Temecula, CA Wine Country

I moved to Murrieta, CA about 7 weeks ago.  And we're right next to Temecula (Murrieta and Temecula are pretty much "twin cities").  Today, my grandma, Nan as I call her, suggested we take a drive to the Wine Country in Temecula, on the Southeast side of town.  After some maneuvering through town for about a half an hour- there was a ton of construction and we still get turned around- and a trip to Starbucks we made it to our first winery.  No, we didn't actually sample anything; we just wanted to look around.

It kind of sucked that all the trees are dead right now, but it was still a gorgeous day.

This winery is actually owned by a friend of ours.  Well, co-owned and he doesn't do much with the business.  It's a beautiful place.  All the photos to follow are from there.

This is the view from the wedding site.

Inside the tasting room.

The last time my mom was here with my step-dad she said there was no one here, but the place was busting with people when we were there.

These trees always remind me of "Under the Tuscan Sun" when her friend is standing under them and she calls them "creepy Italian trees."  So, true they are weird.

Even though the vines are all dry it's still a gorgeous view.

After we left Leoness, we took a long drive to the end of the wine trail then circled back around to head back into Temecula.  We thought about stopping for lunch, so we stopped here at Ponte Winery.

However, the restaurant was not cheap, and so we just meandered into the tasting room to check it out (and we used the bathroom :)

Nan, shopping in the Ponte tasting room.

Lots and lots of wine.

After we left here we headed back to Temecula, and went to Panera Bread for lunch.  All around it was a fun day out in Wine Country.  Can't wait for friends to come and visit so we can share it with them.

Antique Stores

Here in the Temecula/Murrieta area of California there are a lot of antique stores.  I was surprised.  I'm originally from Ohio, a state that is crammed with antique stores, and I wouldn't have thought there would be so many in California.  But I've found a few that I love.



The first, is Granny's Attic.  This place is 30,000 sq feet of antiques.  Yes, 30,000 sq feet.  I felt like I could spend all day there.  I bought some measuring spoons, measuring cups, an old flour sack cut-out, and an 8mm camera.  With the first 3 things I made this:

And here's the 8mm:

I got this little baby for $8.  It pays off when the dealer was having 75% off!



This is the next antiques store I love.  It's right in Old Town Temecula.  It's a busy one and not as big as the other, but it has a great atmosphere.  I got a camera from the 1940's and a old copy of "Pride and Prejudice" there.

It was made in 1948- the year my dad was born.  It's so cool.  I might get some film and see what kind of photos it takes.

Well, that's it for now.  I'm sure there will be more antique shopping trips to come, and I will be sure to share.

A Terrible Blogger

I have to say that I am the worst blogger.  I will post a few at a time then I get busy, or just distracted and I forget about my blog.  Well, I have been busy.  Working A LOT!  And just getting acclimated to California.  I have been crafting, though.  Not really creating tutorials, though.  I apologize for that.  Here's what I've been up to:

Shadow box I made from a vintage flour bag, measuring cups, and measuring spoons I bought at Granny's Attic in Temecula.  That place is huge and I think I spent 2 hours there but I could have spent all day there.

I bought this crate at the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Temecula.  It was made there I think from random pieces of wood.  Then I spary painted it black, and then I brushed on some blue paint and it kind of gave it an antique look.  Great place for shoes.  I'm not a fan of shoes around the house.

Our condo was built in the 70's so not everything is very energy-efficient including the fireplace.  There's a breeze that comes through the fireplace (notice how the cover is bulged out).  And so it's freezing in our living room.  So I made this cover to help block the cold.  I put fleece on the inside and some velcro on the edges to secure it.  I plan to put some beans in the top skinny part to make it even more secure.

This is Angel.  And this is the doggy cape I made her.  She doesn't like it much.  But she's warm.  And it's better than the sweater Nan would put on her where she had to put her legs through it.  I'd like it if I had one lol

I bought this tea towel at the dollar store for... $1 lol.  Then I ruffled the fabric and sewed it on.  Cheap cheap.  There's another one I have to do but it takes a lot of time and patience to sew ruffles that small, so I'll get to it some time.

My favorite project so far.  A new wreath for the front door.  I wanted something winter-y.  I bought a wreath form, wrapped it in white fabric I got from the remnant bin, then made a flower from a grey cordoroy fabric I got from the remnany bin and used that for the strips around the wreath, and then I bought some little sparkly sticks, like filler for bouquets (I don't know what you call them).  I love it.

So, that's what I've been up to when it comes to my crafts and sewing.  I really haven't been baking although I think I might make some cupcakes or something today.  I'll try to keep you posted.