Something Nice

My day-job is promoting (in that case, promoting public television and radio).

But I'm not so terrific at promoting myself. This has tripped me up before and more than one good friend has pointed out that my negative self-talk is my worst enemy.

 

So, I've been slow in sharing something that made me very excited and happy earlier this summer -- The Marmelade Gypsy was featured in the Fall 2012 issue of "Romantic Country" magazine in their "Blog Spot" section.

 

Editor Mary Forsell contacted me back last winter in conjunction with the spring issue, but space filled up and she emailed me to say that the mention would be in the fall issue. Like any patient person (who wasn't really sure it would make it there, either! Bad self-talk, Jeanie!), I didn't even check the stands in the spring.

 

Then I had a comment on the Gypsy about seeing it! (It may not even still be on the stands. I'm guessing the winter issue will be out soon, if not already). 

 

A number of bloggers I enjoy have been featured in this beautiful publication -- most recently, Vagabonde (Spring 2012). 

If the concept of romantic country is your style (I really like it!),  then this is a publication worth picking up (or subscribing to!).. In the issue in which I was featured I learned about artists/designers who were new to me...

Got tips on making a fall centerpiece...

...and a fun inspiration board.

 I enjoyed finding out what they considered some of the top flea markets in the U.S.

And really loved an article on making the most of mismatched china (because being the china junkie that I am, I couldn't resist!)

 

I have to say that working with Mary was one of the real joys I've experienced. Remember the negative self-talk? Mary has really encouraged me to pursue my writing, query publications and see what happens. She has been a bit of a mentor, in the sense that she spent a good deal of time and was tremendously encouraging to me at a time when things are less than that in some aspects of life. So, thanks, Mary, if you're reading this! You rock!

Cork Poppers Go Tuscan!

Our Cork Poppers group recently went Italian, sampling wines of Tuscany. After sampling the six wines our guide Dick brought, Cayton summed it up when he said, "This was the best! There wasn't a bad one in the bunch!"

We started the tasting with a Tenuta Caparzo Rosso Toscana IGT 2009.This blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Colorino grapes was a full flavored hit, ruby red and smelling divine!

A little lesson, courtesy of Dick. Italian wines have several designations, which are based on certain expectations and growing requirements -- DOC and DOCG. You'll note that this wine is an IGT. These are also called Super Tuscan wines and as Dick said, some are indeed "Super!" This classification came out because some winemakers wanted to experiment with grape varieties and blends not allowed by the DOG regulations. They tend to have significant Sangiovese grape compnent with other grapes not traditionally associated with Italy (like Merlot or the Cabernet Sauvignon).

This wine (2009 vintage) is best consumed between 2011 and 2013, so if you take my advice and pick up a bottle or two (or as Clayton said, "This is worthy of a case!") don't save it too long. And really, why would you want to at a great $10 price -- an amazing bargain.

Next, Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino 2009. This was ruby red and very fragrant. 

Rick said this was a little more aggressive than the first and a bit more peppery and spicy. He preferred this one but at $22.50, we're more likely to consider the Tenuta our go-to Italian.

The third wine was Villa Dante Toscana IGT 2004, and again a Sangiovese/Merlot combo. It should be allowed to breathe before serving.

This is another Super Tuscan and a reasonable $12.50. We nearly had a marital spat here when Roger said, "You must have a more discerning palate than I do," and wife Meredith replied with "Rog, you killed your taste buds a long time ago." (All was well in the end!)

Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico 2008 DOCG was next. "Classico" indicates it is from a limited area in the Chianti region. Rick loved this one and it has an aging potential of 5-6 years. That said, it was pricy at $18.

The Borgo Scopeta Chianti Classico 207 DOCG was $16. Rick declared it was "my new favorite" and we determined  that Rick was the "new Barb" (Barb loves everything!)

Our last wine was a Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 DOCG. I declared "This is wonderful!" while Mike said, "I'd throw away my money on this." Wonderful, yes, but I'd think twice about $20 for a wine, although the label was gorgeous!

We kept our stomachs full with Pat's delicious cheese platter during this tasting including an amazing buttermilk blue that was again a hit. 

After the tasting, Roger took us on a boat cruise along the Grand River. 

 

It was a gorgeous day -- we've had a mighty hot summer, like so many have. But this Sunday was the perfect temperature, the sky blue, and the company wonderful!

 

We returned to a terrific dinner. Meredith had a fabulous pasta, keeping with our Italian theme, and even the table was set for the occasion.

 

I particularly loved her centerpiece.

 

Her party favors were gag gifts -- literally (very old and very bad wines that she said we should dump and not even consider drinking, along with lovely hand-knit dish cloths).

 

Rick and I brought a salad using our basil, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. We called it Caprese Panzanella. And we wrapped up dinner with a birthday celebration -- Rick, Dick and I all had summer birthdays and Barb made a completely decadent and delicious cake!

Another great tasting! I really do recommend all of these wines. Try one! And let me know if you like it!

The Best Christmas Gift Ever

It came to him as ideas often come to Rick -- on the seat of a bicycle. One of his favorite 100-mile stints at the lake is to Torch Lake. Fifty over, fifty back.

It's a spot that is meaningful for him, because in the long-ago, his mother's family had a cottage there. During a half-way point in his ride, he stopped by and the people there directed him to the owner's place down the road. She was a distant cousin. After a lovely chat, he hopped back on the bike to head home.

On the way he thought, "What if... what if we could get my brothers and cousins to give a Christmas gift to my mom, aunt and uncle that was a week together at Minisa."

It wasn't as easy a project as it might seem. Rick didn't know all the cousins on his mom's side as well as those on his dad's and as many families are today, they were spread throughout the country.

Some didn't want to join in, but most did and on Christmas Day all the cousins joined in a conference call with the three senior siblings inviting them to the lake!

As some things go, it wasn't clear right off the bat if all really wanted to go. Reconnections after a long period apart aren't always the easiest thing. But in the end, they gathered at Minisa for a week to remember.

Rick stayed north, going back and forth to Minisa from the lake until he finally just found a bed and stayed. Other cousins rented a cottage down the road and everyone would gather for fun in the sun and meals on the porch. I came on the weekends.

Part of what made Minisa special was the cabin itself. It was a genuine log cabin, built from the forests of Bellaire, Michigan in the early 1900s.

The fireplace was heavy stone, and the living room was filled with photos and memorabilia that would make an Antiques Roadshow junkie go crazy!

The bedrooms had beautiful quilts. Most faced Torch Lake and when the windows were open, a lovely breeze came through.

There were so many wonderful touches. Here are a few. The bathroom...

 Reading materials in the rooms...

Vintage pans...

Unique decorations.

And much more. 

It was interesting, coming the first day, then the second weekend. People who barely knew one another, despite the bloodlines, were at first a bit tentative. Glad to be together, glad to meet new family, but a tad more formal.

By the second weekend, all were old friends with that familiarity that only spending extended time together can bring. Those times were enhanced by long talks, dips in the lake, games...

 

...and fabulous meals that seemed to appear with relative ease.

 

Rick made his "best pancakes in the world"...

 

...and I loved the kitchen with its log walls and tall, rustic cabinets.

There was time for contemplation...

 

...and time to hunt for Petoskey stones.

 

Lots of photos were taken -- we all had family portraits!

 

The sunsets were dramatic and always drew an audience.

 

Even the trees seemed to pose.

 

There were campfires...

...sunsets...

...photo and family memorabilia sharing...

Smiles.

For Rick's Aunt Lou, a first-time visit with her new baby grandson.

For Uncle Jim and Becky, a return to the spot they spent their honeymoon.

For Rick's mom, Kitty, time with all her boys and many of their children.

It was a time to revel in the beauty of nature...

 

...the magic of family connection...

 

...and the steadfastness of tradition.

 

For everyone, it was a time of love, sharing and family. With the parents, all of whom have health challenges of one sort or another, it was a reunion at a critical time, when all could enjoy the time together at a beautiful place.

To distant cousin Mary, who now owns Minisa and made it available, a big debt of thanks. Something tells me that we may return again!