Be Italian – The Blonde Grape

Stranger Things

August 8, 2016 theblondegrape1 Comment

You may never understand
How the stranger is inspired
But he isn’t always evil
And he is not always wrong
Though you drown in good intentions
You will never quench the fire
You’ll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along
(Written and performed by Billy Joel)

I am a Billy Joel fan to the nth degree. He is the only artist I actually ever wrote a fan letter to and he is a beautiful talent. So, when I became inspired to write this post due to the new Netflix show, “Stranger Things” and found a playlist with top songs about strangers and he wasn’t on it, I decided I would lead off with it because this song explains the stranger so well and (did I mention) it is Billy freakin’ Joel.

Recently, I started watching a Netflix show that I would normally never watch. It is science fiction, meets a little horror and is in the 80s. But, at the urging of my eldest daughter and the fact that I do the marketing for the best escape room in Colorado, I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave the series Stranger Things a try. I highly recommend it, like a good wine it is a little forward but balances out. It softens up around the edges but has a dry wit that I can appreciate. Much like wine can recall or make a great memory, this show brings back memories from the 80s through the soundtrack, rotary dial phones and the long cords and there is even a pinto. Which makes me wonder if the 70’s didn’t overlap the era a bit in the series but I did wear the hairstyle that Mike’s mom wears. It was my very first haircut and was modeled after The Bionic Woman.

I modeled my 1st haircut after Lindsey Wagner aka Jamie Sommers

Mathew Modine started in the 80s and now in Stranger Things

A Pinto, yes and it was popular

How far did you stretch the cord

Winona Ryder from Beetlejuice to Stranger Things

Now, it just so happens that Winona Ryder starred in a movie called “Dracula” that was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. This talented director also has a very good vineyard with several good choices but how can you resist the direction this is taking, so yes, I dared to be adventurous. I have had several wines that his man has placed his name on from Chardonnay, to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot up to his Director’s Cuts and he has never disappointed and elevates any movie or series watching to another level.

Francis Ford Coppola

B&W version

Paused screen caption

Tying it together and the pic is a little strange. I’ve seen stranger things…

If you are thinking this talented director would play itself with his wines, you are mistaken. He is quite skilled at this craft and the wines are really something to be enjoyed whether watching one of the best movies of all time, The Godfather or an award show like The Oscars, you will not be disappointed and probably give him a golden statue for his vinicultural chops as well. His vineyard offers tours, check it out for yourselves if you are ever in the area. https://www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com/visit

So, I am having fun with this new series. It is very interesting how the time was not that long ago and I remember it so well. At the same time, it seems so very, very long ago. I mean having to turn the ignition to start a car, no cell phones and yet we still have never learned that when it is dark and raining, do not leave the road. Do not go into the woods, don’t go into the….woods. It is well written and I find myself drawn to this series and may have to give other similar shows a try now and that is saying a lot because until now, this has not been my style. I am more into laughter because to quote Stephen King “You can’t deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.” But what can I say, “People are Strange“.

So, be adventurous, try something new and drink what you like. It is your life to live, live it. Cheers!

Every Horse Deserves at Least Once in its Life to be Loved by a Little Girl (or Big Girl)

July 25, 2016July 26, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

I am a city girl. I grew up in Miami, Florida. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. I grew up near Broad Causeway where the tracks to “Jive Talkin'” by the Bee Gees was inspired and created. Yes, I am one degree away from a Bee Gee, but that is another post.

I am going to go out on a limb and declare that most girls at some point in their lives ask for a horse. They can do so often, once in a while, or once but at some point, they put the request on their wish list. When I was growing up I was fortunate enough to go to a dude ranch in Lake Wales, Fl. It was Circle F Dude Ranch and a great place with so many fun experiences. It is a treasured experience that I now share with my niece and my youngest daughter. I, even sat in the backseat of our car as we drove from Lake Wales to Miami repeating, “I wanna horse”…or rather ” I ..Wannnnna Hhhoooorrrrssssssseeee”. How my parents didn’t throw me out, I do not know. They are much better parents, individuals, humans than I. But, my love affair with the giant steeds was born and I am so grateful my youngest has carried the torch.

My girl & Dakota with a flash of tail

Again but laughing at me cuz’ I had my hat on backwards for the pic.

Still easily amused but can you see the love between girl and horse?

Dakota saa-ying enough

Dakota agreeing your mom is a bit odd 😉

Horses are a rare breed. Not because they are uncommon, but because they are truly magical. They do not need the mythical horn from their forehead, the possess all the magic one desires by gazing at them or even better, letting them take you for a ride.

Is this a bragging moment, yes. Yes, it is. This is my daughter not having rehearsed and going over cross jumps and I am a proud mama. Yes, totally own it, I am bragging…and now I’m done.

I ran across a wine, that just looked liked it had a western element. I have had it before, but I was struck by the label seeming so leathery and that had me thinking as I was watching my daughter at her lesson today at MaeBree Ranch. This is a bright, crisp Chardonnay from the Rutherford Valley region in California. It has some citrus but also grounded and true to the new generations of Chardonnay. I couldn’t resist having some fun with this bottle around the ranch. Although, this was a full bottle…why I trusted these guys to not knock it over and lick it up for themselves, I don’t know. Again, it must be a horse/girl thing.

Arabian Photo Bomb, it’s legal and adorable

Doc so would drink this

This Chardonnay is really quite good. It is under $20 and can tie in with anything, but it is fun to harness it to a horse. Ok, so I couldn’t do that, but I did do this….

What is the wine that has me unbridled? Mossback Chardonnay, because I knew I was going to be outside and couldn’t resist the leathery , saddle type of label. It fits into the Colorado Western lifestyle we think we have here in the West.

Now, I finished the day or evening off with a Valpolicella from Allegrini Vineyards. More licorice than I normally prefer but it fits the rough riding or rather smooth riding that we have been highlighting here.

Here’s a selfie of Lola, she is telling you to try what I recommended but really she is telling you to drink what you like. I am running a 7K into Broncos Stadium in September, we are the Galloping Hot Bloods after Thunder, the Arabian Mascot for the Denver Broncos. So, cheers to finishing the race and Celebrate You!

Out of the Box

July 14, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

Well, I couldn’t resist myself when at one of my favorite restaurants Villagios in Lutz, Florida we ordered a really great, Italian wine to accompany the meal. It was a Summus by Castello Banfi. We ordered the larger bottle, the 1.5 and when it came to the table, it was the grandfather of boxed wine.

By now, you may know a little about my sense of humor. I couldn’t resist, I said, “boxed wine”, laughter from the table from the owner not so much, then he joined in…yes, you are now understanding why I call this blog, The Blonde Grape. For the record, this place is authentic Italian. Italian owner, much of the staff is Italian and I am talking accents in all, which alone would make it great but the food is authentic and molto bene. The decor is a little different but reminds me much of the Italian Restaurant in Moonstruck

This beautiful Summus, whether 750 or 1.5 is a perfect accompaniment to eggplant, veal and I even liked it with my grouper. It must be the Italian but they pair very well.
But, all this thought about boxes got me thinking about the phrase, think out of the box. Now, I just wrote that I drank this red wine with fish and so yes, I drank outside the box and I think you should too. I say, never get into the box and then you are not encumbered by other people’s rules.

Now, to further invite you to my world, there are two types of music going through my head. One is the song about Little Boxes, but the version I have linked you too is really quite creative and again outside the box. Why, because all you see and hear is from boxes. It is worth a listen, so feel free to click on the link. Here it is again: Little Boxes. The other one is a kissing cousin of our beloved Italian crooner, Frank Sinatra. It is Sammy Davis Jr. in Vegas with Buddy Rich. These two are beyond talented and although not Italian, I am pretty sure Frank thought of them as such. The song currently being played is “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” which after having you think outside the box and laugh at my joke on boxed wine, I guess I will be asking the same thing.

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you that tonight at one of my favorite wine shop, Loop Liquors, I saw a real boxed wine that had me giggle at the name a bit, but I may have to give it a try. I mean with all the talk that a glass of red wine is worth an hour of exercising, may a glass of this wine is worth a face-lift.

Go have some fun, drink what you like and raise a glass to celebrate you!