June 29, 2008 - Magic - West Coast!!!!

[Sophia37]

Don't get me started as there are a lot of people from those areas who have come to Washington to make their wines. It is the second largest wine producing state (a distant second to Calif), but rapidly gaining. Winemakers like the Eastern Washington area better than the Calif areas because the days are longer (among some other things). Chateau St. Michelle is about 2 miles down the road from where I work. They make a lot of cheaper wines and some VERY GOOD moderately priced wines. They also have a partnership with an Italian winery that makes the Col Solare brand. There are also vintners from France - the winemaker at Apex is a fifth generation vintner from Bordeaux. Other good labels are Bob Betz, Delille, Januik, Mathews, Mark Ryan. A lot of these guys make wines just for restaurants (like some of them in Calif) so their wines might be a little harder to get your hands on. It's nice to be able to go to their wine shops on Saturdays or during one of their tasting tours. You can see some of these winemakers at Woodinville There are links to some of the websites.

Wow Marlin, Thank you!!! I think it is great that you have so much knowledge in wine making!!

 

[Sophia37]

I really hope that it is not blazing saddles in Mexico. It is going to be in the low 90's here this week. I think it gets hotter the more south you go. But I don't know why I am even saying this....its not like I have any control over the temperature.... Its going to be awsome any way it comes!!!!

 

[Grandma x3]

Wow Marlin, Thank you!!! I think it is great that you have so much knowledge in wine making!!

My "knowledge" leans more toward wine drinking!!!!

Have any of you tried Yellow Tail - Shiraz/Cabernat?? From Austrailia. It's a nice moderately priced wine.

I am stressed. I'm packing to drive up to NoCal - but have NOTHING (I really mean nothing) together for the cruise. I'm going to shop (YES - I said I am actually going) tomorrow. This may have to be a "down & dirty" - throw stuff at the suitcase and hope for the best - cruise packing.

Now, I did order a Tux for my 13yo DGS & we have Pirate costumes already from previous cruises. Okay - if they still fit - I have some shorts & tops and long summer dresses.

I feel as if I'm talking myself down from potential hysteria!!


Hope y'all had a Fab weekend - got to get dinner ready and back to packing!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Ok...so I'm starting to get totally TICKED OFF!! I'm not getting my notifications of new posts....that really TICKS ME OFF ::cop: ::cop: Anyway FishMike, my absolute FAVORITE is Silver Oak Cabernet/Alexander Valley/1997, 2000, 2002....they only grow here, and it's de-lish My favorite Sparkling from here is Schramsberg/Cremant grape/any year....I tell ya, we always toast with that one Yummy! I wrote down those from your area, and my husband (who's the expert in this house, although I do know what my tastebuds enjoy ) has been informed! Can't wait to try them!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

My "knowledge" leans more toward wine drinking!!!!

Have any of you tried Yellow Tail - Shiraz/Cabernat?? From Austrailia. It's a nice moderately priced wine.

I am stressed. I'm packing to drive up to NoCal - but have NOTHING (I really mean nothing) together for the cruise. I'm going to shop (YES - I said I am actually going) tomorrow. This may have to be a "down & dirty" - throw stuff at the suitcase and hope for the best - cruise packing.

Now, I did order a Tux for my 13yo DGS & we have Pirate costumes already from previous cruises. Okay - if they still fit - I have some shorts & tops and long summer dresses.

I feel as if I'm talking myself down from potential hysteria!!


Hope y'all had a Fab weekend - got to get dinner ready and back to packing!

Hi Grandma x3...long time no talk! How are you? I am ALWAYS a fan of the moderately priced wine....heck, any wine for that matter I believe I have tried that one, and yes...I would agree. Very enjoyable!! I'm at the point of packing that you are....hopefully if I huck it far enough in the bedroom, it'll get somewhat NEAR the suitcase, and that's what's getting packed I typically feel this way when I'm stressed! Too much happening this week....UGH!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Wendi's name really is Wendi, and my mom is Dee. Dee will NEVER post. I will be lucky if she even logs on this thing. Wendi may do this. (hopefully) I think over all, they just want to hear about my trip. It is HOT here today!!!!!!

Oh bummer....it was BEAUTIFUL here today in the East Bay Low 80's, with a bit of a breeze....although it was S-MOKIN last week!! Very hot! So what do we need to do to get Wendi to post?? I'll show her my moonwalk....AND the 'special backpack'!!!!

 

[Grandma x3]

Hi Grandma x3...long time no talk! How are you? I am ALWAYS a fan of the moderately priced wine....heck, any wine for that matter I believe I have tried that one, and yes...I would agree. Very enjoyable!! I'm at the point of packing that you are....hopefully if I huck it far enough in the bedroom, it'll get somewhat NEAR the suitcase, and that's what's getting packed I typically feel this way when I'm stressed! Too much happening this week....UGH!

Hey,
Please call me Chris - and are you Ronda or Rhonda??

We had a very busy weekend - my last weekend here w/my DD & DSIL and DGS Matt before I drive back up to NoCal. Where do you live?
At times I think I enjoy the adrenalin rush of the last minute stress!! Perhaps I could be a bit more together though!!

Since we know what Julie looks like - should we post our pics so we'll recognize one another at the Sail Away meet?

 

[cryssi]

it was soooo hot today...

are we talking wines? I'm going to do the wine tasting, for sure! We did it on the 4 night last year and it was great.

my favorite wines are:

trentino moscato gaierhof or whatever it's called that they used to have on the boat

villa mt eden gran reserve chardonnay (love this, had it at our wedding)

hmm...that's about it. I'm always open to stuff, though, but I don't like the really strong, dry, tannic stuff. Fruity ones are best for me!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Hey,
Please call me Chris - and are you Ronda or Rhonda??

We had a very busy weekend - my last weekend here w/my DD & DSIL and DGS Matt before I drive back up to NoCal. Where do you live?
At times I think I enjoy the adrenalin rush of the last minute stress!! Perhaps I could be a bit more together though!!

Since we know what Julie looks like - should we post our pics so we'll recognize one another at the Sail Away meet?

I'm Ronda...no h...but I'm used to it by now. Most people spell it with an 'h' I live just outside of Walnut Creek/Concord. I usually say that because not many people have heard of Brentwood/Oakley area of Norcal. But I'm right in the East Bay....a wonderful part of the Delta! Love it! I wish Tori was all done with school for the year...I think that's the major stress right now...she's got so much going, and since I so much want to be involved in her last days of elementary school, I'm stressin' with stuff that's really just time consuming. Time that I could be spending packing, or just getting ready But I know someday I'll miss it, so I'm smiling while I'm getting through it Maybe I'll have Patrick get a pic of me so I can upload...

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

it was soooo hot today...

are we talking wines? I'm going to do the wine tasting, for sure! We did it on the 4 night last year and it was great.

my favorite wines are:

trentino moscato gaierhof or whatever it's called that they used to have on the boat

villa mt eden gran reserve chardonnay (love this, had it at our wedding)

hmm...that's about it. I'm always open to stuff, though, but I don't like the really strong, dry, tannic stuff. Fruity ones are best for me!

If you're from SoCal and Sophia is from SoCal, hopefully it's movin' on down to Mexico and we'll have beautiful weather!! I've been reading reports that it's been cloudy and humid....I'm hoping for the best I need to write those wines down as well...I'm always up for trying new ones!! We'll do the tastings as well...do you sign up for that once you board? Or just wait until the navigator states that it's happening, and then sign up? You know me by now....I'm always confused

 

[Grandma x3]

I'm Ronda...no h...but I'm used to it by now. Most people spell it with an 'h' I live just outside of Walnut Creek/Concord. I usually say that because not many people have heard of Brentwood/Oakley area of Norcal. But I'm right in the East Bay....a wonderful part of the Delta! Love it! I wish Tori was all done with school for the year...I think that's the major stress right now...she's got so much going, and since I so much want to be involved in her last days of elementary school, I'm stressin' with stuff that's really just time consuming. Time that I could be spending packing, or just getting ready But I know someday I'll miss it, so I'm smiling while I'm getting through it Maybe I'll have Patrick get a pic of me so I can upload...

Ronda,
I'm over in Marin County. I grew up in San Francisco. I am somewhat familiar w/your area.
I kinda remember you mentioning having a dog - are you boarding it in a kennel while you're gone?
I have 2 German Shepherds - Annie is 3 yrs old and Max is 18 mos. - they will stay home w/DH for this cruise but for the PC Repo they have to be in a kennel - for over 2 weeks!!

 

[Sophia37]

My "knowledge" leans more toward wine drinking!!!!

Have any of you tried Yellow Tail - Shiraz/Cabernat?? From Austrailia. It's a nice moderately priced wine.

I am stressed. I'm packing to drive up to NoCal - but have NOTHING (I really mean nothing) together for the cruise. I'm going to shop (YES - I said I am actually going) tomorrow. This may have to be a "down & dirty" - throw stuff at the suitcase and hope for the best - cruise packing.

Now, I did order a Tux for my 13yo DGS & we have Pirate costumes already from previous cruises. Okay - if they still fit - I have some shorts & tops and long summer dresses.

I feel as if I'm talking myself down from potential hysteria!!


Hope y'all had a Fab weekend - got to get dinner ready and back to packing!

Hi Chris,
I think your ideas of what to bring sounds perfect!!! I am a lite packer, and when I go to Hawaii, I still bring back stuff I didn't wear. I just live in my swimsuit, and sun dresses. I would bring more than one swimsuit. Don't forget to bring a cover up, and flipflops. Lipgloss is a must!! just kidding! DO NOT STRESS!!! Make sure your toes are painted, get a little massage, throw your suit in a bag, and join us for some wine See.....no stress

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Ronda,
I'm over in Marin County. I grew up in San Francisco. I am somewhat familiar w/your area.
I kinda remember you mentioning having a dog - are you boarding it in a kennel while you're gone?
I have 2 German Shepherds - Annie is 3 yrs old and Max is 18 mos. - they will stay home w/DH for this cruise but for the PC Repo they have to be in a kennel - for over 2 weeks!!

Yes we'll be boarding Casey (the Golden Retriever) in a wonderful kennel in Martinez. My husband and one of his friends since childhood, have done 'sidework' at this kennel for around 4 years. So the people at this kennel absolutely LOVE Casey and treat him as one of their own They actually allow him free roam of the place while he's there....it's nice for us! Casey's my 4th child, so knowing he's well taken care of is extremely comforting I absolutely LOVE German Shephards....my dad had one not so long ago....they are a GREAT breed!!! Annie and Max....that's awesome!! I LOVE people names for doggies!!

 

[Sophia37]

Ronda,
I'm over in Marin County. I grew up in San Francisco. I am somewhat familiar w/your area.
I kinda remember you mentioning having a dog - are you boarding it in a kennel while you're gone?
I have 2 German Shepherds - Annie is 3 yrs old and Max is 18 mos. - they will stay home w/DH for this cruise but for the PC Repo they have to be in a kennel - for over 2 weeks!!

I know that you didn't ask me Chris, but I love to talk about Sadie. She is going to Camp Eloise. (lady down the street) She loves it there

 

[Grandma x3]

Hi Chris,
I think your ideas of what to bring sounds perfect!!! I am a lite packer, and when I go to Hawaii, I still bring back stuff I didn't wear. I just live in my swimsuit, and sun dresses. I would bring more than one swimsuit. Don't forget to bring a cover up, and flipflops. Lipgloss is a must!! just kidding! DO NOT STRESS!!! Make sure your toes are painted, get a little massage, throw your suit in a bag, and join us for some wine See.....no stress

Julie,
Ya - I'm gonna have to just chill - more important to enjoy time w/DGS Jack and new friends!! I will have a pedi just before leaving - thinkng about a massage in PV and ahhhh the wine - that's a Definate!!
Your're absolutely right about packing lite. Who cares if you wear the same sundress or shorts more than once!!
I'm a crocs gal rather than flipflops!! Sun Block yes. Oh I'm thinking about spray on tan - maybe!!

 

[Sophia37]

Julie,
Ya - I'm gonna have to just chill - more important to enjoy time w/DGS Jack and new friends!! I will have a pedi just before leaving - thinkng about a massage in PV and ahhhh the wine - that's a Definate!!
Your're absolutely right about packing lite. Who cares if you wear the same sundress or shorts more than once!!
I'm a crocs gal rather than flipflops!! Sun Block yes. Oh I'm thinking about spray on tan - maybe!!

Your my kind of girl I am getting my toes done on Monday, A massage and facial(mothers day gift) on Tuesday...Oh, My hair gets done this Saturday...Im not playing around girls!!!!! That Rick Schwartz better get ready for his date....she's one fine (expensive) gal!!!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

I know that you didn't ask me Chris, but I love to talk about Sadie. She is going to Camp Eloise. (lady down the street) She loves it there

Lil' Miss Sadie Kay....so very cute!! I love animals!!!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

My Sis does nails (toes and tips) and she's coming to do it all a few days before I leave...what a girl!! So I'll have special nails for my cruise....cool!!!

 

[Sophia37]

Lil' Miss Sadie Kay....so very cute!! I love animals!!!

That little girl hung the moon and the stars!!!!! That is Rick and I kissing!!!!

 

[Sophia37]

My Sis does nails (toes and tips) and she's coming to do it all a few days before I leave...what a girl!! So I'll have special nails for my cruise....cool!!!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!