Green tea, apricots and crushed rocks

These were some of the 'notes' offered up by an Australian Chardonnay I tasted at the Vancouver Wine Tasting Festival last night. Green tea and apricots is a stretch for me but I suppose it might be possible for others, but crushed rocks? That is taking it too far!! And I promise I am not making this up - it appeared on the label of the Adams Road Chardonnay 2005.

Now I had a fantastic time at this wine tasting event and for the first hour or so I sniffed into the wine to try and detect some of these wild flowers and fruits, I swilled and then I sipped, well slugged, it back. I could tell if it was light or heavy and whether I liked it or not but really identifying the other delicacies was beyond me. But at this point I still bought into it. But by the time I reached the crushed rock description I started to wonder if this isn't all a big con. Can anyone really taste these things? Or is it a bit like that story "The Emperor's New Clothes"?

As an aside, I'll recap that story now in case it was just a British thing and it's a cool story in case you haven't heard it. Basically, the Emperor's dress maker for some reason had a grudge against the Emperor and decided to get revenge. The Emperor was very snobbish and needed to look very grand and important. He demanded that the dress maker make him the most lavish robe ever and search the whole kingdom for the best materials. After a few weeks the dress maker called the emperor for his first fitting. "Have you got the VERY best material?" roared the emperor to the dress maker. The dress maker responded not only had he got the best material it was very very special because it could only be seen by the wisest people. Well did the emperor ever like that. So, you might be guessing what is coming next..... and you're right on the mark. There was NO material! But the emperor of course didn't want to be accused of being stupid and went along with it. And demanded that all of his employees came to inspect the gown (as a way of seeing if they were clever or not) of course they all ended up seeing him butt naked! But the majority of them pretended they too could see the beautiful material. I forget the ending, perhaps the emperor caught a cold and died, or perhaps the dress maker just had a good chuckle!

Anyway, do you think all the thousands of people at this wine tasting could really taste the tropical fruit, bird and flower aromas they were supposed to be tasting? Can anyone? Or is everyone just pretending to prove they have a sophisticated palete?

On a different note, while i couldn't taste the caramel in my glass of Perrins Reserve Cotes Du Rhone Rouge, I could in this delicious milk and white chocolate caramel filled chocolate from Perdy's. I had to take a photograph it was so good. I had to try 4 of them to check I wasn't mistaken. That's probably why I don't feel too good today. Nothing to do with all those different grapes and tannins playing football with my brain cells of course.

Thanks Karen for the free ticket (she is with me in this pic). I had a great time with you. And of course I loved being "Media" and not having to queue!

Baby therapy

So I am not very busy at work at the moment! This is another reason why I have started this blog. I used to get really frustrated and demotivated by days with not much at all to do. I'd leave work feeling all depressed that I hadn't accomplished anything. Strange but true. But I am pleased to report that I've moved beyond that feeling!! The last few months have been really really busy so I am determined to enjoy this little lull as I know it is the quiet before another storm.

And I've really been enjoying it! And how timely that it has coincided with the spring sunshine (which unbelievably is still here!)

Yesterday, I left work early and had a perfect afternoon in the sunshine (yes it is still here) with my friends and their babies! Here is a picture of Katherine and her gorgeous little 7 day old girl Makena. Makena is beautiful and just perfect (she has really long eyelashes!). And here is Dorry with Benny, whose first birthday is fast approaching. Now, pre-Makena and pre-Benny both spending time with both girls was a lovely treat and I always left feeling so recharged from their company. Now with Makena and Benny on board that feeling has quadrupled!

I never knew how therapeutic babies and puppies can be. Well, let me re-phrase that, how therapeutic other people's babies and puppies can be!! Especially puppies! ( I didn't used to be much of a fan). Makena wrapped her perfect little baby hand around my little finger and Benny just made me smile every time he was let off his lead... he just bounded with so much excitement and joy and off he went in search of new friends and smells!

Add that to great conversation, walking along the seawall and glimpsing the snowtopped mountains in the distance and a delicious salmon tacone at Go Fish http://www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=863 and I felt completely refreshed. (As an aside the planned 3.5 mile run for the evening turned into a 3.5 minute run but I don't think any amount of exercise could have made me feel as good!).

Congratulations Cathy and Andrew

My sister and her boyfriend both got their first job offers as junior Doctors in Liverpool today. For Cathy it comes after 7 long years of working so hard and staying focused on her dream of being a Doctor. I haven't spoken to her much about it as she disappeared on MSN after telling me the good news. I expect she is at the pub celebrating. I certaintlyhope so! We both have a tendency to feel like such big news and milestones are a little anti-climatic. I hope this isn't the case today Cathy!!!
This is brilliant news for you and all the many people you will help and care for as you properly start your career. YEY! You rock!

Blowing away the cobwebs

The last few days have been sunny and blowy.

The combination of some vitamin D and a sharp cool breeze has blown away my winter cobwebs and brought me back to life. I have energy. I am antsy. I am ready to go! I think I am coming out of hibernation and as spring starts to peek out from behind the clouds, I am finding a spring in my step once again.

So it's no surprise that my decision to dip my toe into the inviting but also slightly intimidating ocean of blogging coincides with a surge of spring energy. I am sure other people are busy cleaning out cupboards and using those power washers on their patios but since those aren't options for me (cupboards beyond help, balcony covered in hockey gear, bikes and dead plants) I thought I'd start to write.

All things bright and beautiful is the first line of a hymn I used to sing at school. It is a spring like hymn and popped into my head the other day. I am also so far having the best year of my life as I have been searching out the bright and beautiful in every day. So, as I come out from my wintery cocoon, I'll stretch, take a deep breath and start to share some of these things and the many other random thoughts that swirl around in my head every day. Plus a lot of lovely beautiful things, I am discovering online as a result of trespassing across other blogs!