Wine, Beer and Christmas

Well Christmas has come and gone...Although for us it's coming again this weekend. On New Year's Day Joe and I will be celebrating with his kids. I really can't wait for that. They were supposed to come on Christmas but plans changed. 

I got lots of good presents on Christmas. My 2 favorites are a Houdini Corkscrew and a case of Blue Moon Harvest Ale. I'm pretty sure Joe liked his gifts too.

On Christmas Eve I drank Cook's Champagne. There was some left so I had a mimosa on Christmas morning. I took a Strawberry Arbor Mist to my sister-in-law for her hostess gift. I also took a bottle of Fish Eye Cabernet Sauvignon to share and have with dinner. When we got home I opened a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir because I had to try out my new corkscrew. On Sunday, along with some snacks, I served Barb some Riesling and myself some Barefoot Moscato Spumante Champagne. Last night I made chili so decided to have some beer. I haven't decided, yet, on wine or beer for tonight. We're having Chinese food and then the Eagles play the Vikings at 8. 

Today I bought champagne and wine for New Year's. I stuck with what I know I like. I bought the Cook's and Barefoot Champagne and some Cabernet Sauvignon.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a Happy and Healthy New Year!

A Pre-Christmas blog

I've been busy. I've also been drinking mostly boxed wines. That is why haven't been blogging.


I'm almost ready for Christmas. I have some last minute shopping to do...with wine for Christmas on that list.
I also want to buy my sister-in-law a hostess gift. I'm going to do that shopping on Wednesday, after my lunch date with Dana.

My husband and I are having Liver & Onions on Christmas Eve. I might buy a sparkling wine for that night since it a nice night to add fanciness to.
On Christmas we are busy, but it's a good busy. We get to see everyone.
I'm so overly excited to see my husband's face when he opens his gifts. This whole Christmas season has me happy. The movies, the music and the decorations.
First we'll open our gifts here. Then head to my sister-in-law's for dinner at 1, opening of our Secret Santa gifts and a nice afternoon of visiting. I know what kind of wine I am taking to Theresa, but won't divulge the name as she may read this. I'll probably take a white wine to share, most likely a Pinot Grigio or a Riesling. I like white wine with saltier food like ham. After that we are headed home to spend the evening with Joe's kids. We'll open gifts, eat chocolate fondue, watch football and relax.
That Sunday we are celebrating with Barb and Vinny. I'm having hummus, crackers, cheese and veggies with dip. Again I'm think sparkling wine. Football, gifts and fun.

Fat Cat

Today I bought a bottle of Fat Cat Pinot Noir. I'm making one of my favorite dinners, Chicken Parmesan and spaghetti.
I knew I wanted a red wine. This was on sale for $8.99.
It's very rich in berry smell and flavor. It's a bit dry and it has a long length. That means the taste lingers on your tongue for a while after swallowing. I enjoyed this wine. It's great with pasta but I'd also serve it with a pot roast or steak.

I got called Ma'am today. Twice.
I was wandering around looking at the wines and an older man beside me said " May I help you, Ma'am?" I didn't even think he was talking to me but he was. I said "No thanks. I'm just looking."
I found what I wanted plus some Christmas gifts and walked to the register. A different man says "Hello, Ma'am How are you today?"  I didn't get carded. I wonder why?
I look no different today. Short girl with no make up, jeans and Ugg-ly boots on.
Oh well for years I complained when I got carded, now I'm disappointed I didn't. Must be something about turning 30 in the year to come.

Last Night's Dinner

Last night we had fondue for dinner. 3 courses.
First we did meat in hot oil. It was messy! The oil splattered everywhere. It was tasty though.
Next we did Swiss cheese dip with bread. It was awesomely delicious.
The best part was dessert. Melted chocolate with strawberries, bananas and rice krispy treats as dippers.
I got all of the recipes out of the booklet that came with the fondue pot. Everything was easy to make and inexpensive too.

The kids, Joe and I will certainly be doing chocolate fondue on Christmas. I can hardly wait!

Fondue

Girl's night in was good, as usual. We drank wine, exchanged gifts, ate food and laughed a lot! I love those ladies.

Dana, my Secret Santa,  got me a Fondue Pot. Joe and I are trying it out tonight. I need to add dry white wine to the cheese sauce and that will be the Riesling that was never opened Friday night. I only need a half a cup, so I'll be able to drink some with dinner.

Today I went shopping for the things I need to make the fondue dips. I bought oil and meat, cheese and bread, and chocolate with strawberries, bananas, rice krispy treats for dipping. I'm so excited.

Christmas GNI

Tonight is girl's night in. Today I've been cleaning. I did my wine buying and my Secret Santa shopping. I bought Sutter Home Riesling, Little Black Dress Cabernet Sauvignon & Corbett Canyon Pinot Noir.
As for the gift I can't say yet.

Little Black Dress is the only one I haven't tried. But it seems fitting for girl's night.
We all love Riesling it's an oldie but a goodie. Dana introduced us to Riesling by buying Clean Slate.So sometimes, picking wine by how cool the bottle looks you can find some great wine.
Pinot Noir goes the best with cheese and we always have cheese at girl's night. We each bring something to share. I hope Cheyanne brings hummus again. I bought Ginger Snaps and Cranberry Apple Tea.

We did Secret Santa last year and it worked out perfectly. That made us decide to do it again. Someone husband picks names and sends them to each of us. It may seem a little early for Christmas gifts but we wanna make sure we see each other before the 25th.

Red Wine Sauce

I made a red wine sauce for chicken tonight. I used Cabernet Sauvignon because that's what I have in a box.  I didn't use a recipe though. My first try was milk and wine and it was purple. Then I rethought the milk and wine combo. So I made it the way I make my gravy. I poured some wine in a pan with a bit of chicken stock and added Wondra quick-mixing flour. I stirred it until it bubbled and reduced a bit then poured it over the chicken. The chicken was cooked and had caramelized onions on top. I put in back in the oven while I mashed potatoes. It thickened up perfectly and tasted really good. It was even good on the potatoes. Now I'm drinking some of the Cabernet and waiting for the Eagles game to come on.

My interview today, from my point of view, could not have gone better. I filled out the application and said "I didn't see a spot on there but I was referred by Laurie." The lady said "Oh she told me all about you! Let me interview you now."  She asked me a bunch of questions and wrote down my answers. My answer to one question made her draw a smiley face next to it. Then she gave me a tour. So many cute kids and friendly staff. I got to see Laurie! The last time I saw her was 2 years ago, under sadder conditions. As is usually the case for PV alumni it was at a classmates funeral. 

Speaking of that, a 1997 Pleasant Valley alumni died this passed Friday. He is survived by 2 very young sons and a beautiful wife. Rest in Peace Jason. May God Bless your family.

Quick Update

...I got lost on the way to fill out an application at that daycare. I just couldn't find the place. Turns out I thought it was in one spot and it's in another. I texted my friend and I'm going in tomorrow...

Jobs?

A friend of mine from high school works at a daycare. She texted me last night and asked if I'm still looking for a job. Someone they hired didn't work out. She mentioned me and her boss said I should come in to apply. I might even have an interview today. It's for an afternoon position in the 2 year old room. I still have all my clearances. I just need to send away for copies of them. I'm going at 10 and I'm getting nervous.

I talked to another friend who wants a cleaning lady. I'm going to go look at her house on Friday. I need to see it to know how much to charge. Not quite sure what I'm looking for but I don't want to over charge her. I already clean my husband's office. His boss pays me what he paid the last cleaning lady. So I never had to tell anyone what I "charge" or what my rates are.