Birthdays and Wine

I may be back stateside after my awesome trip back to Saskatchewan, but that doesn't mean that there isn't still plenty to blog about!  I always try to be home for my mom's birthday, and two days before her's is our family friend Kenny's.  We had Ken and Susan out to the Landing for supper and cake and a few drinks on the Saturday before mom's actual birthday, and just like last year, we had a great time. 

ON Mom's actually birthday, we headed down to Maple Creek, our old stomping' grounds.   Our main purpose for the trip waste go to one of my favorite places in the world, the Cypress Hills Winery.  We ended up stopping in Maple Creek for lunch, at a restaurant we had just recently heard of, The Inn at Redmond House.  Turns out it was a delicious choice.  Mom had Cream of cauliflower soup and a sausage and sauerkraut sandwich, and I had a delicious Salmon and Avocado salad.   This restaurant was the 2013 winner of several awards and I can't wait to come back to spend a night and have Saskatchewan's best steak!  

The winery is just a short drive from Maple Creek into the start of the Cypress Hills, were I lived for the first few years of my life.  I may be biased, but it really is one of the most beautiful places in the world.  When we arrived, it was just the same as I remembered.  Rolling hills, green grass and a beautiful blue sky like only Saskatchewan has.

The actual restaurant and winery, are always perfectly manicured, with gorgeous, welcoming shrubbery and flowers.  After a nice walk of the vineyard and the grounds, we headed for the gift shop, of course our favorite part.  They have the cutest trinkets and wine related treats.

We then went for the tasting room.   Kyle, our pourer, let us try each one, and I got to try a few that are new since the last time, I was there, about two years ago.  The rhubarb mix, and the Spring, I had never tried and were delicious!  Honestly, this is some of the best, and most unique wine I have ever tried.

We had a great afternoon, and on the way home, we got a Geocache near the town of Gull Lake.  It was quite the adventure, and it almost ended with a double trip to the ER after sliding down a hill, in our bare feet through a giant ant hill.  We also stopped at one of my favor restaurants in Swift Current, Original Joes for supper with Grandma Jean.  I had my first Caesar in a year and remembered why this is my favorite drink in life.  I also Instagramed it and could win a trip to Vegas, so it was even better.  

Well, I should finish up  and get ready for my brother in laws wedding today!  Everything is perfect and I can't wait to finally have a sister!

Fab Friday Faves 07.18.14

Happy Friday everyone!  This is a quick and late Friday Faves.  I am nearing the end of my visit home and here are a few of my favorite things from my trip so far.  

1. Flax fields in bloom, the most beautiful crop!

2. This book, I didn't buy it but I want it, and it looks fantastic.  I love random trivia!

3. My nails, my first pretty gel nails in way too long.  They were done by the fabulous Melanie in Swift Current and match my dress for Luke and Vanessa's wedding next weekend.

4. My best mommy and I at the Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery.  We had a great afternoon and some of my favorite wine in the world.

5. A Caesar!  So much better than a Bloody Mary, and only available in Canada.  Love these, and at Original Joes, if you  Hashtag #CaesarLove on instagram you can win a trip to Vegas!

Today I am linking up with:

Lauren @ The Lauren Elizabeth
Lauren @ Style Elixir

A Lovely Visit and Some Redneck Time

Last Thursday, I made the trip to Caronport, SK, to visit my aunt and uncle in at their new acreage.  I hadn't had a good visit with them in much too long so I was excited to get to see  their new place and get a tour of the area.  The drive out was gorgeous.  The Canola fields are in full bloom and because of all the rain, everything is green and lush.  When I arrived, I got a full tour of the new house and shop and a lovely lunch before a short trip to the surrounding area.  

We went to Pelican Lake, in the Thunder Creek Heritage Marshes area, near Caronport, for a walk along the shore and some lovely pictures of the fields.

I saw the first wild Prairie Lilies that I think I have ever seen.  I always wondered why they are our provincial flower.  Now I know!  So Pretty!

We drove a little further down and got to see why it is named Pelican Lake.  There were hundreds or Pelicans and shorebirds all chilling out, people free until we got there at least.

We also found some pretty cool fossils and petrified wood.  According to my my smart archeology major cousin, this is the fossil of a Osteichthyes bony fish.  

And of course, in Saskatchewan tradition, cows.  Moo.

After a lovely afternoon and a great visit, I headed home.  The sunset on the way was gorgeous, nothing new in the Land of the Living Skies.

On Friday, Jesse and I went in to Swift Current for the Truck and Tractor Pulls.  We love these!  There were some really cool, souped up trucks and tractors.  It was the first night of two so there wasn't really any winners that night but just seeing the awesome vehicles was enough.  Too much fun but it went really late and the 10c temperature almost gave my hypothermia.  Guess next time I will wear more than shorts and flip flops. 

I've been having a fantastic trip and it is going way too quickly!  There will be more blogs about my adventures at home soon.  Have a great week, lovelies!