Temecula

If you don't want to travel quite as far as Napa, and don't mind feeling like you're driving through the bowels of Southern California, aka the I.E. (Sorry friends from the IE), I recommend giving Temecula a shot.  When you mapquest Temecula, it will lead you to a cheesy mainstreet with all the trimmings a standard mountain town entails.  You know, saloon doors, antique shops, brick buildings, the works.  I suggest you drive past all of this hoopla into the hills which house the wineries.  There are a few Inns that you can stop at which offer guests free tastings and meals.  We happened upon one called The Inn at Churon Winery.

It was somewhat cheesy, but very quaint. We joked that it was as if we were in the hills of Tuscany...kind of. We checked in around 4pm on a Friday, and got $50 off our stay (the hostess was very nice).  After freshening up, we headed to the 5pm tasting and appetizer hour.  Once our palates were ready for dinner we decided to venture back to the main street area.
One delicious find: PUBlic.  Oh goodness, if you are a fan of seasonal and local fare, this is the place! I had the most delicious pork chop with apple, cinnamon, cranberry compote.  mmm...my mouth is still watering.  We walked around a bit and then headed back to the Inn, and our cozy, fireside bed.

For under $300, this luxurious getaway was a steal!  Too bad it was our last hurrah before 4 months of losing my husband to the County Hospital.  Bye bye honey, till then we'll have Temecula!

I Do

 

I have been searching for a free way to edit my photos.  I have found it! Thanks to other great blogs I now have a tool to distract me for hours and hours.  I love it! I do.

The Daily Torture I Like to Call the 101

Sure it looks pretty at night.  But at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, it's a whole other beast. 

I remember when I first had to switch my route to work from the 10 to the 101.  I was initially inspired by the beautiful rolling hills of Hollywood at sunrise, all those historic buildings off the freeway.  Yes, I was drawn in by her looks, then crushed by her fury.  When one stalled car after another extends your commute by 20 min.  that love doesn't last.  For this my friends is what I usually see:

Needless to say, I have fallen in love with my ipod.  I realize after months of listening to the radio, it's junk and sometimes fuels the anger that is already bubbling.  So, when something like Passion Pit comes on with their upbeat songs, I can't help but bob my head and tap my fingers.  When your body reacts like that, there's just no way road rage will take over.  And believe me, I work hard at controlling that demon.  That's why I need  some suggestions for some good bouncy music to counter the non-movement happening on the freeway.  Something along the lines of Phoenix, Matt and Kim, Postal Service, Death Cab...would be nice.  Can you help a sister out?