winery weekend

Oh, welcome back to Monday! I don't know about you guys but we had a pretty good weekend in these parts. I realized that once you make your Summer Bucket List visible to your husband and family, they help you get things marked off and that is what we did this weekend.

Awesome fact. We live about 30 minute away from the midwest wine country-- i.e. we live near Michigan. There are a good number of wineries not far from us. The hubs and I both really enjoy good wine, so we figured it was time to take advantage of our proximity to area wineries. After I got off work on Saturday, we jumped in the car and headed north.

Since we hadn't been to any of the wineries before, we based our stops off of word of mouth and a couple random picks. We managed to visit four wineries by the end of the day. I would say three of them we really enjoyed. One of them was-- err-- a bit disappointing. So I will share with you about the other three.

We started out at Round Barn Winery. Let me just say we WILL be returning. We had heard good things about this place. And it was just a fun place to hang out. They not only are a winery but also a brewery and distillery. There was lots of options for many different pallet preference. They also had food and live music. If it wasn't our first stop on the trip, we probably would have stayed their all day. It had a great ambiance and we really enjoyed it.

 

Our third stop was at a well known winery and restaurant, Tabor Hill. One of my co-workers told me about this place and I am glad we went. They had great staff that really knew their wine and, of course, very tasty wine. They also had some of the most gorgeous chocolates I have ever seen. Seriously...almost too pretty to eat.

 

(Everywhere we went my favorite never changed. I just really love a good cab sauv-- that's how the cool winos say it). 

Our last stop was just a random selection and it was a good one. It is a newer winery called Gravity. My favorite part was that each wine you tried came either a pairing of cheese or chocolate. Score! The wine was good too. Oh, and they had a great outdoor seating area with a very nice view. 

All in all I would say it was a pretty success adventure. One which we will be eager to take friends on when they come for a visit!

Also, I'm linking up with Northern Belle Diaries & Postcards from Rachel to help bloggers follow along on Bloglovin'! If you aren't already signed up for it, you should. Its a great way to follow all your favorite blogs. Oh, and follow Keep It Simple there, too!

 

currently

 

Big news!! We have two flowers! It's only taken since May for these babies to bloom, but we're finally seeing the fruits of our labor. Ok, really it was one night of planting them and remembering to water them. But still, I feel validated that these efforts didn't fail. All our other baskets and herbs aren't thriving, so I'm thankful for these two pretty flowers.

I'm stealing today's blog idea from this lady. I think it's fun and I hope you do too. Because I know you are just dying to know more about my everyday life. Anyway, currently I am...

Eating: Well, it's still morning time, so I'm actually just drinking coffee. Eight O'clock medium roast. If it were up to me, it would be hazelnut flavored, but the hubs isn't much for flavored coffee. So, I sometimes will make a pot of flavored goodness just for me.

Purchasing: These tops from Express. $9 tanks-- yes please! And of course, there is a strong representation of stripes. I have a serious stripe addiction.

Looking forward to: A weekend of being home-- with the possibility of doing some house shopping. Woo hoo! The summer is slipping away and we haven't been as proactive as I thought we would be. Whoops. We still have plenty of time, but I wanted a house, like...yesterday.

Contemplating: If and when I should have my blog redesigned. And by whom. And what color scheme to use, what images to use, and all those decisions that come along with it. I am leaning more towards doing it, but I just have to pull out the wallet and say yes. I think it is in desperate need of a fresh look. Thoughts?

Listening to: A Love Like You by The Bergamot. This song plays in the boutique and I always find myself singing along to it.

Reading: Like normal, I'm in the process of reading two books. This typically happens when the first book I start doesn't excite me as much as I'd hoped, and then I find one I like better. The first book I started was Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Ann Quindlen. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. I have a differing opinion on some topics she refers to which I think is why I'm not fully invested, but its still a decent read. I'll finish it...eventually. The second book I'm reading is Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach. I am eating this one up (no pun intended). I love a good memoir about food and community and this hits those topics. Plus, it is chuck full of recipes. I'm also a bit envious of Jenny's career-- she has worked at multiple magazines including Real Simple. Ugh, if only we lived in New York.

Thinking about: If I really want to work out this morning or not. I am pretty sore from the last two days and I think it would be great to take the day off. But I'll probably end up just doing it, so at least I can feel somewhat accomplished for the day.

Feeling: Blessed, but a bit tired. Last night ladies at the boutique had a bridal shower for one of our co-workers. It was so refreshing to spend time with like minded, fun women. It reminded me of how fortunate I am to work in a environment with so many wonderful ladies.

Craving: Chocolate. But that's nothing new. Pretty much anytime of day, you can assume I am craving chocolate and resisting the temptation to indulge myself.

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping! Until next time...

wishlist wednesday: kitchen edition

I have been on a big cooking kick recently, i.e. wanting to try new recipes. I blame it on the fact that I'm currently reading this book and it has tons of recipe ideas. Of course, which in turn has led to my desire for more kitchen gadgets. I'm pretty sure I have a problem (don't take me to TJ Maxx or Crate & Barrel unless you want to spend an excessive amount of time searching for unnecessarily items for the kitchen). Regardless, I have been compiling a mental list of items I'd like to add to our cupboards. However, we already have limited cabinet space, so most likely, it'll have to wait until we get a house-- which will not be lacking in cabinet space. Cabinet space is a make or break for me in the house hunt, fyi.

On to more important things, here are some kitchen accessories which I would just love to add to my collection.

Chevron KitchenAid: this doesn't match my kitchen colors, but I still think it is fun to look at and would add a little spunk to the counter.

Mastering The Art of French Cooking by Julia Childs: This is just one of many cookbooks that are on my wish list. I am not sure if I would actually use many of the recipes out of here, but a real cook needs this in her collection, right?!?

 

Ramekin: How adorable are these?!? I have been wanting to find some cute ramekins, and this one is a winner.

Ceramic Onion Canister: we use a lot of onion in our house and I don't have a great way to store them for optimal freshness. So obviously, this is the answer to that problem.

This apron: I have a minor obsession with aprons. As in, I have three times as many aprons as we do bodies to put them on in our house. What's one more to the collection? Too cute!

These items would make my kitchen complete, don't you think?!? Now if I can just convince the hubs of the same thing.

On a totally different note, good news-- Winnie is much better today than she was yesterday. Thank goodness for antibiotics!

lately

As you can tell, I obviously fell off the face of the planet for a few days. We spent the fourth through the weekend at my in-laws enjoying pool laying, good food, bonfires (with lots of mosquitoes) and some good family time. We had a really wonderful holiday! So good, that I may actually be just as tan as the hubs, which takes a whole lot of time in the sun to achieve.

We had such a great time that I didn't take a single picture the ENTIRE time we were there. Really?!? How lame is that! So sorry that I can't photo document our wonderful weekend with you all, but trust me it was fun. Oh, but I did leave my phone sitting out and my sweet cousin Roslyn decided to have a fun mini photo session.

Isn't she beautiful? Maybe next time you'll think twice before filling up my photo stream :)

After we got home, we were just zonked. Then last night, we realized our sweet puppy was sick. She went to the vet this morning and she got started on some medicine. Hopefully that will take care of it, but for now she is just so pathetic looking, moping around the house and looking like this.

 

It just makes me so sad. Poor thing.

Last thing, I (finally) set up a Facebook page for my blog, so if you haven't already, be sure to stop by and "Like" it so you can have another delightful way to keep in touch with me.

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! Until next time...

rainy days & sweet potato fries

 
Have I ever mentioned that I just love Shauna Niequist? No...well I do. I have loved all of her books and following her on pretty much all social media outlets. I just think she and I would be really great friends-- if I could just meet her. (I promise I'm not creepy, I just think she's a pretty cool cat.)

Her most recent book is chuck full of recipes and other goodness. You can check out my review of Bread & Wine here. Anyway, I have tried a lot of the recipes in the book and have been pretty pleased with them. One of my absolute favorites is the Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Sriracha Dipping Sauce. And what a better way to end a long, rainy work day (the hubs, not me) than with sweet potato fries and red wine.

 
These yummy fries are pretty easy to make. They just take some time and planning. First start by peeling and slicing the potatoes into long thin batons. Then soak them in cold water for at least an hour, but up to half a day. Working in batches, remove one-fourth of the sweet potato batons from the water and dry them well between paper towels.

Put the first batch of dried sweet potatoes into a large plastic bag with one tablespoon of cornstarch. Shake until completely covered. Put the coated sweet potato batons on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Sprinkle one tablespoon of olive oil over the potatoes, and then toss to coat well. Spread out batons so they aren't touching.

Cook at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then toss and cook for another 5 to 15 minutes, checking for doneness after 5 minutes. Remove when they start to become golden.

Repeat with the other three batches. Sprinkle with sea salt before serving. While fries are cooking, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, Sriracha and relish in a small bowl. Serve alongside fries.

Fries

4 Sweet Potatoes

4 tbsp cornstarch, divided

4 tbsp olive oil, divided

Sea Salt

Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tsp Sriracha sauce

2 tsp sweet pickle relish

 

*A couple side notes: I typically cut the recipe in half if it is just me and the hubs. Two sweet potatoes is plenty for two people. 

 

**I also add a little less Sriracha sauce because my mouth is a wimp when it comes to spicy food.

 

 If your looking for something to serve for the fourth, try this dish. It will be a crowd favorite. Enjoy!

This recipe is taken from Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequest.

weekend recap

This weekend we took an impromptu trip to my in-laws for some card playing, pool laying enjoyment. Winnie loves riding in the car and sticking her head between the hubs and I so she has a front row view. Please excuse my half/looks like I'm faking it smile.

 

Winnie also loves to get into the swimming pool. She especially loves sitting on the steps to cool off after running around the yard like a crazy woman. We are slowly trying to get her comfortable with swimming but she was still pretty hesitant to get in by herself. After a lot of running around and "swimming", she was wiped out and decided to catch a few rays with me on the lounge chair.

 

Thanks to this post, I marked another item off my bucket list. We enjoyed a semi-rainy bonfire on Saturday night-- where, I'm pretty sure, we ate the biggest marshmallows ever. I'm not complaining either. I do love s'more.

This was my attempt to eat the s'more is a decent manner, but I was very unsuccessful. It ended up everywhere...seriously. I had the bright idea to add extra chocolate to make it that much yummier, which it did. But it was also that much messier. I promise I am not a child.

I'm pumped that it's July and we get to do it all over again this weekend to celebrate the 4th! I'm just praying for more sunshine. We were all pretty exhausted when we got home last night, so we quickly collapsed onto the couch for a movie. My wonderful husband let me pick because I knew he would fall asleep and not watch it anyway he has picked the last five, so I decided on Safe Haven. A pretty typical Nicolas Sparks movie, but I actually cried at the end. Very unlike me. I never cry when I watch movies. Geesh-- marriage is making me soft.

Anyway, Happy July!

five on friday

It's Friday, so that means I'm linking up with Carolina Charm for Five on Friday.

1. My baby brother (and by baby I mean 17 year old) spent the day with us yesterday. He is a pretty busy dude, so for him to have the day off and time to visit was a real treat. We spent the afternoon by the pool, watched the hubs play ultimate frisbee, ate some fro-yo and just talked. I love being around my siblings so it was a great way to spend the day.

2. We have a strange love for cutting boards in our house. I really have no idea why, but apparently we collect them. I really want to add this one to our collection. So now I just have to think of a reason to justify buying it.

3. $12 tank top from Express. I love stripes and I love tank tops. Awesomeness right here.

4. My wonderful hubs read this post and helped mark one off the list! We went on a long walk along the river with Winnie this week. We ended up walking a lot longer than we had planned but it was great night for a walk. We managed to jump in the car just as the storms rolled in. Two points for good timing.

5.  I seriously love this nail polish. I think it is perfect for summer. Fun and bold. Perfect for poolside laying.

Lastly--

I'm also linking up with a blog hop.

Click on the button above and check it out to meet some really great bloggers!