My life recently has been flying by at the speed of light and it is all a blur. Perhaps because there is a new 10-week old “family dog” that I help raise, and that takes a lot of time and energy. There have also been pop-up wine tastings at restaurants and wine bars, meals with friends, happy hours, out of town guests, and of course, planning my next Signature Tasting. So in the spirit of life in a blurred state, here is a random mix of what is happening recently. Let’s get started.
Life Recently – A Puppy
In my family, if you get a dog, she becomes a family dog. Each of us pitches in to help take care of the little girl (yes, we always get girl dogs). Well, it was my younger sister’s turn to get a puppy, so two weeks ago, we all went to pick up Skye at eight weeks old. Both of the family dogs came from Greenbriar Plantation in Brunson SC. The temperament of their dogs is beyond reproach.
After the first week, I now watch her four days a week just like I watch Breezy, Skye’s actual first cousin. (yes they are from the same breeder and pedigree lineage).
My life for the next several weeks now involves 3-4 hour increments of productivity. This is followed by forty minutes to an hour of intense playtime with Breezey and Skye. It is so much fun but also exhausting.
Two Ingredient Fruit Dip – Super Easy and Super Delicious
A few weeks back, Gary and I were invited to happy hour at a friend’s house. I thought I would have more time to make an appetizer. But before I knew it, the day was over, and I had an hour before we left. So I looked in my fridge to see what caught my eye. There were several half-full jars of jellies and jams and a log of soft goat cheese, aka chèvre. I wondered if the sweetness of my mango, peach, apricot, and orange jam would balance with the tang of the chèvre. Hmm, a goat cheese fruit dip… I decided to give it a go, and I could then stop at the store on the way to buy some fruit for dipping. I also had some lemon cookie crisps for dipping as well.
It was perfect and a big hit at the happy hour. I imagine that an orange marmalade or a peach or apricot jam would also work.
The recipe: Put the goat cheese in a food processor. Add a couple of tablespoons of your chosen jam and blend until creamy. Taste. If necessary, add more jam until you get a balance between the two ingredients that fit your palate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. It will tighten up once chilled.
Pop Up Wine Tasting at Edison James Island
Recently, a wine tasting popped up with just a couple of days notice at Edison James Island. Winemaker Patricio Gougenheim from Gougenheim Winery in Argentina was in town, and he wanted to share his wines with the locals. Chelsea and Joel at Edison are always game for something fun, so they quickly put together a fantastic food and wine event. Four wines served with four courses family style, all for just $20.00
And if you stuck around long enough, you also got to taste the Sparkling Malbec.
These wines are super affordable and delicious, and I am so glad that Gary and I made the time to meet Patricio, to learn his story and taste his wines. I believe the sparkling is on the Edison wine list.
That is all for now.
Cheers,
rick
Cover Image courtesy of Photo by mauro mora on Unsplash
what an adorable puppy!!!