Hot? Yes! Unbearable? No way!

I cannot deal with the heat like I did when I was younger; I'm just saying I need to be cautious. But today was going to be so fun at Somerset RidgeVineyard and Winery, I threw caution to the wind and headed south to see what was happening. What I found was the hillside covered with the tables and red umbrellas surrounded by happy people! But there was an additional umbrella, one draped with beautiful scarves. There below it was the fabulous MaJo!  Also known as my friend, Maria Johnson and one of Kansas City's most exciting artists, and a member of the Somerset Ridge  Painters, MaJo had set up her easel and was surrounded by glorious paintings of the vineyard, wine bottles and glasses.

As I approached Maria's wonderful "studio", she was explaining why she couldn't sell the painting to the couple holding the colorful  canvas. That was when I heard her saying "That one is very special. It is for my friend, Kay. It is of her husband." I knew exactly what was going to be the subject of that painting! I moved around behind the couple and sure enough, Maria had painted a bottle of Flyboy Red wine and a wine glass full of the deep red wine that was my flyboy's favorite. Arch has graced the label since Dennis Reynolds, the owner of Somerset Ridge and the amazing winemaker responsible for making Somerset the winner of the Jefferson Cup,  created the wine in honor of Arch.

It was unbelievably wonderful; I could picture it on my wall, could hardly wait to get it home! But then I heard the lady explain that she really wanted to buy 2 of Maria's paintings and the Flyboy painting went so well with the other one she had chosen.  Maria agreed to paint her another one, now, it would be ready in an hour!  (I'm the painter who now has over 25 hours into my current canvas!)

The deal was struck, the couple went down the hill to the veranda to enjoy a bottle of chilled chardonel while Maria started their painting.  As soon as they stepped away, a man approached her, asking about the paintings. Guess which one he wanted to buy! Yep....Flyboy! He ended up buying 2 truly sexy paintings of wine glasses full of glistening Somerset wine....MaJo is really good!

Next she started a large canvas of a grape vine next to and end post....unbelievable! 2 people, 2 different people wanted to buy it and it wasn't even finished yet! They each did their best to convience Maria to sell it to them...it was quite fun to watch! Of course Maria sold it to the lady that had stated her desire to buy it first, so there stood the poor guy who was so set on taking it home.  He decided to wait for Maria to paint one just for him, as long as it was similar to the one he had just lost.
Next was a couple who also wanted two paintings....one of which was Flyboy....it looked like I needed to tell Maria to go ahead and sell it. I too would wait for  another one, painted just for me.
What a day for Maria and all of her new friends!  What fun it was to watch the wheeling and dealing...they certainly were anxious to take home a painting by MaJo!

The entire day was quite an experience....there is just something about art and wine and I must not forget the absolutely adorable musician! This guy is wonderful. He has a terrific connection with his audience, plays all of the requests, and did I mention he is so darned cute! He will be back, Ladies, so plan a trip out to the vineyard soon!



Winemaker, Dennis Reynolds, talking wine with visitors

 It was a great day  at Somerset Ridge!