Exploring Virginia Wine Country

Exploring Virginia Wine Country

Virginia wine country is unique from Sonoma or Napa because of its history. The ancient stone inns and horse fences stretching over pastoral hills are beautiful in their longevity and sense of place. Wine is produced in every nook and cranny of Virginia – it’s the fifth-largest wine-producing state – but we stayed north of I-66 and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where we had almost 40 wineries to choose from.

I Hate the 9:30 Club

I Hate the 9:30 Club

Okay. Maybe I don't hate the 9:30 Club. Maybe I just hate those two lumbering boy-men, those big boys with scraggly beards and fuzzy hair and heavy-rimmed glasses who were trying to get around me the last time I was at the 9:30 Club. I didn't know I was blocking their way. I didn't know until I heard a, "Umm...excuse me...ma'am."

Jar Recipes for Summer Parties

Jar Recipes for Summer Parties

It's easy to bring a bag of chips, but I like to make my potluck offering a gift to the host, a little something to acknowledge the work she or he has done. The trend that is the Mason jar is the perfect way to offer that gift. It allows you a beautiful way to present your goodie, to make goodies single-serving if appropriate and to designate adult drinks from kid drinks. I've included some of my favorite jar offerings in this blog. Enjoy!

My Red Carpet Moment at the GI Film Festival

My Red Carpet Moment at the GI Film Festival

Our red carpet moment came Monday night at the GI Film Festival in Old Town Alexandria. The festival recognizes the work of directors and actors telling military stories, and supports veterans getting into the cinematic arts. My husband's company is a sponsor of the festival. Thus, the welcome to the red carpet. Today and tomorrow, the festival will be showcasing long and short films at the beautiful Old Town Theater in Alexandria that examine various aspects of military life.

Finding Fun Over 40

Finding Fun Over 40

I don’t like feeling old. Growing old? That, I’m okay with. There’s a great meme going around on Facebook about those who have the privilege of growing old. And it is a privilege, one I want to enjoy. But I don’t want to feel old. I don’t want to feel like I’ve aged past the opportunity for adventure and inspiration and just frivolous fun. So this blog is about my quest to find places and activities that don’t make me feel old and out of place or -- hell -- even if they do, they’re worth doing.