Life in the Country

Well, our weekend started out with a short but challenging bike ride to Maxwell field where Otto's co-worker's sons were playing a LL game.  It was very humid and we both got bike-short tans, but had a really good ride!

We came home, made lunch and crashed - watched TV then ended up hitting the sack early.

Sunday am we headed to the trailer for some cleaning.  We washed the windows, swept and scrubbed the floors, made the bed and readied her for our first camping trip the weekend after Memorial Day.  The trailer was in storage for so long, and the week we took it was the week we moved in.  So much activity surrounds that week that we forgot where we stored the rugs, towels, sheets and other stuff we brought home when we stored the trailer.  Looks like we'll have to tear apart the garage to find them!  Yikes.

After we got home we decided to take a drive and picked out a new winery to visit.  It was only a short 20 minute drive from home through some country roads that led us to Greendance Winery and Sand Hill Berries.  It was a beautiful day and we were ready for some good tastings and fun times.  Out here, the tastings are free!  But the state mandates all wineries post a sign that says "Pennsylvania law allows only 6 tastings".  But still, that beats the $10-20 fee we are used to paying.

The winery sign as we entered the farm

We were greeted by the rhythm from the band playing in the orchard and a lot full of cars and I skipped with anticipation and excitement to the tasting room first!

Lots of berry wines (too sweet for me) but one stood out with an aroma reminiscent of Christmas, a spiced apple that when chilled tasted pretty darn good!  Most easterners would probably like it around Fall, but Otto really liked it and wanted some to drink right away.  We enjoyed the Vidal Blanc, a dry white and their Petite Syrah as well.  After tasting and purchasing a few bottles we headed out to hear the band and sample the Spiced Apple we just bought.

It was so relaxing to be sitting there with the views of the farm surrounding us and people buzzing around - a great atmosphere.  The only bad thing was they ran out of sandwiches so we had to settle for a piece of their raspberry pie (darn) that was really good.  We really enjoyed the afternoon at the winery, and look forward to our friends and family visiting so we can share our little gem with them!

The drummer for Abacus James, a local band playing alternative and some classic oldies

View of the picnic tables scattered throughout the orchards

Soon to be a bunch of grapes

Pointing out the cluster of grapes

Wild turkeys

Otto was getting a little antsy, so we headed for home but decided to stop in on our friends, Mark and Judy who were supposed to be working in the yard planting.  We stopped at the local six-pack shop and picked up some beer and headed over, only to find that they retreated to indoors, it was too hot to plant and decided to resume after dinner.  They invited us to join them, so we did.  We had a real nice visit - a great ending to a wonderful day.  Sometimes the best days are those unplanned and left to the unknown and unexpected.  I love the journey we are on right now, am I sad that we are away from friends and family?  For sure!  But, tyring not to let that determine my mood and the ability to enjoy the journey.  I know that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11) and if we focus on the here and now, I know that when He is ready for us to see that plan, we will.

In the meantime, I will really try to enjoy all that God is showing us here in Pennsylvania.