A Bit of Inspiration

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Today Connie inspired me. 

She's choosing happiness in the face of overwhelming stress and turbulence. 

Last week, I found myself in the depths of winter dreariness and I kept trying to readjust my focus and regain perspective. 

It is so encouraging to see that other people do the same; that I'm not the only one who has days where I have to actively choose happiness.  

On a lighter note, that dose of vitamin D I got from my time in the sunshine this weekend started my week in a very cheerful place!

Last night, I got to spend time with my housemate who I've been neglecting recently with all of my travels. We shared a bottle of wine over dinner and caught up on our lives and loves. 

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Good girlfriends are definitely one of the most valuable things in this world. You know the ones who don't mince their words, hold a mirror up to you and make you look, and get what you're trying to say without any explanation? Those are the girls to keep in your life. 

I heard a funny thing the other day from a guy - apparently, if a girl doesn't have girlfriends, it is the number one giveaway that you should run the other direction because she is either crazy or mean. 

I don't know that it's always true. 

Some girls are shy or are surrounded with crazy girls in which case, the lack of girlfriends is proof of sanity. 

I suppose though, as a general rule, it's probably pretty on point. 

What do you think?

Keuka Girls' Weekend

This weekend was perfect. Kath and I made great time on our drive up to Keuka. I was so sleepy, but managed to get us up there in one piece. We listened to great music, caught up on life and started James Patterson's audiobook "Toys". Although Autumn had  begun to tiptoe into Maryland last week, it had already swept through the Finger Lakes and set up shop. The nights were chilly and required blankets and layers. It was the perfect sleeping weather though - there is nothing better than piling on lots of blankets to sleep.

Kath and me at the first vineyard

 Our first morning, we cooked a huge breakfast of eggs, sausages, and potatoes. Not to worry, we went on a long hike to work it all off! 

The group at the second vineyard

 The air was so crisp and clean. I have asthma and something about the air up there made it so much easier to fill my lungs. It wasn't so cold that our noses dripped, but it was just cool enough to keep us comfortable as we picked up our pace. I saw the most darling little chipmunk, but he scurried off before I could snag a picture. 

Gorgeous Dahlia

Hills and hills of vineyards surround Keuka Lake. The local wineries offer a Fall Harvest Food and Wine Tour. We took our Golden Chariot (a Kia minivan) and spent the day sampling amazing foods and wines.

 

I love the richness of the color in this flower

Does anyone know what type of flower this is?

Keuka Lake

The ride between vineyards was full of dancing, singing and general silliness. We stopped at the grocery on the way home. A couple girls stayed in the car, a couple went in and a couple of us got out of the car to stretch our legs in the parking lot. A guy came up to Mary in the parking lot and asked her if we had all just gotten back from a wine tour. She asked why he would say that, and his response was priceless: "Well, those girls are hanging out in a minivan drinking wine." 

Our Golden Chariot

I found the seed in the grape! 

Perfectly ripened grape bunch

Fitting for a girls' weekend, but a very ugly shirt

The views were breathtaking

Fourth vineyard

Artichoke Dip from scratch

Sweet Home Alabama

Cannot wait to make a trip to the pumpkin patch for some Autumn decorations!

He was so peaceful

View on our hike

Sea Plane! 

View from Esperanza Mansion

Driving home

Sunday, we went on our last hike of the weekend and stopped for a leisurely lunch on the patio at Esperanza Mansion. The way a weekend flies by never ceases to amaze me. I can't wait to go back next season! Once the crazy cold retreats, I'll head up there as quickly as possible.

Wine & Work

I work two jobs and am in grad school. It is a rare night when I am home before 9:45 / 10pm. When I get home, I've used so much adrenaline to keep going throughout the day, that I am too keyed up to sleep. 

3-4 times a week, I'll have a glass of wine with my late night dinner. My housemate is in law school and she often joins me. It's a good way to unwind a bit, and catch up on our days. 

The Wine Market where I work in the evenings.

We joke about it a bit, and sometimes suggest we should maybe feel guilty for it. Immediately, though, we've justified it based on the long day we had or the hard work we did. Plus, red wine is good for heart health, right?

Turns out, no need for guilt! Having a drink a day is good for women! Apparently, women who have a moderate amount of alcohol 5-7 days a week were significantly healthier in old age than women who didn't. Women who have 1-2 drinks a day are 28% more likely to age successfully.

Dad's vineyard 

Good news for my dad, he can keep making wine for us to drink :)