Ketchup and noodles

Well, the snow storm got the best of everyone this weekend. However, it was a great excuse to sleep in on a Saturday and get the house and laundry clean. Not to mention my taxes and resume are now final and complete. That is, if a resume can ever be final and complete.

As much as I love writing, and take great pride in what I put on paper, its never easy to fully promote yourself in a resume. I owe a huge thank you to Kelly and Clark for their help all weekend on this daunting task. Honestly, its a piece of paper that can change your life, but does it really tell people who you are or what you can provide?

I am at a point in my life where I need to make a long life commitment to a career and to myself. I need to finish what I started. I have put so many things off in life and said I was going to do one thing and ended up doing another. Its no wonder after all of this time, my friends and family don't take me seriously anymore. I'm sorry, its taken me so long, but it has come to me and now its time for me to show everyone what I am capable of.

An opportunity has come my way and I can't pass it up. I have the opportunity to finally have a career in something I have great passion for, something I KNOW I would be good at and something I take pride in! I don't want to let myself down, and I don't want life to continue to pass me by, as I ask, "would you like brown or white steamed rice with that?"

I have learned its time to become responsible for the mistakes that I have made and move on to something rewarding. I sit here tonight eating MY comfort food, now I know all of you with the exception of the Gordon's reading this are going to think I am insane, but its a family specialty, noodles with butter and ketchup. Yup, that's what my grandmother used to feed us as kids. Its cheap, easy, fast and did I mention cheap? I am finishing my bottle of Santa Ema and now that its about 5 days open, it is full of citrus. The grapefruit is right up front. Drinking this wine, makes me think of myself. It started off as an exciting crisp clean wine, and now finishing it, its ripe, new and mysterious. I was talking to an old and very dear friend tonight. She reminded me of how I lived life over 10 years ago, that I was full of vigor and joy and life. She told me how I had everything going for me, but somewhere down the road I lost that.

I realize now, everything changes in time. Be it your personality, your zest for life the extra spunk in your step, or the flavor in your wine. It all changes. Everyday, there is something that will tweak your personality. Wine, like people takes on an identity. It can be calm and warm, crisp and perfectly chilled, but if you let it sit too long without drinking, it will grow bitter, harsh and unbearable.


Comparing people and a bottle of wine, you should never sit around waiting for things to agitate you. Don't sit and wait for someone or something to see what you are capable of. Who doesn't long for someone to tell you that everything is going to be great? You are the perfect fit to someone, to something. There is a someone and a something out there for everyone.

My stomach is in knots, I am gambling with my future, I have no idea what is going to happen once I put that resume in an email and hit the send button. I wish life were like this bowl of pasta, that I knew exactly what I was going to get when I ate it, but its more like the glass of wine, unknowing, and full of surprise.

Now, I don't know if you are an everyday reader of this blog, or this might be your first time taking a glance, I may know you, or you might be sitting somewhere in the Midwest and just clicked on this blog by mistake, which ever the case maybe, know that there are people in this world that want the best for you. They can be harsh and full of constructive criticism, or they may be loving, kind and willing to just sit there and let you cry until you can't catch your breath. Just know, your dreams belong to you, own them, feed them, believe in them and yourself, you never know where they might take you!

Cheers!

I have a secret to tell you!

I have a confession to make. I know this may shock you, may move some of you to tears and others may turn up their nose and snicker. I may not be looked at in the same light after I make this confession, but I feel the time has come for me to put this out there for the world to know...deep breath...I like my grilled cheese sandwiches a burnt! There I said it, its out there and I can now live the rest of my life knowing I have said it for the world to hear.

I don't want it burnt to a char but I like the dark edges and the crispy center when you get the bread to that deep black. I like dipping my grilled cheese in tomato soup too! Something about the creamy cheese and crisp bread in the warm and tangy soup that brings all of the flavors together in your mouth and sets your body at ease.

As I sit here enjoying the most un-sophisticated meal of a grilled cheese and tomato soup dinner, I am slowly falling in love. Well, maybe its lust or a deep deep crush, but I know I am having very strong feelings for the Sauvignon Blanc I am drinking. Allow me to introduce you all to Santa Ema from D.O. Maipo Valley. This 2009 Chilian wine is a sweet alternative to the full body red wines I have been drinking the past few weeks.

Its butter yellow color leads you to believe that it would be rich and creamy, but at first sip the green apple hits you and then the grapefruit. I must admit, I have never ever, NEVER EVER liked grapefruit, but the small hint of the citrus wonder, cuts the cream from the cheese and the acidity of the tomato soup.

This cold crisp glass of wine was a relaxing welcome after a long day of work and a hot shower. Cooling the senses and easing the soul. I find myself melting into my couch, like the cheese into the bread, slipping my feet under the blanket like the sandwich into the soup and chilled perfectly like the wine.

Realizing, you don't have to eat the finest of foods, or drink the richest of wines, to know how to enjoy your night.

Now, judge if you will, or admit your crispy little secret here. Let it out, allow yourself to enjoy in the good things in life, be it the burnt toast or enjoying in the crispness of a new wine. We are all here to learn and enjoy from each other!

Cheers!

Baby Therapy

There is something to be said for the sweet smile and kind eyes of a baby looking up at you to smooth over any bad mood.

When I agreed to meet Dana and Adriana at Whole Foods for a stroll and glass of wine I had no idea how therapeutic it really would be to hold this beautiful little girl in my arms.

Adriana was fast asleep when Dana came into the store, but the lights, the sounds and smells pulled that little girl right out of her nap. Where better to wake up, than the cheese section! She looked me right in the eye and her sweet little hand reached up for me. I didn't care that the man behind us was reaching for the Gouda or that there was a woman trying to make her way over to the Fetta, I just wanted to hold that baby. We caused a huge traffic jam as Dana pulled little baby A.D. from the confines of her car seat.

LOVE, Love was written on her shirt and how fitting could that be for when I put her cheek up to my lips and drew in a deep breath of her scent I could actually feel my heart fill with LOVE! I found myself warm up around her, I felt my shoulders drop a little and a smile appear on my face. We made our way around the store, all the while talking and tasting, laughing and sharing. Every isle we walked down people smiled at little baby A.D. This beautiful little bundle of love caught everyones attention.

We finally settled into the Whole Foods Pub. To our great luck there were two over-stuffed chairs just waiting for us. We sampled a few wines until we both agreed on a 2008 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Beaujolais. Shockingly light in color but full of flavor, it was a friendly glass of wine. Short notes of cherry and vanilla were a noticed right away.

Dana, Adriana and I sat and enjoyed a bowl of black and green olives with sundried tomatoes and a veggie burger. We enjoyed our delicate and delightful wine, while Adriana drank her own bottle. The Thyme and fennel mixed with the olives really brought out the stone fruit flavors in our wine. It was a special treat on a rainy Sunday.

Looking around the Pub, I could not help but notice how people were staring at how beautiful, how sweet, how well behaved our precious little girl was. I saw one couple, the wife just staring in awe as her husband munched on a slice of pizza. Adriana draws happiness and love into everyones life.

As we sat and ate and drank and enjoyed our afternoon, A.D. placed her little head on Danas shoulder and took a little snooz. We sat and sipped, talked, ate, laughed and realized how important love and friendship really is. Its moments like these that you want to...well...like a great wine, bottle up and have for a lifetime.

The afternoon grew on it was time to get this little bundle of love home so her daddy could have some quality time with his girls. We made our way over to the salad bar and the cheese department. Picking out a few items to bring home, we then said our goodbyes. Not without all of the employees in the check out oooing and awwwing over her first. I had to chew on her little face a little more before I agreed to let her go. Sitting here now I have a bit of separation anxiety.

I feel that it was best said from the boys across the pond, "All you need is Love."

Cheers!

Paradise Found

Hello everyone. I am back from a few sick days, thank you to everyone for your get well messages.

After a long day and even longer week, I met Clark (Rachel, for those of you who don't know) at our favorite little hot spot. WHOLE FOODS! As I have mentioned before, they have a Pub inside. This was actually my first time at the Pub but Clark is an old pro as the Pub, so I had her show me the ropes. You get a pre-paid card and can try any of their wines or beer starting at $1 for a taster, or, $6 for a glass, all the way up to the price of a bottle of wine, or jug of beer.

You can buy packaged beer, but in order to buy a bottle of wine you must purchase food from their small, but very eclectic menu. Clark ordered a salad with cranberries, oranges and goat cheese, while I ordered a veggie cheeseburger, but this was like no other veggie burger, this was made with all fresh products and even had peas, whole peas in it, that's when you know its fresh! We then both got a bottle of, 2008 Beaujolais.

Beaujolais is a French Appellation wine which the grape has a very thin skin and is low in tannins. At first sip you can taste the sweet fruit this wine puts forward. Strawberry and juicy, this wine is simple to sip on. This light wine could easily be paired with a light salad with oil and vinegar, pasta with a simple tomato sauce or a few slices of turkey with roasted new potatoes.

It was a special treat to spend just an hour with a great friend over a glass of red, a healthy meal in this perfect little Pub.

I have to say, this Whole Foods just keeps getting better and better. I can eat, drink, buy milk, and toilet paper, all at the same time. Thank you G-d for such a wonderful creation!

Cheers!

Just Another Average Day

It was a completely average day. I really wish I could say that something of great importance happened, or that it was wonderful day, hell, I can't even say that it was a bad day. Nope, it was totally average.

I debated all day on going to Whole Foods and making myself a beautiful dinner and going and picking up a new bottle of wine, but remembering that I have a dinner party to go tomorrow night, dinner with TH Wednesday night, I would not be able to finish my bottle of Casa until Thursday, and well friends, I am not about to see how long a bottle of wine can last.

So, home it was, for some Casa! I am having a mish-mosh for dinner. A mish-mosh you ask? Its just a little of this and a little of that. I started with some fresh mozzarella, then moved on to a cheese spread with some strawberry red chili chili, and I think for the main course, hold on to your hats, tuna and crackers! Yup, that's a mish-mosh.

So, its been about 5 days since I opened Casa and all I can say is AVERAGE...it has moved forward into a more jam flavored wine. Full of plum and dark berries. I would think at day 5 one would most likely throw away a bottle of wine, but really, its not bad, its simply average and not going to make or change the way my day was.

I am relaxed tonight and ready to watch Jack take on the world on 24 at his side will be my fellow La Cueva Alum, Freddie Prinz Jr. This is going to be an amazing season!

I am sorry there is nothing of great interest going on tonight, but hey, wasn't I just saying the other day that my DVR was on overload? Sometimes a girl just needs a night in even if it is with an AVERAGE wine and an AVERAGE dinner.

Cheers!

Feeling a Little Wicked

I woke up this afternoon at 2:30 pm. That should be an indication of how my night was last night. It started with drinks at McCormick and Schmick's at 5:30 pm. We had dinner reservations at 6:30 pm. TH wanted the perfect table, so he had requested a beautiful table by the window.

We sat for our reservation right on time, unfortunately it took our waitress about 15 minutes to greet us. We were going to see WICKED at 8:00 pm so we politely told her that if we could just get our bottle of wine and food as quickly as possible that would be fantastic. She agreed and said it would not be a problem. 10 then 15 then 20 minutes passed and we were not even served water. It was then 7:05 and TH went to the host stand and asked what was going on, when he returned, he said, she would be back soon. Another 10 minutes passed. She swung by and said, "I'll be right back with your wine." 7:20, no wine, no bread, no water, no waitress. TH once again went to the host stand. This time when he returned he said the manager would be over. 7:30, no manager. We were aggravated, hungry and going to be late for the show.

We just threw our coats on and left.

Walking down Broad Street, we noticed a small little restaurant across the street from the theater and ducked in for a quick drink and an appetizer. By the look of the line outside the theater, we knew there would be enough time to eat and drink quickly. We found the most amazing hidden gem. Soho Varalli!!!!

TH, said, "I just want two of your best glasses of red wine and your quickest appetizer." Carl, our fantastic bartender poured us Sangiovese, '08 Di Majo Norante'.

It is an Italian wine made from a blend of Chianti, Canaiolo and Trebbinano which is known as a white grape. It is extremely robust in flavor, with strong bursts of strawberry, blueberry, and plum. Our appetizer was wild mushrooms sauteed with roasted sweet peppers and Asiago cheese on crisp polenta. A perfect pairing for a quick nosh before the theater.

Showtime! Our seats could not have been better, I felt like it was right out of a movie (and for all you girls, you know what I am talking about), I was leaning over the velvet red cushion of the front row of our balcony seats watching the magic of this show unfolding upon my eyes! The glitz, the glamor, the music, I felt like I had been transported, well...to OZ. Time stood still, nothing existed outside of the theater for me. This was how happy felt.

The three hour show felt like it lasted only 20 minuets, I wanted more, I was not ready for it to be over, I could have sat there in comfort and awe all night.

Starving, we crossed the street back over to see Carl at Soho. We ordered two more glasses of wine, a dozen oysters, Buffalo Caprese fresh mozzarella, tomato, red onion, basil, baby arugula, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic honey and for our main course we shared Seafood Risotto lobster, shrimp, scallops, crab, baby clams and mussels with tomatoes, saffron and herbs. It was a menu of magic! Delicious beyond my expectations! We were entertained by the staff at Soho and truly had a wonderful night!

In the middle of dinner I switched my wine to Hope Shiraz. The full body of the Sangiovese was starting to take its toll on me and it was time to try something new. This is when I noticed the bottle of HOPE. Much different than my last glass this one was not big at all. However, the notes on the nose were filled with oak and spice. If you can get past that, you will be very pleasantly surprised with the flavor.

I didn't arrive home until nearly 3am this morning. It was a beautifully rainy morning to sleep late, enjoy some coffee in bed and contemplate if I will drink a glass of wine tonight. Like all good things, I may need a day off.

I think today, I just want to bask in the pleasures of what was yesterday and the comfort of this dark and otherwise quiet Sunday.

Cheers!

I met the most amazing man last night. The man of my dreams. The man of most woman's dreams. He was tall, strong, dark hair, beautiful white teeth, amazing smile, well dressed, smelled good, and the moment he walked into the room, he took my breath away. I could not keep my eyes off him all night. It was much to my disappointment that I only got to talk to him for 5 minuets under the oil lamps in the park of Rittenhouse Square.

My evening started out as this. I was going to meet someone for dinner at Tria at 8:00 pm. I was looking forward to good company, good wine and great food. What I got was mundane conversation, wine that did not impress me and and empty stomach.

Let me start with the company, as many of you know, I date, I date... well, a lot, I have my stints where I will go months with out going on a single date, and then I will hit patch where I will go on two to three different dates a week. Right now I feel like I am doing more dating than working. Hell, my DVR right now is at 91%. I need to just come home for a week and get caught up. I digress, so, my date, he spoke of nothing of interest, he wanted to tell me over and over again about his trip to Costa Rica, (yawn). And, when I said, you must be starving, he replied, "No, I ate dinner before coming out." Um, I'm sorry, did you just say you ate dinner? Let me get this straight, you invite a girl to dinner, wait 30 minutes to get a table and you don't even want to eat. What the hell are we doing here?

So, my first glass of wine, a white, because yes, I promised you all that I would add more whites into my diet, was a Savignon Blanc. Walnut Block '07 from Marlborough, New Zealand. The first sip was biter and full of mineral flavor. After allowing it to introduce itself to my taste buds, I was able to find the citrus flavors, lemon, kiwi and tropical fruit. Much like this date was going. I was able to open up and let things progress.

Next up for me was A to Z Wineworks Pinot Gris '08 from Dundee, OR. This glass was much easier to drink. Thankfully it want down quickly because my date was needing to come to an end. When asking my date why he was not going to have another, he replied that he didn't like to drink and drive. Respectfully, I can understand that, but what does that say about me? Having two glasses of wine in two hours, in my opinion does not constitute being unable to drive. But again, I respect your opinion on the matter.

I excused myself and went to text my friend Cara, asking if she was in the city, I was not about to spend $20 on parking just to have the night end after only two hours. To much of my dismay she was already in bed. Upon returning to my table, I told Tria date that I think we should call it an end. He asked if he could walk me to my car. Agreeing we walked the short block and outside of the parking garage he tried to kiss me. Really dude, really? When did I give you the impression that I wanted to make out with you at the bottom of a car lot? So, yea, I pushed him away.

After making sure he was gone I crossed through the park of Rittenhouse Square and into the doors of Rouge. A small, intimate bar, one of which, I would not normally go to, but really could not bring myself to go home. I made crazy crush eyes with the bartender.

I ordered a glass of Temperanillo, it was an '08 Condessa de Legnaza. This glass of wine was exactly what I was looking for all night. It was smooth, and romantic, I could feel it on all sides of my tongue. It lingered in my mouth. The glass was heavy and full. Lushes and alluring. When a wine makes you feel good from head to toe on the inside and out, you know you have found something very special.

It was just then I made eyes with this very special man. It was unfortunate that shortly before, Jimmy the boxer came up and started telling me his life story. Now Jimmy is one of those guys that us ladies know we are going to get a free glass of wine out of so we put up with their yadda yadda yadda about how they drive a corvette, make $3.2 million in one year and travel all around the world. Jimmy, is in his own words, "an inventor for Dicks Sporting Goods, is traveling for the next three months, has a penthouse at the Drake and a shore house in Avalon." Okay Jimmy, I will be more than happy to have another glass. However, you just crossed the line of being a snotty jerk to being a down right asshole when you said, "Hey, I might be a Jew, I am so cheap with my money sometimes." Yea, that was about the time, I was thinking...Gotta go get the car.

Now I kept making eyes with Mr. Perfect all night, but he never caught on. It wasn't until I decided to blow out, that I grabbed his arm, whispered in his ear, "you take my breath away" and ran out the door. Would you believe he ran after me! I was just about to cross back into the park when he asked where I was going, I told him, if he wanted to talk, he would have to come into the park.

So there we stood, in the cold of the night, talking. He told me he was only in town for one night, that he was here for business. That is my luck right? But looking at him I knew there was something amazing about him. He told me that all night he could not understand why I was talking to Jimmy the boxer. But sometimes people are attracted to different types. I laughed and told him that I was trying to get him to rescue me all night.

I knew we could not talk much longer for it was getting later and later and colder and colder. His friends were calling looking for him. I asked him if he wanted to exchange numbers, his facial reaction said it all...."You're married!" It was then he pulled out his left hand from his pocket. "Then why did you follow me into the park?" I couldn't understand why all of this was happening tonight.

"I wanted to tell you that someone like you should not be putting yourself out there for someone like him, you are beautiful and deserve someone amazing." I'm sorry, what is going on here, what is this conversation I am having right now? Now, I know I have had a few drinks, but is this really happening? I asked him, "Do you believe in God?" And he smiled this big white smile, and replied, "With out God, we are with out."

I just laughed, I huged this man and told him, "there is a reason I met you tonight. I am going to figure this all out, but there is a huge reason for meeting you tonight." I thanked him for coming into my life and wished him all the best.


Tonight was a perfect balance of good vs. evil. People come into our lives and leave just as quickly. We may never understand why they do. We don't have to like every glass of wine, we may love one glass more than the other. They all do a special and different thing for us. Wine for me is like a relationship with a person. You take from it what you can, enjoy it for what it is worth. Focus on the detail and remember what you can, forget what you wish, but always know, it all happens for a reason.

Cheers!

FML

Yes, it happend to me again today. Same station, same table, same amount of time. Two ladies spend FOUR HOURS!!! FOUR FUCKING HOURS sitting at the SAME FUCKING TABLE (table 16) doing nothing but sitting and talking.

Honestly people. GO TO STARBUCKS! They don't mind if you just sit and wait, they don't mind re-filling your hot water, they get paid hourly! Please I beg of you, just stop sitting in my restaurant taking my money away from me and making me cranky. Nights like these are not good for my pocket, my health or my friendships. I piss people off when I get like this, they don't want to be around me, hell, I don't even want to be around myself.

I need something sexy, I need something fun. I need a warm kiss on a cold night. Its getting a bit lonely here me and my bottles of wine. I am trying to do and be my best here, but tonight I am feel like I just don't know how much longer I am going to be able to hold out this act of being OKAY!. I mean, its not an act, I am OKAY, but I want to be better than just OKAY.

Tonight is a re-run of last nights wine, I am am finishing off the bottle of my Pinot Grigio, watching the new Greys Anatomey and I am going to end the night with a few Andes Mints. My life is...well, my life.

(in a low pathetic voice) Cheers.

Change Someones Life...Give a Gift.

Help me understand something. Help me understand how two people can sit in a restaurant from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm and only order Diet Coke, hot tea an appetizer, two entree's and their check come to $40 and feel it is acceptable to tip only $12?

Mind you they sat in a booth meant to sit up to six people? Don't they realize that coffee shops are meant for meetings such as this? Let me let you all in on a little well, or not so well known secret. As a server we make $3.18 an hour. Which, at the end of the day, the tax man takes that all away, so we live off of the "generosity of mankind." We live off of TIPS! Yes, we don't get a paycheck like all of you that get to go out to lunch for business, we don't get a lunch break, we ARE your lunch break. Your $12 tip for the 4 hours that you sat there sir, has to pay for my power bill, my cable bill, my cell phone bill, gas to work, for those that use it...tolls, etc.

Most people in my industry are in it while going to college, they are paying their way through school, others are teachers, trying to supplement their income, some are single parents just trying to make a living. I am a college graduate making my way through life, until I cross my next bridge. I accept this is my job, and yes, I rightfully take the shortcomings that come with it, but let me remind you of this, if you are going to come into MY office and ask me to do MY job, I am going to ask you to pay me for my work. Just as I would if I were to go into a doctors office, I would pay my co-pay, I would pay for a dentist to clean my teeth, I would ask my interior decorator to match the dishes with the bowls. I am paying them to do THEIR job.

So, if anything, I am writing to tell you tonight to think about this, the next time you go out to eat. That person that is waiting on you is someones daughter or son, sister or brother. They are trying to pay their bills. They have probably been on their feet all day and night, all week, trying to write a paper that is due by Friday or make a payment in order to make sure the lights stay on. They might be trying to save up enough money to take their kids to see the new IMAX movie because they never get to spend quality time with them. I ask of you, think about how important that extra dollar or two is going to effect you or them. If it is really going to hurt your pocket, brown bag it!

On to the good stuff...Tonight's wine comes compliments of my dear friend Clark. Last week she brought it to my attention that I have been drinking a whole lot of red wine and she felt it was about time for me to drink a white. She showed up the next day with a beautiful bottle of VOGA Pinot Grigio. Now when I say a beautiful bottle, my friends, this bottle is so pretty in and of itself, it makes you just want to drink it.

I walked up to my boss Shannon today and in a cranky voice I told her that I didn't feel like drinking a white wine tonight. She then told me of a Pinot Grigio that was delicious that started with a V and had a really cool bottle. I stretched out my arms in excitement telling her this was the bottle, that I knew for a fact I was about to go home and have a better night than I did day.

Pinot Grigio is noted as being the most popular wine in Northern Italy. With the first sip I thought to myself, 'ahhh, a sweet end to a sour day.' I then really tried to see if I could figure out what flavors I was tasting. I guess you could say, I was trying to figure out, if I was catching on to this wine thing yet, or if I was just becoming a drunk. I tasted, pear and apple. It was a simple and sweet flavor. Then while doing my research on the wine, the flavor profile, said, "Full and rich with fresh ripe apple and pear aromas and delicious juicy flavors." Hum, maybe I am catching on.

I paired tonight's wine with potato porgies from, where else??? Whole Foods, along with some fresh Mozzarella. Oh, and you know what I splurged and got on my way home tonight, Andes mints. They are in the freezer right now!

So, as I end a very sour day, a very hard day, a very long day, with thoughts of how great my friends are, how sweet and right Shannon is/was. I leave you all with this, gifts come in many ways, they are ideas, they are expressions, they are a nudge in the right direction, they put a smile on your face, they help you move from one day to the next. I ask you all, tomorrow, give someone you know, someone you love, someone you just met a gift, you don't know how it will change their life.

Cheers!

Home Sweet Casa

I was exhausted tonight when I got home from work. I didn't get in the door until after 8pm and I was cold, tired and ready for my day to be over. I was happy to be home!

After leaving work I went to the GRAND OPENING of the Whole Foods which is in the same parking lot of which I work. Now, I was told that this Whole Foods was going to be the largest in the North East, but I really was not prepared for what I was in for. This was a mecca of shopping, fresh produce, fish, meats, dairy, breads, hot foods, cold food, warm foods, salads, soups, sauces, pasta made to order, pizza made to order. Oh the cheese...Don't even get me started on the cheese. I spent at least 15 minuets picking out some cheese. An olive bar, crackers, chips, chocolate chips, marshmallows, juices, jams, nuts, grains, socks, shampoo, t-shirts, BBQ sauce. Yes, its here, its all here. And guess what else, guess what else this amazing heaven on earth has??? It has a Pub! It has a wonderland, an adult wonderland where you can go and eat and drink wine for $1 or beer for $3.

If my cart was not full with chicken and pasta salad I would have pulled up a stool and made myself comfortable. But I think I may have found myself a second home here at the new Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting! Oh and did I mention they even have a Kosher section? Yeah, they do! I am in love!

Okay, so, upon arriving in my warm house I thought, 'you know, I might actually be too tired to actually have a glass of wine tonight and blog.' It as then while preparing my dinner (oven roasted chicken in a tortilla with corn and enchilada sauce) that I looked over at the bottle I had purchased last week and the name on the bottle was far too fitting for me to even pass up the opportunity.

Casa.

Casa is my French Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a 2008 and an award winning wine. It is from the label Lapostolle. I had inadvertently let my glass sit for about an hour before even taking the first sip, my dinner got cold, but my packages were put away and laundry was done. When I finally sat to take my first sip and look up this new drink, I found out that "it is best to leave open for an hour to breath." Oh, my friends, I am so happy that I did. With just a touch of spice at the front and huge fruit at the back this Cabernet is very pleasing. I can taste the black spice on the sides of my tongue, but the red ripe fruit has an amazing finish. It is paired perfectly with my roasted chicken. It is suggested to pair it with BBQ, but I feel that the sauce might be a little too sweet for a wine such as this.

I would not recommend this wine to be eaten with cheese. I know, would you ever hear me say something like that? One thing that comes to mind quickly would be peanut butter. If I had dare made my way over to the baked goods today and bought something to tempt the sweet tooth, this wine would make this house a home!

Cheers!

7

Hello to all! Tonight was rare, and when I say rare I mean it was 7 out of 10 rare. I had a bottle of 2007 Gambbiano Chianti that there were only 10 brought over from Italy and I had the 7th bottle and yes, the number 7 was actually written on the bottle. Now, I didn't want to be the tacky guest that took a picture of the bottle so you will just have to take my word on it.

I did however, yank the cork for my collection. Now, one would think an amazing Italian dinner would follow, but how surprised will you be when I tell you that I had it with sushi?

I know, I was a bit surprised when my guest showed up with this bottle to a BYOB, but he knew that I was trying all of these different wines these days and "just pulled it from his collection."

So, let me start off by saying that, this wine was big, it was so big that with the first sip, I thought, 'Oh lord, here we go!' We ordered spicy tuna, followed by Amber Jack, Yellow Tail, Sake, Spider Rolls, Crab, Lobster, and a few maki rolls to follow. As the sushi continued to hit the table the wine continued to flow. #7 was quickly becoming #1.

I actually said, "I never thought Chianti would go well with sushi!" I did however at one point find myself thinking, I nice Pinot Grigio would be fantastic right about now.

This wine was luscious, and full of flavor one that could easily be had all night long. It made me long for a comfortable pair of pajamas and a beautiful fireplace. Soft music and a slice of tiramisu.

This Chianti made me feel cute, jovial and sweet, I was relaxed and calm. Its a shame that only 10 of these bottles were brought over, but I am so pleased to know that I was able to enjoy #7.

When paired with the meal I would say, yes, it was a 7 out of 10, but it would have been better paired with pasta or a cream based dish. A shonda if you ask me, but yet at the same time, a pleasure to drink.

I digress, thanking all of my friends that have made me a published author on facebook. You have all made a huge dream of mine come true. Only bigger and better things can come in the future.

A big thank you to Clark for my Pinto Grigio that I cant wait to talk about in the coming days. I know a lot of you have been asking, when am I going to talk about white wines, and I promise you, they will be coming. Others have been asking if I am going to be reading books or taking classes on wine, or learning how they are made. I answer you in this fashion. Yes, but, I want you all to learn with me. We are all on budgets these days, and I want this to be a learning and growing experience for all of us. I don't want to feel that I HAVE to be an expert right away, I want you all to share with me your favorite wines, your experiences and feed me with what you feel is your favorite juice. There is nothing better than learning by sharing. So, I ask you this of my readers, friends and lovers of wine. Lets learn together, tell me what you want to know about, tell me what is on your mind, tell me what you want to hear, let me help you. Let me listen to you.

I love you all and I want to be a part of your journey as well. Always remember....drink safe, love full and be true to being happy!

Cheers!

Jerzacation

Hello to all! This weekend was full of nothing but relaxation, fireplaces, friendship and great food, and yes, of course delicious wine!

I traveled up to N. New Jersey late Friday night where a beautiful fire was waiting along with a fantastic chicken soup. It was only 18 degrees when I arrived in New Jersey and the soup and fireplace hit the spot.

Sharing a bottle of Riesling and two glasses of Navarro Correas was a perfect way to end my week and this very cold start to the weekend. The fire glowed a beautiful blue and having amazing conversation with a friend was just what I needed to feel relaxed, calm and warm inside.

Sleeping well into Saturday was exactly what I needed. It was around 1:30 pm when we decided to make chocolate chip pancakes and hot chocolate with mmmmMarshmellows!!!

Could there possibly be anything else that would be great? How about a nap? Falling asleep on a cold Saturday afternoon as my EAGLES lose their play off game is never a bad thing.

Saturday nights' dinner was a home cooked meal! One of which I have not made in a very long time. The Sangria was provided by my dear friend who happened to be under the weather, so...yeah, I guess that meant I had to drink it all HAHAHA! It was perfectly sweet and with added apple slices made it feel like a fiesta in a glass! In order to cut down the the sweetness, I added what was left from my Navarro Correas, now I just realized how versatile this bottle of wine really is! Okay my readers, here is how I made the best chicken Parmesan:

We had some left over whole grain baguette that had gotten hard over night, so I placed it in a blender and turned it into bread crumbs, added onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper and a touch of Parmesan cheese.

It is very important to coat your chicken in flour first, then dredge it in egg, and THEN the bread crumbs. The flour helps keep your chicken moist. Bake at 375 for 25 minuets. Then place fresh slices of Mozzarella cheese on top and allow to bake for another 5-7 minuets.

We made spaghetti, but feel free to make any pasta you wish. A great way to make sauce is open a can of tomato paste, add some warm water, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper and shake well.

End the night with some chocolate mouse and a game of checkers by the fire, you have yourself an excellent Jerzacation!

Cheers!

Tria

I just came from what had to be one of the most delicious and memorable meals of my adult life!

Let me start with the company. Bruno (Marianne) has been my best friend for over a year now. She knows my inner most thoughts, feelings and desires in life. We have been through the best of times and by far the worst. I have made her cry and she has made me laugh. Through it all we have always been a part of each others hearts no matter what. Next to my other love, KK, she is and always will be, My Constant.

Now, Bruno DOES NOT drink wine, she does not like wine nor would she pick to drink wine if it were the only thing around. She is a vodka and coffee drinker. Those are her passions, next to her beautiful four kids and amazing husband! So, when she suggest we go to Tria for our New Years/her Birthday dinner, I thought, 'wow, really? How is this going to work?' You see, Tria is a Wine and Beer cafe' known for their exotic collection and AMAZING cheese. I sat online for about an hour last night trying to find an alternate location for us to go so that we could both enjoy it, but the beautiful heart that she has, she really wanted to join this journey with me.

Set in the beautiful Rittenhouse Square this intimate cafe had more of a food and wine selection than even I could ask for, so with out further hesitation, I give you our menu, now warning...these are small plates, so don't go judging that we over indulged...well, maybe a little, but it was well worth it!

SNACKS:

Warm Tuscan White Bean Spread with Baguette $3
Roasted Beets with Bulgarian Feta Cheese $3 1/2
Truffled Egg Toast with Fontina Cheese $5 1/2

BRUSCHETTA:

Smoked Mozzarella and Tomato $3 1/2

SALADS:

Arugula wit Beets, Goat Cheese, Crushed Almonds, Red Onions and Balsamic Vinaigrette $8

SANDWICHES:

Grilled Artichoke, Spicy Tuscan Pepper, White Bean and Bulgarian Feta Panino $8

SWEETS:

Nuttella with Banana Panino $4
Lemon Square with Ginger Compote $4 1/2


Brunos Wine List:
Cotes De Gascogne, Sancet, '08 (Southwest France)
Mouthwatering Colombard blend from SW France full of zesty yet tropical fruit and peach fuzz finish

This wine was light and easy for her to drink. It was her second out of the three favorite wines. If you are not a big wine drinker, this is a very safe option.

Grillo/Viognier Blend, Feudo Si Santa Tresa, '06 (Sicily, Italy)
Sicily Meets France in this sun-kissed beauty with some notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and citrus

Not her favorite, but fine to start the night off. Unsure how to pick the right wine, she felt that it was not a hard wine to drink but preferred the sweetness of the other two whites.

Riesling Spatlese "Hautte," Von Hvel, '03 (Mosel, Germany)
Mature rarity made fro late-picked, single vineyard grapes-hone, peach, petrol, apple and stone.

This was by far and away her favorite wine and proclaimed over and over again, "I would buy a bottle of this." I think we may have a wine drinker here everyone!!!!

My Wine List:
Rose' Bordeux, De Ramage, '07 (Bordeaux, France)
Bordeux beauty that's pretty in pink-blend of grapes with cherry, strawberry an herbal flavors.

By far not my favorite, but as I learned last night, the second sip is much better than the first and this glass got easier to drink as it went on.

Shiraz Blend "The Red One," First Drop of Wines, '08 (South Australia)
An explosion of juicy/spicy and earthy tones make-up this elegant, unoaked red Burgundy.

This glass was my favorite, it was like slipping on that sexy little black dress and knowing you could dance the night away. Bruno even liked this one!

Petit Verdot, Truchard, '05 (Trentino, Italy)
Dark purple grape from Bordeaux seldom bottled solo: black cherry, hints of cedar, tobacco and vanilla

A very rich and heavy body. If you were going off of smell, then you would never like this wine, but get past the heavy cedar and tobacco aroma and you have a beautiful flavor.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

We had an amazing night, reconnecting, laughing and just being girls. The food was far and away the best meal we have had in ages and I actually brought out the wine drinker in a non-conformist.

To create a menu for you we suggest the following:

Truffled Egg Toast with Fontina Cheese, this dish made our eyes roll back in our heads, our mouths water with anticipation of the next bite and the hair on our necks stand up. I will be spending the rest of my life trying to figure out how to recreate this dish.

Arugula with Beets Salad, the almonds had a hint of spice and smoke cut with he goat cheese it could not be pared better with the glass of Shiraz or Sancet.

Grilled Artichoke Panino, the spice was cut with the sweetness of the artichoke, the saltiness from the cheese complimented all aspects of this sandwich.

Finish with the Nutella Panino, because how can you go wrong with Nutella???

Our wine picks for the night were the Shiraz for me and Riesling for Bruno!

So my faithful readers, I bid you a good night, and a happy weekend. I leave you for the next few days for a well needed vacation. I shall return come Monday night and I look forward to entertaining you with my journey through wine! Drink safe, be well and love full!

Cheers!

The Second Sip

Everyone has been asking me, "Really Amanda, a bottle a night?" No, I am not drinking a bottle a night. First of all, one could not only go broke doing that, but yea I think it would be fair to say, call an intervention.

I was talking with my girlfriend Jennifer today, and she had mentioned prior to my journey, a few different ways of apporoching it, drinking a bottle a week, drinking a glass a day, going to a wine tasting, you get the picture. So, when mentioning to her that I had two half bottles at home tonight, she told me to take it slow, let these bottles live a day or two or even three and find out how they taste in a few days.

WOW, I have to hand it to you Miss Moseley! Upon my first sip of my three day old Mark West I blinked hard and swallowed harder. Ugh, 'okay, I just need to relax into it' I told myself. It was the second sip, the magic sip, it was warm and soft, soothing and sweet. It made my eyes actually roll back in my head and my heart pound hard. It made me thirsty for a second and a third sip.

Nearing the end of my first glass, I knew this bottle did not stand a chance to see the end of the night.

Here I sit, with just about a glass left and so excited to curl up in bed. Feeling warm from this beautiful wine and knowing that 'on the third day, the second sip...was perfect.'

Cheers!

That First Kiss

January 5, 2010


I woke up this morning thinking, I need something sexy tonight. I want something sexy tonight, I am CRAVING something sexy tonight. I then thought of what the last thing sexy I saw could have been and why this morning I was feeling so...so...erotic.

Before going to sleep last night I watched an interview with Argentinean polo player and Ralph Lauren Model Nacho Figueras. The way he talked about polo in and of itself sounded like romance. But I believe it was his lust for his country that made me wonder what was so romantic and sexy.

"I am going to drink a wine from Argentina tonight." I found myself proclaiming out loud to, well, no one in my car at 9:30 this morning.

Now, I am by no stretch of the imagination a world traveler, nor do I even pretend to know anything about Argentina, so this is my quick little lesson to all of you who are sitting and wondering the same thing, what is so special about this country?

Argentina is the second largest country in South America and is best known for the city of Buenos Aries. It is the largest Spanish speaking country as well. The earliest evidence of humans in Argentina was in Patagonia, and dates 11,000 BC.

The climate ranges from subtropical in the north to subpolar in the south.

Moving forward, the wine I picked tonight is Navarro Correas. Its a 2007 Syrah and let me say, its magic in a glass. Its yet again another cold night here in Philadelphia and as I mentioned, I was looking for something sexy and romantic, I was almost a little scared to open the wine praying I would not be disappointed. This wine reminds me an amazing first kiss. Your palms are sweaty, your heart is beating, your mind draws a blank and your body feels like its about to fall apart. And then your lips touch, soft to the touch, warm and perfectly fitting. With a slight opening tongues touch and a surge of electricity rushes through you. You feel your body give way to temptation and pleasure. Your senses open up and everything else around you shuts down. Yeah, I just described my first sip of this sensual yet sensible wine.

You feel the oak right up front but if you leave the wine to dance in your mouth you start to taste the dark berries and rich spice, allowing the juice to float back and you finish your intimate moment with this Spanish lover, you are left with the velvet tones of vanilla.

So I ask you, have you ever had a glass of wine that made you want more, feel more and hope for more? So ladies, slip on something sexy and men, turn down the lights, crack open this bottle of wine and get ready for magic to happen.

Cheers!

Law and Order

January 4, 2010



Okay, we all dread them and most people when asked have never been sent one. A jury summons! Well, this is my second one! And this very cold morning I woke at 6:30 am and made the drive into the city where I had to be in court by 8:15. I walked into a room of approximately 200 people all miserable at the fact that they were there.

Oddly enough, I was not miserable, except for the fact that it was so early and so cold. I had my coffee, newspaper, book and yes, to all of those that are questioning...I was even allowed to bring my blackberry in. Sitting there we were instructed that we were there to be jurors for criminal cases and that they would call us in groups of 60.


My group was the third to be called and I was lucky #50. Taking the elevator up to the 10th floor and then into a courtroom, these people were not messing around. I was quickly instructed to sit in a juror box and given instructions on how the day would play out. We where then escorted down to the 9th floor where we were sworn in, and introduced to the defendant who was on trial for homicide. I thought to myself, 'how great is this, out of all these people that DON'T want to be here, I actually paid thousands of dollars for a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice just to be a part of it.' We were then separated in groups of 15 and sent off to lunch. A two hour lunch that is! I debated for a second about having a sip of wine, but knew it would probably put me right to sleep.

Back in the courtroom at 1:20, we were told to sit and wait, so that is what we did, for almost 4 hours! And I must admit...I fell asleep. With my coat and scarf wrapped around my purse I layed my head down in my lap and...well...napped.

Once I woke, I thought, I am never going to have enough time to stop and buy a bottle of wine tonight. Disheartened and a bit frustrated at this point, we were then called into two more courtrooms. Like cattle we followed. I can appreciate people getting frustrated by this hour, but isn't one of the great things about our country is that we are entitled to a fair trial by our peers? I think far too often today people take for granted our civic duty and see it more as burden. A bit shameful if you ask me.

Okay, so...as the last of our group was called into a small room with only 15 or so chairs, I knew, I knew they had probably picked the jury and if not, only two or three of us would be picked. The Foreman came in and called numbers 43-49. And we sat..and sat and sat...time went by and he came back in. "Thank you ladies and gentleman, we have our jury, you are free to go.

By this time, I thought, well, I have some Mark West left at home, I might as well finish off that bottle to this crazy day.

So my readers, here I sit, after a day of civic duty, with my trusty friend Mark, a bit disappointed that I was not picked for the trial and a bit disappointed that I was not able to pick a new wine.

The only advice I can give tonight is that, when or if you do ever receive that jury summons, don't think of it as a punishment or a hassle or a burden, think of it as your freedom, your right as an American and an honor to be a part of your community.

And then go home to that old friend and pour a glass.

Cheers!

Baby its Cold Outside

January 3, 2010

Okay, so I woke up today at 1:34pm from a text that said, "I am sitting at the bar." Quickly I jumped out of bed. Damn it...I was supposed to be there at 1:30 for brunch. I called my friend as quick as I could to tell him that I had just woke and that I was so sorry, please wait 40 min and I will be there. DAMN YOU WHITE ZIN!!!

On my drive to brunch I could still had visions of last nights wine in my head and to be honest, I don't even remember falling asleep. I think the sugar combined with the booze messed me up!

Coffee, I needed coffee, but you know, its brunch, so coffee with Baileys it is! Asking for the brunch menu the bartnder tells me that brunch ends at 3:00, Urgh, its 2:59, I could not be THAT person. So, I just settle for my libation and an appetizer of smoked salmon. All the while thinking, I have to have at least a glass of wine at some point. My friend ordered up a glass of Silver Palms Cabernet, and let me tell you, this was an amazing addition to my morning. I have never been a fan of Cabernet, but it was so refreshing after a heavy cup of coffee and the saltiness of the salmon. As I was expressing my delight for the wine, I was told that I could not perchase it in PA. DAMN YOU PA AND YOUR LIQURE LAWS!

I need to find this wine, I need to buy it from the restaurant or have it sent to me directly from the distributor because I truly feel that it may be this one Cabernet that changes my world of Cabernet drinking. It is a California wine that prides itself on the fact that it is so light it does not overpower food! Mazel Tov on that one! When I eat I want to taste the food, when I drink, I want to taste my drink, when I combine the two, I want magic to take place in my mouth. Yes Silver Palms, you did what I ask of you!

At 4:10 I left to meet my girlfriend at the local Conshy hang out, The Boat House. She had sent me a text telling me to: "be ready to drink beer." Okay, so lets think about this, Coffee and Baileys, Cabernet and now beer? What is going to come of me?

When I arrived, she was sitting amoung all of the EAGLES fans in the area, reading a book and yes, a pitcher of beer, with her obligatory salad on the table. Beer, I thought, how am I going to drink beer? So I sit with her for a short bit and order ANOTHER Baileys and coffee, (if you are keeping count, we are at 5) at this point I know I am going to be up all night. But come on, its almost 20 degrees outside and this is NOT a place to order wine. I wouldn't put it past them to serve it to me in a juice glass. About halfway into our night I found myself pouring a pint.

3 hours later I knew it was time to go home. My EAGLES had lost to the Cowboys of all teams, and I was broken hearted. Craving the warmth of a delicious red wine I refused to even look at the bottle that is sitting in between the mayonnaise and mustard bottles. I went to my old standby of Mark West. If anyone is ever in need of some White Zin...its all yours.

And so ends my experience with Beringer White Zin. It was a battle, one of which I lost and one of which I hope to never return to, fairly unscathed, I put my glass down and move forward.

Cheers!

January 2, 2010

It was a hell of a two weeks. Working day and night, and the nights I was not working I spent most going out to dinner and drinks with friends. I could not help but to make it out of bed today once or twice to get a cup of coffee and now, I have to have my obligatory glass of White Zin. Just looking at the bottel I think to myself, Wow, thats a lot of juice.

Reluctantly I just proud myself a glass. The problem with White Zin is that it goes down so easily and before you know it, you're a bottle down and knowing in the morning its going to be a miserable mistake.

I sit here drinking this dare I say, mellow dramatic glass of wine thinking how much I miss my old friend Mark West. I can't immagine calling a friend up and saying, "hey want to share a bottle of White Zin with me?" Could you immagine the reactions I would get!

Its funny, mabye about 10 years ago, this was all I would ever drink. Now I just can't stand the idea of finishing this bottel.

It is absolutely freezing here in Philadelphia and I would love to curl up with a nice bottle of red wine, but I hope that by the end of this one, I will have a new appreciation for this. As you can tell, this one is a struggle to get through. I am trying to not hate, but...the rumoures are true. This has to be one of the worst wines to end your night with. I can however see how it would go down so quickly that you would need to order another and yet another and yet another.

So, dear friends, if you are looking for a cheap drunk head out to your local pub or restaurant and order up a glass. You may be sorry, but at least your taste buds will pop!

Cheers!

The First of Many

January 1, 2010

For a long time I have felt, there is something missing in my life. I have always known that I love to write, and at times I can actually be good at it, but I never knew how to apply it to my life as a hobby.

A week before Christmas I decided, I need to do something with my life. Anything was better than the stagnant life I have been living for going on two years now. I knew there was something I was good at and something I could do everyday and write about with passion.

As I thought about this, I came up with the challenge, I wanted to learn more about wine, how its made, what it tastes like, how it makes me feel and why I have such an admiration for this libation.

I talked for hours with co-workers, friends and family until they probably felt it was time for me to seek treatment for this behavior. I wanted to start a blog, this blog would be a journey about my life and how wine fits into it. I never even knew deciding on a name for the blog was going to be such a challenge.

One thing was certain, I was going to start drinking my wine on the first day of the new year! So here I sit on January 1, 2010 with what has to be one of the most unappreciated, highly sweet, and ever so disapointing wine I could think of to start with: Beringer White Zinfandel. The best way to describe this glass that I am trying to get down in order to have another 2 or 3 is reminiscent of, sugar water with a little kick.

I felt I owed it to myself and anyone else out there who may question, what exactly this full and fruit forward wine was all about so, according to the Beringer website, they are the oldest winery in Nappy Valley, established in 1876 by German born transplant, Jacob Beringer.

White Zinfandel is also known as the best selling wine of all time. This easy drinking, lighter and slightly sweeter wine is made from a very good grape - the Zinfandel. The Zinfandel grape is red. There's no such thing as a white Zinfandel grape, so here's the story:

White Zinfandel gets its blush of color from the deep red skin of the Zinfandel grape. When the grapes are harvested, the skins are left on for only a short time, a few hours to a day, perhaps. The weight of the grapes, pressing against each other, extracts a pretty pink-tinged juice. In contrast, a winemaker making red Zinfandel wine will leave the juice and the red skins in contact for days or weeks, producing a deep red juice.

As I sit here, not too sure if I am getting a sugar high from this glass, or if I am actually feeling the effects of this rare gem in the family of wine. I now must spell out what will be taking place in the coming months.

I have dedicated to drinking 200 wines in the next 8 months. Now, don't go calling my local AA, this does not mean I will be drinking a bottle of wine a day, or breaking the bank while doing so. It could possibly take me a day or two, maybe even three to drink each wine and when baseball season rolls around and I can't wait to get my hands on an ice cold beer, I will not let my readers down. Wine will be had! That is my vow, my promise to you and to myself.

I look forward to this Journey Through Wine, sharing, exploring, growing learning and well, yes, indulging.

Cheers!