I CHEATED!

On my diet that is...but I got your attention, HA! Yeah, so I usually have a cup of fruit, one piece of semi-buttered toast and 8oz of milk for breakfast. Today I had a huge triple shot Pink Zebra Mocha and TWO PoppySeed muffins! The average lunch usually consists of some light tuna salad and crackers or some raw veggies (or soup) and half a sandwich. Today was Spaghettio's. A whole can! What is wrong with me? I guess I just needed a break for today. I'll start over tomorrow.


So my birthday was pretty fun. I guess I just didn't realize what a food and wine snob I am! I even pouted...and my poor husband! Bless his heart; he tried really hard to plan a big birthday date for us and it kind of backfired but that wasn't his fault. I should have been more gracious and appreciative. Instead, I pouted and turned my nose up and sent the food back (it really was inedible). I mean, anyone would've sent that prime rib back, but I didn't have to do it with that attitude. Idk. Maybe I was a little depressed because another year went by, just like that. Maybe it was the aftermath of the week's multiple stresses. I did apologize and he (very generously) accepted, but I still feel bad. I'm still trying to make up for it. That's good for him I guess!


Anyway, I'm really excited because my birthday presents from Chris arrived today! He got me a subscription to Wine.com! They look really awesome and I've had one of them before...well, I mean from the same winery. Well, okay...backing up a bit, on the eve of my birthday my husband got me a bottle of 2001 Ray's Station Cabernet. It's actually a blend of Cab, Merlot and Franc. It's got a warm and spicy feel to it. It would be really good with say a Pork Shoulder, or Rack of Lamb. It's out of Sonoma County which has yet to produce a really bad wine - or at least I've not seen one. Next, from wine.com, I've got the Marquis Phillips Roogle Red. It's a 2004 vintage shiraz cabernet blend. I have not tried it yet, but I like Marquis Phillips. They've got a great shiraz. Most Australian/New Zealand wines are good, in fact. They're almost all going to twist-cap, too...which is a feature I like. Most of these wines I'll continue to mention will be reds, but there are some outstanding whites.


One would be the Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc - also out of New Zealand (http://www.craggyrange.com/, and also a twist-cap. This bottle is a little pricey retail speaking, but I'm sure wholesale is a bit better. This is the best white I've ever had! It's like tasting the four seasons ...I'm not kidding. It starts out crisp and cool like spring, takes you through a warm summer, a heavy and windy fall ... only to finish off as light as the winter's falling snow. Be careful though - it's so pleasant that before you know it, just one glass can turn into four!

Back to Reds! My next endeavor is the 2006 Volteo Tempranillo from Spain. I love Spanish wines, so this one should be good. I can't tell at the moment exactly what it is...it looks to be a red table wine, but then it says to chill. It actually has a tempurature-sensitive label which is not a very common feature. When the bottle is chilled to the right temperature then a blue-ish outline appears around the graphics on the front as an outline. Cool! You know, I'm thinking this may be a dry Rose'. I don't like White Zinfandels or Blushes, but darker dry Rose's...especially Spanish are exceptionally good. The best Rose' I've had was at Weisinger's Winery in Ashland, OR. This is really a great place to spend an afternoon. They usually have live music on their gorgeous multi-level deck which provides comfortable seating and shade.

Okay, well, enough for now because I have to go shopping! My Mother and Father in law sent me some birthday money and I need another pair of Bongo jeans!

P.S. Let me know if my wine "reviews" have been helpful...if so I'll keep posting.

Until next time....