A Liquid Festival

Lake Harmony's Wine Fest at Split Rock... 
  It is one of the things I look most forward to each year.  It is in one word, FABULOUS.  If you can't have a good time here, find help.  This year was my 4th year in attendance.  I like to think they wait for me to arrive to let the party begin.  
 When you walk onto the grounds you are greeted by hundreds of colorful tents each boasting a dozen wines from wineries in the Pennsylvania area, all for your taste buds to explore.  When you arrive at one of the openings, it will be many hours before you work your way to the one opposite.  Three different bands play live all day.  The grounds are so big that you can't hear one band by the time you get to the next.  And because you can't live on a liquid diet alone, there is food for taste and purchase.  There are tents offering tastings of homemade olive oils, hot sauces, and pesto dips to name a few.  And if you need something a little more hearty, you can travel to the middle of the fest where you will find booths selling pizza, sandwiches, fried shrimp, old bay corn on the cob and all kinds of other treats to add to your wine filled belly.

They provide you with a glass, Cheers!

 

 This years trip was a little more exciting for me because I was bringing along some friends who have never been to this event before.  I get so excited to introduce people to this because to be a little dramatic if you may, it will change your life.  Never again will the month of June just be Father's Day and the start of summer.  It is now the first major trip of the summer you will always take.  We found a perfect house to rent only a few minutes away and had an amazing weekend.  

Our temporary home, thank you VRBO

Our friend who was there to greet us as our steps

Girls taking a sip break

Our favorite room, the Jacuzzi Room.  No the camera lighting isn't off, there was actually a red heat lamp over the jacuzzi.  Red. Light. Special.

This rental housed multiple dance parties, thank you DJ Candy Cane

Not wanting the weekend to end, taking in some rays at the lake the next day.  Perfect end to a perfect weekend.


TIPS FOR THE FEST
*Always Always buy your tickets in advance, when you see the ticket line you would assume Michael came back to life and is signing autographs
*Do not miss Nico's Pizza tent. It is one of the most perfect pies I have ever had! Thin and foldable enough grease to love
*A house without a Jacuzzi room is like a girl without fashion sense.  Sure you can get by, but it is a lot less interesting for your viewing pleasure
*Bring a good crew, luckily I have the best friends
*Don't miss the signature wines, such as: Blueberry, Pina Colada, Mojito, and anything frozen
* Bring food for the masses and snacks for late night, wine fest is the main attraction, but the party lasts all weekend

Blueberry Wine

I marinated chicken the night before we left so it had plenty of time to soak in the seasonings and juices.  Huge hit.  Add some pasta salad, onions and rolls for the sausage and hotdogs...masses fed

And the countdown for next year begins...

Barnes and Not your average book store

Obviously I am a fan of reading and writing.  They are some of the greatest expressions humans are gifted with.  Included in that would be all other forms of art that can that can change your mind, effect your mood and take you to another  time.  Paintings and abstract objects that move you.  Music that can transcend time.  And books.  Books can allow you to live 1,000 lives in one.  By reading you gain knowledge and a better understand of this little world that we can't possibly cover in this one life.  I have read books that showed me insight to a woman's life in China, to the travels of The Lost Boys, to lives of people so interesting from Mitch Albom to Gandhi.  I eat it all up and search for that perfect author that speaks to me. (thank you Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Love Pray was beautifully written)
 And have you ever found someone who doesn't live their life with music?  You know there are songs you can hear that take you back to memory in such clarity that you will hit the replay button just to stay in the moment.  Sometimes even a melody can move you. What girl who grew up in the 80's can't hear the few seconds of music that plays in Sixteen Candles and instantly remember the feeling of when they saw Jake waiting at the bottom of the church steps for Samantha?  That moment, and song, defined how we would torture guys for the next 10 years because they would never live up to perfect Jake and his cherry red corvette.
 So because of all this, it makes sense that someone would combine reading and music and offer it all for a bargain price in a house called Barnes and Nobles.  Yes, there are others (Borders..blah) but they can't compare to a trip to BNN.  And to top off this experience, they joined forces with Starbucks to bring you unlimited coffee, tea, and snacks, so you never have to leave.  I could literally spend hours in this place.  I've made a visit in sweats on a lazy night and copied recipes from various cook books (why is this not looked down upon? Never has anyone yelled,"If you are gonna read it, buy it lady!") I have met people mid business day to discuss ideas or networking with a skinny vanilla latte.  I've even dressed up on a Saturday in something cute with the sole purpose of slowly traveling the aisle looking for a treasure.  I have been there for Christmas gifts, mental breaks, to listen to music, to escape.  It would be easy to run into whatever bookstore is in your mall to grab a book you are looking for.  And it is always cheaper to jump on Amazon.com for your music and book selection.  But Barnes and Nobles doesn't care.  They won't bow down to that.  What they offer is bigger then that.  It is an experience, an escape.  Everything about the store says sit, stay, enjoy.  The children's sections has small tables and chairs so your kids can occupy themselves in a play world.  They leave small couches scattered throughout the store.  The smell and warmth from the Starbucks section comes to find you.  And in the music section they offer plenty of headphones so you can test any possible purchase.
 So you can stay on your couch and spend 10 minutes on Amazon and get what you need, and sometimes that does the trick.  But when you are looking for more, Barnes and Nobles is not your average book store.

Breaking in the Beach 2011 Style!

Blogging via Oceanside! First shore day of the year. I had to come down to meet with the realtor to find a summer rental so I decided to make the most of my day. After viewing a bunch of homes on nothing but coffee I decided to cross the bridge to Strathmere to get the best shrimp salad sandwich Jersey shore has to offer! Thank you Deauville Inn for not only serving a fab meal but doing so on an outside deck on the bay. Afterwards, I parked at 8th n Ocean to strategically enter at the 9th street bathroom ( quick bathing suit change made me feel like Superman...except I changed in a handicap bathroom, not a roomy phone booth...but only because I couldn't find one??).  Also, Atlantic books is right there. I wanted a chuckle so I picked up Chelsea Handlers, "My horizontal life." Not based on a life on the straight and narrow, rather a collection of her one night stands.. More info on that to come! Anyway, I would describe today's weather as invitingly warm with a calming cool breeze. Not a day to bake in the sun, but rather enjoy a book and a nap with the sound of the ocean. It's beautiful. It was the perfect weather to relax in all day and I could have stayed on the beach until 9:00 (but I was parked at a meter that said you must move by 6pm,so bossy)  And no one bothered me all day, besides this guy....

And I forgave him when we agreed he could hang out as long as he didn't crap on me. He admitted that is not good luck, they are just fucking with us. Sorry, Chels curses a lot. I think I'll read some Hemingway next. Get to the beach bloggers, summers are so short in the dirty Jerz!

Loving your Home

One thing I really appreciate is having somewhere to put my feet up  and call home.  While I often dream about my "perfect house," I never let that take away from making and enjoying the home I have now.  And I always keep in mind how lucky it is to even have one room to yourself in some places, let alone the land my 4 bedroom home sits on.  Some of my favorite things in life are done right here in this home: entertaining friends and family, cooking meals, and the ahh haa moment of the day when I curl onto the couch with lots of blankets and pillows to melt away into a movie, the newspaper, or even a much needed nap.
 Even an apartment or rented room can offer you the sanctuary you need from a hectic work day or busy life.  And one thing I have learned over the years (and 6 apartments, 1 rented house and finally my own home) is that clutter and madness in your home can steal the breath of happiness that a space can really offer.  As an old boyfriend once said, "I hate too many *chachkies, it reminds me of an older persons house." *His word for a bunch of junk that one tends to collect over the years: decorations for mantels, magazines that pile up, overall things that go from enhancing to taking over you space.  I have been slowly learning to buy less and more meaningful when it comes to my home.  I am an admitted shopaholic who loves stores like Home Goods, Pottery Barn, Ikea,  and Pier One.  And when I first bought my home I wanted to fill it up so quickly so it felt warm and lived it.  Now, I would rather take a step back and enjoy open space and possibility around me.
 I also think a home should speak to and of you.  What I walk around in is a reflection of me, and I want it to feel that way.  I am slowly learning to build that.  In my kitchen you will find two open recipe books on opposite sides of the room.  One is open to a Lebanese Salad, the other an Italian Pasta Dish.  While I am in my kitchen cooking I take comfort that I am squeezed between two sides of my heritage that I love.  I also decided to collect the wine corks of bottles I have been sharing over time.  I bought this beautiful clear vase that I love and I use it to display the corks.  When I walk past it I smile because inside of this green vase is laughing shared with girlfriends over glasses, dinners with family and friends, a glass I drank myself while reading a great book, a bottle bought from a wine fest, one found at christmas, planning of a Vegas trip....inside the vase are all my good memories, one cork at a time.

 Being that it is summer and I plan to spend a lot of time outside, I am incorporating things that mean something to me there as well.  This can be as simple as your favorite color flower.  Or for me, this cheerful mat.

I choose these things because they mean something to me, not because they are a filler for space.  I guess someone else liked them too because I had a visitor tonight pop under my fence...

And speaking of things I love, I was happy to have a successful little dinner party tonight with some friends and catch up!

Wine and bread to start the gabbing

Green Bean Casserole to compliment the teriyaki chicken, spicy rice, and bowl of salad.

Also, last thing to share.  My tip to quickly clean up a home for an unexpected guest or because you are hosting a dinner party on a work night!  Lysol wipes are a life saver.  They quickly wipe down counters, cabinets, floors and bathrooms.  No spraying and pulling paper towels, wipe and throw.  And a little carpet freshener down before a quick vacuum gives the house a fresh smell that says, I have been cleaning for hours before you came......Enjoy!