Celebration – The Blonde Grape

Senior Year (part 1)

November 16, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

Are we serious when we tell our kids, we want you to have fun and enjoy your last “carefree” days while you are in college? Many of us who are reading this, will think yes and then, after contemplation, maybe not. After all, our kids are “our” kids, college has changed so much. Well truth be told, it really hasn’t changed that much. Freshmen are still punished with 8am classes that are way too large to stay awake. The food, despite claims of now offering salad, is still focused primarily on pizza, take-out and whatever has the most caffeine. Anyone remember Jolt Cola?

But, I must admit there is an element of college that scares me. A little further digression and then, you may understand my dilemma. When I went to school, photos were not digital. Polaroids were portable selfie booths and cameras were either SLR or a one-shoot with a disposable flash. We took silly pictures that often had to be developed by some guy at a Fotomat but there still was some anonymity to it.

Now a days, it is all instant, digital and even if done as a prank, the perception is out there for all to view. This can be an innocent picture of someone sleeping with a prank narrative or just kids being goofy in what should be safe. So, yes, I am a parent that loves social media and yet it scares me because of what it can do to the trusting new adults. There I said it…I think you understand. Now, everything is prefaced and I have become a nagging, worried parent who is freaking out about their child’s departure to expand and firm his own foundation for the rest of his life.

Bragging rights for this mom, he received an award in tennis, (yes, I blocked his name), he is participating in school activities and then his senior photo shoot looks really good. Don’t you agree?

Award for going to State in Tennis

Celebrate Nerds – Fun Day

His smile says it all

Train in the background, how cool is that.

Senior Pic

Yet, senior year brings out the nag in every parent. “Did you finish your applications?” “Do you know what school you want to go to?” “I know you are 18, but you still live in this house, take out the garbage.” “Did you do your homework?” “Yet?” Repeat all of the above and add a few more and I do feel a little sorry for him, then I think about it…no, I don’t.

But alas, the turmoil and the mixed emotions of the year do have me leading to weird pairings. Like having a Maple and Things at Casey’s Craft Bar and Grill…a yummy delicious twist on an Old Fashioned cocktail. Then, to have wine…now truth be told, there will be several bottles emptied throughout this year, but this one definitely helps us learn our coping skills.

Senior year is meant to be a bit wild, so why not have the wine be a special respite from it all. It can help ground you, give you spirit to take what is thrown at you and it will undoubtedly keep your taste buds excited, perhaps even as excited as an 18-year-old in his senior year eagerly anticipating the sense of independence.

Don’t try this at home, but do dare to be different

Very true, from the Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon cork.

From the label

Yes, I paired wine with a cocktail…and I’d do it again.

The Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon lives up to expectations. Maybe that is a little too much pressure to be applied senior year, but I think this wine can handle it. It is smooth, blends well with a variety of foods. Besides it pays a little homage to one of the most successful cookbooks of all time “The Joy of Cooking”, by having the corks remind us of the Joy of Wine.

This is a rough year for a parent and yet it is one that has us swelling with pride. Witnessing the sense of wonder come to life as the steps get bigger and they become more and more accountable and their own voice is formed and heard. Wine will be needed but just as we do not choose favorites among our children, now is not the time to choose favorites among our choice of wine. It is the quintessential time to drink what you like. Cheers!

Odd Pairings Can Be Simply The Best

October 2, 2016October 2, 2016 theblondegrape

A concert at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), pretty cool backdrop. Falcon Stadium is not huge, so I am thinking an up and comer or someone fading out but still loveable. Nope, it was Tim McGraw. Now, that is pretty awesome and I told my husband go ahead try to get some tickets…but then, they announced who is also high on the bill…I think co-lead—Train! Yes, Train, Train…I said get those tickets now!

On our feet–

Train, my best pic …they moved a lot and I was probably too.

When you hear Tim McGraw…but you really need to look at him too. sigh

Now, on paper this may seem like an unlikely pairing. But, it has been proven and many times here I have written about the need to break from tradition, because it works. Well, this worked and it worked really well. Both played to the audience that sang along note for note and word for word with both of them. It was unforgettable.

The music played was ageless as little kids were there and old fogies, even older than me. Yes, it is possible. (wink, wink). Pat Monahan , didn’t think anyone in the audience was old enough to remember Drops of Jupiter and Tim McGraw, thought he might be too old to remember Indian Outlaw. The crowd had their backs and I lost my voice. You can hear the applause right from my kids…shuddup 😉 jk

Train, my best pic …they moved a lot and I was probably too.

Double Fret Guitar, great tribute to Glenn Frey

Jimmy Stafford on big screen

The pure talent of Train really performed that night as they did a few tributes. Opening with Let’s Go Crazy from Prince and then later on Under Pressure, Queen and David Bowie and then Hotel California, for Glenn Frey. Although, they didn’t do any of the songs from their cover album of Led Zeppelin, they played almost all of their big hits plus a few. It was amazing and for the first time in a long time, I and I think everyone else, really heard the lyrics. If you think you know them, go back and give them a listen, it is amazing.

I have to say I am grateful to Tim McGraw. I love my husband but after he was listening to women of all ages swoon, and comment about this man’s pecs, my husband decided to follow the paleo diet that Tim sort of follows and we joined a gym. This man is no slouch and his songs all sound like he is singing to you or about you or something we all have experienced. That takes talent and although already a fan, I am much more of one now.

Now, to the surprising part and what gets me my name, The Blonde Grape. I was looking for something to drink at the stadium and they had beer. I can do that, but hello, this is Train, they have their own wine, I want to be on the wine Train. Yes, I said it, not well, but you read it, so there.

Train has several respectable wines and the brand is called Save Me, San Francisco…one of my fave songs. They donate a large part to charity if not all of it and they have several varietals. Some are: California 37 a nice Cabernet Sauvignon, Drops of Jupiter, a California Red Blend, Marry Me Rose’ ( I have yet to try this one, looking forward to it) and Calling All Angels, a Chardonnay wine. I was having trouble with their website but I can tell you although it has been a while since I have had some of them, I did recently have Calling all Angels and their wine is really good. Not just a celebrity wanting to do good, but the wine is great and can and should be paired with whatever you like. A nice article on how Train is successful in wine by Richard James of BuzzFeed can be read here. In fact, Train now has a Save Me, San Francisco chocolate through Ghirardelli, a great pairing. I say pair it with food, but pair it with good music and turn it up. I am thinking you can pair it with any of the artists above or you can even try Sting‘s new song 50,000 which is a tribute to the above artists and I am certain Train would approve.

My tour shirt and Calling All Angels

Trying to get a little tropical, for no real reason

So, I go back to my antique rocker

but, yearn for warmer weather…I’m so confused. But, I’m blonde, so that’s okay.

Here is a video or link to a video that I found with Jimmy Stafford, guitarist for Train
talking about Save Me, San Francisco wines and the development of the winery. He likes to have a glass or two of wine before a concert, that pleases me. Be daring, be bold and drink what you like. Cheers!

A Whale of a Good Time—in Vail

September 15, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

“I’ve a whale of a tale to tell you lads, a whale of a tale or two…” even better when sung by Kirk Douglas (if you are wondering about the relevance of the 20,000 League ride at Disney Parks). Click here, assuming I still can’t get the video to link directly. Remember, part of the title is Blonde…now, let it go.

20000-leagues — *A Disney Film, with a very catchy tune.*

Vail, Colorado is a beautiful mountain town with a definite European influence. Covered bridges, nestled in the Gore Mountains and plenty of unique shopping and dining experiences.

Lots of statues

Would you know you aren’t in Lucerne, if I didn’t say Vail?

Covered bridges…told you.

Small, intimate and very much appreciated history of our Country and Vail. Don’t miss it.

Kintetic art, my favorite

The hills are alive in Vail…go ahead and sing…it is already in your head.

One of the better farmer’s markets around, although a little light on the natural foods, a great selection of cook to order meals, great arts & crafts and even wine. In fact, the wine caught me by surprise and ended up buying some before the wine festival even started. Bookcliff Vineyards, probably my favorite of Colorado wines so far…although admittedly, I have only tried a few. I am getting over the coastal issue but I was very pleased and bought a triple package. The packaging was very creative and really promoted Colorado wines.

See what I mean, creative and I’m a girl, it is so cute!

Yes, again boxed wine..but they are box free now.

Boxed wine, Colorado style.

Vineyards description of the Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc via Colorado

See, packaged in the box and out, it is creative and true to the vine. We purchased a triple and was able to choose the wines. We chose the Cabernet Franc, Ensemble and the Syrah. Granted, we leaned red and I am normally more balanced between the two, but I think the strength of this vineyard is in the reds and I really enjoyed the Cabernet Franc. Other very notable vineyards, use Cabernet Franc in their blends along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot…if the ratio is done just right, it is divine.

Now, to enter the wine festival. The food pairings they had were not disappointing, although some of the wines were. I can tell you The Prisoner was winning hands down, although Vail would have you feeling anything but trapped. I will also tell you,again, my favorite is sparkling wine, so I was drinking Chandon, by the bottle. Okay, a split..but I drank it from the bottle and it fit in the drink holder of all the Audi cars. Yes, they were a sponsor and my husband promised me the TT. Shown below.

Hey, it is not the size it is how you drink it 🙂

Can’t do this in public often…or at all but break the rules

I made the split pose…

My new car-sometime in the future-probably in a future dream

More pics from the Wine Festival—

A Colorado Wine from the Farmer’s Market

More Autumn Art

I love all dogs, but this wine-not so much. Sorry, but no.

Pretty good, but would not buy it for home.

I enjoyed Saintsbury, a little shy of expectations but very nice.

A nice one, worth taking a second look

Vail is one of my favorite places. It is nice and a true escape from the daily grind. This wine fest was very enjoyable and you can never go wrong with the excellent dining and outdoor activities that abound in the valley. Go shop, taste and experience Vail. But remember, your taste is your own-drink what you like. Cheers!

In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus: Eins, zwei, g’suffa! Or, in Beaver Creek Oktoberfest, I Drink Up (Mostly Beer)

September 13, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

On my father’s side my roots go back to Germany on his paternal side and Sweden on his maternal side. We also have a deep passion for all things Italian and when my dad did a bit of research on his roots, we found out we had a Guido in our German heritage. This is a distant cousin named Guido, literally, I would not go Jersey Shore on you. I will tell you being 5’2″ I got ripped off in the stereotypical traits of this union although I do have blonde hair and blue eyes. Now, that I have squirreled many times, I will go back and tell you I spent many days going to German festivals and was fortunate to travel over to both Germany experience the beer halls in person. I visited Sweden too, but that is a different post.

I learned early on to sing the Oompa songs and thus when I recently attended the Oktoberfest in Beaver Creek, CO, I sang along to perhaps the most popular Oktoberfest song of all time, “the Hofbräuhaus-Song”. Link attached to pic.

https://youtu.be/duLI-CgNmhc

Now, you say but I thought the Duck Dance is the most popular…and that is definitely gaining popularity but not as authentic. What is the Chicken Dance? Surely, you jest…but okay, this will be in your head for a while but you asked for it.The Chicken Dance (or the Duck Dance depending on where you are listening)

Greeting Stein Sign

The Commemorative Beer Steins

Schnitzel kicked up a notch from the Beaver Creek Chophouse

Yes, wienerschnitzel on a stick

Now, if you are thinking that wine isn’t too prevalent at Oktoberfests, you are right. It is also where you will find an abundance of bratwurst, knockwurst, pretzels and even WienerSchnitzel on a stick. But, steins are a lot of fun to drink from and I couldn’t resist a picture of the schnitzel on a stick. Can’t you just hear Jeff Dunham now…on a stick.

jose-on-a-stick — *Jose’ Jalapeno on a stick*

This particular Oktoberfest in Beaver Creek, CO is considered one of the top German Beer Festivals in the state. Beautiful scenery, small yet inclusive atmosphere and schnitzel on a stick. So, yes, it was great. They teased us with wine but I also enjoyed a Pimm’s Cup as the wine was not that enticing at the festival. But, they also had non-traditional cuisine such as paella. But, later a great appetizer of raw oysters with the best cocktail dressing ever, a bowl of French Onion Soup and my Kindler, canned beer. Canned beer is supposedly the best way to do beer now according to the microbrews, but I still prefer the bottle. Say what you want, I can taste the difference. But, this locally brewed beer was very good and a great way to cap off the fest. Visit the microbrew with a very good canned beer here, at Bonfire Brewing. The last meal was at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill, check it out.

Proof of authentic cooking

Yes, we show you wine with the menu but we are not selling you wine.

Oompah dancing or dancing Oompah–either way, lots of fun!

My husband’s beer and my maternal side going with an English Pimm’s Cup

Paella – Yeah, it’s Spanish-it is good, I don’t question.

Pretty flowers near the foot bridge and over the creek

Mark Twain

St. Francis of Assisi

Bonfire Brewing Pale Ale, good stuff. Would prefer a bottle but alas, I will try new things.

What I love best about these type of festivals is the attitude of the people. People let people be themselves, hangout and have fun. Dance crazy dances and sing off-key to a great copycat band. Yes, they had the Hollywood Stones play and it was really quite an experience listening to a crowd sing Ruby Tuesday without provocation.

However, the night wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t celebrate back in the room a bit. Beaver Creek has a great and passionate wine shop. She tries to stock to educate, entertain and seduce the customer’s palates. So, we tried a South African Sparkling Wine, called Graham Beck. It was a bit chewy, very effervescent but not disappointing for those of us who really love a Brut. It seemed meatier but the taste was nice and after a day of schnitzel on a stick, a Mick Jagger look-a-like, and beer, it was a great end to a great day. Bottom line, as I always say, have fun and drink what you like. Life is too short to do other wise. Chicken Dance. Different video – you are welcome –Bitte schön.

Pedal & Pour @SteamboatWineFestival 2016

August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

With a wake-up call like this, what better way to earn your wine than a bike ride through Steamboat Springs through rolling hills to an old school-house and then back for a wine tasting with Michael David Winery.

To say that I am excited about this event is an understatement. I want to ride my bicycle–you can sing along with me – I want to ride my bike. I mean I posed my bike like children in anticipation and right before the event because I proved wine gives you strength. At least that is the phrase I told myself going up the “low” rolling hills.

We gather in front of Cafe Diva near Gondola Square between Torian Plum and The Sheraton. I will admit it, I am a bit nervous. I have had two surgeries and only have done one ride outside since recovery. I bought brand new shoes because I am a girl and that is what I do (don’t judge). Will they clip into the bike? How many hills are there? [knowing full well this is Colorado and they lie when they say a flat course. I mean hello, Rocky Mountains…I am blonde but I can pull out knowledge when needed]. Before we start to roll, I over hear a conversation (okay eavesdrop, tell me the difference) and realize we have one of the owners of Michael David Winery trying to pedal chains with us on the adventure. As a lover of wine, a new blogger I am like a teenager at a Shawn Mendes concert. So far, three people have thought he was his brother, well I won’t, his name is David. That is my brother’s name, I’m golden…or…

We turn the cranks under the balloon and past funky mailboxes. The ride is going better than expected, I am refusing to admit that I am scared. I mean, I have legitimate excuses, never mind that I have been medically cleared and teach spinning.(I said before, don’t judge) Spinning is an excellent workout, it is indoor cycling. Which means I will make you sweat going nowhere fast. Now, we have just started and I am still trying to figure out how to shift my Bianchi (own one, and you’ll refer to it by its name…that is all), please remember I indoor cycle more due to injury. I suddenly hear a welcome voice asking me all sorts of questions. How are you? What do you think? Now, I am blonde and now I am thinking and pedaling, this is dangerous territory. So, I flip the tables between deep breaths…and find out that I am riding with a truly Epic cyclist that has now elevated my skills, status and anything else I can possibly tie to this event. I was riding alongside Sonya Looney. She wins 24 hour races in places like Nepal and they are world races and she is awesome. Click on her name, Sonya Looney and you will see for yourself and do what she says, which is Do Epic Shit. Just go ahead and do it, reasons why will be another post. She is awesome and as she distracted me, she reminded me how to shift and all of a sudden, I wasn’t a beginner driving a clutch, I was a pro and driving Fast and Furious.

Me and Sonya Looney, Epic Cyclist – Epic Ride

A Colorado Mailbox

Bruce, who made me cool again

So, if you haven’t figured this from my previous blogs, you should know that I love music. So, when I am pedaling up the last big hill and someone starts talking with an accent from the area that was my alma mater, I had to stay engaged. My college degree is Recording Industry Management with a Business and Mass Communications Minor from MTSU. A slight digression but now that I am in civilian life, I rarely meet someone who understand the passion behind music. One you don’t have to like all kinds, but there is a respect and memories are made no matter your style, and this man owned several record stores. In fact, I contributed to his 2nd home here in Steamboat because of how much I purchased. But, I am including him because he recognized my degree and he too can take any phrase, any quote and refer to the appropriate song. It is a curse, but enjoy it.

David Phillips after ride, quality testing wines

1st glass chardonnay poured for tasting

Michael David Chardonnay

Story is well worth the read

The finish is at Saddles, in the Sheraton Hotel which is slopeside. The inside is nice but in the middle of the lobby, but it opens up to the slopes and you can watch cyclists or skiers depending on season and it is almost perfection for location. Go here when you visit, the food will not disappoint you and will keep you in vacation mode whether for a day or a week.

Now, we get to the reward of pedaling in the heat. We rode up hill both ways – actually we did, they are rolling hills and that is how it works. David Phillips, founder introduced us to the Michael David Winery Chardonnay. It is the tamest of names for this vineyard but an enticing welcome as they raise your wine senses to a new level. I was impressed, that the owner new(ish) to Colorado rode the race that he sponsored the tasting. However, I was thrilled to find out that he sponsored many athletes, cyclists and Sonya Looney is one. So, no longer surprised, but you should witness, he still quality tests the wine before serving to our wine riding peloton. (See above).

David Phillips demonstrates that you should do what you love. He loves the outdoors, he loves wines and he loves really good food. The vineyard I am told, serves great food and I can tell you the winery will make you proud every pour. Do you like zinfandel? I do, his winery produces the #1 selling Zinfandel in the world and that is 7 Deadly Zins...but we were blessed to be able to try others. Now, David is quite the story-teller as he speaks about each wine being served. He told us about the vineyard but then he revealed to us the personality behind the fermented grapes he was pouring.
[I am often asked how do I choose wine..not scientifically as you might expect. If I am going for a blind tasting, I factor in weather, occasion but I look for personality on the label.] David, takes his grapes and process seriously but he and the vineyard have a great sense of humor. He was raised in Catholic schools and he loves wine. Knowing the two mix but maybe not completely, they have chosen to name their wines reminding he and his brother Michael of their youth. That or a Brad Pitt/Morgan Freeman movie, called Se7en about the Seven Deadly Sins. Rest assured the wine is infinitely more delicious,fun and memorable than the movie and adds a laugh or two on the label. But, the movie was pretty good too but I choose the wines. To name a few: Freakshow, 7 Deadly Zins, Earthquake, Rapture and Lust.

This is the second tasting and is the petite sirah. For a hot day, this is perfect and although they paired it with food, I pair it with sunshine, activity and such. This is Sonya’s favorite wine and it was a very nice change of pace. Which, when you shift your gears properly , is a very nice change of pace as well. Love Earthquake.

Next in line is Rapture. Now, David talked about how this was kind of rebellion against his youth and targeted at the evangelicals but it is a great wine and it is selling very well. Embrace the humor in the label and know that this is a great Cabernet Sauvignon. It may not lift you like Revelations, but to think that you are drinking it and still going skyward, that is a good thing. He may have made Biblical ties, but I linked it to Blondie and their song Rapture. More specifically, I linked it to the mashup of Blondie and The Doors and Rapture Rider. [I am betting you haven’t heard the mashup, so please give it a listen. It will surprise you]. For the record, I told him I made that leap…he liked it. I also discovered he likes Depeche Mode..if you listen and then read the labels, this does not come as a surprise. Try Just Can’t Get Enough.

I can’t begin to express how excited I am to be here. I have been a wine aficionado for half of my life but only began to blog about it recently. I am not seeking accolades, so I am majorly geeking out that a sport that I love and wine can be blended together for an event and I get to meet people at the top of their fields, doing what they love. It is beyond measurable. I apologize, because I can’t remember David’s wife’s name, (I am blonde, older and it wasn’t repeated as often) but I do know her contribution to the event and to be in a picture with her, David and Sonya is worth every sip of their wine.

Last but not least, I think you can tell that I try to stay positive in my posts but I would not say such stellar things if I didn’t believe them to be true. You will find that often, the experience may overpower the wine and that sometimes happens. In this case, Michael David Winery holds it own and this Pedal and Pour event, would not have been nearly as successful if it weren’t for a winery that had personality, character and understood the passion for pedaling. I think you will like this vineyard, and these wines make constant advice easy to follow – Drink What You Like. Cheers!

And….Kickoff

August 13, 2016August 13, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

The sun is setting and a slight mist in the air, the anticipation of the first cork being pulled is palpable. Cue tape rewind … Introducing, the 2016 Steamboat Wine Festival .
Steamboat Springs, CO could be the quintessential town displaying the culmination of the Old West and Contemporary Resort Life. A great ski town, known for Billy the Kid (Skier) and lots of snow. But, in the summer it is also known for some great events, the wine festival but there are several cycling events, running races, rodeos and more. There are several local lakes around for camping as well as hiking and it is a great place to unwind, especially considering the winding roads to get there.

Kickoff for the Wine Festival was held in Gondola Square. It was open to the public and my only disappointment is that it only featured one vineyard: Woodbridge Vineyards. Now, Robert Mondavi has a great history. The experience behind their wines and the family dramas tell for some great stories. But, and there is always a but, as an introduction to a wine fest where you are expected to be blown away by the offerings to only be offered one and it to be an easily accessible one or rather a very familiar one, was disappointing.

Enter the 6 Million Dollar Band. You are saying this is the second post referring to the Bionic series in the 70s. Well, first it was the Bionic Woman, this is not my reference but one the band chose and refers to Steve Austin ( played by Lee Majors.) But, I am betting you are still looking forward to the link of the theme song. Here it is: Six Million Dollar Man Theme Song.

There are times when we will question the 80s music, but when you are gathered around a lot of people who are similar in age and younger ones that believe classic rock is cool. Yes, they are calling the 80s classic rock…something is seriously wrong there but that is for another blog.

So under the 80s link, this is a long listen, but the sampling 80s band more diverse than posted above, is a good way to boost your playlist. Need a boost to playlist or a happy reminder of your history – Click here.

Now, it is a wine fest so we ventured inside to Saddles, a location in the Sheraton that hosted many of the events. This place is awesome, if you are in the area, check it out. I didn’t know there was a patio until the next day, but great food and beautiful views. So, here I drank a glass from a vineyard I used to drink quite often but for one reason or another, haven’t had in years. A glass of the Austrailian Penfolds 389 which was a perfect accompaniment to the Elk Quesadillas. Now, according to the site, this is considered a poor man’s vinicultural drink. But, I find that very hard to believe. One, is it was very nice and well-rounded. It was strong yet soft at the same time and for the record, it was a surprising $20/glass. I didn’t see that at the beginning and probably would have not chosen it when the other glasses were $8-$12, but I thought it quite good and a more appropriate kick off to the event.

Penfolds_2012_Bin_389_Tasting_Note_SC

A wine festival is to celebrate the history, the experience, the excitement, the lessons taught and the lessons to be learned from wine. It is an event to celebrate love, friendships, new business, new families and a beverage that has been around for millenniums that unifies us all. There will be lots to choose from, so as always try something new but in the end, drink what you like. Cheers!

Pickle Juice, Ultra Marathons, Comedy, Greek Wine and Hiking the Devil’s Head

July 30, 2016July 31, 2016 theblondegrape1 Comment

What too much for one weekend? Okay, so you have undoubtedly heard the phrase “Out of the box”, I despise that phrase. Loathe it…partly because it is grossly overused but also because it assumes (you know what that means) that we are starting within the box. Now, assuming you are reading this, the box is not enticing like it is to a two-year old. So therefore, I beg you, don’t just think out of the box, never step inside it.
One of the current fitness trends is imbibing a salt/vinegar combination to prevent cramps or help aid them and lessen them to function better of you. . To be honest, it is not bad (That does not mean it tastes good, but it does not taste bad…remember that). Pickle juice, we tried the bottles and not bad, hard to truly enjoy. I think it needs to spend time with a cucumber, it is freshness it lacks. There are several health benefits and I will continuously pursue, but fresh not bottled, the prepackaged falls a bit short.

The-amazing-health-benefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice

If you are going to run in a continuous loop to get yourself back in the habit of lifting your knees, swinging your arms and moving faster in hamster motion, you should do it around a lake. Nearby, we have Palmer Lake, CO which is doing some amazing things. They have embraced their lake (for those of you outside CO, I realize this is not large, but our water is shipped to AZ,CA and used for really good beer. Would you deprive beer for size? That is a whole other discussion.) There are several trails to follow as well for hiking. Click Secret Source but don’t tell anyone I told you. Clicking secret source

We imbibed in the prepackaged pickling solution as we looped around Palmer Lake, CO. Getting back into fitness after a couple of surgeries and other distractions of life, this is a beautiful location to begin that trek. As you can see from above, paddle boarding, paddle boats, fishing, Frisbee golf and mountains…you are invited to come and visit. Check out our local dining establishments, quite good.

We met wonderful people doing the same thing as we circled the great pond and prepared for our next trek the next morning, supporting the Pikes Peak Ultra 50 Mile and 30K race. I stress reiterate, because we did not run this, we showed up blurry eyed, slightly chilled and dispensed water, counted bib numbers and had a great time getting to know those brave-hearts strong enough, spry enough to challenge and go the distance. Age shmage..teens to late 70s…what’s your excuse? Another blog post. We did this because we are both runners and also, I am marketing for a local escape room. If you are ever in the area of Colorado Springs, visit www.planetdeadline.com Escape Rooms. The most fun you’ll have trapped into 60 minutes. Shameless plug now out-of-the-way.

Before you fully digest this smorgasbord, I interrupted it with a fabulous night of comedy from very funny talents, I never heard of..so, thank you to my neighbor Heather for introducing and organizing. My laugh-o-meter is much fuller now, a good thing. For you to check out for yourselves, neighbor night included a visit to Opa Grill and an evening with Tim Hawkins and Bob Smiley. Two talents worth your ticket dollars. A little sample: Here is Yoga Pants from Tim Hawkins: Yoga Pants

I normally do not enjoy Greek wine, but I do enjoy all things Greek. At least if I follow the religion of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” one and two. I did not climb in the box, but tried a Greek Chardonnay-ish wine and it was quite good. I liked it and perfect for my Bacalao.
This wine is Avantis Estates. It is as it says, refreshing with some pear and melon aromas and refreshing. It goes with many things, whether you are vegetarian or not, it will go with fish and of course in the tradition of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, “you can make lamb”. What is my motto? Drink what you like…and to venture into Greece, it was cool not to have Ouzo. A great intro into the evening of comedy and the laughter long over due. Please check them out and go see them. The night will be memorable.

Back to the Ultra. These runners, athletes, slightly off of the cuff people are wonderful. Smiles surround their miles as all we hear as he pass through our aid station is “how beautiful the canon is” and “thank you for the drinks & food”. If you are in the area of Colorado Springs, do Visit Colorado Springs and for outdoor activities visit Cheyenne Canon Park.

Sweat time over, I rewarded my early riser friend with breakfast at Modern Market. A nice reward with magpies sounding in on their hunger but not receiving the reward. Good healthy food, but with a new twist, a box of water. It tasted great but I feel as if I was being lectured as the bottle listed the benefits of choosing a box to a bottle. As good as the water is, it is not easy to carry when running or cycling, or hiking…fix that and you are golden.

Okay, so we are tying this weekend together with similar things but yet are we following trends or choices? Do you want to get philosophical? The short answer is, a bit of both. I love fitness, I prefer to be informed and I know the truth of pickle juice, water, recycling and ultra running. The long answer is, I think if you choose to move whether a running, cycling, hiking or the Thighmaster, you will get healthier, but you have to do it. Boxed water vs bottled, is not a matter of taste but of lifestyle. I support both and think you should too. If you are sitting at your desk and using a disposable resource, go for the box. If you are more mobile and the box isn’t compliant, use a bottle of some sort. You have the power to choose..embrace it.

So, hiking is becoming trendy, I’ll join in as it is fun and a major calorie burner.
I am originally from the East Coast, so I do everything possible since I now live in Colorado to show that I am living in the Wild, Wild West, theme song and all of it. After volunteering, I took my Bordeaux out for a hike with my hubby. There are endless opportunities for you to explore your neighborhood, backyard or destination but you must leave your computer (this blog) to do so. This Greenland Open Space not far from the county line between El Paso County and Douglass County.

My big red dog, Bordeaux rehydrating and being obedient. I hear you chuckling, yes his name is Bordeaux…he is a red husky and you are reading TheBlondeGrape…here’s your reminder of where you are visiting. Of course, you may be giggling, because you know about huskies and being obedient can often be an oxymoron.

Enter Lyeth, pronounced Leeth. A great finish to a great start of a weekend that has no real plans but to get outside and enjoy what comes our way. Is it over, NO! But, do treat each event as a new beginning, YES!

This is a great red, perfect for a hot day that has had a few rain sprinkles to “just” cool it off enough to be lightly blanketed. This is a true Cabernet Sauvignon, but not so heavy that it can’t handle a lot of life leading to the great pour and first sip.

Folks, if you are learning nothing from me, learn this: Life is not meant to be lived on a schedule. There are places for that, but live life according to you. Start chipping away at it and learn to enjoy it. Drink well, drink what you like and Celebrate You!

Up next, adventuring north looking for Devil’s Head Fire Lookout.

Raise your glass and cheers!

Hace Caliente or It’s Hot!

July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 theblondegrape1 Comment

Global warming or just that time of year called Summer, we are nearing the dog days and it is hot. We are beyond warm, or a little touched by the heat, we are in full flip-flop mode and portable fans.

Now, I don’t always think it necessary to pair wine with food. As I have said before, drink what you like and choose the guidelines if you wish. But, I do tend to make a deciding factor on what I drink based on the weather. To me when it is hot, it is the time to keep the drink a little lighter and sometimes even a little sweeter. Warning: If you make it too light and too sweet you may drink too fast due to dehydration, be careful.

One of my favorite drinks to cool down the heat, is Sangria. There are many kinds, but typically there are three version for you to choose from: a red, a white and a cava (sparkling wine). My favorite place for Sangria and Cuban/Spanish Cuisine is The Columbia in Ybor City, FL (Tampa).

This place is very much a destination place when you visit Tampa, in particular, Ybor City. Known for it’s “Cuban” Cigars, it is hard to get much more authentic than actually going to Cuba. This is a very eclectic neighborhood that is continuously improving and free roaming chickens. Go see for yourselves, believe.

So, back to it being hot, this place alongside it’s great food is known for it’s sangria. The Columbia has packaged a mix to help you in the process and I have used it, and liked it. Now, I didn’t have all the fruit on hand to make it pretty but I can tell you, temps in the high 80s to low 90s and it was refreshing and on point. Pics below don’t do it justice, but the ones after will, I promise:

Due to the Spanish origins, I use a Rioja wine to make the red sangria. Again, we did not have much fruit, so we used limes and grapes. But, I highly suggest you try oranges in the mix. The Cerro Anon Rioja from 2009 was perfect for this blend that had me lounging on my deck admiring the grass that probably needs to be mowed, but it’s hot, so I tell my son, the lawn can wait till manana as I don’t want to hear the rumble of the push engine catching grass. Nor, do I want to hear him whine about mowing the yard, that would get in the way of the only whine I tolerate and that is wine, without an “h”.

Now, if for some reason, you are not experiencing the mercury rising in your neck of the woods, here are some songs that may put that feeling into play for you. In no particular order of heat index, here are some great songs to enjoy your Sangria:

The Heat is On by Glenn Frey

Hot, Hot, Hot by Buster Poindexter

Heatwave by Martha and the Vandellas

Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sly and the Family Stone

When Your Hot Your Hot by Jerry Reed

Summertime Blues by The Who

In the Summertime by Mungo Cherry (1 Hit Wonder)

Some Like it Hot by Power Station

But if you don’t want songs that sing about being hot, or heat or summer, I believe this new song by Justin Timberlake, should be the 2016 song of Summer. What do you think?
Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake

Now, back to the Sangria. My recent trip to The Columbia, we tried the Sangria Cava, which is Sangria using a Spanish sparkling wine. The pictures will show some of the process and I will attach the link and post recipe to the refreshing blend that made one forget for a brief second that all the temps said, 90+, it felt like over 100 on the thermometer.

This was so yummy! The recipe from their website is as follows:

Sangria de Cava (Sparkling Wine Sangria)
Columbia’s sparkling white sangria is great for a fancy brunch.
Ingredients
1 375 ml bottle of Cava (or any sparkling wine)
¼ ounce Torres 5 Brandy (or any Spanish brandy)
¼ ounce Gran Torres Liqueur (or any orange liqueur)
Splash of lemon-lime soda
1 orange
1 lime
Cherries for garnish
Simple syrup*

Preparation
Cut orange and lime in half. Fill large pitcher with ice and combine the wine, brandy, liqueur, lemon-lime soda, the juice of half of an orange and the juice of half a lime. Stir. Add simple syrup to obtain desired sweetness. Slice remaining orange and lime into thin slices. Garnish glasses with orange, lime and cherry.

* To make simple syrup, combine one part water to one part sugar in small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Chill before use. Serves 4.

As I mentioned previously, you can purchase their mix to aid you in the assistance of your perfect Sangria. I suggest you stick to Spanish wines the Riojas, Cavas to make it as authentic and delicious as possible, but as I always say, drink what you like. So, experiment among yourselves. Let me know how it turns out.Click on The Columbia Gift Shop to purchase your mix.

Lastly, my last visit was timed with the timely return of my brother and his wife from Spain and Portugal. My love of wine runs in the family and to let you know how they are using cork in the Mediterranean other than to top off a bottle, I give you the cork shoe. Yes, I am now going to have to get a pair, but for now, here is a picture of cork shoes on my brother’s feet. Salud!

Pairing Wine With a Dog

July 6, 2016July 6, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

For the record, I have three dogs. Today, I will introduce you to Mojito. She comes from a long line of spirited dogs in our family. We started with Champagne, Cognac, Chianti, Merlot, Bacchus and the other two current ones are Bordeaux and Riesling. So, this affair with wine or dogs, is legitimate.

We took our Alaskan Malamute, Mojito on a hike. She loves to be outside and she loves water even more. When dad got a pebble in his shoe, she jumped in to stomp around in the squishy mud.

In our house, you may hear Elvis, but probably not Hound Dog as it doesn’t reflect too nicely on a dog just because he failed to catch a rabbit. You might hear The Monkees because since we have three, we tend to agree with the theory, Gonna Buy Me A Dog. I realize, inserting the link to identify Elvis was probably not needed but when Kurt Cobain has surpassed him in searches, I thought I would just be safe and give equal time.

So, what do you pair with a spirited malamute named after a refreshing latin drink?

Yes, you serve a pinot noir from Chateau La Paws that proudly supports no kill animal shelters and serves up a really nice red wine. I tend to pair my wines with the weather too, and summer is perfect for a full-bodied red but that is on the lighter side. Plus, the terrier on the label is so cute, could you resist this face if you saw it on a shelf? I didn’t think so. I have had others from the vineyard, and I encourage you to try them next time you are purchasing wine.

If you want to know if Merlot approved? See for yourselves.

Mojito giving Chateau La Paws’ pinot noir a good sniff

She gives it a good sniff and was pleased with the decision.

Until next time, keep waggin’ and celebrate you!

The Celebration of Independence

July 4, 2016 theblondegrapeLeave a comment

This is one of my favorite times of year. I live in a small town and the benefits of it are numerous but this time of year, we seem to get people for a terrific four-mile fun run on the 4th, the greatest small town parade, street fair and then cap it off with bands and fireworks. It is a long day, but it is really nice to see this town come so alive and welcome so many families and friends.

Top left: Bananas provided by Planet Deadline Escape Rooms for the race finishers
Middle Left: Crowd of finishers at race
Lower Left: A fun mobile
Right: A Colorado mermaid on the hood of the vehicle showing a two-finger peace symbol.

Thank you to Facebook, I was reminded of a great character that Robin Williams did that seems very appropriate for today. He portrayed the American Flag. The portrayal is a reminder that we are one nation, under God, Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We don’t have to take ourselves too seriously and we should always remember to keep a sense of humor with ourselves less we lose the ability to laugh. My comic heroes: Mel Brooks, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, The Carol Burnett Show, Laugh-In now, you pretty much understand where I am coming from when I speak this way. A sense of humor is critical.

Robin Williams Flag — 480×360 hrexach.wordpress.com

Please click here to see this to help you celebrate
the birth of the United States of America. We are fortunate to live here and like any youngster, we will continue to grow with a few stumbles, a few victories and the best opportunities for all our citizens to do the same. So, today and this week, Celebrate Freedom, Celebrate the USA and Celebrate You!

What do we pair with a day like today. Well, you can certainly do a red, or a white…but today (and I probably do this more often than most), I say celebrate with a white, made from a pinot noir grape and it sparkles. Roederer Estate Brut from Anderson Valley in California. Now, this particular sparkling wine is a 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, so you are getting a red and white which is 2/3 of the red, white and blue.

Roederer Estate Brut — Photo: Thefermentedfruit.com off of google search

It will not break your budget and is ideal for when you see sparklers, and beautiful colored lights exploding in the sky. Remember to protect your pets, they do not understand our celebrations as much as we think they do the activity often scares them.

Oh, don’t think I forgot about the bluesy aspect of the red, white and blue. Perhaps, a bit more soul than blues, but turn it up to 11– James Brown and Livin’ in America

Happy Birthday U.S.A. and many more to you and yours!