Happy Monday all! I am glad you all have been enjoying my latest soup recipes as much as we have. There is something about this time of year that makes me want soup for practically every meal. I have been patiently dying to tell you all waiting to share my 3 announcements with you all and I am so glad I finally can spill the beans.
Are you all ready for the Big Reveal? There first two are not as exciting but…..
1. After years of using my beloved point & shoot camera (since 2008), I am finally attempting yet again to use my “big” camera that I bought 2 years ago ~my Cannon Rebel. After two days of using it, I have fallen in love with how much better my pictures look, but…….
2. I realized I needed to have a photo editing software to resize and edit my pics so they will still load quickly on my site. I finally bought Light Room 4 ~ my first “real” photo editing software. I am excited about the possibilities but need to spend some time setting up the automation features (my main reason for buying it ~ it’s all about efficiency!)
3……You didn’t expect me to give up all 3 announcements just like that, did you? The super BIG announcement you have to read on to find out about LOL…..
This morning I made sure I fit in my bonding time with the treadmill before we headed out for our road trip. Before jumping on the treadmill for my 3.3 mile run, I fueled up with a 1/2 a PB&J Wich.
I bought these Frog Hollow Farm Organic Apricot Conserves back when we were on the Scavenger Hunt at the Farmer’s Market.
What I love about conserves is that they have more real fruit and less sugar than any jam or jelly you will buy. They are also only 1 points+ for 2 Tbsp ~ awesome!
I toasted up an Oroweat Honey Wheat Thin Bun and topped it with 2 Tbsp of PB.
Then added 2 Tbsp of Conserves and split it with The Husband. Each half was 3 points+ (SF + 2 WPA).
After running a few errands, we were off for our Road Trip ~ Stop #1 Healdsburg.
I have been wanting to go back to Moustache just so I could get a single brewed cup of Four Barrel Coffee. This is by far the best coffee I’ve ever had.
We spent time walking around the town checking things out and The Husband got his Antique Shop fix in.
We ended up at Healdsburg Bar and Grill for lunch.
They have an awesome outdoor patio right in the middle of town with your typical pub food.
We split their BBQ Pork Hoagie that was topped with a homemade BBQ sauce, cornmeal onions and an Amber Ale Slaw.
The side salad is a simple mixed greens that is topped with a citrus vinaigrette. The Husband ordered a Barrel of Fries for his side. I definitely stole a few 
The main reason for our trip was to visit Geyser Peak Winery so I could do a little research about the wines they make, the grapes they grow and to check out the winery. Oh, and of course, taste some delicious wine from white to red to dessert to sparkling wines.
The outdoor courtyard sits on top of a hill with an amazing view and is absolutely beautiful.
Any guesses on my BIG Announcement #3 yet???
Gahhh, I can’t take it anymore! I am super excited to tell you all that I will be moving on to my next adventure and working for Geyser Peak Winery’s Parent Company ~ Accolade Wines North America at the end of this month.
Accolade Wines is actually the 5th largest winery in the world and you will find their wines being sold in over 80 countries. The brands I will be working with that you may recognize as Geyser Peak, Atlas Peak and XYZin.
We finished our road trip strolling through Santa Rosa and heading over to Guy’s Johnny Garlic’s restaurant.
My date patiently waiting for me to snap pictures of everything….for the record, using a new camera makes me take like a million pictures
While you sit down and look at the menu they bring out this incredibly moist focaccia onion bread to dip in balsamic and olive oil. I honestly think this was my favorite thing I ate today.
I ordered the Volcano Chicken, a Guy Original Recipe. It is grilled chicken in this spicy teriyaki, pineapple sauce.
Topped with fried onions, yukon mashed potatoes, green beans and a flower that I am not sure if you are supposed to look at or eat.
I ate about half a chicken breast and potatoes and all the green beans, but, left the flower and onions behind. I had high hopes that this would be amazing, but, it was just ok.
Here is a quick Week 10 update from AL ~ I am happy to see AL is cheering me on and recognizing the extra effort I’ve been putting in to reach my daily target.
If only I’d know I needed just 1% more, I’d have moved more!
STATS (12 am – 11 pm)
- 2,798 calories burned
- 13,201 steps taken
- I didn’t track any WPA or points+ for today ~ I will estimate tomorrow.
- AL – 10 AP, 135%
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER TO WIN A NATURE’S BOX ~ THE WINNER IS DRAWN TOMORROW.
Tomorrow we are heading back to Santana Row to meet Barefoot Contessa, shop and watch the Tree Lighting ~ I love LONG weekends and cannot wait!!!
Night all!
Congrats on your new move. Looks like an amazing place.
Congrats on the new gig!!!
Wow, how exciting Danica!! Can I just tell you that I am jealous of your weather – there is a layer of light snow on my car this morning!
Have fun today!!
Hooray!
Looks like you’re having a blast! Totally wish we lived somewhere we could dine outside year round lol It’s 22 degrees here in Chicago.
Congrats on the new job.
I inherited a new fancy camera and haven’t had the chance to learn how to use it yet. I need to get on that.
I know what you mean about the weather. LOL!! I live in a town between Chicago and Milwaukee. So jealous of Danica’s weather. LOL!!
Great news about your new job! What do you do though? It looks like you and the Husband had a lovely day.
When you see Ina today, ask her to come to Atlanta—LOL! I am an Ina groupieand have for years skinny downed here recipes. I haven’t made Foolproof my own yet, in terms of using it, still just reading the recipes. You make my day Danica. Your blog starts my day!
Hi Jane,
I am a bean counter so I will be working with accounting, finance, operations, sales and marketing to help grow the business and report out on our results.
Thanks for for reading and always leaving such sweet comments,
Danica
Congrats! Wishing you lots of luck! I’m looking forward to some recipes with wine in them ???!!!????
Yay! I am so happy for you! I could see how much you really wanted to do this and am glad you decided to!You won’t regret it!
OMG Danica I am so happy for you!! Congrats on your new adventure I KNOW you will be such a ray of beauty and light at your job, they are lucky to have you. 🙂
1000% agree with you!!
Congrats!!!
I’m happy for you!! 🙂
Co grats on the new job! What will you be doing? Tasting? Pouring? Corking bottles?
Hi Marcia,
Haha ~ I wish, but, I do imagine there will be some of that – you know – to make sure I understand the products and all 😉 I will be doing my usual bean counting so I will be working with accounting, finance, operations, sales and marketing to help grow the business and report out on our results.
Thanks,
Danica
Congratulations on the new gig, Danica! 😀
Congrats on the new job!! I LOVE white Zin wine :-D…Any free sample bottles????? LOL!
Hi Danica! Congrats on the new job! I used to work with Michael Jeffries when he was with Adler Fels – small world! Wishing you all the best!
I used to live in Windsor (smack dab in the middle of Healdsburg and Santa Rosa) and LOVE Johnny Garlic’s! Volcano Chicken was my favorite dish, so I’m sorry that you didn’t love it 🙁 Maybe it was just an off night?! At lunch, they make the volcano chicken into a sandwich – toasty french baguette, garlic mash, chicken, lots of sauce, and fried onions and OMG, is it good! They also have the most amazing BLT wrap at lunch! It’s on this super soft, yummy, grilled flat bread. I’m hungry just thinking about it!
Congrats on the new job! I would love to work for a winery 🙂
Congratulations! Food and wine is where it’s at! Sounds like a great fit. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Congratulations! I’ve toured the Geyser Peak winery before, it is beautiful. I LOVE wine and everything wines so I’m super jealous of your new job! Enjoy!
Congratulations on your new adventure.. They are lucky to have you!!
Congrats on the new job – how exciting for you!! Our area FINALLY gets Active Link this week; I think we are the last ones to get access. I appreciate you/your blog so very much; you are so motivating.
Thanks Jani and yeah!!! I am going to be hosting an Active Link Giveaway this month too!
Danica
CONGRATS!! The courtyard looks beautiful. So what will you be doing on new gig?! Oh and by the way you look so good in the pics! Keep up the good work. I am so jealous, you have Guy’s best restaurant! I live close to New York city and went to Guy’s American but did not like the menu at all.
Congratulations Danica! It’s always wonderful when you get to do something you love! And your photos are awesome! Will you have a long commute? You have so many wonderful opportunities to walk where you live, hope this is one of them!
J
Hi Jeannette,
You know I would love to be able to walk or ride my bike to work. This place is so much closer to home and my commute will be half of what it used to be so I am happy for that.
Thanks!
Danica
They couldn’t have found a better person!! I’m sure you’re going to have a lot of fun working for a winery.
Also congrats on your new camera as well 🙂
Congratulations on your new post, Danica! Your photos are great although I think you were able to make everything you eat look fresh, colorful and delicious with your old camera. Will you have a long commute now?
Hi Irene,
My commute will actually be cut in half and I will be driving along the freeway where they have vineyards. Can’t really complain about that 🙂
Thanks!
Danica
Danica this is so exciting!!!!!!Congrats!!!! What will you be doing? Food is your call in life…and I am jelous…. My husband made me buy a new camara, I can not wait to use it.
Yaaay! Congratulations to you in your newness! Wishing all the peace, joy & beauty encompassed in your pics! And wooooohooo for meeting with Ina! In the words of the BC, “How easy is that?”
What a great move for you Danica. BIG congrats!!! Cheers. I just got a Canon Rebel last month. I love it more than I love my husband some days! (kidding) I’m sure you’ll take some great photos with it! All the best.
Congrats! Today I actually celebrate my second year in the wine industry as well. 🙂 I’m on the marketing side and absolutely love it and I think you will too!
Congrats on your 2nd year Emily. Which place do you work at? 🙂
Danica