I'm back!!

I'm not sure that apologies are necessary for my blog hiatus as I've never actually gone public, but I'm ready to take on the full time project of Wine and Design and enter the world of blogging. A lot has gone on since my last blog post. Quick recap...

Spain...

France...

Got engaged...

Got married...

And now life has calmed down a bit and I'm ready to return to fully focusing on blogging about all that inspires happiness...

I'm loving this trellis wallpaper design

Particularly this bathroom. I could totally do this in my small downstairs half bathroom.

 









Spring Has Sprung!

Despite the pollen, Spring is still by far my favorite season. But boy is the pollen bad this year! The sniffles and itchy eyes won't keep me inside! I've been busy planting!

It started with bibb lettuce and arugula but after a trip to the new community garden in Manchester last weekend, I came home with leeks, tomatoes, parsley, basil and dill. Our garden is growing and this weekend the hard work paid off!

After a wonderfully long weekend of Flying Squirrels baseball, a trip to the St. Stephen's Farmers Market, Charlottesville wine country and Crozet Pizza, we tied it all together with a impromptu delicious meal at home. The grill master found a few cedar planks in his pantry and decided he was craving fish and a chilled glass of white wine. We literally took the recipe right off of the cedar plank package. I will make this again and again...

The marinade recipe calls for:

2 tbsp of vegetable oil

1 tbsp of soy sauce

3 tbsp of bourbon

1 tbsp of brown sugar

1/2 tsp of ground ginger

1/2 tsp of lemon juice

Pepper to taste

Allow salmon to marinate for 20 minutes. Heat remaining marinade in a small sauce pan, allow to reduce. Serve!

I love you a bushel and a peck, a hug around the neck and a pack of chewing gum!

Ma was the heart and soul of our family, with a smile that could light up the room, never was lacking a good story, and always willing to listen no matter what. A dear friend, a caring mother, a loving wife and a grandmother who deserves gold medals! Ma passed away 1 year ago today. Ma, Not a day goes by where we don't think of you, cherish you and remember all of the good times that were shared!

Do I need these?

Coralie Bickford Smith has really out done herself! The colors and designs are truly inspiring for any space!

I have a really difficult time determining what I want and what I need! Yet, I think I NEED these beauties! They are just too great and unique to pass up!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I spent the past weekend in Corolla, NC. It is beautiful there. The beach was incredible. The ocean was cool and refreshing. There is just something about relaxing by the water that makes all other worries disappear.

My nephew Griffin was there and seriously, does it get much cuter than this? My sister and brother-in-law were more than generous to extend the invitation to join them for a few days! It was such a great way to close the summer season and say goodbye to the humid air.

Goodbye humid air!!! Since returning home the weather has been ideal! It is 75 degrees and sunshine all around! I love to witness the change in seasons but this cooler weather has me thinking about the things I will miss most about the summer. I'll be forced to chuck the flip flops and the sun tan lotion. The cover on the grill will become more permanent. Wine on the porch will become less frequent. The sundresses will be moved to the back of the closet. Yardwork will become extinct and I'm mostly disappointed that our river trips will be postponed until it warms up again.

On a more positive note, there are few things I like better than bermuda shorts and a crewneck sweater!

What makes me happy?

I’m most happy when I’m doing things that the person I want to be would do. I want to be a runner and although I loathe the actual concept of running, afterwards there’s that feeling of accomplishment that compares happiness to nothing else. I want to be a chef and after a worthy meal comes out of my oven (trust me, this does not happen often) I always dream of the idea of running a restaurant, even just a quaint lunch spot would bring such happiness. I want to be writer and through this desire I’m starting with the idea of writing a blog. It’s just a start with no real promises of daily posts or inspirations. But here’s my outlet to continue my happiness of sharing with you my potentially creative ideas, the possibility of a few inspiring photographs, the probability of a few good stories, and the promise for some fine wine and design.