January In the Valley

The beautiful Napa Valley, California. I actually live here! This month has been so wet and cold. In January, the mustard plant sprouts up between the dormant grapevines. Its flower blooms bright yellow blanketing the valley and glowing against the dark cloudy skies. It actually looks just like this painting by my hubbie.

The history behind this flower that carpets the valley is said to have been the scattered seeds of the Spanish Mustard. Father Junipero Serra had come from Spain to Mexico in the 1800"s. He was told of the beautiful land to the north full of wild flowers, grand trees and verdant valleys. Serra set out to explore this country to the north and brought with him the Spanish mustard seeds. He scattered them along the paths he traveled along with his faith. The following year when he returned, a ribbon of yellow flowers had sprouted. This path of "gold" is where Father Serra established his "Rosary of Missions" that extend from San Diego to Sonoma. (history taken from http://www.goldenhaven.com/. Tourism begins now for the "Mustard Festival" which runs until the end of March.

All three of these paintings by Dave are mini murals on the walls of a beautiful bed and breakfast here in Napa called Churchill Manor. These paintings and others depicting the different appellations of the valley are in the "breakfast room". The one above is of Stag's Leap.

This is Howell Mountain. It's in the northeastern part of the Valley. All these paintings were done with acrylic on wood.