Yay! Ohio Wine Month 2015

Monday marked the first day of Ohio Wine Month and I am super ecstatic about it! I am a a die hard oenophile (lover of wine or wine connoisseur), so I thought the first post of the month should be all about wine. This is only the third official celebration of Ohio Wines since the month of June was declared Ohio Wine month in 2012.  Every year the celebrations grow larger. Wineries all over Ohio plan special activities and events in celebration of Ohio Wines. I have done some research and wanted to share with you a few ways you can celebrate.

Wines in my collection from some of my favorite Ohio wineries.

THE AMAZING RACES

(For the Dedicated Oenophile!!!)

Photo Credit

For those of you like me, there are two 'Winery Races' going on in Ohio. There could be more but these are the two I know about. This will take a few days or weekends, lots of dedicated winery hopping and definitely some wine tasting,(wink,wink).  Central Ohio Wine Region has 'The Amazing Winery Race' which started the first of May and ends June 30th. Get your Official 2015 Race Card and when you visit 12 wineries listed on the card and follow the instructions, you can turn in your card to receive a wine glass etched with their logo. In Northwest Ohio there is 'The Amazing Grape Race'. Once you get your card signed by all the participating wineries, you will receive a complimentary gift and a chance to win additional prizes. The cards are available at the participating wineries. Even if the prizes aren't very exciting to you, you will enjoy just drinking the wine.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

WINE FESTIVALS

(For the Weekend Wino!!!)

 

Valley Vineyard's Wine & Beer Festival

This weekend! Friday June 5th- Saturday June 6th

Get a taste of Warren County when you join the Valley Vineyard's family for their 45th Anniversary. Enjoy cookout food and beer and wine from local producers.

Wine, Jazz & Art Fest

Saturday June 20th

Sample wine from over a half dozen wineries at once. Grab a blanket and listen to some live jazz and enjoy festival food and work by regional artists. The festival will be on the land across from the Old Firehouse Winery.

Fayette County's Toast to Summer Wine & Arts Fest

Saturday June 27th

Enjoy a day of art and wine at the Toast to Summer in Washington Court House, Ohio. Taste wines from eight Ohio wineries and indulge in food from four local restaurants. Art will be displayed for purchase. There will be live entertainment all day and after 7, take a hot air balloon ride or watch the glow of the balloons from below.

One Last Thing!!!

If you have gotten this far, you must really love wine. I wanted to share one of my favorite phone apps with you, if you haven't discovered it already. I love to have ways to keep track of my wine accomplishments and the wines that I enjoy after tastings, so that I can reference them later. The Winery Passport App is free. It allows you to find wineries all over the U.S and Canada. You can stamp your passport, rate the wines and record details. Check it out at the website or app store.

The Winery Passport App menu on my phone.

I plan to celebrate Ohio Wine Month all month long! Feel free to celebrate with me! Check out the many winery events offered this month at the Ohio Wine Association site, or buy some Ohio wine and create your own event. Have a dinner party or cookout and encourage everyone to bring their favorite Ohio wine for tasting.  Either way you will be supporting local producers and businesses. That is just as important as the wine itself. 

Cheers!!!

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!

Kris, 

Troy, Tesla & the Tire

The Beautiful courthouse in Troy, ohio.

 

I know I normally talk about the things I have seen and done. The tone is always about fun, travel and happiness but things don't always go according to plan. After a wrench is thrown in your plans, how do you respond? I had one of those situations this past weekend. I was looking forward to going to Troy, Ohio to see Tesla in concert. For those who aren't familiar, Tesla is an 80's rock hair-band.  The tickets were a gift from me to my guy for Christmas. We left early enough to check out the city of Troy.

The shredded tire.

We headed to Troy after a stop at one of our favorite burger places, Culvers for a bite to eat. We were five minutes away from downtown Troy when the tire of our SUV blew out on the freeway and the scent of freshly burned rubber hit our noses.  Expletive! We realized that we loaned out the tools we needed to retrieve the spare under the car and change the tire. Expletive!  We slowly rolled off the closest exit ramp and were never so happy as we were Saturday to see a GM dealership just ahead. It was not the brand of the SUV but we knew there was a great possibility that we would find the tools we needed. Wrong! They didn't have what we needed nor did they seem that interested in helping us. We spent the next hour and a half calling tow truck companies, Walmarts and tire companies. Finally after many busy tow truck drivers and many businesses who didn't have what we needed; a manager getting off work at Grismer took pity on us and saved the day. He came with tools to retrieve the tire and called a tow company to swap the tires out. We were back in business and on our way to downtown Troy. 

All smiles as the Tow Truck driver changes the tire. See the red truck in my lenses.

I was so happy to be out of the GM parking lot that I didn't care that we missed the opportunity to explore the city, which happens to be beautiful and very clean. We had just enough time to have dinner and get to the concert venue. I previously did some restaurant research on tripadvisor and found The Caroline, a fine dining establishment with American food and great ambiance. The tilapia I had for my entree covered with apple pecan relish was so good,that I made a version of it today for my mom and me.

The Caroline Tilapia with apple-pecan relish

The concert was great! I am not a hard core fan of Tesla but I know more than a few of their songs. I was surprised I knew more than I thought. My guy enjoyed himself and so did I. It was a great place to people watch. There were dancing and falling drunks and tee shirts with sayings that I will keep to myself. 

Tesla at the Hobart Arena

All in all the trip felt worth it at the end. The flat tire was an inconvenience but we were safe and we did not miss the show. Everything doesn't always go according to plan and you are allowed to be disappointed, but in the end, it is important to remember that things could be worse. Blessings counted!

Be blessed! Be free! Be Adventurous!

Kris,

Me in front of The Caroline

Lunch today! My take on the tilapia with apple-pecan relish The Caroline

My Cure To Boredom List From the Rearview (Spring/Summer 2014)

Spring/Summer 2014

In The Rearview

In the beginning of the season I created an 'adventure to do list'. It is a way to get me to focus and plan things that will keep me from ever feeling like I am bored. It also holds me accountable for my own personal growth and happiness by planning intentional activities. It was something that I learned a while ago without realizing what it was exactly. I just recently read something about this in a blog my partner Christina did. Then I saw a documentary called 'Happy' that talked about intentional activities on WOSU TV. It made me proud to know I have been on the right track for some time now. The last thing I knew I would be doing was posting an update of what I actually got accomplished on my list. Again, accountability! So here goes a recap of  what I got to experience. I left the ones I did not accomplish in red and will update them in this post in the future. Seven out of ten is still pretty good.

1.  Go Canoeing (In spite of me not knowing how to swim.)

This was the first thing I knew I needed to do. For two years I have been saying I would go canoeing and before I knew it, it was winter and I'd missed my opportunity. So I made sure to include the activity on my list. It was also something that was a little scary to me and I believe in doing the things that scare you. I was a little nervous the Sunday I decided to go canoeing. I strapped on my life jacket and once I got in the canoe, I had a blast. I am not great at it, I ran into a few logs but at the end, I understood how to correct my mistakes and was steering the canoe. Check!

Me at Hocking Hills Adventures Canoe Livery

2.  Use my Picnic Basket 

I used my picnic basket once this season when I spent the day with my nephew at Slate Run Farm. I did not take any photos. I hope that I can use the basket at least once more before it gets cold and plenty more next summer.
 

3.  Go on the Short North Columbus Food Adventures Tour

My sister came on the dessert tour with me last year for my birthday and expressed interest in the Short North Tour. I decided to treat her to the Short North food tour in August for her birthday. The tour, which is generally on Saturdays was also offered Fridays this summer. We spent the Friday after her birthday restaurant hopping with the tour guide through the Short North which started at The North Market and ended at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. I love these tours because it gives you an opportunity to check out restaurants without investing a lot of money on a meal you may not enjoy; though I have never had that problem with the Short North or Columbus Food Adventures. Now that I have crossed this tour off my to do list, they just added two more tours I have to checkout, the Grandview Tour and the Breakfast Tour.

Columbus Food Adventures Short North Tour

4.  Take a ride on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler in Marietta

I will add it to my list next year.

5.  Visit downtown Yellow Springs
  
I'd visited Yellow Springs a few times to go to Young's Jersey Dairy and that was the only place I'd seen in the city. I decided I would make an effort to visit the downtown area after hearing so many good things about it. I enjoyed all of the public art and the little shops. There trees are decorated and you will see a few barefoot people if the weather is nice. The smell of frankincense and marijuana is also very prevalent through the streets. Well, at least it was the day I was there.

Colorful Yellow Springs

6.  See Beyoncé & Jay Z on their On the Run Tour  Cincinatti 6/28

Like many other people, I was at the baseball stadium in Cincinnati rocking to Bey and Jay on June 28th. My long time friend and I drove to Cincy for an overnight to have an epic experience. This was one of the best concerts I have seen and I would have gone to another city to see it again if I had the time. Loved it! Check!

Me at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati

7.  Take a nature walk at least once a month in Ohio's many parks

I wanted to make this a goal so that I would be more active. While I did not complete the goal, I did try very hard. I started strong in May with two nature walks. I did a nature walk in June, July and August. September I did nothing. I could have checked it off but I won't lie to myself. While I was on my best behavior, I took some photos I love. I will share them even if I did not satisfy the goal.

8.  Taste Durian (a fruit from Thailand)

9.  Check five restaurants off my 'Eating Your Way Across Ohio' book

I was really excited about this book when I got it. I love to travel and I love to eat. The book is a great way to do both. When I got the book, I'd already visited 7  restaurants featured. I checked out two restaurants over the winter. As spring started to approach, I made it my mission to check out five more before fall.  I did complete the goal and that brought me to two cities I'd never been to. The goal also brought me back to check out a few restaurants in cities I have frequented but not had the chance to dine until recently.  My favorite meals were at the Old Canal Smoke House and Dock's Beach House, so you will find them among the three food photos I posted.  Don't be surprised  to see this in my next couple lists in the future.

1. The Golden Jersey Inn (Yellow Springs)

2. The Warehouse Steak n' Stein (Coshocton) 

3. Old Canal Smoke House (Chillicothe)

4. Dock's Beach House (Port Clinton)

5. The Longaberger Homestead Restaurant (Frazeysburg)

Dock's Beach House

Old Canal Smoke House BBQ Meal, The Golden Jersey Inn & Mahi Mahi at the Dock's Beach House

The Warehouse Steak n' Stein

10. Go to a Columbus Clippers Game

Huntington Park has been opened a while now and every year since, I have been saying I will go to a game. Finally I made it there. It almost did not happen.  That day it seemed as if the clouds would open and drench us. My hair was frizzing up from the moisture in the air. It was date night , so we said what the heck. While standing in line we were given free tickets from two women who got them free from work. It was meant to be. I had a great time, great hotdog and the weather held up.  I look forward to going to more games next season.

Huntington Park Baseball Stadium

It is a new season so I am creating my list for Fall/Winter 2014-2015. The lists make a big difference in helping me do the things I really want to do. I doubt I would have done what I did this summer without my spring/summer list.  If there are things that you have been wanting to do for a while now, you should create your own list. It can be a seasonal list, monthly list or a list for the year.  Let me know what you think I should add to my winter list. I would also love to hear what you have on your list.

Until Next Time!

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Adventurous!
Kris,



A Festival For Pawpaw

I love a festival anytime of the year but in the warmer seasons the selections are plenty. I checked out a festival this past weekend that was on my to do list. I read about it some time ago in a article that listed some of the strangest festivals in the world and never forgot about it. Saturday I walked through the gates of the Ohio Pawpaw Festival and learned so much about the forgotten fruit that this festival is all about.  The pawpaw is not something you can find in your grocery store and few fruit markets carry it. Most times, access to this fruit means you have picked it straight from the tree it grows on. I learned this week that you can find pawpaw at the North Market in Columbus when it is in season. Had I not gone to the festival, I may not have had the courage to try or purchase the fruit otherwise. Once at the festival,  I was intrigued by the idea of a tropical like fruit that grew in the Midwest, mango like in look and part banana and  melon in taste. The foodie in me went straight for the pawpaw vendor options. Food vendors are required to incorporate pawpaw in their menus for the Festival. I wanted to taste the fruit in as many possible ways as I could. I tried pawpaw salsa, pawpaw pulled pork, pawpaw beer and fresh pawpaw. I purchased some fresh pawpaw and some pawpaw salad dressing to take home . Other than the unique object of the festival, a totem pole and the hippie atmosphere, the festival seemed familiar. There was live music, food, artisans, animals and a kiddie activity area.


I enjoyed my experience at the festival. I discovered I love pawpaw. I bought a cool bracelet and recycled tote. Most importantly, I crossed another festival off my to do list.



A FEW PAWPAW FACTS

1. Chilled North America Pawpaw was George Washington's Favorite

 Dessert

2. It is North America's Largest Native Fruit

3. Pawpaw has a short season that starts in September and ends in October

 

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

Be Adventurous!

Kris,

The Cure To Boredom Part III/ Exploring My City

Exploring My City

by Kristin

Franklin Park Conservatory Butterfly Garden

I was in New York last September for Fashion Week. My partner, Christina and I were showing a portion of our Spring 2014 Global Gal Collection at an accessory showcase in the city. After the show we went to a late night diner to grab some food with a friend of Christina's who lived in New York. Christina and I were both excited about being back in the city. We were also there together for the very first time. We were discussing the things we wanted to see and do since we were finished with our work. We talked about taking a boat tour that went by Lady Liberty or getting on one of the sightseeing tour buses. We invited Christina's friend to hang out with us and he replied, ''New Yorkers don't do things like that." Christina asked him why and he replied, "We just don't", and shrugged his shoulders. Well I wondered myself why one wouldn't explore a city like that even if they had lived there forever. New York has so much to see and do.That got me thinking about my own city. While I am all over the food scene and have done a few touristy things, I realized I had not been to the State House, the Santa Maria or gone to Columbus Clippers or Columbus Crew game.  Being a crafty person, I  wondered about the Ohio Craft Museum. I love a good ghost story, so I was  interested in visiting Central Ohio Fire Museum. I ride past both of these museums often. I decided it was time for me to take some time to explore the city that I live in.  I was going to stop riding past these places  and actually go inside.  I started exploring some of the places on my hometown list this month with my eleven year old nephew. Welcome to the beginning of our Columbus adventure.

Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

The best thing that could have happened to me this summer was being given the job of entertaining and educating my nephew. I jumped at the opportunity because I love to explore and learn new things. I love spending time with my nephew! I also had plans to take a few days to check out some places in the city on my own but now I would have company. We started our city exploration a couple weeks ago with Franklin Park Conservatory. Though I had been there many times for cocktail parties, I had not had the opportunity to visit the place as a tourist. It was even better exploring it with a young man and seeing things through his eyes. I was more excited because he was excited. I held my first butterfly and found myself more in tune with nature. 

Franklin Park is the perfect combination of natural and man made art. There are plenty of photo opportunities. We took many photos of butterflies, plant life, Chihuly pieces and the Tasha Lewis's Traveling Butterfly Swarm. Our favorite exhibit was the Blooms and Butterflies. We got to release new butterflies into the room and spent time holding them. We also really enjoyed the food at the cafe. It is made with fresh ingredients grown on the grounds when ever possible. I couldn't keep my nephew off my sandwich and it contained no meat. 

Franklin Park Conservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory Blooms and Butterflies

Butterflies breaking out of their cocoons at Franklin Park Conservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory Blooms and Butterflies, Chihuly Glass Art, Plant life in the Botanical Gardens, Food from the on site cafe

The Ohio Statehouse

I was told I had been to the statehouse when I was younger, yet I can not recall the memory. I may not have been interested at the time so it was nothing worth remembering I guess. In this case it was safe to treat the experience like it was brand new because that is how it felt. This time I was interested and surprisingly so was my nephew. We started the guided tour in the map room, a room with a large map of Ohio on the floor containing all 88 of the state's counties. Our tour guide was an elderly woman who walked us from room to room feeding us the history of the building and the contents in it. My favorite place was the house chamber. It is such a beautiful collection of beautiful Greek and ornate details.  The place is definitely worth an hour of your time. It also doesn't hurt that it's free. Don't forget to check out the gardens and statues around the building. I loved the United States and the Ohio state flags created using flowers.

The Ohio Statehouse

The Ohio Statehouse Rotunda

The House Chamber

Greek Architectural Details in The Ohio Statehouse

The Ohio Statehouse Garden

The Central Ohio Fire Museum

I have passed this museum many times and didn't even realize exactly what is was. I learned of it through research and my guy who is into haunted places. This place is said to be one of the most haunted places in the city. Paranormal investigators are often known to show up to try to communicate with the ancient residents.  My nephew and I just wanted to learn a little Ohio firehouse history and brush up on our fire safety information but if we were met with a paranormal experience, well that would have been a welcomed bonus. No ghosts, but we did have a great time. There was more to do than I expected. We had a tour guide who walked us through the whole museum and demoed a few old pieces of fire equipment. My nephew also got to touch and demo a few things which included participating in a practice fire escape plan using the mock bedroom they have set up. The guide instructed him to lay in the bed as if it were his, pretend he smelled fire then get down and crawl on the floor to the door. He instructed him to feel the door with the back of his hand and if it was not hot he could open it and go outside. If it were hot there was a window to escape through. My favorite thing strange enough, was a mock burned bedroom. It showed the worst possible scenario using a kids room. Everything was charred and half melted. There was even an imprint on the bed showing where a child may have laid. This place is a little off the beaten path, so I realize not many know about it. It is worth a trip. Even I learned I was not where I needed to be on my fire safety knowledge. For those with young kids looking for a unique place to have a birthday party, they provide a great option.

The Central Ohio Fire Museum

The Hose Tower at The Central Ohio Fire Museum

A steam fire engine at The Central Ohio Fire Museum

The Burned Bedroom at The Central Ohio Fire Museum

I have many more places in the city still to visit and the rest of the summer to get it done. This is definitely a great start though. I look forward to sharing the adventures of my nephew and I as the weeks go on. This is just the first two weeks of June. Our list goes on and so shall we.

Until next time!
Be blessed! Be free! Be Adventurous!