Lots of changes around here. I'm not talking about the leaves or the clocks next month. And though I'm off shortly to get new tires before heading to the shop, it's my daughter that has my head spinning this morning. Simone is now a year and a half and my older daughter, Ellery, turns four in a couple months. Morning are more challenging with the older one these days, particularly her getting dressed. There is a lot of deliberation, failed negotiations. Sometimes tears (mostly mine) or, just as often, impromptu dance sequences - and always several costume changes. My wife assumes the role of stage manager, shouting places! and counting down the clock before curtain, while I scurry around backstage like an inept wardrobe assistant, all my outfit suggestions shot down, some not even dignified with acknowledgment. Ellery's new thing is to insist all doors to her dressing room are closed to the public as she tries on various combinations. If a door is cracked prematurely before her grand reveal, one is admonished with a "Don't LOOK at me!...", delivered in the pained cries of a seasoned diva not ready for their close up.

The past couple weeks she has been insistent on wearing her sister's clothes. Her old clothes. Though she can barely get her arms in or her head through, she'll sacrifice mobility for her craft. Former dresses transformed to flared tops, her old pants now worn as capris or strange cycling shorts. The ensembles are often curious, to say the least.

And though I'll pull at my hair some days, this morning I can relate. To the pang of nostalgia, a desire to return to old comforts. With all the strange and sudden changes of the last year and a half, we're finding ourselves here at the shop looking like our old selves again too, in a way. We opened the bar again just over a month ago and we'll be rolling out a tasting program with flights here again soon. An old friend brings new beauty each week and the space is warm again with flowers from our friend, Alyson (Flower & Forage). Winemakers and importers we've loved and admired for years return - and these old producers fill our shelves once again, with more comforting cool weather wines arriving daily. And while we look back, we move forward too, of course. New offerings, new rising stars offering up their magic in bottles. New faces at the shop, new neighbors joining our community. And we turn 5 next month. Five years of OAKLAND YARD. Stay tuned for details of an anniversary celebration in our outdoor lot. It will likely be a throwback to parties of the past. With new and, we hope, lots of friendly familiar faces. Music and food and fun and festivities. And yes lots of wine. And lots of joy. A jacket that always fits just right.

All love,

Daniel