A Mom and Her Car

January 2020 WIPs I am a new cross stitcher, but already I am starting more cross stitching projects than I can handle. But that's part of the fun, right?  So here are my January WIPs--let's see what kind of progress I can make! Year-Long Stitch Along My biggest project to date is definitely taking on the Linens and Threads 2020 Stitch Along. For those of you who have not heard of it, head over to their 2020 SAL page and check it out. The designers release a piece of the pattern monthly about the first of every month for an entire year. They have done this since 2017, and if you want, the 2017, 2018, and 2019 patterns are already released for you. You can join the 2020 at any point. This year's bonus is that each month's pattern will also have an ornament, which matches one of my stitching goals nicely (see below).  I got a good start on January's pattern because of the holiday break from work. I am stitching on 14 count aida I found in a fabri...

The Wine List I set a goal in late 2019 to try 1,000 different wines while making 50,000 stitches. I will keep my list of wines updated here. While many of these will be tasted in or near my hometown, I hope to try many wines while traveling with my family. December 2019 2017 Torr Na Lochs Malvasia Bianca -- 3.8 Alman Negra Red Blend -- 4.1 2017 Apothic Smooth Red Blend -- 3.7 Phantom Chardonnay -- 4 Apothic White Blend -- One of my favorite value whites! Stella Rosa Moscato -- I do not like this one, but everyone I know loves it--great value sweet wine 2018 Fall Creek Chenin Blanc -- 3.6 2014 VDR Very Dark Red -- 4.1 2008 The Goose -- 4.0 Porto Neoport Dry White -- 3 2017 Anko White -- 4.0 I really like this white! Twin Springs sweet red -- 3.5 Cheap sweet red that would be a good add to a party Bonanza California Cabernet Sauvignon --4.0 2017 14 Hands Pinot Grigio -- 3.8 Great value white 2011 EHRET Family Winery Bella's Blend -- 4.0 Neyah Sweet Bubbly ...

Haunted Hotel, Wine, Boats, and Caves Do you like haunted hotels? How about wine? If so, you should head to Carlsbad, New Mexico and visit T he Trinity hotel.  We stayed a night in Carlsbad recently on our way to Ruidoso, New Mexico, and it was worth the stop. We learned about a nearby winery, Balzano Family Vineyards . They weren't open for tastings, but when I called, the person who answered the phone sent us to a free (yes, you read that right) wine tasting at The Trinity. So off we went.  The Wines I tried three wines, and they were all great. My first was a Pinot Grigio I liked so much that I took a bottle home with me. The 2018 Luna Rossa Pinot Grigio has a slightly floral scent, and was just sweet enough for this dry wine. While I had it in the winter, I bet this one is great on the patio in the summer. It's rated as a 3.8 on Vivino, and I think I gave it a 3.5.  The second wine I tried was their 2018 Luna Rossa Chardonnay . This was a decent Char...

Travel, Sip, and Stitch I started this blog almost a year ago, and I'm just now coming back to it. My plan is to use it to document the following: 1. Travel--mostly travels my family takes, but occasionally some solo trips thrown in for fun. I am married to my engineer husband of 12 years, and we have two sons, 10 and 9 years old.  2. Wine--my husband and I knew nothing about wine until we recently bought a house with a big wine refrigerator in it. Since then, we've set out to start learning about wine. I know very, very little, other than I like whites and he likes reds. Follow along as we learn more.  3. Cross stitch--I have recently started cross stitching. It's a nice little calming habit I've tossed in there with all the other chaos in my life. So you may see a project or two thrown into my posts.  If you are reading this, hopefully you enjoy at least one of the above. If not, who knows what else I'll end up throwing in here.