Some days I have to pinch myself because I’m a very lucky gal to live where I live, and I try my hardest not to ever forget it.  This summer, I’ve clocked plenty of leisure hours at some of my favorite wineries, and wherever I go, I like to pick up a few specialty items to enhance our culinary dishes at home. 

Today, I’d like to giveaway a few of those decadent treats to one of you.  It’s been a great month for this blog, so it’s time to pass it along to you in gratitude for continuing to read my musings.  This weekend, I’m delighted to be giving away the following wine country related goodies to one reader!

Lemon infused olive oil from The Olive Press and my favorite fig balsamic vinegar from the famous ‘the girl & the fig’ restaurant. 

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Ho hum, life is moving at a slow pace this week and I’m getting lost in it. 

I’m catching up on some summer reads I’ve been waiting to dive into.

We’re watching our syrah grapes ripen in the sun.

We’re building tents out of canvas tarps in the backyard. 

We’re taking long naps under the ceiling fan during the hottest days.

We’re picking our share of blackberries.

We’re begrudgingly back to school shopping.

And I’m making grown up sorbet ~ a healthier alternative to my ice cream fixation. 

Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet

2 cups water

1.5 cups sugar

24 oz. blackberries

2 tbsp lemon juice

2-3 tbsp cabernet

(or any dry red wine like merlot or syrah)

Bring water to simmer in small saucepan, then stir in sugar until dissolved to make syrup, refrigerate to cool.  Meanwhile, rinse and puree blackberries, then pour through mesh strainer to remove seeds.  Add blackberry puree, lemon juice and wine to syrup, blend together.  Process mixture in ice cream maker per manufacturer’s instructions.  Freeze processed soft sorbet at least an hour before serving. 

Wishing you long leisurely days spent relaxing in the summer sun, enjoying what’s left of the season before the beauty of fall is upon us.  

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Congratulations to these two winners of the Simplify 101 Workshop  . . .

#206 Barbara Ann who wrote:

“Oh my!!   I would love this opportunity!  My office is a disaster area and is home to such random items- toys, files, dead plants, Christmas gifts! I really need a push to get organized and create a vision for this room!!”

#248  Hanna W. who wrote:

“I have the worst time with junk drawers!   No matter how many little basket you put in them, there are always things that need to be put away, and it seems I can never keep up with them. Little game pieces, parts and screws I may or may not ever need again, batteries, markers, padlocks…..aaaah!    And I think they multiply like bunnies every time I walk away from the drawer.  Please help!”

Winners, email me and I’ll get you started !

I began this transition from baby room to big boy space several months ago, but I hit a few road blocks along the way.  One of the challenges was finding a proper dresser for my little guy ~ one that provided plenty of storage, complemented the style of his room, and was the proper scale for the wall where it sits.

For months, I’ve had my eye on the IKEA Hemnes dresser in white.  I delayed purchasing it because it’s a two hour round trip to the closest IKEA, and it’s $300 buckaroos, plus California state tax, plus assembly.  Grrrr.  Delay. Delay. Delay. 

So when I spied a listing for an Hemnes dresser on Craiglist last week for sale by a couple in my hometown for half the retail price, I scooped it up.  Only problem ~ it was black.  Not that I don’t like black furniture, but it was too dark for the little lad’s room. 

So I painted it.  Then added some blue stripey trim around the drawers just for fun. 

Before:

After:

Perfect !

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