**SHAMELESS PROMOTION TIME**
I have started a new blogging venture that is a complete departure from what I write here. The blog is entitled “Two Guys at Lunch” and can be accessed by clicking the link below:
http://twoguysatlunch.blogspot.com/
The blog is all about the food decisions and conversations my coworker and I have at lunch each day. We have been eating at the same place – Wegman’s Supermarket – for ten years now and we treat each lunch as a sacred event. Yes, I know that sounds a bit odd but I would love it if you would give it a shot. We’re in the early stages and it is a bit wacky but I think we’ll work out the kinks soon.
Thank you!
John
So it was a no-brainer to leave the kids at home for the day so my wife and I could do some serious wine tasting. And we rocked it.
While it was an overcast and foggy day (and we expected as much), the scenery at the wineries was as fantastic as the Pinot:
I think my personal favorite was David Hill Winery where the tasting was held in an old farmhouse and our hosts could not have been more down to earth and gracious:
We even shared a New Jersey connection with one of the women which lead to some interesting conversation.
We did not make any purchases (which can be difficult to resist when you’ve been drinking) considering the effort to bring the wine home on the plane, but will be sure to order on-line now that wine can be shipped directly to New Jersey.
Good times were had by all. More on our trip tomorrow when I’m capable of writing coherently.
John
How can you not feel good to be alive when you see that? I had to create a quick post early this morning to share with you.
And it didn’t end there. My good buddy and favorite ornamental grass was showing some serious spunk:
After looking like this only two days ago:
We have a little ways to go with some of the other ornamental grasses:
But you won’t get a negative word out of me today.
Have a fantastic weekend my friends!
John
Luckily, I intelligently (and I use that term loosely) relocated all of these to a more “natural” area rather than in the garden beds surrounding my home. But the reseeding will still be an issue with the threat to completely take over if not addressed:
So I vow to cut these down in the very near future to prevent the seeds from scattering and taking up residence where unwanted this spring. Winter interest be damned!
Caryopteris ‘Sunshine Blue’ is a tremendous small shrub with fantastic golden/chartreuse foliage:
Well no more. These bastards will be cut down pronto. No chance to drop their precious seed any more.
John is kicking ass and taking names from this point forward.
As we head full steam into winter, I vow to do whatever I can to make my big garden dreams become a reality. I am on a mission and you do not want to miss out. Even if I crash and burn it will be fun to watch the train wreck I become.
John
Seeing flowers stuck in the snow is still a difficult image to digest:
As is seeing my trusty Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ completely blanketed in snow. A nightmare come to life:
I find the autumn color with snow in the background disturbing:
And the pools of water/mud may put me into an early seasonal affect disorder coma:
Yet through it all, I found myself consumed with trying to snap off some bird photos and I never really got exactly what I was looking for:
But enough negativity, we did make the most of Halloween the past few days and kicked it all off with the greatest Halloween movie of all time:
Followed by “mummy dogs” (of which I downed four with ease):
Cheese stick fingers:
Spider deviled eggs:
Ghost punch (commonly known as sugar water or drink to make kids act like nutjobs) :
And finally ghost cookies :
And last but not least, off to trick or treat in the snow with my son dressed up like Harry Potter and my daughter dressed up as a hybrid rock star/hippie:
Good times in spite of the strange weather conditions and resulting state of emergency. Oh well, we can’t complain too much as we’ve managed to not lose electricity and have been able to share our heat and allow our friends to shower here.
This Halloween will not be forgotten any time soon.
John