Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Birthday Fun

February 8, 2012

Dear State of Minnesota Unemployment Office, you suck for scheduling a mandatory meeting for me on my birthday. Seriously! I want to get spend 2 hours sitting to someone tell me how to search for a job on my birthday. Um not really, but I will go just so I can get paid for the two weeks that I was without a job. And then I get to tell you goodbye because I am starting a job on Monday!! Woohoo! Monday will be 3 weeks to the day that I was laid off and I will be starting a new job as a Marketing Manager at a company in the Twin Cities. Pretty darn exciting and I am so happy I found something quickly. I realize that I am very very lucky, there are so many people who have been laid off for months and years. I think getting a job so quickly might just be one of the best birthday presents ever. Well, besides spending last year in Arizona with a great friend.

 

Scott managed to get me something I have really wanted for years. A Soda Stream! I love carbonated water and always have my one soda a day. Just one, not a whole case, and I love that one that I have.

 

Genesis - Soda Starter Kit  

 

No long list like last year, but there are so many things I get to look forward to this year as I celebrate my 31st birthday:

  • Spending 2 days in the Dells starting this afternoon being a big kid and playing in a water park
  • Starting a new job on Monday
  • Celebrating my niece’s 1st birthday (wow does time go fast!)
  • Buying a house (once Scott’s sells)
  • Getting married late this summer
  • Going on an amazing 2 week trip to LA and Thailand

I think those are enough things to look forward to! And those are all in the next 6 1/2 months. Wow!

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Wine Wednesday- Sovereign Estates Winery

February 8, 2012

One more of the list of Minnesota wineries to visit, Sovereign Estates Winery is in Waconia about 30 minutes south west of Minneapolis. A pretty drive through some charming small towns that are now part of the Metro area.

 

Stacey, Scott and I each did a wine flight for $7.50, a chance to try 5 small glasses of the wines. Since it is a newer winery none of the wine is solely from estate grapes yet but they are hopeful next year will produce enough. Sovereign Estates just opened up their indoor tasting room, a brightly painted but cozy room where the have live music and you can curl up with a big glass of wine in front of their fireplace.

 

2010 Traminette

This dry white wine has subtle fragrances of rose and apple blossom with a crisp citrus finish.Pair with fish, seafood, and sharp cheeses.

2010 Talon Crest

A semi-dry white wine made from Seyval Blanc, with a lush apricot nose, smooth fruity palette and a dry finish.Pair with chicken, game fowl, and pork.

2010 St. Therese Rosé

This dessert-style wine is made from Minnesota Frontenac grapes with a gorgeous fuchsia color. Aromas of cherry and fraise des bois, finishing full and sweet. Pair with strawberries, chocolate, cake, and soft cheeses.

2010 Tenuta di Sovrano

A dry Italian-styled Sangiovese with dark plum and woody accents.Perfect for red meats and tomato sauces.

2010 Cabernet Franc

A bold, dry red wine with deep burgundy color, having a black pepper and currant nose. Dark cocoa and rich berry flavors. Pair with steak, burgers, chocolate, and raspberries.

 

 

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I really enjoyed the Cabernet Franc and a very interesting chocolate covered twizzler that paired with it. Sounds odd but was really good. When were at the winery Saturday afternoon we noticed just how perfectly frosted and beautiful the trees were. It was hovering right about 30 degrees with a foggy feel. My small Canon got a pretty decent shot but I wish I would have had the big camera with me, we so seldom see trees that look this beautiful with a frost.

 

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