The Fruits of their Labor-2018 Harvest-Part 1 #TXTuesday

September 18, 2018.Reading time 12 minutes.

It is a culmination of the year’s efforts. It is letting out a sigh of relief that the fruit has weathered the climatic challenges. It is digging in deep, finding the stamina needed in the coming days, weeks. It is harvest. While many fields have been picked, others are still swarming with laborers. Each day, […]

Hills and Valleys-Pt. 4-Vista Hills Vineyard

September 18, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

{This is part 4 in a series of our visit to the Willamette Valley last summer.} It can be challenging to visit wineries with a big group. It can be challenging to visit with children. It can be challenging to visit with aging parents (mine, at least.) So, what to do when you check all […]

Remembering, every year, every day

September 11, 2018.Reading time 12 minutes.

If you have been reading for any time, you know that I shared this post three years ago, the connected piece was shared the three previous. I took a break, not wanting to bombard. But the truth is, we all feel the weight of this day, some of us more acutely. I mourn for my […]

#NFLChallenge-Can You Sacrifice 1% this Season?

September 7, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

So, I’m going WAY off course today. It was an idea that came to me on a walk, as most do. I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, The Liturgists. The topic was Suffering. The guest, Scott Harrison, told the story of how and why he began Charity: Water, a non-profit that provides […]

Hills and Valleys-Part 3-ROCO Winery

August 27, 2018.Reading time 12 minutes.

This series covers highlights from my visit to the Willamette Valley last summer. See the previous posts for travel tips and tastings. My first educational introduction to Willamette Valley wines came when Rollin Soles held a tasting at the Red Room in Austin. He poured a few Pinot Noir to compare and share about the […]

A Magic Trick and Back to School

August 22, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

Did you see that? I once again performed my perennial summer social media magic trick. Once the kids got out for summer, I DISAPPEARED, almost entirely. Other than a quick post on the fly or while the passenger on a road trip, I was invisible. It happens every summer and it used to come with […]

Hills and Valleys-Part 2-Willamette Valley

July 6, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

{This is part two in a series documenting our trip to the Willamette Valley last year. The previous post highlights the coast and McMinnville, Elizabeth Chambers.} The house we rented was located in Sherwood, an immaculate equestrian property fully stocked for a large group and entertaining. When we arrived in early August of 2017, the […]

Hills and Valleys-Oregon-Part 1

July 5, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

We gathered in the golden hills to celebrate a golden anniversary. Fifty years of commitment and compromise. Fifty years of trials and triumphs. Fifty years of love. We chose the Willamette Valley because we wanted a place with beautiful views, temperate climate, and a comfortable home to gather. After my experience at Pinot in the […]

Three Little Pinks and the Big Smooth Reds

June 27, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

{These wines were provided as media samples with no other compensation. Thoughts, opinions are my own. All photos are bottle shots taken from the respective website. Thank you Teuwen Communications, The Provence Rosé Group, and Freehand PR for providing them} Once upon a time there were Three Little Pinks. Two lived in a charming country home […]