Bind & CrEATe

Over the weekend I was able to enthusiastically tackle the first adventure of 2012: a wine tasting at Conneaut Cellars Winery.

The winery is about 1.5 hours north of Pittsburgh, nestled within the community of Conneaut Lake. Months ago, Nick mentioned that we should all go on a wine tasting, and with a little Facebook event planning, we were able to actualize the trip. It’s nice to 1. have an idea and 2. make that idea happen. Planning goes a long way.

It was a snowy (but enjoyable) drive up to the winery. We took two cars, and BF and I spent time catching up with Luke & Catherine. When we got there, we were immediately given a tour through the back rooms. It was a small space, but there was a lot happening in the background. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and answered all questions graciously. People also thought he looked like my dad, hence he quickly became my long-lost brother.

After the tour, my brother took us back to the front where we sampled 8-9 different wines (for free!). There was a $1 charge for two speciality wines at the end. Because the group was mostly a sweet-white fan, he stuck to the sweetest samples, including a few table reds at the end. I especially liked the Riesling – together, Cat and I bought two bottles to bring home.

Wine tasting for 9 – check. This was a great way to start off the year. I’ve never been to a wine tasting during the winter, so it was a nice and wanted change.

After the tasting we were all starving (and subsequently tipsy). The tour guide had directed us to the Conneaut Lake Hotel, which was pretty much abandoned. The entire experience was surreal: we drove back a road housing amusement park rides and summer cottages. Desolate, of course. The only inhabitants being mounds and piles of snow. There must have been some folks staying at the hotel because we saw a few parked cars:

The restaurant wasn’t opening for another hour, so we decided to bag that idea and instead pose for pictures in front of the lake. Cat and I wasted no time in acting as ridiculous as possible. Why are jumping photos so awkward but yet so enticing?

Winery in the winter? Yes, put it on your to-do list.

See all of the photos from the trip below. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ve done some housekeeping on my new space. I think this is necessary in any physical (or internet) location. I bit the bullet, bought some new fonts, and reorganized the digs. I’ve found that it looks pretty fantastic on an iPad. Here’s a preview:

This year, I’m using the rotating feature photos to document the three main projects I’m working on this year. I’m hoping you’ll check them out. The pages are still a work-in-progress but will updated monthly:

• an Adventure a Month
• a Restaurant a Month
• a Craft a Month

These features will also appear as posts within my blog.

Note: to view these pages from the rotating features bar, you must click on the title when it appears on the left-hand side. If you click on the right on the smaller image on the right, you will not find the page. (Don’t know why this is so wonky!)

I feel inspired, renewed and creative again. I’m so happy to have such a nice home to save & share my heart and soul.