Time to start talking...

No, I don't have any big confessional, sorry readers :)  But it's been awhile since I blogged.

The end of the school year was a crazy whirlwind of activity, immediately followed by a week-long camping trip with my in-laws, and now here I am a week later, finally "settled."  HELLO SUMMER!!

So here's a little bit of what's going on...I'll write more later on camping and training/racing:

1. My little brother (who I adore), has lived in our house for the last two years while he completed his Masters degree at Illinois State University...after graduation he landed a job working high-end sales for the Phoenix Suns, so he is GONE! :( I feel like an empty-nester already.  I am so excited for him though... and I'm especially excited for reasons to visit Arizona on a regular basis!! Love you Don!    



Mootin' home from graduation!                            

2. I've been getting into wine lately.  First of all, we discovered a NEW winery 9 miles away from our house (yes I've already cycled to/from there...), and I am obsessed with two of their wines.  When you get a chance to visit White Oak Vineyards in Carlock, IL, here's what you can sample to get a taste of my flavah:




The vineyard dogs! And my sweet JHC gear :)

• Bernese Red- Frontenac grape.  Named after their super-friendly Bernese mountain dog!  You can read their "professional" description of it, but I'll tell you that it is a deep, spicy red wine with a delicious and surprising vanilla aftertaste.  YUM.
• Landhaus- Norton grape.  I am in LOVE with Norton wines.  I cannot eloquently describe the flavor... it is very unique, you'll probably love it (as I do) or hate it.  It is dry, tart, and spicy... sooooo good.  Through some very in-depth research (ie google), I found that norton grapes were first cultivated in the Virginia and dominate the mid-western US wine industry... how convenient, because that's where I LIVE!! :)
• For the sweet-wine lovers, definitely try their Golden Days Seyval Blanc... it was named after their other sweet puppy, a golden retriever.  It's a cool, sweet treat on a summer day!
• I have more wine adventures to share... but I'll entertain/bore you with them another day :)    
3. Back in 2003, I started doing triathlons.  I got a SWEET bike for my birthday to race on- it looked something like this:  



Good thing it is a ladies' bike... the "top tube" doesn't affect the dresses/skirts I wear in training, ha! :)

 Needless to say, after my first season of triathlons I upgraded :)  My mom took over the hybrid bike and it's been hanging in her garage ever since :)  I've been looking for a hybrid bike to use for commuting, race-spectating, and getting around town when we are camping with the motorhome, so the blue beauty and I will be REUNITED after 9 years! I am looking to dress her up a little bit with some funs bags, here's what I've been looking at:

Bontrager Funk Trunk: cooler &speakers...perfect for tri spectating or camping!! Attaches to bicycle rear rack.

Bontrager rear pannier...perfect bag for work or the farmer's market! It's pretty big.  Thanks Alyssa for the tip!

What??  :) How did I find that?? :)

cool bike storage in Uptown Normal!

LOVE THIS.  Bike tools and pump.  I have found two in the community! (Uptown and the Triangle)

Of course Winston gets a doggie sundae if we are in uptown!

...and then passes out in the bike shop :)