Blueberries? Wine Not?

Sometimes the lack of patience overcomes me.

I wanted a cool glass of wine but the fridge was bare of vino. So like a bad girl, I added a couple of ice cubes to my glass. I grabbed a handful of fresh berries and tossed them in my mouth. As I bit down, freezing cold shot through my jaw. Holy cow! Someone had turned up the temp of the veggie drawer.

Hmmm... I grabbed another handful of berries and dropped them into my glass then added the wine. 

The wine chilled nicely, abet watered down. As I finished my beverage, the treat of wine soaked berries awaited my consumption. And oh, what a treat it was!

Leelanau Cellers is one of my favorite wineries located in Northern Michigan. Their Riesling wines are some of the most sought after wines in the state. Semi-sweet wine with ribbons of seasonal fruit such as peaches, apples, or pears ready to wrap your senses into a delightful bow.

The Tall Ship family of wines honors the heritage of the tall ships, or schooners, that were common on the Great Lakes. The huge canvas sails of these ships were truly majestic and became representative of a nostalgic escape to a time and age when fine craftsmanship reigned.

WINE TIP: 

The Tall Ship Riesling is a late harvest fruit layered wine. Great enjoyed alone or with your honey. Try pairing it with cheese and smoked fish. 

WINE TIP:

To cool wine quickly, place a strainer with ice cubes over a glass. Pour wine. As the wine passes the ice and through the strainer, the temperature cools without watering the wine down.

Go On Vacation for a Longer Life

You will not believe what I learned today!

 According to an analysis of the Framingham Heart Study, researchers found women who take the fewest vacations (once every six years or less) are nearly eight times more likely to have a heart attache or die of heart disease than those who enjoy two or more getaways annually.

A little getaway... it doesn't have to be fancy. 

Well... I'll take fancy but it doesn't always have to be fancy.

That's it!

I'm going on vacation!

Kate Richards #NewRelease Featured in Charity Anthology

Kate Richards is thrilled to be part of The Glittering World Anthology in support of The Navajo Nation CoVid-19 Fund. Ten fantasy and paranormal stories that will take you away from it all from Elle Boon, Jamie K. Schmidt, Stephanie Burke, Wendi Zwaduk, Lia Violet, Kate Richards, L. Loren, Barb Shuler, Trinity Blacio, and S.E. Smith.

Her Way Home is Kate Richard's new release story in The Glittering World anthology, coming July 21st.

I should have never left—will he be there when I find the strength to return?

There’s no place like home….

Lisa:

It didn’t take me long to know that I made a mistake. What I was looking for couldn’t be found in the city. My heart knows I belong back home, but how can I ever return after burning so many bridges? I threw everything that mattered in my life away—and don’t know how to get it back. 

Hawke:

I knew Lisa needed to be here, among the people that loved her. The saying if you love someone, you have to let them go is true. I let her go and it was the hardest decision of my life. I can only hope that she comes back. 

Love is never easy but the heart knows where home is—if you are willing to listen. It is a journey I must make—but will Hawke be there when I return, and if he isn’t, will I be strong enough to accept that I gave up everything when I had it without ever leaving?

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Preorder HERE 

 All the proceeds from this anthology will be donated to The Navajo Nation COVID-19 Fund. Donations to the Fund can be made directly HERE 

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Kate Richards divides her time between Los Angeles and the High Sierras. She would gladly spend all her days in the mountains, but she’d miss the beach…and her very supportive husband’s commute would be three hundred miles. Wherever she is, she loves to explore all different kinds of relationships in her stories. She doesn’t believe one-size-fits-all, it’s the love, the joy her characters find in one another, that counts.

Readers can contact Kate on her Social Media:

Facebook 

Twitter

De-Stress With Sex...Or Not

Orgasm provides substantial release of tension, intimacy melts a lot of anxiety.

Nothing beats being wrapped in loving arms, it's the marriage of love and peace.

Pure relaxing bliss.

A study of Welshmen ages 45-59 showed those who had sex at least twice a week were less likely to die over a ten-year period than those who had sex less than once a month. Other studies revealed sex enhances your life, boosts the immune system, releases endorphins that can relieve pain. Some studies show regular sex can help you feel healthier, look younger and add years to your life.

Okay... so we know sex is good for you. 

But sometimes at the end of the day, it's hard to get in the mood.

Sex & orgasms don't have to be a part of the formula. Intimacy is the key. 

Intimacy can be simply cuddling, a long kiss or even a joke. Spend a minute being together. Laughing together is actually an intimate act. I often laugh until I cry and it ain't pretty, but hubby loves it. Laughter releases the same chemicals as sex. 

Have you ever had a super good laugh in bed after sex? 

If not... you gotta try it!

Noisy Morning Meditation

I woke earlier than normal and my fibromyalgia pain wouldn't let me return to a cozy slumber. Grabbing my yoga mat, I headed to the deck for a bit of stretching and meditation. 

The noise of the morning became to distracting and I found myself watching the drama unfold in my backyard as one would watch TV. 

Grab a cup of coffee and join me on the deck.

Shhhh... watch and listen.

Hear the fox squirrels making a ruckus running up and down old oaks.  Oh, those red squirrels fighting for dominance and territory are loud. Look, there's a rabbit loping through the chaos looking for breakfast. Listen to turkey hen softly clucking, to announce her arrival. Penny thinks she's special. Twigs are snapping and old dried leaves on the forest floor are crunching, but we can't see what is making the noise.

A Blue Jay's shrill call carries across the tree tops, causing everyone to go on alert for a moment. 

 Two fox squirrels stand to look at with curiosity us while Penny eats. 

A harvester spider joins me on my yoga mat.

I'm definitely not alone and I find this noisy morning to be incredibly amazing. 

I'm relaxed, refreshed, and recharged. 

If your heart is heavy or your mind is dark, take a few moments to step outside. 

Close your eyes and simply breathe. 

Listen to the sound around you. What do you hear? Human traffic? Wildlife? Nature? You will find, you are never alone but a small part of a wonderful big world.

Try getting up earlier than normal some morning. Enjoy the new experience.  

Grab a hot beverage and your honey, absorb your environment.

Drinking With My Lab

I'm usually a shop-locally-kind-of-girl, but I picked up this bottle of wine because of the name. 

I love my lab.

The capital of Portugal has a wonderful Mediterranean climate known for producing wine for centuries. This wine, Lab of Portugal, is a blend of four different kinds of grapes harvested from clay and limestone soil near Lisbon.  The blend was aged in new oak barrels for four months. 

I paired the wine with grilled veggies and BBQ ribs. With my first impression I noticed how different it is from the wines I normally drink. It had an immediate pine note. Pine, seriously? Must be the combination of the dark red fruits and tannins. As I sipped this bold dry wine, a familiar memory tickled my mind. Then it came to me.

This wine tastes like Up North. Michiganders will know that term. For those who don't, imagine visiting my gram's cottage tucked in a cluster of cedar trees. Knotty pine walls surround you and the linens have a fragrance of Ivory soap.  A breeze travels off the lake past the trees and into the cottage. 

That essence is in this bottle! Drink Lab with steak or a cheese plate and be carried away.

Oh, yes...my sweet lab, Maggie likes wine and gives Lab of Portugal her paw of approval.

Key to Love - Gratitude

Love is a powerful thing but it is tested. It is surviving the tests that makes love strong.

According to one study, 80% of couples who stayed together through marital problems were asked five years after the problem was resolved, reported being happier than before the issue.

BOOK SUGGESTION

Why Good Things Happen To Good People written by Dr. Stephen Post and Jill Neimark 

is a great book to read in regards to the keys to longevity in a relationship.

According to the book, GRATITUDE is an important key for Love that Lasts.

Being married to a pilot can be trying at times. Most people ask how the fact he's gone every two weeks affect our marriage. The time he's gone doesn't affect it, we stay close via phone, video chats, little love notes, etc. I believe the hardest part about being married to a pilot these days is the moment the plane takes off. It today's world the chance of him not coming home is always there. That thought scares the hell out of me but for my sanity, I don't dwell on it. Saying goodbye is the hardest. As I watch his plan take off, I always say a prayer for his safety and gratitude that's he's part of our lives. I'm thankful for the time we spend together no matter if it's weeks, days, hours or minutes. Saying goodbye when the jet leaves the tarmac or "TTFN" via video chat, is still a farewell. The feeling of gratitude strengthens our bond.

As my son's grow older, I've learned to say the same prayer for safety and gratitude when I hug them goodbye. I'm so thankful for my guys!

Think of the things you appreciate about your honey. Think of big things - how hard he works for his family. Think of small things - quiet time tucking the kids into bed.

Take a moment to write them down. Share them with your honey. Strengthen your love.