The Ranch

 This weekend, we scored an invitation to "The Ranch".

Situated hilltop in the beautiful Sonoma Valley,

it was an invitation impossible to refuse.

And of course, being where we were,

and who we were with,

it is practically inconceivable to blog without photos of the food and wine that we consumed.

Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the goodies that we enjoyed wholeheartedly at the Bouchon Bakery,

but you should trust me when I tell you that there was not a crumb left behind.

The birds that hung out under our bench were very disappointed.

LUNCH!

After lunch, a stroll up to the chicken coop.
Here chook, chook, chook , chook!

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

GOTCHA! 

According to Sofia, hers was the golden egg.

(we've been watching a lot of Willie Wonka lately)

And, you've gotta have a pair of boots to fully enjoy all The Ranch has to offer.

Hold onto your socks....

the view from the top of the property.

Okay, so maybe these two smiles can top that.

Put them together,

and it's picture perfect!

Our mode of transportation to the top of the hill.

Now that was a blast.

The property has a hugemungous slide into a swimming pond.

Only two were willing to brave the slide.....

Sofia......

(well she may have been given a gentle push at the top :-)

She doesn't look all that happy about the situation,

and the truth is......

it didn't end well.

and Daddy.....

who managed to completely drown my camera, and me, in pursuit of the perfect shot

This was taken from my vantage point on the FAR side of the lake.

The back patio, where we spent most of our time.

Watching a pre-dinner movie outside.

The table is set......

A quick game of bocce....

(the rules of this particular game were a bit iffy,

but it does seem that Sofia and Jake are in agreement over perfect Bocce stance).

Ahhhhhh.....DINNER!

After dinner, we walked out to the point to watch the sun set.

I am not a photographer,

you just have to take my word,

that the sunset was a billion times more spectacular than these photos give it credit for.

It was breathtaking!

 

 

 

Couldn't pass up a swing.

And then,

as we left this morning,

to drive down the hill

back to reality.......

this is the sight that greeted us.

I felt like I was standing on top of the world.

BEAUTIFUL!!!