Saved Wine 1 bottle at a time but It's time to Cork it.

 

Saturday (4/10) We started off our wine day at Kerrville Hills Winery. We hadn't been in a couple years and decided we needed to go see what they had new. Pamela found a wine she liked and grabbed a glass and I got water to go sit outside. They had a food truck there so we got a snack of dumplings. It was gonna be a while before we had lunch since we hadn't decided yet where to go. Saturday was a beautiful day. Friday it go fairly warm but the wind made it bearable. We had thought about going to our favorite place Alamo Springs Cafe but I asked about taking our favorite drive up Hwy 16 to Bandera and have lunch at the OST Restaurant. Pamela had never been there so it was time to try something different.

Our thought was to take a picture of our tattoo's in the bluebonnets that proved to be an issue this trip since I had a bad knee. If I got down on the ground I might never have gotten up. That wouldn't have been good so sitting at the table I got a picture of our arms together. 

Shirley I know you're reading this blog. I bet you can tell which is my arm. ... The old one. LOL

We drove the twisting winding Hwy 16 to Bandera. It's such a pretty drive. There was some new sights and the little town of Medina seems to be growing. Had a couple of restaurants I don't remember from prior years. We didn't stop at the Apple Pie place and passed on going into a quilt shop that is there. It's not big but it's a quilt shop.. And I had to pass it up. It was getting late and we were getting hungry.  As we pulled into Bandera I noticed a few new eating places there too but our stop was the OST. 

I've ate here 2-3 times with David and it was delicious and this time was not a disappointment. Pamela got a cheese burger and I got their luncheon special of Chicken fried steak, mashed tators with gravy, toast and a salad. The chicken fried steak batter was just right and the steak wasn't mushy inside. It also wasn't greasy. Pamela said she go back to try something different.  After we finished eating we did go around the corner to the quilt shop in Bandera called Gone Quilting. Pamela was to help me pick out fabric for a quilt. With all that fabric we didn't find anything that fit what we wanted so I'll have to look elsewhere. From here we took a different route to get to Comfort Texas. 

Once in Comfort we headed to Singing Water Winery for a quick stop.  We've always liked their seating area.  They've done some work out there.  The creek is usually empty when it's so dry out but there was water standing and they're planting more trees along that creek.  Pamela grabbed a wine and I opted for water again.

The music was pretty nice too. Didn't know the singer but he had a good voice.

Our next stop was Hill Country Distillers. I had been waiting for this stop.  They make a Bloody Mary with Jalapeno moonshiner and zing zang. And I might add 5 dashes of tabasco sauce.  Soooo good.

We really love the bartenders too. Esma and her son Avery. They're friendly and fun.  April is Esma's birthday so it's fun to wish her happy birthday.  This year I bought her a shot. And share another with us. And before I knew my drinking was over for me but not for Pamela.  She was enjoying me as her true designated driver. LOL  We actually closed the place down. A first for us.  We ate lunch so late that dinner wasn't on the books again. We found a snack and headed back to the hotel.

Sunday (4/11) Time to pack up and head home. Boo. It' was a great Mother Daughter Trip but all good things must come to an end. For lunch we ran to Cafe on the Ridge. Great Prices, great quality and quantity. I ordered the garden salad with chicken salad.  This picture doesn't show it but that pile of chicken salad was huge. I couldn't finish it. But it was all sooo good.

When you eat in the cafe you can use your receipt and get 10% off your purchase in the nursery and gift shop. This time we didn't walk around and see what they had. It was packed with people shopping.

We were ready to head home.  We've found going home through Marble Falls and Georgetown is faster and a nice drive. We've been wanting to go to Flat Creek winery in Marble Falls but it either hasn't been open or we haven't had the time.  But this time they were open and we had the time. It's out in the country for sure but we found it and were lucky enough to stop for a tasting. 

                            

 We gave David a call to let him know where we were and asked if he wanted to me us in Rockdale for dinner. He did but he wasn't ready to leave yet so we had to find something to do for another hour so we stopped in Taylor at the Texas Beer Company. Pamela picked out a beer and again I a cider. We wasted some time there talking and it was time to meet David only he asked if we could pick him up and we'd go to Cameron for dinner. No Problem. 

Then on Monday at 7:44am it was official. David called in to work to see what was on the books and they gave him the all clear. David was done and he was retired. Yahoo! He came into my room, sat down and announced to me He was a retired man. Oh but don't worry he won't be bored. He isn't without projects. He's been planning for this day. He's got critters to take care of, landscaping projects, garden, organize his barn and garage. Oh and his newest project is a white 2003 mustang that will become his street race car. He has got the bug to race again. All these projects will be ongoing and keep him plenty busy plus he and I get to go out riding whenever we want and don't have to wait for the weekend. 

That's it for now.

Until next blog...“This above all: To your own self, be true”  ~  William Shakespeare

A Little bit of Wine

 Our first wine stop Friday (4/9) was at Safari Winery. I had never been and Pamela wanted to make sure I did a tasting here and so I did. Found several wines we really liked. The folks here  were very friendly and down to earth. There's a couple of the wineries we've gone to that act kinda snooty. I mean they're nice but they think they're better than the others. And maybe they are but I like friendly and good wine. Safari is in the process of vamping up their back patio. It will be really nice when all finished.

We left here to go to lunch at Grape Creek Winery. They had a nice menu selection and it was really good. Pamela and I have both been members of their wine club. She picked up her last wine club selection. Pamela had a couple of wineries she wanted to get a bottle from or try. At Barron's Creek they had their Rose' on sale so she grabbed a bottle while I waited in the car and I stopped at Los Pinos' for her to do a tasting. Again I waited in the car. Easier than getting in and out and walking in.

We found a new place to try called Southold Farm & Cellar. The views from this place was spectacular. Wow. My picture doesn't do it justice.

      

While relaxing and enjoying our tastings in a swing this big girl came up and laid down on me.  Of course Pamela and I didn't mind giving her (Mitzie) attention. She's part Pyrenees and border collier. She was super loveable.

When we stopped petting her, she would place her paw on Pamela's leg.

That's it for my drinking for the day. Wasn't been a big deal at all. 

Next on our agenda was go down Willow City Loop. This is supposed to be the most scenic drive with wildflowers in Fredericksburg area.  There was plenty of pretty views for the first several hours until we finally found the bluebonnets and poppies. Pamela was the photographer since it was too hard for me to get around on the uneven ground. I actually think she does a better job these days. She has an eye for it.

     

We were still full from our lunch and our wine that we skipped a late dinner. Going on the Willow City Loop and back into Fredericksburg was about a 2 hour drive with stopping for pictures and all. We might have stopped a dessert at Dairy Queen and we were done. 

I'm gonna make our trip a multi-post. So I don't overload you with pictures and wine.

So that's it for now.

Until next blog post...

Eat, Sleep, Repeat

 I thought it was just me but David says his sleep pattern is messed up too. Anyone else? Is it because of daylight saving time? Well if it is I'm not impressed.

March went out with a pop. I had aquatic therapy on the 31st then drove  David to get his 2nd Covid shot. YAY. I have a few more days before I get my 2nd shot..

L-R: Brianna  Lilley  Sophie

 Good Friday we met up with the other Kennedy's in Gause. Recently I found out there's a 3 family of Kennedy's that live in the area. Anyway we went to the 4C Brew Barn to hang out. David, John and Kelli all tried and drank the craft beer that Vernon (owner) made. I drank a frozen wine sangria. My first frozen drink since the margarita in October that sent me to the hospital. I still blame the margarita. LOL. As we were driving over David says he didn't plan on spending the day there. To which I said we can leave whenever you're ready to. Well we got there at 2ish and we left around 6:50.  We got to having to much fun with the owners Vernon and Melissa and our friends that time just slipped away. The Brew Barn is also a member of Harvest Host. Harvest Host is a full time RV'er club. You may a membership then you can stay at one of their host for a nominal fee for electricity if you need it and support the Host like the 4C Brew Barn.  They have homemade goodies and food, fresh meat, eggs, milk, etc. That day Melissa cooked up Crawfish etouffee wish sides. Very yummy. Click on their name to go see what's on the menu this weekend. 

My favorite nurse was working back to back shifts on Easter and was getting tired. They had lots of Momma's and Babies to tend to.                   What a goober!

Aquatic PT went by the wayside after the pool heater broke and the water kept getting colder and colder so I took my chances and went to the gym side for PT. As of today I'm surviving.  A few of the exercises are uncomfortable but I push through. As of this past Monday the heater part still hadn't arrived. Glad I went dressed for the gym on (4/7)Wednesday.

Woke up Thursday ready for our Annual Mother-Daughter trip to the hill country. It was going to be interesting since my knee wasn't happy walking. Well I didn't walk, it was more like a hobble with the cane. Thank goodness for the Handicap parking tag or some of the hobbling would have been a hike. Plus now that I'm on a new medication prescribed because of my pacemaker the doctor told me on certain occasions I could have 2 glasses of adult beverages. I did good and behave and of course Nurse Pamela kept me in line. I had to be strategic and decide before each day where I would have my tasting or glass of adult beverage.

Our first stop was Drift wood Estates Winery in Driftwood. They have a really pretty view of the area below and around them. I had my first glass of wine. Since this is usually one of our stops each year I knew what wine I would drink. 

From here we went to Duchman Winery.  I chose to drink water this time. I knew I would want my 2nd glass of the day at Wimberly. I did take a sip of Pamela's choice here and it was very tasty. This winery was a challenge for me since they didn't have handicap parking and the ground was uneven. It had a restaurant next door but it wasn't open yet but we may check it out next year if possible.  

Of course trying to get a serious picture Pamela isn't always easy. She can be a brat.....

To end our day of wine we headed to Wimberly Winery. I got my 2nd glass of wine here. mmmm. One day they'll open they're brewery in the back of the property. The grounds here are really nice. 

The whole day was windy as heck but even with the temps being in the high 80's it was nice sitting outside.

Our final stop before heading to the hotel was at a restaurant we wanted to try called La Tequila Jalisco..  We've always stopped at Mammasito's but we were ready for something different. We weren't disappointed. Food was good.

Stay tuned for the rest of the trip in my next post. Lots of bluebonnets.

Until next blog post.. “We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfilment.” ~Hilaire Belloc

 

Happy Easter from us at the Rock'n K 

Lilley