Sunday, August 22, 2010

A Little Sip of Heaven

We were fortunate enough to steal away a few days recently to head to the West Coast for some much-needed downtime.  What's not to like about hitting the island for a little relaxing and catching up with old friends?  I was pleasantly surprised when my friend informed me that we'd be going on a mini wine tour.  I should be up front and admit that I've never been a intense fan of Canadian wine; I suppose I've just always been more enticed by Napa, Italy, and Australia.  I had no idea I was in for such a treat.


We first stopped by the Church & State Winery and began our day with three of their 'best' wines.  We started with a Merlot which was easy-drinking and required only good company to fully enjoy.  Then, we dug into a Meritage blend which was nice on the palate with cassis notes but left something to be desired on the nose.  In fact, I remarked that it crossed the line of being punchy and pungent and skipped right to being pew-y.  But the last, which was most certainly lacking a nice cut of steak or a rich truffle risotto, was their award-winning 2006 Quintessential.  It was a blend of, if I remember correctly, half a dozen different varietals with a fragrant cacao blackberry nose and an even jammier mouthful.  It was lovely and at ~$25 a bottle, it jumped into the "terrific" category.  My only 'complaint', if you can even call it that, was that for the winery's size and beauty of the in-house kitchen, the tasting lacked even a morsel of food to cleanse our palates.  Of course, it can be ordered, but that was nay to be offered either.  It's a shame really; they could easily have convinced us into an appetizer or two.  




http://churchandstatewines.com/


Our second stop was at a much smaller and more quaint little winery called Muse.  We were welcomed by a friendly old dog and a busy patio that was nestled against the vines themselves.  We enjoyed five wines for $5; three white and two red.  



We began with a crisp and refreshing Pinot Gris that was dangerously delicious and went down like water.  The second was a Gewurztraminer and left a little to be desired, if I'm being honest.  It lacked the heady lychee flavors which would have really propelled it into being a great wine.  The last white we enjoyed, was a Fume Blanc.  I don't often drink whites, particularly this varietal, but it was delicately smoky yet full of light citrus flavors.  I dreamed of washing down some fresh oysters whilst guzzling a glass of it.  Mmmm.  The reds were of our choice, which in effect, allowed us to try 6 different reds, rather than just two.  We blew through a Cab/Merlot blend, a Syrah, a Pinot Noir, and a Malbec to name a few.  The Malbec took us by storm, so much so that we walked out with bottle in hand, smiling at the clever label on the back:  


"The Countess lingered in her flower garden inhaling scents of jasmine, violet and lavender. Nibbling dark chocolate, her imagination wandered as she remembered her wild days; her mad existence. The memory brought deep ruby colour to her cheeks. There was one evening in Buenos Aires – the man, a roaring fire, spit-roasted beef from the sun-drenched grazing plains of Argentina, spicy grilled sausages and blackened fish – the rest was history. She’d chosen freedom. She had fame. She had fortune. And you know what? That was working for her."


http://www.musewinery.ca/index.htm


And of course, our mini-tour would not have been complete without a stop at the Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.  They have extremely flexible tastings of one by one, a set of three, or try all eight; all for a very reasonable price.  Their organic heritage apples and diverse barreling techniques make up vastly different ciders that were all intense in flavor, well-balanced, and the perfect thing for a sunny patio and a view overlooking the orchards.  



http://www.seacider.ca/


I began with the Wild English which derives its name from the wild yeast fermentation.  A beautiful amber color, it was dry and earthy and a tart way to start things off.  The second cider I couldn't resist was their unique Rumrunner, included Winter Bananas and Winesaps.  The apples are hand-pressed using a traditional rack and cloth press, slowly fermented with Champagne yeast, then aged in rum barrels.  It was full of succulent brown sugar flavors, spicy, and made me just want to say "arrrrr, this be mighty good grog!"  And the last cider I indulged in was the Pomona; inspired by the Roman Goddess of Apples, this still cider is concentrated and silky.  Hand-crafted by freezing then slowly fermenting crabapple juice at cool temperatures, it yields a dessert-style cider with citrus notes.  It truly was reminiscent of ice wine and was a perfect way to end our day tastings.  Sea Cider grows 60 varieties of apples, has an impressive menu to compliment their ciders, and an art gallery that showcases local artists.


  
There are still many wineries in Victoria alone that we did not pass through, and many more in B.C.; my experience in this one short afternoon proved that there are still many good things yet to be discovered in Canadian wines (and ciders).  


So if you find yourself in wine territory and looking for something to do..... 


find a friend and raise a glass!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Books Worthy of Praise

I am ashamed to say that it's been awhile since I've found the time to curl up and completely lose myself in the pages of a good book.  I suppose it's in part due to the fact that I've yet to find one that really captures me, and partly because I'm busy and never seem to find the time.

I read a book while I was still teaching in Taiwan; a book that I stumbled on while waiting in an airport.  I'd never heard of it, but as soon as I read that catchy little blurb on the jacket, I was hooked.  It might not be something you'd lay your hands on given the choice of any book, but you will undoubtedly catch yourself saying "ohhhh huh, I never thought of it that way."  It is, as self-described, destined to become one of the most provocative and influential books about children of our time.  Upon devouring it, I would argue that every human, not just parents, should read it.  You should read it because we all influence children; whether it be when you're fumbling around the strange land of raising your own kids, or dwelling in the I'm-not-ready-phase and awkwardly trying to converse with your friends' little ones, or even just trying to understand 'those strange' teens that seem so different than what you remember yourself as.  We do, inevitably, have a great deal of contact with the growing gremlins that will make up the future.  And let's face it, you'll catch yourself reflecting on your own childhood and contemplating the influences in your life.  You will, not only understand those slimy little irresistibly cute turds better, you'll gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman compiled mountains of prodigious research and keen analysis to tell us one thing: you've got it all wrong.


"Nurture Shock" will change the way you think.  It will, most importantly, make you rethink every instinct you have about children.

It is ten chapters of thought-provoking, striking topics like "why the most brutal person in a child's life is often a sibling", or "when it's too soon -- or too late -- to teach a child about race", and why kids -- "even those from the best of homes" are still aggressive, cruel, or dishonest.  I was particularly interested in the first chapter: "The Inverse Power of Praise" which examined the neurobiological effects of praising children the 'old-fashioned' way.  I was, at that time, a kindergarten teacher, so I put their science to the test.  And I was absolutely amazed at the results I achieved with a slight change in my language and attitude.  It took me so little effort, but the results were profound, and swift too!

It isn't very often that I implore my friends, family, co-workers to read what I have my hot little fingers on; to each his own is my motto when it comes to enjoying a good read.  But I broke all of my rules and can't stop talking about this book.  I read it nearly a year ago and I will read it again.  And again, I imagine.

So, I'd like to share... but, go get your own copy.  You won't regret it.

http://www.nurtureshock.com/

Friday, August 6, 2010

It's a Good Thing

That's Martha's motto, no?  I don't know even know.  It's something stupid like that. 


I remember the first time I saw Martha crafting on the television.  It was Thanksgiving and she was, of course, doing holiday-related crafts.  In fact, she was going all out and dipping a dried turkey carcass into gold paint and then proceeded to recommend using it as your Thanksgiving centerpiece.  It was atrocious, disturbing, and downright ugly.  Awful.  I think that was the last time I ever tuned in.


Then, one day, my best friend made a comment in passing that I was 'Martha Stewart-y'.  The gold turkey flashed in front of my eyes and I shuddered at the thought of ever producing something so foul.  But when my stomach settled, I decided to explore why she'd thought that.  I started looking at her magazines and her website, and I discovered she had a whole lot of good things.  What the hell was with that turkey?!?  Sure, some of her ideas are a little out there, but there are great deal of things that are just so darn handy.  And I think she influenced me to be a more crafty person myself.


Now, while away in Taiwan, I started taking a stab at things I wouldn't necessarily have done here in Canada.  Card-making was one of those things.  I guess my interest in making cards (and the inevitable paper addiction that seems to accompany card-making) kind of started while creating decorations for my kindergarten classrooms.  Not to mention, the Taiwanese have this incredible knack for making the cutest things out paper.  So I took myself to a stationary store, bought some supplies and tools, and started to experiment.  It turned out, I loved the creative process of imagining up the perfect card for that special occasion.


There are countless companies that supply card-makers with paper, stamps, punches, stickers, ribbons, adhesives, machines, tools... you name it, they have it.  And Martha Stewart herself has one hell of an impressive stock of card-making ideas, techniques, tools, templates... the list goes on and on.  I could spend countless hours and gobs of money in the Martha Stewart aisle of Michael's and be a very happy woman.  It's a bit of a sickness, I think... the joy I get from new craft supplies.  But as it turns out, making cards makes me happy and that's not so bad.


Some of the first cards I tried my hands at....



I started to realize quickly that it wasn't important if the card looked professional, but rather more valuable if they didn't look like store-bought cards.  And quite frankly, they're nifty that way.


This card was particularly easy and yet turned out to be quite lovely, I think.

It may not sing when you open it, but it's way cooler!

I particularly like this card... I don't know why.  It's just cute.

Easier than you think ;)

I'm under no delusions that my cards are superior to what you might find at Hallmark, but they certainly have more heart.  Heck, maybe someday I might have a little custom-made card shop of my own ;)  Perhaps my friend was right.... maybe I am 'Martha Stewart-y.'  I'm starting to think that's a good thing!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Always on the look out for something yummy...

Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries... they're all hard for my husband to find just the right gift. Neither of us intend it, but there's this sort of unspoken competition to see who can give the gift that surprises, pleases, and fires you up for the next occasion. He is, more often than not, the one left open-mouthed as the wrapping paper falls away to reveal that caramel-colored bottle of Scotch-y goodness he'd had his eye on, or front-row tickets to the B.B. King show he was unaware was blowing through town. He, of course, does his best to shower me with the things I covet but can't justify buying for myself; expensive wine, frivolous craft tools... you get the idea.



But this past Christmas, he truly shocked me. It wasn't a pricey present, nor something I'd pointed out in a store; instead it was a gift that I had no idea I wanted, or would appreciate, so much. As a side note, I have to admit that I generally have a small idea of what his gifts are, but as I tore into the paper, I was puzzled and couldn't help but wonder: "what on Earth could this be?"

It turned out to be a magazine and a note indicating I would receive a subscription upon our return to Canada. Sure, it doesn't sound all that fantastic. It was just a magazine right? But, it wasn't just any magazine. It was a Food & Wine Magazine; not an easy-to-find publication in Taiwan and apparently quite the undertaking for my thoughtful husband.


If you aren't familiar with this marvelous magazine and love, well, food and wine, I implore you to take thee to a Chapters and buy yourself one. Or pop online at http://www.foodandwine.com/. It is full of tips and inspiration for recipes, wine and cockatils, entertaining and home, gardening, even some travel. It has revolutionized my life and our meals.



I have always been a fan of trying new recipes; searching for the one that amazes and yet is easy to execute and affordable. I am a big fan of Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, and Gordon Ramsey... not because they're popular, attractive, or a bit cheeky. I like them because they keep food simple. And delicious. Food & Wine does just that. They offer luscious dishes that are uncomplicated and use fresh, in-season ingredients that you can often find at your local grocery store or Farmer's market. And wine recommendations to go with each of their recipes. It's eating and entertaining made easy.

It's no surprise that my husband is as excited as I am when a new one arrives in the mail. One of our favorites is the Pasta Salad with Grilled Sausages and Peppers. From kitchen to table in approximately 15 minutes, I can whip this up even after the most tiring days and grilling the sausage on the BBQ means less clean-up. Always a bonus. The well-balanced 2007 Vintners Blend Zinfandel from Ravenswood Winery with supple tannins and a long, fruit-forward finish makes for the perfect wet addition to round off the evening. Not to mention, it's a fairly sophisticated wine for it's very affordable price.

Photo Courtesy of Food & Wine.com

And as a perk for those of you that search for locally grown or raised products, there is a superb, "Natural Beef; Field to Plate" butcher in Okotoks that offers up freshly-made sausages, in a variety of flavours, every Friday. They are the perfect selection for the above noted recipe. If you want to check them out yourselves, make the short trip to Okotoks to Hirsche Fraser Meats, located on Southridge Drive. You won't be disappointed!

Now, back to my magazine... what will a try next?

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

"The modern world is personal; people want to know intimate things." - Nigella Lawson

I am venturing into the world of blogging for a few reasons....  I love to try new things, explore, and enjoy the process or learning something new.  I want to share the fun things that I've stumbled upon and hear what you've discovered.  And sometimes it's just nice to have a place to jot down your thoughts and connect with people.  Our lives are busy, and we don't always have time to stop and reflect on our day, our week, our lives... with ourselves or our friends.

May this blog be a place where you find fresh, fun ideas on how to get a little more enjoyment out of life.

Even if it's just in the small things.