Summer Wine Tasting

Summer Wine Tasting 

This summer the Portland Blogger and Creatives group got together for a little wine tasting at Stoller Winery. Summer is a great time for wine tasting with friends.  Especially if you rent a limo or other car service so everyone can enjoy tasting. 

I just love the wide open spaces around wineries as you drive up to them.  This lone white farm house caught my eye and as I stopped to capture the shot I day dreamed about living on acreage. But than I thought about how many times a week I make craft store runs. 😜

One of the things I really like about Stoller is that they kept Oak trees among their vines.  White oak's to be exact.  White oak numbers have decreased dramatically and Stoller is helping to preserve the species.  Plus just look at that view! I like the variation the oaks and pine trees bring to the view of the vineyard. It's such a relaxing view. 

Not only is Stoller helping preserve white oaks, their tasting room is solar. Way to go Stoller. Those Adirondack chairs were calling my name but I had to meet up with the rest of the blogger group. Plus I would have FRIED in minutes under the hot summer sun. 

Enjoying the first tasting in our flight.  This was a chardonnay. Normally I do not like chardonnays. I'm all about the reds.  But this one was surprisingly good. Our sommelier informed us that this chardonnay was from a stainless steel barrel not an oak barrel.  That must be why I like it.  Along with the flight we were also served a charcuterie board.  

Now this is my kind of wine, red. Do you prefer white or red?  Let me know in the comments. 

As the event wined down and we all started to head out I caught Mt. Hood in the distance as I made my way to my car. 

Of course Mt. Hood was so much clearer in person.  I can never capture it in a photo the way it looks in person. 

Have you enjoyed any outings with friends this summer?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

PNW Blogger Swap

I just participated in my first box swap! I belong to a group on Facebook called the PNW Bloggers. PNW standing for Pacific North West. Back in July I attended one of their get togethers.  It was a crafty/luncheon event and I met some fun local bloggers.  With the holiday's around the corner the group asked if anyone wanted to participate in a box swap.  You would be assigned a fellow PNW blogger, given their address and some of their likes. You don't know who got your name until the box arrived. Laura of Snapshot in Time Photography passed out the names.

The PNW Blogger who received my name was Kendra from Simply {Darr}ling- Ideas for a Daring Life. She did A-mazing! I LOVE everything. I mean, look at all these adorable items! I love FUN mail :)

Pretty sparkly ribbon tape, Fun thick Washi tape, bakers twine, in my favorite colours red!

Bread wrappers for delivering homemade baked goods, lip balm for the damp cold PNW winters and super cute napkins!

I mean, LOOK at these napkins! SO cute. Thank you Kendra. Loved this box swap. Can't wait to do it again.

Who did I get for my box swap? Rachel of Small Steps on Our Journey. Pop over to see what I sent her.  Rachel's blog is full of lots of fun information. Especially if you're a Seattle local or visiting the area.