The Countdown is On!!

Today I decided to officially start counting days! 

I'm excited to return home tomorrow from my whirlwind Thanksgiving vacation visiting Wendy, Carson, Jonathan & brand new baby Gus in Minneapolis,

followed by a flight (with the flu, which Wendy & Gus avoided but the rest of the household embraced) to Charlottesville for one more Thanksgiving spread with Ben & Reagan & the Oak Ridge family. This year mom & Dad & Grandpa decided to join us for the feast and fun, 

the Thompson men

The Thompson Patriarch with his grand daughters 

(helping one practice how to walk in heels again

in preparation for Italy)

including a trip to Blenheim Vineyards (of Dave Matthews Band fame)

Blenheim Vineyards

This afternoon, cold as it may have been, we joined Ben for his Annual Cider Press, which in a few months will yield several growlers of Hard Cider, hopefully. Please note the cider press pictured below, imported from Italy 25 years ago, stolen by means of arson a few decades ago and reappearing today much to the chagrin of my new friend and former cider press owner, Gabriele (an area winemaker born & raised in VICENZA!)

Annual Cider Press

Even though I find myself saying I leave in three weeks, I actually have 24 days left in these United States. Bring it on!! I think I may go open the first window of my Chocolate Advent Calendar today...