Maple Sugar

The happiest places on Earth

I've gushed about it before, and I'm sure I will again. Arrington Vineyards is quite simply one of my favorite places on Earth. Nestled in the hills of the middle Tennessee countryside, picnic basket in hand...the day seems to last forever. It doesn't get much better!

On the first day of every month we look forward to spending the day picnicing at the winery and then heading downtown to the Art Crawl. It has become our favorite, cheapest date. It's even nicer when we get to spend it with friends...in fact, why don't you join us in May?

Our friends the Garfields came, and Jo brought me chocolate and white chocolate covered bananas. My absolute, complete favorite. Thank you Jo, that made my week.

The Red Fox Red... medium bodied red blend of Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Cabernet, Merlot and Chambourcin, with smooth tannins and smoky oak aromas with cherry-blackberry flavors.

And then down to the Art Crawl. I liked it this time, a lot. I missed her, and I discovered her.

But I didn't win the cupcake contest :(

Arrington Vineyards

How can you live somewhere for six years of your life and never, ever realize a place like this existed only 30 miles away?

On Saturday, Manley, our cutie friend Josh and I packed a picnic and headed south to Arrington Vineyards. We tasted a handful of wines, most of them quite complex (including a raspberry dessert wine that was as tart as it was sweet...mmmmm) and set up camp on the cozy patio in front of a sprawling view.

Then we all chatted, of course, about how we would like to live out in the country. You see, Manley and I want to build a house in the next several years...we have already sketched out the plans, picked out flooring, and decided on ceramic everything versus stainless steel, but...what we haven't decided is whether it should be in the city or the country.

For us, there aren't really options in between. Either we settle down in the heart of the city, as close to downtown as possible, or we break ground on Green Acres. You see, if we lived in the country, I could have chickens and a cow, and make my own cheese and butter from scratch. And Tennessee is beautiful.

But then, we're city people. Especially Manley. He has such a heart for the city, and such a passion. And a calling too, I believe.

Oh, but total bliss.