The New Dry Rose'

Rose' wine has a big stigma to overcome - the infamous White Zinfandel. The new dry rose' wines do just that, however. It was the one thing I brought back from our trip to the Wine Country, rose' will be my new summer wine.

I was very pleasantly surprised with the complexity of some of these wines - yet without the oak flavor that I seem to prefer less and less. Don't get me wrong - a buttery Chardonnay is still appreciated - but I'm leaning towards lighter, steel-barrel wines. For one thing, the heavy reds tend to make me feel hot - and not in a good way. I don't know if it is the tannins, or being in oak barrels longer, but it appears I'm not the only one that feels that way. There has been an explosion of new dry rose' wines - in fact it is easier to find the dry rose' wines than my other favorite - pinot grigio - at the wineries we visited. The best ones are from France and Spain, countries that have been drinking them for years.

It is a red wine for white wine drinkers. It pairs well with picnic foods and anything one would serve with red wine. For me it will be summer BBQs and nights when we have main-dish salads for dinner.

The prices are not bad. The ones we bought in the Wine Country were more on the expensive side - but that was because they were only pouring their more expensive wines. First they charge for the sampling, then they only pour their premium wines. But maybe with people cutting back on extravagances it is the only way to have captive audiences to try their best wines. It takes some of the fun out of visiting wineries, however.

I am currently drinking a Mill Creek rose', which they do not have on their website, but I intend to look for a few more to stock up for the summer season. Here is a site that gives some information on what to look for, and what to expect to pay - it also takes you to the winery or distributor if you would like to order it online.

So what is your favorite summer wine? Or do you prefer a summer cocktail?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Last Big Weekend

I'm feeling the end of summer, the beginning of fall, here in the mountains. With it comes a pensive feeling for the start of winter. I always seem to feel this way at this time of the year. It's not that I don't like winter, I actually love it. No, it has more to do with the isolation that winter will bring. Snow, icy roads, a 25 mile drive on winding roads to Reno, and a mountain pass to get to Sacramento, where my brother lives. So, we will not head out as often. My husband will buy a season pass to his favorite ski resort, but I will need to find my own release from cabin fever. I quit skiing several years ago, after a particularly bad fall. I realized I was never a good skier, and I had actually become downright dangerous.

There is a new Pilate's studio nearby, so between that and the big indoor pool for swimming, I will keep going with my goal of losing weight, and getting fit.

We are enjoying this last big weekend. Dinner with friends from Arizona last night, a lunch-party with my cousin this afternoon, followed by a friend's birthday party in another part of Reno this evening. He is from New York and is having cold cuts flown in for his party. Evidently Reno lacks in the cold-cut department.

We feel blessed to have friends and family this weekend. We feel blessed to have a home, and enough of everything. We'll pass on thinking about our problems for the day. Instead we will live in the moment, and be thankful for all that we have that is so wonderful in our lives.

Can you feel it?

Can you feel the end of summer? It was very cool yesterday at the beach. It was about 69 degrees, but the wind was blowing, and whitecaps were visible on the lake. We packed up after only an hour and headed home to pack for the trip to Portland. I'll drive with my daughter and fly home, so that she won't be driving and caring for my grandson at the same time.

It's been lovely having them in my home. Most of the time we visit them, as it's just easier. They have very little paid time off, so it makes sense to have us do the traveling. But I'll bet some of you know what I'm talking about when I say, I like to have them in my home...

Remaining Flexible

http://www.terragalleria.com/index.html

We are currently experiencing a cold front. My husband said something today about snow in the mountains! What? This is August! Yes, I know we live in high elevations, but August is summer, not the start of fall. Of course this had to happen just as my family arrived to spend some time at the beach. Now, we are having to make alternative plans. The ice chest and floating toys remain with the beach umbrella, stored away.

Isn't that just the way? You make plans, have it all arranged in your mind, and when the time arrives, your plans are only a blueprint. Time to regroup, find ways to assuage your disappointment, and move on.

Maybe the man who decided to blow away all those women in the LA Fitness Center should have considered this concept. Women didn't like him? Hmmmm, I wonder why? Could he have always been a person with a "chip on his shoulder?" Always blaming someone else, in this case women, because he couldn't connect with love?

Flexibility is my word for the week. I'm working on being flexible in my thinking, in my desires, in my outlook. It's not someone else's fault I feel disappointed. I need to own my feelings. I may not have control over what happens in my life that is not in the plan, but I do have control over how I respond.

So we're off to do something different today. There is an art show in Truckee, CA, a mere twenty miles from here, or bathing-suit shopping in Reno, or a walk along the beach. Swimming will have to be another day.

But this day is perfect. Because I want it to be.