Santa Barbara Landing Chenin Blanc

Wine: Santa Barbara Landing Chenin Blanc
Price: $4.99
Store: Trader Joe's


This is quite a light, flavorful wine. It is a dry wine, which my recipe this evening called for. I made the mistake of drinking while I was cooking. Normally, this is fine, but tonight I was so hungry, the wine hit me much quicker than I anticipated. But I digress... This wine has a little bit of a pineapple taste, and despite the wine taste, it is not at all sweet. It's very smooth on the way down. I've tried the Chardonnay from this vineyard before, but I must say I prefer the Chenin Blanc.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sarah's Baby Shower

***Photo Disclaimer-My digital camera is currently MIA-possibly up at the grandparent-in-laws house. These pictures were taken with a super crappy disposable camera.***

I am finally coming to terms with the fact I have entered a new phases of life. It seems that I am no longer attending weddings and bridal showers every weekend, but now those friends have gone on to start reproducing. So when a close friend of mine that I have known since high school announced she was due in May, I was thrilled to host a shower for her. 

Invitations

 
 

 I love how these invitations turned out. I ordered them from Etsy seller BunToBaby. She was great to work with, and the invitations were super cute.

Decorations

I  already posted about the diaper wreath and  onesie bouquet that I made earlier this month. I also created these blocks that I intended to hang from the chandelier, but they were too big, so they ended up being placed around the room instead. I got four bouquets of flowers from Trader Joe's for $5.99/each. I put 2 yellow bouquets on the sideboard, and then two white bouquets on the table. The mother-to-be's aunt sent a diaper cake which I displayed on the armoire in the living room, which was a cute touch.

Menu

• Chicken Salad Croissants
• Deviled Eggs
• Fruit Platter (strawberries, grapes, and pineapple)
• Spinach Dip with Tostito Dipping Chips (I add in a block of cream cheese to the recipe per my friend's recommendation)
• Veggie Tray
• Cheese platter (cheddar, pepperjack, colby jack, swiss, and red pepper marinated mozzarella)
• Chic-Fil-A Nuggets (per mom-to-be's request) 
• Cake 
• Punch - The recipe I used called for two parts Sprite to one part white grape juice. I also added in a package of frozen blueberries, which gave it an awesome kick. 

We had a fabulous time. Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and the food went over great. The whole afternoon was rather leisurely, which the shower starting at 2, and the guest of honor didn't leave until almost 6PM! She received some wonderful gifts, and now we're all excited to meet her little one in about a month.

 

Green Fin California White Table Wine

Wine: Green Fin California White Table Wine
Store: Trader Joe's
Price: $3.99

“This Green Fin White Table Wine is made entirely from organically grown grapes. This pale straw colored wine has very intense orange blossom and honey aromatics while delivering a full rich body with a core of pear and nectarine flavors followed by a smooth aftertaste that’s long and focussed. Savor the flavor of this organically grown white table wine with your favorite meal or by itself. Enjoy!”~back of the bottle

This super pale wine is quickly becoming one of my favorites. It's so easy drinking and smooth. The flavor, however, is much more savory rather than sweet. It's very full bodied, with a slight bit of acidity and little to no after taste. Best of all, it's made with certified organic grapes. Always a plus in my book.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

To Do List For Break

Way back in January I created a list of things to do over my spring break. Given that I am hosting a baby shower in a week, I've had great inspiration this week.So here was my list from January, plus some additions

To Do:

• Get Bi-fold Doors for the Laundry Room back on track -Done 3/14
• Spackle and paint bathroom from former towel rack- Done 2/27
• Spackle and paint kitchen ceiling from former kitchen light- Done 2/27
• Paint interior doors and trim (esp door to the garage) Downstairs doors and trim done 4/9
• Paint Powder Room (Love the color, it just needs to be touched up A LOT)- I wonder if there is enough left over from the guest bedroom to just do it the same color...hmmm... Done 4/8 in Lemon Ice 
• Get Guest Bedroom Doors on Track (Stuggled with, still not done)
• Get plywood cover for the crawlspace to the attic
• Weed Done 4/9
• Flowers- Mail Box, Baker's Rack, Hanging Baskets, Deck Baskets Done 4/9
• Lowe's (Light Switch, Plywood)
• Paint Baby Blocks for Shower DecorationsDone 4/9
• Make Banner

Some of these things I'm on my way to the store to get the supplies to finish up, including cardboard for the banner, plywood for the crawlspace, and a new light switch for the family room. Over all, not bad for a week's work. 

Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

After my mother in law shared called and told the hubs that she and my sister in law tried this great vodka that I would love, I decided to give it a try. The hubs bought a 1.5 liter bottle of Seagram's Sweet Tea Vodka (for significantly less), but I decided to try a miniature of the Firefly for comparison. I am pleased to say there is no great difference between the two.  Both are quite satisfying, although you must drink them ice cold. I have diluted it with lemonade, tea, and straight up, and all three have been enjoyable. My least favorite was the lemonade, but I'm not a huge fan of lemon and tea in general. This, however, is not a substitute for a Long Island Iced Tea. This is much more of a sweet tea flavor. If you're looking for Long Island, mix it yourself. I can definitely see myself enjoying this more and more as the weather gets warmer.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

NYC Packing List

I'm headed out to NYC next weekend with a group of dancers. Our purpose is to see one of our alumni dancing with her professional company as well as take some classes. Being the organizer I am, I use a packing list. It really does help me figure out what I need to take with me, and considering that I need dance clothes, semi-formal performance clothes, and normal clothes, I really need to plan ahead.

Dance Clothes:
Black Tights
Black Capris
Black Jazz Pants
Black Danile Leotard
Purple Knot Leotard
Ballet Shoes
Jazz Shoes

Performance Clothes:
Black Knot Dress
Hose (2)
Black Heels
Cream Sweater
Black Skirt
Black and white belt

Sightseeing clothes:
Jeans
Sneakers
Socks (3 pairs)
Blue Sweater with fake shirt
Grey Cowl Neck Sweater
NYCDA Jacket 
3/4 length purple shirt

4 pairs underwear
2 Bras (Black and Tan)
Polka Dot PJs

Travel Clothes:
Woodside Hoodie
Jazz Pants
Slipper Socks
Tshirt

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Listerine
Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Contact Lens Case
Contact Lens Solution
Deodorant
Zyrtec
Advil
Dramamine
Excedrin
Brush
Hair pins
Curlers

Ipod
Book
Magazine

Bolded items will go in carry on, rest will go under the bus.

J.W. Morris Gewurztraminer

Wine: J.W. Morris Gewurztraminer
Store: Trader Joe's
Price :$3.99

"Gewurztraminer is an exciting and easy drinking wine, more so than most any other white wine type.You will recognize it's heady and aromatic scent. Gewurztraminer is an enjoyable wine to drink as an apertif or with dinner." ~back of the bottle.

In honor of Spring's arrival, I pulled this wine out of the fridge this evening. It's very light, and is just sweet enough to enjoy with dessert, but not be over bearing. It's a bit floral, and overall a nice wine.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars