Media Free in two-thousand-sixteen

I have personal reasons, I have silly reasons, and I have goal oriented reasons in why I am choosing to go social media free in 2016. My Facebook & Instagram accounts will remain active, however, I am going to have someone change my password and I am deleting the apps from my phone. The reason I am not deleting my profiles is simple… I like the memories. I still want people to tag me in posts or share interesting news with me through it. I want to come back next year and have my own year in review of memories I may have forgotten about...

By keeping my blog, it will encourage me to write more as well as use my camera more. I don’t have to constantly check my blog for comments or “likes” and it will be just my space!
 

It sounds silly, but I don’t think this will be easy. Social Media is how I pass my time when waiting or when I’m bored. My goal is to keep a book in my purse to read more, OR to find a hobby… I don’t want to just think “Oh, I have 10 minutes to spare, let’s look at my phone!”... How terrible... right?

So, here goes! Check my blog to keep up. I’ll try and post as much as I can.

Hey Facebook & Instagram, seeya in 2017! 

P.S - I am also saving myself the political nonsense posts for the 2016 election. I highly doubt anyone has ever changed their mind about a subject or nominee from reading an opinionated and unmeaningful Facebook rant. 

It's the hap-hapiest season of all!

For anyone who doesn't talk to me/see me on a daily basis, I start my Christmas countdown on September 16. I know when that day comes, we are exactly 100 days from Christmas! I am above and beyond a Christmas fanatic. I love everything about it. Before all you nay-sayers roll your eyes and stop reading, hear me out! It's not about the gifts. I really am not a big material person. I am however, a family loving, friend-obsessed, and lover of all things Santa/Snowman. I love the feel of Christmas and the comfort in the holidays. I like feeling warm and cozy in my house and surrounded by the scent of my "Very Merry Cranberry" Scentsy... I would put my tree up on September 16 if Cade would let me but... Per our agreement (haha!), I have to wait until at least the weekend before Thanksgiving. I'll live, I suppose...

Anyway, enough rambling, here are the pictures! 

Hehe! I have two trees (So far!).

Our funky little tree topper. I saw it at Hobby Lobby and for some reason felt like that was the one we needed... Love it and it's floppy-ness!

See what I mean by "all things snowman"? I am obsessed!

I loved my wine chest before, but I especially love it now!

Renee - Red, Frankie - White, and Cade - Brown!

This was a gift last year from a co-worker. How beautiful is that?! Especially since it was hand-made... Top three of my favorite ornaments for sure!

Also, over the weekend, my family celebrated an early Thanksgiving since my parents are going out of town. That means Cade and I got to split up the days between stuffing our faces so we can enjoy food at both family's houses! YAY!

I don't know about you, but I could eat sweet potatoes all day, every day! LOVE.

Not the greatest picture, but of course I had to have some Duckhorn with my Thanksgiving meal. Of course!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has the best week!! Also, MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!!!

Renee

Life lately

Hi there! First, Happy Halloween! After today I officially like to start thinking about ... THE HOLIDAYS! Thanksgiving and then the weekend after Thanksgiving when you try really hard to convince yourself that you did NOT gain 100lbs. from all the delicious food you devoured. You finally convince yourself that it's all OK and BAM! Holiday cookies, candies, parties... Before you know it, Christmas is over and it's 2016 and you're wondering what life was like when there wasn't 16 inches of snow on the ground and the sun was visible. That's why I want to start a protest to put the tree up tomorrow. Christmas Tree that is. Time flies by in general but especially during the holidays! Don't worry all you anti-Christmas decoration people. Cade won't let me, but that doesn't mean that I don't ask him once or twice a day... 

Anyway, other than my obsession with all things Thanksgiving/Christmas time, life has been fun lately. Lots of traveling, going to concerts, family vacations, relaxing (finally!), etc... Here's some snippets & words. Enjoy!

Behind this tree is the cabin we stayed in and the world's greatest family sitting on the porch.

Pennsylvania Sunrise (insert praising hands emoji here)

At the top of the fire tower. Miles upon miles of beautiful forest!

Here lies the worlds sweetest dog. Sleeping peacefully until some crazy lady started taking his pictures... Sorry bud, but you've also woken me up a handful of times... So, let's call it even!

Definitely saving this little Halloween decoration for seasons to come. Loved seeing it every time I came home. (Got it from Marshall's, FYI!)

 

 Happy Fall!

Napa Pt. II

How soon is too soon to want to go back? Was getting on the plane in San Francisco to come home too soon? 

If I'm being totally honest, I was a little worried that Napa would be too fancy or that I would seem like a little bit of an outcast. Boy was I wrong! During my trip I said "Everyone in Napa is your temporary best friend" and that pretty much sums it up. Blame it on the wine or the beautiful setting but you can't, not smile while you're there. All you can do is take it all in, enjoy the taste of the best wines around and try your best to remember it all. That being said, I'm so glad I brought my camera and I'm so glad that I have this space to share my memories. These are memories I want to remember forever. So, when you see that obnoxious person snapping pictures of their menu at a fancy lunch, just keep that in mind ;)

This is Lori & Ron. We sat next to them at the William Cole event and let me just tell you... Lori is probably the most exciting person I talked to during my entire trip! When we sat down I popped out my camera to snap some pictures of the table and she IMMEDIATELY began re-arranging the flowers and glasses. She said they had to be perfect! Then she gave me her phone number to send her said pictures. I'm glad we chose these seats!

The whole gang! (John, Glenn, Karla, Me, and Cade)

This is Bill (the owner) pouring Cade a glass of 2003 barreled Cabernet. The OWNER is pouring Cade a glass of wine... That doesn't seem right, but apparently that is the type of guy Bill is.. He's a genuine good guy that has delicious wines that he's proud of. I like those kind of guys!

I think the group unanimously agreed that we thought the chocolate cupcakes would win ... until we tried the lemon ones. At that point it wasn't even a competition. Lemon - hands down! (the macaroons weren't terrible either!)

Thanks for following my Napa trip and checking the blog! I hope you enjoyed it and then I hope you potentially plan on going. It's definitely worth it!

(Saving the best for last) - Cade and I have to give a HUGE "Thank You" to my Aunt K and Glenn. Not only did they get us to Napa and treat us to a trip of a lifetime, but they made us feel so loved during the whole trip. I can't thank them enough and I may never be able to repay them but I promise to always try! Thanks guys... We love you both so much!

Renee & Cade

Napa Trip - Part I

If you truly, truly love wine and want to have the most beautiful, wonderful wine experience then immediately miss wine and feel like your life will never be the same then you should get on a plane to Napa right now! I can't even tell you all how beautiful and fun and amazing Napa (or rather, St. Helena) was, but I'll try. Here goes!

Of course the trip HAD to start off at Duckhorn. Of course! If you're a wine friend of mine then I've probably only told you about how perfect Duckhorn wines are 100 times. If you haven't been graced by my obsession, then check them out right here!

I may have had a handful of these grapes. I don't think it's illegal or anything, but they were amazing so.. Worth it!

I didn't try these though.. Just picture-worthy!

They were ALL good. Maybe not the 2011 so much, but still. I'd probably drink it 'cause Duckhorn. Hello!

This was an actual castle from Italy. You can read about it here. If I'm being honest, go for the tour, not so much the wine. Amazing tour at Castello di Amorosa (Read about it here.)

This was at Del Dotto. Oh. My. Goodness. Talk about an amazing winery, with amazing employees (who love their job by the way), and AMAZING wine. Cade and I sipped (too much) wine in their cave room with the best sommelier name Simone. He was perfect and even talked me into trying a Pinot Noir that I surprisingly enjoyed! If you're curious, you can check them out here.

This is Dave. No big deal... Only he is the OWNER of the winery. Just snappin' pics with the owners. No big deal... Nothing to see here. Just move along. Don't even mind my sweaty, messy hair face. Just focus on the important part about how he is the owner and he has his arm around me.

Isn't John just the best model? We may have eaten these grapes. I can't fully remember because ... Del Dotto wines.

This is the Bed & Breakfast we stayed in (Black Rock Inn). It was in St. Helena and it was wonderful! If you go, stay here and eat some of Jeff's home-cooked delicious breakfasts. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed with every single bite.

Beautiful setting. Really can't get over how amazing the scenery was here.

Caymus Vineyards

This was a HUGE deal to me. William Cole is a very small, personal winery. We attended a VIP event to uncork their 2012 Cabernet's as well as have a glass of the 2007 Cabs and a special surprise. Apparently the evening before the event, Bill (the owner) found a BARREL of their 2003 Cabernet which had not been bottled yet. They figured it would be a true delight (which it was) to serve this to the 60 people who attended the uncorking. Just an FYI - most Cabernet's are typically barreled for 21-36 months at the absolute most. This 2003 has been barreled for 12 YEARS. To say I was expecting extremely dry and bitter was an understatement. Fortunately, this wine was very tasty and smooth. You wouldn't believe it had been barreled for 12 years...

This is the owner of William Cole. If you're curious about this winery then you can read up here!

I think this is enough pictures and reading for the first post. I'll follow up with the next one soon! 

Take care and go drink a good glass of wine for me! 

Renee