Round Barn Weekend Red

Description on the bottle:  This wine will appeal to people o fall tastes with plenty of fruit character and just a hint of sweetness.  Serve at room temperature to bring forward the tannis or chill it to make the fruit more expressive.  Make every day the weekend.

Sarah says:  This was our second to last winery that we visited on our winery trip.  It was the best!  Since the winery was closing in about 15 min, the server was pretty generous with the size of her tastes.  Plus - at most of our tastings, Jon and I shared a glass (because we aren't rich, those tastings get expensive!), but since we had a coupon we each got our own tastings here.  It was so great to actually be able to taste 5 wines that I picked all on my own!  Not I pick 2, Jon picks 2, and we try to agree on the last one.  I got to try 5 amazing wines!  This was one of them.  Chilled red wine - what's not to love?!  It's sweet, it's dry, it's not spicy, it's totally drinkable and awesome!  This wine makes me believe there is hope out there for me falling in love with red wine.

Overall rating:  Thumbs up!

Sarah says:  It's the weekend!  I don't know why I'm so excited about it - weekends are more busy than weekdays most of the time.  But, at least I get to spend a little more time with my kiddos than normal.  We take it easy in the mornings and stay up just a tad later in the evenings and that makes all the craziness during the day worth it.

I'll tell you what isn't fun - working 5 days a week.  At my old job, I only worked 4 days a week - and it was freaking awesome!  I spent my 5th day doing all my errands and chores so that my weekend could be spent doing weekend stuff.  I generally tried to make the weekends all about spending family time together and making the time that we actually were a family of 4 together count.  Now that I don't have that extra day, I'm still trying to figure out how to get my balance back.  Don't get me wrong - I'm completely happy with the job change.  When I analyzed the pros and cons of the change, this was a con - but overall the change has been for the best, and totally worth it!  But, what is the secret to work-life balance when you work 5 days a week?  Mon-Friday I wake up, work, come home, cook dinner, put the kids to bed, MAYBE do one chore, then fall asleep myself.... repeat.  So, on Saturdays - we usually have swim lessons, we try to do something family'ish for an hour or two, then I spend the remainder of the day catching up on the chores and cleaning that I didn't get to during the week.  On Sunday, we spend the morning at church, then do the grocery shopping, then spend the rest of the day planning and organizing for the upcoming week.  The weekend is gone before I know it!

Does anyone have any great secrets to making the weekends count?  I'm definitely spending less quality time with my kids and it's starting to make everyone sad.  Usually at the end of each day Liam tells me I did good and gives me a sticker.  Today he told me I get an X and I should try harder tomorrow.  Maybe another glass of wine will make it better!

Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails Merlot Blackberry

Description on the bottle (err.. package):  Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails are an entirely new way to enjoy great tasting wine with a splash of fruit - just freeze, squeeze and enjoy.  No mixing of ingredients, ice or blender required.  The delicious blend of full bodied Merlot wine and natural blackberry flavors make a perfect frozen cocktail for you next get-together, celebration, or evening with friends and family.

Directions:  Freeze for about 5 hours - Gently massage and squeeze to pour - Enjoy in a glass.

Sarah says:  There is something about a frozen cocktail that just sounds appealing on a Friday night after a long week.  It took a tad more work than my normal pop the cork and pour, but it's worth it.  (It also has more calories than a normal glass of wine; 280 vs 100!)  This drink it totally tasty!  It pretty much tastes like a Slurpee.  It's one of those things you could drink several glasses of and not realize you are drinking at all!  I'm a little discouraged that the package doesn't say anything about drinking it while enjoying the quiet of your house after the kids are asleep.  Oh well!  Cheers anyway!

The super cool wine glass in this picture was a gift from a co-worker for bosses day (which was totally unexpected and unnecessary, by the way!).  It says Vino Vixen and is super cute.  Apparently in the 2 months I've been working in Canton I've made quite the impression regarding my interest in wine.

Overall rating:  Frozen thumbs up!

Sarah says:  Speaking of things being more work, but being worth it in the end - chores.  Liam has had a new chore list for 3 weeks now.  He's had "chores" for about a year and a half now - but they weren't really real - the were more like things I expect him to do everyday.  Things like brush your teeth, clean up your toys, no hitting your sister, take your dishes to the sink, etc. Now he has REAL chores.  He has 6 days of chores - 2 days a week he does dishes, 2 days a week he does laundry, 1 day he dusts, and 1 day he feeds Havanah.  I realize feeding the cat is kind of a lame chore - but it's on the day that he has karate - and as previously discussed, there just isn't time or energy for anything else!  He gets to rest on the 7th day.

In typical kid fashion, Liam is super excited to be helping me!  He just loves every second of it.  He's also awful at all of it!  Which means him doing chores is basically creating more work for me.  I have to help him a lot, so each task takes twice as long as if I had done it myself.  In typical Mom fashion, I'm generally trying to get stuff done in the most efficient way possible.  Having Liam help is not efficient.  But it will eventually pay off.... right?  To make it even better - now Mary wants to help too!  And she doesn't want my lame "not really chores, chores".  She wants to do the dishes - and she needs even more help!  Anyone have any chore suggestions for them that won't drive me crazy?

I do pay Liam for his services - since he is 5 years old - assuming he does all his chores, he gets 5 quarters a week for his work.  If he misses a day (which he hasn't done yet) he only gets 4.  I make him put one quarter in his piggy bank, and one goes to church - so the kid is really only getting 75 cents a week.  For those of you doing the math - Liam gets $39 a year to spend.  For a 5 year old who pretty much gets everything his heart could desire for either Christmas or his Birthday - that's enough.  That gives him money to buy a couple of mid size toys a year.  I actually have to give him some credit - he's saving right now for a kickstand for his bike.  Really - what 5 year old would rather have a kickstand than a toy?  Apparently my kid who rides around every possible second.  He'll have enough for the kickstand tomorrow after I pay his allowance - so we'll see if that's what he actually goes for when we get into the store. 

How come I don't have that much fun doing the dishes?

The real question here is:  where can I find a good chore chart?  I've tried so many different things - and I don't love anything enough to keep it around for more than a few weeks.  I've printed some online - but I didn't like having to print it all the time.  I tried creating my own - but it looked like a 10 year old made it - I'm just not creative!  I've seen some nice wood ones in the store, but they are like $25 and I'm not about to spend that much!  I want something under $10 - any suggestions?  Right now I just have a hand written list that I put a sticker on next time he does the chore - but I dislike having to write out the list each week.  Maybe I'm just lazy - but not only does doing the chores cause me more time spent, but now I have to spend time making the list too?!  I'd rather spend the little bit of time I get with them reading books, talking, playing games - things that we all enjoy! 

I know the importance of teaching my kids to help out and that they have to work to earn a living - which is why we're doing chores in the first place.  I'm also teaching Liam that he can skip a day, but then he has to do two tomorrow or the opposite; two chores today means you get tomorrow off.  I think this teaches him a lot about making decisions and living with the consequences as well the whole concept mentioned above - a little extra effort now will pay off in the end.

Any thoughts on how I get through the extra effort now without loosing my mind?  That's right - wine.

Simply Pink Part III

Sarah says:  A good wine for a good cause - that's extra yummy!

Lately I've been struggling between letting Liam be the kid he's going to be - kind of nerdy, weak, quiet and timid.  Versus being a MAN!  I tell him all the time to man it up, and that he needs to be stronger.  I don't intend to be that Mom - I'd like to think I'm the Mom that just encourages him to be himself - but then I find myself saying these comments about what boys are and are not allowed to like - and as much as I hate the words coming out of my mouth - I can't seem to stop them!  

The color pink is one of those ever popular struggles.  If I'm handing out candy, or stickers, or straws, or anything where I let the kids pick their color - I have a hard time when Liam chooses pink or purple.  I don't think Liam has picked a favorite color yet - he chooses different anytime I ask him.  So, it's not like he favors the "girly" colors - but occasionally he'll be into them.  Again, I don't want to be like this, but I'll find myself saying "No, you don't want that pink one, you want blue" right after Liam clearly told me he wanted the pink one.  I realize that I'm doing more harm than good.  Sure every Mom wants their boy to be a BOY - but by discouraging him against the pink sticker I'm not turning him into a boy, what I'm really saying is: what you want doesn't matter, your opinion doesn't count, only mine does, I win.  I hate that.  I hate that I'm being this awful, stereotypical, negative Mom - but seriously, I just can't seem to help it!

In all fairness - Liam loves boy stuff!  He loves superheros, G.I. Joes, fighting, vehicles, etc.  He also enjoys a good tea party, dressing up, and things that sparkle.  How do you just let your kids be... when you want them to be something else??

Simply Pink Part II

Sarah says:

The wine is just as good the second night - glad I purchased this bottle.  Good for both my research as well as the Breast Cancer Foundation.  That is a win win!

I usually try to somehow incorporate the wine name into my thoughts for the day - but today there is something on my mind and I just have to vent about it!  It has nothing to do with Simple or Pink.

It has to do with email.  Our world has pretty much allowed email to replace other forms of communication - which is fine by me.  I've never been a fan of the phone.  I will generally email unless it's a total emergency.  The question I have is: is there a timeline for the appropriate amount of time allowed to respond to an email?  I generally go with the 1 business day rule.  You have 1 business day to either respond with an answer or respond with an "I don't know the answer, but I'm looking into it".  And honestly - in today's world where we are all mostly attached to a computer or phone with email - I think 1 business day is being pretty generous... since you probably received my email right after I sent it.  It's not like it was 10 years ago when people might not have checked their email but once a day or so.

So, I've sent a few emails recently that have gone unanswered.  First, let me explain, that both of these people have said before "Please feel free to email me if you have any questions".  Ok, don't say that unless you are actually going to respond to the email of questions!  

I sent my realtor an email 2 1/2 days ago - it was fairly important.  I attached a document, then asked several questions about that document.  I'd love to know that he got the document - and more importantly - the answers to my questions!

The other situation that is bothering me right now - I emailed someone (I'll allow her to remain anonymous for now) about a month ago.  I asked one main question - but then said, oh and by the way - one more question.  I never got a response.  The first main question sort of resolved itself, so I'm not that worried about it.  And the second question was really just sort of a "since I have your attention - how about this?" not quite as important question.  Still - I would have expected a response to 1) ensure that question one really was resolved, and 2) to answer my second less important question!  Now - here it is a month later - and I have another question for said individual.  I emailed her around 10 am today, and I haven't heard back yet.  It's 8:30 pm now, so technically, she hasn't gone over my 24 hour rule - but I'm already annoyed by the lack of response the first time - so I'm really annoyed that she hasn't responded yet this time.

So, what is the appropriate response time?  Am I expecting too much?  Furthermore - what is the appropriate amount of time to wait for the follow up "Hello?  Did you get my email, email?!"  Depending on the urgency - I've been known to wait anywhere from 3-4 days to weeks.  No matter what - I'm annoyed that the follow up email is even necessary.

I used to work with someone who sent  an email response to every single email I sent him.  No matter what I put in the email or who the email was addressed to (he was often just cc'ed), he ALWAYS responded with "Sarah, thank you".  This annoyed me sometimes because it just filled up my inbox, or I'd get excited about getting an email, but it was just him.  But at the same time - it was awesome!  I always knew if and when he received the email!  Maybe we all need to start responding to every single email - regardless of if a response is needed - maybe it will clear up some communication issues that plague us sometimes.  

Maybe I need to go have another glass of wine to relax!

St. Julian Simply Pink

It looks less red and more pink in real life.

Description on the bottle:  This delicious, semi-dry blush wine is made to enjoy on a warm summer evening, or next to the fire on a cold winter night.  Serve slightly shilled to experience an explosion of summer fruit and berry aromas and flavors.  We are proud sponsors of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  The entire St. Julian Family is committed to helping women and their families in the fight to cure Breast Cancer.  Dedicated to the memory of Julia Meconi Braganini (1926-1971).

Sarah says:  Ever since drinking St. Julian's Riesling I was really interested in going to the St. Julian winery to try some more of their delicious wines.  And delicious they were.  St. Julian also had some pretty tasty vodka made from grapes that they mixed with some juice and gave us a little cocktail.  So yummy!  

Although the Simply Pink is quite tasty - it's light, fruity, easy to drink, everything I love about a blush wine, I bought the bottle for another reason.  For every bottle of Simply Pink sold, St. Julian makes a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  The breast cancer statistics are mind boggling.  According to breastcancer.org 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.  I don't support breast cancer research because I have personally dealt with it - I support it because I haven't personally dealt with it and I'd like to keep it that way.  

Yes, I've known people that have been through (and survived!) it.  Co-workers, friends of friends, church family - but no one in at least 3 generations of my family.  Between the moms, grandma's, aunts, sisters, cousins, and daughters in both my immediate and my married family - No one has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  There are definitely more than 8 women there - we are pushing the odds - and for that I'm ridiculously grateful.  I've pondered doing the 3-day walk.  I know most people do that in honor or memory of someone - I'd do it just to raise my money to fund the research.  Breastcancer.org also says that the death rates have been decreasing since 1990, mostly the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.  I support breast cancer research to continue that trend. 

I don't know what it's like to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and I hope it's not something I'll ever experience.  To all the women out there that have received that horrible news:  I admire you.  I admire your courage, your fight, your determination, your persistence, your acceptance, and your strength.  You provide hope and give me someone to look up to.  To anyone currently fighting:  Keep up the battle, you are not alone, you are a strong, amazing, woman - of all the things in the world, cancer won't be the thing to bring you down.  To anyone who lost someone to breast cancer - I'm so sorry for your loss, please accept my sympathy.  

I wish there was more that I could do to stop such a horrible disease.  For now I'll just keep supporting the research in any way that I can, and tonight that support is through this bottle of wine.  St. Julian Simply Pink rocks!

Overall rating:  Thumbs and toes up!

Ninja Red Part II

Sarah says:

Speaking of Ninja's - Liam is taking Karate.  This is actually the second time he's taken karate - he really likes it and it was his idea to take it again.  I really like the class he's in this time - sure they are teaching them karate moves - but they are really stressing that they aren't supposed to use these moves unless someone is attacking them first.  They are really focused on self defense - and the appropriate actions to take to prevent needing to use karate (ie. walk away).  Love it.

There is just one small problem.  We signed up for the class in the summer, before kindergarten started.  At the time I didn't know that all day school was going to take a toll on him and that he'd be exhausted at the end of each day.  I signed him up for a 6:00 - 7:00 class - back when he went to bed at 8:30, I thought that'd be no problem at all.  The thing is - he is usually asking me if he can go to bed by 6:45, and he's sound asleep snoring by 7:00.  Kindergarten has been quite the adjustment for him, and he's dead tired by the end of each day.  So on the nights that he has karate, he just struggles to get through it.  The last 20 min or so he mostly just stands there with a dazed look on his face.

I'm torn about what to do.  We could quit the class - but I've never been a quitter, and I don't want to raise my kids to be quitters either.  When we commit to something - we finish it, even if it means sucking-it-up for a while, we always finish.  But, he's not getting much out of it, the teachers are getting frustrated and are wasting their time, and he's not loving karate the way he used to.  I'm afraid that by forcing him to stick through this class, he's going to stop loving karate all together.  Is quitting because you're too tired a legitimate reason?  I'm not sure - I've been pretty exhausted before, and I don't let myself give up, I just drink some extra coffee and keep going.  But - he's 5, and I'm the one that choose the class time, it's not his fault - plus it was a decision we made before school started - circumstances have changed.

I think Liam will take Karate again - for a low-key quiet kid such as himself - it's the perfect sport.  It teaches him self defense skills - allows him to work at his own pace - teaches him respect for himself and others.  Liam doesn't love group activities - Karate is very much about Liam learning his body, and his surroundings - yes there are other kids there, but he's learning to do the moves his way in his own time.  I think maybe we both love it!  So, by letting him quit this time around - will I be teaching himself to respect himself enough to know his own limits and not to be pushed into doing things he doesn't want to do?  Or will I be teaching him that it's ok to quit?  

What would you do?

Cherry Creek - Ninja Red

Description on the bottle:  None.

Sarah says:  Stopping at this winery was a last minute decision on our way home.  We had already left the B&B and our friends and were about 1 1/2 hours into our drive home when we saw both this winery and one other at the same exit.  We thought it was appropriate to stop.  So at 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon we tasted 14 more wines! (7 at each location)  Regardless of the cool name - the wine tastes pretty good.  It's a red wine, but it specifically says it's chillable on the bottle.  I think that is my problem with red wine - it's usually served room temperature, and I'm not really into that.  I'm not really sure what other characteristics this wine has that makes me like it.  It's just tasty and easy to drink.  It's not dry which is usually my biggest red wine complaint.  I guess it's a little fruity, but I'm not sure if that's true or if I just think that because it has the name Cherry Creek.  This is going to sound weird, but it feels creamy.  I know - wine isn't creamy, but that is the feel I get from it.  Why don't we hear what Jon has to say!  GASP!  Yup - Jon is back in blogging action!

jon's description for the bottle: surprisingly sweet for a red wine, like dexter sneaking up on a victim and plunging a needle in to they neck, SUPRISE! full of flavor like a season of dexter is full of drama and anticipation. the empty bottom of the glass will surprise you like waking up on a table completely naked and plasticed wrapped to it.

jon says: as those who follow dexter, this past weekend was the first episode of the season. to celebrate sarah and i selected a wine that seemed to be appropriate for dexter. our first thought was something red, we then started to go through our red wines and ran across "Ninja Red". ninjas are sneaky just like dexter and use bladed weapons, perfect choice or at least i thought so. anyways i liked it. it was sweet and delicious.

Sarah says:  Speaking of Dexter (SPOILER ALERT!!!  DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE FIRST EPISODE OF SEASON 7!!) I normally am a huge fan of Dexter, and while I still am, I was more critical of this episode that I have previously been.  Maybe it was the Ninja in me, but I just wasn't buying some of it.  Debra's willingness to cover up the dead body - Debra!  Miss buy the books officer - always does what is right - that quickly is convinced to just set the church on fire?  Seems unlikely.  Second, that dang blood slide - first of all, doesn't Dexter usually put it right in his pocked after he does it?  Why was it still sitting on the death table at all?  Second - what would make LaGuerta look down there, and how did she even see it?  Third, it was pretty convenient that it was just sitting on the top of all of the evidence when she was talking with Masuka.  I hate that slide.  THEN - in the airport when Dexter was killing Mike's killer, there was conveniently a wheel chair, conveniently a bathroom closed sign, and conveniently the unclaimed luggage area was right there and unlocked.  Really?  It all just seems too staged.  Maybe it's always been that way, but it really seemed obvious in this episode.

With all of that being said - I love Dexter and I'm so excited for this season!!!!  I can't wait to hear the rest of the conversation between Dex and Deb.  "Are you a serial killer?"  "Yes" !!!!!!!  It's so tense!  What is going to happen to him?!  We're sorta thinking that Debra will start to see the good in what Dexter does and start using him to help her out.  But, the show never goes how I think it will - so who knows?!  Can't wait for next week!

jon says: holy crap i can't wait to see what happens next. what will debra do? what is going to happen to louis, is dexter going to find out that louis is total f'ing with him or is louis going to step things up and become even more of a threat. dexter has unknowingly started some serious sh!t with a international crime organization that ray stevenson is the head of. i really hope there will be a fight between dexter and stevenson, even if stevenson is twice his size i think it would be awesome! only 12 or 13 more episodes this season. can't wait!

Overall rating:  Hi-yeeeaaahhh!  Ninja's know how to drink, thumbs up.