Cheese, Wine, Sleep, Repeat

As I sit here watching the Bachelorette (yes, it is one of the weekly favorites Becky and I watch) I am just amazed how it is almost a month into the internship here in California. I cannot believe it. It is flying by. I'm sorry guys, but I do not want to leave. I think California has my heart.

This week was another great one. Work wise, I worked in the creamery where I continued to lift, flip, wash, and wrap cheese but I also got to do some office work. They have me on a program to help them with their food safety documents. This would probably interest my food science people more than anyone else. But basically I will be working with programs documenting all the chemicals, cleaning procedure, cheese processes etc.--Don't fall asleep yet! It is a nice change up from working in the creamery, but the people who work there cannot be beat. The people call me little turtle in Spanish. One because they are Hispanic and two because I am the youngest and slowest one there... Thanks guys. 

The Sonoma-Marin County Fair was this week so Becky I went since we got free tickets! Thanks Cowgirl Creamery. We went Thursday to see the one the only Kelly Pickler play. You may think that's funny but it was a little reminder of home. Country just isn't here unless it's on Becky's XM radio. The concert definitely brought out the country people. I knew they were around here somewhere. Coming out with their camo jackets and bling jeans. It was almost home... almost. 

  
 Saturday I got to work a Farmer's market with this guy named Chris. He was probably one of the coolest people I met in Cali. We got along great and sold the second highest amount this week! This was the first time I set up the farmers market table. Chris said I had a better eye, little did he know I looked off the cheat sheet for displays.

Now Sunday was the day that really highlighted my week. I went to Napa Valley!! My sweet cousin took me for a full day of sight seeing and wine tasting. We went to three different wineries. Starting off the day we went to Domaine Chandon, and followed it with Sterling Vineyard, and Castellio di Amorosa.

Domaine Chandon was known for their sparkling wines and that is where we grabbed lunch. Surprisingly they had an amazing ham and cheese paninis; simple but for some reason really special.

The weather was cloudy but it honestly didn't slow the day down one bit. Next stop was to Sterling Vineyard. It is the only vineyard in the world that has a skylift up to the tasting and cellars. It was so amazing going up and looking at the mountains around the vineyards. It was so green which made me think of Knoxville and the Smokeys. 

Like I said it was cloudy and I know looking at everything in person, it was absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine how it would be in with blue skies and the sun shining. 

The best was saved for last. Castello di Amorosa is this vineyard modeled after an old European castle. Oh my gosh, it was too amazing. We were able to go into the different rooms of the castle and down to the cellar where the wine tasting was held.

Not my picture, but this gives a better overall visual.

 

 

28L wine bottle. Too big to pour so you have to have a machine.

After the tours it was getting late so we went into downtown Sonoma to grab some dinner at this cute little spot called The Girl and The Fig. There we got a cheese plate (of course), had a creamery potato kale soup, and a pound of muscles in a delicious herb butter sauce. Heaven! 

I should have taken more pictures of the food because it was so beautiful. It was such a great long day in Napa, I am so thankful my cousin took me around and planned a great day for us.

This week I have realized the amount of cheese and wine I consumed. At the farmers market I ate this amazing organic olive bread with, of course, cowgirl creamery cheese. I am getting a well rounded diet. Speaking of, today we did a cheese tasting. There were 4-5 different ages of all the cheeses they make and we had to taste each one and see if anything was off. Let me tell you, everything was on point and I even got to take a hunk of Wagon Wheel home; which is my favorite cheese ever. Can't wait to put in on my omelets in the morning!

I honestly can't get enough of my time here. Even with working hard long hours every single moment has been amazing. I do miss my family and friends, but listen up you all, I am here and I'm wondering why you aren't here with me! I'm getting settled in Petaluma and have gotten a great routine going on; eat cheese, drink wine, sleep and repeat.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Cheese Wasted

As I am writing this I can't seem to get over how much cheese I have had today; I am so full. But this isn't something I can complain about. I mean, how can I complain? I am in California eating, making, and selling cheese. That's as close as heaven gets for me. 

One thing I can say is that like today, I will never go hungry here in California. As I have not been able to eat out a whole I have had great food here so far. Isn't that one of the best parts of traveling? The food and the culture surrounding the food. Downtown Petaluma (where I live) has many little shops and restaurants that are local and have an artsy vibe to them. It's a very social area with people walking their dogs in the morning and evenings and friends drinking wine on patios. It is a very comfortable and laid back environment, it's easy to fall in love with the scene. 

Wednesday they had the Petaluma farmers market downtown. I must admit, this is my first time "really" going to a farmers market. I know UT Gardens host one back home but I never had the chance to go. After this experience and the one I had earlier today I will continue to go and enjoy all the produce, snacks, and sweets they have to offer. 

Of course there's a lizard at the market...

One of our evening events was grilling out by our apartment. If you know me, you can probably guess who is eating what. But I did have some of the hot dog... I still go with my grilled chicken any day.

Another part of our first week was to go to their Point Reyes retail shop and work behind the cheese counter. This was such a fun experience because we were working directly with the customers. Since my cheese palate isn't as well rounded as I would like, I was allowed to try the cheese with the customers. Obviously I have a pretty good understanding for the Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, but some of the other cheeses were foreign to me. As you can tell there are so many kinds of cheeses, it's amazing how the employees know so much. Becky and I were in great hands.

O' Banon is an awesome goat milk cheese
wrapped in chestnut leaves that have been
soaked in bourbon. OMG!

Now to the REALLY fun stuff...

Working in the cheese shop behind the counter was a blast. The next couple weeks I will be working in processing but will be able to come back to Point Reyes and sell some cheese too! Today was great though. As I have been doing every morning I get up and go on a walk or run around the town. This weather is amazing. Bye bye Knoxville humidity. This place just keeps getting better and better for me.

Today Sue, Co-Founder, took Becky and I into San Francisco where they have a shop set up in the ferry building. On weekends they have this amazing, busy farmers market where local restaurants and shops go to get their fresh and sometimes organic produce, baked goods, and meats. They had everything here!

Represent

Grow your own mushrooms

The Cowgirl Creamery has their Sidekick shop where they highlight their cheeses in their food. If you want some cheese with your meal, or have a cheese for a meal come here! Below is this amazing thing called raclette. It is a swiss dish that heats hard cheese and then scraps it off over bread. They use their Hard aged cheese Wagon Wheel. Told you I was in heaven. This is to die for.

 Seriously if you're in the area, EAT THIS!

Raclette aka melted heaven on bread

Raclette all ready to eat

Spring salad with fresh mozzarella 

It doesn't stop there. I think the highlight of today was getting to do a special event with Sue at the Lasseter Winery. If that name sounds familar it is the winery owned by John Lasseter who is the creator of Pixar. So if you're a fan of Monsters Inc, UP, or Toy Story check out their winery. This event was for their wine month members to come and taste the wine as well as enjoy the food and definitely enjoy the cheese. The people there was so kind and were very enthused about the cheese. What a match made in heaven, cheese and wine. 

This day was made fantastic by Sue who has taken us under her wing and have made these past two days so much fun. I have to keep reminding myself that this is only week one. I can't wait to see what else Sue and Peggy have in store for us. Being away from Knox isn't so bad after all. I'm definitely cheesin in Cali and getting a little cheese wasted along the way. 

"Life is great. Cheese makes it better."