Peter was turning 50 and his wife Corrinne wanted to go all out for him, and she sure did! She spent about a year planning, organizing, making phone calls and reservations. She pulled me in to help design a special table setting for his big Birthday dinner! It was such a great weekend! We spent it with old friends and new ones.
We started out by driving about 3 hours north up the 101 to Los Alamos a tiny quaint town. If you blink you'll pass the one and only exit they have. The one road into town is lined with antique stores full of fun and old curiosities, and the mom and pop shops are trued gems! We had enough people to rent the entire Union Hotel. http://www.unionhotelvictmansion.com/index.htm Once we arrived ahead of the birthday boy we unloaded all of our stuff, drinks, decor, and personal belongings. We hung wanted posters of the Birthday boy in the lobby and bar. This Hotel is like walking back in time. You really get a a sense of what it must of been like back in the cowboy days.
Corrinne was so sweet to put on every bed a thank you gift and an itinerary for the next day. That first night we spent at the hotel, settling in and waiting for everyone to arrive from Orange county. Being in wine country there was no shortage there. The wine and whiskey were flowing. 
Saturday morning we woke up early and boarded the limo bus to Paso Robles. The mecca of wine country. It was a day filled with wine tasting, beautiful scenery and great friends! All of the winery's knew we were coming and accommodated our group. We were treated like stars, by the stars. Literally. One of the wineries is owned by Gary Conway.
http://www.carmodymcknight.com/more-information/11/
We were greeted by him and his beautiful wife Marian. Who hand passed her homemade crustless quiche that was delicious I must say! After enjoying the tasting of their extensive organic wine collection we were shown to tables next to the lake where we were served an amazing catered lunch. The warm hospitality from Gary and Mariam was something I'll never forget! And yes, im now on a first name basis with them..lol
After a long day we drove back to our hotel where we changed into our costumes and went out on the patio where I had set one long table for all, with florals per Corrinne's request. Being the bling kind of gal, Corrinne is, I loaded the table with crystal jewels, and cut crystal votives. I submerged crystals in water that hung from the bottom of a mixed floral arrangement that sat on top of glass cylinders. 
Staying with the winery feel and romance of the old west, I used blood red roses, burgundy dahlias, antique red hydrangea and dusty miller. I laid a generous amount of deep red rose petals down the length of the table and nestled in rose heads in the mix. Then lots and lots of candle light to dine with. The food was absolutely amazing! Steak, potatoes, salad, it was plate lick-en good! Dinning with everyone in their costumes by candle light made it feel like we had gone back in time and we were sitting with the men from tombstone!
Thank you Corrinne and Pete for inviting and including us on this memorable day!
Thank you Corrinne and Pete for inviting and including us on this memorable day!
