Just Makin' Sure This Thing Still Works

I'd make up some predictable excuse about how my summer has been hectic and tiring and wonderful, all of which has left me no time whatsoever to blog. I'll spare you. Instead I will just assume that everyone has stopped reading altogether and my words are now falling on blind eyes. Because really, there is no excuse. I've somehow managed to let three months go by without so much as a new Flickr photo.

I vow to scrounge up some sort of creative muscle to get this thing back in gear. Honest. Let's all hope that I even remember how to publish posts.

Hey You, What Ya Got in That There Bottle?

Whoops, I haven't posted for another week. Looks like scrapbooking isn't the only thing I suck at these days. Please accept these pictures as trade for a lack of written word.
Welcome to the world of vines, wines, and Nebuchadnezzars.

Archery Summit Arcus Estate
Our largest vineyard, over 40 acres at the base of the Dundee foothills. In the background you can hardly make out the volcanic rock quarry. There are four different reasons for the roses planted at the end of each vine. The best reason of which is because they are "just plain pretty." The other three of which I am sick of explaining.
Red Hills Estate
Some of the oldest vines we (the guys that are hard at work in the field) farm.

Pinot Gris Plot
I strategically cut out the port-a-potty in the background. Thought I would spare you. You're welcome.

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!

Baby Pinot Vines

Darlings
Most of these grapes will be dropped in a few weeks to make sure that only the strongest are able to thrive. Survivor: Viticulture Addition.

Fruits of Labor
This would be a magnum of the 2007 Cuvee. It took the hard work of TWO corkscrews (hmm mmm wine key , excuse me) to pop this bad boy.

International Pinot Noir Celebration
Yes, seriously. Such a thing exists. This was the Salmon Bake to end the weekend long festivities in McMinville. Wineries from around the WORLD came to share what they have been doing with this oh so versatile grape. Translation: You walk around with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other and trade taste for taste while intermittently returning to the chef's table for tri-colored tortellini salad and cannolis with fresh marionberries. I've got to say, this made me forget about the Beer Fest entirely.

Because I Suck at Scrapbooking

After several failed attempts at hobbies such as crocheting, piano playing, and collaging (this stint ended in 6th grade when I ran out of JTT pictures to tape onto my pee chee) I have decided to take on a new challenge—gardening. Okay, its not so much gardening as it is sticking some green things in pots and hoping they don’t die. But it still counts.

Over the past few weeks I have planted a variety of lovely herbs, including the following:
-Lemon basil
-Greek basil
-Rosemary
-Chives
-Apple mint


The basil twins are coming along quite nicely, if I do say so myself. However, it appears as though little Miss Rosemary has not taken so well to her new neighbor, Chives. She being kind of a b**** actually, not wanting to be watered and then insisting on staying the exact same size week after week. I’ll roll with it and continue to nurture my little darlings along. I may even add to the bunch here soon.


The next challenge will be figuring out what to do with the thriving horticulture in my front yard. Caprese salad anyone?

Stay Stylish Portland

I suppose growing up in Portland has made me somewhat oblivious to the changes that have happened to the city and it's residents recently. Or maybe our hometown has just always been this trend-forward. Who knows? All I know is that I adore this blog.

A collaboration between photographer Lisa Warninger and blogger/stylist Chelsea Fuss.

I suppose this means we should all attempt to style up our evening sweat pants with a vintage necklace next time we run out for some Karamel Sutra.

You Think You Know Something About Wine? That's Cute

For what feels like EVER people have been asking me what I am going to do with my summer off, to which I vehemently respond: “I dunno.” That response got old real quick and after about a week of so called “relaxing” I was ready for a J-O-B. My dream job? To pour wine out in the Oregon wine country. By dream I mean that not only was it my absolute ideal situation but it was also so unlikely to actually happen that it seemed like a figment of my imagination.

As it turns out sometimes, only sometimes dreams do actually come true. I started working at Archery Summit Winery about two weeks ago. When they first called me back I thought it was a joke. Mainly because during the interview they asked me to detail the experience I had with wine, to which I responded: “Well, I drink it. A lot.” Not the most impressive answer I know, but it’s the truth. Apparently my enthusiasm for the job shone right through my inexperience, because a week later I was behind the counter, bottle in hand, unimpressing people with my lack of pinot knowledge.

I couldn’t ask for a better gig. I mean seriously, I get to talk about wine all day with people who are happy to be there. Which--sadly--is a far cry from my students who quite honestly would rather being doing anything but listening to me talk. The best part about the job is how much I learning about the wine making process. That’s a lie, the best part about the job is how much free wine I am given. But really, all day long I am running around the 1,200 square feet of underground caves, filled with fermenting vats, French oak barrels, and cases of Pinot Noir. Not only is everyone I work with unbelievably knowledgeable about the entire wine making process and industry, but they are unbelievably nice and understanding of my vino virginity.

Seriously, it has been quite an eye opener to my lack of knowledge in this alcoholic area. Initially I thought I knew a teensy tiny little bit about wine. Guess what? I know nothing. There is such an immense amount of information to acquire it is overwhelming. Here are just a few of the things I learned on my first day of work:

- One barrel holds nearly 25 cases of wine, which equate to about $30,000 worth of liquid. This was a gentle reminder to refrain from leaning on the giant tubs.
- The long test-tube-sucker-thingy that dips into the barrel is called a “thief” and must be carefully cleaned after each use as to not contaminate other barrels.
- The dip in the bottom of a wine bottle is called the “punt" and also where you can find the name of the glass manufacturer.
- The closer together vines are planted the high quality the fruit they will produce (although less in quantity) because they are competing for space. Darwin anyone?
- Pinot gris and pinot blanc were actually mutants from the pinot noir grape, originally found in Burgundy over a hundred years ago.
- A corkscrew is actually called a “wine key” and a bottle opener is called a “church key.” Go figure.
- Free wine rocks.
- Inventory sucks.
- My feet hurt.

I will leave you with one more tidbit from wine country.

Le vin est le vigne.
The wine is the vine.

Daddies and Daughters

Happy Father's Day !

Apparently my Dad didn't get the memo on this day of paternal appreciation. I woke up this morning to a card on the dining room table that read "Happy Daughter's Day." I didn't even have time to give him his present before he was urging me to open the envelope. Inside was a list (I know, sheesh. Another list. Apologies all around) entitled Things I've Learned From My Daughter. Here you have it.

• That life flies by so don’t miss an opportunity to spend time with your daughter.
• That some of the best talks happen during car rides.
• That women really are different, in ways that are both marvelous and confusing. All of which it’s too late to apply in my own life!
• That feelings can change and anger goes away, but love endures.
• That freaking out is not a good way to find out what’s going on.
• That just because you’re a liberal doesn’t mean you have to wear Birkenstocks and drive a Subaru.
• That compassion can be used to help and is not just something to think or talk about.
• That friends are more important than all the material things in life.
• That you really can look fashionable wearing Goodwill castoffs.
• That change won’t kill me and taking those silly looking re-usable bags to the market isn’t completely emasculating.
• That dedicating your time to children with challenges can be hard but the rewards are great.
• That the questions she asks sometimes have nothing to do with what she really wants.
• That she is a combination of what is both good and not so good about me and to forgive myself for all those coping skills I couldn’t teach her.
• That following your intuition usually works out and if it doesn’t there will always be another one coming along- an intuition that is.
• That there is life after middle school.
• That feeling the pain of trying to comfort an inconsolable hurt will pass. So will the hurt.
• That (and this one I still haven’t mastered) picking her up before she falls robs her of learning.
• That her being a vegetarian isn’t a failure on my part.
• That I wouldn’t trade her for a baseball team full of boys.
• That my life has been so immeasurably enriched by her that being grateful is just the start.
• That my love for her far exceeds any emotion I have ever experienced.

Dad, you're the best. I love you.

I’m a Walking Cliché

During these tough economic times (I prefer to begin all my sentences like that these days, even when they end with “…I still buy $20 shampoo.” It has become increasingly important to think about the good things in life; the day to day happenings that grace our lives free of charge. The little things if you will.

However, that optimistic sentiment only lasts so long. Sooner or later you have to start thinking about all the things that are not so awesome. The things that seem to be so incredibly popular that they border on obnoxious. Sometimes buying into those pop culture vacuums can begin to label a person. I experienced such judgment when explaining to a co-worker that I couldn’t stay late because I had to go home and watch Gossip Girl. She glared at me as if to say, Oh you’re THAT kind of person. Yes, yes I am.

We all have our list of favorites. Some of which may be somewhat socially embarrassing, but we just don’t care. I recently read a post on Nothing But Bonfires that lists Some of the Things The Rest Of The World Seems To Love And Yet Towards Which I Remain Curiously Lukewarm. Although I found it utterly entertaining, I became slightly disturbed when I discovered that I shamelessly enjoy nearly every single item on her list. Sad to admit that I believe I am THAT kind of person.

* Sushi: Um, hi. I love sushi. I have even been known to consider eating a rainbow roll that FELL ON THE GROUND.

* Star Wars: Okay, agreed. I don’t get it.

* Robert Pattinson: Hello! I love me some vampires.

* Group dining: Sure, why not. However I would add Paying for a bill when group dining with 18 different debit cards.

* Cetaphil: I don’t personally use it, but I have tried it before and my skin was delightfully clear.

* Broth-based soups: Yes please.

* Engagement photos: I happen to adore engagement photos. Especially ones that are inventive and fun like this. I must say that I do not like it when people post their engagement announcements of photos on Facebook. That is just unnecessary.

* Don Draper (I prefer Pete Campbell): I don’t even know who that is. I need to get out more.

* Margaritas: Okay, here I might agree. I prefer something in the NOT TEQUILLA variety.

* Dancing With The Stars: I once cancelled dinner plans and skipped the gym to see Melissa from the Bachelor dance the Argentine Tango.

* Tarte Cheek Stain: Ah! This is but one of three articles of make-up I own and I would wrestle anyone to the ground for it.

* Speaking in LOL chat: I've been known to use the occasional OMG.

* Eat, Pray, Love: Read it AND watched Elizabeth Gilbert on Oprah.

* Las Vegas: The last time I was in Vegas was 10 years ago when we saw the Backstreet Boys in concert. I can’t say it wasn’t worth it.

* Madonna: Come on, even in the Like a Virgin days? She was amazing. Although now a days she is crazy buff and could probably beat the crap out of me.

So there you have it. Just another example of my glaring inability to enjoy anything relatively original. That or I have impeccable taste.