Sunday--Time To Go Home

The weekends are always too short!  There is never enough Saturday and Sunday hours--oh, sad!
But, we'll come another weekend or maybe even a week.

Before we head back to Interstate 10 and drive East, let me tell you about a few more of our favorite wineries to visit in Hill Country.  There is this story about a French Winemaker who settled in Texas and he makes absolutely the best French style wines around and that is Ben Calais.  His Wine Cave--yes, you read right--wine cave is only open on weekends and by appointment.

This is a special place to visit on special occasions and we took the time to make that

appointment and sipped some great reds and whites.  Make it a point to stop here on your next trip--you won't be disappointed!

Yesterday I said there were over 50 wineries in Hill Country and here is a list:

But, if you travel any part of Texas you'll find over 275 wineries throughout the regions!

So much wine--so little time!

See you back on the home front tomorrow!

Hill Country Wineries

If you like good wine and great friendships, Texas Hill Country is the place to visit!

There are now over 50 wineries in Hill Country!  Yes, over 50!  you could spend many a

weekend visiting several wineries around the area and not be at the same one more than once.  Plus there are more in the works--This

is better than Napa Valley because it's in Texas!

We have made an appointment with Kuhlman, one of our club memberships, to sample 

small bites with their wine selections--always yummy!  And the food pairings change with the seasons. You will always find a delicious wine at Kuhlman, styled by their French winemaker.

Okay, the day is young, where to venture next?  So many choices--think we'll drop in on our friends at Lost Draw Winery, located behind HEB grocery in Fredericksburg.  Here you will find

knowledgeable pourers and you might even have a chance to visit with Troy or David.

We have visited with their vineyard owner in Brownwood--West Texas fields!

The day has only so many hours and we can't drink that much as we travel the 290 corridor so

why not take a shuttle?  Perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery and various wineries.

Another favorite is Becker Winery, which has a wide variety of good wines, a lavender shop

and 46 acres of pure joy!  Here you can listen to music with a picnic and that bottle of wine,

have a luncheon at special events or just kick back and enjoy the breeze.

As most of these wineries offer music on weekends, it's a difficult task to decide which one to attend.

Tomorrow we'll visit a couple more before we head back to our routine life.

HI HO! It's Off To Visit Hill Country!

It's a day trip but we are taking three days to taste our way through some fabulous wineries located in and around Fredericksburg, TX.  WHAT?  You've never been there!  I'm shocked!  It's a great location to kick back and enjoy some good Texas wines.  We have rented a two bedroom, 2 bath house from Absolute Charm, but there are plenty of other accommodations to suit your needs.

We're staying in the Creek Street Retreat!  When it was just two of us, we stayed in the 

back unit.  We have a full kitchen, but why bother to cook though when you receive breakfast

coupons for local restaurants.  We are only two blocks from Main Street, where

all the action takes place.

Last night on our way into Fredericksburg, we visited William Chris, Hye, TX, on East 290 

We are Hye Society members of this winery, so it's a pop in to see what's new--

take a glass and sit under the large oak trees and enjoy the breeze, birds whistling their

tunes, and good wine! 

We had dinner at the Crossroads Saloon, just a short walk from our little bungalow.

Since it's Thursday night we enjoyed their $20 specials plus 1/2 price on a bottle of wine!

This is the perfect way to begin our adventure in Fredericksburg! 

We are spending our morning with our builder--yes, we are going to build a house

in Hill Country--more on that as we progress!

Scrappy Hat Along

I'm sorry that I was traveling during this scrap along with Woolly Wormhead. 

But, it's not too late to go back and begin now.

She has a detailed step by step way to use your scrap yarns; in fact,

the hat looks better if you do use different yarns.

The above photo is of the finished hat--

~Sign~  Guess I can't participate in every knit along,

but it sure would be fun!

can I be a clone??

Oh No! It's Wednesday AGAIN!!

It's okay--I'm going to try my hand at another one of Erica Jackofsky's design, Fiddle Knits

It's the final design in the Elements collection

This is not my work!  I hope to achieve this with my yarn.

And now, I wish I had some of that gradient yarn everyone is talking about!!

Off to knit this creative design clue one!

Fun In October!

It's that time again!  I'm was so excited to receive this notice about Taos Wool Market!  It has been one my favorite places to attend for workshops and other activities.

It is the BEST time to visit Taos!  Cool weather!  Great workshops!

Great instructors!  Great Shopping!

This year will feature Franklin Habit!  What could be better??

Knitting & Crocheting Workshops Spinning & Weaving Workshops Dyeing & Felting Workshops Make N Take Workshops

Special Presentation Friday Night Kickoff 7-8:30 Franklin Habit B IS FOR PURL

Mordants??

Are you a dyer?  Either Chemical or Natural dyer?  There was a great blog post about using mordants in the dye baths recently and I thought this answered many a question about how these chemical mordants assist in dyeing.

For years, I used chrome in my natural dyeing baths--it gave such sharp colors

to some plants--it was only necessary to use a very small amount.

But, after much research, I safely discarded my chrome products.

Iron--well, why not use an old iron pot or skillet while dyeing?  That's what

I use now--no need to have the mordant on hand

Copper--I used a old copper pipe--

Read the post.  

Happy Birthday!!

Today is my mother's 96th birthday!  Happy birthday Mother!  We are visiting with her and sharing memories of our childhood.  Both of my brothers are here as well.  We are taking mother out for brunch.

You're looking good mother!  She can't believe the good Lord has

let her live so long.  

Knit Those Knockers!!

What a great volunteer opportunity for knitters or crocheters!

For anyone who has undergone a mastectomy or knows someone

who has lost their breasts to a disease, this is a way

we can give some of ourselves to make them

feel more comfortable!

Join in--and knit those knockers!

The website has patterns for both knitted and crochet, 

along with tutorials and instructions.

Perfect!

Check it out!

Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast. Traditional breast prosthetics are usually expensive, heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers on the other hand are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. volunteer knitters provide these free to those requesting them. Knitted knockers can be adjusted to fill the gap for breasts that are uneven and easily adapted for those going through reconstruction by simply removing some of the stuffing.

It's Always Good To Be Home!

The journey has ended--we are home, safe in our own beds--our journey took us to many interesting locations where we met super people, shared good food, wine and conversation.  The Historic places we visited will always be in our memories--the people we met will share a place in our hearts.

As we traveled, I used my smart phone to post photos and write this blog--it wasn't easy to say all I wanted to say about those historic places.  The computers in business center of hotels were difficult to maneuver--sometimes, you feel so dumb--especially when all other nationalities can speak your language and you butcher theirs!  Oh, well--everyone is very kind, helpful and supportive when you are a foreigner traveling in their land.  I would only hope we can afford them the same courtesy when they visit ours.

A wrap up of places and things we saw and I didn't post about:

The Grand Residenz of Munich was almost totally wiped out with WWII bombing--as many

of the historic places we visited in Germany--

true to saving history, the Residentz is being refurbished to its once beauty.

History will remain--walking into this magnificent hall--took your breath away!

This was the dining hall and only one of the 170 rooms-- We walked through

65-80 of the rooms--just unbelieveable. 

The fiascos are slowly being repaired--to think that all the work of 1600's

was almost gone, but still faintly mark their spots.

I thought I saw a spinning wheel in the right corner.

But, look at the molding--how awesome is that?! 

This is a Persian wool tapestry from 1600

Luckily, alot of these treasures were taken out of the rooms

and stored in Austria during WWII

The close up detail.

And the beers of Germany and the people are two of the highlights

besides the historic buildings.  we visited the Hofbrauhaus to sample

a beer and some sausages--the beers are government controlled--

so there are no flavored beers and all beers taste about the same to me.

Here we sat next to an East German couple who were coming to

Munich for holiday.  They spoke excellent English and answered our

questions about beers and sausage--even shared a bite of their 

pig knuckle--delightful people rule this world 

And the churches!! What else can I say about the churches?

such lovely places to sit, listen and pray!

a world known to many Christians

We stood here  and we got goosebumps!  Here is where history was in the

making--this was Hitler's Nazi party rally grounds--so eerie to think millions

walked these grounds and saluted

Here is the view from the time period.

This is so depressing to think about.

Yes, we had a grand journey--and now, we settle into daily life and routine.

Thank you for taking the journey with me.

Bejeweled!

We took the day to visit the Munich Residendez, the 

Former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs of the

House of Wittelsbach.  It is the largest city palace in Germany.

Our first stop was the Treasury--so, let's feel adorned

With jewels. Which of these lovelies would you wear?

These jewels date to 1600-1800

Some of the stones from various pieces were 

Removed and replaced with glass during the 1930's

The jewels, according to our guide, were sold. 

Such lovely tear dropped pearls!  

Bracelets 

This would look good draped around any neck

The king's crown on the royal pillow 

Below the queen 

Being A Tourist!

With assistance of our hotel concierge and good maps, 

We were heading out to be a tourist in Munich.  

He circled the most important highlights to visit

And also gave us Ubon train info

This is our station--I took photo to remember

We arrived at Marien Platz @ 10:50 AM-- there is work taking 

Place around the town hall.  Large groups of fellow tourists from 

Various countries were standing around the area; some guides, some like us on their own

You can see a quiet protest taking place with the 3 with signs--no idea what they

Were protesting.  We've seen several of these small groups in other cities

I

Here we are--looking up at the Glockenspiel!  

How lucky to arrive before 11--it only shows at 

11, noon & 5.  Quite by chance did we arrive at this time

The town hall was built in 1870's--glockenspiel was built in 1908

The church bells nearby ring at the stroke of 11 and we wait

Nothing happens till 2 minutes after the bells and the

Presentation begins!  A story unfolds of a marriage

Lovely to watch this action, even if you must crane your neck to see

The town hall is quite impressive 

We venture to St Peter Church and then toFrauenkirche (Dom)

Where a large art installation is featured in the middle.  This is called 

Heart oNumberOne by Michael Pendry.  

Life on the streets are busy with various street performers--all waiting for a euro or two

We found the huge  Viktualien Markt wonderful fruits, veggies, meats, etc.  

cherries are seasonal fruit--we've even had them for breakfast and 

Featured in many desserts

Transportation of locals--bikes of all kinds--watch out for cyclists 

We stopped in Hofbrauhaus for an afternoon beer

People are friendly and helpful--an E German couple sat next to us and we visited

They speak very good English!  Where I speak no German!

We head back to our train station --jump on first one headed in our direction--only

To find two stops up, everyone disembarked and we are left sitting in an empty

Car!  One up guy popped his head in and indicated we should get off

Have no idea where we would have headed up if we'd stayed on!