20lbs? in 2 Months????

Ok Vacation booked…….I have 2 months……..

Being a middle-aged pre-menopausel….wino, (makes me sound like a crazy raving lunatic) has taken my body to new level of muffin topness.

My goal by throwing myself under the bus here is to shame me into holding myself accountable. Yea, yea, yea I know shaming myself is not the way to go, I need to create a healthy lifestyle and stick to it. Whatever ….tell that to my bathing suits that have not left the 4 walls of their dresser drawer in 2 years.

I am a generally happy camper, the usual social butterfly, love my job, my husband, my kids (when they aren’t driving me to drink) so the one area of my life that occupies too much of my time in a negative way is my struggle my weight. I don’t over indulge really, but I do like my wine of course and the Creme Brulee at dinner last night was to die for but I am not a junk food junkie, don’t drink soda, love fruit and veggies and can tolerate a protein smoothie now and then, oh and did I mention I rode my bike twice this week? Yea I admit I hate exercise…..BUT I am going to commit to make a concerted effort to get moving.

So here I go…..it’s July 1st let’s see what I can do! The good news is if I can shed some baggage here I won’t need to buy new clothes for vacation, I have a closet full of new “I am gonna save these for when I lose weight clothes” .

Cheers!

Pam #wannabesize10

Maryland Summer Sips!

Tis the season for Wine Tastings and Festivals…..

Don’t be so quick to grab that mass-produced California wine at the grocery store this Summer. With the onset of Wineries popping up in Maryland this is a great time of year to explore our own states viticulture.

I have to admit until I began working for a Winery here in Maryland I had never heard of the American Hybrids that we grow, more importantly I couldn’t pronounce them. Now that I have ventured to quite a few of Maryland Wine Festivals and had the opportunity to visit some of our local Wineries I have become a bit more versed in the Hybrid library. You will encounter Chambourcin, Vidal, and Traminette at most local Vineyards. Some will have more variety and grapes that you recognize but these 3 will become familiar to you the more you carouse the mid-atlantic region.

Now I am a bit biased and won’t miss the opportunity to throw in a shameless plug but I do have a few Maryland favorites. There are some great Summer Reds that are worth mentioning, not all Summer Wines need to be White. I love Boordy’s Chambourcin Merlot….http://www.boordy.com/

 

Insert shameless plug……..

Here at Layton’s Chance http://laytonschance.com/ we have a new release.. Picnic Red ….it is a light bodied Chambourcin perfect for Summer!

 

We also just released a Dessert Traminette and our seasonal Watermelon!

 

There are lots of Events happening around Maryland this time of year, so plan a few road trips to see what’s going on in your own back yard.  Check out: http://www.marylandwine.com/learn-more/Maryland-Wineries-Association for a listing of Maryland Wineries and events.

We will be at the Annapolis Art & Wine festival this weekend……. http://annapolisartscraftsandwinefestival.com/www.theannapolisartscraftsandwinefestival.com/Welcome.html

This is a great venue to check out some local Wine and Craftsman all in one place.

Our annual Grape Blossom Festival held here at Layton’s Chance will take place June 15th. This is also a great opportunity to try some other Wineries all in one place and raise money for a good cause.

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e77ycp935194a577&llr=hyy5ubdab

So the next time your out shopping for Wine check out the Maryland section…..

Happy Sipping!

Pam

Bottled Poetry – Day 2

Day 2 of Bottling ended with our much anticipated “Turbo Charged Joe’s Cool Red”

18% alcohol……Can you say Boo Yah!!!

 

Cheers!!

Bottled Poetry – Day 1

Bottling day at the Winery………. Bo sizes up the situation…..
If we didn’t already have enough levity we all enjoyed the wonderful job Walmart did in decorating this Birthday Cake…….

Norton Wine Reception

I have to admit sometimes I miss catering……not enough to go back into the restaurant business mind you, but I sometimes get the urge to whip something up for the masses. Working at a Winery occasionally gives me the chance to tap into my love for food. I had that chance today trying to pair some light fare to go with a Norton Wine our Wine Maker released today. The limited supply  gave cause for a small reception for our Wine Club members to taste and buy. This particular Wine was interesting to me and has become a prime example of how aging of a Wine can totally transform and enhance its flavor. It is a 2011 vintage which may not really be that old but let me tell you what a difference in taste from the first time I tried it. Over the past year we have sampled it at Tasting Trials and all I could think was “This tastes like dirt” to put it nicely……Wanting to be more diplomatic I changed my description to “Earthy“….much more acceptable.  This Native American  Earthy Red has grown on me, after tasting it today  I am a true fan!!!  The Norton Grape has a interesting story to tell if you get the chance check out it’s origin…..great story.

 This is our Wine Maker, William Layton                       Layton’s Chance Winery

http://www.laytonschance.com

This Norton Wine proved to be a bit of a challenge to pair: I went with Pulled Bison, Brie with Honey Walnut Sauce, Garlic Herb Bread with Unfiltered Olive Oil, Caprese Bites, Smoked Summer Sausage, Hard Salami, Smoked Almonds……and yes Red Velvet Truffle Brownies from a Pinterest Recipe. If you are looking for a Valentine’s dessert these are scrumptious and look quite dramatic.

http://pizzazzerie.com/recipes/valentines-day-red-velvet-oreo-truffle-brownie-bars/

Cheers!

Pam