World Class Cycling Rain or Shine!

Grab your rain jacket, an umbrella and head on down to the Plaza today. The Tour of Missouri is a rain or shine event. The rain may create some interesting race dynamics today that you won't want to miss. And hey, if the rain doesn't stop the hundred plus riders it shouldn't stop you!

Of course the Missouri wine entourage is prepared. JA is sporting his Gortex jacket, JD packed the umbrella's and rain poncho's so we are set. Not to mention great giveaways and Missouri wine! VIP passes get you into the dry tent! See you on the plaza!

Let the Tour of Missouri Begin!

The Tour of Missouri begins tomorrow in St. Joe and finishes in Kansas City! As a silver sponsor of Tour, Missouri Wines will be at Start and Finish cities all week long! Check my blog daily for updates and insider information.

If you have VIP passes for the Kansas City Hospitality stop by and taste the best of Adam Puchta Winery and Baltimore Bend Winery. Tim, Sarah, Kathleen and myself would love to visit with you!

The first 100 people in the KC VIP tent will receive a premium Missouri Wine gift bag. This stylish bags is filled with a Tour of Missouri Commemorative wine glass, cork screw, food and wine paring guide as well as a t-top wine closure. Don't worry, if you aren't amongst the lucky first 100 we have lots of SWAG for everyone!

No VIP tickets? You'll always be VIP with us! Look for the Missouri Wine tent in the Health and Wellness Expo! Spin the Missouri wine wheel for a fantastic prize....every spin wins! Also featured in the Kansas City expo will be Les Bourgeois Winery, they will be sampling their tasty wines. Be sure to tell Tim that I sent you!

This week is going to be a lot of fun! See you in Kansas City!

Back to School

School supplies showing up on store shelves are the first sign. For me it’s like a celebrity sighting. My heart races, I get excited and immediately call my friend Susan. I leave a phone message declaring that “I” was the first to see them that season. Looking through the aisles at new designs of notebooks, pens, pencil bags as well as the never changing staples: crayons, markers and glue brings, me sheer delight! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE school supplies! I buy them by the arm full! This is the best time of year to re-stock your adult desk as well. Because I get such joy from school supplies, I buy extra and donate them to children in need. This brings fulfillment I can’t describe.

Most adults start a “new year” on January first. For me, it’s the back to school season. A new beginning, a fresh start. Once the school supplies arrive, I begin my adult “back to school” process. I take stock of where I am, assess what I need and the possibilities ahead. I think about what I’ve accomplished, set new goals and re-group. The back to school transition time is sacred.

The picture above is my first day of Kindergarten. Before kids had back packs teachers would pin “important” papers to them to ensure their parents would receive them. Lucky me, I have pictures to prove this embarrassing act. Notice the Peanuts Gang lunch box in my hand. I can still remember choosing it before my school debut. Picking out your own lunch box was a big deal, and this one was my all time favorite! Not to mention my new shoes. These came from Safford’s.

Photos have a way of taking you back to a moment in time. I remember being tired, glad I was off the bus and aware that I had started something new. It’s that same starting something new spirit that makes me love “back to school” so much!