Happy Trails & Puppy Dog Tales - Postcards From The Road: Episode 8

Summary

For Love & Chocolate Podcast
Episode: Happy Trails & Puppy Dog Tales - Postcards From The Road: Episode 8
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Hosts: Tommy and Tara Gallop
Produced by: Tara Gallop, Tommy Gallop, Adam Haagen

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Introduction to a Memorable Week

In Episode 8 of "Postcards From The Road," hosts Tommy and Tara Gallop reflect on a particularly eventful week filled with celebrations, personal milestones, and unexpected moments. The episode opens with Tara and Tommy sharing the joy of celebrating Tara's 35th birthday amidst the backdrop of a significant general election, setting a heartfelt and personal tone for the discussion.

Tommy (00:53): "Big election. But something even more special was basically taking over our entire week. And that was Mrs. Truffle's 35th birthday."

Birthday Celebrations and Family Milestones

The hosts express their deep affection for each other and their family, highlighting the importance of personal celebrations even amidst larger societal events. Tommy surprises Tara with a birthday song performed by the "For Love and Chocolate singers," showcasing their sweet and supportive relationship.

Tara (01:09): "Well, you are always so sweet to me for my birthday. You make it so much fun. And, you know, this was no exception. It was a really fun week."

They also touch upon their daughter Arielle turning 19, humorously noting that she's still a teenager for another year, and their dog Winifred celebrating her second birthday on Christmas Eve. The couple discusses the joys and slight chaos that come with dog ownership, especially as Winifred recently went into heat.

Tommy (02:03): "And many more."

Tara (02:09): "Thank you all so much. So lovely to have the love and chocolate singers with us today."

Tommy (03:20): "Something kind of big just happened. I'm still shaking a little bit. Mrs. Truffles."

Adventures on the Road: Travel and Wine Tasting

Tommy and Tara share stories from their recent travels, detailing their visits to Avila Beach and Santa Nez (likely Santa Ynez), where they indulged in wine tasting at the renowned Red Barn restaurant. Their enthusiasm for wine culture shines through as they describe their experiences at various wineries, emphasizing the beauty of the Santa Ynez wine country and their favorite spots like Ganey.

Tommy (02:24): "Back at the Ponderosa. But we did have a great trip. I mean, we. After Avila beach, we went down to Santa Nez."

Tara (05:14): "They've also just kind of become traditions for us and kind of sentimental. Yeah. I feel like we're a little bit of like creatures of habit."

The couple reminisces about their membership at Ganey Winery, highlighting the familial relationships they've built there and the picturesque Tuscan-like setting that adds to the allure of their wine-tasting excursions.

Tommy (05:56): "It is. It's like a castle surrounded by all these beautiful. I mean, it really does feel like Tuscany, doesn't it?"

A Heartwarming Proposal: An Unexpected Highlight

One of the most touching moments of the episode is when Tommy recounts witnessing a unique marriage proposal at a winery. A gentleman orchestrated a flash mob, featuring familiar faces from his life, singing John Lennon's "Imagine" to propose to his partner. This orchestrated surprise moved Tommy to tears, highlighting the unexpected beauty that can arise during their travels.

Tommy (06:38): "And I just noticed kind of out of the corner of my eye, just how beautiful they were. And at one point he got on a knee, the gentleman, and he started singing Imagine John Lennon song... it was so special to be."

Tara adds her surprise at the choice of song, noting the blend of beauty and peculiarity that made the moment unforgettable.

Tara (07:00): "A part of it was especially like, who would ever use the song Imagine for a proposal song? I know it was all at once beautiful and strange."

The heartwarming conclusion to the proposal story sees the woman happily accepting the proposal, adding a joyous note to an already eventful week.

Tommy (07:13): "She said yes."

Reflections on the General Election and Community Spirit

Amidst personal celebrations and joyful events, the hosts acknowledge the broader context of the recent general election, recognizing the mix of emotions it brought to their community. They emphasize the importance of compassion, understanding, and recognizing commonalities among people, regardless of differing political views.

Tara (07:31): "They were all lovely people."

Tommy (08:06): "Yeah. You know, I think what's so important is just go into your happy place, be compassionate to others, and just live your best life."

The Gallops advocate for open conversations and empathy as means to bridge divides and foster healing within the community.

Embracing New Beginnings: Puppies on the Horizon

Looking ahead, Tommy and Tara share exciting news about expanding their family with puppies. Following Winifred's experience, they plan to adopt a litter of long-haired mini dogs, inviting listeners to reach out if interested in adoption once they become available in January.

Tara (04:28): "Can't say this was exactly in our plans, but you know what?"

Tommy (04:31): "Well, we always knew one day we thought we would like them to. Maybe they're just too beautiful not to have at least one so sweet litter."

Their passion for dogs is evident, and they express anticipation for the joy that new puppies will bring to their household and to potential adopters.

Closing Thoughts and Looking Forward

As the episode draws to a close, Tommy and Tara reflect on the incredible moments they've shared and the importance of cherishing love and community. They tease the next episode, promising another romantic story from a wonderful couple, and encourage listeners to stay connected for more sweet tales of love and chocolate.

Tommy (08:21): "Now, that's the new name of our show, for love and chocolate and puppies. Okay, guys, well, thank you again so much for joining us."

Conclusion

Episode 8 of "For Love & Chocolate" masterfully intertwines the personal joys of Tommy and Tara Gallop with broader reflections on love, community, and the unexpected moments that make life sweet. Through heartfelt stories and genuine dialogue, listeners are taken on a journey that celebrates enduring love, the pleasures of fine Swiss chocolate, and the delightful chaos of family life. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode offers a rich and engaging glimpse into the Gallops' lives, leaving you eager for the next installment of their romantic escapades.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Tommy (00:53): "Big election. But something even more special was basically taking over our entire week. And that was Mrs. Truffle's 35th birthday."
• Tommy (02:24): "Back at the Ponderosa. But we did have a great trip. I mean, we. After Avila beach, we went down to Santa Nez."
• Tommy (05:56): "It is. It's like a castle surrounded by all these beautiful. I mean, it really does feel like Tuscany, doesn't it?"
• Tara (06:07): "But we could never have anticipated what was going to happen."
• Tommy (07:22): "And of course, this week, some people were very happy and some people were really sad."
• Tommy (08:06): "Yeah. You know, I think what's so important is just go into your happy place, be compassionate to others, and just live your best life."

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Episode 8, providing listeners with an in-depth overview of the topics discussed, the emotions shared, and the delightful moments experienced by Tommy and Tara Gallop on their journey of love and chocolate.

Transcript

[A]

Mr. And Mrs. Truffles with blue baby and bubbles in tow cruising up the 101 where summer breezes blow Chasing new horizons under the golden sun Postcards from the road where the journey just be good. Well, welcome back, everybody.

[B]

Welcome back. Thank you for joining us for another episode of Postcards from the Road.

[A]

And what a special week this was.

[B]

Well, yes, first we had the big general election.

[A]

Big election. But something even more special was basically taking over our entire week. And that was Mrs. Truffle's 35th birthday.

[B]

Well, you are always so sweet to me for my birthday. You make it so much fun. And, you know, this was no exception. It was a really fun week.

[A]

It really was. I love celebrating you. In fact, I've got a little surprise, sweetheart. I brought the For Love and chocolate singers and just to celebrate for one last time. Okay, guys, here it is. A one and a two and a one, two, three. Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday, Mrs. Truffles Happy birthday to you.

[B]

Oh, that was so sweet.

[A]

And many more.

[B]

Thank you all so much. So lovely to have the love and chocolate singers with us today.

[A]

It really is.

[B]

So we enjoyed my birthday. And then we had to give back.

[A]

That's right. Because our daughter arielle turned from 18 to 19. Crazy.

[B]

I know. She's still a teenager. For one more year.

[A]

One more year.

[B]

Anyways, yes, we are back at the Ponderosa.

[A]

Back at the Ponderosa. But we did have a great trip. I mean, we. After Avila beach, we went down to Santa Nez.

[B]

We went to wine country. We did wine tasting.

[A]

Went to the Red Barn. Is that the.

[B]

We love that.

[A]

Fantastic restaurant.

[B]

Yeah, that was fantastic.

[A]

I think we got the Cowboy Porter house.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I love 72 ounces. And I think if you eat everything, they give you free. Otherwise, it's $900.

[B]

Only if you can finish dessert.

[A]

It was a lot of food.

[B]

It was amazing. And also, I got a new cowboy hat.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, there's something about being around horses that makes me just want to wear a hat.

[A]

I know. And it makes me want to say, hey. So we got back after that great trip, and, well, surprise, surprise. You know what I love about our show and our little postcards is we never really know what we're going to talk about until we get here.

[B]

But we're just kind of talking about the things that just happened.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And reflecting.

[A]

Something kind of big just happened. I'm still. I'm still shaking a little bit. Mrs. Truffles.

[B]

Well, I know, Mr. Truffles, that it's A special day for more than just Arielle's birthday. It might be also somebody else's procreation day.

[A]

So our sweet little Winifred, our long haired mini dogs.

[B]

And Winifred.

[A]

Yep. Who turns two on Christmas Eve, well, she went in heat a few days ago. So today after our little four mile walk, I like to let them kind of run around the kitchen and just be dogs for, you know, a minute. And I think I went and grabbed.

[B]

A bite, some water, a little snack.

[A]

A little something something. About five minutes later, I'm watching a little football game and I hear Mrs. Truffle say, uh, oh, they're stuck. And I knew that she didn't mean that they were stuck behind the stove.

[B]

Yeah, they're not that tiny. They could get stuck behind the stove. No. So if anybody is interested in adopting a puppy come January, reach out to us. We should have some beautiful long haired mini ducks and puppies in about eight weeks.

[A]

Can't say this was exactly in our plans, but you know what?

[B]

Well, we always knew one day we thought we would like them to. Maybe they're just too beautiful not to have at least one so sweet litter. They're so pretty.

[A]

And I know that dogs are your favorite people.

[B]

They are my favorite people. And now they're gonna have little baby dogs. It'll be cute.

[A]

Oof. Yes.

[B]

Maybe. Who knows? Maybe not. But we'll keep you posted.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So anyway, speaking of posted.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

We had some amazing times out on the road.

[A]

We did.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Again, we've mentioned before, but one of our favorite things is to go wine tasting in the Santa Nez Alley.

[B]

Yeah. We have some very favorite wineries there. And they're favorite for different reasons, you know, I mean, the beauty is always part of it.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And the wines, of course.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

They've also just kind of become traditions for us and kind of sentimental. Yeah. I feel like we're a little bit of like creatures of habit.

[A]

We are.

[B]

I mean, there's very sentimental.

[A]

There's so many wineries in Santa's. We always go back to Ganey.

[B]

We love Ganey, which we are.

[A]

We're club members and they send us wine every couple months. But we just, we know the people there, they're kind of like family. We go there for our wine tasting, we sit out. If we've got the dogs, we've got the dog with us. And we meet just the most interesting, lovely people, Right?

[B]

Oh, yeah. And also Dimitri.

[A]

Oh, Dimitri. And you know what? If it wasn't already so extraordinary, it's Such a beautiful setting.

[B]

It's a beautiful winery out there.

[A]

It is. It's like a castle surrounded by all these beautiful. I mean, it really does feel like Tuscany, doesn't it?

[B]

It does. And the people who own it named it for their daughter, their Greek family.

[A]

Yeah. But we could never have anticipated what was going to happen. We were there on. It was a Thursday afternoo, and there were a lot of people, more than usual, and they were all really well dressed. And there was one couple, they were kind of in the middle and just kind of out of a movie. And I just noticed kind of out of the corner of my eye, just how beautiful they were. And at one point he got on a knee, the gentleman, and he started singing Imagine John Lennon song. What I didn't expect, and I'm going to start to get a little teary eyed, is that he had kind of set up this flash mob. All these people from his life had come to join him in song to help him with the proposal. And we did not see that coming. And it was so special to be.

[B]

A part of it was especially like, who would ever use the song Imagine for a proposal song? I know it was all at once beautiful and strange and str.

[A]

But the good news is she said yes.

[B]

She said yes.

[A]

Yeah. And it was really. It was a moment in a week where so much was going on in the world, especially in our country.

[B]

And of course, this week, some people were very happy and some people were really sad. You know, we got to talk to a lot of people. And what I would say, though, is that they were all lovely people.

[A]

They were. Yeah. All, you know, the ones that were struggling are trying to kind of just get through it. And again, some were just elated and excited for tomorrow.

[B]

But I think that the important thing is they talk to each other and remember that they're all amazing people, you know, and that they have way more in common than they'll ever realize. The thing is, when we talk to people about some of these things that they're feeling, I kind of feel like they all have a lot in common. There's just a few things that make them see things in a different light, you know, and if they talk to each other, there's going to be healing and everybody's going to feel better.

[A]

Yeah. You know, I think what's so important is just go into your happy place, be compassionate to others, and just live your best life. Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And let us know if you need us to send you some chocolates and.

[B]

Let us know if you think you might like a puppy. It's for loving chocolate and puppies.

[A]

Now, that's the new name of our show, for love and chocolate and puppies. Okay, guys, well, thank you again so much for joining us. And guess what? We're going to be back next week with a full episode and another amazing, beautiful, romantic couple. Can't wait to bring them to you. But until then, say goodbye, Mrs. Truffles.

[B]

Goodbye, Mrs. Truffles.

[A]

This show is brought to you by Beverly Hills Toy Chocolates of Switzerland, home of the world's first and finest champagne, Truffles. Join us next week for more adventures in everlasting love.