Valentine's

As is our tradition (see 2011 {bottom of that post} & 2012), we went to Qdoba for Valentine's Day.  It's buy-one-get-one free if you kiss at the register.....and we never pass up an opportunity for a public display of affection.  :)

We were actually <briefly> on the video footage they took and compiled at our local Qdoba - you can see us around the 19 second mark!  (Watch the video here)

We brought our Qdoba home and watched a movie while we ate.

We also exchanged gifts.  I went the practical route and got Brandon some accessories for his bike....a lock and a pouch that attaches to the handle bars....

.....he got me a mini-rose bush and a kit-kat! 

Also on Valentine's Day - My Best Friend, Alisha, had a Baby!!!  Little LN was born in the afternoon that day....a little love muffin baked just in time for the sweetest day of the year!

The weekend after Valentine's Day (Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16), we were treated to a night away at Elk Creek (a nearby lodge & winery) by some sweet friends of ours (they gifted a Groupon to us).

The Main Lodge

We arrived Friday evening and ordered some very yummy sandwiches from the small deli at the lodge.....

......and listened to live music while we ate.

After our meal, we ventured to our "Estate Room".  It was one of 6 rooms in an out-building on the property.

It was very cozy and nicely decorated.

A view of the sink area.....don't mind the man behind the closet - do you see him?

The Groupon deal included a cheese tray, which the deli worker packed for us to-go so we could eat it in our room.  Brandon liked the cheese on the right the best (very stinky).

After a restful nights sleep, we got up and explored the property some.

Here's a view of the building in which our Estate Room was located ....

....and one a little closer.  There were three rooms on each side of the building.

Each room had double doors that lead to the outside......

.....where you could sit on the covered porch.....

.....and take in the beautiful views!

Also included in the Groupon deal was a delicious breakfast buffet in the main lodge.

I love lodges and their log cabin/rustic vibes. 

Directly outside the lodge (and just about everywhere you looked) were the vineyards.

Grapevines so close you could touch them!  But we didn't.  Instead, we pointed to them.

We got a quick and concise tour of the winery room too (no pics inside there) and then headed to the nearby thriving metropolis quieter-than-Mayberry-town of Owenton.  We walked the main square and window-shopped at the few stores that were open (one of which was a hardware/home decor/custom cabinets/kitchenware/gift shop/appliance store) and then headed back home.

What a fun, quiet, relaxing time away!  Thanks Leo & Sheila for the treat!!