TGIF!

I don't know about you but for us it's just been one of those weeks!  Still getting the hang of taking a little one to school every morning, started back to training for an up coming half marathon, and the little one started dance classes again this week.  Lots of activity to keep us buzzing.  Not that the weekends are time to slow down...not by any means.  Last weekend we visited a local county fair, toured wineries with friends in Charlottesville and went kayaking on the Appomattox. 

The fair in Dinwiddie County

Staying past dark always seemed more fun to me than the daylight

Fireworks at the fair

Keswick Winery

Keswick winery

Castle Hill Cider

The view from Castle Hill Cider

Gardens at Jefferson Vineyards

The view from Jefferson Vineyards

Kayaking with a friend on the Appomattox

He didn't stay there long

Relaxing in the shade



The kayaking outfitters in Prince George County

See what I mean about a busy weekend?  And this weekend will give last weekend a run for it's money.  Tonight we are seeing a play at Lee Playhouse.  Tomorrow we are running in the Color Run 5K then attending a birthday party for one of Emma's friends.  Sunday we are back out on the Appomattox kayaking again.  Can you tell we are trying to soak up the last rays of the summer?  Somewhere in there I need to find time for laundry and yard work.  We'll find a way I'm sure.  We aren't the Busy Bryants for nothing. 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.....Thanksgiving!

I hear a lot of people complain that Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all rolled into one big holiday.  Hallogivingchirstmas....in retail it certainly seems true.  A local radio station used to play Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving, but this year you can already hear it being played!  I personally can't start NOW with Christmas.  I need to savor each holiday as it comes and enjoy each for what it is.  So as for me and MY house...we are enjoying Thanksgiving now and saving Christmas for later! 

The Seasonal Tree

 

I even managed a craft night with my sister to work on a craft specific to Thanksgiving! 

Pinterest is amazing!  You can make your own Thom the Turkey...instructions here. 

 

 

Along with the Thanksgiving decorations I have also been checking off things from our Fall 2014 list...things like visit Carter Mountain and try a new winery.

 

Carter Mountain Orchard

 

The Blueridge Mountains of Virginia off in a distance

The vineyards of Carter Mountain

Carter Mountain Orchard, in Charlottesville, is a favorite for families during autumn months.  We visited last year and wanted to revisit but I knew better than to try going before Halloween.  It's just too packed with people to enjoy it.  We visited the third weekend in November and it was perfect.  No big crowds, no long lines, no Tonya screaming for people to MOVE!   Ha ha!  We scarfed down a dozen apple cider donuts and hot apple cider before going.  I also bought some fresh apples to take home for a couple recipes I want to try. 

 

After our quick visit at Carter Mountain we visited a couple local wineries, Blenheim and First Colony.  Trump Winery is also close but it was so busy that parking was hard to find...so we skipped that one and figured we could visit there on a later day. 

 

Blenheim Winery-owned by Dave Matthews

Visitors willing to brave the chilly temps

The view from the deck at Blenheim

First Colony Winery

Our baby girl making friends with the winery cat

 

At Blenheim we bought a bottle of the Painted White.  At First Colony we bought a couple bottles of their 2013 Rose and a bottle of  2013 Zephyr. 

 

Both had ideal spots for picnicking and relaxing.  But if you are looking for a place with a view I would suggest Blenheim. 

 

I still have a few "Autumn" things to check off our list...I mean it's not fall unless you can say you hiked in the woods with all the fallen leaves...right?  This weekend we will celebrate Thanksgiving with a dinner at Mark's grandmothers.  Then next week we will celebrate again with dinner at my sister's.  I look forward to the time with our family and to time giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives. 

 

 

The Great October Adventure III

In years past our family has dedicated some special time to get together and go on The Great October Adventure. OEventually our adventures somehow spilt over into the other months of the year but October still holds a special place in our hearts.  This year we knew we wanted a place with great views, that didn't involve hours and hours of driving and preferably a place with a winery or two near by.   (Hello!  It's Virginia Wine Month people)  After some discussion we decided on the Charlotsville area!

There are a number of reasons to visit Charlotsville but since this was an adventure we wanted something that got us outside and free to roam around.  Carter Mountain Orchard was our pick for the day.  I did a little research on the orchard and Saturday morning my parents, the kids, Mark and myself set off on the 3rd Great October Adventure.  Less than two hours from the house and right off of I-64 at exit 121, Carter Mountain is not hard to find.

Word of advise....get here EARLY if you are going this time of year.  Usually the 2th and 3rd weekend of October are prime times for the leaves (not this year sadly) so hotels book up fast, wineries get swamped and apprently orchards fill to capacity.  There is a mile long road going up the mountain before getting to the orchard.  When we arrived, about 9:45 am, we were able to get a parking spot without too much effort....but when we left, around noon, there were cars all the way down that mile long road!  

 There are apples already picked, apples for you to pick, pumpkins to buy, hay rides to ride (for $3), apple cider donuts to eat, wine shops to browse and a backery to shop in. 



I asked for smiles here......





And silly faces here.....I don't really see a difference.  LOL.



More advise....try the donuts!  Even if you try just one....they are AWESOME!  We got a dozen....they disappeared fast!



Can anyone tell me what these are...I have no clue



One of those great views





Yo dad...what are you looking at?

We tried the donuts, picked our own apples, went on the hey ride and got lots of good old country fresh air.  We enjoyed the visit.  I do think next time I will go when it's NOT supposed to be peak leaf turning time.  Far too many people for me!  If you want to read about past October Adventures you can do so here and here. 

Charlottseville Wine Trip

One thing that Virginia is fast becoming known for are their great wines.  And with close to 200 wineries there is a little something for everyone.  Mark and I love nothing more than to get in the car and tour a couple of vineyards and sample some wine. 

In March of 2010 we went on a special day trip with my sister and her hubby to a few vineyards in Charlottseville.  The area is packed with great wineries and it seems like you can go from one to the other with just a little drive down the road.  Some have more to offer, like food pairings or restaurants.  While others are simple and to the point, step up to the bar for your tasting.

Our first stop was at Afton Winery.  The tasting room itself was really pretty and I can see why people use it for weddings and receptions.  It had gorgeous views of the vineyard!   It was cold and dreary outside when we visited but warm and cozy on the inside!  I can't remember which wine we came out with and I would check my stock but it's been long gone by now.

The second stop was Veritas Winery.  This winery was the biggest of the four we toured that day.  It had tables and couches so that you could seat down and do the tasting.  It was also the busiest of the wineries and we had to wait a couple times while our server ran around finding the next wine to taste.  Again it was a gorgeous place and would be a great place for a wedding or group gathering of some sort.  We got a bottle of the Othello 2009 (I only remember because I kept this bottle).  It was on the sweeter side but not sickenly so. 

The thrid stop of the day was at Cardinal Point Winery and this was my favorite.  I can't say that it was so much the wine as the laid back and relaxed atmosphere.  They were very friendly and accomodating.  I have to appologize for not remembering what we got here but I wasn't keeping good notes at the time.  I do know that we opened a bottle while here and had it with our lunch out on their patio.  We had packed a picnic lunch of sorts and it went well with what we had selected. 

I got this picture from the CP website

Our fourth and final stop of the day was at Jefferson Vineyards.  The grounds of this winery are large, with a small older tasting room.  The wines were good but didn't turn out to be my favorite.  However we still managed to leave with a bottle of their Johannisberg Riesling 2009 and since I don't still have the bottle it must have been drinkable :)  I didn't get a picture of this place at all because we were trying to hurry up and get on the road for home.

It was a fun day and I'm glad I could share it with my sister and her hubby.  On the drive home she and I were getting a little silly and were probably annoying the guys. They were troopers and played along!  We haven't been on another wine tour together yet this year and with time winding down I think I better get right on that!



No idea about this shoot...maybe CPR for a stuffed animal?