Veraison

The summer is screeching to a halt faster than we'd like to acknowledge. While it's been full and wonderful against that ol' yardstick of summertime adventure, the days have been less (okay, truthfully none) of the umbrella-drink-in-the-hand-toes-in-the-sand variety and more of the carsick-bags-and-schlepping-gear-and-overtired-toddler mayhem. So imagine how lovely it was to drop the children off with my parents and spend an entire day in the Columbia River Gorge winetasting with dear friends.

An incredible gift. At one of the wineries, the pourer talked about the ripening process of the grapes, known as veraison. Colors begin appearing in the grape clusters, a sign of the impending season of picking and crushing. It's a time of great anticipation for vintners as they begin the anxious waiting period before harvest. The day in the Gorge felt a bit like our own veraison-- a day to be calm and reflective as we prepare for the fall bounty of volleyball practices, soccer matches, and back-to-school nights.

And speaking of gifts, we just returned from two fun-filled days with the grandparents and sweet cousins in Kah-nee-ta. Snapshots of horseback trail rides and teepee tales coming soon...