A Merry and Bright-al Shower for Middlest.

 

Earlier this month, my sister and I hopped in the car for an adventure north to Ohio. The occasion was the celebration beginnings for affianced Middlest. There are times in my life where I feel both very integral and peripheral. I am both in the moment, and watching as a spectator. This seems to be one of those times. My sister pointed out I have a new title in Mother Of (the) Bride. What kind of MOB do you want to be?  Certainly not a MOB Boss, I aspire to be a boss MOB; Show up, Help where I am needed, Inspire confidence, Try to enjoy all the wonder. 

In this instance, I was the (S.H.I.T.) boss MOB to which I aspire, facilitated by Eldest and my (unofficial) adopted daughter, KZ having put together this celebration down to the smallest detail. Eldest is the Maid of Honor for the wedding, and took on the traditional task of organizing a bridal shower with aplomb. She wisely teamed up with KZ and combined their creativity, energy and joy to make a personal and beautiful party to fête the bride!

Although, the tradition of the bridal shower, as a way to help a bride get started in a new, adult life with gifts for the new home being created at marriage is less necessary now that many brides have begun an independent adult life, with their own homes prior to marriage, it is still important to have the support of the family, friends and community. A bridal shower is one show of that support and love.  

It was a really fine idea to make the shower a Christmas one. The Christmas theme means that for the rest of their lives, as they decorate the home or tree for the holidays, the decorations will hold many memories from the start of their lives together, reminding them of all the folks who love them.

I am a "house girl'. I thrive while making my house feel welcoming and loved. The gifts from my own wedding are still, 27 years later, part of that. When I move the lamp, given to us by Mr. and Mrs. R., I remember them, and our wedding. When I present a meal on the beautifully dressed table with our wedding china and sparkling crystal, it feels like the table itself is a record in fragile gifts, of love and support for our family. When I wind the clock from my grandparents, or put out grapes in the calla lily bowl from the F.'s, it is little touchstones to the connections that ground our lives and give us the history that nourishes. 

Christmas will forever be a reminder of that network of love for Middlest and her husband. The "most wonderful time of the year" indeed! 

In an inspired plan, they chose to host the party at the Tudor-Gothic style, 1920's stone built iconic Wagnalls Memorial Library in Lithopolis, Ohio. This was the library closest to Cowfeathers Farm, and where the kids did many story times on Wednesday mornings. It is where we would go in the summers and take out enormous stacks of books- Mom rule: if you can carry it yourself, you can check it out of the library. And, where many lessons in consequences and economics took place; you can't check out books if you have overdue books or fines! Wagnalls was one of those mystical places for my children, who are devout bibliophiles still. Middlest's career aspirations back then, and perhaps, still, were to become the most august of humans- a librarian. 

So, having the shower at Wagnalls was a slice of perfection pie. 

Also, KZ happens to be an amazing photographer. She can plan parties AND take great pics. These photos are nearly all hers! 

So it was hard to get her out from behind the camera and in front. We managed it with this photo of our two families. These women make a lovely party! 

There was plenty of festive food. Christmas cookie favorites, and a Hot Chocolate Bar kept things sweet. But, when I said they thought of everything, they even had a teapot with my favorite tea!

 

The tables were beautifully set with plaid and garlands, festive favors and a ready trivia game to measure how well we know the bride and groom. 

Guests brought a favorite recipe for the new couple, and contributed to a "date night jar" by scripting a date idea on a tongue depressor stick. 

The beautiful tree was soon surrounded by festive gifts!

And the bride!

            Surround yourselves with family, friends and laughter!

Well done, girls. 

Me and my sweet girls. And, I realize, here is a representation of me, as spectator. Because I am looking at the photos of the family, and wondering "where the heck is my sister?" I mean, she is there, somewhere, but " MOB Boss" would have been on it.  She would have made sure she was in this photo. Since I have decided instead to be "boss MOB", I S.howed up, H.elped with my smile, I.nspired confidence and will T.ry to be happy with that. 

Middlest with her gorgeous in-laws! 

I was so thankful to get this chance to be with the other Mother and one of Middlest's soon-to-be Sister-in-laws! It was a delight to meet these women, and I look forward to the wedding all the more. 

The Bridesmaids (minus one).

So, the parties for these two have begun, and the planning continues. I'm sure. But not my job. As boss MOB I am ready to Show up for whatever, Help however I can, Inspire confidence where possible and Try to enjoy the ride! 

Winery Wednesday on a Thirsty Thursday- Horton Vineyards

 December is such a wonderful busy month, but it was sunny and nearly 70 degrees today, so we managed to set aside the afternoon for a winery adventure. The Random Winery Generator selected Horton Vineyard in Gordonsville, a winery we have driven past numerous times, but never have turned down the drive. 

On a well traveled road, we have seen the grapes on the vines and the tasting room set down the lane, but something about the winery is tired. The sign at the road looks like wooden letters nailed to plywood, serviceable, but not special, and the tasting room also appears a bit forlorn.  It looks like it was designed in an early 1980's idea of Europe, with a turret of orange facing stone, too-small windows and some lumber applied to resemble half-timbering all in brown, orange and tan. It would benefit from some proper landscaping and a lick of fresh paint. There is outdoor seating at picnic tables, and a covered area that was a bit haphazardly furnished. 

We had the place to ourselves, which is just fine with me. The main room in the tasting room is large, and has some retail offerings, Virginia Peanuts and wine related ephemera. The host of the tasting room was friendly and helpful. She said they produce 64 different wines at the winery. That is a whole lot of choices. They had flights available, and a pick your own tasting. We chose the pick your own, six wines of a 1 oz pour for around $15. Huz chose six reds, I chose 6 whites. The pour was a light one at just 1 oz, so the tasting was fairly rapid. 

 

The host wrote our selections down on a paper plate, and then wine was presented in a small cup on top. Huz and I carried our selections out to a picnic table near the vines, holding onto them carefully in the wind. I could see the whole plate being picked up by a gust and tossed!

All 12 wines fell in the 1*-2** category. After the tasting, I chose to drink a glass of the Stone Castle White, and Huz a glass of Cab Franc, pleasant enough in the sunshine by the grapes.

Horton Vineyards:

Wines: **

Atmosphere/location: *

Food: NA

Winery Wednesday-White Hall Vineyards

 It was a peak leaf day in Central Virginia, and Huz and I got lucky when the Random Winery Generator popped up with White Hall Vineyards in the White Hall area of Crozet. 

Wednesday afternoons are really such an ideal time to go to a winery, if you can manage it. We often have the place to ourselves, and that held true at White Hall. We brought a picnic lunch and had our choice of perfect spots to enjoy the repast. Dappled sunshine under a golden Oak tree with a view of the colorful mountains fit the bill. 

The tasting room is spacious, with a window looking into the actual winery, with the fermentation tanks. Seating was outside, which on such a glorious day suited us well. I don't know if they increase indoor seating during the cold weather, with Covid still raging. It would be wise to call first to inquire. 

The tasting menu had 9 different wines. The model was to choose a flight of 4 for $12, and you could choose any 4 of the 9 wines. 

Huz chose the 2017 Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Petit Verdot, the 2017 Edichi (also a Petit Verdot) and the 2017 Soliterre, a white dessert wine. 

He also found the Edichi to really shine as a dessert wine, a rich red that would be enhanced by something like a flourless chocolate cake. 

He liked all the wines a lot, but highest marks were given to the 2019 Petit Verdot, which we brought home, for $22 a bottle.

My flight was a 2019 Chardonnay, the 2017 Estate Chardonnay, 2020 Sugar Ridge White and 2020 Breakheart Rosé. This last was a dry rosé, and named for the road bordering the winery, it won't break your heart. 

The 2019 Chardonnay was a delight. Easy to drink, enhanced by the sweet, salty and sharp flavors of our picnic, I began with this one, and would have been happy to just stay with that! I also gave high marks to the other three in my flight. We brought home some of my favorite Chardonnay at $20 a bottle. 

In all, White Hall wines earned consistent high marks, with all wines getting 3 or 4 ****.

Midway through our flights, the tasting room host brought out two little holiday cocktail tasters, made with the Soliterre dessert wine. They were sweet and delicious, with bubbles added and festive floating cranberries. The Soliterre is an affordable $12 bottle, and this little cocktail in a flute or coupe would be a smart way to start off a holiday party or dinner. 

It was a wonderful place to while away an autumn afternoon and we were all smiles. 

What a view!!

 

White Hall Vineyards: hours 11-5

Wines: ***+

Atmosphere/location: ****

Food- NA, but they do encourage bringing a picnic.

Winery Wednesday on a Thirsty Thursday- Stinson Vineyards and Knight's Gambit Vineyard

 Huz got a day off on a Thursday!

With that in mind, and knowing there are plenty of local wineries that are not open on Wednesdays, but start their hours on a Thursday, we skipped Winery Wednesday to adventure instead on Thirsty Thursday. 

It was a overcast, and periodically rainy autumn day, but the Random Winery Generator did not disappoint, and gave us a trip to the scenic White Hall area for Stinson Vineyards.

The logo for Stinson is a three car garage, because the family used the "garagiste" spirit of French home wineries and built their winery in a garage. The garage just happens to have amazing views of the mountains.

Now there is a tasting room attached to the garage, and I think you can airbnb on the property, but they still make the wine there in the garage. It is quite close to the road, and you can hear cars, but otherwise it is peaceful and beautiful. 

There are 4 flights available. I had Flight #1 for $10, three wines; 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Rosé of Tannat and 2020 Sugar Hollow White. Of these, the Sugar Hollow White, a Vidal Blanc, was my favorite, earning ***.  Huz chose Flight #3  for $14, with a 2019 Merlot, 2017 Meritage(a blend) and 2017 Tannat. He liked the Meritage and Tannat the best, giving them ***. 

Food was not really presented at Stinson, although you may be able to peck out some cheese in a fridge somewhere. Also, the vintage Wyant's Store is walking distance, and they have a sweet little deli, plus snacks and ice cream in a throw back to early 20th century commerce. Even closer- literally next door, is the Piedmont Store. This also is worth investigating if you can eat things (unlike me.) 

Stinson Vineyards:

Wines:**+

Atmosphere/location: ***

Food: N/A

We must have been feeling footloose and fancy free after our trip to Stinson, because on the way home, Huz said, "Do you want to try Knight's Gambit?", naturally, I was in. 

We turned off the road to follow the signs to Knight's Gambit Vineyard and drove in just as the winery worker was changing the sign at the road from "Closed" to "Open". We were the first, and only customers of the hour. Knight's Gambit opens later than many other wineries, and stays open until 7pm, making it a decent choice for evening activity. 

Knight's Gambit feels more casual. There is a therapeutic riding program stables right with the tasting room, so I got to combine two always favorites- wine and horses- in the same lane. 

The tasting room worker was chatty and friendly, so I got my horse questions answered- and yes there was a big fancy dressage horse out in a pasture who had been donated to the program. Delightful. There are long views of the mountains, and several winery dogs, who joined right in our fun. 

Huz and I chose to share a flight, as it was 6 wines. 

 

Winery Wednesday or Thirsty Thursday also gives me a chance to wear clothes that are not for either riding or working construction. And, with a nip in the air, I get to celebrate dressing for autumn! This adorable coat was acquired on an adventure with Middle Sis, from a cute store called "Live Trendy or Die"  in Lynchburg Va. So, had to send Sis a selfie. 

A 2019 Montinore Pinot Gris from Oregon's North Willimette Valley was a substitute for the house Pinot Grigio that was already gone. Unusual to substitute in another region and winery offering instead of just making it a flight of 5? 

2019 Chardonnay, 2020 Rosé, 2019 Cab Franc, 2019 Meritage and 2018 Alexandra's Cuvée (a Petit Verdot) rounded out the flight.  We sat out on the front porch, boots on the rail, ponies to peek at and mountains as a back drop. Not too shabby. 

We brought home a bottle of the oaky, earthy Chardonnay, and the Cuvée, Huz's favorite. 

Food was not a purpose here, although they kindly included some oyster crackers and a few Hershey's Kisses- dark chocolate, on the flight tray. 

Knight's Gambit: later hours than typical

Wines: **+

Atmosphere/ location: ***

Food: N/A

Winery Wednesday (on a Sunday)- Thatch Vineyards

 With the week engaged in family visiting, and throwing a little party Wednesday evening, for the Full Hunter's Moon, we missed a winery visit during the week. But Sunday was ideal weather and open for possibilities!

The Random Winery Generator popped up with Thatch, south of Charlottesville. When we arrived  it became apparent why the winery is called "Thatch". The main building is a wonderful thatch roof structure that resembles a barn. Even though it was a gorgeous autumn day, and there was live music on the patio, it wasn't crowded at Thatch. We masked up and entered the tasting room to order flights that were delivered to our table. We chose an umbrella'd table on the lovely pebble courtyard. With the thatch roof, and the boxwood hedges we could have been in a British beer garden. There weren't really views, but it was very peaceful, and it did feel like we were suddenly in Europe. 

They had some lite-bite fare for purchase. We chose a cheese plate. I am pretty consistent, with my food limitations, a cheese plate is often the only choice. There were not gluten-free crackers available, and the plate had three cheeses, the choices were uninspiring, and a bit dry. 

There were 4 flights to choose from; the Crisp Ones, the Rouge Ones, the Fundamentals and the Special Ones. I chose the Crisp Ones, and Huz the Rouge Ones, each $15. 

My Crisp Ones flight had a 2020 Rosé, 2018 Chardonnay, 2019 Zephyr ( a blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc) and the Thatch House White, a blend of Vidal Blanc and Chardonnay. My favorite of these was the Chardonnay. It was so interesting! It smelled like fruity candy, but the taste was not sweet. I bought a few bottles. 

Huz's Rouge Ones flight was a 2018 Lemberger ( which is a German grape), a 2018 Meritage (blend of Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, and Cab Sauv), 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon and  2019 Petit Verdot. His favorite was the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, and we have that too in our growing collection. I say it is growing- but as we speak, I am making the collection one bottle smaller. 

It was fun to have live music happening- we have been without through most of the pandemic, but it wasn't so loud as to preclude conversation. 

Thatch

Wines: ***

Atmosphere/location: ***

Food:*

The Transformational Mind and Soul Adventure Weekend

Scene from the Oracle Walk, TMSA Weekend

One of the big perks and new discoveries of our move to Virginia is time with my middle sister. Since we were kids, we have largely been far apart. There were a few years in the 90's when my eldest sis and my middle sis were in the same town, but not me. I have been half a country, or an entire ocean apart from my sisters since about 1983. Moving to Virginia has put me and my middle sister on either side of a town. Not a country or a state- a town! A little more than a half hour apart. Unprecedented in adulthood. 

Vaccinated!

We are lucky to have this opportunity, and we have been figuring out what it means to be near one another. Trips over the mountain to the nearest Aldi, a wonderful adventure to get our first Covid vaccination, followed by another for #2, occasional morning tea at her office or mine (yeah, yeah, I mean one of the Foxcroft porches- don't quibble), we have been finding time together. 

When the pink clouds are more important than getting your sister's whole face in a photo. Doh. 

We find some really unique things on our adventures. 

Delicious ones too- GF cupcakes, Richmond, Va.

A few months ago, we were having tea, and I suggested we join forces and host a weekend. My force is that of engagement in hosting. I am good at making home, and enjoy sharing that. It is simple, if not easy. Her forces are legion. She is a Learner and a Teacher. She has a lot to share and is very insightful. She does a lot of things that have names, that frankly, I am still trying to understand. What I do understand is her ability to help people cut through the fuzz and get to the peach. 

As a woman in her 50's, I know how many times I have had to transform my life, my expectations, my goals, my thinking, my purpose to meet the life I was experiencing, and how it can be a challenge. Sometimes an overwhelming one. When I retired from Vet Med, nearly in line with my Youngest graduating from high school, I struggled with that huge transformation. If I was no longer needed to be "Mom of small kids" and I was no longer a practicing veterinarian, what was I? What was my job? My purpose? Am I different now too? I wrestled with that, gave myself some time, got lucky and figured it out, if slowly. Sure could have used a Transformational weekend with my sister! She has a wealth of tools in her kit she shares to allow you to find your way. I know so many friends that are having big questions about their lives too, that could use some revelation, clarity, direction. 

I thought maybe, together, my sister and I could enjoy what happens if we put our talents into concert. 

Thus the first TMSA Weekend. 

We limited it to 5 participants, and mainly stayed within those lines, although we had 6 people participate, two were part-time. Foxcroft Farm has three guest rooms, so we had room for any out  of town participants. We made the price all-inclusive of food, beverage and supplies so no one had to pull our their wallet during the experience. My sister led the learning adventures over the weekend from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. My part was giving the group a chance to learn and relax. The meals were meant to provide delight and contentment, while a complement to the learning program. Local wines, ciders, produce and products we planned to indulge and expand. A walk at my sister's in Afton, and a field trip to Castle Hill for a cider tasting were part of the weekend discoveries. 

The real hero in the weekend was Youngest. He consented to "help" me. Which meant he did his thing as an amazing host/chef/server/bartender/keeper of the fires, working quietly, calmly and seamlessly to keep everyone comfortable, fed, warm and ready to think, listen, learn and absorb. 

As for the transformational adventures, we did some great stuff. I don't think words are adequate to describe how affecting the weekend sessions are on each individual. In short, we worked on personal strengths and core values, finding answers within from the subconscious and elemental world, putting ourselves into nature with intention, meditation, letting go of what doesn't serve us, vision boards and finding our contentment. Plus, the sensory delights of smelling good. It was a group of supportive, wise women giving each other space to learn and a listening heart. I do hope I hear from these incredible women the fruits that come from this weekend- all the peaches. 

Although the weekend was full of both talking and beautiful silences, I have something special from the weekend that only two of us shared, and that was the extra gift of creating something with my sister. 

Three sisters- together. 

Dirty Baily on a frosty Transformational Saturday.