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As the weekend arrives and we dive deeper into December and ever closer to the end of the year, I am gradually organizing my Christmas Eve tapas party, considering which recipes to try again and which to attempt for the first time. Just as important, I'm planning my wine and cocktail menu as well. And since I tend to prefer a glass of red wine or prosecco, I know exactly what I want to serve.
Last week, I had the fortunate opportunity to interview the vintners of a local winery that creates the most scrumptious, buttery chardonnay I have found in the Walla Walla Valley. Lori and Tim Kennedy were kind enough to be interviewed and invite me to their vineyard where I became better acquainted with their venture into wine. And what I discovered was quite inspiring. Do be sure to view the winery spotlight of Don Carlo Vineyard.
As I continue along my journey here on The
Simply Luxurious Life, my desire is to share with you tips, opportunities and insights into how to increase the quality of your life without breaking the budget, and while I know on the surface wine tasting might seem an exceedingly extravagant hobby or interest (trust me, I did too before I moved near the Walla Walla Valley), what I have discovered is quite the contrary. So if you're not terribly familiar with wine, but have a curiosity that has been piqued, join me as I periodically share with you ways to enjoy wine while sticking to your budget and learn about wineries whose wine is worth tasting and adding to your wine rack or cellar. Hard work for me I know, but somebody's gotta do it.
And since I know many of you are planning your very own dinner parties or holiday gatherings in the next few weeks, here is a post from the archives that might come in handy . . .
First of all, I want to thank you for your patience regarding last week's newsletter snaffu. As you will notice, this week's newsletter is a double issue including this week and last week's posts. And to extend my gratitude, I was able to squeeze in one last giveaway before the end of 2012, so do be sure to enter. Penguin books extended the opportunity to send a just released deluxe edition of Vahram Muratyan's Paris Versus New York: A Tally of Two Cities
hardcover book full of the original illustrations as well as 35 new illustrations to one lucky Simply Luxurious Life reader. Simply enter by Thursday, December 20th, and while the winner won't receive their copy before Christmas, it is certainly a book I adore and think you will too especially if you have a soft spot for Paris and New York City (click here to enter).
With a handful of posts that captured readers attention these past few weeks on the blog, for anyone who is single during this year's holidays, I have a post
you might what to take a look at. It has stirred up wonderful conversation, and as I can attest, it is not a time to dread, but a time to revel in and make your own as one of our readers explains her dream-like plans to travel to Paris in just a few weeks (oh, what a wonderful place to be this time of year).
And of course, the planner that I am couldn't help but get excited about making my resolutions for 2013, so last week's Why Not . . . ? shared a glimpse into how I go about making sure my resolutions become realities in the months ahead.
I can hardly believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away, which means this weekend will be full of holiday home decorating and Christmas card writing. Perhaps as well a favorite film, a cozy fire and taking care of the last few gifts on my shopping list. I must admit I
tend to enjoy the preparation and good spirit leading up to the 25th maybe even more than the day itself. And I guess that's lesson for life in general, is it not? To enjoy the journey as much as the destination? Either way, while en route or arriving at our destination, to have two wonderful things to enjoy is evidence of a very good life indeed. Have a wonderful, festive weekend everyone, and until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
-Shannon
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