Tag Archives: wine

Winesday Wednesday

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It’s that time of the week. Winesday Wednesday. But to me, it’s like Winesday Thursday because I took Friday off this week. I can’t WAIT to have an extra day to myself- which is already pretty much packed with things I want to do.

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COOL THINGS UPDATE: My friend Susie and I are doing Beer Fridays! We will be meeting up each Friday after work at a different place for some chit chat and a beer or two. We both agreed it’s a great way for us to both get out and socialize, but done right after work so that we can each go home and spend time with our men. Last Friday, we met up at Bottlescrew Bill’s and enjoyed a couple brews and about 5 hours of conversation. Second best part? (with first being beer and friends) NO HANGOVER the next day! Fantastico.

So that’s cool.

NOT so cool would be that I have no new wine to share with you this week.

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wine fail.

However, I did get some stuff from YOU GUYS!!!!
Michael sent me this gem:

This is for Winesday Wednesday! Glad you brought it back. Anyway I went to Montana for work and being the craft beer seeker that I am, I decided to try this. It’s a brown ale that was actually pretty delicious. Like an American/better version of Newcastle. It’s made by Big Sky brewing company. I ran the gamut when it came to trying their beer offerings, ranging from IPA ( Big Sky IPA) to wheat ales (Trout Slayer).

I also had one called Cold Smoke by Kettle House Brewing company. I forgot to take a picture but it was my favorite while I was there. It is a Scotch ale and was highly recommended by the locals. I bet some are available near you!

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Funny thing, I have actually had this! And it was in Montana, too! For me- it paired perfectly well with a super greasy pizza 😉

Liz sent me the link to Wine Glass holders (like, the kind that suction to the wall in your bathtub!!!) But by the time I clicked on the link, the dang things were all sold out. Womp womb. That’s ok, I’ll still with my straw-in-my-wine-glass scenario for now. Thanks Liz!

Stuff to share:

I watched last night’s episode of New Girl and now I *MUST* play True American. Too bad most people here probably wouldn’t be able to recite as much American history. (or could they??? Raised eyebrow)

I need this:

sink

The end.

Your turn: Have anything to share?

Winesday Wednesday

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Happy Winesday Wednesday, folks!

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It’s been a while. Too long, really. This whole ‘working’ gig has really put a damper on my Wednesday drinking schedule. I really just can’t do alcohol during the week (even a glass!) otherwise, I’m totally thrown off for the rest of the week. And Friday becomes less fun.

But I’m gonna try to bring it back. Keyword: TRY. Just to share what I’ave had. And maybe get some suggestions from you guys. Or maybe it’ll just turn into a reason for me to find wine-related photos online. I DUNNO.

What I want to share with you this week (Hint: It’s alcohol)

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(Source)

 

THIS. Do you know who makes this? Wayne Gretzky, that’s who. And you think it would be one of those craptastic wines to bring as a funny dinner party gift. But you know what? Bring it as a gift. Because it’s actually pretty tasty. And here in Canada, it costs a measly $20. Then imagine everyone loving the wine and drinking all of it and having a grand old time.

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That would be if you’re social. But me? I like to drink my wine in my pajamas on the couch. In the dark. With 2 dogs worth of drool and hair all over. 

Here’s another wine to try:

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(source)

Jo introduced this to me last weekend on my visit. It’s too bad the bottle was half empty when I got there, otherwise I would have had a much bigger buzz going into the hot tub! (If this is the part where I’m supposed to explain to you what it tastes like: it tastes like red wine. Red wine that is super easy to drink.)

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Boozy things of interest:

Winesday Wednesday: 6/5

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Happy Winesday Wednesday, y’all! Sadly, I am not indulging today BUT I am going to continue writing about the good stuff.

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Michael posted this pic to my facebook page:

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He wrote that is was a Sam Summer clone he made. Dry hopped with Hallertauer hops and infused with Lemon zest and Grains of paradise. Sounds good! Speaking of Sam Summer, Tyler and I are stil in debate over what two beers to have on tap for the wedding. We agreed one would be Bud Light to appeal to the masses, and the other is between Sam Summer and Heineken. Perhaps we will just end up going with 3 kegs.

Jon @thehoss41 (twitter) sent a pic with this appropriate hashtag: #betterthanwine. Ha! I don’t discriminate.

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Katie @kepotts (twitter) had some vino on Friday! She said: “What to do with #TornadoSirens on #FridayNight? Drink #CupcakeChardonnay #winesdaywednesday” Umm yup, would’ve done the same.

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Mary @marykcurran (twitter) had tweeted me a pic a LONGGGGG time ago with a malbec she enjoyed with her friend with salad and pizza. Apparently some privacy settings were active on the stupid twitter box, so I never saw them! Rest assured, that problem has been amended! Phew

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Keith (http://keithsodyssey.blogspot.ca/) emailed me a pic of some Cab Sauv with the description: This was bottled July 2007, and there is only one more bottle left. It was never really one of my favourites, even though I love me a good Tempranillo. There is a Spanish one I made almost exactly the same time, and I think it is by far the better. This is just a hair thin and sharp. The other problem is that damn label. This is the hardest one to remove of any of the kits I’ve ever done. Soak in hot water to soften. Scrape it off with a tool designed to spread cement floor grout. (I live to improvise). The swab at it with a generous helping of Goo Gone. Then wash with Comet. At the end the bottle is clean, but there is still a very faint residue that sheds water slightly better than glass, so I can still tell where it was. I’ll be glad to see the last of these.

I totally had the same problem trying to get off my Massachusetts inspection sticker from my front windshield. Lots of Goo Gone, lots of scraping, and lots of filmy residue. Thanks a lot, MA for the lasting gift.

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Monique Instagrammed this am-ahhhh-zing pic the other day. Love the pose and the sound of the bevvy!

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For my contribution, let’s just pretend this is me (cuz I am guilty of this all.the.time. except not in public, because I hardly drink in public anymore. Le shame)
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This is disheartening: nutrition labels on booze? C’mon, people! Booze is what helps me relax about that!

Have you ever seen this video clip from Funny or Die? Hahahaha I think it’s hilarious!

From my FAVORITE episode of Friends:

And one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes:

I-Love-Lucy-Wine

(I also love the one where she gets drunk from doing multiple takes for a Vitameatavegimen)

Please please please send me your pics for #winesdaywednesday!!! (email, twitter, instagram, facebook, you name it!)

Winesday Wednesday: 5/29

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Hey there. Time for the weekly Winesday Wednesday roundup. And BOOOYYYYYYY do I need me some wine today. There are just so many life-stressers as of late that I just can’t cope without the alcohol-y goodness (although I think I will be significantly cutting back throughout June so I can fit into the wedding dress).

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These ladies are my imaginary best friends:
juice boxes

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bettywhite

RHOC

cougar

happyendings

And if you’ve NEVER seen the following YouTube video, then you live in a hole. It’s hilarious times infinity.

Ok, I hope I have brought you a couple laughs so far. Onto what a few people sent me over the last week:

Keith (http://keithsodyssey.blogspot.ca/) sent a pic of another one of his wines- with a really neat description!- and the bottle stopper, too! Unfortunately, we don’t own a bottle stopper in our house because no bottle is EVER left unfinished. Ha! Keith’s description reads as follows:

Even in our house we don’t go through a whole bottle for just the two of us in one night. At least not every time. That means there has to be some kind of a stopper. This one is my favourite. This is a nice white, though it’s odd to use that word for a wine with such a deep amber color. There’s a bit of pear and apricot, with an almost mead like depth to it, though it’s not sweet. Just a nice rich soft fruity wine taste. It actually tastes better at room temperature than cool, unlike most whites.

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Sara (http://www.mylifeoutofalabcoat.com/) tweeted me a pic of this neat drink saying “This is a ramos gin fizz..it’s good for you cause it’s made with egg whites” LOVE fizzes (My favorite one ever was had at Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square in Boston)

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Monique (http://burpeestobubbly.com/) had a pretty stellar Memorial Day weekend. They had a Cocktail Station AND at one point, she had a Pineapple Mango Sage infused Margarita WITH DRY ICE! How crazy cool is that?

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My friend, Ashley had some well deserved wine after a day of work on her beach house (was damaged from Hurricane Sandy). I saw some of the pictures she posted on her personal facebook page of the work they are doing on the house, and I definitely agree that the wine was WELL deserved!

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Before I started typing this post, I texted my mom and told her to take a pic of the beer and wings that I knew she and my dad were out having. And of course, by the time she saw the text, she was already home, so instead she took two random beers out of the fridge and took a pic. Although, she did mention she had TWO beers at the bar (and 12 1/2 wings…although, how do you just eat 1.2 a wing? Aren’t they tiny enough?)

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Tyler and I tried some new-to-us beers this past weekend, and they were all pretty good! Although, I am REALLY in the mood for some Sam Summer…soon I can indulge when we go back to NY!!

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We also went to a BBQ this past weekend and played around with way too many different drink concoctions with the Margaritaville machine. It was AWESOME.

What’s your favorite summer drink?

Winesday (day after) Wednesday..and the Brewmaster’s Dinner

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Hey guys. Sorry about yesterday..I just had a really bad migraine that was induced by difficulty at the Registry. Want the story? (If not, skip the following few paragraphs)

SO. I obviously needed to get an Alberta driver’s license..especially since I have lived here over a year. Well, I couldn’t get one until I obtained my permanent residency (in February). I walked into the Registry- which in Canada is like the DMV/RMV/passport place/health care card place/place for lots of stuff. I have usually been going to the location closest to my house. Last month, I went in with my PR card, MA license, MA driving record and money. The girl friggin tells me I need proof of residency. Um yeah, hi, that would be my PR card ya dummy. But no, not acceptable she says.

I needed either a utility bill or bank account statement. OK. So then I went over to the Bank and opened an account. I had the clerk stamp and sign a paper showing my existing account. Go back to the Registry and they say NO it has to be a statement that has been mailed to my address. Tyler called our utility company and added me, but we wouldn’t get a statement for another month. My attempt to get a license was over for that day.

I go back yesterday with BOTH a mailed statement from my bank and utility company. The girl at the Registry denies me AGAIN because my driving record from MA (that I paid $6 to get) did not say the state of Massachusetts on it. Without that ‘proper’ information, I could only get a GDL license (basically a stupid provisional license in which I would have to take a driving test) HELLS NO YOU GUYS. I have been driving for 11 years. I am NOT taking a driving test.

I then resort to looking into getting my driving record from the state of NY. But I found that if your license has been expired for five years or more, they no longer keep your records on file. Another dead end. And the MA website only allow me to obtain a $6 unattested record or a $20 record which would ONLY be mailed to the address listed on my license. Dead end again. I took a screen shot of all that information, along with my OLD MA license (which does not show an ‘issued’ date), my existing license, and all the other correct proof I had to a different Registry office, and the clerk there was SUPER friendly and accommodating.

Long story short, I finally got my license (although it still has potential to be reviewed for the GDL class). There were several trips, lots of time, and COUNTLESS tears shed in the process. So frustrating! It’s not like I’m trying to cheat the system or anything,..just nothing wants to come easy for me.

That was a longer than intended rant. But that’s that. Onto the booze!

Monique (http://burpeestobubbly.com/) sent a couple of pics!

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Her mom has a wine tote! I seriously need one of those (or these wine sippy cups!)

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Chelsea (http://thedancingrunner.wordpress.com/) had some TJ’s Charles Shaw (TWO BUCK CHUCK!) Dang I miss Trader Joe’s. She tweeted me the pic saying it went great with buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. Might have to put those on the dinner menu soon!

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Keith (http://keithsodyssey.blogspot.ca/) sent a pic of a bottle in a sweet wine holder! He mentioned the wine was an Australian Viognier and “This one is fairly new, and still building character. I think it’s going to be a rich deep wine when it grows up.”

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Check out what my mama sent me! White wine, ya whatever, but the little tags and the bottle topper are the best! Know why? Because I sent them to her for Mother’s Day. I know what that lady needs and what she’ll get the most used out of.

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And for those of you wondering, my mom isn’t the only one sitting at home boozing it up. My dad is too. Not as much, but I think he’s increasing his tolerance for the wedding. Good job, dad. By the way….DAD YOU’RE ON THE INTERNET! IT’S GOING TO BE ON FACESPACE AND MYBOOK AND TWATTER AND INSTA-WHO-CARES!!!!!!!! (I googled my dad today and NOTHING came up. He’s so mysterious like that.)

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And now, for my little contribution, I just wanted to write a little ditty about what I was up to last Wednesday. I was invited by Big Rock Brewery to attend their Brewmaster’s Dinner- a launch party for their Rosmarinus Aromatic Ale- that was held at Candela. I felt super privileged to be able to attend the event, and I was equally excited to share the experience with Tyler (and drink the beer!)

The placemats showed us what we were in for:

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It was a four course meal, with a pint of the Rosmarinus for cocktail hour, a sample size of the beers paired with the shellfish, pork and dessert course, and another full pint with the main course (lamb).

Being incredibly punctual, we were the first people to arrive, and were greeted with a cold pint. And it didn’t disappoint. It has a lovely amount of Rosemary flavor that would be perfectly matched with summer grilled meals- in my opinion.

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As we sat for dinner, we listened to the introduction by the Brewmaster himself. During that time and in between each course, he gave us info on the premise for this ale, the history of ales, why each course was paired with each beverage, what Big Rock had in store for the future, and plenty of other interesting things! I was getting really excited for each course and am now very intrigued for what the brewery has yet to come. Tyler and I are big fans of the Brewery, and we often purchase their seasonal beers and have yet to be disappointed.

The first course was shellfish. “Potato wrapped jumbo prawns with yuzu aioli, red crab & corn fritters with pasilla pepper and cherry tomato mole” This was paired with Big Rock’s Saaz Republic Pilz. I was hesitant for this course because I absolutely DESPISE shrimp, but I felt obligated to try. I managed to hide my grossed-out face, and continued on to the crab & corn fritters which were delicious with the mole. And of course I loved the Saaz.

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Second course was Pork..my favorite. It consisted of “Sriracha and maple glazed pork belly, roasted pork loin, pickled asian vegetable slaw, and taro root crisp.” This was paired with their IPA. I have to say, this plate could have been multiplied by 100 and I would have eaten it all. If you’ve never had pork belly- go try it. It is SO delicious. I had to refrain from moaning with each bite- especially since we were sitting among strangers! And the taro root crisps were like angelic potato chips that I needed more of!

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With the main course, we had another pint of the Rosmarinus. The meal consisted of “Grilled lamb chop, lamb albondigas (meatballs), roasted leg of lamb, buttermilk mashed potatoes and rosemary glaze. I didn’t care much for the meatball, but the grilled lamb tasted immaculately perfect with the ale. Mmm Mmm.

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Last course- dessert. Even though I was already STUFFED, I am not one to pass up the sweet stuff. Our dessert was “manchego, vanilla and dulce de leche creme brulee , jamon iberico chip.” It was paired with the Scottish Style Heavy Ale with is absolutely wonderful. I mean, that ale alone could’ve been dessert, but the creme brulee with basically a huge piece of glazed ham sticking out of it was just over the top. I really REALLY wanted to eat the whole thing, but my stomach wouldn’t let me!

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It was a really wonderful event and I can’t express my gratitude enough for being invited to participate.

Ok, now with all this beer and wine talk, I’m craving a glass. Since my migraine has downgraded to a headache, I think I shall indulge. Have a good night!