Work Research...

I didn't really start drinking wine until we were living overseas.  I mean we would have wine with Matt's dad when he would take us out to eat at nice restaurants but I really didn't appreciate it and often times it just made me sleepy.  Living in Ireland and taking multiple trips around Europe changed all of that.  It started with wine tastings and turned quickly into full  blown love for wine.  I remember the first time we went to Italy, drinking carafes of wine that were filled from spigots on the wall in the restaurants.  Though the atmosphere was so cool I remember thinking Italy's wine odd.  Then somehow Chiantis became my favorite and sangiovese my grape of choice.  

When traveling we tasted wine almost everywhere we went and were even fortunate enough to do wine tours in Bordeaux, France and in Tuscany.  These I will never forget as seeing vineyards and chateaus in the Tuscan countryside is nothing less than stunning and eating a multiple course French meal with fresh cheeses and wines is unforgettable.  My mouth waters even now at the thought of it and my heart fills with joy!  

Most women like sweet white wines- well, not me.  The bigger, the bolder, the redder, the better!  Give me Chiantis, Cabernets, Zinfandels, Tempernillos, and  Portugal's best reds.   Give me any red wine from Italy and I will love it.  Give me a full bodied, fruit forward, dry, smooth wine but do not give me sweet.

I know what I like but now working at a wine store I see how deficient my knowledge is in wine (particularly in whites) and I am excited to learn more, taste, read and share with those who come in.  So I've pulled out all my wine books and have started tasting wines I don't normally drink (as you can see in the picture above I had a Chardonnay with dinner last night which is unheard of in my house).  The wine vendors that come into the store will no doubt also be of great value in my wine education and I've already met my favorite vendor who carries my favorite wine of all time which is a Cabernet Sauvignon called Souverain from the Alexander Valley.  I am trying to talk my bosses into carrying this wine so the vendor is going to bring it in for them to taste.  He is also bringing a great Chianti called Castello Gabiano.  We visited this gorgeous vineyard while in Tuscany.

Valleyscare Weekend

Extreme Swing

Matt and I headed up to the Twin Cities over the weekend in order to join Reegz, Cbass and Janni in their spooky evening of Valleyscare and to surprise my nephew Jace with the dresser we recently painted for him.

"Valleyscare" happens each October when Minnesota's beloved amusement park ,Valleyfair, fills the park with spooky haunts.  I hate all things scary but since Matt loves them and never gets to watch scary movies with me I thought we should go.  I did not go in any of the scarey attractions with my group but I did indulge myself in many a ride.  Valleyfair was part of my upbringing as my dad took us every year for Regan's birthday.  I loved it then and love it still.  Even though each year I find myself more and more afflicted with motion sickness (can't watch some TV, movies, and most all video games) I can still ride the wild rails of rollercoasters, thank God!  This year I braved the "Extreme Swing."  Words can hardly describe the feeling you get when you're falling forward from the top, other than to say I thought I was gonna die, but this ride is awesome!  The rollercoaster "Wild Thing" was also a favorite.  I did not have whatever it takes to ride the wicked looking rollercoaster "Steel Venom" but Matt, who will brave any ride, enjoyed it.  

We were happy that Jace was gone for the weekend- not because we didn't want to see him- but because we wanted to sneak his new dresser into his room while he was away so he could come home and be surprised by it.  It turned out pretty well me thinks.  Good job Matt!

Before

After

Mayo Foundation Gala

Matt and I got to go to a formal dinner last night at the Mayo Foundation House for his work.  The house is pretty much a castle and used to be occupied by Dr. Mayo and his wife.  We had wine and h'orderves on the main floor and then moved up 2 floors to a grand wooden paneled banquet type room where we had a 3 course meal staring filet mignon which could be cut with a butter knife.  The dinner ended with pumpkin cheese cake and then cordials and chocolate dipped strawberries on the way out.  I think this was the first time in my life I ever ate with real silverware.  Anyway a good time was had by all and the best part of the night was getting to see my handsome husband dressed up and getting to wear a gown myself- always fun!

I Don't Know Why He is So Fat!

Sharptooth thought he was in cat-heaven when I refilled his food storage container and left it down for a few minutes so I could take his picture.

First Fruits of My New Labor

I got a part time job at a wine store!  

Don't worry, I am not giving up domestic engineering.  I just thought it would be fun to use my extra time to work in a field I love such as wine.

I am excited but not as excited as Matt.  We stopped in to the store today so he could see it and meet my new boss.  By the end of the conversation Matt was offering  to come in and help out at the store.  He was thinking he was going to help with stocking or something of that nature but my boss said Matt could come in and help out with wine tasting.  I mean we do need to make sure this store is selling the most delicious wines.  Then he sent us home with a bottle of wine to test out...  I like this job already!