These are a few of my favorite wines

I love a good wine after a long day at work, however I am a wee bit picky. No reds, no woodsy, strong, or hints of oak... ugh! I love light wines, wines made with different fruits, or wines that simply don't taste like trees or vinegar.

Here are some of my favorite wines (one local, two from South Carolina, and one from the local liquor store).

The Local- Blush

We think the Roman god of merriment would approve his namesake- this is our sweet, light-hearted blend that is often spotted in picnic baskets and in the glasses of vineyard concert-goers sitting before the amphitheatre during our summer concert series. The Bacchus Blush is comprised mostly of our semi-sweet Riesling and Vidal Blanc, with a touch of our Concord and just enough Merlot to give it color and a little bite. It has a bouquet of spring flowers, and the blend of varietals play in the mouth like a fruit salad with flavors of pear, melon, table grapes, and ripe strawberries. Try the Bacchus Blush with the blue cheese on a cheese platter or a Mediterranean salad covered in feta crumbles- the sugar of the wine tastes great with salty foods!

The Grocery store- Schmidt Riesling

This medium bodied Riesling has peach and fine apple aromas, a firm and fruity palate, and crisp acidity that results in a well balanced, easy to drink wine. It is perfect as an aperitif or to complement a wide array of foods from pork and ham to fish and poultry.

The South Carolinas-

Lotts Creek- A landmark of our county, Lotts Creek is a beautiful refuge for all type of wildlife and can make for some great fishing during the summer months. We think it's a very special part of this county so we gave this very special wine its name. Our Lotts Creek wine makes for a great after dinner treat because of it rich and sweet flavor and 18% alcohol content.

Kennedy Pond

The myth says that, Kennedy Pond, a 300+ acres cypress lake on Hwy 46, was created by a meteor shower many years ago. We can't promise its true but we can promise you'll love the semi-sweet southern red wine that carries its name.

Another favorite is Lowcountry Winery's Strawberry Sin in Beaufort, South Carolina

Wordless Wednesday

Let the Countdown begin!!! Actually it began at 100 days out (according to my Iphone ap). 87 days till Christmas and I am so super excited... the decorations, the crafts, the warm cozy feeling.. and this year hopefully a baby. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Miscellany monday

1. There is drywall dust in my house. I have self diagnosed OCD, so this isn't a good thing.... at all.

2. I found out this week that my grandmother left me her wedding band and engagement ring. I am over the moon with excitement. It's nothing big, but very special to me. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

3. I just put out my fall decorations. It really puts me in just the right mood. White pumpkins, amber beads. Sigh. I even talked Anthony into putting his favorite scarecrow in the yard. Now if the temperatures would continue to corporate then all would be good.

4. I am sleepy already thinking about the fact that I thought it was a brilliant idea to offer to meet my students who wanted more help in math at 7:00am every Monday. Really.. it will be worth it, and pay off, but I just get sleepy thinking about it.

5. Mom and I went to William Sonoma yesterday and came out with some amazing goodies! Pumpkin Curry, Pumpkin bread, and Pumpkin butter. Who knew all the things you could make with pumpkin. And all of it is delish!

Creative juices

To say that this year in a new grade has been a challenge is an understatement. With that challenge I have been able to get my creative juices flowing. This is something I feel like I've neglected in the past. Here are just a few ways I've put my creativeness to use:

Reading Soup bulletin board. "reading is M-MM Good

Giant explorer's ship for our exploration unit. More to be added.

classification of the 5 kingdoms of life

Native American cultural region murals.

Show us your master bedroom

Kelly's Korner is gearing up again with Show us your home with "Show us your master bedroom". So, here is my master bedroom. I love blue and brown, photography, and the beach (Oh and paisley), so I combined it all in our cozy master bedroom. The pics aren't the best quality because I took them from my phone, but you get the idea.

Fall at theblessedlife

Today is my amazing teacher buddy Caitlin's Fall Link up. Check it out here. The idea is to write about anything fall. No problem here since it is my favorite season. One of my sweet peas from last year comes to tell me good morning everyday. Today she brought me a cookie before school started, so I told her she could stay and hang out. We were chatting about fall and how today is the 1st day and how the weather needed to cooperate (its been in the 90s here). She said fall is her favorite because it is the best of all the other seasons rolled into one. I thought that was a pretty good observation. I have written on here about fall before, but tonight to I am feeling very crafty so I want to post this fun fall craft I found, Enjoy: Taken from the gooseberry patch blog (can't wait till my book comes!)

An Easy Craft for Fall!

Along with sweet memories of fall and a cornucopia of delicious recipes, our new cookbook, Homemade Harvest, features a chapter of crafts you can make for your home or give as gifts. Here's a great idea for decorating your table…you can even add extra personality with coordinating buttons and fabric yo-yo's!

1 to 2 yds. burlap
fabric scraps
scissors
straight pins
double-sided fusible
webbing
iron and ironing board

Place burlap on table, cutting so it covers the middle third of the table. If desired, fray the edges by gently pulling away 1/2 inch of burlap, one strand at a time. Pin fabric scraps to fusible webbing and cut into pumpkin or leaf shapes, or letters to create a monogram. Arrange shapes on the burlap, fusible webbing-side down. Carefully remove the pins, keeping the fabric and webbing together. Following the fusible webbing manufacturer's instructions, use a warm iron to adhere the webbing to the pieces of burlap.

We'd love to hear how you decorate your table when Autumn arrives!

Catching up

Anthony and I have talked about the fact that when we are home together we need to spend quality time together. Usually we are on opposite ends of the couch watching a movie, while I am working on school work. In the spirit of that this week I have been working by butt off at school, going in early, staying a bit later, and not bringing home work (most of the time). I have loved getting to hang out with Anthony more. And of course now I can play catch up here too. To be honest I don't know what to do with myself. I'll be making some back-dated posts in a bit, so be sure to read up. And tomorrow, I can't wait to show you all my creativeness I have poured out at school. Today I made a massive ship, helped my kids make murals of the 7 Native American regions, and hung ads for the 5 kingdoms. I also am not feeling so hot (probably all the hard work I'm doing). May be TMI for you but I have those icky white things on my tonsils, that the school nurse says means I probably have strep throat. I told her I didn't have time for that, and it would have to wait till tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully it will listen and cooperate.

Book Picks for Paintings

After much deliberation, consideration and opinion asking I've finally decided which 4 paintings I will be making for the nursery. I will wait on the 5th one because if it is a girl I want to do Angelia Ballerina, and something different if it's a boy. Here is the final cut. I can't wait to get started!

Miscellany monday

1. I love that my friends are so supportive. One handed over her baby and said here, go see Jessie. She particularly understands where I am coming from and knows how great it is to simply hold a baby. Anthony friend texted me and asked if I wanted extra bottles she had. They are such a great support.

2. I bought a newsboy hat I was dying to have. I LOVE it. Got lots of compliments and it is so fun!

3. Instead of asking nicely some lady (very drunk) at the football game told my husband to "sit down #*#hole". Then she picked a fight with someone else. Really? I'm not sure how people can be so rude!

4. I am trying to be a cool teacher and just spent an hour downloading clean versions of songs for my students to listen to while they work or at free times.

5. The basement will be drywalled this week. YEA!!! I'm so over the moon with excitement. I can't wait to paint.

6. On Saturday morning I was washing dishes in the kitchen and I looked out the window to my back garden. The majority of my flowers have died off but there was a single pink Rose. I bought that rose bush because my grandmother always used to have pink roses in her yard. I kind of looked at it look at it as a sign that she's looking over me.
7. Still trying to decide on one more book character to paint for the nursery. So far I have Horton, Max from where the wild things are, and Cordaroy. What is your favorite children's book?

Gooseberry Patch

I was so excited the other day when my mother-in-law showed me this.

My excitement came from when I was little. My mom used to get these books and we would flip through every Christmas and pick out things to make. My favorite was the cinnamon dough ornaments. They smelled so good and were such fun to make.

I couldn't resist ordering a book of my own from Amazon. They have amazing crafts and recipes that I can't wait to try! I'm also on a mission to find the ones from when I was little. They are in my basement somewhere, I think!

93 years

After an amazing 93 years on this earth, my grandma is now in Heaven. She is with my grandpa who passed away 26 years ago. She was a wonderful, spirited woman and I am so proud to call her my grandma. Most importantly, she is now at peace.

Miscellany monday

• I finished watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion part 2 and I have 2 words for it... train wreck. What are these women thinking? I just don't get it. Has anyone else been sucked up in their world? I also watched my other guilty pleasure; Teen Mom and can't wait to see if Maci will move to Nashville or not. Oh what did we do without reality tv?

• I tried to go to the mall today and just became annoyed with all the insane crowds... so not only did I leave frustrated, but I left with nothing. No good all the way around

• Did you know Gracie (my beagle) can say "go big blue"? She can, on command, so that is how game days begin in this household. It's like our good luck charm.

• We went to a little town festival this weekend and I totally felt like I was in the scene in Sweet Home Alabama when they are at their local fair. I also had my first funnel cake and apparently according to my friend's hubby I am now officially an American.

• Anthony and I have had "football night" since college. We spread a blanket on the floor and hang out watching football. These are the nights that I think are extra special.

• I am trying so hard to let my hair grow out but it needs a serious trim. Fingers crossed I can get in somewhere here today, since I can't drive back to Lexington right now.

things I am loving

With fall so close I can smell it, these are the new things I am loving for the season:

Long belted sweater would look cute with leggings or skinny jeans, and my black boots!

PINK Victoria's Secret UK hoodie, this is so soft and a double bonus is the pocket and hood.

Newsboy hat would be fun with lots of different outfits this fall and winter.

This is one I already bought. It smells amazing as I type this post! Watch Bath and Body Works for their 2 for $20 deal.

A pair of saddle colored riding boots, remind me of my riding days of my childhood.

NPR thoughts and 9-11

Yesterday morning I was listening to NPR and they were discussing Islam and the opinion of the American community on the Islamic faith. A very kind Islamic church leader was on discussing the changes his church would be making because even though their holiday ends today they would celebrate at another time so they wouldn't offend fellow Americans. This lead me to some deep thinking. A recent poll said that 49% of Americans had a negative view on the Islamic faith. It seems to me that the acts of a few bad people have affected the entire Islamic community. It reminds me a bit of the Catholic faith and the priest sex scandal (only on a bigger scale). The actions of a few affect the entire community. It seems to be a theme Americans to persecute in situations like these. All the way back to world war II with Japanese Americans and even further. If you look back Native American and explorers. I normally don't get very political but it just seems a shame to me that people of a particular faith are not able to fully practice their faith because of the actions of few. I don't know anything about it but I do know that no God would want this much war and killing. I don't know how I feet about a masque being placed close to the twin towers, but in actuality I'm not sure I have a right to make that decision. So, as today is the anniversary of 9-11 let me close with one last thought of another issue in the news and leave you with some advice I give my students. To the crazy preacher in Florida who wants to burn the Koran: what he really wants is attention. As I tell my kiddos who complain that people are chasing them; don't run and you can't be chased, don't give the preacher with a small congregation any media attention and he won't go through with his plan that people say will upset the war in afganastain and has made the national news.

A just for fun list

I have wanted to share some randomness about myself lately, and finally decided to do it: A hodgepodge of 3 things you may not know about me.

• I can spot hawks. My mom can too. And by spot I mean driving down the road we can catch the sight of them in the corner of our eye. I need to look to see if hawks have any special symbolism.
• When I was little my cousin babysat me and shut me in a closet. Granted I was probably annoying but, I doubt it was necessary. I am convinced this is why I am scared of heights, and small spaces.
• I absolutely detest the word "moist"! UGH!
• I am lift my leg and pop my hip. Actually I can pop most of my bones.

Do you have any oddness you would like to share with me? I'd love to hear it!

I promise I'll be back tomorrow with a more substantial post.

Fall is in the air

Tomorrow the high temp is supposed to be 71 degrees. I love it. It just justifies my decision to switch out my candle scents. Today has been a long day. It is one of those days that I had moments as a teacher when I felt defeated. So, to cheer me up, here is a list (and pics) of the fall festivities I am looking forward to.

1. hiking at Bernheim
2. football, tailgating, and more football
3. sleeping with the windows open
4. apple cider
5. the firepit
6. sweaters and boots
7. chili
8. fall leaves
9. the opportunity to take pictures
10. hoodies and scarves

Wordless Wednesday

One of the good things about being up and out so early is the beautiful morning sky. I have always thought it is one of God's most beautiful creations.

DIY shoes

I have been looking for some cute, inexpensive flats. The other day at Walmart I found these. Simple, basic, black.

Today at Hobby Lobby I found these fun flowers that have a pin on the back. Immediately I thought of the simple shoes, and the quick fix these flowers would add. I was drooling over some super cute, way more expensive ones with a little bling just the other day. I have to say this DIY project totally reminds me of my sweet friend Caitlin

Here is the end result, and you could get different flowers/bling to make customized shoes for every outfit.

Total cost:

shoes-$7.00 (Walmart)

jeweled flowers ($2.99 a piece)

Total cost: $10.00