Baby Pinot Noir

Baby Pinot Noir
Originally uploaded by pixelish

Yesterday was spent in Napa/Sonoma, camera in hand, exploring the vineyards as the grapes approach harvest.

I was so excited to find a beautiful Pinot Noir vineyard! My favorite grape to photograph. There is something about this grape that actually has a little glow to it. It is easiest to capture the glow in the early morning light, but evening can produce a nice look as well.

This bunch is just ripening and is going through véraison (displaying grapes of different colors and stages of ripening). I just thought these grapes were amazingly beautiful. Sigh : )

Baked Tomatoes

Baked Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by pixelish

And voila! The final result. Very very very very good.

Tomatoes Prepared

Tomatoes Prepared
Originally uploaded by pixelish

And now the tomatoes are dressed and prepped for the oven. A little salt, a little pepper, a lot of sliced parmesan. Pop into a preheated 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until brown and bubbly and heavenly. I'll post the end result tomorrow. Nom!

Cut Tomatoes

Cut Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by pixelish

So, my friends Mary Ellen and Phil are the best urban gardeners I know. Mary Ellen put out the call today to come get some tomatoes, they were quite literally overflowing! So I've decided to make a favorite dish, baked tomatoes...

Five Silver Spoons

Five Silver Spoons
Originally uploaded by pixelish

Thinking of small, humble, everyday things today. Love this image of the uber cool spoons hanging out in elegant formation. The spoons are all antiques and honestly I think four of the five are silver with one stainless thrown in for good measure.

I love searching for props in antique and thrift stores, but lately I'm finding cool antique silverware in upscale stores such as NapaStyle - http://www.napastyle.com/home.jsp