Setting Some Roots

The wind was blowing so violently that the candles were dancing along to the sound of the rain beating upon my window panes. As I looked outside trying to find the moon all I could see was the distant glow from the lamp in the barn.

Evening storms were a novelty here in the coastal mountains. We never saw rain, day in and day out, dry sand and trees were an abundance, so tonight’s storm was a beautiful surprise. Cool and refreshing, romantic and exotic. Safely tucked away in the side of the hills I spent my days tending to the horses and the fields. Life here is a routine, but tonight, tonight feels a little different.

I watched as the rain slid down the glass of the window, the wood cracked in the fire and I stood and stared out the window, all I could see was purple and red glowing from that barn window. I wrapped myself in an old blanket and hugged my knees to my chest, the chill from storm and the warmth from the fire – confliction.

What is interesting about this part of Chile is that the hills are steep and rocky enough that the soil maintains the moisture for the vines to last the intense summers. That is what I love about living here. When we get storms like this, the land just knows, it knows that it is a special gift to hold on, that it needs to last long enough to last forever! An amazing bottle of wine can last forever. A night like tonight, can last forever.

With a red wine buzz, I felt the blanket fall below my arms and land at my feet. It was rare that I felt the rain on my face, I found myself moving toward the door, stepping outside I closed my eyes, the wind stood still and all I could feel was water as it fell against my face. My eyelids, cheeks, lips, I felt it run down my neck to my chest, my arms were beginning to soak it in. As my hair curled up I found myself swaying to the song in my head, ‘Where do you go when you’re lonely? Where do you go when you’re blue? Where do you go when you’re lonely, I’ll follow you? When the stars go blue.’

As my solid dance floor became a muddy mess, I looked down at my hands, they had puckered up from the moister. My clothes were soaked through and my hair was drenched. I tilted my head back one last time and allowed the sky to baptize me one last time. It almost felt as though it was happening in slow motion, plop, plop, plop, I heard every rain drop, they were beautiful. And then, then I caught a chill. Almost a bit of spice.

I caulked my head one last time to look to be sure the light in the barn was still lit, it was, so I quickly ran back into the house. I pulled the blanket up off the floor and wrapped it around my drenched body. I looked over at the fire I had made before my brief exit. It had reached its peak and sitting beautifully in its glow, rooted comfortably, my glass of 2008 Carmenere.

Root: 1 is a “lost grape of Bordeaux” from The Colchagua Valley, Chile. Carmenere is a deep red color with gentle tannins and rich flavors of plum, blackberry and spice.

I pulled off my wet tank top and jeans. I pulled on his old grey sweater and pants, pulled another blanket up close, Pressed myself back up against the wall, looking back over the hills of Chile’ I poured another glass of wine. I watched the purple and red glow from the barn and listened to the crackle from the fire and drank.


Cheers!

<3 to MP

And Then Spring Kissed Me!

"I want a glass of Sauvignon Blanc today, I want one so bad," I found myself professing at the top of my lungs around noon today at work.

Alyssa looked over at me with laughter in her eyes. "Let’s go sit on Red Stones Patio and drink a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and celebrate. I'm so far in the weeds right now I don't even know where to start. Did I just say that? Who just said that? I don't know who just said that?"

I couldn't help it, I laughed uncontrollably. Yes, I lost it laughing at my friend, but it was short lived. I walked back out into the dining room and shortly found myself among those getting their asses handed to them. Running back and forth all day, the cast of characters were very different today. I have to believe that it's because it was a holiday and most people were out of work and most schools are out for spring break, but I also believe there was something special in the air.

Mother Nature put something out there for all of us to breath into our lungs and hold onto. Suck in deep to our lungs and hold on. It made us all feel a little more... a little feistier. My one very special, very wonderful table (and I do hope you, special table, have now become a fan of this blog, and, forgive me, because I've forgotten your name, but I know your son's name is Sam) ordered up a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. As I walked up to the bar and placed it on my tray, I looked at the glass and said, "I will be enjoying you later!" Matt, my bartender laughed and said, "I will be enjoying my beer!"

The day pressed on, and table after table, drink after drink, I had my eye on the prize - that cold glass of white wine was, on this first sun-kissed day, going to be mine.

I was yet to break the seal on the building. It was 5pm and my last table was eating dessert. I had to let Alyssa know that I was almost done with work so I stepped out back.

"OH MY GOD," I shouted as though there were no one around! But... there was! Two of my chefs were standing out back. "It feels like, well, it feels like sex out here. From what I remember of course." We all laughed. "Honestly, it feels as good as sex used to feel from what I remember of it!"

It was like rolling around in warm sheets, feeling pillows pushed up against you on all sides of your body, having your neck touched in just the right places, your toes tickled. Everything just felt perfect outside at that right moment. It was amazing. I could feel it on my face, in my hair. The breath of the wind touching my eyelids as I closed them, the heat on my arms. Even my fingertips warmed as my fingers hit the keypad on my phone. Sadly, it had to end and I had to go back inside.

Okay... so, I rush back inside. Much to my surprise everyone is finished, ready to go. Everything is good, check out, grab my bag and I am off!

ALYSSA!!!! She is sitting waiting! Like it is a brand new day, she is sitting there with a beautiful big glass of Sauvignon Blanc! As you all know, I am not a white wine drinker, but the first sip of this wine sent my body to that place that bodies like to go! It relaxed, it sunk, it fell, it eased, it was at peace. It was not just the wine that helped me get there. It was the company. There is something about this friend of mine that sends me to a peaceful place, she is very calm, natural and jovial.

As the patio filled up, our friend Jamie joined us for a drink. Jamie brought laughter and memories. It is always great to see an old friend and reflect. Now at this point I am sure all of you are wondering what wine is Amanda drinking? I have to be honest... we don't know! We ordered Nobel Sauvignon Blanc, but that is not what they charged us for. So... we are not exactly sure what we got!

I will say this, it was crisp like a prefect white sheet that has been hanging on the line all day surrounded by lemon and grapefruit trees. It has picked up small hints of citrus, but it's not overpowering. It still has a sweetness about it. There is a small bit of honeysuckle that you can get at the back, allowing you to feel the beginning of spring, the promise of something amazing. It makes you long for something more.

Okay, so it looks like I am going to have to return to Red Stones Patio and order a glass of Nobel and see if it tastes the same as it did today. See if it was the the stress of the day, the company I kept or sex the sun that provided the delight in the glass. Its amazing how spring has a way of making things taste so differnt.


You know, today was not an easy day, but it was one of those days that you walk outside and you feel something, you feel it on your body, organic and raw. You feel it in the people you surround yourself with. You feel it in what you put into your body. And at the end of the day, if you can know that you did everything you could do to fulfill yourself and those around you, isn't that enough?

Cheers!
<3 to MP

My Trip To the South of France

Today I put on my red flip flops and yellow sundress that ties right at the nape of my neck, it’s tight around the waist and flows like daisy petals over my legs, comfortable cool. I stepped outside the house to feel the warm spring sun wrap its arms around face and down to my fingertips. Even my toes felt the sweet kiss of warmth. I grabbed my Red Bicycle and headed into town to the farmers market. Smelling the fresh bread, sweet cream from the cheese, the sugars from the fruit, color and life was all around me, life was all around me.

Children were playing in the fountain in the center of town dodging the little droplets as the fell from the crown of the kings, laughing and singing. Lovers held hands, friends sat and drank coffee. Street vendors peddled their vegetables, homemade jams and pickled cucumbers. The town square was alive. Life was fresh, it was beautiful and it was being lived by young and old.

With my basket in hand I found a crisp baguette, still warm from the oven, the smell was rich, like a steam oven, fresh and I had big plans for it. Julia owned the cheese market, every cheese you could imagine, Gouda, Brie, Havarti with dill, Roquefort, Charolais. There were too many too choose from, so I settled on Brie and Charolais. Julia knew, this was not going to be the last time I would see her on a beautiful spring day such as this.

As I left her shop I couldn't help but notice the small cow bell that rang on the door as I pushed it open. It’s the simple things in life that put a smile on your face.

The day was pressing on and the weather was growing a bit warmer. I stepped over to a small cart and ordered up a sweet treat of lemon ice. I did not want to spoil for what I knew was going to be an absolutely amazing afternoon of treats. This tart yet sweet and cool refreshment allowed me to stroll through the square for a little longer.

The dogs played in the park, an elderly man played Bach on a violin as two friends enjoyed a game a chess. Off in the distance I saw two young men drawing a hop scotch board on the sidewalk. As I pushed my Red Bicycle I looked up at the sun and allowed it to kiss me again, I opened my mouth, I took a deep breath in, I allowed it to fill me up, from the outside it. I felt the warmth on my bare shoulders and the swoosh in my skirt. It was a beautiful day.

Luke had the stand at the end of the block. This stand was full of the most beautiful colored jars, jars of jams, jellies and berries. My eyes were in color overload. I simply had no idea what to pick. I let him peek into my basket and with a wink of the eye, he said, I know what flavor will be perfect for your day. As he wrapped the bottle with care, I noticed his hands were dry and chaffed, I could tell that he had been doing this for years. I could not wait to taste his hard work and devotion to his art.

Next to Luke’s stand I found Renee’, Renee’ had all of the strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, raspberries, watermelon, if you needed fruit, Renee’ had that fruit. I told her of my plans for the day and much like Luke, she had that special look in her eye. It was almost as if everyone working in this square knew how to treat people on days like this, how to help people live their lives to their fullest and bring a peace to the day.

My last stop, was Jeans, the day would not be complete with out a collection of vibrant flowers. It didn’t matter what they were, I just went crazy, I grabbed a piece of brown butcher paper and started pulling, red, pink, yellow, white, powder blue, green all the colors I could find and I was off.

My basket was full and so was my afternoon, I peddled my way down one dirt road and up another, mile maker after mile. I listened to Johnny Cash along the way and when I got to the top of the hill over looking this small town at the very southern tip of France and unwrapped my blanket, the gust of wind that caught a hold of it was like watching God taking it in his hands and placing it on Mother Earth for me to enjoy. I spread out before me a treat a treat meant only for me, only for my heart, only for my soul, and now I offer it to you, to you my friends, so that you, so that you may someday too have a day in which you can enjoy a day that you offer yourself your own heart, your own soul and your own love.

A beautiful French baguette, the finest of French cheese, and the jam that Luke gave me, plum, what I didn't see him wrap in the jar was a small block of dark chocolate covering hazelnuts. What an amazing combination and an even better surprise. Renee' had mixed me a beautiful fruit salad of grapes, strawberries cantaloupes, blueberries and nectarines, all of my favorite things. I was now surrounded by all the beautiful flowers, colors, flavors smells and silence, the final touch, my Red Bicyclette, 2008 Pinot Noir.

Now I am sure you are all scratching your heads and wondering, um, when did Amanda go to France? Well, I didn't I have never been to France, I have never even been to the places I speak of in this amazingly beautiful day, but my friends, I invite you to drink Red Bicyclette, and if you are as impressed as I am, you will know why, why this was the only way I was able to review this wine.

Cheers!

I love you, I just don't trust you

I don’t know who reads these blogs, or how often you do, but tonight I feel like doing something a little different. Tonight, I am going to be raw and honest, honest about myself. And mom (if you are reading this) don’t start freaking out and crying and thinking my life sucks and blah blah blah, but the truth, the truth is, I don’t trust people. I don’t trust my friends, I don’t trust my family, I don’t trust my co-workers, and tonight of all nights, I don’t trust the weather forecasters.

We were promised “the storm of all storms, a Snow-icane, the worst storm of the season.” I woke up at 6:00am this morning, flipped on the news and watched and waited, waited to hear just how bad this monster was going to be. It was coming down pretty good here by the airport, but just not sticking. Around 8:00am, they broadcasted and said around mid-afternoon, the highways were going to become impassable and that is when the bulk of the storm was going to hit.

That is when I made up my mind; I am going to call out of work. You see, I live 37 miles away and its all highway in. The last thing I wanted tonight was to be stuck out in the suburbs with no money, no change of clothes and no where to go. So, yes, I was a schmuck and I called out, and you know what, THEY WERE WRONG…At one point today it stopped snowing. I am so pissed off right now. I missed out on money, I put my co-workers in a difficult situation, and now I have this feeling that people at work are looking at me as, well as a wimp. It sucks, it’s a horrible feeling, and it just solidifies that I don’t trust people.

Now lets talk about the people that I call my friends. I love you guys, I do, but do I trust you? How can I when I don’t even trust myself? You judge, you all do, you know you do, how I do know you do, because I do, I judge peoples actions, I judge what people say and do, but does this mean I love you any less, no, I just don’t trust you. I can honestly say that there is MAYBE a handful of people in this world, that I would say, “okay, here is my life, I am putting it in the palm of your hand, don’t let me down,” and I know they wouldn’t. Others, I get it, believe me when I tell you, I get it, you have families, work, school, spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, other friends, work, miles in between us. Its not that I am upset, or love you any less, I just don’t trust you, and guess what….you should not trust me either! I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I am emotional, I am manic, I am selfish, but if there is one thing I am not, its perfect. I am not perfect, I am at times a great friend and at times I am horrible friend. I do however, love, I love with all of my heart. Once I have allowed you close to my heart, you always will remain there, now matter how bad you hurt me, or how long it is until I see you again. You will have a spot there.

Moving on, family, ahhh, I love talking about how I don’t trust my family. I would have to say that one of my most favorite people in this world is my mother. Hell, she made this body in which I live, but for the love of G-d, she drives me crazy. I call her and I ask, “how are you?” Her reply, ALWAYS…”Tired, I didn’t sleep well last night. She tells me that she is eating well, exercising, doing all the things that a 60-something should…LIES…she is lying, she is telling me this so I don’t worry, and bless her soul, I can understand why she does this. You know why I know, because I lie to her too! I lie all the time. I could be sick, and tell her, “oh, I’m fine.” Or I could be sad and depressed about something, and I will just say, “I’m tired it was a long day.” We lie, we lie because we don’t want each other to hurt. We love each other so much, that to hear the truth would be worse than a lie.

My father, hell, I don’t trust a single word that comes out of that mans mouth. I don’t even know if I trust when he tells me that he loves me. Okay, yea, I think he does love me, but I don’t think he likes me AT ALL! Not even a little. I think he calls me just because he feels like he is obligated, which, fine, if at the end of the day, that makes him feel like a dad, go ahead. How is it going to change my life? Its not.

I love my big sister. I do, I think she is beautiful and smart and cute, but Good Lord! I can’t sit in a room with her for more than thirty minuets before I want to throw something at her or throw me down a flight of stairs. Now, the question is, do I trust her? I trust she will be honest with me, I trust that she wants what is best for me, but I don’t trust that if my world were crashing down around me, she would be able to be there for me. I know she would want to be, but I just don’t think she is capable. Again, I love my sister with every fiber of my being, but it is so damn hard to trust her with the important things in my life.

Finally my co-workers, now, I know a lot of you may be reading this and I am sure I am going to get a lot of sideways glances from here on out, but you know what, that this is my platform, this is the only time I can say what I really want to say, and don’t you dare for a second tell me you all have not felt this yourself. I DON’T TRUST YOU! Now, some of you, a handful of you are very close to me, close and dear to my heart, you have brought me into your homes, your lives and your families, and for that I will be forever grateful, for that you will have my heart, I will lay down on tracks for. Others, well, others out there, you are simply out there for yourself. You could care less, who is around that CORNER, or helping you out. They just care about their pocket. URGH, its so frustrating and I don’t trust you!

Trust, it’s a slippery slope, one to tread lightly on. I give my trust to people too easily. I know I shouldn’t. I know I should hold on to it with both hands and question everyone’s motives before I give it away because before you know it, you are taken advantage of and sitting in your living room, on a cold windy cluster-snow night drinking Dynamite Vineyards 2007 Red Zinfandel. Since we are being honest here, I didn’t want to drink this wine tonight, I had no desire to drink something that was going to make me happy or full of joy. I certainly didn’t want to drink something called Dynamite. I wanted to sit here in the dark and wallow in my misery of being disappointed by people and especially this storm. I did however make a big pot of my amazing chili and when reading the back of the bottle it boasted that it paired nicely with something spicy, so I thought, ‘what the hell.’

The bottle is beautiful, I mean a real piece of artwork by Stephan Ward, it illustrates the Pomo Indian legend behind the diamond-like quartz that sparkles in one of the volcanic vineyard’s soils. The bottle goes on to explain that, “The moon wet when she could be with her lover, a Pomo chieftain, and her tears fell in the earth, forming glistening “Moon Tears.” Isn’t that a beautiful story and yet so fitting how life really is, from our tears, amazing things grow. Think about it.

I took my first sip of this Zinfandel and bam, it hit me! Dynamite is right. It was an explosion of flavors; I was almost too scared to go back for another sip. Honestly, I let it sit on my table for about 20 minuets before I did. But I am so glad I did. The big raspberry flavor, plum and currants right up front and as it float back you start to taste just a little bit of dark chocolate and finally ending with licorice.

With everything that is going on in my mind, my heart, my body right now and to top it off with the weather outside, I feel that Dynamite just may be the perfect wine for a night like tonight. It is paired perfectly with my spicy turkey chili. I am ready to turn the lights off, keep the candles glowing, sit by the window and wait, wait for some sort of truth to come to me.

Cheers!

It all takes time

I had a long day. A really long day. We are expecting our 4th snow storm of the season. And when I say snow storm, I mean, its been given a name, it is now called a Snow-icane. If you recall, we also had the Mid-Atlantic Monster earlier this year, well, it's time to nestle in and pray for the best, but expect the worst.

So, with everyone else in town, I stood in line, loaded up on bread, coffee creamer, canned goods for chili and yes, oh yes, I will not go with out my wine for this one. It is still unknown just how much this storm is expected to dump on us or if I will be working in the days to come, but at least I am prepared either way.

I sit here tonight after an exhausting day of demanding guests, horrific traffic and cold wet weather. I walked around the wine store for a good amount of time before deciding on tonight's wine. Jacobs Creek Shiraz, 2007 is spicy with a very strong layer of licorice. The flavor of plum and pepper are notice right away at the tip of the tongue. I'm not sure if I like this wine. I want to like this wine, I want to love it, but I am just having a very difficult time with it. I almost feel like I am TRYING to like the wine as opposed to, taking a sip and just knowing I was going to enjoy it.

Jacobs Creek is from South Eastern Australia, but the grapes have been selected from various Australian regions to make a single varietal. I just feel that with all the hard work that has gone into this bottle, I should be getting something more. Something, that makes me love this wine.

I so badly want to love this wine. HA, I just realized I have a parallel with wine and my life, yet again! My friend Dana said to me yesterday, "you want to be in love so badly, it will happen, just let it." I thought about it last night and it occurred to me that not only was she right, but not only do I want to love and be loved, but I am also getting in the way of letting that happen.

I find myself pushing, pressing, searching for the good, and holding on with both hands, almost for dear life. I can't do that. I can't do that with wine, I can't do that with relationships, I can't do that with life.

Everything takes time to develop, wine, life, love. If you find that things are not what you want them to be, if you are not enjoying them, maybe you are standing in the way of them developing. Give it time, let it breath, and you never know how delicious it can turn out.

Cheers!

LBD

Its snowing, AGAIN! I feel like we are going to be under this blanket of snow for the rest of time. I just can't seem to find the bright side of all of this snow. I have missed two days of work, the roads are a mess, my car does not drive as well as I would like it to, and to be honest, I have not shaved my legs in a week! Now that is being honest and being totally exposed!

After wearing yoga pants and long sleeved shirts for the past month, I thought I would try something a little different, something a little sexy, sweet and sophisticated. The Little Black Dress became a fashion icon in the 1920's when Coco Chanel introduced it as being affordable, versatile and long lasting. It can be simple or seductive depending on your mood.

After seeing the 2008 Little Black Dress Chardonnay, I knew this was something I had to have in my closet, or wine rack if you may. LBD, is a product of Hopland, CA. I was very excited to open this wine tonight, but after the first sip, I said out loud, "Oh, this is not what I wanted!" I was deflated, and depressed. But, like the perfect LBD, you really need to try it on to get an appreciation. With a very strong lemon front and heavy oak finish It has taken me about half of the glass now to decide, its not all that bad.

PT.2

I never finished that first glass. I was, well, otherwise sidetracked. Its a new night, and just as cold out, and yet again, expecting snow. I didn't get a chance to try this wine again until later tonight. As I opened the bottle it (yes, it, the bottle...don't you all know that wine is a living breathing thing), the bottle actually let out a sigh of relief. It wanted to breath, it wanted to sigh, it wanted me! And, you know what, I wanted it. More than I had ever wanted a glass of wine before. I had already made up my mind. I didn't care if it was going to taste good or not, I just wanted a freaking glass of wine. After the hell day I had today, the yelling, the complaining, the...the lady from New Jersey that, COULDN'T eat anything green, but was so pleased with the chicken lettuce wraps and then proceeded to hit on my boss. But thank goodness for the two lovely ladies at table 18. I hope you are reading this tonight because you made my day worth getting through. And ladies, I promise you, I will drink more red wine and...this white..well, its not that bad.

I digress...I needed this wine tonight, I needed it like cookies need milk, like a love story needs a happy ending, and well, like I need to be sitting on the beach...in maybe say, the Caymen Islands? I'm just saying.

How many of you are totally confused right now and saying, "wow, she drank the whole LBD!"

No, not yet, but trust, I WILL.

Okay, so you remember my first kiss of a wine? Well, LBD has proven that there is something more exciting than a first kiss, its a second sip. I did not, DID NOT like this wine after the first sip, it had the taste of Pledge, you know the stuff you spray on wood? Well, then I took one more sip before crying, before realizing, I HAVE NO OTHER WINE TO DRINK!!!!!!

Then, there was the second sip, okay, much better now. Like the second kiss, you get to explore a little more. You get to allow it to show its true colors. The second kiss you let your guard down a little more and not only do you let your lips feel but your whole body begins to experience the emotion, feeling and charge. I drank this wine, in one quick gulp wanting more, expecting more, gaining more. I began to appreciate how the body can give way to something greater than myself, my arms loosened up, my wrists felt loose and my fingers began to flow.

LBD has proven to me that even though I am not a white wine drinker, even though I probably will hang this LBD back up and see what the next season brings, you can always count on it being affordable, versatile and long lasting. Long live the Little Black Dress!



Cheers!

I'm with William

Dear Mother Nature, knock it the F**K off! What is going on here? We got 24 inches of only 4 days ago, and now we are getting another 20+ inches!!!! How can this be happening? The news just said these are record snow levels. I have not been out of my house in over a day. The sky is glowing pink, the winds are reminiscent of the ones Dorthy and her little dog too experienced. I have not seen another living human being in almost two days. There are not even foot prints in the snow. Is this the end of life as I know it? Come on Amanda, get it together, its just a snow storm...

Now a storm like this would not be a problem for most people that get called out of work, in fact there are thousands of kids and adults alike, praying they get the call from the boss that they don't have to come to work tomorrow, however, if I don't work, I don't get paid. URGH, for the love of all that is right in this world!!! Stop snowing!

Last night I loaded up on food, coffee and treats for the news said that this storm was going to be the worst storm in history. Man, they were not kidding!

I have made the most unbelievable winter storm chili. For those of you that don't eat red meat, you will love this. Even if you do eat red meat, I promise you, you will be in for a special delight!

I took 1 pound of ground turkey and browned it with some garlic powder, Adobo spice, chili powder and salt and pepper.

I then added one can of black beans, one can of corn, one can of crushed tomatoes and one can of diced tomatoes, one can of enchilada sauce and threw it in the oven for about 25 minuets. Delish!

Tonight I need something that is going to warm me both inside and out. I have not had human contact in over a day and it looks like I wont for another day or so. I am going crazy. I am losing my ever loving mind! There are only so many times I can log into facebook and see other peoples cars covered by the snow, or how their dog got caught under a foot of snow trying to go to the bathroom. Ahh, and my favorite facebook status as of now is..."Is it snowing by you?" Um, HELLO, Its snowing across this freaking nation!

I am spending the night with William. William Hill Cabernet that is. It is a 2005 Cab out of Napa Valley. It is as dark as night in color and huge in flavor. As soon as the wine hit the tip of my tongue I could taste the sweet berries. The juice slid ever so quickly to the back of my mouth, leaving a path of raspberry, blackberry and plum. The roof of my mouth felt the oak, tingling like the pricks of a cactus from the dessert. I could taste the barrel it was soaked in and a strong sense of smoke. There is a long, long finish to this wine, almost like it is blanketing my mouth.

According to the William Hill Estate website, (http://www.williamhillestate.com/wines/bench-cab-2005.htm) these grapes were crushed and then soaked for 3-5 days in order to get the maximum color and fermentation.The wine was aged in French and American oak barrels prior to release.

Like the snow building up outside, the flavor of this wine mounts up in my mouth as well, from the tip of the tongue, to the roof of my mouth, back to the depths of my inner mouth. It is smooth and seductive, sweet yet strong and bold. A wine to be enjoyed on a cold winter night such as tonight. I recommend sharing this bottle with someone you want to enjoy a cozy night in with, or alone, where you can let your inner soul breath.

Being snowed in has its down falls, such as not making the money I need to pay my bills, but it also allows me to find out about a new juice and create a dish that will last me well into the days to come. Chili freezes so beautifully.

So, William and I are going to sit here tonight, with candles lit, watching the snow continue to pound into Philadelphia and I am going to allow myself to feel, to dream and to explore what my inner thoughts want me to.

For everyone reading this here in the North East, hang in there, drink to what is out of our control and when it is all said and done, go make a snow angel. For those of you in dryer climates, be happy you are not witnessing a historical winter and enjoy what is in your control.

Cheers!