Review of Gifts Related to Harvest in California Wine Country

It's Harvest Time in Paso Robles Wine Country

Harvest time in wine country is the most exciting time of year. If you live on a road with at least a dozen wineries within four miles, as I do, there is something going on almost every weekend, and usually competing events. There are First Crush events and Harvest Celebrations. That means concerts and food, and lots of wine tasting. You can smell the aroma of crushed grapes as you drive past. 

Grapes Ready for Harvest, © B. Radisavljevic 

Watching the Harvest

Since I live so close to so many vineyards, I've had opportunities to watch the grape harvest, especially at my neighbor's winery, Croad Vineyards.  That link will take you to more photos and videos of the Croad harvest as I saw it. Earlier this year I also had the opportunity to watch the bottling truck in action.

This video shows you how the wine actually gets into the bottles as I witnessed it. 

The Grape Vines at Harvest Time

The vines themselves are laden with purple fruit. Usually by harvest time the leaves have turned into the various shades of red, rust, and  gold. After the grapes are harvested, they are gathered in plastic bins for processing.  They may go into a machine such as the one in the poster below at Zenaida Cellars in Paso Robles to have the stems removed. People stand by to make sure  everything works properly and nothing is missed.

One of the most popular wineries in autumn is Niner Estates, home to Heart Hill, pictured on a poster below. The natural heart-shaped grove of oak trees was on the hill long before the vineyards were planted around it. It's beautiful at any time of year, but in fall around harvest time the vines frame the heart with autumn colors. Heart Hill appears on many of my Zazzle products, including postcards, necklaces, keychains, plaques, ornaments, and more. They can be customized to remove, change, or add your own text. 

 Poster: Heart Hill, Paso Robles, in Autumn Poster Harvest Time Poster Sorting and De-stemming at Zenaida Winery Poster Grapes and Harvest Poster

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You can find more scenes from harvest time on Zazzle products in my collection Harvest Season in California Wine Country

Visit Paso Robles Wine Country

The City of Paso Robles and the surrounding rural areas of Templeton and San Miguel are home to over 200 different wineries. If you are a wine lover, it's worth a trip here. If you come, you will want to try some of the award-winning wines at Sculpterra Winery. While you are there you can enjoy its famous sculpture garden and enjoy its Sunday afternoon concerts. It's one of my favorite places. It's about ten miles east of the city of Paso Robles. 

The wineries closest to my home are Croad Vineyards, Niner Estates, ZinAlley, Donati Family, and Aron Hill -- all on Highway 46 or close to it. Other 46 West wineries where I often shoot photos for my Zazzle products are Zenaida Cellars, Castoro Cellers, Peachy Canyon, and Doce Robles. If you click through to my Zazzle collection linked to above, you will see photos from some of those wineries on my products. 

More Photos of Wine Country During Harvest Season

Doce Robles Scene During Harvest Season, © B. Radisavljevic  

Croad Vineyard at Harvest Time, © B. Radisavljevic 

Hay and Autumn Vineyards at Doce Robles, © B. Radisavljevic
This scene appears on many of my products 

I hope you've enjoyed your virtual tour of wine country at harvest time. Be sure to pick up a souvenir from this trip at California Wine Country Memories and Gifts. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing Maids of Misfortune

A Victorian Mystery Taking Place In San Francisco

Victorian Houses In San Francisco Pixabay.com

As I have started to read the book Maids of Misfortune, I thought it might be fun to review the book here on Review This. M. Louisa Locke wrote this book as the first in a mystery series that seems pretty promising for those of us who like a good mystery and enjoy historical fiction. 

In this first book of the series, we find ourselves in San Francisco, California during the Victorian Era. Our main protagonist is Annie Fuller who isn't exactly like most ladies of her time. She isn't amoral or anything but not quite up to those strict standards of social behavior of her time. Instead of doing needlework and delicate hobbies, Annie has to make a living on her own. Having been raised by her father she has skills in business and finance that just isn't deemed proper for females in the 1870's. 

Annie inherited a house in San Francisco from her aunt and has made it into a boarding house. Her husband left her penniless after having committed suicide and so the house was really a godsend. In order to make ends meet and to keep the boarding house in business Annie has a side job. Because she is a woman she can not open a business as a financial adviser, men just would not support her business. So, to get past that she disguises herself as a gypsy and pretends to be a clairvoyant. She calls herself Madame Sibyl and wears a dark wig and pale makeup to hide her true identity. Oddly, men and woman take her business advice (especially for the stock market) as a psychic but wouldn't consider taking the same advice if she offered it as a business woman. Oh the Victorians!

Annie has built up a pretty steady clientele as a psychic and has become fond of several of her regular patrons. Matthew Voss has been a weekly client for quite a long time and has done well with the advice that Annie/Madame Sybil has given him. Annie feels that he has also become a friend. So, when Mr. Voss is found dead in his home from poisoning something doesn't seem right. The police have deemed it a suicide but Annie just knows that can not be right. When Annie as Madame Sybil is questioned by Matthew's attorney she finds out that it seems that Matthew was pretty close to insolvent. 

Annie knows that the information about Mr. Voss is incorrect and that something is very wrong. She knows that he owned several successful stocks and had just sold quite a few of them in order to buy his partner's share of the furniture business that they owned together. Where are the stocks? Why is there no money in the bank or cash to be found? Annie and Nate the attorney begin to try to figure out who killed dear Mr. Voss.

Maids of Misfortune

This has been a delightful book to read. Annie is a woman before her time and I love how she and Nate work together under the Victorian social restrictions. I definitely will read more books in the series.

You can purchase this book in paperback form but you can also order it in digital form. Currently, the digital version is free for the reading. That may change in the near future but right now you can download it at no expense. Fun, huh?

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Best Emergency Survival Kits

Reviewing Survival Emergency Kits for Earthquakes,
Hurricanes,Tornadoes and Other Disasters

Emergency Earthquake Kit

Earthquake Survival Kits are essential for any family households living in earthquake areas. These Emergency Earthquake Kits keep your family safe in a time of emergency. You know the old saying, "It's better to be safe than sorry." Be prepared in case disaster strikes with an earthquake emergency kit.

I lived in Southern California almost on top of the San Andreas Fault line for many years so I know! California rocks, and it rolls too! We had more than a few major earthquakes when I lived there, and you never know when it might happen again. Be prepared!

And anything you need for earthquake emergencies holds true for all the other natural disasters that can occur. Right now it's hurricane season and the East coast has been battered with a huge one and there is lots of flooding. You never know when Mother Nature is going to decide to let loose! 

Here you will find wilderness survival kits and some of the supplies that are in them in case you already have a kit and are just adding more supplies.

In a hurry? Click here for Earthquake Survival Kits!

"By failing to prepare, you are
preparing to fail."
~Benjamin Franklin

Short List of Supplies You Should Have in An Emergency Survival Kit

Survival Kit List

For most people who prepare for Emergencies, it means having a Bug Out Bag. A short list of supplies follows:

Food and water

Clothing, things that mix and match

Toiletries

Cash and Credit Cards

Vital Documents (Identification, Medical Records, Prescriptions, Family Photographs)

Shelter (at minimum a large poncho which could be tied down but a tent is better)

Useful Tools (such as flashlights, matches and other fire starting tools)

First Aid Kit

Small Knife

Solar Lights

Radio

Your Bug Out Bag should be packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice; food and water should be checked regularly and replaced when necessary. 

Set up a schedule to rotate your older items to your home pantry and add new ones to the Bug Out Bag.

So besides your Prepared Emergency Survival Kits with all the tools, add your personal items from this list , and you are prepared to survive if the worst happens and you need to get by without all the modern technology we are used to.

Emergency Humor Postage

Earthquake Survival Kits

In Case Of Emergency … Run Like Hell by GrungeFactory

Deluxe  Emergency Survival Kits

Emergency Earthquake Survival Kits~for 4 People 

One has a backpack, one has a bag, so choose what works best for you. Many people think these are the best survival kits overall.

Water and Food lasts 5 Years

Radio, Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger

First Aid Kit

Be Prepared!

 4 Person Perfect Survival Kit Deluxe for Earthquake, Evacuation, Emergency Disaster Preparedness 72 Hour Kit Ready America 70385 Deluxe Emergency Kit 4 Person Backpack

2 Person Emergency Earthquake Survival Kit

Best Emergency Survival Kit for 2 people.
Great wilderness survival kit which includes a  backpack! If you need an Emergency Survival Kit for 2 People, this has everything you need. 

 Emergency Zone 840-2 Urban Survival Bug Out Bag Emergency Disaster Kit, 2 Person, Black

Emergency Survival Kit for 1 Person
Best Earthquake Emergency Kit for One Person

Ready America  Grab-n-Go Emergency Kits, 1-Person 3-Day Emergency. They are the same except one has a backpack and one has a bag. Sustains one person for three days. Food, water, emergency poncho, First Aid kit (33 piece), Safety light stick (1) You might want to add in some of the tools down below. 

 Ready America 70180 Emergency Kit 1 Person Backpack Ready America 70080 Emergency Kit, 1-Person 3-Day Bag

Emergency Supplies for Earthquakes and Disasters

Water Filter

The most important thing you need to survive in the event of an emergency is clean water! If you do nothing else, prepare to be able to filter your water so it's safe to drink. Humans cannot survive more than about 3 days without water. We can survive without food for much longer. But water is essential to life. In case you run out of water, a water filter will allow you to have clean water from whatever water source you encounter. This would also work if you are traveling and are not sure the water is safe.

 LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Water for Emergencies

In case you want to take water with you, these packets have pure water and will be safe to drink for at least 5 years.

 Datrex Emergency Survival Water Pouch (Pack of 64), 125ml

Radio for Emergencies and Earthquakes

If all Hell breaks loose, you will need a radio to keep up with announcements. This is great in any emergency situation!

 Sangean LB-100 Compact AM/FM Ultra Rugged Radio Receiver

Emergency Tools

Everything you need to go camping or have in an emergency situation until life gets back to normal.

 Tent Tools Micro SAS Military Survival Kit

Emergency Survival Mylar Sleeping Blanket

 

Very lightweight but strong and warm, for those cold nights! Great for camping too. You would be amazed how warm mylar is to sleep under! 

 Primacare HB-10 Emergency Foil Mylar Thermal Blanket, 52

Magnesium Fire Starter

A fire starter is very handy to have because who wants to rub sticks together to start a fire? Not me! This little tool makes it very easy. Hmm, maybe it would help in the fireplace too! 

Emergency Shelter Tent

If you are in an emergency situation and need shelter, a mylar tent will keep you cozy and warm and it is lightweight so easy to carry in a backpack or a bag. Then when you are ready to pitch your tent, it is very easy to do!

 Survival Shack® Emergency Survival Shelter Tent | 2 Person Mylar Thermal Shelter | 8' X 5' All Weather Tube Tent | Reflective Material Conserves Heat | Lightweight | Waterproof | Best Survival Gear

Chocolate Emergency!

I think this qualifies as a chocolate emergency card
by disgruntled_genius

You Will Also Want to Be Prepared With Survival Food Kits

"Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a Scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise."
~Robert Baden-Powell,
Founder, Boy Scouts of America

Decorating Your Bedroom for Fall

Temporarily Change Your Bedroom's Decor to a Fall Theme

Reviewing Ways to Satisfy Your Urge for a Seasonal Change Without Spending a Fortune

We rarely think about making a seasonal change with a bedroom, mainly because we believe it would be time-consuming and pricey.

However, if  Fall is your favorite season and you'd like to bring fall colors into your bedroom without doing a major overhaul, here are three ways you can accomplish that without breaking the bank:

1. Cover Your Existing Comforter and Pillows with an Autumn Duvet Bedding Set

If your bedroom's existing color scheme is fairly neutral or decorated with a few fall color tones already, then go ahead and bring fall into your bedroom by putting a calming fall duvet cover over your existing comforter. By doing this, you keep your existing comforter; you're temporarily covering it up. Remember to change those pillowcases as well.

You don't have to spend a fortune either. You can find Duvet sets for under $100, and the best part is that when you're ready to go back to your standard decor, just remove it. Or better yet, replace it with a
Christmas Duvet Set.

2. Switch Your Standard Drapes Out for those that Feature a Fall Scene

This temporary change is more challenging than the bedding change; however, if you choose drapes that go up the same way as your existing drapes, it's a breeze.

We rarely think to inter-change our draperies, yet window coverings can change a room's entire feel and look. In the case of fall colors, they add warmth and coziness.

Again, when you're ready to go back to your standard decor, remove them until the next time.

3. Add a Double Sided Fall Room Divider - Surprisingly, They Don't Cost a Fortune

Granted, this is a more difficult addition to a bedroom (unless your bedroom is pretty large). 

It's also valid for large dual-purpose rooms, such as bedroom/office combinations. 

Because this piece is prominent, it isn't something you can easily store away, but why would you want to - just move it to another room. 

You can place this gorgeous artistic piece in the family room, an office, a study area, a foyer, or any place where there's a need to create a division in an open area.

Changing Your Decor for the Season is the Best Way to Get Over the Craving to Buy a New Home

My days as a Realtor allowed me to understand why people decide to move. 

People often expressed this common sentiment ... 'we need a change.' 

You may, in fact, need that change. However, before you decide whether moving is right, go ahead and redecorate a little. Sometimes, the changes we need are minor.

After all, decorating changes are a lot less expensive than moving.

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns" by George Eliot

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Let's Review The 'Happy' Part of Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Garden Flag

Happiness is a Friendly, Cute, and 'Not-So-Scary' Halloween

The word Halloween was first used in the 16th Century and throughout the ages it became associated with imagery that leans toward Gothic and horror and the supernatural associated with the night. So such things as Dracula and Frankenstein, scary ghosts and haunted houses became symbols of this harvest-time holiday in books & films, costumes, parties and products. It all makes me wonder what happened to the "Happy" in the holiday known as Halloween.

For a 'Not-So-Scary' Halloween, lets look at some friendly, fun and cute items and have a truly "Happy Halloween".

 

A Happy Halloween...

Can Be Found Everywhere!

On Friendly Ghosts...

 

Little Ghost Postcard
by artogram

 

Little ghost is friendly and cute - He might 'scare' himself, but his cuteness just makes you want to smile!

The Best Ghost is a 'Friendly' Ghost

Ghosts and Haunted Houses have long been associated with Halloween and are intended to Scare us. But wait, what about Casper, the Friendly Ghost? Ghosts can be friendly and fun too.

*Casper first appeared as 'The Friendly Ghost' in a 1939 children's book and a 1945 animated cartoon.

A Pair of Plush Ghosts...

 

Plush Toy Ghosts

 Boo & Boo-ette

Boo and Boo-ette are a pair of the friendliest Ghosts you'll find anywhere. They can be friendly plush playmates for a child, or a fun Fall/Holiday decoration

Boo and Boo-ette are handmade in crochet of white acrylic yarn. The heads are lightly stuffed with soft polyfil. Their eyes are plastic 'safety eyes', giving them that Amigurumi personality. They are the creation of a crochet crafter from Kansas. This pair was in her Etsy shop and have since been sold, but contact the Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts and request your own. Custom orders always welcome.

Spooky Ghost Washcloth

Ghost Novelty Washcloth

A ghost isn't really 'spooky' when it's in the form of a hand-crocheted cotton washcloth!

A fun novelty washcloth in the shape of a ghost. A cute way to entertain children at bath time or to make chore time in the kitchen washing dishes more fun. Or just display it for a Halloween decoration.

 

On Halloween Spiders and Bats...

 

Plush Pumpkin and Squiggly Spider

Pumpkins & Spiders Go Together for Halloween!

A little plush pumpkin crocheted in the Amigurumi style and a friendly squiggly yarn spider make fun toys for kids or cute Halloween decorations.

Bats Might be Scary... 

But Not When They are Colorful and Cute Crocheted Amigurumi Baby Bats

Fritz the Fruit Bat in Crochet

Baby Bats in Plush are Best...

...if you are seeking a non-scary Halloween.
 
A Baby Bat is absolutely adorable when created in the Amigurumi style of crochet. It is much cuter than those scary black bats in caves! :)

These bats are handmade and are available in the Etsy shop of Millie's Crochet House of Chesapeake, Virginia.

 

Baby's First Pumpkin Play Set

Baby's First Pumpkin

For babies who are too young for the 'treat or treat' of Halloween, this First Pumpkin Play Set is perfect.  

My First Pumpkin Playset is by Genius Baby Toys. It is interactive with Candy Corn that crinkles, a Ghost that squeaks, a Spider rattle and a Cat that meows.

 What's Your Halloween Preference?

 

Image Source: Wikipedia

 

Do You Like a Happy Halloween or a Scary One?

Many of the Halloween Happiness Items Shown Here...

Are the crafty and artistic creations found on Etsy & Zazzle!

Related Links:

For more Halloween reviews on everything from decorations to costumes to party food, check out these articles on Review This Reviews.



© 2012 Wednesday-Elf - The Happy in Halloween was originally published on another site.

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Movie Review

To be completely honest, I did not expect to like the movie, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children".  My husband raved over the book when he read it a few years ago, but it just didn't sound like a story I would enjoy, so I passed on reading it myself.  Now, I am very sorry I didn't read the book!

Because my husband loved the book, of course we went to see the Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children movie.  Again, I fully expected to simply be tolerating a movie for my husband's sake.  However, from the very beginning, I was spellbound.  

After seeing the movie, I can hardly wait to read the book.  

Yes, this is indeed one of those times when I should have listened to my husband.  Can you hear him snickering in the background?

Synopsis of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar ChildrenLet me warn you, the story has a heart-wrenching beginning.  Jake's grandfather is murdered and Jake arrives too late to help him.  Abe is still alive when Jake finds him, but only long enough to give him a mission.   While Jake is holding his dying grandfather, he sees a huge monster in the woods approaching them.  In fear, his friend shoots blindly into the woods, not seeing anything.  She is simply responding to Jake's warning.  Later, we find out the monster is a hallowgast and we learn why only Jake could see the creature.

Jake is clearly traumatized by these events.  His parents send him to a psychiatrist who subsequently recommends a trip to Wales and the orphanage where his grandfather was raised.  The doctor suggests that Jake can find closure and say goodbye, in a way, to his grandfather there.  This is exactly what Jake wants.  He needs to visit Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children himself.  He has a mission to accomplish.  However, until he is there and surrounded by the children his grandfather has always told him about, he has no idea that he, himself, belongs with the peculiar children.  

Each peculiar child has an unusual ability or power.  One girl can light fires by simply touching something.  One boy is invisible.  Another girl can float and actually has to wear special weighted shoes to hold her to the ground.  Some have unbelievable strength, but they all have a "peculiar" skill.  

The most remarkable is truly Miss Peregrine herself.  She possesses several special abilities.  One, she can turn herself into a beautiful peregrine falcon.  A very suitable metamorphosis for a caregiver of "peculiar" children.   However, her most valuable talent is her ability to create time loops, which is why neither she nor the children ever age.  They are protected by staying in a certain place in time. 

But, Miss Peregrine and the children are in danger of being found by the hallowgasts who feed on peculiar children.  It is Jake's mission to save them, but he is just a teenager himself and this is all very new to him in reality.  

Conclusion and Recommendation

This synopsis really is just touching the surface of the plot.  It is a very in depth story which is quite unique.  I don't believe I have ever seen a more fantastic fantasy.  There are elements of that seem familiar to us all, like unseen monsters, shape-shifting humans, or individuals with supernatural strength.  Even time manipulation.  However, this plot is so unique and original, I felt like it was all new and unknown.  Plus, I adored the quirky personality and fabulous style of Miss Peregrine.  She was truly perfect.

I can highly recommend the movie Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children to anyone 13 or older.  In true Tim Burton style, there is no crude language, no lewd actions or even innuendoes.  Only pure excellence in the making of the movie.  

I also highly applaud the writer of the book & story, Ransom Riggs, for his creativity and ability to entertain without disgusting his readers.

Now that I have seen the movie, I will be reading the book! 

 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (BD) [Blu-ray] Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children)

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Movie Review of "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" Written by:

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Photographing Boothbay Harbor Maine

Review of Harbor Area

Boothbay Harbor is a beautiful and very picturesque little harbor on the coast of Maine.  It sits on the edge of Boothbay Peninsula that juts out into the Gulf of Maine.  We visited on a clear September monrning when the sky was so blue that it cast a blue tint to everything around it.  It was a great area to take photographs and I stood at various spots along the harbor and took in all the sights.  The scene below is Boothbay Inn as seen from across the harbor.

If I turned a bit right of the Inn I captured this white church on the edge of the harbor.  There were lots of boats big and small

Cuckolds Lighthouse

I love to photograph lighthouses and the Boothbay Harbor area gave me the opportunity to photograph several.  They were all offshore on islands so getting good photographs required a longer lens.  The closest to shore was Cuckolds lighthouse.  We drove past Boothbay Harbor a few miles to South Point Island and I was able to capture this historic lighthouse.  This lighthouses started as a signal house in 1892 and then in 1907 a light tower was added atop the signal house.  This lighthouse was automated in 1975.  This lighthouse and grounds has been recently restored and is now open for overnight stays, weddings, lobster bakes and other events.  I took the following photos from a dock off South Point island.

Other Lights Seen from Harbor

The other lighthouses that are offshore of Boothbay Harbor are hard to see with the naked eye.  I was told one was 10 miles offshore and the other 15 miles and I could only capture them if I took a boat. None of the boat tours were running at the time we were there so I got some use out of my new 600mm lens.  The first photo below is Burnt Island Lighthouse, you see it on the island on the right hand side of the photo.  I believe the second photo to be Monhegan Island light.  It is the one I was told was 15 miles away so it is very small in my photo.  I find it fascinating to read about and photograph all of these lighthouses.  The coast of Maine and the island around it are dotted with many lighthouses.  Many of the lighthouses are now longer in service, however the Coast Guard still keeps watch over 56 of Maine's historic lighthouses.

Zazzle Products from my Photographs

Boothbay Harbor Maine Poster
by mbgphoto

Here is the guidebook I used to find my way around Maine.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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