From all you’ve heard and read and seen of the Napa Valley, you might think that we Valley-dwellers just sit around and drink wine all day … and you wouldn’t be far from the truth.

But there is much more to life than good wine (say I, sipping on a glass of 2006 Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir). Friends, food, contentment (if not full-on happiness) complement wine perfectly–or is it the other way around? Case in point: last night I joined the my book club for a little holiday cheer and book discussion. Wherever our book club congregates, so too does great food and wine–and this time, an extra treat: Diane whipped up cranberry margaritas! We had cheese and crackers and olives, of course; potato-rosemary focaccia, vegetable-filled pastry, roasted vegetables, green salad with pomegranate, apple, onion, blue cheese, veggie/beef stew … and Belgian chocolates, cupcakes and homemade chocolate turtles for dessert. New Year’s resolutions were made for the likes of us!

We discussed our read, of course: TC Boyle’s The Women. I confess, I didn’t finish–but will. (I’m a big fan of Boyle.) A couple of our group had also read (or were reading) Loving Frank and it was interesting to hear their take on the differences between the two novels. Next up? Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked–just in time for Valentine’s Day!

The evening concluded with a book swap. We’d each chosen a book (new or used) that had impacted us in some way–each of us, that is, except for me. I had completely forgotten about the book swap. (Lame!) Luckily for me, Caitlin brought two books. So, you know how this goes: the first person (we drew numbers) chooses a book, unwraps it, oohs and ahhs. The second person can either swipe her book or open a new book–and so on. Three books passed through my hands: the first, Al Gore’s Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis–deftly snapped up by another; the second, Not Bartlett’s: Thoughts on the Pleasures of Life, which I was equally enthusiastic about–also snatched; and, finally, Italian Neighbors stuck. Really, how could I lose?

If you’re thinking that books, great food and wine sound like a fabulous combo, I invite you to … begin your own book club. (Or, heck, skip the books and start a wine club! Why not?) We’ve had to cap our numbers (just eight) due to the constraints of our modest kitchens and living rooms. But, hey, if we can do it, so can you!

Most importantly, remember:

(The snazzy bumper sticker Ashley got each of us for the holidays.)