Lost Vineyards~ The Italian Collection

I was recently sent the entire Italian collection of wines being offered by Lost Vineyards of the World. They are a company that makes affordable wine available at rockin' prices due to their massive amounts of transports and the shipping deals this creates.

I wrote already about Pink Lady and how fun and enjoyable it was. I now wanted to tell you about the rest of the bunch.

Lambrusco
See. I'm an old fashioned kind of gal. I like my Reds at room temperature. When I see things like "Best served chilled" I automatically think less of a red. It's mental on my part.

I chilled this Lambrusco as directed and then sipped it one evening after everyone went to bed. Once I got past the mental thought that chilling takes away from the flavor profile...and after it warmed a little...this was an acceptable varietal. Not great, by my palate, it's definitely worth a try. Especially if you like your wines chilled.

Suggested Pairings: Spicy food, barbecue and anything chocolate.





Spumante Italiano: Dolce

A blend of Moscato and Malvasia, this sparkler was crisp and fruity without being too sweet. This could be used to celebrate a special occasion or just to add a little fun to your next gathering. Subtle enough for everyone to enjoy.
It has won awards in such competitions as World Wine Value Championship (silver) and the Dallas Morning News 2010 Competition (silver).





Sangiovese
This one I didn't enjoy at all. It's not like me to not enjoy a wine. I like everything. I try not to read press releases or tasting notes before tasting a wine. I want to come up with my own conclusions and flavor profiles before I peek. Totally not digging this wine, I was curious to see what the notes revealed. Here's what I got...

"This is one of our love-it-or-hate-it wines. At Lost Vineyards, we do not Americanize our wines to make European vinos taste like Californian wines. Our Argentine winery has a definite new-world style, while our Italian winery produces old-world styles. At public tastings, millennials lean toward new-world styles, while boomers tend to like the European wines.

Sangiovese is the main grape varietal used in Chianti. Ours is a light to medium bodied, bone dry red. It is rustic, earthy, and high in acid. This makes it much more of a food wine than a quaffer. Try it with cheeses like parmesan, manchego, or gorgonzola. It pairs well with tomato sauces, especially sun-dried tomatoes."

I find all that very insightful and would almost try it again with the suggested pairings just to see if my opinion changed.




Bianco

I'm not, by nature, a white wine drinker. I always enjoy trying new things but in general lean towards Reds when purchasing wine. That being said, this Bianco from Lost Vineyards was pleasantly crisp and moderately sweet. Not syrupy or overly done. I enjoyed this blend very much and with a price point under $10 ($5 if purchased by the case), would definitely purchase some more. Lost Vineyards refers to it as a "porch wine" (I'm so stealing that phrase) as it is light enough to enjoy without food. It also pairs well with mild seafood dishes like shrimp or scallops.



I found this collection to be a lesson in all I don't know about wine. The whites definitely impressed me more than the reds and this is very uncommon for me. I like having a couple more whites to add to my minimal collection.




***Thank you to Lost Vineyards of the World for sharing this collection with me. While I was sent the wine to review I was not compensated in any other way and the opinions are 100% mine.

Avocado and Shrimp Tacos

Relaxed.



That's how I'm feeling right now. We are currently vacationing at the beach. We've had some delicious food shared with wonderful company. The kids have playmates and it's like a never ending sleepover with 3 kids in the same room each night. We've been to the beach each morning and then have found other touristy things to do in the afternoon. Today I took a nice long walk on the beach with my oldest and relished the simple act of walking hand in hand with my little man who is growing up way too fast.


Tonight we decided on family taco night and I decided shake things up with my own Shrimp and avocado combination. Inspired by the atmosphere and my love for both these foods, the end result was my own little slice of heaven.

Shrimp & Avocado Tacos

Layer in this order

Flour Tortillas (small)

Refried Beans (1 tbsp per taco)

Sredded lettuce (1/4 c. per taco)

Shredded cheddar cheese (1 tsp per taco)

Diced tomatoes (1 tsp per taco)

Diced White Onion (1 tsp per taco)

Shrimp (31-4o ct, 4 per taco)We steamed our shrimp but any preparation would work.

Sliced Avocado (2 slices per taco)

You can top with any favorites like sour cream, salsa, fresh cilantro or whatever you like.

Avocados are rich in nutrients and contain more than 20 different vitamins per serving. They are said to help prevent such diseases as breast cancer and strokes and have also proven to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. The best part is...they are really yummy on top of all that.

TheAmazingAvocado.com is currently taking recipes for their Big Hit contest. 8 Avocado League Finalists will be announced on September 1st with their own profiles and, more importantly, their amazing recipes. I encourage you to check it out and have your voice heard by voting.


I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Want a Good Laugh? Want it at My Expense?

It's very healthy to laugh. Even if it's at our own expense. Yesterday was one of those ROTFL at myself days and thanks to Facebook I was able to make several of my friends laugh too. I'm sure it was very therapeutic for everyone. Here's what happened.

I decided to get my haircut. I am a creature of habit and when I get a new cut (which is about once a year) I wear it down for approximately 2 weeks and then it goes into a ponytail...until I get it cut again. I decided to be BOLD. I decided to go short. Too short for a ponytail. My neighbor and I looked through pics online and I decided on this one...


Yes. I know I'm no Katie Holmes,but I thought this haircut was super chic. I wasn't sure if I could pull it off but that didn't stop me from taking the picture to the hair dresser and asking. She said "I think if we put in some layers and leave it a little longer you could pull it off. She has more neck than you do". Actually, I have more neck. But it's of the wider variety causing it to look shorter. Just saying. I let her make the decision and went for it.

I'm not really attached to hair. Never have been. I've never sulked over a bad cut. My theory is, "It's hair. It'll grow back." So I let her start chopping.

In true SNAG (Social Network Attention Grabbing,) I just made that up so give me credit if you steal it, okay?)) Fashion, I posted the fact that I was getting my haircut on Facebook and everyone demanded pics. When I got home I took some pictures and decided to post this one...

Several people liked and commented. I've been trying to get a new avatar for FOREVER and haven't liked any of the pics I took so I find it ironic that I liked 75% of the ones I took with this new cut. Coincidence? Anyway. I kept going back to read all the comments causing me to see the pic over and over. At one point I realized that I looked like someone. Then I realized who it was and just started laughing. I posted my new thought... "Damn. Now that I look closer I think I resemble Dora in this one:(" Was I wrong?

So everyone got a super big laugh. Just like you are laughing now. One friend even sent me a new Dora ringtone, Thanks Rikki, and my daughter (4) decided when her grandparents came to pick her up for church to make a huge introduction as I walked her out the door. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present...(arms open wide)...DORA." It made me giggle.

So happy I can provide laughter to my friends. I'm now tucking it behind my ears...

No more Dora hair...until I woke up this morning.

Did I make you laugh? Pay It Forward. How many people can you make laugh today? That's your mission...if you choose to accept:)

Bacon Salad Wrap

Here's my latest creation. I had some left over salad (salad mix, red onion and tomato) and had made bacon for the kids for breakfast.

1 Italian Flat bread
Salad mix (of your choosing)
4 slices of bacon
2 oz of pepperjack cheese cut into small cubes
2 tbsp Lite Ranch dressing

It was SOOOO good. Enjoy!

I'm a Loser, Baby

Seriously...NOT. As a blogger we feel validated by comments. I currently have NONE. Not a single comment anywhere on this blog. People send me e-mails when they see their comments haven't been approved so I thought I should explain. I'm trying out Disqus on advice from my peeps at Tribal Blogs. They promise me that all my comments will return in "hours". I'm trying to get clarification on hours (2-3 or 48) for my own piece of mind but rest assured all your wittiness will be back and the new system will allow chat more and get better acquainted. Hold on to your pants. Now I'll be looking for a new layout and header. Anyone?

Totally Random and Not Jealous at ALL

So it's Tuesday once again. Not really. It's Monday night, but I want to go to Water Country tomorrow so I'm posting tonight. What? You know you all do it. I've just figured out how to be organized enough to do it. It's Random. It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it and I'm joining in...again. Go link up at The Un Mom and find lots more cool, fun, random posts by cool kids like me.




First, I have to mention my lack of envy to all the Blogher participants. I'm sure you all rock and had a great time but...I've been a member for 2 years and I still have never spent the time to figure out the site. Sorry. It seems complicated. I'm not stupid, I just don't get it. Twittermoms, I get. Mom Central, Mom Select, Izea, Facebook, Twitter...I get all those too. I've never been able to figure out what I'm supposed to do at "Blogher" and so I just leave it alone. The Conference sounds great but since I don't participate in the site I don't feel worthy. Now. I did miss a TOTALLY RAD conference this weekend that I am very sad about. Over at Tribal Blogs they had a "Screw Blogher, We've Got Cheese in a Can (Tribal Blogs Virtual Convention)". I was too busy cleaning out my refrigerator on Saturday after having no power on Friday and missed the whole thing. I only have my looks-like-new fridge to console me.



Another blogger, who's name I won't mention but instead will call her Mrs. Bologna, had posted all last week about being an ambassador for a cruise line. I won't mention which one since they didn't invite me. She appeared to be having fun and even posted a "look how cute my kids are" pic with the boys in their floating suits, by the pool, on the big boat. Well, Mrs. Bologna, look at my cute kids... totally happy sitting on the couch... at home.

.

You've got nothing on us and just ignore any "envy" comments I may have posted on your facebook wall.

The girls and I are trying to pick a Virginia Wine Festival to attend in early October. A little mini get away. We're just having a problem deciding which one. Anyone have any suggestions? Hubster asked if it was just for "the girls". I said it was. He now says he might like to go to some wine/food tastings. He doesn't like wine or gourmet cooking so I should take it as a compliment that he just really wants to be with me. I just can't fathom spending the money for someone who won't totally enjoy it. Does that make me a bad wife?

Okay. I'm out.

Wordless Wednesday ~Concert in the Park

Grilled Chicken Wrap

I've been creating different wraps this summer to enjoy for lunch of with a glass of wine for dinner. This is one I enjoyed while the family was away at Vacation Bible School.

1 (Lite Italian Herb) Flatbread

2 leaves of Romaine

2 Slices Red Onion

3 Slices tomato

2 Slices of Provolone

4 oz Grilled chicken (grilled at home, not the store bought stuff)

1 tbsp Greek Vinaigrette

I Don't Give a Rats Ass What You Think

It's true. I don't.



Hubster was raised to impress people. Put you best foot forward with clean, pressed clothes, daily bathing, immaculate hair... I can't say that I was raised too differently, but my Mom stopped dressing me at the age of 5. If I pulled out a wrinkled shirt out of my drawer, because I had shoved them in there while putting my laundry away, then a wrinkled shirt I wore. No one took it off me and insisted it get pressed.


Hubster told me last night that he thinks I go out of my way to do things differently than other people just to prove I don't care. I really don't care enough to do that. I asked for specifics. He asked if I really thought it was okay for our 4 year old daughter to go out of the house without her hair being brushed. I absolutely do think it's okay. We're not talking about heading off to school or to church, we're talking about running out to play with the neighbor kids or running to the grocery store. I know some people would never dream of taking their kids out of the house without having them in pristine condition, and that's okay for them, I would rather focus on their character than their outside appearance.

Maybe it was in my upbringing. I remember, as a kid, having an 8 o'clock bed time. During the school year it was no biggie, but during the Summer when it was still daylight and all the neighbors were outside playing, it was excruciating. The first chance I had to make decisions on my own I did it. I made my own decisions, refused to let others influence my opinions and was hard pressed to be persuaded to change my mind. That's not to say that I made choices lightly. I (almost) always weigh all the different scenarios and consequences of my choices. Sometimes I make mistakes, we all do. I brush myself off, learn from my mistakes, and make some changes.

Everybody has heard their parents say "If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?" Actually, Mom, on a vacation you allowed me to go on with one of the neighbor families that's exactly what I did. Except I wasn't the follower. I found a bridge over water, making it perfect for jumping, and encouraged my friends to do it with me. I jumped first.

My house is unorganized and messy. I'll have time to fix that when both kids are in school full time. I stopped apologizing for it a long time ago. Firstly, because it made me sound stupid if you visited more than once (since it was still messy the second time) and secondly, I don't believe it defines me as a person. It says nothing about my inside character, the love I have for my family and friends or the desire I have to help others in all situations. It's just a messy house.

Basically my point is this. Life is too short to live it for other people. We all have to make our own choices. Ones we can be comfortable and proud of. If we do things to please others we can never fully please ourselves. I'm not saying we should set out to not please others, we should just worry first about ourselves. How the actions will make us feel. I should be able to walk out of the house with messy hair and no make up and know I am still a good person. I am respectful, considerate and kind, and if others are too shallow to look beyond my outside appearance than shame on them.

We judge by nature, but I think we should judge people by their character and how being around them makes us feel not by how they dress, how much money they have or how clean their house is.


That's me, and that's what I'm trying my hardest to teach my children.

Apothic Red 2008 ~ Review

I was recently sent a sample of Apothic Red. I was very excited to find out it was a blend of my 3 favorite red grapes Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot. I couldn't wait to taste it...but I did.

The kids have VBS all this week (at night) and I found this to be the perfect opportunity to give this beautiful bottle a try. Yes. I'm a label person, too. This bottle would definitely catch my eye. It's sleek and sophisticated and what's inside is just as pleasing.

Viticulture Notes

Lighter yields in 2008 resulted from a dramatic growing season beginning with below normal winter rainfall, and extended April frost that reduced quantities in many regions of the state. Following this was an ideally mild Summer and Fall. The lighter yields and small berries resulted in an exceptionally high quality of grapes and complex, concentrated flavors and aromas.

Tasting Notes

The 2008 Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry that are complimented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouth-feel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend.

I enjoyed this bottle with pan seared chicken breast and tomato-basil- Florentine rice. It went perfectly and enhanced the flavor of both the food and the wine.

This bottle retails for $14 and is available nationwide. I loved it! I would not only recommend it, I will buy this California blend the next time I see it on the shelf. Well worth every penny.

I was sent a sample of this wine but was not compensated in any other way. The opinions are solely mine.