Snow, Christmas, Wine, and Poor Me

Let it Snow!
Friends and family out west are "sharing" their snow. Kristi and Andrew are stuck at home in Cheyenne, because a blizzard is upon them and the base is closed. The good thing is that they are stuck together which is not always the case when bad weather hits. Jennifer & Jon (just north of Denver) sent a Christmas Card Perfect picture this afternoon of their home covered & surrounded by snow. I'd sure like some snow, too, but certainly not at the expense of my Hannah not being able to get home on Christmas Eve. Chances of snow here are slim, though, but remember--the squirrels are fat this year.

Festive Christmas Music
If the Clayton Holiday Concert wasn't enough to spread Christmas Spirit, then I don't know what would. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra was amazing as was the Knoxville Choral Society. In addition to the KSO & KCS performances of Christmas music, the Knoxville Children's Choir sang, the Appalachian Ballet Company acted out The 12 Days of Christmas, and Santa Claus was on hand. There was even snow! We also participated in a sing-along. We were treated to a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by military families (video played on big screen). The entire production, including taped tributes to our armed forces by Senator Bill Frist and Senator Lamar Alexander, was recorded for broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Since I've waited 3 days to write about this and now have a stupid cold, my enthusiasm has waned.

Okay...So Maybe I Can't Let Go of the Coffee Thing
At lunch with co-workers yesterday at the Chop House, Liston (co-worker, co-Associate Dean, guy who hired me as an instructor) pointed out to me that the menu says a change of beverage can be made at no charge. What does this mean?!? It means that after I finish drinking iced tea with my meal, then I can switch to coffee...at no extra charge. This is the solution! If the Chop House can do it, then all restaurants everywhere should do this.

Another Pinot Noir
This time I didn't read the label immediately before trying this. I did read it in the wine shop (a month ago) and it sounded good. Hadn't read it since, though. I drank the wine & tried to come up with my own description. I was close to what the label said. This one is from Turning Leaf Vineyards and is a 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir from California. I thought it had a velvety texture and I thought I tasted hints of cherry (remember the House of Nobilo Pinot Noir?). I drank it with a stuffed pork chop. The stuffing was an almond and apple stuffing. (No, I haven't been doing anything creative with food. This culinary creation came from Food City.) This was an okay pairing...I think eating the pork chop just made me feel better about having a glass of wine. The label reads: Pinot Noir is a wine produced by famously elegant grapes with hints of black cherries, berries, and spice. This airy blend creates a soft mouth feel that offers a seductive, velvety flavor within a complex palate. This fruit-driven wine bursts with sensation and flavors any moment with imagination and elegance. I also figured out that the way you let the wine fill up your mouth changes the experience...don't just drink it--let it fill up your mouth and wash over your tongue. It feels and tastes different when you do that. Special note: not good with macaroni & cheese.

I Have a Cold...Poor Me
I have finally come down with something. I was cold all day yesterday. By the time I went to bed, I had a sore throat. Today brought a snot-nose and assorted other symptoms. Ughhhh! So, on my way home to spend the afternoon in bed, I picked up some Airborne. My friend, Beth, swears by it and Kristi and Andrew say it works. So, I've been taking it all day--every 3 hours. Of course, I have also been drinking tea non-stop as I usually do when I don't feel well. I think I feel better than I did this morning. I had enough ambition & energy to put my electric candles in the living room window tonight...such as the monumental task it was. (Christmas tree still not up, though.) I haven't gotten worse. How well I feel in the morning will determine whether or not I'm not getting worse.

Do You Have Tea Mind?
From the Vanilla Almond Sweeten The Mind Tea (The Republic of Tea) can: The whole problem with western civilization is that ever since the Greeks we’ve been trying to squeeze the mind into the brain—and it won’t fit. The great Gift of the Leaf is that it relaxes the brain, freeing it to float to its true home in the boundless and the inexhaustible—the sublime state we call Tea Mind.

Coming Attractions
On the list of movies to see is The Good Shepherd, Night at the Museum, and We Are Marshall. (Yes, Mr. McConaughey is exceptionally hot, but this looks like a great story and he is not hot in this movie.)

Shout Out to Kenny
Kenny is my editor. Kenny is a co-worker who is kind enough to discreetly alert me to grammar and spelling errors in my blog. As such, he has earned the title of Christine's Dumb Blog Editor. Have fun with this one, Kenny. I found and fixed several problems myself...there's no telling what you'll find.