What I'm Loving Wednesday Tired Style

I'm loving that harvest has started in my neck of the woods! It's still early in the season, but I did catch Dad unloading the last of the corn in his first field last week.

Unfortunately, the crop has been affected by the drought that many of us experienced this summer so harvest will probably be much quicker this year. However, we are thankful that there IS a crop out there. Many farmers can't say the same this year.

I'm loving that I have the next four days off of work! I have a silly habit of hoarding my vacation time until the end of the year (our year end is 9/30) and then having to take several days off so as not to lose them. Luckily, I work for corn & soybean farmers and they are a bit busy right now (see above) so our office slows down a bit this time of year.

I'm loving that I spent my first day of vacation with my two nieces and one nephew as a stand-in babysitter. We built a cool sheet tent behind my big red couch. Why? Because my nephew asked me to.

We had a good time, even with my youngest niece deciding to "paint" herself with her own poo (sorry for the oversharing but I had to) during her afternoon nap.

I'm loving that my baby sister asked me what I got done today. I told her that I watched a 19-month-old, 23-month-old and a 4-year-old. That's what I got done today! That and some browsing on Pinterest...

I'm loving that Starbucks has decided to load their free drink rewards coupon (that will come after 12 drinks, not 15) right to my card instead of sending me a postcard. I swear that I don't always get them!

However, I'm quite sad that they are taking away the free syrups. I may have to start re-considering my signature drink OR try to re-create it at home like I did this morning...

I'm loving that I spent last Friday night with a handful of ladies - both farm gals and not - touring some wonderful farms in Johnson County, Indiana - including Keegan Poe's farm in Franklin. He talked to us about how he raises his cattle, how he sells freezer beef, pork & lamb direct to consumers, and we visited the pasture to meet his herd, including this gal (or fellow, I'm not sure).

We finished the farm tours at Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville and learned that unlike the corn and soybeans, Indiana wine grapes endured and even flourished in this summer's drought. After the tour of the vineyards and the wine-making barn (not sure what to call it), we even got to taste! Yum.

I may or may not have taken 4 bottles (the box fits 4 bottles!) home with me and wishing I bought a couple others.

I'm loving linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday over at this kind of love.

Indiana Wine...It's Fine

Way back when I visited the Indiana State Fair this summer (thanks to Indiana Soybean Alliance), I visited with Jeannette of the Indiana Wine Grape Council about Indiana's signature wine and a cool app the Council has for folks interested in Indiana wines.

First let me tell you that I enjoy Indiana wines. I'm not a wine snob and I tend to like sweeter wines over dry wines, white wine over red wine and free wine over wine I have to buy myself! My stand-by wines when I'm out (or at home) are Chardonnay and Pino Grigio.

After visiting with Jeannette and bringing home a bottle of Traminette (Indiana's signature wine) courtesy of Easley Winery and the Indiana Wine Grape Council, I opened up my special cabinet (it's in a lower kitchen cabinet...can you tell I don't have children) and discovered that I had some other Indiana wines already in the house!

The above photo was taken way back in August. I have since consumed two of the bottles and given the third as a gift! The Traminette was quite good. If you've never heard of it, check out this web site. Traminette is made from hybrid grapes bred to grow well in Indiana - especially survive our harsh winters.

Also, while I was at the Indiana State Fair, I visited the Council's exhibit in the Ag/Hort Building and learned that we have LOTS of wineries around the state.

Jeannette also clued me in that the Indiana Wine Grape Council was THE first (or at least one of the first) state council to introduce a free iPhone app - Indiana Winery Guide - allows users to look up their favorite Indiana wines and see pricing...

and to find their favorite wineries, get directions and contact information...

find Indiana winery trail lists...

and learn more about specific Indiana wines...like Tramniette!

It's a very cool app. I don't have an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, so Jeanette let me use hers to look around. It made me not only want to run out and buy an iPad but also plan a weekend trip to some of the wineries around the state. Read more about the app at the Council's blog.

Don't forget to enter my CSN Stores giveaway. Deadline is November 24!