Boo-Ya!!

Happy Halloween!

I cannot believe how fast this year has been. I must be getting older because the days just fly by. Cazadora tagged me for my 6th picture in my 6th album...one more 6 and this game becomes even more holiday appropriate, which made me chuckle when I looked at my work computer to find my 6 & 6 and found this image from last year! (The quality is poor because at the time all I had was camera phone - my old phone, may it RIP.)

Pretty darn frightening pumpkin...and a lil bit closer...

Here is a better picture that a friend sent me.

Since we live in the middle of orchards and such, trick-or-treating is not so much of an option. Over the hill our friends host a standing Halloween party that is appropriately designed for both adults and kids. We have hobo soup. For those elitists out there, hobo soup is where you ask everyone that is coming over to bring any kind of canned soup they want that would be enough to cover themselves. Then you dump all of them into one giant pot and we all share. The end result is always amazing. You should try it. There is a keg...and wine...and other adult appropriate drinks...we all have space and tools and we carve pumpkins.

The rules of the pumpkin contest are simple. All carving and assembly must take place at the party. We have a kid categories with prizes (big shock, everyone wins something) and adult prizes as well.

Last year Fish won with this superb carving (obviously his uncle Alpha was providing assistance) and then his bad agent aunt Filoli provided dry ice for additional effect which you can't see because of said stupid camera phone...

Now, I have been very busy reading these posts and associated comments that Julie referenced a few days ago. Poor Becca is getting pretty beat up for taking a very servant position simply stating that (very inappropriate summary of a lengthy and heartfelt position) given the orphan crisis prohibiting gay couples to adopt seems inappropriate and counter intuitive to a demonstrated need in our world. Big shock, she has received many many comments and the tone is not always supportive.

I haven't commented on her blog for a couple of reasons: 1 - I don't "blog know" her that well (how bizarre that this is a part of my vocabulary); and, 2 - I don't know how to say what I am feeling when I read this because it conjures up so many emotions, feelings and thoughts.

Some of the comments remind me of the article that rocked Julie a while ago...and I feel like at some point I do want to very proactively deal with these issues - but not today.

Becca is weary...and I knew that was coming long before the post...because little ole me, a third party observer watching this accident safely from my computer time zones away felt...weary...

BUT - today is a High Holy Day for the Homosexual Community and as such, I feel I must say

As I was driving home last night I listened to the following song over and over again when I was thinking about the warfare going on over at Becca's blog and the general insanity regarding these issues. Plus, I love this song for all you that know adoption you have to love the shout out to all "cause I'm a paper chaser!"

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

[Just some of the lyrics that resonated with me last night...

I know, I am odd...]

What you need to do is be thankful for the life that you got.

You know what I'm sayin'.

Stop lookin' at what you ain't got and start bein' thankful for what you do got.

Let's give it to 'em baby girl...

You're gonna be a shining star

Never mind what haters say, ignore 'em 'til they fade away

Amazing they ungrateful after all the game I gave away

Safe to say I paved the way for you cats to get paid today

Instead of being gracious they violate in a major way I never been a hater still I love them in a crazy way

It ain't that they black or white, it has an area the shade of grey

I pray for patience but they make me want to melt their face away

The hooting and the hollering, back and forth with the arguing

Where you from, who you know, what you make and what kind of car you in

Seems as though you lost sight of what's important when depositing

Your values is in disarray, prioritizing horribly

Unhappy with the riches 'cause you piss poor morally

Ignoring all prior advice and forewarning

And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden, aren't we?

Come walk in my shoes

And see the way I'm living if you really want to

Got my mind on my money and I'm not going nowhere

Look in the mirror and keep on shining

'Till the game ends, 'till the clock stops

We gon' post up on the top spot

Living the life, the life

I'm living my life, my life And I'm not stopping So live your life!

What the Pucker!?!

I am so glad to be back even if it is just briefly. So, we are back on track for Wino Wednesday.

Today, we pucker up, baby!

What is the big difference between red and white? Answer - Tannins

Tannins are bitter. That is the central role that they play in a red wine. I do not want to delve into the science and molecular structures of tannins...they are complicated both from a Science Guy and wine tasting sort of a way.

Tannins in red wine are derived from the skins, seeds and stems of the grapes. But it can also result from the wooden barrels the wine is stored in for maturation. Tannins are your path to true insight as to the quality of the wine.

No matter what you may hear from someone swirling a glass of wine and thrusting their nose deep into a glass - You cannot smell tannins! These bitter beauties may only be experienced by mouth. So pucker, let it linger and then swallow...

If the tannins are too bitter (no fruit aftertaste) and it feels a bit grainy, then it is an indicator of problems with wine. This could be anything from simply unripe grapes, diseases of faults in the vineyard or it could be defects in the production process (pressing the seeds other things...).

If it tastes bitter with a hint of sweetness and a fruity aftertaste, then you have a quality red on your hands. Signs of optimal ripeness and mature tannins are smoothness, silk and a somewhat transparent feel in the mouth.

So, tannins are exclusively a mouth experience and then you swallow and that leads up to the wine's hopefully great finish...

Finish, next to bouquet, is a frequent term people drop when talking about wine. Just like you cannot smell tannins - you don't know the finish until you SWALLOW.

Ask yourself - Does the wine get better after I swallow? Are there new aromas or tastes in your mouth and throat? Does it linger?

Only now can you really talk about the "structure" of the wine.

Typically, a wine is either found to be complex or simple. This is pretty self evident. If the mouth taste is different from the finish, then it would be considered complex because the wine changes and develops while you drink it. If it is pretty much the same, no real variation, then you have yourself a simple wine, which you may just absolutely love and adore - because ultimately it is your call.

So now you have a way to talk about tannins, finish and structure of wines this weekend.

Now, your mission if you wish to accept it (and I hope you will) is try a fun tasting game.

Buy 1 bottle from of each of three following categories (no blends at all):

1. Pinot Noir, Pinotage or Sangiovese
2. Merlot or Zinfandel
3. Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah

Open all 3 bottles, give each taster 3 wine glasses, throw a tag on each glass identifying the wine and start sampling. Also, have a glass of water available to clean your palate. It is pretty necessary particularly when you go from a Cab or Syrah to a Pinot Noir. See if you can start to taste the variation amongst the wines. Are the tannins softer in one than another...does it feel like one has a lot of bitter and another hardly any...

Young Jedi, if you do these exercises and learn to trust yourself, you will be amazed at what you will discover. So, give it a try, the force is strong with you, young one...

Now for a quick down and dirty tasting note...I have been shipped out to Phoenix for awhile working and was lucky enough to be shacked up at this joint...

I checked out their cellar and they had a phenomenal amount of old wines. I was particularly taken by the number of Chateau Petrus they cellared and from impressive vintages. Obviously a number of wines from France's Bordeaux region were a highlight of their collection. The most commonly planted grape of the region and the shining star of the super expensive Petrus is none other than the inappropriately maligned as common and unsophisticated Merlot.

Knowing this, I was pretty stoked when I had an opportunity to crash a cocktail hour and wanted to sample their somewhat reasonably priced merlots. They should be pretty good right?

I was served Hayman and Hill, Merlot, from Napa. I know of this winery and was not too eager, but I thought "hey they must know something I don't about this wine." Uh...NO!!!!!!!!

What the Pucker!

It was so devastatingly horrible! Using the terms of the day, the tannins were low but a bit dirty tasting, the finish felt like...hmmm...how do I describe this...it was a short finish, but flat and nasty. It tasted like the sound of someone passing gas - yep, a fart. So I was not impressed.

Apologies to all that love this wine - it is just how I read the wine...and no, I will not do this wine again - ever!

It is funny because I was talking to Alpha about how silly I feel because so far I have "really liked" or "recommend" the wines we have done so far. I was wondering if I was a bit of a cheerleader. Then I was served the crap wine...argh, it hurt my stomach to look around the patio and watch people just gulping down giant glasses of that nonsense.

Regardless, the scenery was still pretty good and the weather outside (I was told) delightful...

So I can't really complain...

A Change is Gonna Come...

I have been so very busy...so until I have a chance to come up for air, this is what you get...I thought it was pretty fitting for the times...

Wino Wednesday is...

Temporarily suspended due to Way Too Much Working Wednesday...

I suspect I will have a wine review from tonight, but doubt my abilities to blog about it tonight.

In the meantime, you should be drinking wine tonight...and I am still waiting for Goat descriptions.

Cheers!

Not Random - Probable

Okay, according the the rules I must link to the person that tagged me and post the rules on my blog...[ahem] Caroline upon return from her mystical adventures in Italy has tagged me. Her randomness is well received for this type of game because she truly has a fascinating life...e.g. the study of metallurgy.



I am a little unclear how one is to determine what is a "random" fact about oneself. Perhaps it is the multiple glasses of cheap red wine that I have imbibed tonight...but it seems a bit of an oxymoron...so in keeping with the spirit I will make haste slowly to my 7 random facts about myself (which is uniformity in the selection...sorry couldn't help myself)...



In all seriousness, I sincerely thank Caroline because now I feel a part of the "it" clique, a status I never attain in either my physical and virtual form...

1. I had to look up metallurgy earlier today...and then frankly, a bit shocked and amazed that Caroline has written a dissertation on the subject...truly, this is amazing and obviously unrelated to the occupation of education administrator which leads me to believe there is a much better story underneath all of this...


2. My brother-in-law, Shepard, was actually aware of metallurgy when I was quizzing him just now. He stated it was one of those words that once you learn the meaning of it you never forget it. Also, we agreed it is like one of those words in Spanish where you simply add a -y and you understand the meaning in either language. As it relates to a random fact about me - I was secretly hoping he didn't know the meaning of this word as well.


3. I purchased a used treadmill from Craigslist yesterday which was the cherry on a 3 day fight with husband, Alpha, consisting of the following arguments:...treadmills waste electricity, they are largely manufactured in China, it is what's wrong with society, I should just be running outside, I am not being rationale, I should use the gym's electricity, treadmills should be illegal, my carbon footprint is getting larger with every sinful step on the treadmill, road running is better training, and don't be so scared to run alone. My counter argument to all of this was "I feel fat, I get home late and it is too dark in the morning and at night for me to run...if the electricity is so horrible, rig it with solar panels off the grid and leave me alone - by the way, sweetheart could you please run the satellite to the gym...[smiling hopefully seductively because I am aware that this requires additional electricity] oh and the never ending chorus of I feel fat"


4. Eva Luna says that the most random fact about me is that I was in FFA in high school at my inner city high school. Yes, that would be Future Farmers of America...it was pretty hard for an idealist vegetarian (at the time) being tested on appropriate slaughtering of animals. As Eva Luna puts it, the fact that I was in FFA becomes substantially more "random" when you know me. You see in order to go to a slightly less violent inner city school I had to apply for an inter district transfer and be able to show that there was a program or class that was unique to the school I was transferring to in order to get it approved. Evidently, "less rapes" was not an acceptable reason for transfer - so I went with FFA.


5. As a result of the aforementioned educational institution - I have the ability to throw a number of gang signs. This art was required as a "toll" to get down some of the hallways. If you are wondering, I never used my locker because it was in a horrible part of school, so I damn near gave myself scoliosis carrying all of my books on a daily basis.


6. I broke my collar bone snowboarding many moons ago, but didn't say anything because on the same day a friend ruptured his spleen. I was so busy dealing with his spleen injury (because we were the only ones that stayed an extra 2 days after spring break) that I didn't realize it was broke until months later. I just thought my shoulder hurt really bad and that the stress of the situation made it worse. Years later, I have huge problems from time to time with my shoulder because of my crooked collar bone.


7. I love reading - but I do not read as much any more because I become unhealthily obsessed with a book (I read constantly - even while driving...I know, I don't want to hear it...). I do enjoy television - right now I look forward to Pushing Daisies (come on, it's like Hitchhiker's Guide but with punchy colors, great sets, great filmography, with a moving neo-comic book feel), Dexter (oddly brought me through some of my most trying fertility times...I know it is odd...it might be the "dark passenger" concept), and Life (mostly because I think Damian Lewis is pretty darn amazing, the stories are not nearly as intriguing or original as they would like to think, but I still like how the series is coming together). Hmmm, I don't think "I like these shows" is very random...so as a bonus,


8. When I was little I would pour pickle juice from the jar into a cup, dare my sister to drink it, and tell her it was pee...oh the horrors...

So now my mission is to tag 7 people. Let them know by commenting. Link to the person who tagged you. Send them your bank details, so that you can receive the $1,000,000 owing to you from the estate of a Nigerian oil baron. (I really think that should be the new rule, Caroline. So very funny...)

As such, I now hereby tag with my Internet connection the following: Catherine the Confessor, Speedbump the Impenetrable, Michael Ann the Swift and Gifted, Trishie the Savage, Photographer the Missing (according to his wife - and who I am sure will not do it), Digital the Experiment (because I want to see 7 random things in pictures and keeping Portland weird) and New Flower the Trinity (because I think technically you will need 7 for each blog author, that makes 21 because I count your blogging fur baby).

Such a cool interview...

Dispatch

Wino Wednesday - Goats do Roam

Goats do Roam 2005

Very good color, okay finish, and pairs nicely with Chevre

I enjoyed this wine on many levels. The finish was a bit rough, but it is still a very good red wine for dinner. At $8.99 I think it is a very good bargain and I will definitely buy it again.



I actually gifted it to a couple of friends that appreciate puns and a good wine.

Now for an attempt at a Broadbent description:


The black night of this red wine is deep, cool and clear as a South African evening sky. The structure of this wine is strong and narrow like a loyal nanny. The finish is uplifting and twists and turns with the youth of a doe.

[Chuckle] - Your turn...

Now another wonderful fact about this vineyard from the Goats do Roam website:

"Africa has a way of bringing the best out of people. With its magnitude and raw beauty, and the intensity of day to day living. Africa draws on one's deepest spiritual resources. Rebecca and Gary Mink moved from the United States to the wilds of the Caprivi in Northern Namibia to care for children orphaned by AIDS. Their immense courage and spirit however, could not fully offset their limited financial resources, and they were soon overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. An urgent appeal was sent for goats - and immediately a group of young does and bucks from our Goats do Roam herd volunteered. We rushed north to supply our nutritious milk and gentle company."

For a very cute post about the charms of Goats do Roam wines - click here to read A Very Punny Wine

Blog Action Day - Poverty

Jul 30th, 2008 - Dr. Helene Gayle on Global Poverty and Health Care

Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE discusses what she believes to be two very closely related issues: poverty and poor health. She explains that in order to improve people's health, we need to provide social and economic support in addition to medicine.

Oy vey!

Well...let's see...I have been working like mad all weekend and yesterday trying to get ready for both work and a speaking event (blah, blah, blah). So, here is the recap...

Texas beat my team on Saturday - boo, Mack Brown, boo!

But OSU drilled (popular verb these days) Missouri - so that was positive...thank you, OSU.

I feel a bit like an ever expanding lump of coal, since I have not exercised since last Monday due to the general craziness of my schedule lately.

So, I really need to

since I have one of these in November

I still firmly believe if I had one of these,

I would be in better shape (or at least emotionally feel better)...

The best part of today is tonight I get to sample the lovely Goats do Roam...

I hope others were able to find a bottle and can play along tomorrow. I can't decide if I want to do another white tonight or open a bottle of Cotes du Rhone for comparison...

I am 100% open to suggestion at this time.

I have a colleague that I have been working with on a very large time-sucking project who is from South Africa. He and I were sidetracked for about an hour last Friday talking about the Dutch, the early plantings, meritage, vineyards, weather conditions...it was quite exciting. He gave me few vineyards that he recommended we check out. I was able to point him in a few directions as well. He promised that he would be picking up a bottle of Goats do Roam soon.

So, if you have your bottle of Goats for tonight let me know what you were able to find.

Oh, shoot, I forgot to post a Broadbent description...I will do that later today.

Fantastic Friday Update

First - At some level, somewhere deep inside Senator McCain just woke up from his GOP induced coma and actually made an appearance at one of Candidate McCain's rallies tonight...video to come...right now you have to read

• In Minnesota, a woman told McCain: "I don't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's an Arab."
  McCain shook his head and said, "No ma'am, no ma'am. He's a decent family man...[a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That's what this campaign is all about."
  The audience then applauded McCain.
• In Wisconsin, McCain urged his supporters to be respectful of Obama.
  "We want to fight and I will fight. But we will be respectful," he said. "I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments. I will respect him and I want everyone to be respectful and let's make sure we are."

SECONDLY, and here is the best part...wait for it...wait for it...

Alaska panel finds Palin abused power
Campaign officials tried to pre-empt lawmakers with report clearing Palin

Click here for story

Filoli's Flaws Friday Feature

So, how did that meeting go?

Well...not quite what I was expecting or hoped for...I was struggling. I tried desperately to sit eagerly on the edge of my chair, listen intently, process information and then be able to eagerly ask questions...

As we go through the detail, and the stories, my body is sitting in the meeting and in my mind I am slowly backing out of the room. My friend is sitting next to me. Beaming in her experience and understanding - she is a bastion of hope and love, eager and willing to hear more about the kids and their challenges and needs...

You see there was this slim chance, a possibility, that there was a real opportunity (not a nameless, but a specific opportunity) for us...I can't really go into it because it is complicated, long and mostly confidential, but my point today is that it became pretty clear that it was no longer an opportunity for us with those children...and that was disappointing...

So suddenly I am sitting here listening to all of this information and I am swimming in this vacuous ocean of children's faces, birthmother's needs, court ordered grandparent visits, sibling groups of 4, 6 and 9 (uh, yikes), therapy sessions, and a laundry list of requirements.

I am told to "not give up" stay in the process and just see what happens...just keep going...have hope...

After the meeting, we go to a restaurant because my blood sugar has completely nosedived from the self-induced stress of the meeting...1 Pink Martini (October Breast Cancer Month - we have to do our part) and I am about to cry in the middle of the FREAKING place...I am about to cry, sitting in a busy restaurant with a stupid halibut wrap in front me perched on a ridiculously trendy eggplant booth...

I am upset because I feel like this opportunity is gone and I am mad at myself because I am not trusting enough, I am close minded and full of fear about the unknown...

I should be braver, stronger, believe in providence...

I go home, talk to Alpha, talk about it, he is of course okay with it - but because he seems to be okay with pretty much ANYTHING, the man is nauseatingly unflappable!

I take a bath - irritated that I don't have a new book to read...go to bed, wake up to Alpha's CNBC babble, lay there listening to the fall of Rome, the possible global depression, the worst day for the stock market, a possible crash...oh and it is so bad that they are dragging out Bush for yet another "confidence building" press conference...Argh!

All of this leads me to what I believe may be my fundamental flaw - I struggle with and do not fully embrace "hope." I am not a permanent citizen of Hope in any way...I know - funny for someone that is a pretty ardent supporter of this one or is that one...I get confused:So I am trying to be hopeful, have hope, live with hope...but the challenge is that despite "hope" being used as a noun it is still not exactly this

Hope is not a tangible thing I can grasp in my hand...(seriously, that is hideously huge)

I wish that I could just buy hope...just tap into it whenever I need it...

So, I resorted to ye ole dictionary today for some possible definition that could maybe provide a map to being more hopeful..

- noun

1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to continue hope.


2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of a placement.


3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of your failure in the home study process.


4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The adoption agency was her last hope.


5. something that is hoped for: Providing a loving family is my constant hope.

- verb (used with object)

1. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.


2. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my dossier will be satisfactory.

- verb (used without object)

1. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early referral.
   

Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in). —Idiom
hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in our condition.

—Synonyms 1. expectancy, longing. 8. See EXPECT.

(dis)Orientation

In 2 hours, just 2 hours, I have my first official orientation meeting with the adoption agency.

I should feel like this:

But instead I feel like this:

Because work is like this:

and this, this is killing me:

So, I am attempting to summon my inner

Refocus, get to the positive...and be okay...feel more like this

Who are we? Who do we want to be?

"After all there is an element in the readjustment of our financial system more important than currency, more important than gold, and that is the confidence of the people. Confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out our plan. You people must have faith; you must not be stampeded by rumors or guesses. Let us unite in banishing fear. We have provided the machinery to restore our financial system; it is up to you to support and make it work.

It is your problem no less than it is mine. Together we cannot fail."

March 12, 1933, Fireside Chat 1, On the Bank Crisis - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Wino Wednesday - Cabernet Pinotage & Sauvignon Blanc*Edited

Sebeka Cabernet Pinotage 2006

This red is 65% Cabernet and 35% Pinotage. This is called a Cape Blend because of the Pinotage.

Pinotage is a unique South African beauty that is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

I think that it is a solid red wine to pour a great big glass, swirl it around a bit and drink and drink and drink...additionally, this wine will pair with any number of favorite foods.

General consensus from all who sampled tonight was that all really liked the wine. Husband did mention that he thought it has a bit of a rough finish, but as the evening progressed his final analysis was "a really good wine."

Drawbacks - some might call the bottle "creative packaging," only after I learned the story of the orphaned cheetah did I appreciate the label, but carrying the theme to a bright yellow spotted cork - not a huge fan. I know that some will like the packaging. I am really hoping that most do because I think that cheaper wines really live and die by marketing. For those that are drawn to a wine by the label, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the packaging will work.

*This morning as I was leaving for work I did notice that that the bottle looked pretty cute with its quirky cork. The punch of the yellow cork does bring the label together nicely. The bottle looked quite distinctive as it waits patiently on my counter for me to return home and finish her off.

I still say the best part of this wine is that you get a very good red and a fantastic price. So if you don't have a bottle, hunt one down.

Link to the Sebeka website (They just changed the website again...)

Golden Kaan Sauvignon Blanc 2005

This was quite the bottom shelf find. In fact, we liked this wine so much I am being sent on a mission later this week to buy the rest of the inventory. We paired it with a triple cream brie and it was pretty darn good. The wine was a bit paler than I thought a 2005 should be, but it had a crisp fruity aroma (apples and pears). The taste was very clear and easy. This means that you drink it fast....really fast...thus the mission to buy more later this week.

If you see this wine, just grab it. If you don't like it, someone that loves whites will definitely love it. This is a wine that I would probably even give as a gift or take over for dinner. Given how I feel about this wine right now, to gift it would require either a very good friend that I know would enjoy it...or I am running late and need something quick....yeah, even then I probably would keep it for myself and make sure to share it with only very good friend.

*I forgot to add Eva Luna's sole tasting note for this wine - "Yummy." Yep, that pretty much sums up this wine.

Link to Golden Kaan website

Next week in continuing our South Africa theme, I picked out

I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that if you have a picture of a goat on the label, you should pair it with goat cheese...

Now don't panic, I didn't try to pair the Sebeka with a cheetah...

Link to Goats do Roam - *If you are wondering, YES, this is a pun, here we have a cute dig on the "du" of French wine...next week we will go into more detail about the lengths they have taken this pun...it is quite clever...

*Sorry about the edits this morning. I was quite tired last night. For those that are interested in playing along, comment and let me know what Goats do Roam wine you are able to find and maybe we will do a broader tasting and everyone can do their own tasting note...

Here are my thoughts this morning - To keep with the South African humor...M. Broadbent (legendary British wine connoisseur) is most famous for his tasting notes where he describes wine like a woman - I will find a good example later.

I say we do our tasting notes describing wine like a goat or other such farm animal. You can check out the Goats website for inspiration...



Cheers!

Totally Toasted Tuesday Tasting - Tonight

Wow! That is an amazing amount of alliteration.


Last night, I finished the Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace.


If you hate wine snobs,


If you feel that most of the wine descriptions are simply attempts to manifest affluence and superiority over you,


If you feel that wealth does not equal a superior palate,


If you are suspicious that the value of old rare wine is only the competitiveness of the ultra wealthy in an auction room,


If you get frustrated by rich people snatching up antiquities but no study or appreciation of history,


If you are offended that anyone would pay over $100,000 for a bottle of wine (possibly vinegar),


If you love a good story, crazy characters (wine collector's most prized possession is his acquisition of a new liver), FBI investigators and history,


then you should read this book.




Benjamin Wallace did an amazing job with this book. I adore the writing style. He perfectly matches the romance, context, and tenor of each unique situation. When tracking Jefferson through France, you will crave Lafite. When describing the behaviour and conversations in the auction room, you will chuckle. When inviting you to the legendary vertical tastings of the 1980's and 1990's, you better understand the advantages and silliness of such tasting notes. In the end, you will better love and adore your table wines and sip with a smug sense of superiority.


This provides me the perfect segue way for tonight's tasting in our exploration of Wino Picks.

Sebeka Cabernet Pinotage 2006

and...

Golden Kaan Sauvignon Blanc 2005

I wanted to do a white and a red. Selfishly, I added the Golden Kaan after I found it on a bottom shelf at BevMo at a discounted price of...wait for it...$4.49. Also, all of Cindy's, aka Cazadora, chatter about her love of triple cream brie broke me down and I picked some up on Sunday. So, I am going to pair the Kaan with the triple and see how it goes.


Oh and I found the Sebeka for $5.99 at BevMo...how is that for value!

Forgetful Friday Feature *Edited

I forgot to mention on Wednesday and then again earlier today, for anyone that may interested in doing the wine tasting with me for next week's Wino Wednesday the wine will be...[drum roll, followed by an odd cheetah sound]


South Africa's wonderful amazing Sebeka Cabarnet Pinotage 2006

I know some of you have a deep passion for Africa, like myself, but few really know about the amazing wine history of the country. There are 3 main regions: Maghreb, Madagascar and South Africa. Most recently South Africa is committing considerable resources to developing an international presence in the wine industry. Check out this recent press release.

I discovered Sebeka wine last year shortly before summer and quickly fell in love. I ended up buying cases by Christmas. When I saw it at the grocery store the other day I quickly snatched it up.

If you are still not interested in this wine, (I think you would be crazy to not try at least once) here is one more fact that will pull at the heartstrings for all of you adopting moms and dads...warning, you will love this...

• Sebeka was the name of an orphaned cheetah cub that became the focus of a South African wildlife conservation movement nearly 50 years ago.
  

I picked up my bottle at the grocery store for a whopping $6.99 and you can get a bottle online for $8.99.

So if you are interested here is a link to the website.

*Post a comment if you find the wine and want to join in for the fun. Also, I am trying to figure out what we should do for a 2nd wine. I will hit the store later today or tomorrow or we may just do one wine this week...

And for good measure we will do a nose exercise that I will post later! It will so much fun...

Friday Foster Feature

Life is always something unexpected. At least it feels that way to me. Every time I think I have a "plan" something gets turned around and I end up in a new direction. A very dear friend has encouraged us to take another look at the fost-adopt program. This is definitely my husband's preference...and right now it just so happens that I am open to it as a possibility as well.


My husband always wanted an older child placement...and me not so much...but I am finding myself more and more willing...



My husband always wanted to look more into the private fost-adopt agencies...and me not so much...but yet I have been on numerous phone calls this week and last having very inspiring and hopeful conversations...



I consistently argued the foster system's focus on family reunification and the idea of a child or children being placed and then taken would be too much for me...but I am finding that with the right agency perhaps I am not as vulnerable as I feared...and this may be the best fit for us.


I am getting more information from people very involved with the program and find myself not only willing but excited about the possibilities.


I had lunch with a friend that spent the last 2 years trying for a placement in the fost-adopt system with the county. I thought she would discourage me or maybe tell me to be concerned, but instead as I am talking to her she keeps telling me how excited she is and how she is getting chills thinking about the possibilities that might be right around the corner. By the end of the lunch not only does she encourage me but decides to go home and talk to her husband about trying again and going through this program with us.


She mentions at her bible study that she and her husband will be going through the fost-adopt process again and another friend wants to come along to the orientation...


My husband, who will now and forever be referred to as Alpha (because I have a stupid sense of humor and love to introduce him as "my first husband"), is much happier and less worried about the process. I find this odd because I am considerably more nervous.


Alpha's side of the family has a history of fost-adopt or domestic adopts - my side of the family has a history of international adoption. So it is not a huge shock that we are each more comfortable with what we know.


At this time we have decided to start the fost-adopt process and get our foster parent certifications. Until I get to our orientation October 9th all I know is that I need to start collecting and preparing for the following:

1. Fost-Adopt Orientation
2. Infant/Child CPR Certification
3. First Aid Certification
4. Water Safety Certification
5. DMV Record
6. Health Screening
7. PRIDE parenting classes (the name really cracks me up)
8. Drug Exposed Infant Class (I am learning be okay with cocaine, but not meth...okay...)
9. Dig out the spare bedrooms and have some room for a possible child instead of 1 overflowing junk room (room I intended to use as a nursery) and a sparse office.
10. Prepare house to foster home study approval standards (yikes)
11. Not freak out all the time because things can happen sooner than you plan.

I have my CPR and First Aid classes scheduled and a friend going with me. I have the orientation and PRIDE classes (they are killing me with that name) scheduled.

Alpha did his Health Screening yesterday.

I think my next steps are collecting the DMV reports and working on the house - I think...oh, and I need to schedule my Health Screening.

Oh and when Alpha was at the doctor's office getting his Health Screening they were talking about the program...and that family is now also interested in going through the process with us...this is just so odd!

I am scared, hopeful, excited, panicked about the cost of day care, convinced that everything is going to work out, followed quickly by concerns that maybe none of this will go well, inspired, sleepless and petrified that I may be a horribly inadequate parent and that some poor child is going to be placed with us and then hate us for the rest of our lives...and then back to what an amazing opportunity and journey it would be for both parents and child.

Okay, so here we go...and I hope this goes well...just promise me I am not going to be alone during all of this...

Are you ready to stumble?

Well we are getting close to tonight's main event... Who will flub first? Both are challenged...Palin is at best non sequitor, Biden caught a 40 foot fish once...what will happen?

After watching Palin in the gubernatorial debates from 2006 (yes, I watched them) I think she is going to be fine. I think some of this is a whole bunch of hype to keep expectations so low so that as long as she gets through the night without a racial slur, then she excelled.

As for Biden, please let him remember to just talk about Obama's positions, that is he is supposed to be advocating for his running mate, and that is all...

So, here is an intersting question - Why would Senator McCain vote for a senate bill that if he is elected President he would veto and make them "famous," why vote for this bill if it is everything that is wrong with Washington,...you don't get to the direct question until 5 minutes into the interview...





Oi vey, time to crack open a bottle of wine (what goes with stunning incompetency?) and watch the show...I am thinking 7 Deadly Zins, it seems appropriate...

Word of the day - Crap *Edited

It has already been called "crap" and "crap sandwich" (ahh, Rep. Boehner, you are so poetic and helpful always)...what is the official analysis (warning - 5 talking head boxes get going)

If this video doesn't work - then just go here. Here is the deal, even if you are completely sick of this story, you must check out this video. Mainstream news media is now obsessed with a rich guys wallet being found in the woods and the fact that big shock the 22 yr old mother with the missing child is the number 1 suspect!

The media doesn't want to report the problems...OMG, here I am ranting about "vast...conspiracies in the...media..." Help us now.

Some might call it "Lipstick on a Pig" or if perhaps you are just a wee bit cynical and pissed off this morning (and a wee bit crass) you would call it a "reach around" - that's right, I went there, because I am a LIVID...

The general rule of this bill - if you were vocal about opposing the bailout then you were funneled an earmark...oh, except it is an election year so we don't like the word earmark, so they call it a Tax Extender...which is "technically" not an earmark (this in my opinion is just a distinction without a difference depending on how you analyze it)...

Here is the hot pile of crap - I know huge! But, my favorite is that this is the Senate prepared summary sheet - CRAP!

HUGE problems with the Senate bill that was passed last night...and news flash BOTH candidates supported it - McCain says that the first proposal was flawed, but this is the right bill...Obama says that it is not perfect but we must do something now...(when I get the video of their speeches from the floor I will post it) but I know no one cares...

Now, the word is that the Pork in this "crap sandwich" didn't come from the Senate but from previously passed House measures...so this is just heating up, but only if you pay attention...

Here is a brief summary of the crap in the bill

New Tax earmarks in Bailout bill-
Film and Television Productions (Sec. 502)
Wooden Arrows designed for use by children (Sec. 503) (*$6 million)
6 page package of earmarks for litigants in the 1989 Exxon Valdez incident, Alaska (Sec. 504) (this is "essentially a $200 million bribe" says my Republican husband)

Tax earmark “extenders” in the bailout bill-
Virgin Island and Puerto Rican Rum (Section 308) (*$192 million)
American Samoa (Sec. 309)
Mine Rescue Teams (Sec. 310)
Mine Safety Equipment (Sec. 311
Domestic Production Activities in Puerto Rico (Sec. 312)
Indian Tribes (Sec. 314, 315)
Railroads (Sec. 316)
Auto Racing Tracks (317) (*$128 million)
District of Columbia (Sec. 322)
Wool Research (Sec. 325)

What did we learn yesterday?

Evidently the budding film industry in Puerto Rico, rum industry and race tracks (who desperately need breaks so that they can skyrocket our carbon emissions) were seriously impacted by this financial crisis...they may not have made it...what would we have done...

Oh and we should definitely give tax breaks for the Alaska senator who has been a staunch opponent, until the Exxon a-holes got their tax break for their negligent oil spill...but yeah, drill, baby, drill...so you can spill, baby, spill...and then we will essentially forgive your civil liabilities through tax extenders...

I am officially losing my mind. I promise I will try to be more rationale tomorrow...hopefully, something good will come out of this...I want nothing more than to not blog about politics...but here I sit...enraged and so fundamentally disappointed...

If I calm down and get more forgiving, I will let you know.

In the meantime, I am waiting on my response from the campaigns...

Wino Wednesday - Fat Cat & White Cab

Welcome to Wino Wednesday which for me and my family and friends will follow what I am calling the Totally Toasted Tuesday Tastings, depending on how many show up to help me out.

So again welcome to,

and I hope others join as well...

First of all, I adore wine...absolutely love it. If you know me, you know I have a deep passion for not only pairing wine to food, but more importantly wine to people. I love the challenge of someone "that hates wine" and trying to figure out what is going on with their palate. I relish the challenge of walking a wine-hater through different grapes and tastes to find something that they like.


I am not a huge fan of the wine snobbery where people with all of 7 bottles at home twist and twirl their glasses, sniff corks (by the way, don't do this), drown you in superlatives when describing a wine, and buy the more expensive bottles because they think price equals quality. This is a "cork dork." If you are one, acknowledge it..."hi my name is..., and I am a cork dork," and move on to a realistic and healthy relationship with wine.

Wine is to be enjoyed and shared. Wine is to intended to be served with food. Wine should not be enjoyed to be deemed fashionable and you should not feel intimidated by it. Some of the fancy wine talk (and quite possibly most of it) is just plain silly. Remember there is an entire community of con artists (some intentional and some not) that are just trying to play you. So if you don't like a wine - just say so, whine if you will (that was horrible). If someone else is gushing over it and they are trying to shame you, remember that wine is primarily subjective and palates vary.

Wine tasting is not a science...wine making is a science,

but tasting is art.
So have your own opinion.

We have a number of wines that are "too good" to drink. My poor husband will come home and inadvertently pick up the "wrong" bottle and I will say, "no, I want to drink that for a really special occasion." The problem is I never seem to find an occasion that warrants the bottle...and we have had some pretty great life moments which leads me to believe (after some introspection) that the problem is not wine doesn't equal event, but I am not really enjoying the true beauty and relationship of wine...to be shared, enjoyed, imbibed...

So my new quest is to really work through low and mid range priced wines. Wines for every occasion. An equal opportunity wine blog is my goal. No wine will be discriminated against...not for age or color...all welcome, and we will even let some immigrants in as well...

Realistically, this is where we buy wine...

We are not invited to private auctions and cellars, we just need a bottle to take to a friend's house...

That being said, I wanted to start out with a cheap wine. Today's feature is a $6.99 wine.

Pic from website because my camera phone pics were pretty bad...

Without further ado, I give you Fat Cat Cabernet Sauvignon 2005...

The winemaker ('s marketing department) described it as "well-crafted, full-bodied dark red lays down big blackberry and cherry aromas before breaking into a riff of rich, round tones and toasty oak notes that hang on for a long and mellow finish." Evidently they are doing a jazz theme...

This wine needs food and Fat Cat knows it! They have a "purr-fect pairings" section on the website (a little vomit in the back of the mouth from even typing that).

The wine was a bit shocking in that it had almost an effervescent quality to it. Almost like it was a little green, but not really, usually I taste green in the finish, but this was kind of a pop rocks feel. It was different and kind of fun.

The wine desperately needs to be paired with something sharp or red meat. They suggest tuna...yeah, I would never do that. I am thinking (and this is what we put with it) more of a stir fry beef and vegetables kind of wine.

The wine had almost no legs to it at all. It was hard to judge the finish because it didn't really have one. So as for "long and mellow" I agree with mellow in that it wasn't offensive and you enjoyed drinking more.

This is a cute wine both taste and appearance. It is a good selection to crack open for a casual meal. Not a good wine for impressing people. So I would recommend just keeping it in the family dinner category and then know that you really only enjoy the picture of the cat. For $6.99 not a total loss, and I might even buy it again...maybe...

Now for a completely ridiculous wine...

Sutter Home White Cabarnet Sauvignon, vintage unknown...because it is a white with a cab...what the hell?!?

The other night at our friend's house I looked into the tub and found it calling to me...

I knew from our first meeting I would love this horrible silly little wine. It's color - absolutely horrible and diluted. It's nose - nonexistent. Taste - sinfully delightful...like grape alcoholic kool-aid...I was drinking the stuff that I was always imagining and pretending to drink when I was a little girl...(what you didn't do that)...in other words, I finished the bottle quickly, Eva Luna provided only minimal assistance.

This falls into a stupid good wine because it is just about fun. It is a chilled summer wine that has absolutely no merit (the wine has it's own podcast). It is the kind of wine that you want to dump in ice cream...but not even to the level of drizzle over cheesecake.

So that is all for today's inaugural Wino Wednesday, I will leave you with a wine quote for the day, that oddly fits into our current events as well:

"By making this wine vine known to the public, I have rendered my country as great a service as if I had enabled it to pay back the national debt." - Thomas Jefferson

Oh, Tommy, how I love your passion and boldness when speaking of wine...

Cheers!