The freaking Zoo is closed Ray...

It doesn't get much better then a picnic with friends on a beautiful sunny Seattle night, but throw in some wine tasting, zoo animals and a little music and you have....just another Thursday night in Seattle ;)

The Seattle Woodland Park Zoo was hosting a wine tasting event to raise money for the zoo http://www.zoo.org/wine. It was on the main lawn of the Zoo and included music and wine tastings from more then 24 local wineries. We were fortunate enough to be joined by our good friends Avery & G, the newlyweds Mrs Sarah & Mr Eric Rose, and the wonderful chance run in with Eric & Kauilani.

Ian, me, Avery and G
(we could only get 1/2 the group to sit for a picture)

You might recognize Avery as the talented MC and handsome groomsman from our wedding. G is my awesome Big Doc and future au pair ;). Eric and Sarah just returned home from their honeymoon in Croatia after their fabulous wedding in the San Juans and Eric and Kauilani are friends from collage we haven't seen in awhile but were lucky enough in the right-place at the right-time to meet up. 

The whole night was wonderful. Each person got 10 tickets good for 1-tasting each, although I can't really tell you much about the wine we tasted I can tell you it was all awesome. A couple tastings in, it became a contest to see who could get the biggest "tasting sized" pour...not trying to brag or anything but my 3/4 full glass spoke for itself :)

"That's freaking teeeeeeam work"

Kisses!!
(notice my FULL glass ;)

The Chandler Bing face...

Another AWESOME part about the night, was you could bring in your own picnic!!!! Ian and I got this sweet picnic basket as a wedding present which includes a cooler that has enough room for 40 beers (thats what the packaging said we have never actual tested that feature ;) and the best part....its on wheels!!! Needless to say we have been having a lot of picnics this summer; beaches, campsites and boats but this was the first at a Zoo!!!

Ian, Avery and Eric Rose at our picnic site....why won't boys EVER look at the camera????

I have been dying to make this tomato salad with chilies and lime for a while and bought 2lb of heirloom tomatoes from Whole Foods to make it happen. Ian again perfected the homemade cracker. Sarah supplied my favorite Beechers cheeses - their flagship smoked gouda. She also made a wonderful couscous salad that went really well with my tomato salad. Ian made prosciutto, mozzarella, roasted red pepper and mama's hot pepper sandwiches on a crispy baguette that were AMAZING!!!

Empty wine glass...story of my life ;)

Sammie and salad....SO colorful :)

As far as zoo animals went, I have to admit the most we saw were some random peacocks wondering around. I guess we will have to take a trip back to the Zoo to check out the animals soon...

Much Love

XO