Black Forest Crescent Rolls

I'm probably happiest in the kitchen. I can usually throw something tasty together with the most basic of ingredients... except for pastry. I am all thumbs and elbows when it comes to making good pastry. Oh, I can make a cake from a box, and cookies are no problem. But, pies... I have to buy the pre-prepared pie crusts made by that cute little doughboy. This is probably a good thing. If I was good at pastry, I would probably LOOK like that cute little doughboy. 

But, every once in a while, I get a little ambitious and try something new. Not from scratch, mind you... me and the doughboy have to tag team. But, I just happened to have some crescent rolls in the refrigerator that were nearing expiration date and some leftover frozen cherries that I wasn't sure how I was going to use. And, bonus, I just happened to have some semi-sweet chocolate chips. Hmmm... how about something like this?

It's a first try, there are some things I will do different next time... such as maybe making an powdered sugar drizzle, instead of dusting, or maybe drizzling with melted chocolate. And, they are best fresh out of the oven, when they're still flaky. But, for a person who sucks at pastry, they turned out pretty well.

I added a little sugar to the cherries to sweeten slightly. A tablespoon of cherries and four or five chocolate bits at the large end of the triangle and roll as directed on the package.

A little messy, probably need to try and seal the ends better. Bake as directed on the package. 

Super easy and quick... great for company breakfast or brunch. 

Five Rivers Merlot 2010, Paso Robles

Mission San Miquel, Paso Robles

So, I'm not sure I follow the winery's reasoning behind it's name. It supposedly is drawn from the five elements of nature, although I was only aware of four elements... earth, air, water, fire. They've added time. I'm sure Einstein would agree, so far be it for me to dispute genius. And, I get it. It takes all these "elements" to create wine, with sunlight being the fire, I suppose. So, that accounts for five elements. However, I was only able to find reference of ONE river, the Salinas, in the Paso Robles wine region and, if you count the hot springs, maybe two. Whatever. 

Hot Springs Resort, Paso Robles

Let's move on... the area has a long history of wine production, since 1797, with vines that were tended by Spanish Conquistadors and Franciscan monks. Proud of it's wine-making past, the original vats, owned by none other than Francisco Cortez, are on display at Mission San Miguel. The Taurus in me is thinking, "Uh-huh." 


While the hot springs, with it's world renowned mud baths, provided abundant revenue from tourist dollars, it's the wine production that has been the reason for the area's growth. 



That's the hype, let's get to the wine.

One thing I noticed was that the wine is 98% Merlot, with only 1% Syrah and a smidgen of both Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Odd blend, to me. On the nose, I smell caramel and plum, with a slight floral aroma I can't quite make... not lavender, but that's the closest I can get. The initial flavor is cherry, but there's some cocoa and what I would call holiday spice with it. Nice mocha finish with a little cinnamon. Overall, an excellent wine for my tastes. And, extremely affordable. SRP is around $10. I'm leery by nature of a lot of what appears to me as superfluous hype, but I will definitely buy this wine again.

In the short time that I've been trying wines, I've come to the conclusion that Merlot was made for chocolate. Luckily, I had some Tollhouse semi-sweet bits that tasted like heaven with it. However, I also tried it with some Romano and mozzarella cheeses, and it was really good with them, too. Although the label recommends hearty meat dishes, I think it's a little weak to work with really spicy or rich food. But, since it conjures up warm-fuzzy sentimentality for me, I would pair it with comfort food, such as meat loaf, roast turkey or my own homemade chicken pot pie. But, seriously, it's made for chocolate or, even better, tiramisu. 

Dear Lord. I'm sure I just put on 10 pounds with that thought alone.

Toasted Coconut Pound Cake

Today, as we celebrated Memorial Day, I was reminded of my father, who survived World War II in the European theater, but only by a twist of fate. He told us of an incident that forever haunted him his entire life. While walking point on patrol, he stopped to bend over and tie his boot lace. The fellow directly behind him moved in front and was shot by a sniper, dying on the spot. My father carried the burden of one of his friends taking the bullet intended for him for the remainder of his life, grieving that he was able to come home, while his buddy had to be buried in France, so far from home. 

My dad loved coconut anything, his favorite being coconut cream pie, which my mother taught me to make from scratch. However, today as I was surfing through Pinterest, I came across this recipe from the blogsite "Little Bits of..." This seemed like the perfect recipe to create for a nostalgic remembrance of my Daddy and that solder, whose name I never knew, but whose sacrifice gave me the most important man in my life.

I roasted my own coconut, which was a first for me. But, after learning it was just a matter of cooking in a small frying pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, I was willing to give it a go. Turned out beautiful, with just the right amount of crunch. 

I used margarine, instead of the butter the recipe calls for, as I've got the cholesterol level of a baby boomer raised in the south... although my doctor would say that just means it's time to pay the piper. I like the use of buttermilk, which makes it dense and moist, unlike most pounds cakes which tend to be on the dry side for me. And, a lot of folks don't realize buttermilk is actually lower in calories that 2% milk (although barely) and has lower fat and cholesterol amounts. The downside is it's higher in sodium. For that reason, I eliminated the salt called for in the recipe. 

While initial batter taste tests told me it was going to be amazing, I thought it just looked like the perfect breakfast/brunch treat with its sunshine gold colors. The glaze and coconut topping are perfect finishing touches. 

Since I am taking this in to work tomorrow morning, I felt it was required that I do a final taste test. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. It really is delicious! Yeah, I'm pretty sure my coworkers are gonna love me! However, I must warn you, it's no lightweight in calories. If my math is correct, it's about 4,000 calories total. So, use caution when slicing. Trust me... it's rich enough that a little goes a long way, but it's worth the extra mile on the jogging path.

The Poor Man's Protein

In my early youth, we lived in a Texas Panhandle neighborhood that I can only describe as pre-suburbia, with about 30 other families, surrounded by sorghum and cotton fields. The homes were either owner built or brought in on wheels. There was no sewage, no paved roads, no street lights, few fences and one neighborhood store which sold mostly non-perishable foods, although he did keep a large chest freezer for ice cream treats and a deli case for some dairy items and bologna for slicing into sandwich meat. 

Supermarkets were just beginning to take hold in cities, so folks in the more rural neighborhoods would buy fresh foods from home-based fruit and vegetable stands, but those who had large enough properties would grow their own — mostly peas, okra, squash, tomatoes, onions, peppers, strawberries, watermelons and cantaloupes. The vegetables were home canned to store for the winter months. Some folks had enough room on their lots to house a few chickens for meat and eggs but, in those early years after the deprivation of rationing during WWII, habit still dictated that fresh beef and pork were for special occasions, usually served only on Sundays and holidays, with leftovers supplementing another meal or two during the week. Everyday meals were many times a bowl of pinto beans with a slice of hot cornbread and a plate of sliced tomatoes alongside home fries with onions. Good eating then, good eating now... as long as the potatoes are roasted, instead of fried in Crisco shortening, as they were back then. However, the humble pinto is perfect cooked exactly the way we baby boomers remember and loved. 

So, let's start with prepping the beans for cooking. First rinse the beans well, then place them in a bowl of water for soaking. I soak my beans in a three to one cup ratio of water, with a little baking soda mixed in. This is not a necessary step, but the soaking helps with cooking time and the baking soda helps with the dreaded flatulence.

The beans should soak for at least six hours, basically until there's no more "standing" water in the bowl; overnight is best. If you don't soak prior to cooking, you'll need to boil the beans in a pot of water for about 10 minutes. Remove them from the heat and let them stand for about an hour. Either way, before cooking, discard the soaking water. 

Place the beans in a large stock pot and cover with about 3 cups of water. Add chopped garlic and onion. Boil for about 5 minutes and reduce heat to simmer for about an hour and a half. Once beans are tender, add ham or sausage and celery. Ham shanks are best, with the meat removed from the bone once fully cooked. I love green pepper in this recipe, too, but green peppers don't like me. 

Seasoning can be a matter of choice. I prefer Cajun-style, so I use Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning mix, along with Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces. But, chili powder, cumin and cayenne are good, too, for a Mexican flavor. Another good flavor is what's called ranch style, with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cumin and tomato sauce. That's the nice thing about pinto beans. They're so versatile! Since they have a shelf life of up to a year, they are a staple in my pantry. And, as a food budget stretcher, there's fewer foods that can beat the humble pinto with its high fiber, high protein, cholesterol-lowering, no-fat, heart healthy benefits today's baby boomers need.

Pinto beans Cajun style, over rice with spicy pickled okra for garnish.

 

It's Called Memorial Day for a Reason

I'm old. I remember when holidays weren't about money, when restaurants and retailers actually closed so their employees could celebrate or observe the day. Back then, we actually had to plan the day well enough because we knew, if we didn't get that bag of ice ahead of time, we were just going to have to make do with ice cube trays. But, you know what? It didn't mean the day was wrecked. Truth be told, I seriously doubt anyone would have even noticed.  

Now, every commemorative holiday is an excuse for a sale — Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans' Day, Presidents' Day — which means some poor schmuck of a sales clerk is going to have to work, because his employer knows that people, who have the day off, are going to take advantage of his store being open. It's reached the point now that it's a "SALE" day, on the day we're supposed to be honoring our fallen heroes. How freaking sad is that? I mean, I get consumerism, but really? 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, folks. It's a day set aside to remember those who fought and died for the United States of America, sometimes against their better judgement, sometimes because to do otherwise would mean jail time and being labeled as a traitor, sometimes because they knew the cause to be true and just, and sometimes because they KNEW that they were the only thing between evil and the people and country they loved. 

And, it's not just for recognizing military combatants. Sometimes, the battle is fought by civil servants and civilians right here at home. Remember those first responders who died at the Fall of the Towers, the passengers on United Flight 93 and, even more recently, the volunteer firemen who died in West, Texas. They chose to put themselves in harms way to protect and defend others. The Bible teaches us that there is no greater love. (John 15:13) I think that kind of sacrifice deserves more than a passing remembrance before we jump in the pool, don't you? 

Enjoy your day off. Just remember why you're able to do so.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

After a recent wine tasting, I was given a leftover bottle of a familiar label I've not tried before... Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. I think the reason I've resisted is because Columbia Crest is ubiquitous, which always makes me think very little craftsmanship has gone into its creation.  Plus, it also bottles under the label of Two Vines, which I have tried and didn't like. However, this Cab is a great all purpose wine, with enough legs to work with food, but not so overwhelming it can't be enjoyed on its own. It begins with some minty floral notes in the aroma. The taste starts earthy, but follows up with a bit of semi-sweet chocolate, dark cherries and a touch of coffee, adding herbs on a nice finish with medium tannins. Wine Spectator rated it a "Best Buy" with 89 points; Wine Enthusiast rated it 88. SRP is $12, so it's a very affordable choice I will make in the future.

"Z, A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald," by Therese Anne Fowler

In the spirit of the newest incarnation of "The Great Gatsby," which I was very eager to see, I decided to get in the mood by reading "Z," which is a novel about Zelda Fitzgerald. First of all, let me say, if you think the movie was over the top, it wasn't... at least if the events in the book are to be believed. From what I was able to gather, young people in the era immediately following WWI were pretty much out of control, and Prohibition only compounded the "problem." In an excellent example of history repeating itself, I was reminded of the late 60s, another time fraught with the horror of war, during which marijuana replaced alcohol and racial equality became the suffrage movement. 

It's not a book I can necessarily recommend to everyone. It was interesting in the vein of the new Jazz Age focus the movie has inspired which, by the way, is a term Scott Fitzgerald coined. And, as a literary and history geek, it was interesting to get a little more insight into the Lost Generation of artistic giants, including Hemingway, T. S. Eliot, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Isadora Duncan and Ezra Pound. They were all social peers and on-again-off-again comrades in arms... and, basically, created lightning in a bottle. But, it's a chick book, definitely, told completely from the side of Zelda. Even the author admits that, based on interviews with people who knew the couple, Zelda and Scott, while deeply in love, were poison to each other. And, the story doesn't end happily ever after. But, actual history rarely does. 

While it is fiction, it gives a realistic voice to a time when there was a huge generational gap between the expectations of an older "establishment" seeking a balm for the horrors of the Great War by holding onto the security blanket of tradition, and a younger generation returning home from a brush with death, knowing things could never be the same and ready to make sure by setting new rules. In a frenzy to break away from the staid complacency they felt had cost them their youth and innocence, paid for with the blood of their friends and lovers, they countered with new standards of unbridled living. Most everyone was constantly torn between finding his or her own place in the world with one foot still on the steady platform of the past and the other precariously resting on the step of a fast moving train to the future, unaware that the future was actually moving toward them on its own at breakneck speed and, in the short span of only 30 years, would collide with the present, bringing with it global financial collapse and another World War. 

This book provides the most vividly real and intimately personal portrayal of that brief period of time that brought about one of the most significant turning points for societies on both sides of the Atlantic. And, more specifically, it tells a story of an artist in her own right caught up in this tug-of-war by trying to find an outlet in a world in which female ambitions were considered hobbies and whose light was constantly dimmed by the brilliance of the person she loved best. Trying to find one's footing during this time of frenzied change was sure to drive some to seek solace in a bottle or, even, in the dark recesses of madness. No wonder the artists who were trying to record the era for posterity in prose, dance, music and art were called the Lost Generation. It was a marathon for which they were unknowingly pitifully prepared to run. 
  

Achievement Through Creation

In the movie, "Castaway," Tom Hanks' character struggles to the point of frustration to build a fire without matches. Once he finally gets it, he builds a huge bonfire on the beach and dances around it, yelling to the cosmos, "Look what I have created. Me! I have made fire!" I guess we all get a thrill out of accomplishing something we've never done before — never even thought about, really... especially if it takes multiple tries. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," right?  

Less than 10 years ago, I would have opted for a root canal rather than do gardening. I've had some experience with it in my younger days, and I can't say that I had fond memories of those times. It's hard, it makes me sweat, it ruins my nails, it's hard, it's dirty, efforts can be ruined by weather or animals, it's hard, there are bugs and it's hard. Besides, I had no idea how to do it, and I didn't want to know, for reasons just stated. 

Except for a brief period when I thought a good housewife kept a kitchen garden, I've managed to sidestep all chores and responsibilities related to gardening and/or yardwork. And, then, I bought a house. <sigh> I thought it was what grownups did to live up to the original ideal of the American Dream... a home and hearth that is a private three-dimensional canvas of self expression. Unfortunately, in most single family homes, it comes with a yard. OK, so I'm going to have to mow. With every achievement, there must be sacrifice. No problem.

And, then, you realize you are part of a community. You are only a piece of the whole and the whole would very much like to maintain, if not increase, their property values. I really wanted my neighbors to like me. That's when it hit me... this is going to require more than a quick pass with a lawn mower every month to sever the tops of the dandelion puffs. Damn. 

Fast forward 10 years. My private canvas of expression now extends to my yard. And, after about three years of miserable failure, I'm finally at the point that Tom Hanks' character was. I walk outside my house now, thinking to myself, "I created this. Me! I made a garden." Who knew being on my knees, getting dirt under my fingernails, salty sweat in my eyes, dirt in my damp hair and stooping over until my back and hips screamed mercy would be so rewarding? 

I had a little problem at first with the waiting a whole year to see if my efforts paid off which, quite frankly, they did not. Boomers pretty much set the standard on instant gratification, after all. But, I came to view the expectation of seeing the results of my efforts each year as part of setting life goals, as in I need to stay alive for another year to find out whether I screwed up or not. I think that attitude may come in pretty handy since I've passed the threshold of 60. 

So, here's a few pictures of my efforts. Keep in mind, I'm strictly a novice, but I'm catching on. 

My biggest challenge is always the rock garden. After multiple tries, I completely re-landscaped it this year, to give it a more balanced look and feel.


In the past, I've been extremely limited on what I could plant in this space, because the trees blocked the amount of sun plants could get. However, I had the trees trimmed extensively, opening up possibilities, although I still had to stay with shade-tolerant plants. 

Lily of the Valley

Choosing a wide array of plants was crucial to learn what worked well and what didn't. Hostas were a given, as were coleius. I also made the decision to stay with a color theme of rusty red, forest green and white, which matches the colors of my cottage home.

Gardens with a riot of colors are nice, but I wanted something that looked randomly natural, like a forest floor. Besides flowers require sun, which is very limited. 

The arrowhead-shaped stone at the base of the tree is special. I plan to paint it with the colors of my hometown NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs. I just don't want to mess it up, so any and all suggestions for doing that are welcome! 



The other garden is more conventional. Since it gets lots of morning/early afternoon sun, I have the option of including flowering plants. However, I've learned that a full-time career requires me to be selective, and I've chosen plants that are hearty and require very little maintenance... mostly gerbera daisies, petunias, geraniums and begonias, with alyssum for the border. The hostas are like trusted friends... they show up each year, better and stronger than the year before. And, hanging baskets add simple beauty to any porch.

Hosta

It's an evolving process from which I gain inspiration, learn patience and am able to feel artistic. It only took me 60 years to find a creative hobby that I can proudly share with the world. And, my neighbors like me. That makes it all worthwhile. 

Caladium

We are a Special Interest Group... Let's Lobby!!

Apathy, noun: lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." ~ attributed to Edmund Burke, Irish Political Philosopher

"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining them nor aiding them in their pursuits." ~ Thomas Jefferson


I wish I knew at what point the people lost control of government. Or, maybe I'm deluding myself in the belief that the voting public ever had any power at all. I sure would like to think they did, since that's the line I've had preached to me for the 60+ years I've been on this planet. But, somewhere along the line, people began to think that government was their daddy, responsible for their well being, or at the very least, the lack thereof. When did that happen? When did we become so lazy and apathetic that we are content to knock on the door of the U.S. Capitol and drop our problems at the threshold with a demand that government take care of them with no thought about who is going to pay for that? You know who pays? We do! We pay for every law that we demand to protect our food, protect our children, protect our wages, our investments, our healthcare, and on and on, ad nauseum. All that costs money, folks! Your money! My money!

And, now, here we are, with a bloated government run by people working harder at keeping their jobs than actually doing their jobs, who have better benefits than us, better healthcare, better retirement, live in nicer houses, drive nicer cars, have staff to take care of their every need and are at the office only half the year. What a life! Who wouldn't enjoy a job like that? 

Junior senators make $175,000 a year, not counting retirement for life, healthcare for life or the allowance given for travel, staff... oh, and free postage. And, we grudgingly buy into their rhetoric and promises, because that allows us to lean back in our recliners with our superior attitudes about what is wrong with government, when we really should be recognizing that WE are the problem, because we allow it to be.

I'm a history nerd. And, I can tell you, the history of the world has told us that when government becomes the overblown master, dictatorially telling its constituents what they can and cannot have, do, be, spend, save, eat, drink, wear, go, work, see and/or act upon, that society is doomed. I'm not making this up folks... we fought a World War to prevent this from happening in Europe. We have stuck our nose in every third-world country in the world to prevent this from happening and here it is...  in our front yards. You just don't recognize it, because it's dressed up as an eagle draped in red, white and blue and whistling "God Bless America." 

I, personally, am so tired of aspects of my life being controlled by people who have no idea what it's like to live at my economic level. I vote, I write, I petition... and, nothing changes. I get newsletters and email from my representatives and senators telling me how much they are working on my behalf... but, nothing changes. I keep hearing them say, "We heard you! You told us you wanted us to intervene on your behalf on the drain on Social Security! We're working on that. But, in the meantime, I'm going to earmark for the renovation of a bridge in my district, because that's what I promised my voters if they let me keep my job." Huh? Coincidentally, the bridge is named after said senator or representative, of course... at least until he gets caught trying to use state funds to buy a private island off the coast of Cozumel.

There are 535 elected officials in Congress, each one of them with an obligation to the people who elected them. I get that. So, where's the breakdown? Can you say special interest groups? Guess what. The American people need to become a special interest group... starting right now!

It's not as if I'm a firebrand radical screaming for social change at every opportunity. I don't want more than what I work for, but I would appreciate keeping as much of what I have worked for as I possible can. Is that too much to ask? I don't live in a big fancy house in a gated community... my house is a 90-year-old, two-bedroom, one bath, cinderblock cottage in a neighborhood of lower middle-income and really nice people. I own one vehicle, a five-year-old domestic compact. I don't have a boat, an RV or, even, a riding lawnmower. I buy maybe two new outfits of clothes a year. I'm wearing shoes I've owned for three or more years. And, I give 10% of the income left to me after taxes to charities and philanthropic organizations annually. So, why are people like me the ones who carry the heaviest burden of keeping this country going? 

I'm not joking. Because I am single with no dependents, I pay almost a full quarter of my income in taxes. That's not counting what I have to pay for healthcare or my contribution to my retirement fund. There's something messed up with that equation. 

Don't get me wrong. I firmly believe in paying for the roads I drive on, the police who protect me, the firemen who would save me, the education of the next generation and the privilege of having a voice in the government... as long as I'm getting my money's worth, which I'm not.

So, my question is, what's the answer? I, for one, am not satisfied with what is happening to my country. And, from what I hear and see, the majority of people in this country feel the same way. Unfortunately, they are saying it on Facebook, instead of sending an email to their representatives. 

If you're happy with the status quo, good for you. But, if you're like me, and you feel that something has gone terribly wrong, you must take a stand, speak up, write to your representatives. Write again. Keep writing. Encourage others to write. This is America. Let's take it back. 

Sirloin Strips with Savory Vegetables and Balsamic Drizzle

I got some inspiration from a food blog, that was inspired by another food blog, to create this dish. Rather than make rolls, I chose to leave the meat as strips and top with the vegetables, which also had to be adjusted to accommodate my own late-in-life digestion issues. You know what I'm talking about... you love the food, but it doesn't love you. That meant eliminating the bell pepper. Instead, I added portobella mushroom slices.

I cut lean sirloin into strips, generously seasoned them with fresh ground pepper and marinated them in a mixture of 1 tsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp A-1 Steak Sauce and 1 tsp Liquid Smoke. While the meat marinated, I heated 1 tbsp canola oil in a small frying pan and added 1 tbsp diced garlic, 1 tsp fresh rosemary and 1 tsp fresh thyme. When the herbs began to become aromatic, I added 1 tbsp each of Worcestershire sauce and Liquid Smoke, and then added my vegetables. I stir fried about 1/2 cup each of carrot matchsticks and julienned onion until tender crisp. I then added the portobella mushroom strips and gently stir fried to desired tenderness. I removed the vegetables and set aside. In the same skillet, I then seared the sirloin strips about two minutes on each side.

While the meat cooked, I mixed together 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar with 1/4 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp honey in a small saucepan to boiling and allowed it to cook to 1/2 reduction.

To serve, I mounded the stir fry vegetables on top of the sirloin strips and added the balsamic drizzle on top.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Now that spring has finally decided to arrive in earnest, I'm loving the idea of salads, salads and more salads. Please share your favorites with me! 

Today, I tried something a little different for lunch. Using Ree Drummond's inspiration, I created my own pesto pasta salad, adding baked salmon for some added protein. It was absolutely delicious! 

Bake salmon in a foil pocket, skin side down, seasoned with a tablespoon of butter and garlic salt, until it separates easily with a fork. Salmon is one of those Baby Boomer must-eat foods, full of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, memory and cognition.

I used basic egg noodles, but vegetable rotini would be really good. Cook pasta according to directions, rinse with cold water and drain. Add a couple of tablespoons of pesto and toss. Add halved cherry tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, mozzarella pearls and fresh sliced mushrooms. Top with baked salmon pieces.

This is one of those go-with-the-flow dishes... the ingredient possibilities are unlimited. Any number of cheeses would work with it, including Parmesan or Romano. Also, Ree included black olives, another food rich in free radicals, essential for the oxidation of cholesterol, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits. Lord knows we all need those!!

No dressing needed, this salad is simple and filling, with few calories! Perfect for an easy summer meal. I enjoyed this with a nice Chardonnay and seasoned crackers. Perfection!

 

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

OK, all you red fans, I've got one for you... Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. Leese-Fitch is a label named for the Leese-Fitch adobe building located in the Sonoma Square. Built in 1836, this historical landmark in Sonoma Plaza was named after Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch, brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, the founder of the town of Sonoma. The name, Fitch, has a pretty romantic history with the locals. 

But, the vineyard story is interesting, as well. In 1895, Samuele Sebastiani moved to America and began working in a rock quarry outside of Sonoma. He saved his money and purchased a vineyard. During Prohibition, his winery was one of seven allowed by the State of California to produce wine for medical and clerical purposes. The name of the company is The Other Guys — TOG, for short — and is the producer of Plungerhead Zinfandel... one of my favorites! 

Currently, through TOG, siblings Mia and August Sebastiani, are determined to make wines that will continue their family’s reputation for quality wine making for generations to come. They are building this company one handshake at a time, stepping back to the early days when all wine companies were family owned and operated. And through the website, they invite you to learn more about where those wines came from, who they are and what they’re all about.

This 2011 vintage is actually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Alicante Bouchet and Petit Syrah grapes from all over California, including Monterey, Paso Robles and Lodi. It is very dark garnet in color, almost black, with lots of legs. The aroma is full and immediate. You don't have to put your nose in the glass to whiff this one! I smell white flowers, almonds and coffee. On the palate, there's cherry and cocoa with just a hint of smoke. The finish is nice and long, with perfect acidity to enjoy with food. This is a robust wine that should be enjoyed with savory or spicy foods. It was really good on its own, but I think it would be the perfect summer wine for grilled burgers and BBQ.

I'm already a big fan of Plungerhead Zinfandel and will definitely be purchasing this Cab again. The winery also makes a Pinot Noir and Merlot, which I have placed on my must-try list. Very affordable! I purchased it at my local grocery for around $12 on sale, but would willingly pay more. I haven't found a "expert" rating on it, but consumer ratings place it at 89. And, that's who you want to recommend a wine, anyway, right? 

You sincerely need to try this wine! But, be sure to remove the price tag. Your guests will think you pulled out the good stuff for them!

Age Is Just a Number

Ahhh... those little nuisances that just scream at you, "You're getting old!" I hate them. 

First, there's the medications that keep the old ticker from setting up a blockade on the brain... not to be confused with the kamikaze aneurysm, which, in my mind, would be merciful compared to stroke. 

Then, there's the medication to counteract a lifetime of eating fried food... raised in the South, what can I say? We fried bologna, tomatoes, okra, steak, turkey and, of course, chicken. Hell, they deep fry butter at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, where I grew up! Yeah, it's that bad. I was grown before I ever tasted roasted chicken or a baked potato.  

The changes in the body are the hardest to take. First, there's my eyes... or, rather, my eye lids. I have none, just a fold of fatty skin hanging down so low that if I didn't have lashes to hold up my lids, I probably wouldn't be able to see. And, what the hell happened to my lips? They didn't move, they just disappeared. My butt looks like it shrank as I got older, but I realized it just fell. It's still as big as it ever was, it just that half of it now hangs down to my knees. But, what I lost in a protruding butt, I made up for in a gut that rivals how I looked six months into pregnancy. And, then, there's the boobs... so disgustingly sad, I can't even talk about that. Bette said it best, "Old age ain't no place for sissies."

So, that brings me to the effort of covering up this assault of years and gravity. And, that's the rub... it costs more! I went from spending $10 for a bra to spending almost $50!! I can't use just regular makeup, I have to buy the more expensive waterproof kind because there's all this skin hanging in folds creating moisture. Without the waterproof makeup, by noon I look like a raccoon and there's spackle in my wrinkles. And, gone are the days of just throwing on some lip gloss. Oh no! I have to draw on lips, just to pretend that I still have some. And, to add insult to injury, I can't laugh, sneeze or cough without running to the bathroom.

It takes more time, more money, more effort just to try and keep from looking like a troll. Sing to me, Frank. 

http://youtu.be/emAe6IClGys 

Yeah, it's all good, right? We're BOOMERS! Age is just a number.