Sunday, March 08, 2009

Of all the inevitable things that needs attending..... taxes is one of them!

A long while back (cannot really pin-point the actual moment of enlightenment) I realized the power of organing for the taxation in the _previous_ year. I believe, if you wait until beginning of 2009 to _organize_ for taxation for 2008, then you are already a year _too late_. Perhaps intuitively it appeals to the notion of getting all ducks in the row and keeping them there. But, ducks will do as ducks please! So sometimes the well placed belief runs amok! (Hey! I am not perfect... athough I strive to be ;) )

In 2008, I did live up to my belief and organized every scrap and scrip of paper that leads to tax form completion. So, if you are wondering if this blog is going to detail something that went wrong, then I am sorry to disappoint you!

Taxes done, filed and shipped! Baby! I am done for 2008. :) A weekend extremely well spent!

3/8/2009 9:40:29 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  | 
 Friday, March 06, 2009

A few weeks back I wrote about reclaiming my sundays. Post the reclaim, I find myself busier than normal. Weird! I hoped that the reclaimed sundays was the day to plough through hetherto neglected items. I find myself not ploughing through on a bullet train, but slowly dragging through sludge! Not literally! Eugh! That would be simply horrid (i hate sludge). Slow (sometimes excruciatingly slow) is the way things are going right now. I have come to realize there is no point in push a pace which is not really effective.

... not all pace is slow, some of it is happening in breakneck speeds! Work for instance has gotten wicked busy! That is the only way I like it, I thrive in it. It is the need to be needed, otherwise it is irritating boring and waste of time. Past year there were scheduling challenges that made for less than optimum speeds of progress. But this year, the train is chugging along at a quite a clip! Every so often, like today, the train takes a break at a station. It is fun to get off the train for the day and explore the world around at the station.

... not all of it is work, social life has suddenly gone to becoming one crazy stream of fun-filled wackiness. I guess everyone is coming out of the wood work post the cold snowy winters of the northeast. Back to back, I have wine tastings, dinners, pot-lucks, visits to my favorite haunts - scutra, lexx, oak room, and the list is simply ever expanding. I have plotted on my calendar to be free some evening in April.

... not all of it is fun, there are some tough questions to be attended to, really tough ones; it is time to let go of the past, time to shed them as old ragged clothes burn or bury them. Somethings and some people are just not worthy of my time, kindness and love. Time to toss these out once for all. Someone wise said (or may have been in a movie!) "You see things more clearly when you let go!". And of course the toughest question... what color to paint my living room! So many shades of white! From cream to egg-shell to snow to clear to brilliant to dusky! Wah! I just wanted white! Another toughie... planning plantation this season!

... not all of it is tough; some are complete no-brainers; No strain on the brain to play with kitties, completing wine catalog (I am proud of this baby!), enjoying the sun and warmth (I am the hopeless optimistic about it being warm soon), completing my porch work, and planning home refinancing. Last year lent promise lasted couple of weeks, this time it lasted less than 12 hours. Ok! What does that tell me? Hmm.... It tells me (a) stop doing these lent promises, it does not work and (b) I am going to hell, ah! If and only if there is one and I don't think there is one. I believe the heaven and hell are all part of the kingdom of god! HA! And I don't know what kingdom of god means as yet, and I don't bother defining it, save for the belief that it is all around me. So, I infer heaven and hell is all around me! Just look around you and you will find all examples of good, kind, bad and evil.

... not all of it is.... I am running out of these, so I will wrap up and run out the door to meet some folks for coffee at the local starbucks!

3/6/2009 1:46:37 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  | 
 Saturday, February 07, 2009

Domaine Brusset "Les Boudalles" Cotes de Ventoux, 2006
(Provence, France)



  

Producer: The Domaine Brusset is a three-generation owned winery dating back to 1947.   The three different winemakers over these many years produce wines based on the classic southern varietals of Grenache and Mourvèdre grown in the shadow of Mont Ventoux, the mountain that dominates Provencal landscape.  These are grapes that epitomize the region creating rustic, chewy and full-bodied wines showcasing flavors of the area: lavender, rosemary, and thyme, and what is known as garrigue, a catchall term that describes these combination of flavors and earth that finds its way into the wine.  Other wines in the area with fancier names (and bigger entry fees) like Gigondas or Chateauneuf de Pape are known for their heady aromas and powerful garrigue flavors. 

Wine Composition:  (exact not known) Grenache and Mourvedre with Clairette and Carignan

Review (Spirited Gourmet):
The Brusset blends Grenache and Mourvedre with Clairette and Carignan creating an inky purple wine with dizzying spicy aromatics, oodles of black raspberries, cassis, and black truffles.  One would think with all these flavors, the wine would be short on structure, what we call a fruit bomb, but don't forget this wine is French, so it will always have a forthright backbone.  A very versatile wine, enjoy it with all kinds of yummy foods like cassoulet, ribs, epanadas or some Raclette or Morbier cheese..

Review (Kirti): Picked up these and Erskine mentioned that this is a fairly popular wine. I was not sure I remembered why I ordered this. I had no plans to really open this wine, but this evening, I find myself at the loose end of simply chilling out at home. So, why not! This wine fills the nose and brain with really ripe raspberries and earthy spiciness. It is smooth, real smooth ends with being slightly dry side. When I read the description again, yeah…. Earthy truffles and provence spices - lavender, rosemary…. Very very yummy. For the price this wine is simply fantastic buy.

Cost: $10.50/bottle

Wine | France
2/7/2009 6:38:26 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  | 
 Sunday, February 01, 2009
Domaine Fleith-Eschard Alsace Riesling Steinweg, 2001
(Alsace, France)



  

Producer: Domaine Fleith-Eschard (Ingersheim near Colmar)
Owner: Vincent and Rene Fleith-Eschard

Wine Composition: 100% Riesling

Review (Cynthia Hurley):
This is a dry, delicious, fruit-driven, minerally Alsatian white. This is not a sweet wine and there is no residual sugar left behind in the fermentation. It is a stunning (dry) wine experience

Wine pairing (suggested):
Avocados and scallops come to mind. Lime, garlic, and coriander. Curried, smoked and grilled salmon. Don't forget the asparagus and mushrooms. Pork. Yes, pork with cream and apples. And, of course, duck.

My Notes: Beautiful, clean and clear light yellow (mostly straw) colored wine. Aromas make you feel this may be a tad heavy wine despite the color. Let it sit for about 10-15 mins and you can smell the grapefruits and minerals. Sipping it all the impressions that this may be  heavy and sweet give way to light, dry and citrusy feel. Lucky me have six bottles of these.

Cost: $24.99/bottle

Site by Rene Fleith-Eschard (completely in french)

Wine | France
2/1/2009 4:04:34 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  | 
 Sunday, January 25, 2009

So, this is what a lazy sunday looks like. After about two years running flat out, working seven days a week, I am reacquainting myself to what a day at home with no outside commitments and demands looks and feels like. A day to wake up without any rush to get ready for the day. A day to laze under a warm-cozy down comforter over a cup of perfectly brewed coffee and a contentedly purring cat. A day to read a little, knit a little, snooze a little, and do nothing really.  A day with no to-do list pasted on the fridge, but a day let imagination take wings or not, a day to simply unfurl.

I haven't had a day like this for just about two years. Don't get me wrong I have had time off from all my work commitments, but they are were spent on commitments to family or friends or something else. Looking back I have taken some odd weeks of time away from work to meet up with family, but due to shortened visits, everyone is clamoring for your attention, and by and by it becomes hectic. Funnily, visitations are more hectic than simply working you a** off on a routine.

I must say, I could get used to sundays being just this.... do nothing day. I know it is a shortlived fantasy. Before long demands are going to pour in and commitments are going to need fulfilment and sundays are done for. Until that time I am indeed happy to reclaim a day to let the mind wander into unchartered waters with no requirements of any sorts of outcomes.

I write this at the end of the sunday as I wind down with a Sancerre....... yum.

1/25/2009 6:56:52 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [1]  | 
 Thursday, January 22, 2009

What does one do with left over pink and red Jaegar Matchmaker wool? Well, of course, you hold both yarns together, make some swatches, settle on the needle size, figure out the gauge and stiches and a design and make a wintery cap. :) Inspiration comes sideways sometimes, hitting you when you least expect it and if you let if fly, interesting things happen. BTW: This is a perfect fit cap (eh! fits my noodle) designed and knitted all by me-self. :) It looks funny on my hand as I take a picture but it is wonderful indeed. :) Hmmm.... I have some more wool left I wonders what I can design next.....

1/22/2009 5:47:40 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [1]  | 
 Sunday, January 18, 2009

Early this sunday morning, as I get ready to head out to get more work and errands done, I am greeted by this wonderful sight. I wish I could snuggle up back into bed and be cozy and warm and toasty, instead of going to work. Outside the weather has gone from cloudy and cold to wintery and snow. There is a promise of a foot of the white stuff floating and piling down, promising for more back breaking shoveling. But in here, two cats warm my soul.....

1/18/2009 5:41:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  | 
 Saturday, January 17, 2009

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
(New Zealand)



  

Producer: Cloudy Bay is located in Wairau Valley in Marlborough (northern end of the southern island). Read more at: Cloudy Bay.

Notes from all over: The 2007 pale, straw-colored Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc glints with green and is enticingly fragrant with tropical aromas of ripe peach, passion fruit, mango and citrus with hints of fennel and a touch of Pastis. On the palate the wine is rich and succulent, with zesty citrus and apple sorbet flavors, racy acidity and a long, lingering and crisp finish

My notes: I love it to death, if I could afford it, this would be the only Sauvignon Blanc ever served anytime at home. But perfection comes at a price. I truly prefer the 2005 Cloudy Bay, but I have tried each year since 2001 and loved almost every single one of them. If you find this served at any restuarant, just get the bottle (yep the whole bottle). This is not something you share with other tables. :) It is something you share with your closet tablemates.....er... if they behave... or they can get some odd californian something or the other. Okay..... now for the wine.... as soon as you open the bottle, the inhale deeply to get a wiff of the clean citrusy indulgence. One pour and swizzle, the citrus blooms into light peaches and passion fruits, each layering the other and building on one over the other until citrus blends into sweet. All this before you even sip it. On the first sip you feel the limey-lemony-ness and then lingers into the peachy-sweet towards the back of the mouth and you are transported to a perfectly happy state. Do I love this wine, or do I? Yes folks, I love this wine to death.

Buy Factor: Oh! Anytime there is spare money in the wine budget!

Cost: $24~$40 a bottle.

1/17/2009 5:22:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  |