Get thee to a winery!

It seems like wineries are popping up all over - it's no longer necessary to head to Napa or Bordeaux for a tasting and nice scenery. In fact, going down the road to Grapevine, Texas makes a great everyday vacation!

This past weekend, the weather was absolutely perfect. Perfect! A few clouds, temperatures in the 70's, light breeze. So my husband and I got in the car, opened the sunroof, and headed to La Buena Vida winery on College Street in historic Grapevine. This wonderful winery not only serves their own wines labeled as either La Buena Vida, La Bodega, or Springtown, but they also pour several additional labels as well. We decided to stick with the $7 tasting of 3 selections from their local listing, and while we probably loved the Cabernet the most, we decided on a bottle of the Blush to take out to the patio.

Ah, the patio! What a delightful place. There is lush landscaping, and Spanish-inspired tile fountains in an impressive mission-like setting. We selected a table near one of the fountains, opened our bottle, and "drank" in the sunshine and pleasant atmosphere. Later, we indulged in the tapas menu, settling on a snack of boursin cheese and crackers.

In the summer months, the patio at La Buena Vida is equipped with misting fans to keep you cool. In addition, Thursday evenings and Saturdays bring live entertainment to the patio - you don't want to miss my favorite, Andrea Dawson, who performs smooth jazz & blues there on a regular basis.

Don't live in the North Texas area? No problem. Check around your area for wineries within easy driving distance. If no wineries nearby, I'll bet you could find a pleasant tasting room. We go to lots of wineries throughout Texas, and all have their own unique pours and personalities - I'm sure you'll find a favorite, and enjoy the search!!

Taste some samples, then buy a glass or a bottle of your favorite, and spend a few hours getting away from it all, only you'll not have actually gone too far away.

Forced into a Vacation on the Patio

Or is that, Reduction-in-Forced into a vacation? Yes, I've become a victim of the dreaded RIF (or Reduction-in-Force) that is plaguing many of the nation's companies in this scary economy. So I'm not working now. Except that I like to think of all this unrequested time off as an opportunity for an Everyday (or, every day) vacation. At least the time between scouring monster.com and working with my outplacement coach. :)

Although I do have a severance package, I do have to watch the expenses because who knows how long my situation will continue? So I try to keep it simple.

Here in north Texas, despite some crazy scary weather, we've been blessed with a reasonably mild winter. The past couple of days in particular have been just gorgeous, with lots of sunshine and wonderful low-60's - low-70's temperatures. What a perfect time to hang out on the patio!

One of my favorite things to do is to sit on my patio and watch the world go by. We live in an apartment, but we chose one that had a lovely (albeit small) patio with a nice view. We've outfitted it with a bench/table combination with some pretty cushions. I've put up a faux-ficus tree and adorned it with white twinkle-lights. I also added a small radio - an old one I had, that I could live without if the elements were to finally get to it.

In the evenings, especially at sunset, we love to enjoy a glass (or 3) of wine on our patio and listen to the radio. As it gets dark, the twinkle lights on the faux-ficus add a lovely ambience. When we have friends over, we like to all sit out on the patio and just relax. It's a nice, simple, inexpensive (or free, if you forego the wine) way to get away from it all.

Especially for you apartment-dwellers: don't forget your patio or balcony! Sometimes living in an apartment feels like you don't have enough space or enough rooms. Consider your patio an extra room! Get some reasonably-priced, comfortable outdoor furnishings and make it your own little oasis. Some wonderful ideas I've seen on other people's patios:

• A small bistro table and two chairs set the scene for romantic al fresco dining
• Bar-height directors' chairs set next to the railing allow for maximum people-watching in an urban-style apartment complex
• Gauzy, flowy draperies add some privacy and create a Moroccan feel
• Hanging ferns and potted plants create a lush, gardenesque environment
• Chaise lounges with overstuffed cushions just like those in a swanky spa

Not a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme!

No, this is not some get-rich-quick scheme that will show you how to live the good life tomorrow if you only send me a few dollars to get started. Quite the opposite! I want to help you make your daily life vacation-like, without increasing the amount you have to spend.

So without further ado, I'd like to share an example of a free vacation-esque activity that you might also have available to you.

One thing my husband and I enjoy doing when we do get the chance to travel is to visit unique outdoor venues. Some favorites include the San Antonio zoo and the Natural Bridge Wildlife Park. These destinations not only charge admission, but they're a good 5 hour drive from where we live, and that kind of trip always requires at least one night in a hotel, too.

But for as little as $0.00, we can enjoy nature, right here in the suburbs! For We've recently discovered the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, TX. us, we can drive there in less than 5 minutes, or if we're feeling particularly energetic, we can get there on foot without too much trouble.

In addition to paved paths throughout, there are a number of natural unpaved hiking trails both through wooded areas and over flatlands. Although I don't indulge (yet) there are also mountain biking trails. There's a playground for the kiddos and a few pavillions with picnic tables and grills that can be reserved for special events. For those out for fitness, there are markings along the paved pathways that show you the distance you've traveled. All along the trails, there are bridges over creeks, lots of gorgeous scenery, and my personal favorite - scenic outlooks! Plus, if you download the interpretive trail map available at the website linked above, you'll find markers along the paths that detail the types of foliage and wildlife you're able to enjoy. We haven't yet, but we're planning a picnic before the weather gets too unpredictable this fall.

Who knew we had a little slice of outdoor adventure practically in our own back yard? What kind of outdoor fun can you have for $0.00 in your neck of the woods?

Everyday Vacations

I've adopted a new philosophy that everyone should love: Live every day like you're on vacation.

Now, you're probably thinking one or more of the following:
1) I'm not independently wealthy, so that's just flat impossible.
2) My goodness, that sounds ridiculously self-indulgent.
3) I don't like to travel, and even if I did, I don't have that much time for it.
4) Wow! I'm in!! Tell me more!!

In recent weeks I have found, that without significantly changing my daily routine or expense, I can still capture the feeling of being on vacation. OK, yeah, it's not a 24/7 situation. I agree that a significant bankroll and plenty of free time would be required to make that dream happen. But you can bring elements of vacation to each and every day, and this blog is going to help you do that. I want to hear your ideas, too!

Ready? Let's go - and you don't even have to pack a toothbrush! :)