Maybe Halloween isn't so bad after all.....

I hate Halloween.

 

I've never been a fan.

Yeah, ok, the dressing up in costume part can be fun, I guess.

You can be someone else for a day/night, right?

 Ok, but the whole idea of having a day/night revolving around scaring people and portraying evil? Not so much for me.

 

Last year, I was coerced into going to the Halloween party at my happy place.

 Yes, I did have a good time but I didn't feel the need to repeat it again this year or ever, probably.

 It was a one time only occurrence.

 If you missed it, well, that's too bad for you.

If you were fortunate enough to be part of it though, well you're welcome.

 

I was Harley Quinn, the flamboyant super-villan also known as The Joker's girlfriend.

 

 

I could have been one of the pale-faced, red lip-sticked, black hair slicked back stoic backup band models from the Robert Palmer "Addicted to Love" video.

 

 

It actually happened without even trying....kind of....

 

 

But no....

This Halloween things were going to be different.

 

It started off with a Halloween card in the mail for Prowler from his grandparents.

Definitely no evil doing there!

 

 

My plan was to get home before dark, turn off all the lights, hunker down with a bottle of wine, Prowler, maybe a movie and shut out the world.

I'm the Grinch who stole Halloween, right? 

You got it!

 

 

But....
things quickly changed when I found out my favorite special was on the menu

 at my happy place!

 

Operation Canneloni Bolognese went into effect!
 I left work at 4:30 p.m. so that I could make it over to the restaurant, pick up the orders (yes, multiple ones) and get home before the little critters, I mean brats, I mean neighborhood hoodlums, uh.....young beggars came knocking on my door expecting something that I didn't have nor intend to share if I did.

After making an appearance at my happy place and partaking in the free wine tasting, I proceeded to my car with four orders of canneloni bolognese! Only two were for me.
 I decided to share with two of my favorite people who are now obviously considered
 "the lucky ones".

 

 

Halloween was already starting off on the right foot with Canneloni Bolognese!!

I had to wonder if it could actually get any better and you know what?

It did!!

 

I decided it was a night that needed a special wine but wasn't sure which one.

Then it hit me....

 

My beloved Mica!

 

I was fortunate enough to try Mica a few years ago from a friend at my happy place.

It was the last bottle on the shelf and quite pricey so I was thrilled that he offered to share!

 

 

To my surprise, my wine bar in the Outer Banks was able to order Mica for me this past summer (at a reduced rate but still pretty hefty) and I have had it properly cellared at home.

Tonight was the night that Mica was going to get popped open again!

I knew the Evil Red Genius would appreciate it and she sure did!

 

Mica is the second label of the "cult" Bucella wines from Napa.
It is a fantastic small production Cabernet from winemaker Celia Welch and the 2010 vintage was a limited production. 
Husband and wife team, Bill and Alicia Deem, are the masterminds behind Bucella Wines, which is Latin for "mouthful".

They pride themselves in luxury cabs, costing up to $160 per bottle.

While Mica tastes like an almost $200 bottle of wine, it runs about $85-90 a bottle.

I was thrilled to get mine for $69!

So thrilled that I bought two!



 

Mica is pure decadence in a glass.

It is one of my all-time favorite wines, with its boldness, graceful structure, luxurious tone and sandy yet refined tannins.

It is a classy wine with flavors of soft oak, chocolate and wet leather.

It makes you feel like you are flirting with something dangerous - something out of your league - and all the while enjoying every single exciting moment.

 

"We savor wine for its ability to bring people together, initiate new relationships, and celebrate life’s most momentous occasions.
A well-crafted wine not only creates memories, it nourishes the true enjoyment of life. "
 - Bill and Alicia Deem

So now, Halloween is made up of delicious heavenly crepes paired with a luxurious Cab.

Geez, I may start liking this whole Halloween thing after all.

But wait... there's more....

 

FIRE!!!!

 

 

 

For the first time in the two years that I've had my fire pit, I was actually able to use it!

(Nevermind why it took so long - forget that part....)

 

Not only were we able to enjoy my backyard fire pit, but we were enjoying a fire pit with
incredibly divine wine!!!

 

 

and country music...

.....specifically Jason Aldean with his time-appropriate new release titled,

 

"Burning it Down"

You can best believe that the Evil Red Genius and the TinyWineGirl were basking in pure happiness!

 

It didn't hurt that an absolutely gorgeous man came over to help light the fire.

 It was only fair since I was sharing my cannelloni bolognese with him.

 

[Cue Doors song now..... Come on baby light my fire....]

 

If Halloween was like this every year perhaps I'd be its biggest fan....

 

 



“Today...
I need wine to swallow the bitter truth...
Tomorrow...
I will resurrect from the ashes...
You...
Watch and burn...”
― Jasmina Mednolučanin 

 

 

 

Once-in-a-lifetime vertical wine event

 

Nights like these make me love my happy place even more......

 

On September 24, the Evil Red Genius and I were fortunate enough to attend a special IYI Event for a 10-Year Vertical of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon!!

 

 

For those of you who don't understand how magical this is, let me explain. Jordan Winery in California is known for their Cabernet Sauvignon.
We were able to try 10 YEARS of their Cabs side by side!!!
The fact that Arthur was able to pull an event like this off was magical in itself!
The fact that I was able to attend was even better and it was in my birthday month, so it was obviously a great birthday present from my happy place!

 

I knew from the start this was going to be a fantastic night when I found out that the Jordan family's love of food is what inspired them to plant their first vineyard! They believe wine is meant to be enjoyed around a table with great food and great company!

 

In 1972, Tom and Sally Jordan, a young couple from Colorado who shared a passion for French food and wine, followed their hearts to California wine country. Their dream was to create a singular Cab defined by elegance and balance like the first growths in Bordeaux. They also wanted to honor the marriage of wine and food with an unparalleled winery designed for entertaining guests.
 Four decades later, their winery remains the standard for food-friendly wines and intimate hospitality experiences under their son, John. 
(Cool factoid - they signed the deed to the vineyard on the day John was born! What an awesome birthday present!)

 

 

While this was a night of Jordan Cabs, we started with a Jordan Chardonnay.  The Jordan family is committed to producing a singular Chardonnay and a singular Cab - each a collection of the best lots of grapes thoughtfully blended to honor the subtleties of Old World wine traditions in France.

 

 

This 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay has aromas of pear, lemon, vanilla and baking spice.
 It has a tart taste and is very acidic; more like a Sav Blanc to me than a Chard. 
I definitely needed cheese in order to drink this one! I was not fond of its acidic and salty aftertaste.
 It spent quite a bit of time in French oak but it sure didn't have any flavors of oak to me which was disappointing!

It made me want to swat a mosquito.

 

2001

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mendocino and Sonoma

$119.99

 

Medicinal smell

Made me think of my grandfather who used to have gout in his knees and would use Ben Gay.

No doubt, we started this night off right because this proved that my grandfather's spirit was indeed there with us.

 

 

Tasted of chocolate covered cherries and raisins; a little tart on the end

Cherry cobbler in liquid form

 

 

A table mate complained that there was sediment in her glass.

Seriously? It's 13 years old! Get over yourself! What do you expect?

 

2002

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$99.99

 

Aromas - cedar wood shavings

Flavor - smoother than the 2001 but nothing exciting; no "wow" factor for me

You'll never find 100% Cab in a Jordan Cab (this one has Petit Verdot in it) because the Jordans want the attributes of the blends.

 

 

2003

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$86.99

 

 

This vintage has the most Cab of all at 81%.

This vintage shows that the Jordans are getting more aggressive with American oak - it's boisterous and loud - just like me and the Evil Red Genius.

 

 

A combination of the 2001 and 2002

with blueberry, earth, cigar tobacco and cedar

Tuscan-like

2004

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$174.99 (Magnum)

 

 

We tasted this vintage in a Magnum size which ages in half the speed of the 750ml typical bottle.

It will taste the same five years after it is released!

 

 

 

While the aromas were a fruity smoke smell and not very exciting, the flavor was the best we'd tasted so far! Enticing black cherry fruit with earth, smoke and violets; but not tart at all.

Absolutely yummy!

 

 

2005

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$85.99

 

This vintage had a borderline funky smell and definitely the strongest so far.

No bite in flavor and a very nice taste of dark berries and a hint of vanilla.



 

 

"When you have thick skin, you have to age longer!"

In essence, I have the thickest skin there is so I definitely will take a while to age.

 

While this wine is beautiful, it can easily age gracefully for at least 10 more years.

 

 

2006

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$80.99

 

 

A growing season without extremes, 2006 provided the opportunity for a classic vintage.

The mouthfeel was absolutely luscious with full round tannins and flavors of black fruit with a hint of vanilla, coconut and cedar shavings.

Perfectly balanced

 

 

This vintage was my favorite and I bought a bottle to save for a special occasion.

The best thing about this wine? The moment I smelled it I instantly was reminded of my grandmother's cedar chest with a sachet of vanilla inside. My grandmother had this cedar chest since she was nine years old and it now is a decorative and special piece in my home.

 

 

2007

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$78.99

 

This vintage had even temperatures and the winemaker said he loved it but hated it because it just goes into the tank, into the barrel and there's nothing to blend or worry about - a perfect batch of grapes.

 

 

 

Aromas of baking spices - cinnamon and nutmeg

It instantly reminded me of snickerdoodle cookies baking in a kitchen with a grandmother in an apron. It definitely smelled better than it tasted. It went down easy but has a big anise aftertaste.

This was a "pizza Cab".

 

 

2008

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$139.99 (Magnum)

 

The Jordan representative commented that it would be tough to rival the 2007 vintage but the Evil Red Genius and I disagreed. We sucked down the 2007 like a $15 grocery store wine.

 

This one was much better! It was the only Cab this evening that had an earthy smell and was a bit smoky. I figured it was stinky because it was the year I got divorced! (It's all about me!)

With a silky smooth mouthfeel, red and black fruits burst with a hint of spice on the end.

 

 

Delicious wine!

 

Of course at this point, we were getting a tad bit punchy (or is winey the more appropriate term?)

 and started to sing:

"4,5,6,8 Who do we appreciate?

Jordan! Jordan!"

2009

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$69.99

2009 was a dream vintage for the winemaker with a warm spring and cool summer and fall resulting in greater depth, more fruit flavor, elegant tannins, low sugar levels and high acidity.

This vintage had the nicest aroma of blackberry, black cherry and cassis with flavors of baking spice, vanilla and oak with a silky, never-ending finish. The taste was even better than the smell!

 

2010

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley

$61.99

 



At this point in the night, we were starting to fade and had already decided which wines we liked and were craving chocolate.  Only downfall of the night - no chocolate!
Who provides 10 Cabs and doesn't provide chocolate? I'm not complaining; just sayin'!
 We did get a box from Jordan which we hoped was chocolate but it was a special salt seasoning instead. Hmmmmm... Can we trade it in for chocolate? Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.



 

We sure did some damage at this event!! Good thing my dad dropped us off and the Evil Red Genius' hubby picked us up!

 After we did our tasting, we got to retry any of the wines that we had tasted and let me tell ya we sure did take advantage of that!

 

 

In fact, I started mixing vintages and creating my own blend! Pretty fantastic, if you ask me!
An untapped creative side that I should probably exercise.
 Blending the 2001 and the 2003 was absolutely divine and of course I was making everyone try it!

 

 

Jordan's biggest key to winemaking is balance - too much of everything is bad; a little bit of everything is good!

This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event and I am so fortunate to have been a part of the fun!

 

 

 Quote of the night: A good bottle of wine is the one you finished and didn't know you finished!

"My people"

Most people don’t know me, the real me. But there are a few who are “my people” and have come into my life at various stages but are always “there”. It’s unexpected how they have come into my life also. I may not talk to them daily. I may not hear from them for long periods of time but when I need them they are there unconditionally.  Some of them I may not have known long as far as duration goes but as far as connection, it's one of a lifetime. Some people just “get” me and those people who do are very special to me. I can put on an act for anyone. I can put on a happy face and make it through any kind of daily turmoil or adversity. But it’s those people who can take one look at me and know it’s not genuine. There aren’t many but there are a few.  I don't choose them either; they are given to me.

It’s when you don’t have to talk; when you don’t have to explain and they get it. It’s when you can enjoy a comfortable silence and no words need to be spoken and they get it. It’s when you walk by and say "good morning" and I say "good morning" back and then you stop in your tracks and say “are you ok?” It’s because YOU realize that I’m not ok, but no one else does. The 10 people who have walked by and said "good morning" just kept going. But YOU knew immediately that I wasn’t ok.

I’m a talker. I’m an emotional communicator. I am one who wears her thoughts and heart on her sleeve. I am the happy one. I am the one who makes the most of every situation. I am the one who makes everyone laugh when they don’t want to. I’m the one who uses sarcasm and self-deprecating humor to lighten a mood.  I’m the social one; the party planner. I’m the strong one. Most think I am an extrovert and are astonished when I say I’m an introvert in disguise. Sometimes I just want to "be". I need to just "be". There’s a difference in being alone and being lonely. Sometimes it’s necessary for me to be alone.  It’s my people who understand that and appreciate that when I say it. It’s my people who realize I need it without me even uttering a word.

I don’t have many “people” but the ones I do have are precious diamonds to me. It may not make sense to anyone else as to why we are even close. On the surface it may not even seem like we have any type of connection or anything even in common. It’s internal. It’s heartfelt. I feel as if these people are my angels here on earth. I know I have plenty of spirit people/angels watching over me from Heaven. I get confirmation of that almost every day and the feeling that brings to me is incomparable. But I also feel as if I have those special people here on earth with me who are also my angels; just in a different form. 

The ironic thing is some of them probably don't even know they are "my people" but there's no doubt what an influence they have made and continue to make on my life.

 

 

Slow-cooked beef minestrone

I love my slow cooker.

I especially love to pull it out in the Fall and let the creative juices (literally) flow!

Sometimes I use recipes.

Most of the time I start off with a recipe as a base and then turn it into my own concoction.

 

One of my favorite fall slow-cooker dishes is

Slow-cooked Beef Minestrone.

 

Most minestrones I had growing up were liquidy and soup-like. This one is not as thick as a stew but thicker than a soup and it's super easy to make!

 

 

What you need:

a braising pan

slow cooker  

 

1.5 lbs chuck roast or stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes

1/2 cup uncooked ditalini pasta

5oz baby spinach

28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (unsalted)

1/2 5oz can of tomato paste

16 oz of minestrone soup vegetables (packaged at most grocery stores in the produce section or make your own - onion, cabbage, carrots, green pepper, celery)

32 oz beef stock/broth

15 oz can garbanzo/cannelini beans (rinsed and drained)

 

 

 What you do:

1. Dust beef with pan-searing flour. Pat off excess with a paper towel.
    
2. Heat oil in braising pan on MEDIUM-HIGH until oil faintly smokes. Add beef and sear 10 min until all sides are paper-bag brown.
   
3. Transfer beef to slow cooker but don't discard the pan dripping goodness. Add vegetables to the pan with the drippings and season with black pepper. Cook, stirring, 3 min and then add to slow cooker.
   
4. Add stock, sauce  and paste to slow cooker. Cover, cook 4 1/2-6 hours on HIGH or 8-10 hours on LOW. I tend to enjoy the low cooking method better because it takes longer, the flavors get to meld into each other and your house smells yummy all day. However, if you don't have time (like I didn't this past Sunday) then the high one works just as well.
     
5. 30 minutes before the en dof cooking on HIGH (45 minutes for LOW), add dry pasta and beans. Stir and put the lid back on.
   
6. Add spinach to slow cooker and stir to blend well. Allow spinach to lightly wilt - about 2 min.

It may look messy but the sign of a awesome cook is a messy kitchen... at least while cooking.

It shouldn't be messy normally. ha!



I like to serve mine with a hunk of sourdough bread.

It's great for dipping and sopping up the juice that's left in the bowl!!

 

 

This recipe makes a lot of minestrone so I am able to eat off of it for a few days.

 It even freezes well. For a family of four though, I'm sure it wouldn't last very long. 

I didn't have wine with it this time, but I'm sure a nice light red wine would go well - perhaps a Pinot Noir or even a Shiraz.

 

 

 

 

"My philosophy from day one is that I can sleep better at night if I can improve an individual's knowledge about food and wine, and do it on a daily basis." Emerill Lagasse

 

 

Transitioning from "saver" to "lover"

I love quotes.

I find them all over the place - restaurants, stores, books, online, cards, bathroom walls (ok, maybe not good ones but yeah, they're there).

I collect them and, similar to song lyrics, I find deep meaning in many of them.

Sometimes a certain one will resonate with me and it sets off the emotions and brainstorming! 

Today I saw this one and it really hit home.

I am a helper.

I am a protector.

I am a comforter.

 I am a fixer.

I am a saver.

From past relationships to current relationships, to family members to friends, I have the natural instinct to try to help and to make things better. Unfortunately, in the past I also have become so involved that it ends up taking up more of my time and emotions than it should. I not only don't end up saving them in the end but I end up frustrated and defeated.

I've realized the hard way that I can't "save the world" or even my part of the world.

I've also come to the conclusion that I also can't try to "save" someone who doesn't want to be saved.

God knows there have been many of those that have come into my life.

As frustrating as it's been over the years, I've learned to just let go.

 Do the best I can and just let it go.

However, this quote resonated with me and made me realize that I don't have to get frustrated or defeated when I can't save them.

All I have to do is the easiest thing for me TO do and something that we both will appreciate.....

......love them.

After all, isn't pure, unconditional love the greatest of the simple pleasures?

A California twist on an Oregon Pinot

It is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I love Oregon Pinot Noirs. In fact, aside from a New Zealand Pinot that I came upon recently, I don't care for Pinot Noirs that aren't from Oregon, Snob, you say? Call it what you will. I'll take it. I like what I like and have no shame.

Based on past experience, regardless of how appealing the description may sound, I won't even purchase a Pinot unless it's from Oregon. But then I saw this one.....

I have had the California Sean Minor Pinot Noir before and while it was extremely light, it was tolerable. Sean has two different collections and the Four Bears is decent; the Carneros not so much.

It was quite intriguing when I saw this OREGON Pinot made by Sean Minor on a shelf at my happy place. At first I thought it was a misprint or someone playing a cruel joke on me. So I grabbed a bottle and had to ask Arthur if my eyes were deceiving me.

Come to find out, Sean Minor has a great fondness for Oregon's growing region and the 2012 Point North is his first release from his new venture in OREGON!!
He carefully selects his Pinot Noir grapes from select Oregon vineyards in the Willamette Valley and Umpqua.

I was forewarned that this was Sean Minor's "twist" on an Oregon Pinot so it probably wouldn't be EXACTLY like the Oregon Pinots that I adored, but it was worth trying and I was definitely intrigued.....

This beautifully-colored Pinot has aromas of cinnamon and a hint of dark cherry; a fruity-spice smell if you will. It has a very balanced nose with no overpowering typical California style Pinot Noir syrupy or medicinally cherry smell.  Earthy, dark cherry flavors with a smack of spice at the end made this a very elegant and smooth Pinot. 

It is also Dad and Evil Red Genius-approved.

Not only was this strikingly different Pinot delicious on its own it was also quite stunning with Chef Mike's yummy dishes!

Meatloaf

Chicken parmesan

Little Italy Pizza

 Not only did I enjoy this California twist on an Oregon Pinot, but I bought a second bottle to bring home and save!!  Check you out Sean Minor! Way to shock and awe, buddy!

Well done!

"And saith unto him, every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk then that which is worse; but thou has kept the good wine until now."