Chocolate Escape

Chocolate Escape

Friday, February 19, 2016

This month some friends and I met together downtown to meander the Loudoun Mall in search of decadent chocolates. The Chocolate Escape was back in town for the third year (you can see last year's post here)!

We started our journey at Brewbakers with their chocolate mouse martinis (and select members opting in for a glass of wine on the side). This was a delicious dessert and an excellent start to the tour. 

We also stopped by the Winchester Book Gallery, which was offering a smattering of different desserts that were made from some of their cook books. Isn't that a clever idea? 

The next stop on our tour was actually Murphy's Beverage Company, but we got distracted with the chocolate wine tastings. Then we headed on south to the Bright Box. They had a talented duo, Someone to Ride the River With, singing for the event so customers could buy some chocolates and then listen to live music.

We also hit up The Black Rose, which is a quaint boutique that offers a variety of little desserts and foods along with some gifts and trinkets.

All in all, I'm very glad that the city of Winchester has continued to do these events and that the turnout is great. It's a fun event to draw people into the heart of Winchester and recognize all the our community has to offer. A big thanks to the coordinators and participating businesses; we had a blast.

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Hill High Farm

Hill High Farm

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Hill High Farm is a locally owned business that invites people onto their land to pick apples and pumpkins, navigate a corn maze, take a hayride, and pet some animals. In one week they will open their Haunted House as well. 

Their corn maze covers several acres and you're given a punch card before you enter. There are six stations placed throughout the maze that you and your team are supposed find. There are pictures and jokes spread on each sign and a hole punch, so you can tag your card and prove you found all six stations. 

There are funnel cakes, pork rinds, apple cider, pies, and much more for sale along with autumn-themed gifts.

If you and your family decide to take a hayride you'll hop aboard and a tractor will pull you through the farm. For $6 you get a hayride, a pumpkin, and a short educational talk with the owner, Vernon, as he rides his horse (Bo or Rooster) with his farm dog Max trailing alongside him. 

There are also several animals such as donkeys, goats, and calves to pet and interact with. Kids and adults both will be sure to have a lot of fun at the farm. If you're looking for more information check out their website or their Facebook.

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Four Color Fantasies

Four Color Fantasies

Friday, March 13, 2015

If you're looking for for a comic shop that can meet all your needs with incredibly helpful and happy staff look no further. Four Color Fantasies in Winchester, Virginia can provide you with comics, comic merchandise, board games, card games, and expansion sets. They're easy to spot as they have a signature blue color on the outside of their shop on Weems Lane. Check them out on facebook, then stop in to say hi to the owner, Mike.  

When you walk through the door staff will great you with a smile and ask if they can help you find anything. They're willing to offer personal advice on games or comics and can guide you in the right direction if you're new. Occasionally the shop hosts board game events such as a recent one for the 7 Wonders board game. You can't go wrong, whatever you choose, at Four Color Fantasies. Think about some new hobbies you may be interested in, grab a friend, and step into Winchester's local comic shop.

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Posh Pets

Posh Pets

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Posh Pets is a boutique on the Loudoun Street Mall that caters to pet owners. They offer a variety of merchandise including leashes, pet outfits (and coats), toys, jewelry, bumper stickers, and dog beds.  We often stop in when we're downtown just to pick up some handmade treats for our dog, Odin. The treats are often themed with the recent or soon-to-be holidays.

On top of the merchandise, Posh Pets also offers training classes, grooming, and special events such as photos with Santa and Pet Parades. These can be really fun activities and the money for tickets or photos is usually passed on to a rescue organization. If you can make it out to one of their parades, it's a sight to see with all the pets dressed to the nines. On top of it all, Posh Pets helps with animal adoptions; they work in conjunction with several rescue and foster organizations. This coming Saturday, for example, Shirley's Angels Boxer Rescue will be present in the store with a few boxer pups that are available for adoption. You can find this local business at their facebook page or website to see when they offer certain courses and adoption dates through their partner organizations. 

So if you're into animals and want to make your pet posh stop on in and say hi. The staff is very friendly and would love to meet some more animal lovers in Winchester.

{Our boy waiting patiently in the store, knowing a treat will come his way}

{Lots of stylish leashes and collars to choose from}

{Some of the many toys for sale}

{Jackets to help dogs keep warm}

{The handmade treats}

{He knows what Posh Pets means!}

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Restaurant Week: Jack Knuckle Gourmet

Restaurant Week: Jack Knuckle Gourmet

Monday, March 2, 2015

Today kickstarts Winchester's annual Restaurant Week. This is a great weeklong event that is put on by local businesses downtown to entice customers to try new places and new foods. If you have old favorites you can still stop in for some varying menus and affordable food. Most participating restaurants are either offering three course meals for $25 or 2 for $25 deals. 

Our first stop is a little non-traditional this week. Jack Knuckle Gourmet is participating in Winchester's Restaurant Week and is creating meals for two people for $25. What's unique about them is that they are a food truck that roams around the town. You can check out their Restaurant Week Menu here. For the event week the truck is parked right behind Winchester Towers on Cameron Street. Grab some friends and try out their soups, sandwiches, and sides. 

Tonight my husband and I tried out the gourmet grilled cheese, cream of asparagus soup, and falafel along with two drinks all for $25. Since it's a little chilly out and we live close to downtown we decided to eat at home, but you could sit along the wall on Cameron Street to eat and chat if you desire. As we were getting our food, three more families showed up to try out the food truck. The employees delivered service with a smile and I'm interested in testing out their other sandwiches in the weeks to come.

Interested in finding out what other businesses are participating? There are a bunch in our historic downtown and you can check them all out on their website or facebook page.

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Winchester, Virginia

Winchester, Virginia

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Winchester Virginia is my hometown and where I plan to move back to in a matter of months to continue on with life.

I find the town to be a pleasant mix of country life and a dab of city. It seems that some people can underestimate the potential of a small town. My purpose here is to provide details of upcoming events as well as outlining entertainment for you to enjoy in our little town. Of course, what fits one person won't fit everyone but I hope that you'll bare with me here and browse around the walking mall, explore some outdoor recreation, and check out our local food venues.

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