Saving Wine One Glass at a time

Well it's amazing how the world can change while you sleep. David texted us Friday morning (6/26) that Governor Abbott was shutting down bars and wineries today! No way! Well we are here and we'll make the best of it.  First thing on our agenda

was to go to Creations Quilt shop in Kerrville to find some fabric for a quilt for our friend Brittany who is about to have a baby girl in September. Her baby shower is in July but I'll be gone. Darn it! The shop is only open Tues-Friday from like 10-2. The shop had a sign-in board at the door and rules.  Only 8 people in the shop at a time and mask required, Not a problem. Besides the staff there was only 2 other ladies there so Yay.  We found most of the fabric we wanted. Still needed a basic black. Apparently black was a popular color used making mask there.

Like this cute cactus garden. Pamela was really tempted to get it but decided to to wait. She decided to check out Home Depot and places closer to home and check prices.  Sunflowers wer blooming all around the property. Sunflowers are so fun and cheery. Who doesn't like Sunflowers. I want some at the Rock'n K. 

Now it's time for lunch. 

Our favorite place to hit at least once during our stay is Cafe on the Ridge and it's open. The quality and the quantity is nothing to complain about. It doesn't matter what you get there's always plenty of it. After our meal we went out and looked around the nursery. Always something fun to look at. Normally we like to head straight into Fredericksburg to have lunch at the Peach Tree Cafe but unfortunately they have closed. They were always packed so we don't know why they closed their doors so we went to the Cafe on the Ridge.

  

After browsing we headed into Fredericksburg for some wine. 

Our first wine stop for today was Grape Creek Winery for a tasting. We had to wait for people to leave before we could go in. They were spacing us apart for the social distancing. They were able to be open for tastings because they have a restaurant. Apparently that's how some of the wineries were able to continue to operate but had to make sure they didn't have too many people in at one time.  They had a butterfly bush as you walked into the waiting area to get in to do a tasting that was loaded with butterflies. The lady that lead us in fanned the bush and they fluttered around and then settled back onto the bush. She laughed saying it was fun to see them take flight then settle back down.  It was pretty.

We have several of these bushes at the Rock'n K. I hope they attract this many butterflies.

    

On the same property is Heath Sparkling Wine and we had a reservation there for a tasting. Here they paired the wines with a small appetizer. Fun and Tasty. After the tasting we grabbed a glass and went outside to enjoy the sparkling wine and view.

Time flies when you're having fun and they were closing. We usually try to hit Fat Winery but they were closed for tastings and selling bottles curbside. We were trying some new places so didn't go buy any bottles this time. 

For dinner we went to a new place called Silver Creek there on main street in Fredericksburg. We got lucky and didn't have to wait and was seated right away. We were placed in a room with 4 tables but they had two blocked off. The couple that was in there with us got on their cell phone and turned on the speaker phone to have a conversation with their daughter who lived in NYC. The daughter had corona and so did a couple of her friends. Yep we heard the whole conversation. Really?! Why would you carry on a conversation like that at a restaurant. Rather annoying but I guess it's kinda the same as people talking loud at their table. There was just something about it.

It's crazy we're such party animals. We're back in the hotel by 8:30, safe and sound. One thing about going in June all of our driving is done in the daylight. In April it gets darker lots earlier.

Saturday (6/27) For lunch this day we went to Alamo Springs Cafe out in the hills. A little different this time. You placed your order outside and sat outside. No inside service. The menu was limited and the special was shrimp po-boy so that was my choice. Can't remember Pam's choices. Luckily we found a shady spot and it wasn't too hot with the breeze. All tables were placed more than 6' apart and when we got there it wasn't very crowded at all.  

Next we went down the road to Sisterdale, home of Sister Creek Winery. No tastings. They were only selling bottles curbside.  We hadn't been there in a while but 

we already knew what we wanted.

We were going to try another new Winery called Bingham Winery. It's part of the building where Hee Yaw Clothing & Decor. They didn't list on the website their Corona procedure so we stopped to find out. They only took reservations and no parties larger than 8. That's fine there's only 2 of us. LOL. We made our reservation for later and left. 

To waste some time we went back into Fredericksburg to go to One Quilt Place shop there. I needed one more piece of fabric to construct the quilt for Brittany's soon to be baby.  Who knew it would be so hard to find black fabric. YAY, found it and a blue bonnet fabric for another quilt I'm working on for my quest room.  We looked around at all the fabric and gadgets that it was time to think about heading back to Bingham.  Pamela has been a benefactor of my quilting so she has been more willing to stop at the shops when I see one. LOL   We got there about 15 minutes early so we went next door to look around and see if there is anything we can't live without. Pamela ran to the bathroom and I bought her a Christmas present. Ha that'll teach her to go to the bathroom. LOL A gift that she won't know what it is. She tends to pick out her own gifts. This is one gift she won't know about and I won't mention what I bought in case she reads this post. 

Anyway we went to our tasting and really enjoyed their wine. The folks on the other side of the room were rather entertaining. I think they had been drinking for a while then again maybe not. They were in a limo and celebrating their friend's birthday.  Good excuse to have fun and be silly.

We had time for one more winery and decided to hit 1851 Winery on our way back to Kerrville. But it's not 1851 any more, it's Slate Mill Winery. They are transitioning from 1851 to be totally Slate Mill. The owner came and talked with us and served us but his son started us off and made various suggestions. They were a lot of fun. We got to do our tastings plus a glass. It was past their closing time when we left but they had plenty of people outside enjoying their wine and the winery wasn't pushing them out. Wish we could have stayed longer but since I was the driver I could drink anymore. 

         

What a dorky face. hmmm 

We headed back to Kerrville for dinner at the Pint n Plow. They have the best pizza and beer. While sitting there Pamela felt something starring over her shoulder. LOL

We were able to sit in an area all by ourselves. Social Distancing at work. 

Sunday (6/28). So far we have been able to social distance, find wineries that we could either have a glass or tastings and still have fun. A little different but still we had fun. We packed up, checked out and headed to Cafe on the Ridge for breakfast. Our first time to eat breakfast there. Not disappointed.  It was really good. See this is what happens when you don't get your blog written in a timely manner you can't remember the little things like what you had for breakfast. Oh I just remembered having pancakes I think but don't remember what Pamela at. Maybe I should be better about taking pictures. LOL

We couldn't not make a quick pit stop at the James Avery Manufacturing Community afterwards. We love James Avery. I enjoyed just looking and spent no money this time.

Our trip was coming to an end and it was time to head home. Going back I took Pamela on the route that her dad I take after being in Fredericksburg. We went through Marble Falls and Georgetown.  Pamela was like oh cool there's a winery there we can stop at. Oh okay but we couldn't. It was closed but at least she got to go through Marble Falls.  

When we got to Georgetown we took a detour and went to the square. Well that's where I ended up when I turned off the road that lead to home.  Had never been. Really cute. I've been told that it's really pretty at Christmas and all kinds of activities going on.  Hope that's true for this coming Christmas. As we drove around the square we saw a few wineries and we stopped at Georgetown Winery. We had tried some of their wine at Aggieland Outfitters in College Station.  You could buy a glass and drink it outside. We found an open bench and drank a glass of wine then headed on down the road to home.

Our trip was over. I sure hope things are more back to normal come next April....

Until next blog post....“Happiness is mother and daughter time.” – Unknown

Girls Trip back on!

Pamela and I were so disappointed in April when we had to cancel our annual girls trip to Fredericksburg but it was what it was. This virus stuff isn't anything I want or need and I'm a high risk candidate. Age, heart and diabetes. But we hunkered down and quarantined at home like good boys and girls.  As things seemed to be starting to open back up we rescheduled our Mother-Daughter trip for

June. June 25th to be exact. 
The 25th arrived and we were off for adventures in the Hill Country. We were ready to practice safe and social distancing wherever we stopped. 
Our first stop was to be for lunch in Austin at Trudy's just off 290 but Surprise it was closed. And had been for a while we just didn't know it. So I suggested we try a place in Dripping Springs called Thyme & Dough. 

We always passed in it going through Dripping Springs and I had wanted to try it but it was always to early or late for lunch when we'd pass. But this time it was perfect. We had to wear our masks inside while ordering and then we could eat inside or out. There was no one inside and it was cooler inside so we found a table and waited for our food. We both chose to eat sandwiches. I forget what Pamela ordered but I got the egg salad.  Our tummies were full and happy and it was time to find some wine. Our first stop was Fall Creek Vineyard. It used to be a private residence. 

Wow it was so pretty in and outside.  We had never been there before.  There was only one other couple there on the other side of the enclosed sun room so it was pretty easy to social distance.  We were able to do tastings here without making reservations.  Thank Goodness.

                                 

              
The wine was tasty too. The hostess was very friendly and informative about the wine and the property. The weather was really warm this time of year. I do hope we can go back to going in April. Can you see all the pretty grapes?

Our next stop on Driftwood Estates Winery. I think this place has the best views by far. The outside area is awesome. We were the only ones here also for a tasting so again no problem social distancing.  After our tasting we decided to have a glass of wine outside to enjoy the views and take some pictures.  Showing off her tattoo in her peek a book sleeve.

     

Brought the quilt for Pamela's fellow nurse Lauren that I have almost finished.I say almost because it's missing the binding. Nice setting for the photo. Pamela wanted to used some fabric in my stash using 6 inch 60 degree triangles. It was quilting by my sweet friend Donna Lynn @ Donna's Lavender Nest using the wildlife quilting motif. It has a bear, moose, deer and trees.          

 

Onwards and forward.. We love our wine and time together.  We were just down the road from Wimberly Winery and we've been wanting to try it too. Pamela was checking on line how they handled tastings and such but there wasn't any available info. It just said open so we stopped. When we stepped inside we were told they could only sell by the glass and were only doing tastings by reservation. They had two employees to handle tastings and wine sales. So we were forced to take a chance and buy a glass. LOL  What the heck right? So we each got a glass and found a table out on the patio away from others. 

The grounds were really pretty and you could see the longhorns in the pasture through the trees. They are also building a brewery on the property. Can kill two birds with one stop.   We did like the wine we tried but look forward to coming back next year hopefully for a tasting of other wines.

It was getting late and we still had a bit of drive before we'd get to Fredericksburg. I missed a turn so Google maps re-routed us through a neighborhood just outside Wimberly's city proper. 

Well Hello there! As we drove into the neighborhood we were greeted by the little lady.  The deer was everywhere literally. And they weren't afraid of the humans or cars. Then we saw the babies just laying in the circle. They were so cute.

It was a fun re-route. We drove on to hit Fredericksburg about 6pm and stopped at our usually place to eat.. Mammasita's. No reservation required and we got there before the crowd arrived.  We finished our meal just in time though because while the tables were spaced apart nicely the waiting area was filling up! What!? As you enter the restaurant there is a room about 8x10 say and it had people sitting there next to each other and NO MASK!  Got out of there fast. We wore our mask in and out. Only took them off to eat. That was crazy. Our waiter wore his mask the whole time and properly.  We did see a few masks protecting the wait staff chins.  Okay it's early but we've been on the road and took our time at each winery we stopped at and we were ready to stretch out and relax in the AC at the hotel. We'd start over on Friday. We'll have to navigate through what is or isn't open and if reservations are required.

Stay tuned for the next blog post for Day 2.

Until then..    “Someday when the pages of my life end, I know that you will be one of the most beautiful chapters.” – Unknown

 

A New Calf and Father's Day Fun

On Saturday (6/20) David was out working in the yard. He had noticed a cow was at the bottom of the property by herself while all the other cows were out in the East pasture but went on about his work.

Thirty minutes later I walk out of the garage to pick tomatoes, Again, and as I finish I look out in the back pasture... It took two looks then I hollered to David "I think we've got our first calf of 2020" Sure enough #4 aka Betty had a sweet black calf standing next to her. A little wobbly but as Momma walked away that little calf started running. Too far away to get a good picture. 

On Sunday David and I went out to the East pasture before the Father's Day Fun was to begin to set up a lower watering tank for the calf and found the calf laying in the deep grasses near one of the gates. We pulled up beside it on the 4 wheeler and it didn't move. Then an ear twitched.

 Betty is a good momma. She keeps a close eye on her calf. When the calf gets frisky and bounces off Momma is right behind.

     All the crepe myrtles in the pasture that I've been trying to give away are starting to bloom.  David has mowed down 2-3 rows of them so far but the roots are still there and will grow back.

The calf laid down in the crepe myrtles and Momma can't find it. Little devil didn't answer her when she moo'd either. Typical Kid.

Jerry was getting jealous of all the attention we were giving the new calf and started sticking his nose in front of the camera and then he went to his favorite dirt pile and started rolling. .. Like "look at me"

For Father's Day (6/21) we took David out and about. First stop

was in Granger at the Granger City Brewing Company for some John Mueller BBQ and beer.    The tap room wasn't open so we could order our drinks just 

outside the door and I had ordered our pulled pork sandwiches with jalapeno coleslaw earlier.  We took our lunch and drinks across the street when they had tables and umbrella's set up outside. Luckily enough it was nice in the shade. That pulled pork sandwich was so tender and tasty. 

Our next stop was at Barrow Brewing Company in Salado. Again the tap room was closed but you could order beer and sit outside. Today is all about David so we hit the breweries. He has a beer and a smile on his face and us bugging him all day so I think he was happy.

I was the DD for the day so I had to pace my drinking. They have a cider beer here that I love.

Saturday (6/20) David was working in the front flower bed but he noticed one of the cows at the base of the property all by herself and wondered why. 

We did hit one winery called Axis there in Salado. David loved the slushies. 

Hell we all did.   

Even Pamela enjoyed herself... David had a few of them. LOL  

While there we met two of the sweetest and funniest girls from Ohio. We closed the place down.  We had our own room to sit and crack up. We tried to solve the world's problems too. ha!

Laura's husband is station at Ft Hood currently and her friend Annie came down to visit.  In the end we gave them a ride back down the road to meet up with Laura's husband and friends. We were supposed to take a group picture but got to talking and forgot. But Pamela's and the girls are friends on instagram now so I think they'll be hooking up again in a few months to have some more fun.

From here we headed home only I screwed up and couldn't remember if I plugged in the crockpot for shredded chicken tacos. I remembered turning it on before we left the house but I may have forgot to plug it in. Big screw up. Since I wasn't sure at the time. I decided we better stop in Rockdale at Julio's for dinner. 

When we got home we had raw chicken. I definitely forgot to plug the pot in. Other than that I think the day was a success.

To end the day I found this big ugly spider in the outdoor kitchen

sink. Did I mention I hate spiders and snakes.  They've been showing up a lot on the front and back porch.

With things opening back up Pamela and I rescheduled our April girls weekend for June 25th. We'll see what kind of things we can get into but stay safe. 

More on that in my next post.

Until then....“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” ~ Lao Tzu