2nd Annual Holiday Wine Tour 2009

You'd never think that the Pacific Northwest would be a place where you'd find wineries. But they're here. As a mater of fact there are 145 in the state of Washington. Since StoneRidge is only 2.5 miles from the Washington border we are able to take part in a Spokane annual tradition... Holiday Wine Tour

Twice a year, Mother's Day weekend and the weekend before Thanksgiving, the 14 Spokane area wineries have an open house. They are open regularly for wine tasting, but on these two weekends they also include appetizers and offer wine specials.

Last year there were about 8 of us that went. We worked our way into town and ended the evening with dinner at a downtown restaurant. We had so much fun, that our small group grew to 16!
We chose 6 wineries and this time decided to start downtown and work our way back so we could have sushi for dinner. Our caravan left StoneRidge at 11am. First on the itinerary were the 3 wineries downtown only a few blocks apart.


#1: Whitestone - Here we got our first surprise. The wineries decided to charge $5 per person this year, which could be put toward any purchases. I don't think this will be on our itinerary next year.

#2: Barrister - Now we're talkin' good wine and appetizers. We went here last year and decided that they had the best spread, so we figured we'd better go back. They had the best chocolate truffles!

We actually bought a couple bottles of Rough Justice, uuummmm good! They also let me take a bunch of corks.

#3: Grande Ronde - Here with your $5 entry you got a wine glass that you could take home with you.

#4: Knipprath Cellars: I don't think we bought any wine from here.

#5 Latah Creek - You can see this winery from the freeway. The only other winery that we decided we would check out again. We got to taste all of their wines and they paired each one with a tasty treat.
#6: Liberty Lake Wine Cellars - We thought we made the wrong turn as we headed into a residential neighborhood. They converted a house into their store and wine tasting room.





From here it was a 15 minute drive to the small sushi restaurant. It was already crowded when our party of 14 showed up, (2 of us had to go to a birthday party). Steve and I didn't even order sushi. It's just too expensive up here. We'll get our fill when we visit family in February.

postscript: A few days after our wine tour one of our group gave me a bag full of Grande Ronde wine glasses. Some of our group found out that I only had 3 wine glasses so gave me the ones they got there. Now I have more than enough wine glasses for our friends.

Feel free to stop on by. If you bring a bottle, I'll have the glasses and the time.

Oh, What fun it is to ride...

In our case it turned out to be a 2 horse open wagon.

During one of our coffee/socials StoneRidge Pal Susan mentioned going on a sleigh ride. There are a couple of outfits that offer them in the winter months. We all agreed that it would be a blast so we picked December 17th, which is also StoneRidge Guy's birthday.

24 of us signed up and we carpooled the 90 minute drive north, past Sandpoint to Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. For a mere $19 per person, we got a chili dinner and 45 minute sleigh ride.

This winter has been very mild and we were worried that we wouldn't have any snow for the sleigh. The week before our scheduled ride we got the snow we needed. Everyone was talking about how beautiful it was up there. Unfortunately, our ride was scheduled for 5pm and by that time it was pitch black. We got 12 to a wagon pulled by 2 draft horses.

As you'll see in the following video and slide show, we had this beautiful cabin to ourselves. To kill time before the ride we took advantage of the coffee, tea, hot chocolate and pop corn they made for us. After about 15 minutes we were then all loaded up into our wagons for the 45 minute ride.

After the sleight ride, it was back to the cabin. StoneRidge Pal Russ read a re-write of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by myself, Susan, Tammy and Terry. Followed by dinner and birthday cake which I had Susan take with her so we could all surprise StoneRidge Guy.

So as one of my favorite L.A. Dejays would say... "So sit back, relax and enjoy..." 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at StoneRidge'

Don't forget to pause the "MyTunes" in the sidebar.

Christmas in Blanchard

StoneRidge resides in a small unincorporated town called Blanchard. They call themselves "The little town that thought it could... and is proving it can!". In area the town is quite large, but our "downtown" is about 1 block long. We have 1 gas station and "Easy Stop". There's a libarary, a post office, Wash n' Dry, Tavern & Pizza place and the Blanchard Inn restaurant. What else could we possibly need. Well, the residence of this small town are very busy. The unofficial mayor of our town managed to get a grant from the state and we now have a very up-to-date Senior Center. It's got a full kitchen, offices and lots of room for all types of activities and there's always something going on there, especially around the holidays.

Each year the B.A.S.I.C. (Blanchard Area Seniors InCorporated) has a Christmas Party for the residents. They collect toys all year to be given out at the party. Volunteers make chili, corn bread, desserts and bring drinks. Everyone in the area is invited.

This year our Mammas on a Mission group decided we could like to help. We solicited help from our StoneRidge pals for toys, food and help during the party. Needless to say, there was a wonderful response. The party was on December 6th from 1-4pm. Volunteers started setting up the Friday before. Most of us arrived at noon to get the food and drinks set up.

It appeared that there were mostly adults until about 3pm which is when Santa was to arrive.

Each child was able to sit on Santa's lap, then pick 3 toys. 1 hand held, 1 stuffed animal and then a boy's or girl's gift.

I was helping out getting names and phone numbers of the kids so we could get a picture of them with Santa to their families. I still get teary-eyed thinking about the reactions from those kids. Some of these families are very poor, so this could very possibly have been the only Christmas gifts these kids would get.

One little girl was sitting on Santa's lap when her father asked her why she wasn't talking to Santa? She said, "I'm so excited to see him, I forgot what I wanted. This is the most exciting thing in my life!" and with that she just turned and hugged Santa one more time.


Because I was working with one of the B.A.S.I.C. ladies, I was made privy to some background of our "Santas". As it turned out the 2009 Santa was a novice. He was replacing a gentleman who took the role every year the past 30 years. Unfortunately, he was suffering from Alzheimer's and wasn't able to continue. I was told that last year he cried the whole time, somewhere in his consciousness he knew that he wouldn't be coming back again. The ladies had to tell the kids that Santa was just very happy to see them as a reason for his tears.

Our new Santa was incredibly nervous in his new role causing him a couple of sleepless nights prior to the party. But he did very well and is looking forward to continuing each year. By the end of the afternoon about 40 children and 20 adults had their pictures taken with Santa.


To be sure I will be a part of next years party.

Long Over Due

I have not been a good blogger as of late. Compared to last year, it's been almost non-existent. Now that I have some time off from work, there are no more excuses. I guess it's time for me to update everyone.

It will seem like an avalanche of info, but it won't take too long to get caught up. So get a cup o joe or tea and cozy up to your computer and we can pretend that I'm right there, telling you about my last 2 months.

I try to be as diligent in my blogging as my niece, who is the one that got me started in the first place, and whose blog I look forward to reading.

See you in a little while.

Let the Festivities Begin!

The holiday activities are in full swing here at StoneRidge. It started about a month ago with the Mammas on a Mission. We all went shopping for the 3 families that were chosen by the local elementary school. They supplied us with their Christmas wish list and we were able to fill each one. Just last week we all got together again to wrap all of the gifts. They will be delivered to each family before Christmas.

The parties started here last Saturday night for those of us left here at StoneRidge. It was hosted by our Forest neighbors Terry and Gabe. Gabe prepared the main course, pork loin on fresh Amish dinner rolls and each guest brought a side dish or appetizer. We even got a box of chocolates from our friends working in Havasau City at the Sees candy store. (Thanks Jim and Patty).

There were a total of 58 attendees with 50 participating in the gift exchange game.  Those that chose to participate brought a gift of their gender and they were randomly numbered. As each couple was called, they could pick a number to a corresponding gift or steal one that had been opened.

I think it would be safe to say that everyone had a fun time. We rounded out the evening just talking with neighbors, playing pool or with the Wii.

Please enjoy this short video and see for yourself. Don't forget to turn off the "myplaylist" in the sidebar before you start the video.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas!

Christmas Lights went up right after Thanksgiving in the Forest at StoneRidge and all around the compound (as we lovingly call StoneRidge). This year we are spending our first Christmas in our new home so the decorations were coming out!

I didn't get things up as quickly as I have in past years. I usually had everything completely decorated and the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. We sold our 16 year old artificial tree before we moved to Idaho and last year was the first in my adult life that I did not have a tree at all!

I'm waiting to get a new artificial tree 'til the sales after Christmas. The day after all of the holiday festivities began here, StoneRidge Pals Tammy & Russ, along with their grandson Adrian, invited us to join them in their annual tree hunt at their Newport property. They have 15 acres and plenty of trees that we could legally cut down without a permit.

Granted the trees are not what you would find at a Christmas tree farm, but we had fun looking for and cutting down our tree which I had never done before.

I haven't had to string lights on a tree for almost 20 years, so trying to string the lights on this "Charlie Brown tree" was going to be a challenge. With a minimal amount of branches to work with, I had to pick and choose from the close to 100 ornaments for the ones that would adorn our tree this year.

The stockings are hung, my advent calendar is up and I actually got out my North Pole Village. It hasn't been out of the box for nearly 10 years.

This advent calendar, a Christmas Present made by my sister Angela in 1991, 

has been out every year except last year. It is my favorite decoration. 

 

Getting snow the last couple of days has completed our holiday picture. It will be very different for both of us since we won't be together with our family on Christmas day. Fortunately, we will be able to see them 2 days later in Montana.

We may not be with you in person, but we will be there in spirit!

Beyond an Act of Kindness

A few weeks ago it was announced that one of our StoneRidge Pals, Ginger, is about to do something remarkable. She is donating a kidney. She is donating a kidney to her friend Jo. How lucky is Jo?

Ginger met Jo during her travels in their motor coach and they have been very close friends ever since. As time past, Jo let Ginger know of her condition and the possibility of needing a kidney transplant. Ginger offered hers. She's not a match to Jo, but she will donate to someone else, which will put Jo at the top of a very long list of possible recipients. So Jo WILL get her kidney!

She and her husband, Jim, flew to Kentucky on Sunday to prep for surgery. Jim will stay with her until the 18th and then fly back to Phoenix. Ginger returns to Phoenix at the end of December. Today, December 15, 2009, she undergoes the kidney operation. She is in my thoughts and prayers. All of us here at StoneRidge hope her surgery goes smoothly and her recovery is quick. Good luck Ginger!

Here are some links to stories about Ginger:
Courier-Journal and Wave3 TV in Louisville Kentucky