Falling for my Front Porch

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year.  It feels like starting over for me.  I think because for so many years I equated it to school starting; first as a student and then in my adult years as the teacher.  It was a time of new school supplies, cool mornings, crisp aromas, sweaters and boots, and just an overall feeling of "something new in the air."

Now that I'm retired, my love of Fall is still there.  Today, Honey and I worked on "sprucing up" the front door area with some seasonal touches that make it come alive and welcome Autumn with a smile.

I present, our front door!

So, a little back story...

Honey's parents built our home in 1963 (3 years before I was even born by the way).  We purchased the home from them almost 20 years ago.  When we first bought it, our plan was to do some minor improvements and then build the home of our dreams.  I was not "over the moon" for this split-level home that felt dated and not really like my style.  Well, the best laid plans quickly gave way to 20 years of interior and exterior improvements, and to the say the least, we quickly made this the home of our dreams.  It has housed our children, family gatherings, friends, parties, lots of high-school kids, pets, and our entire marriage.  It's been our dream home because we've done a lot of dreaming, living, and loving here.  Eventually, we plan to down-size because it's just us now and that home will be our next dream.  We love our split-level because it's been a great home.

So now on to the decor.

Our front porch has planter boxes built onto the concrete slab.  One of the first things I did was have them covered with custom cut fabricated stone tops that are still going strong 18 years later.  I have those turquoise pottery planters which have turned over pots inside so that I can place plants right on top.  I've never wanted to plant anything permanently inside because I like to change my options.  Over the summer they held the ferns you now see on the bottom.  I placed the mums in there, and when the time comes, they will get planted in the back yard in a more permanent place.

To the right, I added a bale of straw that we purchased from Tractor Supply.  I found the great metal "Give Thanks" yard art from Big Lots.  It's wedged into the bale using the metal spikes on the bottom of the art.   I also found the sweet "Thankful" pillows from there as well. They have a copper colored piped edge which coordinates with the scripted font.  The chairs were purchased years ago from Marshals and have been sprayed many times with Rustoleum's Oiled Rubbed Bronze spray paint.  They've stood the test of time and really add something to the front entryway.  The pumpkins and gourds are a combination of faux and real, purchased at Michaels and Lowes respectively (some recently, some over the years).  We added the black feathered crow this year from Lowes.  He was an affordable $6.99 and I just couldn't resist his iridescent features and beady red eyes.  He stands on a plastic base, so I just drilled a screw through the base into the bale of hay.  The bale is very densely packed so it's in there pretty strong.

Because we use the door on the left as our main entry door, I don't put as much decor on the left.  People who come to the front door are naturally led to the left door because of this.

The jack-o-lantern is so old that he's a bit faded, but it adds to his personality and he has a light-bulb inside for the evening hours.  He too has some real and faux friends hanging with him and his plant buddies.

One the doors, I have these gems.

One of the down-sides to having 2 doors is that you have to have 2 wreaths or 2 forms of decor.  It can get very expensive so I have a few options to get me through the seasons.  I quickly realized that purchasing wreaths was going to be an expensive endeavor, so I also have a few "blank" wreaths that get made and remade over and over again.  Because our entry is pretty sheltered from the elements, I don't have to worry about damage to my door decor.   I made the current decor about 3 years ago with florals from Hobby Lobby.  Their long baskets make them unique, but I do have to attach the left one at the bottom with a Command Strip so that it stays well put when the door is opened and closed.  The florals are simply stuffed inside the basket so that one day, when I need to make some changes, they will easily come out and I can recycle and reuse all the elements that I can.

Here's a great close-up shot of some of the beautiful and organic elements of these arrangements.

Not to be outdone, I did create a small vignette for the inside entry.

I was cleaning up some of my backyard bushes today and took a gathering of aging hydrangea blooms, coleus, sedum, and Golden Euonymus branches to create this large bouquet.  I added 2 faux pumpkins and it was done.

I love how the deep pinks and rusts play off the lime greens and deep greens of the leaves.  I should be able to keep it going for about 2 weeks before I need to refresh or start again.

I hope you are enjoying the new season.  While it's still hot and humid here, I can feel the change in the air and that's okay with me.

It's Wine Time in New York!

The Hudson River Region in mid-state New York has many wineries, of which we visited two during our short stay in the area.  Let's talk today about the first one, Benmarl Winery the 2017 Hudson Valley Winery of the Year! (2018 has not been announced yet!). The vineyard has been growing grapes since the 1700's and only three families have owned and operated it.  They strive to create balanced wines that are the best of the best, and they have the medals, vineyard awards, and "Wine Enthusiast" magazine awards to prove it.

Right outside the bow window of the tasting room was this classic truck, rusting gracefully among the late summer flowers.

Located in Marlboro, NY, this winery was about 30 minutes from our campground and was nestled on the side of a beautifully appointed mountain which overlooked a portion of their 37 acre vineyard and the valley below.  A very large tent was set up, readied for the annual grape-stomping event that was happening during the weekend.  It was easy to see how this could also be a wonderful wedding and party venue for anyone looking for a rustic but elegant location.  It was also perfect for a day-trip with friends, family, or a sweetheart.

Some of their award wining wines, proudly sporting their various medals.  I only captured this bit.  There was a mantle full of awards as well as other tables with medals and bottles!

I am a white wine drinker as reds give me headaches and are always a bit too dry for my taste.  My darling friend Angie (she and her husband are our friends as well as camping buddies) likes reds, so she tasted several and took home a few of them as well.  Sweet honey and I tried the whites.  The 2017 Seyval Blanc is a gold medal wine, a bit on the dryer side with hints of tart green apples.  My favorite by far was the 2017 Stainless Steel Chardonnnay.  Very crisp with a bit of an acidy aftertaste - which I love!  I also loved the 2016 Traminette; very flowery and a touch sweet.  We opted as well for the oaked 2016 Reserve Chardonney.  It is aged in old Hungarian oak so it has a great buttery taste that you cannot find in steel aged wines.  I like both types, so it's really just a preference when picking.

I am in no way a wine expert.  I just know what I like and don't like, and with each wine tasting I attend I try to learn a bit more about the process of making wines as well as how to taste and understand a wine.  I tend towards wines that are just a bit sweet and leave a nice aftertaste.  My palette is definitely not refined but I know what I like when I drink it!

Of course, there were MANY wines to taste and pick, however, we tasted 6 in total that day.

Each tasting is accompanied by an informative sheet which lets you know about the wines available for tasting, as well as what would go great with that wine.  When I can, I keep these for reference for future selections with our dinners.  It's also great to have these on hand if you gift a bottle to someone.  You can easily write the information and suggestions on a wine tag or card!  You can see that I make copious notes on these sheets.  I like to remember specific things about the wines and why I like it.

The grounds of the winery are beautiful.  It was an overcast day, but the sun would occasionally peak through the clouds.  There were several areas to sit and watch the valley below or, if you prefer, you could tour the sweet gift shop and buy a wine related trinket or two.

We did not go into the B & B, but it was very reminiscent of a Swiss Chalet or Old European building.

View from the rear of the buildings, overlooking the valley and some of the vines.

Another view of the vines along the left back.  The majority of the current vineyard was planted in the 1960's and are some of the oldest vines for winemaking in the entire Hudson Valley.

Repurposed barrels as a water feature among the last of the summer blooms.  I love when they go to seed and start to gently brown and curl at the edges.  It gives it a romantic feel.

This moss covered gazebo at the top of a short set of natural stairs would be an oh so romantic place for wedding vows or photos.  It's nestled in the trees, slightly away from the vineyard buildings.

As I conclude this post, I would highly recommend a visit to this laidback winery for a taste of the vine and a bit of a respite from stress and worry.  Look for my next post about the other winery we visited that day as well.  It came as a recommendation from Benmarl Winery!

I leave you with this sweet gem...

Breaking the rules... one sip at a time!

September Essential Rewards

I love the beginning of each month.  It's when Young Living posts their Essential Rewards (ER) Freebies for all members signed up for ER.

Essential Rewards is a great, easily managed system of ordering monthly from Young Living.  I like it because it doesn't add cost to your budget as it replaces purchases you normal buy each month.

Here's an example:
We typically purchase items like shampoo, conditioner, lotions, make-up, dish soap, laundry detergent, baby products, cleaning products, cough drops, and supplements at a variety of stores at any given moment in the month.  The cost to us is what's on the tag.  IF you have a credit card and/or loyalty card from that store, you may receive a discount, or earn points (like 5000 points which equals $5.00 ONCE you've acquired that threshold).  However, does that store also offer you 24% off the price immediately upon purchase?  If you purchase a certain dollar amount do they give you FREE items? Well, YL does that with their ER members.

Let me break it down:
Each month, I go into my YL account and start my "list" of items that need to be ordered.  I add and delete the list as needed, refining it many times over and over until I get it exactly right for our family.  I pick my processing date for the month (which can be changed monthly as you see fit) and wait for it to be processed.  My payment is processed on that date...not before.  Because I have been an ER member of several years (explained in the video below), I EARN 25% of my purchase BACK each month in what are called ER points.  I let them ride and accrue each month until I want to purchase something with those points.

YES, I get an immediate 24% discount on the cost of each product PLUS earn 25% in points in addition.

So why is ER so great?

1 - I get to try products that I otherwise would not try, or maybe even know about.  For the month of September, YL has thoughtfully put together items that support your family and keep them above the wellness line.  Back to school can mean increased needs for wellness.  Our home personally uses Digize frequently, and we take Inner Defense daily.  I could not function if I didn't have these two items in our home.

2 - If I spend $300 for the month, I will get my ER points added to my account, AND receive all 6 products below for FREE.  The cost of purchasing those products out of pocket is a whopping
$241.12!

3 - As I need items from YL, like Frankincense in the 15ml bottle ($99.34 retail cost; $75.50 member cost) I can use ER points to "purchase" my bottle and pay only for shipping.  Shipping for me is $6.99.  Bottom line, my bottle will cost me $6.99!

4 - You are only required to order $50 each month to remain and stay in ER each month an earn your discounts.  Once your order reaches $100, you being receiving free product as indicated in the picture above.  I know many members wait to process their order to see what the freebies are each month and then customize their order accordingly.

5 - Members can opt of ER at any time with no penalties.  However, once you opt out, you start back at the 10% points earned threshold.

Young Living has a great video explaining Essential Rewards.

If you are already a member, it's super easy to sign up for ER right in your YL Virtual Office.  When you sign up, I will send you a FREE gift from me.  In addition, I am available to help you navigate virtual office if it's easier for you.

If you are not a member, simply join my Joyfully Unspoiled team and receive a FREE gift from me.  I can help you as well with this, simply contact me and we can chat.

Happy Oiling!

The Gaylord National Harbor

This past weekend was the Elevate Conference held at the beautiful Gaylord Resort National Harbor. The conference was a chance for me to learn and network with other Young Living Independent members as well as experience this amazing resort. If you are looking for a beautiful place to rest, relax, and stay while taking in the nearby sites, then the Gaylord is for you.

Taken from the Potomac River side

This hotel is literally breathtaking, and provides both restaurants, shops, cafes, a spa, ballrooms, and beautifully appointed rooms and suites.

It starts with a stunning atrium that has glass elevators and balconied rooms.  I highly recommend that you book an "Atrium Room" if that's in your budget.  You will not be disappointed.  You get an amazing view of the Potomac through the atrium as well as the twice nightly laser fountain show, and I was lucky enough to be right above the area where two weddings occurred.  It was lovely watching them from my private balcony.

The atrium has wooden covered bridges that cross over small water falls and lead you down flower lined pathways. Two boutiques are nestled within, appearing as small houses in a brick courtyard.

It's not hot at all in the atrium, but it's always filled with beautiful light.  In fact, the weddings were held at a time when the sun was just setting below the roof of the atrium and the wedding gazebo was bathed in filtered sunlight.  During the first wedding, a gifted saxophone player played Great is Thy Faithfulness that swelled and filled the whole atrium.  I admit, I teared up and could hardly catch my breath.

I highly recommend a visit, even if just passing through the area, and not staying at the Gaylord.  Daily visitors are welcomed to enjoy the atrium,lobby amenities, and restaurants.

Until next time...