Three Strikes

As we have become more dependent on gadgets that chop, grind, slice, dice and even cook for us while we're out, we also become a little out of sorts when they mysteriously stop working.  

Strike one, my twenty-something crock pot gives up the ghost and turns a normally tender chunk of chuck into something akin to a boiled owl.  Mom used this phrase to describe various over-cooked proteins as being tougher than a boiled owl.  Not having any personal experience with this, we'll just assume it was.

Strike two? The "I-can't-live-without-it" food processor we bought 10 years ago.  Little by little, the bowl and cover were wearing out.  A piece would break here and crack there, but it still worked fine.  That is until I tried to grate my wedge of Parmigiana Reggiano, and the bowl kept rising up on the base because it had broken to the point that it wouldn't stay latched in place.

Strike three.  I decided to try a new tapenade recipe, but with the processor out of order, I pull out the blender, and start piling stuff into the container.  I slap on the lid, push the button and what do I get?  A big WHIRRRRR, but no blade action.  Hubs calls "turn it off" from the other room and comes to check it out.  So I regroup while he takes the blade downstairs to oil it - something about the bearings and did it go into the dishwasher?  No, dishwashers are evil!  Well, only the first time or two, I swear.  Is it toast?

Now for Plan C (don't you hate it when it comes down to Plan C).  In my desperation, I used my immersion blender's chopper unit, and folks I don't recommend this for expediency's sake.  It's wonderful for small quantities of something like nuts for a pie or to whiz up a can of tomatoes, but for a batch of tapenade, it was quite the challenge.

Fortunately, all the food processor needed was a few replacement parts.  Can't say the same for the crock pot, and I haven't gotten the prognosis on the blender.

Meanwhile, here's Sophie enjoying her "present".

It's just what I wanted.  How did you know?

A Fine Day for Wine!

Isn't it exciting when you discover something new practically in your own back yard?  That's how we felt when we visited Junius Linday Vineyards.  It's located in Northern Davidson County just a short drive from Winston-Salem.  Owner, Michael Zimmerman was pouring their wines in a picturesque outdoor setting just feet from the vines.  Also part of the team was Bacchus, an American Foxhound named for the Roman god of wine.  He was people-friendly, and happily passing the afternoon people watching or lying on the cool floor.

Looking out over the vineyard.

 
There was another group tasting when we arrived, and they bought a bottle to share at one of the patio tables.  As we tasted our way through their array of wines (two white, three red and one dessert wine), I was taken with their Second Leaf, a blend of Viognier and Roussanne.

The land, which is now a vineyard, was chosen by Michael's grandfather, Junius Lindsay Zimmerman and his bride Beatrice as they started their life together, and it has been in the family ever since.  Michael moved back to the home place with his wife Lucia in 1995 after having spent 15 years in the Foreign Service.  In 2004 he began growing grapes on 2 acres, and I believe they are currently planting about 9 acres.

The tasting bar.

This was a great way to spend some leisure time on a nice Spring afternoon.  It was a pleasure to meet Michael and learn about their wines and some of the family history.  We left with our own bottle of Second Leaf and two complimentary tasting glasses.

Junius Lindsay Second Leaf

We rounded out the day with a visit to Childress Vineyards, where we purchased a bottle of their Viognier and enjoyed that out on their terrace overlooking a beautiful green lawn and the vineyard beyond.  They were out of Trio, our favorite, but it will be available again around the 23rd of April.
  

The terrace

The lawn at Childress Vineyards.

Interestingly, both the Junius Lindsay and Childress wines were crafted by Mark Friszolowski, the talented winemaker at Childress Vineyards.

Quote of the Week

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.  

 -  Author Unknown

We all have days that seem like everything that could go wrong did, but within each day there is a bright spot.   Some days we just have to look deeper than others.

Don't Let Your Bundle of Joy Cost a Bundle

The economy may be improving, but for those new parents and parents to be, there are new expenses on the horizon, and it is a broad horizon spanning 18 years or more.  This requires commitment and sacrifice, but it shouldn't land you in the poor house, at least not in the first few years of life...as scenes of Harvard flash before your eyes.

But first things first, you need to prepare for your upcoming bundle of joy.  You need clothes by the bundles, diapers, food, baby toiletries, and maybe formula and bottles.  You may wonder what I'm doing writing a post about baby stuff when all my children have four legs and fur.  Well, the answer is simple.  I want to help people save money, and steer them in the direction of value and information.

There are a number of websites out there devoted to coupon savings, where to get the deals on diapers and how to work the system to even get free stuff.  I have sorted through and pulled out what I think are some good ones.  Some are simply money savers, some have reviews and others will relate their experiences so you'll know you're not alone in baby-land.  

Smart Shopping

Let's start with money saving.  After all that's probably at the top of everyone's list.  This first group isn't baby-specific, but they provide sale information and coupon match-ups for food, household goods, personal care and baby items.

Hip2Save.com
This site has a myriad of different savings from Target and Wal-Mart to the 3 major drugstores, Walgreen's, CVS and Rite Aid.  She has even included store guides so you'll learn how to take full advantage of the savings available.  Yes, there are things to learn about drugstore shopping, and all three stores are different.  She also offers lot of on-line deals like books and toys from Amazon. 

Southernsavers.com
This one covers local grocery stores such as Harris Teeter and Food Lion plus other regional stores with coupon match-ups.  It also covers the same 3 drugstores, offering another take on the same sales.

Sometimes grocery stores such as Food Lion, have printable coupons on-line.  In addition to food and household items, there are usually several sets of baby care coupons.

Just for Baby

Babycheapskate.com
This provides information on cost-conscious decorating, baby product reviews, coupons and sales and diapers and other products.  There is a product review on diapers, and what other mom's have to say about the different brands and styles, including generics/store brands.

Babycenter.com
A wealth of baby information, health and support, links to blogs, questions and answers and more.

Alternative Shopping Places

This may not suit all new parents, but I suggest checking out thrift stores, and consignment shops.  Every parent wants their babies dressed in adorable little outfits, and they should be.  However, they grow out of everything so quickly, especially in the first year, that it can be very costly to keep up with their ever-changing dimensions.  While you can't cover all your baby's wardrobe needs at these places, you can find new, or nearly new items, even brand names, for a fraction of mall and specialty shop prices to help offset the other costs.

Hand-me-downs

Network with friends and family who already have children.  Baby clothes will be outgrown before being worn out so see if someone has clothes to loan or give away.  The same goes for items like strollers, car seats, high chairs and cribs.

Other Links

Diapers.com (free shipping on orders over $49)

Babies Online (free coupons and magazines and samples, and more)

Wal-Mart Baby (97¢ shipping to your home)

Restaurants.com (save money on a parents night out, babysitting not included)

Passion for Savings  (check here for Wal-mart deals, and more)

Centsible Savings (check here for Wal-mart deals, and more)

There is much repetition among the coupon sites.  Many cover the same stores and have the same coupons.  You just need to find the ones that best> meet your needs.  As always, pay attention to your coupons for restrictions such as size, item count, etc., and use coupons appropriately.

Our Happy Easter Weekend

It was a happy Easter here in the Sunny South, and a gorgeous weekend in many areas so I've heard.  The flowers were blooming and the skies were clear and blue.  Saturday night we had a pre-Easter/birthday combination dinner with DH's family.  In addition to Easter, we were celebrating my niece's and bil's birthdays.  We had grilled lamb, and a red velvet birthday cake for dessert.

The fastest hands!

 Happy Birthday!

Afterward we dyed Easter eggs.  That was the first in years for me.  It was fun, and they turned out pretty good, considering we had blue, green and 3 oranges to work with.  I don't know what happened to the red and yellow.

Ready, Set, Go

I think the Easter Bunny would be proud of these!

We started off Easter Sunday by attending the Easter service with Ashley and Kevin and the kids, followed by a pleasant lunch at El Paisano.  Then Ashley and I and the kids went to PetSmart to get hermit crabs, while the guys went home to check out the leaking refrigerator.

I got a short video of the crabs, named Hans (Scott's) and Cannonball (Michael's).  Hans is wearing the natural colored shell and Cannonball is yellow and black with a red stripe.

I suppose you're wondering why the boys were telling the crabs to say "crab cakes".  When I took pictures, instead of "say cheese" I was going to do "say crab flakes", like the crab food, but it sort of came out wrong - hmmm...what was I thinking?

Hans actually got out of the shallow dish three times, so we had to get a deeper container to prevent further escape.

"I've got a plan."

We hung out with them for the rest of the day, and had a wonderful beef stew for dinner. Ashley's Dad and Kevin's brother's family all joined us in the kitchen for dinner.  

Happy Easter everyone!