Lunch in the Park

• 'Winter' in Perth is pretty similar to 'winter' in San Diego. It gets pretty chilly but by no means is it 'cold'. This means that even in the 'dead of winter', you can still have lunch outside to enjoy the bits of sunshine that pop out now and again. This is especially true when your office borders an adorable little park right outside the CBD (Central Business District).

• Wine is big here. Pretty huge, in fact. Considering the reputation of Australians as drinkers, this should surprise no one. But there is actually a good reason for it; Perth is surrounded by two major areas of wine production: the Swan Valley and Margaret River. The Bob and I went to Margaret River when we were here visiting last year and I fell in love with the chardonnay from Vasse Felix. When I got back to DC, Emily, Beth and the Wills all got to experience my delight at finding it on a menu at Founding Farmers--one of our favorite DC restaurants. There may or may not have been a screech involved.

• So imagine my excitement when the Bob announced that he got us tickets to the Good Food & Wine Festival last weekend at the Convention Centre. Got myself good and ready for some serious wine and food sampling. I was prepared to bring home cases of high quality finds as I have been known to enjoy a glass of wine now and then...BUT then we got there. And it was packed. Some of you might know about my feelings regarding large crowds. No bueno.

• Soooo this is what I came home with:

• Yes, that is in fact a semi-blurred picture of me as a beer astronaut. It was the only booth that didn't have a line. Naturally, the Bob and I chose it as our primary hang out spot. Oh and I bought some curry sauces. For all the dinners I don't make at Casa Voss. #starhousewife. So then we just bought some Vasse Felix at the wine store across from our house. Epic wine festival fail.

• Especially since we'll probably be needing some wine after we attend not 1, not 2, but 4 open houses today. Adulthood for the win.