Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.....

So, I have been feeling a little guilty. I kinda left town and didn't say a word. In my defense....it was really last minute. But my family and some very dear friends decided to go for it. We rented a beautiful home in Chelan. And let me tell you...I realize now why so many of my customers and friends love it. I hadn't been in about 28 years and ohhhh my, how it has evolved!

What hasn't changed is the amazing scenery. Chelan is unsurpassed in it's beauty. Mother nature at her best. And we are truly the caretakers of some of the most breathtaking landscapes here in Washington. Living in such close proximity to the ocean and mountains really is a privilege that I will forever live in awe of.

But part of the experience of a vacation for me, is still the accommodations! After some digging, we came up with this wonderful cottage, plenty of space for two families and a swimming pool to boot.

Love this look!!

This kitchen was a dream. Everything was top of the line and amply stocked.

Disclaimer here...hideous light.

Having just learned the game of pinochle, this set-up couldn't have been any more perfect (sans the light). The kids swam for hours and hours, while we played cards....being able to keep an eye on them and still get in some adult fun!

This was the view from the patio and we took advantage of it every morning for breakfast, and every evening for dinner and cocktails.

In the years since my last visit, Chelan has become a premier wine region. Since the guys aren't real big wine drinkers, they took off for the day with the boys to the water park while my dear friend Cathy and I took off for a day of serious girl time. First stop....Hard Row to Hoe winery.

Now, I'm not one to be lured in by kitchy names. I wasn't sold on this place, even when we pulled up to the very fetching building with the awesome graphics. But sometimes taking a chance and going outside of the box can pay off.....

after all, we gotta meet Rudy (isn't he cute! Hubba, hubba). But all kidding aside...a more passionate winemaker could not be found! And after hearing the story of how the name for the winery came about (you'll have to read about it here), we were enamored.

This is Judy, owner of Row to Hoe. She was a lot of fun too, and quite informative. I loved how she challenged us to identify the different scents from each of the wines we tasted. I really, really want to brush up on this. It was very challenging! But we left with quite a few bottles and some wonderful recommendations for other wineries and places to eat.

Onto Tildio winery. This too, was a wonderful experience. We ran into a group of ladies who had booked a limo tour of the wine region here and they were having a bit too much fun! We had a good chuckle...unfortunately, at their expense. They weren't as interested in tasting as they were in having a good time. Can't say as I blame them...it was definitely what the wineries and the limo service want to promote. The winemaker here was equally as informative....I fell in love with a limited bottling of Robusto. It was a luscious aromatic wine and they had two cases left. I helped put a dent in that though!! Lunch was on the agenda from here. So onto....

Vin Du Lac winery. The winery is situated on the lake and has a beautiful peak-a-boo view of a resort. The grounds were lovely, and although I wasn't as impressed with my lunch....Cathy raved about her smoked chicken and beet salad. The surroundings made up for the meal though....I was smitten, and alas, redemption was found in the form of an amazing pumpkin creme brulee.

We ran into downtown and peeked through a couple of the boutiques before our appointment for a pedicure at Campbells Resort and Spa (I told you this was the ultimate girls day)! Pure heaven.

Later, we met up with the boys after their day of fun in the sun and changed for dinner. Tonight, we were going out and trying the recommendations from Rudy for a meal and the best view in town at Tsillan Winery.

Stunning indeed.

The next day was another day of fun in the sun on the water. The boys rented a boat and we were off for another adventure. It was hot, hot, hot....a perfect day to be brave and take a swim (this lake is fed by mountain run off and is cccooooldddd).

The kids and some of the adults tubed (yah, that includes me)!! I will spare myself the embarrassment of going into detail here....needless to say, grace is not my middle name and the water was like a jolt!!

After many days and nights of good friends, good food and lots of laughter, we spent our last evening on the beach roasting marsh mellows, enjoying the most amazing sunset, sipping cocktails and listening to music wafting down from the house above. It was a perfect ending and a wonderful vacation that will be remembered.

Now that the shop will be closed here soon, I am hopeful we can enjoy many more memories like this. Although the shop has been my pride and joy for the last few years...it hasn't been without a price. The luxury of taking a spur of the moment opportunity with my family like this wasn't even an option. Good things do sometimes come from lost hope. At least that's what I'm going with here. This must be what was in the cards....right? It does feel good.