of old items! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI seem to decorate less and less each year...a lot less for me to put away two days before we leave for Florida! :)
How fun to have met with friends and just have a nice relaxing weekend. Love the suitcase table holder idea. Super clever and nice. I have not done any Christmas shopping and there are no plans to do so. I guess the 4 kids will get money along with nieces and nephews. Our weather is hot hot and hot and lots of humidity.
ReplyDeleteAna
Sounds like a wonderful time! Nothing like having a weekend with good friends making happy memories.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any decorations up yet!! You are way ahead of me. What a fun outing...I would love a taste of that liquor..In a glass or straight out of the bottle sounds good to me! LOL
ReplyDeleteCarol
Dear Sherry,
ReplyDeletefirst thankyou from my heart for the lovely gift, you will hear more from me, in a mail...
I am sure you all enjoyed this tour ,being a bit more clever about how that alcohol is prodused , and how it tastes :-)
Beautiful place to lunch in front of the water, and the tree is wonderful.
I`m so bussy here,also, but there is a little something on it`s way to you.
Hugs,Dorthe
Ahhhhhhhhhh, Absinthe! Sounds like a GREAT trip, Sherry...MY kind of trip - how fun! Too bad you couldn't have found someone to take the group photo, so you could have been in there, too. Happy Tuesday - I am closet cleaning...doesn't that sound like fun!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at VODKA! LOL. What a great trip. I am with you in the not done but not stressing about it attitude! I love that suitcase inspiration! Great repurposing! Bliss to you too Sherry!!
ReplyDeleteHello Sherry,
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very interesting trip out with friends. It does look a bit chilly. Love that suitcase table!
I have sent you an e-mail about your lovely tag and card!
Hugs,
Terri
It sounds and looks like a wonderful weekend SSD. Love those suitcases!
ReplyDeleteI've just sent you an email thanking you for my wonderful gift!
Take care xxx
Hi Sherry, sounds like a lovely weekend. We are heading out of country for a few days tomorrow morning so I'll be away from the computer -- haven't had much time for blogging. I didn't decorate at all this year. I really need to do a big cleanup over here so don't need to add to an already overloaded space. These next few days are going to put me even further behind, but it will be nice to get away. Hope you are having a good week. Tammy
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. I shall say "wish I was there!" Instead I am considering buying some flippers and water-wings as we have had so much rain. But I shall not let it dampen my ho ho ho spirit. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWow!!!
ReplyDeleteBig fun getaway!
My husband loves to tour distilleries too.
We stopped @ acouple on the way down to N. Carolina this year...Very interesting!
Glad you had fun.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Hi Sherry, Love seeing the pics from your getaway. These are very interesting places to visit and see how they operate. How wonderful to have this little break in the hustle of the season. The suitcase table is fabulous. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Celestina Marie
Sherry, this is so interesting! We were out in Oakland (2006 - Wow, that long ago!) for our son's UC-Berkeley 'hooding' - and we stayed in Jack London Square!!! Can't remember the name of the hotel, but it was right on the water. Loved sitting on the balcony sipping coffee! Perfect weather, oh my!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you had this enjoyable getaway!