The things that come with holidays

First, you swirl it around while it's in the glass, then you press your face into the opening and sniff, next comes the act of drinking - but don't swallow! - instead, swish it around inside your mouth for a few seconds. Okay, now you can swallow. Feel the taste swelling inside your mouth? The floral scent, or maybe some blueberries? This is wine-tasting. This is my new obsession.

I love holidays when they are accompanied with a trip to, well, really, anywhere. This year I went to Smicksburg, PA, with some friends to immerse myself in Amish life and wine tasting at Windgate Winery.



They may or may not be pretending . . .


Hannah hoarding her blackberry and cherry . . .


They have the best fruit wines. My mouth waters at the thought.

Onto the town of Smicksburg, which is very rural (and Amish). Shops are set up inside farm houses and the only indication that they are there are the small signs along the road. This involves a lot of turning around as said signs are hardly noticed on first pass. But once you commit to a sign, hence a store, you will be glad you exercised your reverse.

I went for the Pumpkin Pie fudge. The calories were worth it.

Some things end with a question mark

The snow is pulling on my heart strings. I was just thinking today how it never snowed in London, and while I enjoyed not having to worry about slipping on the sidewalk, I missed that soft blanket that covered everything I took for granted. Or sometimes it fell just enough to highlight things I ignored.