wine

I have this dream that one day I will travel to Europe and go wine tasting all through France and Italy. Even Napa Valley would be a delight.
I have taken on the art of learning about wine. I am by far not an expert. I'll keep learning. It is something I knew really nothing about, and was always intimidated by. I knew there was red and there was white, that's about it. I even once thought that the winemaker's label was the actual type of wine! I knew nothing about the variations of grapes or the regions in which they grow. I'm stubborn, and I just decided one day to learn about it.I'm enjoying every second. The ironic thing is this, next to the house I grew up in, is a thriving winery and farm market that has developed in the last years. Their wine is crap though. I don't drink all that often, and if I do, it's just purly for enjoyment. Yes, I am a light weight and I am proud of it. It's more fun to enjoy wine with friends, right now I am mostly just enjoying it by myself, that's just because I'm kind of lonely now a days. When I visited my friends in Washington state not too long ago, we went wine tasting the nearby vineyards. It was fantastic! Getting to taste all the different kinds, and testing my pallet. Figuring out what I like and don't like. I even bought several books on wine.
This is what I know that I like: and I'm sure it will constantly change as I taste more and more.

I really enjoy both red and white wine. Preferably white. I like a sweeter wine, but not too sweet that all I taste is honey. I'm also not a huge fan of Champaign- a little too dry for my taste.

White Wine:

White wines are typically less complicated than reds because of the effect tannin has on red wines. Therefore, white wine can be enjoyed whenever and where ever the mood strikes you. White wines can make an excellent appetizer or before dinner drink instead of a cocktail. They are also the least likely to offend the palate of a novice wine drinker.

My top 4 are as following:

Gewürztraminer
Vouvray
White Zinfindel (yes, its a white and i love the bold watermelon burst!)
Riesling

Whites I want to taste:
Verdelho
Torrontés
Viognier


Red Wine:

Red wine is usually intended to be consumed with a meal instead of on its own. The bold flavors and characteristics (compared to most whites), will stand up to and sometimes complement flavorful foods. But often a good red wine can be enjoyed all by itself.

Red wine will really shine when it is served at the proper temperature. If the temperature is too cold, the subtle flavors and textures will be lost. If the temperature is too warm, the wine will taste somewhat flat and totally non-refreshing.

My top 4 are as following:

Shiraz (Australiian)
Malbec
Grenache/Garnacha
Merlot

Reds I want to taste:
Tempranillo
Carmenere

Reds I somewhat dislike:
Cabernet Sauvingnon
Beaujolais
Pinot Noir

Here's to vino, and many more years of tasting!

where's the class?

Seriously. Where has the class gone? if I may say it was ever there. Where is the culture? The authenticity, the originality?

Something true and organic. Beautiful music, lovely wine, great food, class. Where is the good music you can dance to? Have we forgetten about Ella and Louis? Salsa music that makes you get up out of your chair. Good 80's & 90's music. I mean come on! I know this may sound like a rant, and frankly it is.

If and when, I know it will be classy.

Organic
True
Pure
Simple
Full of love, joy, and peace.
Unique to its core.


This really shouldn't matter, but it does. And it is bothering me. I don't like to feel judged, not fit into the mold of what people think I should be, or what I feel they expect. I simply don't care. I am who I am, and I love myself. I always want to grow and become a better person in this world. And love. I want to love unconditionally. Do we not really know who we are, or what we want in life, that we must copy others ideals, traditions, and live out the expectations of others. Just because it is the way it is done? That is an absurd way of living. I used to live like that, and if we are honest, I think we all have. Trying to please others, but I'm over it. I'm free. I like being free and dancing to my own beat. In a way I always have, and I always want to.

To each its own.
Be yourself.
Be genuine.
Be gracious.
Be.

I'm an old soul. I should have been born in the 1930's.

Show me some class.
Slow dance the way a slow dance was meant to dance to.......The classy way of course.

Today I went to a wedding. Five years ago today I went to a wedding.
You were there at that wedding. It was lovely and classy. You and I sat next to each other. I liked it.

Just so you know, to me, you're classy.

the land of smiles {ประเทศไทย}

October 3....


I'm flying to Thailand for a couple weeks.


Very excited I am!


ฉันจะออกไปในความสุข ฉันจะคิดถึงเธอ คุณเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของฉันและของประเทศไทย

chocolate cake

Disclaimer: This is my aunt Pheobe's chocolate cake recipe. It is the best chocolate cake I've ever had! I'm serious. I think if you don't even like chocolate, you would marvel at this. I'll share a piece with you when I make it! I think it would taste divine with some fresh espresso.

Ingredients:
7 eggs, separated
1/2 cup baking cocoa
3/4 cup boiling water
1-3/4 cups cake flour
1-3/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

In a bowl, combine cocoa and water until smooth; cool for 20 minutes. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. (Tip: the recipe calls for cake flour but if you want to use all purpose flour, subtract 3 tablespoons and 1-1/2 teaspoons.) Add the oil, egg yolks, vanilla, and cocoa mixture. Beat until well blended.

In another large bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed until stiff peaks form. It should look something like this.
Gradually fold into chocolate mixture.

Pour batter into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Bake on lowest rack at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely.

The icing! doubling what the original recipe recommends is a good idea. This way, it covers the entire cake and leaves a little left over....

Icing:
2/3 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 tablespoons hot water

Melt butter in a saucepan. (Or the microwave.) Remove from the heat; stir in the powdered sugar, chocolate, vanilla and water. Drizzle over cake.

Bonn Appetite!

Restoration

To Restore = the act of restoration

Return to its original or usable functioning condition.
Regenerate, return to life, get or give new life or energy.
To give or bring back.
Repair: Restore by replacing a part or putting together that which is torn or broken.
Bring back to original existence.
To reestablish, or bring back into existence.
Bring back to a previous condition or state.
To give back.
To return to original state.
To get well, to heal, to put back., rebuild, renew, rejuvenate
Redeem
Reclaim
Retrieve
Recover
Deliver
Heal
Replace
To put in complete repair

This word has been on my mind and heart recently.
"I will restore" I'm not really sure what it means, but this was spoken to me 3 months agon. My spirit attests to this.

Last night, I went to a house church with some new friends. Very wonderful, I was a bit tired, but it felt good to be in the company of others, and in community. It has been awhile.

My friend Susan calmly, boldly speaks quiestly to me while we were worshiping. She knows nothing really about my state, where I am at, anything. I love her heart for the world.

She says Anita, I don't do this, but I see a picture for you. I see something so perfect, like clear glass, like a glass slipper from cinderella. It is perfect and pure. It is so beautiful and so good. It was created to shine, but now it is diteriating, it's not completely destroyed, just the top, but it is not meant to be that way. It is meant to be whole, beautiful and restored.

She says the word that is coming to me is "restoration."

Restoration.

And then she prayed for me.

Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness and for your promises.
I believe you will restore, my heart, our hearts.
I believe, help my unbelief.

Thank you, Father.

now i really found a place!

Scratch the first post when I said I found a place in the old city of Montreal. I will cancel my reservation for that place, for I needed to find a second place as well.... on top of that, O man is this confusing, anyway, I found a better apartment super close to the school and it will suffice much better. AND it's cheaper, fancy that! SO, I shall go to Montreal and stay there. I like this very much. My heart is happy.


Bonjour!

i can't wait for september...there's just something about that month.

because I'm a romantic at heart, and i like this

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Louis de Bernieres


Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not excitement,
it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being “in love” which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love, have roots that grow towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree and not two.

I think I found a place!!!!!

Yes, That's right. I found a place in Montreal to stay. Its safe, cozy and quaint. Right where I need it to be. I've seriously gotten headaches trying to find a place. I feel like I've looked on EVERY site or viewed every option available, until this guest house popped out of nowhere. I think Montreal is one of the most expensive cities, really. I guess the location in Mont Royal, and the Plateau area is more urban, and therefore more expensive. It will save me to be in that area and walk everywhere. hopefully!

I found a lovely old teapot from India that other day. It makes me smile.

Someday I'll use it.

South China Sea

I want to see the South China Sea.

I want to see your heart once again, exposed.

You see, I want you to be happy and at peace.

I want to climb a mountain, and rest at the top.

I want to leave this waiting room, and sail off to the South China Sea with you.

Yes, the green South China Sea.

Or just stay here. No matter where, if only you were by my side.

This isn't how it is supposed to be.

Weary I am.

I came home to you. With joy I gave you my heart, and now it is hanging out to dry.
That was silly of me.

I want to sail off to the South China Sea.