WhineNot

I am not what one would call a wine connoisseur.  In fact, I never drank ANY wine before somewhere around 2000, when one of my co-workers introduced me to White Zinfandel.  That's the wine that doesn't taste like wine and a real wine drinker would never let it touch their lips.  I.Liked.It!  It was sweet and that's what made it a winner in my book.  After that, it was WZ for me, no matter what was offered or available. 

Somewhere along the line, it was suggested by someone (was it you?) that I try a Riesling.  I.Liked.It!  Riesling is "a white wine that ranges from dry to very sweet and is made from a single variety of grape originally grown in Germany".  Now I have two different options.  

Generally, when I buy Riesling, I buy Schmitt Sohne, for two very good reasons.  I can hear you asking yourself, "And what would those two reasons be?"  First of all, price!  I have the reputation of being very cheap frugal when it comes to spending money and SS is relatively inexpensive.  The second reason...it comes in a really pretty blue bottle.  Is there any better reason to purchase a wine?  I think not!

Yesterday, thanks to Groupon, Bill and I went to a new-to-us place in Punta Gorda called Closer to the Vine.  It's a nice little wine bar/coffee shop that serves lunch, has wine tasting events and serves some appetizers in the evening.  I got a $20 coupon for $10 before we left Maine.  Since the lunches ran $6 - $9, I figured a glass of wine was in order.  After all...It's.A.Wine.Bar.  There were two kinds of Riesling and I chose the one with a little effervescence (bubbles, kind of like champagne).  I.Liked.It!  In fact, I liked it so much, I bought a bottle to bring home since it fit my criteria - sweet and only $11.

This is a damn nice photo, is it not?

You can probably read for yourself, it's called Frisk and the label says "Prickly Riesling".  I guess the prickly really means bubbley.  Anyway, I highly recommend it (Lori).

Unfortunately, it comes in a boring green bottle.  On the "up" side, it's a screw top ;o)

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Blogland

As I said in my post about Knox, I love reading blogs.  In the event you have any interest in the blogs I'm following, here are links to some of them.  They are about pit bulls or dog fostering or both ;o)

A Heartbeat at My Feet

The BadRap Barn blog

Love & a Six Foot Leash

Of Pit bulls and Patience

Peace, Love & Fostering

Pittieful Love

Last one, I promise...

StubbyDog

I read them because I get a lot of good, free, information about raising a pit bull, training one and living with one on a daily basis.  I learn that I'm not the only one that has a dog with "issues" and that makes me feel better.   Technically, Titan only has one "issue", his leash reactivity when around other dogs.  We continue to work on his over excitement when he meets people but that, for me, isn't really an "issue".

There are some others I read that keep me updated about Breed Specific Legislation, some about the art of Zentangle and a few others about quilts and quilting.

Enjoy ;o)

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Wordless Wednesday 2/8/12

Gnome Home

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Goodbye Knox, R.I.P.

Christmas Day 2011

Let me explain a little about Knox.  I love blogs; I am subscribed to about 60 of them.  In the beginning, they were all about quilts and quilting.  Then, I retired; then, I volunteered a lot of hours at the Animal Welfare League in Pt. Charlotte, FL and worked with a lot of pit bull type dogs.  I had been introduced to the breed by Dan, my daughter's husband (as of 9/23/11) and had learned that they aren't anything, ANYTHING, like they are portrayed by the media.  I fell in love with them.

Long story short, I started replacing my quilting blogs with blogs about pit bulls and doggie foster families.  One blog leads to another and another and another.  Through one of these blogs, Pittiful Love, I came to know Knox.

I learned that he was very loved by his people, Jessica and Brian

that he was a doggie blood donor, 

a breed ambassador and a great foster brother.

Knox and Buddha

Sadly, Knox became very ill, very quickly shortly after Christmas and last week his people made the extremely difficult decision to release him from his suffering.  So, holding him in their hands, they wished him a safe trip over the Rainbow Bridge.

Each of us welcomes an animal into our homes and hearts, knowing that we will receive unconditional love, along with laughs and adventure.  We also know, that the end will come too soon and we will have to say "good-bye" before we are ready.  If you are inclined, please stop by Pittiful Love's Facebook page and leave them a note, letting them know that you share their grief and sadness and offering them words of support as they work their way through this difficult time.

2009 - 2012

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;o)

ps...these photos are from the Pittiful Love blog. 

Bungalow Update

This is what the "bungalow" looked like last spring before we left...

2/2011

This is what it looks like now...

Seriously??? The place looks like it's been sitting there for years.   I'm pretty sure they spent more on the landscaping than any place I have ever lived was worth.

And then there's the back...

Of course, there's a nice in ground pool, with a two-story cage.  The cage allows everyone to play outside in the pool or sit on the deck drinking martinis or on the balcony, and not have to be bothered by bugs.  I sure would like to know how much $$$ is tied up in this little "bungalow".

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;o)

Da Blimp, Da Blimp

 

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Wordless Wednesday 2/1/12

 

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