2019: Day 6 Two years ago, we did a drink called “Mmmm! Peach! Mint!” It started off with a fantastic (but Photoshopped) headline that Trump had been impeached… and then Joel might have went into just a wee bit of a Trump rant. On Wednesday, the day finally came: the House of Representatives finally voted … [Read more…]
2019: Day 4 We knew going into this winery adventure that it would take some time – years – to really get established. It’s definitely a business for those who are patient. When we began crunching numbers and setting goals earlier in the year, we felt pretty strongly that it was important to get up … [Read more…]
2019: Day 1 2019 will undoubtedly go down as the craziest, most invigorating, stressful and dynamic, lose-too-much-sleep, but pop-out-of-bed year we’ve ever had. Of everything we’ve done, nothing symbolizes the year better than getting our Chain Reaction vineyard planted. First there was the preparation of the land (more on that through a different drink), then … [Read more…]
2018: Day 12 Because 2 chainsaws is better than one. I never thought I’d own a chainsaw, let alone 2. After all, I had gone 50+ years without the need. But things change when you buy a farm. Coming into 2018, we had an ambitious plan. At the time it didn’t seem so ambitious, but … [Read more…]
2018: Day 11 Coffee and cycling go hand in hand – just like PB&J, fish & chips, and Scooby Doo & Shaggy. On their own, they are good, but simply magical together. Last year was a year of change for a lot of people. Sometimes things that happen in your life that make you realize … [Read more…]
2018: Day 4 Kona!! To some of you, the word is a place – a pretty awesome place with sun, sand, fruity cocktails and volcanoes. You wouldn’t be wrong. But to many of us “Kona” means the Ironman World Championships which is held every October in Kona, Hawaii. It’s just called ‘Kona’ for short. Mention … [Read more…]
2018: Day 3 Our second priority this year (after Joel’s viticulture program ended) was renovating the downstairs and putting in a secondary suite to rent out as a short term vacation rental in the summer. When we bought the property, we knew that we were perfectly located right in the heart of the Naramata Bench … [Read more…]
2018: Day 2 Milestones!! Who doesn’t love milestones? Special birthdays, anniversaries, graduation … all reasons to celebrate and remember. But of all the different milestones we’ll face in our lives, is there any as special and awesome as retirement? I don’t think so. Imagine a world where the only obligations you face are self-induced; no … [Read more…]
2018: Day 1 I never thought I’d own a tractor. In fact, I never thought I’d need a tractor. Tractors are way cool and all, but how do you sell ‘way cool’ to your wife or girlfriend? Chicks just don’t get it. Of course way cool became essential due to this whole “drop your city … [Read more…]
2017: Day 8 Thank you. It shouldn’t take a tragedy like the one in Abbotsford on November 6 to thank those that selflessly place themselves in harm’s way for our safety. Thankfully, losing first responders is a relatively rare occurrence in Canada, which is why it was a sobering moment. We want to thank our … [Read more…]