a bright and shiny snow day

i was quite disappointed at 4pm yesterday thinking that all the snow 

warnings were bust. but then a nice steady sprinkle of flakes developed and 

by bedtime our homeplace was covered in lovely sparkling blanket. 

i am usually home on wednesdays with tristan, 

but it was pretty fun having tashi join us for the day!

i feel far more balanced if our virginia winter doles out at least one decent snow event. 

this was pretty minimal,  but it certainly satisfied some snow lust!

there must be at least one decent snow day food spread enjoyed 

in front of the wood burning stove. 

ours included turkey meatballs, tzatziki, hummus, carrots, greek olives, 

and some cumin rice fried in coconut oil. 

everyone was pleased, including the cats basking in their sun puddles.

and while it certainly is very cold outside, i'm glad that it is encouraging the snow 

cover to remain through the week. it is often just a little depressing when, after a snowfall,  your carefully assembled snowperson turns to a puddle by midday!

what are your favorite things about a snow day?

where we are: virginia wine country

there is nothing like an afternoon wine tasting in a gorgeous spot close to my home to remind me how much i love where i live. i am continuously wowed by the beauty that surrounds us, and the fine offerings of the land. visiting a vineyard is almost always a great treat for the senses. the drive to the destination, the views, the architecture, the entertainment, the tastes, and the delicious details of a great or humble estate, depending.

mountfair vineyards is definitely on the humble side. the small, rustic space is full of hand built details, the wine bar awash with light, and the tasting room lined with artfully stacked wooden barrels. we enjoyed acoustic music by james harris moore while drinking a glass of twang and eating crackers and brie. we followed our glass with a tasting of their other offerings, appreciating in particular the amore and the intertwined. all of their wines are blends of their own and/or locally sourced grapes. they also offer potters craft cider, which i learned is brewed in our neighboring village of free union.

a bustling wine bar

mountfair vineyards has a lovely logo and pleasing labels on their wines

i added vixon to the suggestions. we were on fox mountain after all! 

wooden barrels from my childhood home-state

beautiful views from every window

kid friendly!

so much beauty

our local fox mountain. we drove over it to reach the vineyard. 

it was cold out there!

late afternoon light is the best

thanks for the lovely afternoon mountfair vineyards!

and then we drove home

did i mention that i love where we live?

a warm spot

we've had a break from the intensely cold weather, and then the rain, these last couple of days. today was not the brightest of days, but it was perfectly pleasant, a good day to experiment with the camera on my new iphone. we romped in the woods and visited our favorite spots, something we haven't done in a while. the cedar grove. the tree bench. the creek. the realm of the fallen tree. our yard in general. tristan chalked on the driveway and cruised around on his balance bike while i gathered fallen branches and swept out the garage. and then we retreated to the indoors, just at twilight, for a snack of carrots and freshly baked biscotti. it was a good day of playing, and baking, and exploring with my little cherub. the kind of day i treasure and feel very good about when we exchange the last hug before sleep. 

where i am

it's a cold january charlottesville, having just stepped from the thigh deep snows of wisconsin.

                     

so much has happened in the last few weeks, i feel like i am still shaking it out, 

while jogging into the new busy. 

appointments are set, rehearsals are daily, and applications have to be processed. 

there are curious new toys, wonderful games, and stacks of books. my suitcase remains unpacked. ornaments hang from a dry, stiff, lit up tree. there is still a pile of gift wrap, gift bags, and flattened boxes in my bedroom. legos are sharp underfoot and dinner doesn't ever seem to make everyone happy.

many illuminated and encouraging flags hang before us. and while 2013 seems to have been a year hard on most, i would have to say that it was also a year of building foundations. 

i feel ready to step forward and on from a place of groundwork.

oh resolutions. i can barely recount the last week: spending time with dan's large and loving family in a place that is fraught with lake michigan's dramatic stand. the seductive language of a warm window in deep snow at twilight. cooking and being cooked for. sitting down for a meal at a table set for ten. celebrating my father-in-law's 80th birthday in a beautiful nature center full of people happy to see each other. celebrating my daughter's sweet 16. musical theater. marvelous indoor spaces. museums. blazing fires. layers of cloth. the great deep white reflecting so many bright lights.

oh resolutions. what came before our epic drive to wisconsin. sewing every spare moment in preparation for what ended up a very slow holiday market. a beautiful christmastime spent with my mom and my little family. eating great food and great treats. a roaring woodfire. a few faint snowflakes. a marathon baking session. some well selected gifts. the satisfied unfolding of a christmas afternoon where everyone is reading a new book, playing a new game, listening to a new cd, or cozying up under something new and warm and fabulous.

oh resolutions. they come to me at the oddest moments of the day. i will play more. i will cut back on my use of just a minute. i will get it done. i will write more. i will exercise. i will let go of negative thoughts. i will not procrastinate. i will empathize more. i will embrace each. moment. more.

what ever it is you resolve to do or not do, may 2014 bring you all the good things
that may have been missing from 2013 (and then some!). happy new year!