Things I Love Thursday: Good wine, good steak, & good times with friends

For those who know me personally, they know that I enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then... preferably a fruity red or blush... please.  :)  So it goes without saying that I also love enjoying my wine with a nice slab of steak and conversation with good friends.  The best place to have all of this fabulous stuff in one spot?  Valley Vineyards in Morrow, Ohio has to be hands down one of the loves of my life.  I. Am. Not. Kidding.  I fell head over heels for the family-owned vineyard and winery the very first time I visited over seven years ago.  VV is not just a winery, but the family also hosts Friday and Saturday night cookouts, complete with cooking your own steaks on one of two open fire pits!  This, people, is what won me over.  Not to mention the oh-so-delicious side dishes, salad with homemade dressings, and dessert buffet.... If you're ever at VV look for me... I will be the crazy lady trying to sneak five different desserts off of the buffet table without anyone judging seeing me....  The setting of the restaurant portion of the winery gives off a  very romantic aura, so is perfect for a Valentine's getaway dinner for two.  However, my husband and I have found that we enjoy our trip their best when we are in the company of friends.  Nothing says good conversation like wine and steak... okay, so maybe the wine has more to do with it. ;)

Almost every year since my husband and I began dating, we have traveled to Valley Vineyards sometime in February to jointly celebrate Valentine's Day and my birthday.  Of course, this isn't always the best idea, as we tend to have to fight lovely Ohio February weather in order to make it there.  But in the end it is always worth the hassle.  This year, my husband and I are foregoing our annual VV trip.  Partially for financial reasons and partially for scheduling reasons... and it does sort of tug at my heart a little bit.  I remain hopeful that we will make back down to this wonderful hidden gem-of-a-place sometime during the summer.... and in the meantime, perhaps hubby and I can pick up a bottle of VV wine at the store and have a little steak & wine dinner in the comfort of our home this February.  I could always use a little at-home intimacy just as much as Valley Vineyards togetherness.

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