2020 will be known as the year that I didn’t travel. At least not much. Although I had a couple of trips in January and February, before the Coronavirus kicked us all to the curb, I checked nothing off my bucket list. I had several trips planned to check off a few of the items, including a trip to Egypt and a Nile cruise, and two European cruises, so now I’m just hoping travel will be safe again in the second half of 2021. Instead, I worked on business stuff, including cleaning up some themes on my smaller sites, worked on my Pinterest strategy and tactics, launched a new site (although the pandemic meant it’s a very, very slow launch) – My Listly, binged a lot of television and movies, read a lot of books, hosted some virtual wine tastings […]
Read MoreCategory Archive: Uncategorized
Wine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula
This virtual wine tasting features Mick Wilson, co-owner of Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, California. It’s a continuation of our celebration of the wineries in the Temecula Valley. What makes a great wine tasting for us, is learning something along with trying wines that are unfamiliar to us. That’s just what wine tasting with Wilson Creek Winery did – Mick Wilson hit it out of the park with his fun discussion style, useful information, and great wine. The story of how his family decided to change their lifestyle and go all-in on making wine is a feel-good moment at a time when there aren’t a lot of them. Here are some things we learned: Some educational resources for average wine consumers who want to learn more about wine: including the WSET program (Wine & Spirit Educational Trust), the Wine Folly […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Oak Mountain Winery, Temecula
This virtual wine tasting features Kathie Pensinger, wine educator at Oak Mountain Winery in Temecula, California. It’s our continued celebration of Temecula Valley Wine Month and we hope it entices you to discover wines from the region in southern California. I learned so much during this tasting! From learning about the wine halo in the glass, to some simple wine etiquette. From learning about the winery’s Cave (a wine cave? how fun) to tips that will help me choose wines that I’m most likely to enjoy. The evening was jam-packed with good information. Watch a replay of the live tasting below. We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms and you can listen and or subscribe to this virtual […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting: Akash Winery & Vineyard, Temecula
This virtual wine tasting features Akash Patel, owner of Akash Winery & Vineyards in Temecula, California. It’s our celebration of Temecula Valley Wine Month and we hope it entices you to discover wines from the region in southern California. I loved Akash’s story of the family journey from New Mexico motel owner/operators to California winery owners – and it shows proof that visualization (having that picture on the wall of your dream) works. Watch a replay of the live tasting below: We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms and you can listen and or subscribe to this virtual wine tasting series there. We’re currently on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Overcast Pocket Casts Radio Public Breaker Anchor FM […]
Read MoreHow to Have Fun at Northwest Trek
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a great place to view nature in a spacious, outdoor setting. You’ll see all sorts of native Northwest flora and fauna at this park in Eatonville, Washington. Read on to discover more about the touring options and the animals you’ll see at Northwest, along with our tips for making the most of your time at this wonderful place. Visiting Northwest Trek There are currently three ways to experience the magnificent Northwest Trek flora and fauna – Keeper Adventure Tours (recently reinstated), the Wild Drive. or the Wild Walk. Make the choice based on your budget and whether you want to walk, ride, or drive. All of the options allow you to see and learn more about the wildlife native to the Washington and Pacific Northwest area. Keeper Adventure Tours at Northwest Trek Keeper Adventure Tours […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Discover Things to Do in Walla Walla
When planning a weekend getaway in Washington State, check out this useful guide to Walla Walla. We cover where to stay, where to eat, as well as things to do in Walla Walla. You may come for the wine, but you’ll find so much more. Walla Walla is in southeast Washington and takes its name from the Walla Walla people who lived in the area alongside other Native American tribes. The city is close to the Oregon border, just six miles north. Things to do in Walla Walla, Washington Whether you prefer to sample fine food and wine during a weekend break, like to discover a region’s fascinating history, or simply want to kick back and relax, Walla Walla has lots to offer. Browse the farmers market for local fare, explore history at a museum, or enjoy the Balloon Stampede […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Visit El Paso, Texas
If it’s not currently on your bucket list, put it there, because it would be a mistake not to visit El Paso, Texas. Located in the far western part of Texas, at the intersection of Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico, El Paso is rich in history and culture. You might not initially think of visiting El Paso, but as more and more travelers are prioritizing domestic travel over international, this is a city worthy of consideration. Whether you’re lining up a Texas road trip, going in search of Tex-Mex cuisine, or just finally getting to cities that you’ve overlooked, there are plenty of things to do in El Paso. Here is my guide on how to create a terrific El Paso vacation. Things to do in El Paso, Texas Since El Paso shares a border with Mexico, it was […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with The Wine Cafe, Fayetteville, North Carolina
On this virtual wine tasting, we feature Angie Malave from The Wine Cafe in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Angie chose two wines for the tasting from JOLO Winery in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, as she felt that these were representative of the fine wine selections made with the state’s grapes. We tasted a 2019 Golden Hallows (white) and a 2018 Jolotage (red). These wines are available at The Wine Cafe. May is North Carolina wine month, so put that on your calendar for future wine travels. Watch the episode below: (We had some sound difficulty at the beginning of the episode, but it resolves soon, and we’ve fixed the problem for future episodes.) We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Country Heritage Winery
Our second virtual wine tasting event featured Jennifer Lutter of Country Heritage Winery in Indiana. For the tasting, Jennifer selected two wines, a 2019 Traminette and a 2016 Marquette. The wines are available through the winery – they are currently doing pickup service and shipping – and at a number of restaurants and retail outlets in Indiana. Country Heritage Winery provided complimentary wine to us for this tasting. Watch the episode below: We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms and you can listen and or subscribe to this virtual wine tasting series there. We’re currently on: Now let’s talk about the wine! 2019 Traminette Tasting notes: A semi-dry white wine made with estate-grown fruit; soft floral notes with […]
Read MoreSilver Dollar City’s Succotash Recipe: The Comfort Food We Need Right Now
If you’ve ever been to the Ozarks, a region made up of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and the most southeastern parts of Kansas, you’ll know it’s characterized by a distinctive culture that permeates everything from the architecture to the dialect and traditional foods in the area. It’s pretty incredible. In the heart of this region, on the outskirts of Branson, Missouri, you’ll find Silver Dollar City, a theme park known for its unique rides, delicious food, and retro Ozarks theme. While you’ll find the typical hot dogs and hamburgers on the grounds, they also serve up some of the most incredible, down-home comfort food you can find anywhere. Maybe that’s why it’s the only theme park in the United States with its own culinary school! We could spend all day looking through their impressive dining options, but today we’re going to […]
Read More