Thankful, again.

I have to first say that I am not that into Thanksgiving. It was a day that we celebrated growing up, but our hearts were never really in it. An excuse for turkey. However, these days my Mother usually works, my Sis has in-laws to celebrate with, the fella goes to see his family and I usually only have that one day off so I stay put.

The last two years I have done nothing for Thanksgiving. This year I had no plans (other than laundry) and it turns out neither did my friend Tron. So we decided to get together and cook whatever the hell we had. He rode over with his fixins and fried himself some chicken and made brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes and I made the pasta with spinach and tuna I was planning on. I made some rice pudding and he brought himself a pumpkin pie. We opened some wine and cooked and talked and ate and talked and he even did the dishes!

Then Tron headed out and I got a call from Starrhillgirl that she was home safe and sound from her T-day trek and heading over for a drink. She is on vactation don’t ya know? We jabbered into the wee hours and then everyone went to bed. I enjoy my no plan Thanksgivings. Though, this year I wound up doing quite a bit I just didn’t have any plans. I am also very grateful and maybe it is easier to remember when you aren’t whizzing around trying to make a feast happen, I don’t know. I know  I have a warm home and lovely food, not to mention coffee! I have a fabulous family and super-human friends and my fella is better than any other fella. It was a nice day.

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Just the pics

Fall

Really it is beautiful.

Booo California

Shame on you.

That is all I can muster. Really. Shame on you.

LB

A Big Fucking Day

Yesterday I woke early. Just a little early, so there would be plenty of time for a visit before work. Yesterday morning I met a brand new person. We have been waiting for him for a very long time, years. He was tiny (4.14 pounds) and perfect. His gorgeous tiny fingernails, so light. I held him for an hour straight. His mother and father so happy, and nervous and at peace. This was just the beginning.

Last night I watched in a small crowd of people as we got our first black President. It was also the first time I have heard a politician say this country is for Gay and Straight, not just black and white, male and female, rich and poor.

Wooooooo Hoooooooo!

xo,

LB

Wine Dinner Loire

We finally made our third wine dinner happen! We chose wines from the Loire Valley and it was J and T’s turn to host. So Jedidiah came to fetch me and the salad and we stopped to grab another bottle on the way out of town. It is important to note that Jedidiah was actually wearing the infamous “driving mocs”. He also speeds. Maybe it is the shoes?

We arrived at J&T’s a bit late after getting lost, but luckily, Jedidiah was also driving at 90 miles an hour so it didn’t waste too much time. J came to meet us at the car and we stepped out into the night. The wind was blowing just a bit, carrying the smoke of the wood stove. The Black Walnut trees were standing like giant dark skeletons against the royal midnight colour of the sky.

Gross, huh?

So we settled in and opened our first wine. We had Jean Francois Merieau “Bulles”, a sparkling wine that we assume is made from Chenin Blanc.

Before the Pop.

This wine was really good. Full of bright pretty flavours with a dry finish and nice mineral/chalky notes.

We had this before dinner and also with the salad that started the meal.

Our salad was Red Leaf lettuce and Arugula with Chives, Red Onion, toasted Pine Nuts, shaved Parmesan, Capers, Cukes, hard boiled egg and a red wine vinegar/mustard dressing. It was pretty darn tasty and the wine worked really well with it.

After the salad we switched to wine number two. Some how we got through wines #2, 3 and 4 over the main course. It was a little fast for me but we were trying to keep up with Jedidiah! Wine #2 was Domaine aux Moines 1999 Savennieres. It was a beautiful gold colour but initially a little disappointing. Slightly oxidized and not much on the palate. We were served Trout fillets baked, then finished with rosemary butter and a bit of Parsley. With this we had Rosemary, Potato Ciabatta topped with ricotta and Acorn Squash and drizzled with Fig/Date Balsamic. This is when we start to feel a more boo boo than we care to. However, it was deeeeelicious.

Wine #3 three was Clos Delorme Valencay 2006. It is a blend of Gamay, Malbec, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir. The Gamay was the dominate grape in the nose, for sure. It had really nice ripe friendly fruit with a rich body, and a slightly chalky finish.

The Last wine was the Joguet Chinon “Petite Roches” 2005.

This was the best by far, big, serious, dark Cab Franc from the Loire.

We also went back to the Savennieres, which had warmed up and gotten a little action going on. It was honey on the nose with more happening on the palate, too. A bit Creamy and nutty. Much better the second time around. All in all it was a really good meal and some really good wines. I think we also figured out what the driving force of culture, art and creativity is but, I forget what we decided on. Such is life. We roasted ourselves in front of the fire. Discussed from what height a falling Black Walnut would be deadly and had a damn good time. Next dinner is back at my place and I think we will have Rhone wines. Jedidiah said the Rhone is for peasants, but I think he was feeling the Chinon so J and T and I politely let it slide.

A couple more pictures.