True Colors Shining Through

Yes, it's been a while.

I've been writing... a lot. Here, and here, and here. And in some places that are not visible yet. Just not here.

Honestly, I've been so busy writing that I haven't done anything worth writing about. But seeing as that hasn't stopped me before, I thought I'd put down a few words today.

We came up to the weekend house last night and will stay through Sunday. That my friends, is a very good thing. While there's always stuff to do, the atmosphere is so relaxing, and beautiful... especially at this time of year. Somehow between catching up on computer tasks and starting to get a few things in order for the approaching cold weather, the day flew by. I did manage to get in a walk around the lake though, and things are changing.

The critters are active. Squirrels and chipmunks are darting everywhere. They are looking very busy and that makes me very nervous. Last winter wasn't half bad and I am hoping for the same this year.

With a few exceptions, like the big red oak in the backyard, the trees are just beginning their color dance. For the most part just the yellows are showing. The ground cover of ferns, wildflowers, and cattails used to blend as a green blanket, but now are each taking on their own hues.

Bad Mushroom

While I was walking, I was also on a hunt. According to Big George the Mushroom Man, this is the time of year for the prized Hen of the Woods to appear. Now in order to find these, you need A) to know what you are looking for because bringing the wrong ones home could mean a trip to the ER and/or morgue. B) the right weather, which we haven't had just yet and C) the right tree that they grow on. It seems they prefer dead oak. I prefer my wine to be fermented in dead oak, but I digress.

There were no mushrooms, no cars and no people. Just a nice and peaceful 45 minutes. It started with Bruce singing "Human Touch" and ended with some blues from Beth Hart. I could not have planned it better.

And tomorrow I get to do it again.

Wine, Women and More Wine

There are times when I look at my family as an outsider would see them and I think... this is not your normal tribe.

For instance, last night my side of the family went out for a Mother's Day dinner. Today is too tough to get together as the beautiful niece & her husband (who, and I applaud him for it, never seemed to think our family was unusual) need to travel back up Rt 95 north for a while, and we ride into NYC to visit the other side of the family. So last night was the big event.

Arriving at the restaurant from several different directions, we grabbed our table and because it was a BYOB, set out the beverages for the festivities. I looked at the bottles, looked at the family, and counted. Besides a small cooler with eight beers, there were nine bottles of wine. For nine people, and one of us doesn't drink. Interesting.

Now as far as I know, none of us is a fall down drunk. We are just a family who enjoys a little wine. Ok a lot of wine. And good wine. And it was good. And damn, if over a five course meal those bottles didn't start to disappear. Like good soldiers, they went down in the line of duty.

So we toasted the day, we talked, we drank, we ate, we opened bottle after bottle. At the end of the meal, two bottles of wine and four bottles of beer remained. Excessive? Nah, it was just right. Everyone was sober, stuffed and smiling. When it comes down to it, the wine was just a little lubricant for our dry throats caused by talking and laughing so much.

Our 3 generations of lovely ladies

It was an evening to celebrate my mom, it was a night for all of us to be together and it was, as it is always with my family... fun. Because when all is said and done, my family loves each other, and though we've lost some important members along the way, there is still a joy in being together.

Everyone should be this lucky.

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In a Wine Store...It's Not All Rose

My mother drinks cheap champagne. There I've said it. And technically it's not champagne, it's sparkling wine. Cheap sparkling wine. She takes a glass of champagne, adds a few drops of Framboise, a raspberry liqueur, and enjoys a nightcap before going to bed. When she runs low on supplies, it's time for me to go to the liquor store to bring in the reinforcements. Today was one of those days.

Now the store with a great selection and great prices is about seven miles away and a pain to get to. The store is large with too narrow aisles and extra displays and clutter in them. So you have all these people with extra large shopping carts trying to get past each other like cars on a narrow street. People actually cede their right of way.

First up, some beer. When I didn't see a case of what I was looking for, I asked the stock girl who was in that aisle if they had it. No. Okay. I then look in the cooler that is maybe ten feet away and what do I see...just what I was looking for. Strike one.

If you are buying a case of wine or champagne, they need to bring it out to you. So I corner a salesman/snob, tell him what I want and he looked at me in pure disgust. Really, you want that? It's dreadful. Yes, he said a product his store was selling was dreadful. And he was British, so it really sounded...dreadful. Now I admit I was off my game because normally I would have let him have it. But I just said, yes, it is dreadful but my mother likes it and would you please get it for me. Strike two.

As I wait at customer service for the case, another salesman comes over and asks if I need anything. No, I'm waiting for a case. What are you waiting for? I tell him and he gives me the look. Well, how about trying... Now I'm getting pissed but just want to get out so I say no thanks. And I wait. Apparently all the stock clerks in the cellar are on lunch. And I wait.

Finally, I get the case and go to the register where I tell the woman I will pay for my order and my mother's order separately. Fine, she says. Then proceeds to scan it all together. Not ten seconds later. Strike three.

Needless to say, I was very happy that I came home with alcohol.

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COOKIES Again: Tis The Season

Right now, I have a lot of Christmas cookies in my freezer. Unfortunately, I believe I have an equal amount in my stomach.

Having spent a large portion of the day yesterday measuring, mixing, rolling, and of course tasting, I have a good head start on the holiday sweets. After last year when I spent nine straight hours baking, and during which time I consumed a bottle of wine and a shitload of cookies, I thought this year I would break up the baking into a couple of days. Double the cookies, double the alcohol. How can that be bad? Don't ever call me a glass half-empty girl.

I still have a lot of baking to do. Five more varieties at least, plus I need to frost or fill some of those that are now in the freezer. After that, it's time to fill the tins. You think baking is a pain, try filling tins for close to a dozen separate friends and family members. Who gets nuts, who doesn't. Who likes these, who likes those. While most are happy with whatever they get, the closer the friend or family member, the pickier they seem to become.

In the end, everyone is happy and I swear next year I will cut down on the cookies...baking them that is, not eating them.

Got milk?

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Cooking With Kat: Cook Today, Eat All Week

I like to cook. I just don't like to cook during the week. Even though I work at home, I hate walking away from my computer to do any cooking during the week. So, time permitting I try to get a few dishes prepared on the weekend. Leftovers...the gift that keeps on giving.

Some people hate leftovers...my brother is one. Like feeding him something that the dog threw up. Some meals taste better after they have sat a day or so and the flavors blend...some don't taste quite as good. Luck of the draw, but if I don't need to stand in front of the stove M-F...I'm all in.

Last weekend was the big road trip, so no cooking. Pizza, take out and something already cooked from the freezer got me through. So yesterday, the corned beef that didn't get cooked for St. Patty's was on the menu. Enough for an extra meal during the week, as well as a meal-on-wheels to my parents. nice.

Today,with tunes inspiring me, already rockin' some breaded boneless chicken thighs in the oven, some veggies, and just finished sauteing some peppers and onions to go with the chicken pieces now browning. Add a little fresh tomato sauce...yeah baby, eating good all week.

Besides food, got a lot cooking this week. Heavy research, lots of correspondence to get through and as always, hanging out in tweetville.

Feeling good about the next few days. Will I have six numbers in the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday...probably not. But I will have had a decent weekend in the rear view mirror...and some food on the table. Throw on some music, add a glass of wine and a quiet night at home..it makes it all worthwhile.

Six numbers would make it epic. Just saying.

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And So It Began...The Trip To Danville

The Road Trip.

After picking me up at the weekend house, the Drum-Mamma and I began going over the supplies each of us had packed. Beer, wine, champagne on my end (hey, ya just don't know what you might be in the mood for) and snacks and a few surprises at her end. Oh, by the way she said. I brought some vodka shooters along with this new cranberry with sparkling water drink.  Without missing a beat, I asked "did you bring a lime?"  Now most people might think that was a bit over the top. After all, this is an overnighter where we will be spending quite a lot of time out of the room. And anyway...do you really need the lime?


Well, yeah. The fact that the Drum-Mamma tends bar made me fairly certain my questions would be answered with a twinkle in her eye. Indeed it was. And as I sat on my butt and watched her mix a perfect afternoon cocktail, it reminded me of so many other moments over the years, where one of us so perfectly complemented the other.

The ride to Danville was pretty easy and the two hours were filled with reminiscing of times past. It's always so interesting to hear the different memories people have of a specific event.  Not that you remember what occurred differently, but what was memorable to you. Sometimes walking in a door at a different time creates an impression in your mind, that another person might totally miss.

And then there are the things that you both remember. And you laugh. This night was to be filled with many new memories, new friends and much fun.

But I knew that we were destined to have a great time as soon as she said there would be a wedge of lime in my cocktail.

And that's called jersey prepared.
Cheers.

To read the music reviews of the night check out:
The Music in Danville: First Up, Hybrid Ice and
The Music in Danville: Jimi Jamison Rocks Hard

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A New Twist On Happy Hour: To Us...Cheers

So when your friend and excellent drink partner I might add, lives 35 miles away, getting together for an afternoon cocktail is not always that easy.  Enter technology.

Picture an IM conversation that goes something like this:
T: Just got in...could use a cocktail
K: Can't argue that, shall I join you?
T: Come on over
K: Too far, I'll just grab a glass from the fridge.  What should we drink to?
T: Us
K: Indeed, cheers

As we share a glass of wine: her red, me white...we IM back and forth, send music links and laugh online.  Sure we could talk on the phone, but sometimes short little comments are just what you need at the end of the day.  Oh, and a shared glass of wine...long distance.

Need a refill...cheers