A perfect day in the country

Today was one of those perfect days where you just stop in the middle and realize how much fun you are having and how lucky you are. After a long day at sea yesterday, I was exhausted and passed out the second my head hit the pillow. It was the best night of sleep I have had a loooong time! I woke up to a gorgeous, breezy morning, had 2 smoothies full of cappucino flavored soy milk (yum yum!) with frozen nanners and Amazing Grass Chocolate Superfood.

My family and I drove out to Sterling, MA to Davis Farmland, a place that is fun for all ages, if you like animals. Just being an hour West of Boston was so nice, the forests, rolling hills, farms and farmstands, and fields. I love getting out of the city and smelling and seeing things that are SO different than the norm.

Davis Farmland is a farm that houses all sorts of animals like cows, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, and sheep. Many of the animals are in cuddle corners where you can actually go and pet, brush, and even hold them on your lap. The baby goats are very fond of sitting on human laps! We were lucky to have 5 out of 8 of our nieces and nephews with us today. The other three nieces are flying back from Ireland tomorrow, and if it works out we will have all 8 in one country at the same time, quite the feat and a first for us!

Cornflowers on the farm

The kids had a blast, but I know I had just as much fun if not more! I adore animals, and being able to be this close to so many was great for me. I always wished I could have a little farm, but deep down I know I am probably not a farm girl. I’ll stick with the plants on the deck for now 🙂

Baby Highland Cow

Lunch was an unpictured gardenburger with cheese, relish, ketchup, and mustard, plus about a gallon of water and an apple. Today’s weather was lovely, overcast, and chilly, but I definitely worked up a thirst.

After the far, we drove a short 5 miles to Nashoba Valley Winery, a really beautiful property with a lovely wine/beer store and tasting room, orchards, and an extensive list of homemade wine, beer, and spirits. My sister and I did a tasting which offered 5 tastes for $4!! Plus a beautiful glass.

Really lovely tasting room, reminded me of some in Oregon

Pretty free glasses!

I started off with the Vidal Blanc, a popular New England wine that I have really grown to love this summer. This was crisp and refreshing, and we bought 5 bottles to bring home for host/ess gifts and to enjoy over the rest of the summer.

My next tasting was of Blueberry Merlot. This was such a unique wine! It was a rich red color with a very berry taste and a slightly oaky finish. I liked it a lot and will probably buy some for Thanksgiving.

Next up was the Vidal Dessert Wine. Yum! I love dessert wine, and this slightly syrupy, honey-like wine, was really pleasant to drink. I already know that I want to drink it with some goat cheese, drizzled with honey and topped with berries. I can see its sweetness pairing really well with creamy cheese.

I decided to be adventurous on my fourth pour and tried a New England specialty, Foggy Bog cranberry apple brandy.  Wheeeew! This had an absolutely lovely back of the throat cranberry apple taste, but boy did it have a little bit of a kick! I could see myself slowly sipping a very small glass by a fire pit outside this fall. It definitely would take the chill off of an autumn evening!

My final taste was beer, a Dunkelweisen, a toasted caramel tasting beer with a tiny bit of spice. I loved this beer, and since my husband missed the winery, I know I will be bringing him back to try some!

After our tasting we went out to the orchards to pick peaches and plums.

An apple just waiting to be picked this fall

Millions of peaches

I adore picking my own fruit, and we got to taste a variety of peaches and yellow plums which I had never eaten. Walking around the orchards was the perfect end to our Nashoba visit.

Nashoba also has a restaurant that overlooks its vineyards, and I am thinking it may be a good place for our 3 year anniversary dinner on the 18th. I will definitely keep you posted on where we decide to celebrate!

I am once again exhausted from a day of fresh air. I can’t tell you how much I needed this weekend! I haven’t worked out at all, but I have a pretty good 2 months til my half marathon training plan that I am starting on Tuesday. One more day to spend with my family before they head back to NJ.

I’ll be back tomorrow with an overview of tonight’s dinner and of whatever adventures we find. Have a good night and a GREAT Monday!