Random Tuesday~ EA Active, TV and The Case of the Missing Ice Cream.

Just another totally random Tuesday. Brought to us by The Un Mom who make random Rock. Don't forget to stop by, link up, and visit some other totally random posts.





I just ordered EA Active (through Amazon) and am expecting it to arrive this week. I need to step up my virtual fitness and have heard great things about this product. I even found a workout buddy to keep me challenged over at Wii Mommies. Wish us both luck. Does anyone check their pulse rate while working out? I saw this portable pulse oximeter but don't recall anyone talking about heart rate. Hmmm. Isn't an increased heart rate an indication of how hard the work out is? There must be a formula to figure calories burned using heart rate and length of time...right?

We've had some almost unbearable tempreatures here in Virginia. Mid 90's with 95-100% humidity. I walk out the door and start to melt (perspire) before I even make it to the car. Water Country and the Beach are my friends. The kids are loving all the time in the water. The sunscreen companies are loving all their time in the water too.

Hubster went on an ice cream run the other day and stocked up on all sorts of goodies. Puddin Pop had a bowl of Ice cream and then Daddy let her have a popsicle. I went upstairs to read and when I came back down Hubster and Handsome had finished off 10 Snickers Ice Cream Bars. Handsome claims to have had 2. Hubster says he had 2.5. My math must be getting bad because that just doesn't add up. I ate the last 2 while I had the chance.

Does anyone have troubles with CBS programming? Maybe it's not just CBS although that seems to be where I notice it. I'll DVR a show and when I go to watch it more that half of it is muted? It drives me crazy and I end up watching it via ONDemand or online. It happened the other day with Three Rivers. Anyone else have this problem or is it local? Just asking.

I'll leave it at that. It's $ movies at AMC and I think I may take the kids. Happy Random!

Need Wine Reviewed?

It's been a while since I've received any wine to review. For a while it seemed as though I'd hear my door chime at least once a week with a fresh delivery of wine to review. It's slowed. I have no problem buying wine and reviewing it. I love to shop and look at all the new and interesting labels. I just wanted to put it out there that I'm still available, in case someone has a wine they just have to have reviewed. I also recently joint the Taster's Guild and look forward to some wine and food events with them. In the meantime, I'm going to work on beefing up my recipe collection. Stay tuned for more Summer Wraps. They've been my staple around here in this hot, hot weather.

(Not So) Wordless~ Roast Beef Wrap

When warm weather hits there's nothing better than a cool sandwich to help fight off the heat and satisfy your hunger. My dad used to make a version of this in pocket bread when we were little. I've done some modifying and this is one of my all time favorite Summertime Wraps.

Roast Beef Wrap~ 440 Calories

1 Light Italian and Herb (Flatout) flatbread

2 ounces Cole Slaw

1 Tbsp. French Dressing

2 Slices Provolone cheese

4 Slices of Roast Beef

Spread Cole slaw on flatbread to cover. Spread French dressing. Add Cheese and Roast Beef. Fold over ends and roll. Serve with your favorite crackers (I used Wheat Thins) or favorite salad or fruit. Enjoy!

It's better than ipad insurance.

July 4th Linky Love

With July 4th right around the corner I wanted to give everyone the chance to promote themselves and any promotional items they have for sale in their shops. Nothing is off limits. I just ask that you post a valid link, the item(s) for sale and when the sale ends. You can also add any good deals you come across on the internet with a link to the "sale" page. I know a friend sent me a link for a great sale on Crocs (which I thought weren't even around anymore) yesterday. I'll add that link when I come back across it. Let's share the great deals we find so we can all benefit.

Father's Day Weekend with the Flu

It's Father's Day weekend and I'm afraid it's going to go down as one of the worst. I spent all day yesterday in bed with the flu. It was awful. It turns out I have to work tomorrow so we had planned on taking the kids to Water Country for the day today but...now it seems as though Hubster has come down with the flu. That's 3 out of 4 of us. Fingers crossed it ends with him.

It's probably just as well that we skip Water Country today. While I was looking forward to getting some sun (it helps clear the adult acne) and cooling off in the water, my body is probably already de-hydrated and a day in the sun may make things worse.

Here's hoping everyone else has a wonderful Father's day and gets to spend time with all the Fathers in their lives.

Target Wine Cube ~ Riesling

On a recent trip to Target I decided to purchase one of their Wine Cubes. Usually priced at $17.99 for a 3 litre box, they were on sale for $14.99, a price I couldn't refuse. When Summer time approaches and temperatures are in the 90's I prefer a cool crisp white wine over the heavier, warmer temped reds. I chose the Riesling and was not disappointed.

"Target collaborated with Trinchero Family Estates of Napa to select just the right wines for the Wine Cubes, resulting in a uniquely packaged wine with superior taste and quality. Wine Cubes are exclusively available at more than 800 Target and SuperTarget stores across the country that sell wine."

In April they added the Riesling to their collection and it's the first I've tried from these specially-made-for-Target wines. It's crisp and refreshing with peach and apple flavors on the palate. It has a mild finish and went perfect with the Baby Back Ribs I had slow-cooked all afternoon. It reminds me of sitting back on contemporary sofas in an open aired restaurant in St. Johns. It's convenience makes me want to take a box along on my next golf outing.

I like the mild sweetness and honey aroma of this wine and have made it my early Summer Favorite. Stay tuned for more white selections to see which one gets my "Best of Summer" award.

WTHW~ Barf Boy, Grey's, Working from your Parent's Home

I've missed a couple of these. This is one of my favorites but I've been slack. I'll make up for it now. Head on over to Blue Monkey Butt to read more posts, grab a button and link up. Elle and Stacy ROCK!



Are you on Facebook? Did you see THIS? What the Hell is it? It's a foreign object found in a Capri Sun. It's disgusting and hasn't been diagnosed yet. You really need to look at all the pics, read the comments and stop buying Capri Sun...at least the ones from China.

Hubster is still getting his office set up in his parents garage. He still needs some office furniture and supplies, a phone line and possibly Internet. I don't think he can get signal from the house but I'm not sure. Sounds like he's just hanging out in the living room chillin'. What the Hell? I want his Work-from-home job.

Two minutes before school started I got a call from the school nurse. Handsome threw up. What the Hell? We went to pick him up. Friday is his last official day of school. I was hoping to get some last minute things done before I had two kids to entertain all Summer. There's always tomorrow.

I mentioned that I'm watching Grey's re-runs on Lifetime. Why the Hell did I do this to myself? The last thing I need is another TV show to get addicted to?...It's too late. I'm almost through season 2. How many seasons are there?

I'll leave it at that.

Redwood Creek Malbec

Redwood Creek is getting ready debut their new Malbec this Summer and I was fortunate enough to receive and early bottle. I was also offered the opportunity to ask one of the winemakers, Sean Hails, a few questions.

From the

Press Release

"Redwood Creek Winemakers Cal Dennison and Sean Hails ventured to Argentina to develop the 2009 Malbec"

"Avid outdoorsmen, Dennison and Hails both strive to create attractive, versatile wines that are as at home in a campsite under the stars as they are on the dining room table."

"Redwood Creek Malbec's superior taste and accessible price make it the perfect compliment to any meal."

Product Description

The 2009 Malbec embodies flavors of black cherry, blueberry and dark blackberry fruit, with hints of brown spice and maple after notes. Its full fruit flavor and soft tannins leave a plush and velvety finish.

Harvest Notes

Grapes from the Mendoza appellation, located on the cusp of the Andes Mountains in Argentina and reminiscent of the Sierra Nevada landscape, are picked, crushed and fermented with both French and American oak.

Availability and Price

Redwood Creek wines are available at retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price ranging from $6.99 - $12.99.

I thoroughly enjoyed this wine and sipped it with cheese and crackers and later enjoyed it with some dark chocolate chips. It was smooth and flavorful. It's attractive price will have me purchasing more when it hits stores near me.

Interview

Me: What is your favorite wine?

SH: Tough call, but I would have to say our Sauvignon Blanc. I love the citrus fruit and the racy acidity.

Me: How long did it take to produce this Malbec?

SH: This Malbec took about 10 months to deliver to the market.

Me: What is your favorite pairing with this Malbec?

SH: My favorite Malbec pairing has to be with a BBQ tri tip roast. Marinate the roast with garlic, black pepper and salt, then cook it on the BBQ rotisserie. Serve it with fresh grilled asparagus and roasted potatoes.

Me: I'm a huge believer that good wines do exist in the under $10 range. What would you say to those that disagree?

SH: I would ask them to taste our wines and be the judge. The proof is in the glass.
Me: What varietal will you be producing next?

SH: I think we have a wonderful lineup of wines right now, but one never knows what we will come forward with in the future.

I'd like to thank Redwood Creek for sharing this bottle of wine with me and for letting me spend a couple minutes with Sean (It was e-mail but I'm pretending we drank the bottle together).

Summer of '83 was the Best Summer Ever

Reading blog posts the last couple days has brought back such memories. A recent reminder of fashion such as Mork suspenders and stirrup pants (years later) has me reflecting on my past with such fond memories. I'm also amazed with how much things have changed. Everyone is way more cautious these days and none of this would be possible now but...Oh the fun I had.

When I was 14 years old I moved in with my bachelor father and 18 year old brother. Shortly after my brother moved out and while my dad was hardly ever home while my brother lived with him, he had a revelation that a teenage girl needed more...something. He started coming home at dinner time and spent less time out at night meeting friends at bars. He also wanted more information than I was willing to give. After a few months I think he either became aware of my independence and trustworthiness or he was bored always being home and went back to his old routines. I enjoyed the freedom and quiet.

In the summer of '83 my father had won a trip for two to Australia for two weeks. He had a lady friend he was wooing and decided to extend this trip by spending two more weeks in Hawaii on the way home. I was slated to stay with another friend of his who lived a couple miles away. I think I stayed one night. I'm not sure what happened but I didn't want to stay with this woman. I packed my bags and moved back home. Thankfully I had friends who helped me get a months worth of clothes back to my house. We were on bikes. I remember my girlfriend and I and two boys were hanging out at my house when the "babysitter" came looking for me. I told her I would not come back to her house and she left. That was it. No call from my dad insisting I go back, at least I don't remember one, and I didn't go back. I was home alone (with friends) for about 10 days before my brother decided he would move back in. There we were. An 18 year old boy and a 15 year old girl, living alone. We had (my brother mostly) some incredible parties. The age difference was perfect. My brother encouraged his friends to "hit on" my friends and even took to some himself. I, however, was closely monitored and if anyone got too close they were told to leave. Gotta love big brothers.

There was smoking and drinking and god only knows what else (no one shared with me). No police were ever called. My dad didn't cut his trip short. No one paid any attention or came by to check on us. I don't remember my brother going grocery shopping. What did we eat? Did we have a months worth of food in the house? Some of the details are blurry but that was the Summer my brother and I actually started getting along. We actually became good friends. It was a totally different time. No one worried about children getting abducted. We weren't worried about diets that work . We weren't even worried about dad being upset. Maybe he trusted us? Maybe he was having too much fun.

My children are exactly the same age difference as my brother and I. You can bet Hubster and I will not be taking any month long vacations. Experience has made me too smart for that.

Totally Random June 1st

Hell Yeah. It's Tuesday. Nothing says Tuesday like Randomness. Don't believe me? Check out The Un Mom and see all the people who agree. You'll be a believer then. Let's get playing...




Awesome weekend. You can read about all our family fun here. We packed in lots of fun and sun.

The Blue Monkey Butt Sisters had a fabulous idea (they've had several but I really like this one). I may have invited myself. A bunch of us are going to meet up at Stacy's pond and try out her wine. We're just waiting on Stacy to tell us what day is good for her. It'll be so much fun.

Saw Shrek Forever After with the kids on Friday. Where have I been that I didn't realize 3D was so flippin' cool. Must. Have. More.

Lee Won American Idol. Very happy about that. I know some are upset and think this season was awful but...I'm not one of them and can't wait to buy both Lee and Crystal's first Albums.

Got an email titled: does extenze work? My response: How the hell should I know? and, I really don't care.

When we play games on our Wii the color changes to a greenish hue. Does anyone know why and/or how to fix this?

Yesterday, after setting up the kids pool I was really hot and an ice cold beer sounded really good. I'm not usually a beer drinker but it tasted so yummy out in the heat. Why when I was back in the air conditioned house and cooled off did it not taste so good?

I know, lots of questions. This is the stuff that runs through my head. I need answers to stupid stuff. Help a girl out.

House is even more taken over by Legos and Hubster doesn't seem to be slowing down. It's BIG stuff he's building. Is there a group for that? He needs some help.

That's just the living room. He has 7 built vehicles on top of the entertainment center and several more boxes on the side of our bed. It's out of control. Please send help...FAST!

Okay. That's it for me this Tuesday. Check out more randomness or post your own. Ciao.