8/23/15

Traveling Vineyard

Good Afternoon. I was exhausted so after meeting Kenyon for breakfast, I ended up going back to bed with him this morning.



I took a four our nap. I guess I needed sleep! I feel like my day is half over already.

After working a 12-hour shift yesterday I swing by the care center where my Grandma is staying at for a quick visit. She had back surgery July 15h and is slowly starting to improve. I know she hopes to get home soon and there is a chance perhaps sometime this week. Poor gal. I had stopped by Flying M for coffee so I took over three different cookies varieties for an afternoon treat. We shared them with Grandpa.

My friend Stephanie hosted a Traveling Vineyard wine party. I have never heard of it and this was Ashley's first home party since starting her business. She is also the only vendor in Idaho.



I didn't snap many photos as I got wrapped up in the fun. Wine tasting is always fun and this type of tasting also included some pairings with small bites of food to change or enhance the flavor. It was really great getting to know more about wines. Sadly, my pallet only likes sweet wines and they are usually the type that is last on the tasting flight and always the one with less choices. I enjoyed the sweet wine we tasted and decided to buy a bottle.



I liked the Traveling Vineyard but I have a hard time thinking it will take off as something as popular at Scentsy. The prices are just okay. If you are an expensive wine drinker then these prices are cheap. I drink $6 Barefoot wine from the local grocery store so paying $17.99 for a bottle of sweet wine is a bit spendy. There is also a $10 shipping fee on all orders up to $250. So if you ever go to a party be prepared to go in with others there and do one order for less shipping cost. Oh, and bring cash because they can't run individual cards for one single order. Despite not needing a $20 bottle of wine (total cost), this was Ashley's first party and the start of her new business. So I'll be drinking my expensive bottle of wine slowly...when I get it. You don't take wine home with you as she doesn't have an alcohol license.

It was still a really enjoyable night. It was also a late night and a long day as I didn't get home until around 11pm. After waking up at 3:45am it was a long day. I logged 10,000 steps according to the Apple Watch stats and met all my goals. I burned a total of 627 moving calories, exercised for 34 minutes, and stood (moved) 18 hours of my day. 





 I really love the results of this new Apple Watch and I'll fill you in tomorrow with a huge post.

8/21/15

A Tour Of The Nampa Karcher District

My trainer was out sick yesterday so I had the opportunity to drive around and get familiar with some of the Nampa City geography.

I started my geography lesson at the Mr. Hotshine car wash so I could get the Chief’s car looking spiffy again.  From there I headed to Fire Station Number 4 on Flamingo.  I am familiar with this location as it is near my grandparents retirement community.  Once I arrived I decided I’d have a little fun with my scavenger hunt and take selfies at each location. 



I had not been to the new Nampa Christian High School. 



I quickly found it but got a little lost from there.  I didn’t realize I was as far west as I was and was thinking if I went west from the high school on Flamingo I would get to Midland…wrong!  I ended up on Midway and knew I was too far from my planned next stop.  I decided to veer from my plan and continued south towards Lone Star Middle School.



I knew from there I was now back on my route and between Middleton and Midland so I headed to Roosevelt Elementary.  I spotted the park before the school itself. 



I headed back to Midland to try and find West Middle School. I used to live off Davis Avenue and remembered this middle school as soon as I spotted it. 


The Willow Creek Elementary sign was easy to spot and I thought the school was that old abandoned church.  I decided to investigate further and drove down Elementary Lane to find the school itself. 


My last stop before heading to the Treasure Valley Marketplace was Nampa Christian Elementary, which I knew right where to go. 




Despite being nervous to drive the Chief’s car I am glad it had the direction display.  It really helped me to put together the roads I am familiar with and the direction of travel I was driving.  This helps me visualize the area better, which is the whole purpose of driving around. 

It was an awesome opprotunity and I look forward to going again sometime.


8/20/15

Hokulia Shave Ice

The end of summer is approaching and I had yet to visit our local Hawaiian shaved ice stand. Hokulia Shave Ice came into the area two summers ago and every time I pass by one of them I am reminded of our trip to Hawaii in 2014. It seems the summer flies by and I never actually stop in and take a true trip down memory lane. So, on Tuesday I rounded up two of my favorite gal pals (and a tiny gal too) for a taste of Hawaii.







It was just as delicious at the shaved ice we had in Oahu. I picked their macadamia nut ice cream with tigers blood and blue Hawaii flavor. Shauna said it wasn't true Hawaiian unless I also got the sweet cream poured on top. She was exactly correct! It was every bit Hawaiian.

I am sad summer is almost over and most of the shaved ice stands are closing. I'll have to make sure I visit a few times next season.


Aloha!