Sunday, April 11, 2010

Delights of Springtime

Went for a lovely country drive yesterday with the top down on my bug-de-doo. My daughter was home from college for the weekend and I wanted to see if I could find a nice cottage/country set of benches for our back porch. While Dan-the-Man was busy, sanding posting, and building new railing for our porch, I was already busy visualizing how I would like to fix things up outside in this cozy spot.
I saw a really cute bench on line, and decided to take the "country" drive to the store that had them in stock. It wasn't hard to twist my arm to go to Louisburg Cider Mill en route, which always has great treats and cute kitchen goodies.
Of course if you go to the cider mill, you might as well go down the country road a little further to a local winery called Somerset Ridge. It's a great little place with the friendliest owners and always a delight to visit. They have tables set outside to just relax and enjoy a glass of wine, and you are welcome to enjoy the majestic views as long as you like. Just our luck, the had an artisan bread maker there for the weekend, with a table set up. Not only artisan bread, gourmet jelly's...the kind that are perfect with cream cheese on a nice cracker, and homemade soaps. Trouble, trouble trouble! The first bread we tried was a sourdough base with Gouda cheese and bacon. I hadn't even tasted it and the words were flowing out of my mouth "We'll take two". Another treat was homemade English muffins with chives and rosemary. Oh my......

Afterwards I bought a few bottles of wine, daydreaming about sitting out on the refurbished back porch by candlelight at dusk....just waiting for the yard to be lit up with the fireflies. It doesn't help that I'm re-reading the best book ever published "A Year in Provence" by Peter Mayle for the 168th time. Puts you right in the mood for a chilled glass of young wine, fresh air and happy memories.
I promise to post some pictures of the porch when all is said and done...but it will be a good month I'm sure before we pull it all together.
As for other minor updates...1) I cut my bangs...I was 90% there and just missed them, now to face my hairdresser when I see her on Tuesday with my tail between my legs. 2) I'm doing great on Weight Watcher and *LOVE* my leader Ann. Such a wonderful women, so funny and inspiring. I'm down 22 pounds! Yipeeeee!


11 comments:

Leslie said...

Nancy!!!! Sounds like you had a lovely day.
Can't wait to see the porch.

22 pounds ~ that is great Nancy!!

Catherine said...

22 pounds it's great! when the porch will be finished, i hope you'll post a picture.I would love one here, but we don't have!!!

Martha said...

Nice to see you again!!! Congratulations on the 22 pounds!

Ah, the Cider Mill -- I am going to teach some herb cooking classes there in May -- I'll let you know when. Should be a fun time!

Carol J. said...

Hi Nancy. So good to "see" you again!

Down twenty-two pounds??!! I'm so jealous of you! While I've been whining and bitchin' about my weight, you've been working at it and look at your success!! I may have to get the idea in my head again and head back (for the umpteenth time in my life!) Congratulations.

And thanks for taking us along on your ride. :) It sounded like a perfect Spring afternoon.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Nancy,
Your back, I missed you and I'm glad you are o.k.
You are doing great on WW. Gary and I were on WW too and he has lost 44 pounds (A new Man)and I am down 40.
I am at a stand still and have gone off for a while and have gained 6 pounds, bad me so now I am back on track. It's so easy to do just one bite of pie leads me to another and then I have eaten the hole darn pie! LOL
I find I do the best with the WW goodies. If we have any kind of cake or pie or home made goodies in the house I will pick at them until they are gone (my down fall goodies)
Big hugs and enjoy your day, Elizabeth

Alice said...

I just love the Louisburg Cider Mill and spent way too much money the last time I was there. But we didn't make it to the winery as we were on our way to visit our oldest daughter.

Congratulations on shedding the 22 pounds!

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

Glad to see you back. I've missed your posts. Great country drive you took us on, but did you find your benches?
Congratulations on your loss. I've been on WW too and only lost 16. Keep up the good work, but the Artisian Breads and Jelly's sounded so yummy.

Cathy said...

Hi Nancy - Sounds like you had a lovely outing with your daughter. Don't you just love that! A Year in Provence is one of my favorite books. I need to read it again too. Thanks for the reminder.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day! Can't wait to see the pics of your new outdoor furniture on the porch.

Mary said...

I love your blog Nancy! Beautiful! My mom lives out in the country near Louisburg and she just started WWonline after being a lifetime 'realtime' member a few years back!

take care
Mary

Carol J. said...

Just sayin' hi Nancy. Hope you are well. :)

Springtime!

Spring has sprung and I am enjoying every little blossom and bird that comes my way! Have a beautiful day my friends!