Chardonnay Part II

Sarah says:  Here we are again, dieting means I only drink one glass of wine a night, which means it takes 6 nights to finish one bottle of wine (sometimes 5, depends on how generous I am with my servings), which means I'm still working on this bottle of Chardonnay that I don't really love, but don't dislike enough to dump it out.  I've heard about a clever little trick (which I have not tried, but am interested in), to add Sprite or 7 Up to wines that you don't love to make them a bit easier to drink and thus empty the bottle.  I apologize for the lack of variety lately.

I did something recently that I don't generally do.  I read a book (that's not the part that I'm referring to, I love to read!), and then got the great idea to immediately rent the movie.  I read The Firm, such an awesome book!!  It's a 500 page book, and somehow I managed to read it in less than a week!  WHAT?!  It usually takes me weeks, if not months, to read a book.  Not because I don't want to finish them, simply because I can't find the time.  By the time I get the time, I'm usually so sleepy, that I read a few pages and zonk out.  This book however was different, it was such a page turner that I couldn't possibly fall asleep.  It was exciting and intense, but wasn't too confusing or overwhelming.  I found time to read this book.  I stayed up into the wee hours of the night reading this book.  I specifically let the kids watch extra TV (mother of the year, right here!) just so I could read an extra chapter.  I liked it, a lot more than I liked this wine.  (as a side note, this book was also very different than the normal romance that I usually read.  It's possible that I liked it so much simply because it was something different).

So, once finished, I was so excited, I rushed to the library and rented it!  (Another side note:  I completely don't understand why anyone would ever pay to rent a movie, the library is full of free ones!)  Jon warned me that the movie wasn't good.  I ignored him.  Tom Cruise wouldn't disappoint, plus the book was just so good!  Oh wow, was I wrong.  The movie was dull, and didn't have any of the exciting intensity that the book had.  Tom didn't capture the enthusiasm that Mitch, the young lawyer had for his new job and being the best.  They totally ruined the story between him and his wife, making it seem like they actually broke up instead of that just being a planned distraction.  The private investigator died wwaaayyyyy too quickly.  They didn't include the big hideout/hunt at the end.  It was boring, I found myself reaching for the tablet to play Candy Crush less than halfway through.  

In all fairness, I'm not sure how to properly turn a 500 page book into a 2 hour movie, but they needed to keep trying with this one.  Don't waste your time on it.  Just like this wine, sadly it's not worth it.

What's your favorite book turned movie?

Bridge Lane Chardonnay

Description on the bottle:  With its light body and fresh finish, our steel-fermented Chardonnay displays crisp, clean flavors with a lingering minerality on the finish.

Sarah says:  Hmmm... it's a little sweet for my liking.  It's not bad, but I couldn't drink more than one glass of it at a time (which it's a good thing I'm cutting back on my consumption, otherwise I'd be disappointed)!  I wonder if my tastes are changing?  It seems that I'm like more and more reds, and finding whites too sweet.  Does this mean I'm maturing?  I find that seasoned wino's seem to lean towards red, while newbies like the whites.  Any thoughts on that?

Overall rating:  Thumbs 3/4 down.

Sarah says:  Speaking of change... since it's halfway through January, I thought I'd update on the New Year's Goals - since that is requiring change.  So, saving an extra $50 turned out easy, since Jon worked some overtime during Christmas and New Year's, his first check was awesome.  And, his theater is having some staffing changes, so he's working more than normal lately to help out.  I'm anticipating his next few checks being a little higher than budgeted, which means extra savings for us, whoo hooo!  What am I saving for you ask?  Well, that is another topic for another day!  The second goal was to loose the 5 lbs of holiday weight I put on.  Ok.... first of all, that was a little ambitious.  I generally aim for 1 pound a week, given that there are only 4 weeks in Jan, loosing 5 would have been pushing it.  Second, I was on vacation the first week of Jan, so that week was really just a bust.  By the way, if anyone knows the secret to loosing weight while on vacation, I'm all ears!  Gaining is easy, maintaining is manageable, but loosing... impossible.  So, even though I'm half way through the month, I'm only about a week and a half into my weight loss plan.  I'm not halfway there.  And third, sadly, I pulled the 5 lb number out before actually stepping on the scale.  It MIGHT have been a little more than that.  I'm making progress though, my new goal is to be back at what I consider my normal weight by the end of Feb ( I will never ever ever post what that number actually is, don't even bother asking).  The great thing about creating small goals instead of resolutions it they allow for more flexibility and changes like that.

Anyways, I've been eating better again, working out again, drinking less again.  I've been doing some new workouts.  I still love my running, but I find it hard to do that in the winter.  Going to the gym is too much hassle, I'd much rather just put on my shoes and run outside, but it's way to freaking cold for that.  I've been doing these new things called a Tabata workout.  It's a 4 minute, high intensity workout.  It totally rocks my world.  On the busy days, I usually just squeeze in a few of these whenever I can.  Lots of times I'll do one in the morning, one before dinner, and one or two before bed.  Finding 4 minutes is much easier than finding 30 min or more!  And, if I'm just doing one at a time, I'll be tired, but not sweaty or anything, so there is no need to shower, or even change into workout clothes.  Often, I'll do 3 in one sitting, 12 minutes is still nothing to complain about.  By the way - I do change if I'm doing several tabata's at once, that is exhausting.  I totally encourage you to google it if you are looking for something new and fast.  There are several video to give you ideas of what to do.  I just wing it, and pretty much change it up every time - don't want to get bored!!  My go to's are jumping jacks, squats, butt-kicks, jumping rope, and burpees.

What's your latest workout?

I completely value exercise and eating right, staying healthy is very important to me (ya know, gotta make an impression on those kiddos!).  I also value the importance of rest.  So tonight, I kick back, open a bottle of wine, and chill out.  Cheers to that!

Vina Tarapaca

Description on the bottle:  Established in 1874, Vina Tarapaca is one of Chile's most traditional wineries. Located in the heart of the Maipo Valley - Chile's most prestigious wine growing region.  Pure Sauvignon Blanc with a lemon straw color and green highlights. The amounts are lively with grapefruit and lime characters. The palate displays tropical fruit, balanced by refreshing citrus.  Serve cool.

Sarah says:  Well... I don't really like it.  I'm trying to decide what to say without sounding too negative. It's VERY citrus-y, especially in the grapefruit area, and I don't particularly like grapefruit, so I'm not enjoying it. A sip or two isn't bad, but a whole glass, is uncomfortable as eating an entire grapefruit, it just isn't my thing! I find the whole thing way too sweet and bitter bitter bitter.  

Overall rating:  Blah.

Sarah says:  While I didn't love this wine, I did get something for Christmas that I do love, and I mean LOVE.  An electronic wine opener!!  This video is the first time I used it, I probably should have read the instructions, but I eventually got there.  Check it out.  

Totally awesome, right?!  I've got it down pat now, so it goes a little smoother.  Best Christmas gift ever, thanks Carolyn!!

What was the best present you received this year?

Groote Kaap

Description on the bottle:  NONE

Sarah says:  The lack of description on some of these wine club bottles continues to make me crazy.  Luckily, I only have a couple more bottles before I get to go back to picking out my own wine!  The only glimmer of information provided on this bottle is that this wine is from South Africa.  I didn't even know South Africa had good land for wine producing!  Apparently they do, this Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty yummy.  I drank it last night (New Years Eve) while hanging out with some friends and eating a load of bad food.  This wine pairs nicely with pizza, sour patch kids, and rice chex puppy chow.

Overall rating:  Thumbs mid way up.

Sarah says:  Speaking of New Years, it's that time of year, resolution time!  The time of year where everyone is bound and determined to change some part of their life for the better, and works really hard at it for about 5 weeks, then forgets it ever happened.  Jon doesn't even bother with them because he thinks it a waste to bother with it when he knows he won't finish it.  I like to argue that it's better to do something good for a few weeks rather than not have tried at all.  I think it's comparable to the saying "It's better to have loved and lost, than not have loved at all."  True, most resolutions don't stick, but they certainly won't work if you don't even try starting them.  Oh well, boo on him.  I will continue to make and break my resolutions!

I would like to try something a bit different this year.  Instead of setting vague resolutions, such as I'd like to get more healthy, and I want to save money better, I'm going to try setting specific goals at the 1st of each month.  Something that is more measurable and can be adjusted as I discover what is working and what isn't.  So with that, my January 1 resolution/goals, are that I would like to loose the 5 lbs of holiday weight I put on, and I would like to put an additional $50 into my savings account.  In the past I've come up with really long lists, but I have found that it's too overwhelming for me.  I'm going to stick to a few each month, and I can add different themes in as the timing is appropriate.

There you have it folks... to be continued Feb 1.  What are your resolutions?

Casillero del Diablo

Description on the bottle:  Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada is a limited edition assemblage of selected grapes.  The wine is comprised of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon from Pirque in Malpo Valley, the origin of Casillero del Diablo, and 30% Syrah from the hillsides of Peumo, in Rapel Valley.  Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada has been aged in French oak barrels for 14 months.

Sarah says:  That's a lot of fancy words, all I know is, I like it.  It's smoother than I would have expected, but it definitely has a bit of a kick at the end.  It's not overly strong, but has a little something to it.  I like it!  I'm very glad that I'm expanding into the world of reds.

Overall rating:  Thumbs up!

Sarah says:  On this Eve before Christmas Eve, I need to share a conversation that Liam and I had a few weeks ago.  This topic has been highly debated and discussed, so I figure, why not throw my thoughts into the mix!

Here's the conversation (this was a few days before Thanksgiving):
Liam:  Mom, how many more days until the holidays?
Me:  Which holiday, there are several coming up?
Liam:  Christmas.
Me:  Why didn't you just say Christmas?
Liam:  "So-and-so" calls it the holidays.  How many more days?
Me:  Well, we call it Christmas, so from now on, how about you say that, ok?
Liam (never to miss an opportunity to ask this question):  Why?  Why does "so-and-so" call it holidays but we call it Christmas?  How many more days?
Me:  Well, some people feel more comfortable with holidays, I feel comfortable with Christmas.  You can call it either, but I prefer that you call it Christmas.
Liam:  Why?  How many days??!!
Me:  31 days until Christmas.  I think of the holidays as the season, Christmas is the specific date you are asking about.
Liam:  Ok, 31 days, I'm going to play outside.

Sarah says:  So I realize he was really just trying to get the number of days he has to wait for Santa to deliver his bounty of presents, but it still has the holiday vs. Christmas debate at hand.  Per the New Jersey News, 67% of American's prefer Merry Christmas, while a mere 18% pick Happy Holidays.  The remaining 15% would rather not say anything.

So, if the majority of people prefer Merry Christmas, how come it's so taboo to say it?  I try to stay as far away from religious and political debates as possible, but for some reason this one catches my attention.  I grew up saying Merry Christmas, and I want my kids to do the same.  I fear that if they start saying Happy Holidays now, they will never feel comfortable with Merry Christmas.  To me, it isn't about forcing Christianity on those that don't believe, it's about us celebrating what we DO believe.  It's kind of like Santa, kids believe, adults don't.... but you don't see a bunch of adults telling kids not to believe.  No way, we embrace their belief and try to get them to believe as long as possible.  Why can't those that don't believe in Christmas, just be happy for those of us that do believe, and leave the rest alone?

To my Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah!  To my African friends, Happy Kwanzaa!  I'm not trying to take away anyone's beliefs, why are some trying to take away mine?

Is it Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays for you?

Acres of Land Vidal Blanc

Description on the bottle:  In the spring of 2002 the Wiseman family helped plant our Vidal Blanc vineyard.  In thanks to their efforts and in memory of the patriarch of the Wiseman family we offer you A. I. Vidal Blanc.

Sarah says:  While this wine is much sweeter than what I would generally prefer, I'm totally liking it.  I think it helps that I'm not eating, and haven't eaten in several hours, it a nice "after hours" wine.  I wouldn't pair it with food.  I'm also loving the description on the bottle.  It's short and sweet, but totally expresses their gratitude.  I'm a sucker for the personal touch.

Overall rating:  Thumbs up.

Sarah says:  This bottle isn't from my wine club!  I actually forgot I had this, which is totally crazy, I know, it won't happen again.  The problem is, we keep our wine rack on the top of our cupboards, so the kids won't accidentally knock something over, and I have a really hard time seeing what is up there, so I thought this was just another bottle from the club.  Imagine my surprise (and pleasure) to see this!  This bottle actually brings a lot of good memories to me.  As you may remember, we drove from Michigan to Disney World this summer.  On the long drive back, somewhere in mid-Kentucky, we started seeing signs for this Winery.  On a total carefree whim type moment, we stopped, and because it's not exactly appropriate to do a testing with kids in tow, we just crossed our fingers and grabbed a bottle.  This one to be exact.  And then, apparently, we forgot to drink it.  In our defense, we were exhausted when we got home, we probably just put it in the rack and it got mixed in with the others.

Summer vacation... ours was filled with laughter, swimming, princesses, rides, giant smiles, fireworks, sneaky kisses, great food, balloons, and staying up way past bedtime.  Ahhh, vacation.  I love vacation.  I want to take another vacation.  I recently read this quote from an anonymous woman "When I was sixteen, my mother told me that I was expendable and if I didn't work hard, companies would just get rid of me.  I work sixty to seventy hours a week, never take time off, and my husband and I haven't had a vacation in twelve years.  I'm a workaholic, and I love it."  Holy cow, I'm sad reading that.  I read this a few days ago, and went to work the next day and requested a day off.  I was already taking 2 days off because we are taking a day trip (mini vacation is better than no vacation!), but I decided to take a 3rd day, just for the heck of it, just because I can, just because I don't want to become the lady from the quote.  What will I do with that extra day?  Who knows... I'm hoping I'll get a chance to workout, play in the snow with the kids, and drink some wine... I'm flexible as to the order of those events.  All I know is, I'm due to make some carefree memories.  One's like from this summer when we bought this wine.  Taking the day off for no reason was a bit carefree, tonight I'll lift my glass to maintaining that frame of mind.

When was the last time you did something carefree?

Tobias Chardonnay

Description on the bottle:  Please contact us for wine and tasting information.  tobiasvineyards.com

Sarah says:  What?!  No description?!  I'm sad.  The drink itself is fine. It's good but nothing thrilling.  Takes just like any other Chardonnay I've had.  The boring bottle however makes what could be an acceptable party wine, and just turns me off.  The label is often half the reason I purchase a bottle of wine.

Overall rating:  Thumbs down.

Sarah says:  This reminds me, I've made the decision to end my wine club.  As much as I love having a box of wine arrive at my front door, I love shopping for wine more.  I've tasted some good wines, and probably been exposed to higher quality wines than I'm used to, but I still think this is the right decision.  I love walking up and down the wine isle, looking for the right bottle to catch my eye.  Just today I was at Holiday Market, and I knew I didn't need any wine, but I walked the isle anyways.  It was awesome, the different colors, the different shapes, I just wanted to pick some out so badly!  I was sensible and didn't,since I still have 10 bottles left from the club.  But as soon as those are gone (or close to gone - I never want to be totally out of wine, that would be awful), I will be picking out my own wine again!

Similar to this bottle of wine, I fear this blog has gotten boring.  I am hopeful that as I bring back wines that I am actually excited by, exciting thoughts will come with them!