Hello again, and happy 2015! Admittedly, I haven’t touched this blog in over 3 weeks. Scott has been diligent and put together some news around town, but me? Not a thing.

The past two weeks found us at home in the country. If you follow us on Twitter or Instagram, we kept up with a few shenanigans here and there, but allowed our laptops to take a long needed siesta. When I go home to Western New York, I lose myself in time on the farm and coffee with my mom. 

It was a beautiful Christmas. The house was stunning and my parents managed to procure my favorite Christmas trees to date. My mom’s was elegant and perfectly situated in the parlor of our 1850s Greek Revival farmhouse. It reminded me of Christmases as a child, where the splendor was overwhelming and the magic could be found in a single look at that perfectly decorated tree.

xmasbreak-2

My father and step-mother don’t pale in comparison – rather, they took my breath away a second time when I walked into their log-cabin-esque home on the top of a hill which looks out at the most incredible expanse of land you’ve ever seen – pastoral, bucolic, arcadian – simply put. The tree was a whopping ten and a half feet high, and twinkled brilliantly with red and white lights.  My family totally won Christmas.

xmasbreak

What was especially lovely about this time at home was that we were given a personal tour of some of the most recent and exciting new establishments in our otherwise quiet little town on the Erie Canal. Scott and I have always dreamed of someday vacating the city life for a serene and peaceful country existence. However, our life in DC and Virginia is so exciting and fulfilling that going home often brings a sense of boredom that can only be remedied when we step foot back south of the Mason Dixon line.

This time, we were excited by the interest and energy that young minds are investing into our historic little village. 810 Meadworks recently opened in Medina and became the 21st winery on the Niagara Wine Trail (totally up Scott’s alley).  Their honey wine impressed, and as we stood in the tasting room just off Main Street we forgot we were in WNY and felt as if we were back in DC. This little spot will please the locals and the younger generation who are aching for a sense of culture that is often hard to come by in such a rural landscape.

xmasbreak-5 xmasbreak-4

We also are excited about the development and the ideas (in the works) for Bent’s Opera House. A building which has caught my eye for as long as I can remember, I dreamed of someday treading the boards of such a historic stage. I was able to stand on the third floor and gaze on that perfect stage, and I’m filled with hope for its restoration. 

xmasbreak-6

Not only that, but finally Medina can boast a small boutique hotel, the Hart House Hotel, owned and envisioned by Mayor Andrew Meier. We took a tour of the lofts and the 4 rooms, all of which have a unique design and concept that hearken back to the original purpose of the old building, a booming shirt factory. We took a look at the Churchill room, as Winston Churchill was supposedly a client of the place. Amazing to think of the history of our hometown, and we are more than pleased that this is being paid homage in modern establishments.  Though we live minutes from the Hart House Hotel, I’m not sure that will stop us from spending a night there next time we are home.

Our little town is growing and its always so exciting to go back together where we grew up. Though we never talked back then, we are able to walk through town and reminisce about people and places that are shared memories. Our families reside less than 10 minutes apart, and we filled our Christmas break with family and good times.

xmasbreak-3

So we are back.  Ready to get back into the DC scene for awhile and make the most of our time in this beautiful and thriving city.  We hope your holidays were peaceful and filled with food, friends, and most of all – family.

xmasbreak-7

-Al