Happy New Year

Ahhh, the New Year is fast approaching.  This is both the time to reflect and the time to look forward. 

I’ve had a busy year.  I’ve traveled to visit the wineries (and a fabulous restaurant One Block West) in Winchester, VA and an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. 

I’ve connected again with Alina Kay.  Gosh I love you and have missed you. 

I’ve had the opportunity to grow closer with my fabulous friends, and I’ve had the opportunity to make some new ones.  I’ve also reconnected with some people that I missed out on knowing all that well the first time around. 

As an introvert with some minor social skills friends are massively amazing to me every day.

Isabella has grown and flourished.  She’s a social animal who loves to travel, visit and even be boarded at her favorite Kennel, Indian Bridge.  The ladies there spoil her rotten. 

My husband remains my true love and I’m thankful and appreciative of him and who he is, even when he‘s wrong.  LOL  For our first year of marriage, I think we’ve done quite well adjusting and growing. 

I’ve made strides with my crafting and discovered that Craft Shows can be quite successful for me.  I’ve created a website and then recreated it, so I’ve even improved my web skills.  You can check out Two Crafty Women and let me know what you think.

I’m thankful for all of you who are in my life and I consider myself blessed each and every day.

For the New Year ahead, I have made my goals and resolutions. 

My first one is to be more diligent about organizing my time and activities.  I have so many things going on in my life, that sometimes; things get missed (such as this blog).  I also want to make sure I make time for my friends, my crafts, craft shows, volunteer work and of course my husband. 

I also want to strive to continue my connections with all my friends and get to know each and every one of you even better.

I want to travel even more.  On my short list is a trip to Memphis to see the King.  Hopefully we can swing by and see Alina Kay and her family on the way.    Here’s my mom before she passed away, at the gates of Graceland.

Another one came as a reminder from someone who suffered a tragic unexpected loss this past year.  I’m putting this on my list of things to do early in the New Year and it is actually a good idea for everyone.  I’m going to prepare a checklist and contact information on what to do if one of us passes away.  Insurance doesn’t help if my husband doesn’t know how to claim it.  Bank accounts and savings are not any help if he can’t access it because the state has it frozen.  As much as many of us don’t want to think about passing, I know we all don’t want to leave our loved ones unprepared. 

Love and Best Wishes for a Safe and Happy New Year. 

Isabella's New Harness

As you may (or may not) know, Isabella is my five pound Papillion. 

Little dogs should never be walked with collars, as their bones are fragile - one yank on the leash and you could accidentally snap your dog's neck!

So when Isabella was much smaller (one point five pounds) I started looking around for harnesses for her.  Factor in that little dogs stay cold, even in the summer, and I needed to keep her "dressed" as well, so I was looking at clothing options as well.  In the search process I discovered that there really isn't a lot out there for really small dogs, and what is available is outlandishly expensive!

Enter my stubborness, sewing machine and some hardware purchases and Isabella's custom made harnesses were born!  When she's out and about, I have had many people remark that I should sell the harnesses I make ( I even had one local lady who runs a hair salon that I do not frequent, offer to display them)!  So, since I had to make Isabella some new harnesses, I made a few extra this month and will list them on my website, and I will not be ripping people off. :o)  If there winds up being enough interest, I'll make more.

 Here is Isabella modeling her newest harness!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I think Pink, especially every October.  In case you don't know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This year is the 25th year!  Why haven't we found a cure yet?  Though I do know medical advances have certainly given women (and men - yes men can get breast cancer) a fighting chance, and I'm thankful for that, I just wish people were less ignorant about self-exams, and even mammograms (though if the government has their way this will no longer exist).

You can find out more about National Breast Cancer Awareness month here.

This month, I'm supporting the cause by shopping for my garden, (GARDEN FOR THE CAUSE) and thought I would share some of the fun and fabulous garden items I've discovered.  These websites give a percentage to various breast cancer charitable organizations.  (I'm NOT reimbursed in any way for mentioning these products/websites). 

First is this adorable garden Gnome, which can be found here.  I've always wanted a gnome of my own (groan) and she raises money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Everybody needs a garden stake, and this one helps raise money for various organizations in an effort to find a cure for cancer, assist cancer patients, and reduce cancer deaths through education.

And every gardener needs tools.  I did hear that Target even carries some of the BOND tools.  Click here to find out a little more about NBCF and Garden for the Cause

Sotterly Wine Festival

On Sunday, during rain, wind and cold temperatures, I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteeer to work a booth at the annual Sotterly Plantation Wine Festival. 

First, I want to say that if you have never had the opportunity to visit Sotterly Plantation, I totally suggest you do so if you are in the area.  It is the only remaining Tidewater Plantation in Maryland that us open to the public.  Sotterly Plantation is older than other famous plantation homes such as Mount Vernon and Monticello.  It's worth a tour, even if there isn't an event ongoing. 

You can find out more about Sotterly by visiting this link.  You can see more old photos, find out about upcoming events, learn the history, and even find out how to volunteer.    I find one of the most fascinating things is the evolution of the mansion itself and the plantation site map gives you a great idea for how vast this plantation truly is. 

You can also Facebook friend Sotterly Plantation. 


Back to the Wine Festival, even though the weather was frightful on Sunday, many people braved the weather and came out.  There were vineyards and wineries from all over the Maryland area in attendance, doing tastings, and selling their wares.  The giant and I visited many of the tents set up to house the vendors, and even purchased a couple of bottles of a really fun wine.  Also in attendance were several area food vendors and the most fabulous band to keep us company throughout, along with various other merchants and vendors.  There was even an art show in one of the barns!

For a few hours, the giant and I had the opportunity to man the booth for Running Hare Vineyard.  Owners, Mike and Barb Scarborough were absolutely fabulous to us.  Even though I had worn long sleeves and a jacket, I was freezing, and Barb loaned me a coat to wear.  Running Hare Vineyards had the following wines available for tasting:

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Jack Rabbit White, Rabbit's Foot, Sangiovese, Malbec, Shiraz, and Chambourcin

We had a fabulous time pouring tastings for visitors and all too soon it was time to help pack up and go.  The giant choose to take home the Shiraz (his favorite) and I choose the Malbec and Sangiovese.  The giant has already cracked open a bootle of the Shiraz. 

Another thing I recommend to visitors is visiting the Running Hare Vineyard.  They hold wine tastings every Wednesday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.  The location is wonderful and the new building they've built feels just like Tuscany.  You can Facebook friend Running Hare Vineyard as well. 

If you see a bottle of their wine for sale, you can't go wrong with picking up a few bottles for yourself.  The Jack Rabbit white is a sweeter wine, but not too sweet.  The Malbec would be a perfect accompaniment for a cigar, and the Chambourcin would be wonderful as dessert.  Enjoy!

The Dominican Republic

My new screensaver

If you have never been to the Dominican Republic, and even if you have, I highly recommend it.  Sandy white beaches, warm sun, palm trees swaying in the breeze, clear sparkling water and beautiful people...I know you are getting the picture.

In the Palm Tree Shade

We stayed in Punta Cana at the RIU Macao Resort.  An all-inclusive package is the ONLY way to travel.  We ate so much glorious food, and there were many restaurants to choose from.  We had excellent wait staff and cabana boys, bringing us our hearts desire in beverages, a well-kept room, massages, and more.  Words truly cannot do this place justice. 

Swan Towel with Fresh Flowers

BTW, I am so tight with money that I squeak sometimes, but this vacation was extremely affordable, and after comparing with some of my friends who do the "cruises", I had the much better deal and an even better experience.  I made the travel arrangements through a local travel company, and they were able to get me the best deals, best rates, best flights, and best guidance and direction.  I think in this internet age we forget about travel agencies, but it saved me time, frustration, money and got me in the best place. 

Ahhh Vacation

If you are local to the Southern Maryland area...Call Stephanie at Cole Travel and let her know I sent you.  I don't get a bonus or anything, but I think it's wonderful to recommend things to people.  She arranged my travel to and from the airport, updated the American Embassy on our behalf, and arranged for goodies to be left in our hotel room and half a million other things that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.