Weddings and Wineries....

This last week while we've been on vacation has absolutely evaporated!

Last weekend we were in Portland, OR to witness our dear friend Joel marry his long ago high school sweetheart Bridgette- who as the universe happen to see fit- to bring them together some 20 years later. They, along with Joel's beautiful daughters had a sweet ceremony at the lovely Elk Cove Winery. *you can read more about them here*

http://www.elkcove.com/

We had a great time as it was a bit of a reunion of old friends from our days in Bellingham and WWU... of course the boys had to keep the stories to a minimum as we're all respectable adults with kids now....(try not too hard to fall off your chair there.....). But truly- the rehearsal and the reception were great fun watching everyone reminisce and laugh out loud.

I had the luxury of just sitting back and playing at this wedding- but I couldn't help but snap a few shots- because the details, venue and couple were gorgeous.

I wish them a most happily ever after! xoox D

Here is the happy couple catching some last sweet sunlight on the fringes of the pinot grapes with their photographer. You can catch his work here:

http://shumakerphotography.com/

Wine on the Juans

So just in case you all thought that perhaps I had fallen off the planet again- I assure you- I am still here and having a ball! I have so much to share- it has been another whirlwind couple of weeks and I'm working backwards here.... But Ron and I are still floating on cloud 9 after our time on the Schooner *Zodiac.*

Our good friend Dr. David Morris- also known as the winemaker for Napeequa sailed this voyage through the Juans last summer and raved about how much fun it was. So when he shared with us that he was invited back again as the wine expert for the wine and seafood cruise... we immediately started planning.....

I can't even begin to describe what an amazing experience this was.... it wasn't just a trip.... just a vacation.... or just a gift to ourselves for our 15th wedding anniversary......it was an experience. It was the chance of a lifetime to explore parts of the San Juan Islands- that are right in our back yard- but that I would never be able to see like I saw it this week if I weren't on the water. And I wasn't just *on the water*..... we aboard a most magnificent vessle!

The Schooner Zodiac is a fully restored racing yacht from 1924... and one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I went crazy on all the amazingly well preserved and lovingly cared for features. We only got to sail one afternoon and the weather dictated that we truly work the sails ... so sadly I didn't really get anything with her sails all out..... but you can see more images of her with the sails up and read more about her specs here:

http://www.schoonerzodiac.com/

In addition to taking a crash course in sailing, meeting some truly awesome people- hopefully friends for life- we had food prepared by some of the best in the NW, and visited some great up and coming vineyards and tasting rooms. The wine was plentiful and good, the weather was glorious and views were breathtaking...... so take a quick gander at the blissfully good time we had. And then run to a phone near you and book a trip with them- you'll be so glad you did!

Tim, Chris, Al and Zodiac crew- thank you, thank you, thank you- you all made our voyage so much fun!!!! We can't wait to do it again!

Alex and Ian..... seriously righteous food dudes!!!!!

Thank you Napeequa, Legoe Bay and San Juan Wineries for being such amazing hosts!

With MUCH LOVE and gratitude-

xoxo Didi

*the Legoe Bay Pino Gris was a fave all week*

*Zodiac intern Jahn from Germany had all the girls' attention....*



*everyone relaxing up top in the sun with some of our faves....the Mona from SJWineries, Legoe Bay Pino, and all of the Napeequa's were a hit*

*1st Mate Chris' shirt..... I so want one!!!*

* one of those happy accidents on the stern of the ship*

*I just love the texture of this shot- this is leaning up against the main sail mast- 11 stories tall and shooting straight up. The beads are made of wood and is attached to the main sail like ball bearings*

*this shot got cold and wet in a hurry-I was on bow watch and the wind kicked up and it started raining buckets- but what a great seat!*

*this was peeking through the boom and sail at another boat*

*Ron and Dr. David shooting some video footage about the importance of PBR in wine making....*

*see-look ma- really- I went on a vacation- AND I'm in the photos!!!!*

*T was just so stinking cute I couldn't resist!

Her dad was Chef 'A' and knocked out a great seafood bonanza!*

*this lighthouse was so sweet and the colors made me happy*

*1st mate Chris through the porthole from the chart room*

*Dr. David doing his thing *

*the crew getting some R&R at the end of the day*

*Rock.... talk about salt of the Earth- he is- and I loved him. He's like pirate hospitality...gruff and opinionated- and a giant teddy bear all at the same time. I caught him relaxing for a second- and love that you can see the sail in his glasses*

*isn't she a beauty???*

*what an incredible way to spend an evening- or three of them in this case*

http://www.napeequa.com/home.htm

http://www.legoebaywinery.com/

http://www.sanjuanvineyards.com/about.html

Whine a little...

Anyone want to venture a guess as to where I was this weekend??????

Ok- I'll tell you.... only the yummiest place on Earth... NAPEEQUA!

More to come- but I'm tired- and it's been a crazy good weekend......

There's a newly re-vamp'd tasting room and new releases and TRUFFLES... yes- Napeequa infused TRUFFLES!!! For you wino-choco-luvas..... THIS is THE answer for you. Run- don't walk to the tasting room or a PC near you and order a box NOW!!!!! OMG... Can you say oral sensation??????????????????

Mimosa Meeting

A couple of months ago- my friend Amy and I hatched a plan..... she recently graduated from Massage school- and I volunteered my house to host a get together with my friends. A way for her to meet lots of new people and potential clients- all in one place. And I have a great group of girlfriends- all of whom are all crazy busy with work and family- and really- who couldn't use some girl time and some pampering and oodles of good giggles?

So everyone arrived yesterday morning in their pj's, no make-up, with brunch food and champagne in hand. We made yummy decadent coffees, mimosas in every flavor, and ate all manner of brunch foods bad for you. (calories were exempt from this party)

Everyone got in on some pampering massage from Amy and the rest of us snuggled up and watched old movies and giggled and talked while we waited our turn. It was fabulous-

You know you've all seen the email forwards about "have a group of girlfriends".... and it's true... we lift each other up when we've fallen or feel down, take each other's kids when needed, laugh and cry together, fill in when the others are sick or broken... you just do, because you love each other- and know that they would do for you in a second.... I love my friends- I'm so blessed. :)

I know that many were worried that it was too much-so soon for having a party here- but it was exactly what i needed...... I was energized by a day with girls. So thank you to all my lovies! My pretty tulips from Andrea- spring is coming- I promise. (even if my house is very confused right now- I got the Xmas down outside and Valentine's up.... but inside is still Xmas, and there are lots of spring flowers all over my kitchen....I need to get my holidays back in line!)

there were many casualties (fallen soldiers) at the end of the day- but it was a fun and bubbly day!

we only managed a partial group photo- but aren't we cute??? :)

Taste of Fall 2009

I am trying to gather my thoughts this morning in a house full of girls with the sniffles ... but prior to making phone calls to half the planet regarding the state of health regarding all three of the Miles girls... (praying it's simply allergy related rather than the crud- but must be sure).....

I am taking a quick peek back at the weekend....and what a glorious weekend it was!

Big Daddy & I were able to have a grown-up's run-a-way to Leavenworth for an over-niter! (Thank you Aunti & Uncle for taking the kids!!!!)

We toured Leavenworth and Pashastin and did some wine tasting- some more established and well known vintners and some brand new- even one on opening day!

Silvara Vinyards in Pashastin has a really approachable Riesling
Eagle Creek of Leavenworth had some really earthy reds and a pink hued Pinot
Kestrel Vintners is out of Prosser but shows in downtown Leavenworth had several very early sippers and were very affordable
We stopped at Icicle but were too early- so we'll check them out next trip- but hear exceptional reviews about them.
And of course.... there is Napeequa in Plain- and they are after all- our absolute faves!!!!

Here is a quickie glimpse of what we took in.......

The glorious white grape that will become the Gewurztraminer (pronounced Gra-vertz-tra-meener... there are umlauts over the u- but can't figure out how to type those in... so imagine they are there.....) which a sweet desert wine- imagine a port- only in a white... this is known as an ice wine as they keep it chilled.
The Merlot grapes that find it's way happily into blended wines such as Napeequa's Trail head- which happens to be one of my absolute faves!!!!!

Napeequa's Taste of Fall was a super fun fusion of their wines, live music, killer food, a perfect autumn day- and as the sun dropped behind the mountains- a perfect half moon was coming up-We gathered around the fire pit and talked and laughed and shared fun stories- laughed much, ate well and sipped exceptionally- I'm blessed to have such amazing friends!

We stopped back in on Sunday on our way out of town to say good by and check out the crush- they were crushing the Merlot grapes.... and I caught a couple shots of the wine apprentices- a couple of very handsome young men- they are going to be fighting off the girls a couple of years- especially with an extensive wine making background!!!!

Hope your weekend was splendid- and that you got outside and enjoyed! If you have a day- make the trip over for some wine tasting to Leavenworth- there are some really great vintners offering amazing handcrafted wines- made from locally grown grapes- and are being made right here in our own NW back yard!

Sip-smile- enjoy!

xoxo Didi

Thirsty???

Well- it's been longer than I had hoped to work on getting caught up- but feast your eyes on the new releases from Napeequa Vintners..... If you weren't thirsty before.... you should be now- these are a fantastic lot for summer!

You can find them in the quiet Cascade Mountains in a place called Plain... or you look them up on the web:

http://www.napeequa.com/home.htm

You can visit the tasting room or become a part of their wine club who gets these new releases first......

And believe me- you want these soon......