A Full Glass With Jill

A Full Glass With Jill Vineyard life, family, wine, farming, and finding the good in every season. 🍷

Today’s picture is of a little mourning dove sitting in a tree at the w**ery.Unfortunately, the tree was damaged and nee...
09/09/2026

Today’s picture is of a little mourning dove sitting in a tree at the w**ery.

Unfortunately, the tree was damaged and needed to come down. I never like cutting down trees, and even when you know it’s necessary, there’s something a little sad about watching a beautiful old tree fall.

But what really caught my attention was this little dove.

He sat there while we watched the tree being cut down, and I kept thinking, “Okay, little guy, it’s time for you to go!” But he stayed. And stayed. He held onto his branch almost until the very end, finally flying away just before the tree came down.

It was such a simple thing, but I couldn’t stop watching him.

Maybe there was a little lesson in it too. Sometimes we hold onto something familiar right up until the moment we absolutely have to let go. And then we spread our wings, find another branch, and carry on.

I hope our little w**ery dove found himself another good tree nearby. ❤️

When we first bought the w**ery, I have to admit, I was all about the tasting room. The w**e, the customers, the events,...
07/20/2026

When we first bought the w**ery, I have to admit, I was all about the tasting room. The w**e, the customers, the events, creating a welcoming atmosphere, that was the part I immediately connected with.

But as time goes on, something unexpected is happening. I find myself more and more drawn outside.

The vineyard is fascinating me.

I'm learning about the vines, watching the grapes develop, understanding what they need, and realizing just how much happens long before a bottle of w**e ever reaches the tasting room.

Now I find myself thinking about what new grape varieties we could plant, what might thrive here, how we can improve the vineyard, and how we can slowly evolve it and make it our own.

There is so much to learn, and I know I've barely scratched the surface but that's what makes it so exciting!!

I thought I was buying a w**ery.

I'm beginning to realize I also fell in love with a vineyard.

And this is where it all begins. 🍇

It’s no secret that I’m an animal lover. 🐄🐐🐶🐈‍⬛ 🦌 🐇 I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by my furry family at h...
07/06/2026

It’s no secret that I’m an animal lover. 🐄🐐🐶🐈‍⬛ 🦌 🐇

I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by my furry family at home and to live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, where wildlife is simply part of everyday life. Farms stretch across the landscape, deer wander through the fields, birds fill the skies, and yes, even rabbits happily hop around the w**ery grounds.

Yesterday, a couple visited the w**ery and asked if they could walk around outside because they had spotted some rabbits. At first, I smiled, but then it made me stop and think. Seeing rabbits was something special to them. They wanted to slow down and enjoy the moment. It reminded me that not everyone has the opportunity to experience wildlife on a regular basis. Those of us who do can easily begin to take it for granted.

We often hear the saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” I think that’s wonderful advice. But I’d add something else.

Stop and watch the wild rabbits. Listen to the birds. Notice the butterflies. Wave to the cows. Pause long enough to appreciate the little moments that nature gives us every day.

Sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t the extraordinary ones. They’re the ordinary moments we’ve become so accustomed to that we forget just how special they really are. 🍇

Today marks 8 years of being breast cancer free.Every year I debate whether I should post about it. Part of me wonders, ...
07/01/2026

Today marks 8 years of being breast cancer free.

Every year I debate whether I should post about it. Part of me wonders, “Why do I feel the need to share this?” The truth is, this post isn’t really for anyone else. It’s for me. It’s a moment to pause, reflect on what I went through, and be grateful for how far I’ve come.

At the same time, if sharing my story encourages even one person to schedule their mammogram or not put off that doctor’s appointment, then it’s worth it. Early detection truly is everything. Because of my family’s history, I went for my yearly screenings, and that decision made all the difference. There were no signs, nothing visible at all!

I’ve watched too many friends and family members face breast cancer, and some have suffered losses that never should have happened. I don’t want anyone else to go through that if it can be prevented or caught early.

So today, I’m celebrating. I’m celebrating eight years of more birthdays, more hugs, more family dinners, more laughter, more memories, and more opportunities to live this beautiful life.

If you’ve been putting off your screening, please make the appointment. Do it for yourself. Do it for the people who love you.

Today, my heart is simply full of gratitude. I’m thankful to be here. I’m thankful for my family. And I’m thankful for every single day that I’ve been given since that diagnosis.

Here’s to celebrating eight years, embracing today, and looking forward to all the moments still to come. 💗

These photos are of one of the most special people in my life my “tea friend.”We affectionately call each other that bec...
06/29/2026

These photos are of one of the most special people in my life my “tea friend.”
We affectionately call each other that because, for many years, we’d get together simply to have tea with our babies beside us. Those cups of tea turned into hours of conversation, laughter, support, and friendship that I will forever cherish.

I’ve known Lara Padula since high school. Like so many friendships, life took us in different directions for a while. There wasn’t a dramatic reason, we just drifted apart as life sometimes does. Thankfully, life also has a wonderful way of bringing the right people back to us when the time is right. ❤️

Today, she is one of my closest and dearest friends. She’s someone I trust completely, someone who has stood beside me through life’s highs and lows, and someone I never want to lose again.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that true friendships are rare. They aren’t measured by how often you see each other, but by how effortlessly you pick up where you left off and how deeply you care for one another.

Our friendship is one I will never take for granted. I’m incredibly grateful that life brought my “tea friend” back into it. 🫖❤️🥰

Today’s photo is a little collage from my years attending horseback riding camp with the Girl Scouts. Every summer, I wo...
06/24/2026

Today’s photo is a little collage from my years attending horseback riding camp with the Girl Scouts. Every summer, I would spend a week there, and even now, all these years later, I remember how magical it felt.

I loved the horses, the riding, the friendships, and the sense of independence that came with being away from home. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to go year after year. Those experiences helped shape who I am and certainly fueled my lifelong love of horses.

One memory, though, has always stuck with me. Mail time. I remember watching other kids receive letters and care packages from their parents. They would excitedly open boxes filled with treats, notes, and little reminders of home. I never received one. At the time, I remember wondering why. Why weren’t my parents sending me letters too?

As a child, it’s easy to interpret things through a very simple lens. You compare your experience to everyone else’s and sometimes come to conclusions that aren’t really true.
Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t a big deal at all. My parents loved me deeply. The absence of a letter or care package wasn’t a measure of that love. It was simply one of those little childhood moments that seemed important at the time but looks very different through adult eyes.

What I remember most now isn’t what I didn’t receive. It’s what I did receive: a week each summer doing something I absolutely loved, memories that have lasted a lifetime, and parents who gave me opportunities that many children never get to experience.

Funny how perspective changes with time. 🐴❤️💌

I often write about my French heritage because it was such a big part of my childhood. My mom was French, and many of my...
06/19/2026

I often write about my French heritage because it was such a big part of my childhood. My mom was French, and many of my favorite memories are tied to that side of my family.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my dad’s side as well. His family was Hungarian and Russian/Jewish, which may explain my love of sour cream, goulash, latkes, and matzoh ball soup! Yum!! 😋

Growing up, our home was a blend of traditions. We always had a Christmas tree because my mom loved how beautiful they looked, and we also lit the menorah each year. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to grow up with both traditions.

Even at Ravenwood Faire, I carry my family with me. My character, Adela Borascz, was named in honor of my grandmother Adele, and my love for w**e 🍷, a small way of keeping her memory close.

Traditions connect us to the people who came before us. Whether through food, holidays, stories, or names, they remind us where we came from and help shape who we become. I think that’s pretty special. 🇭🇺🇷🇺

I’m the baby in the picture, with my family in France. I was only 8 months old. Most people are surprised when I tell th...
06/15/2026

I’m the baby in the picture, with my family in France. I was only 8 months old. Most people are surprised when I tell them that I spoke French before I spoke English.

My mom was French, and when my parents first started dating, my dad, being an English major and never one to back down from a challenge, made it his mission to learn French. In fact, he became so good at it that he often spoke it better than my mom! They spoke French together all the time, so when I was born, that was the language I heard most.

Starting school was an interesting experience because I already spoke both French and English. For some reason, my brain never seemed to struggle with switching between the two. It just happened naturally. One moment I was speaking French, the next English, without really thinking about it.

When I would visit family and friends in France, they were always amazed that I had no American accent and could move effortlessly between the languages. To me, it never felt remarkable. It was simply part of who I was.

These days, I don’t speak French nearly as much. Since my parents are no longer here, those daily conversations have disappeared. My husband and children have tried to learn French over the years, but life gets busy and they never fully pursued it.

Sometimes I wonder if I will lose my French. Then I stop and think about it. I don’t believe I ever truly could.

Language is more than words. It’s memories. It’s family dinners, laughter, stories, traditions, and the voices of the people who shaped us. French isn’t just something I learned, it is woven into who I am. It carries my mother’s heritage, my father’s determination, and a piece of my childhood.

I may not speak it every day anymore, but it still lives somewhere inside me, waiting patiently for the next conversation. Like so many things we inherit from the people we love, it never really leaves us. 🇫🇷🇺🇸❤️

These pictures were taken with a friend who recently left us far too soon.He was an integral part of Ravenwood Faire, on...
06/13/2026

These pictures were taken with a friend who recently left us far too soon.

He was an integral part of Ravenwood Faire, one of those people you could always count on when something needed to be done. He never sought recognition or attention. He simply showed up, worked hard, and helped wherever he was needed. The kind of person every community hopes to have and never wants to lose.

If you knew him, you knew his heart. He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. Kind, dependable, generous, and genuine. In a world where those qualities can sometimes feel rare, he carried them naturally.

My heart especially goes out to Mara and his daughter Sarissa. No words can truly ease that kind of loss, but I hope they know how many lives he touched and how much he meant to so many people.

The Faire won’t quite be the same without him. There will be moments when we expect to see him around a corner, hear his voice, or watch him helping someone without being asked. Those are the moments that remind us just how much of an impact one person can have.

We often think that it is grand accomplishments that define a life, but I don’t believe that is true. I think it is the kindness we show, the people we help, and the love we leave behind. By that measure, he lived a life that mattered.

Recently, I’ve found myself in several conversations about how families today are often blended. Stepchildren, half sibl...
06/10/2026

Recently, I’ve found myself in several conversations about how families today are often blended. Stepchildren, half siblings, different last names, different parents. It made me stop and think about how I raised my own children. In our home, there was never “step,” “half,” or “different.” There was only family. That was it.

Growing up, I never even knew that my brother had a different dad than I did. My parents never treated it differently, so to me, there was nothing to question. He was simply my brother. My protector, my friend, part of my life and heart from the very beginning.

I still remember the day my mom told me. She could be blunt sometimes, not always soft with emotional conversations, and she matter of factly explained that we did not share the same father. I remember immediately thinking, “That’s not true. He’s my brother, and that’s that.”

And honestly, even now, that feeling has never changed.

Blood may matter to some people, but love, loyalty, shared memories, laughter, pain, and growing up together, that is what makes a family to me.

I miss my brother deeply. I lost him far too soon. But no title, label, or technicality could ever change what he was to me. He was, and always will be, my brother. Love and miss you bro 💔

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