What would helen do?

February 3, 2012

2/2/12 Groundhog Day!!

2/2/12 Groundhog Day!!

six more weeks of winter —

WAIT — has winter even started yet??

Had an informative Whiskey tasting at work today.

I learned a lot.

Did you know:

All Scotch is Whiskey but all Whiskey is not Scotch?

friend Vanessa is in Italy skiing & she sent me

this photo — if they had MY SIZE I’d be in business.

I could use a Hello Kitty ski jacket with

matching Ski Helmet!

Why don’t they make these in adult sizes?

used a GROUPON at our local Italian Market–

Altomonte’s http://www.altomontes.com/

– they have awesome Italian specialties.

Groupon was pay $10 & get $20 worth of groceries.

OK -that’s a no brainer!

what I got from Altomontes Italian Deli.

Supplies for Super Bowl Party appetizers.

I will show you the finished product

after I make them. Guaranteed to be Yummy!

License plate I saw today —

{JIM — what do YOU think this one means???}

I never knew this!!!!

Learn something new every day!! (LSNED)

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“Learn something from everyone.”

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LIFE is for the living.

It’s up for grabbing onto and living on the wild side.

Life is not about sitting safely in the harbor,

but about casting off the bowlines

and heading into the unknown.

Live life to the fullest today.

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remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

February 3, 2012

2/1/12 Beer Class & Wine School (someone has to do it!)

2/1/12

Beer Class – the first Wednesday of every Month.

Noon @ Memphis Taproom.

http://memphistaproom.com/

*Note — MONGO on TAP!

Brendan (owner)

Today’s beer class theme was:

“Unpronounceable Beers”

first up was WOSTYNJE –

a Belgium beer, dark blond ale

Nick came to help with Beer Class –

he works at Memphis Taproom

Lee also adding commentary to today’s class

{another Memphis Taproom employee}

sinebrychoff porter ~it’s an “urban sherpa”

Sinebrychoff Porter is a top-fermented dark, almost black, unfiltered beer whose aromas convey a malty toastiness.

The four different malts – pilsner, Munich, brown and caramel

– used in its production give the beer its characteristic aromas: toastiness, chocolate, coffee and liquorice.

Beer Class – never too young to start learning

glass, thermos, bottle

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier

~A full bodied smoked bock beer.

We kept calling it “Bacon Beer” —

let’s just say it was “interesting”

FULL CLASSROOM today – everyone is here to learn

Xyauyu; Reserva Teo Musso. (that’s a mouthful)

~Italian Barley Wine that tastes like port

& costs $10 per 2 ounce pour

Christine & Mike

~ friends I made at Beer School

Memphis Taproom’s famous vegan club sandwich.

~SMOKED COCONUT CLUB

Grilled lemon garlic tofu, smoked coconut, tomato herb mayo

SPAGHETTI SANDWICH

~Roasted garlic, lentil meatballs, tomato sauce

Christine liked it but thought it needed more sauce.

it is also VEGAN

Me & Jeff —

he comes to as many of the beer classes as he can

Wednesday night is also WINE SCHOOL…..

(I will earn a certificate with this class —

credentials, credentials, credentials!)

Most of the wines we tried tonight

“homework”

WHY I LIKE taking the train —

you see ALL kinds of “stuff”

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Get over the idea

that only children should spend their time in study.

Be a student so long as you still have something to learn,

and this will mean all your life.

~Henry L. Doherty
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I am learning all the time.

The tombstone will be my diploma.

~Eartha Kitt

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See ALL of the Pictures from Beer Class Here:

http://pix.kg/p/221906639408%3A1727455293/scl

remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

February 1, 2012

January 31st 2012 my first Wine/Food pairing at Taormina’s

January 31st 2012

Our friend used to hold the Wine/Food pairings at

Carrabba’s each month but when Susan departed there

was no one to take over so I volunteered.

Being “in charge” really makes one appreciate the experience

& how we could NEVER thank Susan enough for all she did.

It’s more work than one would realize.

Hoping the process gets easier the more we do it.

Thanks to all who supported the “inaugural tasting”-

we even had a WAIT LIST as I wanted to keep the

first one small & manageable.

Taormina’s is where we held the first tasting.

(and hope to continue doing so….)

http://www.letseat.at/taorminasofivyland

We started with LAMARCA PROSECCO

(tonight’s theme was ITALIAN WINES)

paired with a mushroom risotto

LEONE white wine blend was a big hit.

Not too dry, not too sweet, a little acidic –

perfectly balanced!

LEONE was paired with grilled shrimp

(Jessica could have eaten FORTY of them!)

& spring mix with a wonderful lemon vinaigrette

pouring the next wine

Josephine Taormina socializing with us

TORMARESCA was a BIG HIT.

A red wine blend medium to fuller body,

not oaky & very tasty!

paired with a tasty Brooklyn pizza pie

PALAZZO DELLA TORRE —

just buy this wine — it’s fabulous —

a blend of three grapes —

big bold red

Paired with filet, broccoli & potato wedge

MONKEY BUSINESS —

you know I can’t go to dinner without TOYS!

last & maybe my favorite —

Banfi Florus 2008 Late Harvest.

Made from 100% Moscadello.

Vanilla & Chocolate mousse & a personal cannoli

fresh brewed coffee to end the night

Tonight’s PIONEER of the Wine Tasting.

front: Tanya, Jessica, Heather & Denise

back: Helen, Nikki & Kim

Denise & Nikki with WALTER the chef

Graceann – Great job tonight — THANK YOU!!!!

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have the moment worth capturing….

MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

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I have tasting notes for all the wines we poured tonight.

We liked ALL of them (yay!)

Please let me know if you want the notes.

Also if anyone needs wine — LMK!

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All the photos from the wine tasting can be found here:

http://pix.kg/p/651462439408%3A1634123965/scl

remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

January 31, 2012

Monday 1/30/12 groundhog week, dogs, Doctor

Monday 1/30/12

I love Groundhog Day & Punxsutawney Phil!

Chester relaxing (?) on the chaise lounge.

I don’t know how he is comfortable all

twisted like that

Weasel’s couch….. she’s comfy!

Called the DR at 9:43 & got a 10 a.m. appt.

Walked right over – gave blood, now just waiting for results.

I have an underactive thyroid so I have to get

blood work every few months to regulate my meds.

No studying for those tests!

Chester killed a toy today but I can’t complain —

look at the killing in the next photo………

friend Adam’s dog went to town on a dog bed.

now that’s a mess I don’t want to clean up.

Italian Cruise ship captain Francesco Schettino

began his new job as a bus driver yesterday……

Cardinal photo friend Cat sent me from last time

we got snow – I’m sure it was a GREAT DAY!

Everyone gets a second chance

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Forget about your life situation

and pay attention to your life.

Your life situation exists in time.

Your life is now.
Your life situation is mind-stuff.

Your life is real.
– Eckhart Tolle

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impossible is only true until you prove it otherwise.

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remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

January 30, 2012

1/29/12 Sunday party recovery, Movies

1/29/12 Sunday

DOG DRIVER

a friend of mine who lives in San Diego sent this picture.

I really love the story that goes with the photo.

“Saw this awesome looking dog keeping his owners seat warm.

As I was taking the picture the owner came out.

Found out she (the dog) is 15 years old

And is a chow/yellow lab mix. Beautiful dog:)”

not only did Heather take the picture BUT she also

go the dog’s story. I love that!

Feel free to send me pictures!

It was a BLT day with a side of bacon.

Late late night, lots of bubbly……

Went to the movies with sister Pat & friend Joyce.

We saw the movie ONE FOR THE MONEY

based on the book by Janet Evanovich.

We enjoyed it but you can wait for Netflix….

Here’s the trailer:

Pat made some chicken breasts on the Foreman Grill

– then she decided to toast up these Chicken tender things

Picassa bitch cat acting like a Princess.

Enjoying the sun.

Stopped over to Taorminas to wrap up

loose ends for my first wine & food pairing.

We are starting with 8 people & seeing how it goes.

Hopefully it will be smooth sailing because

ultimately we would like to expand.

I WILL………..

Picassa is no doubt BOSS of our animal household

though she rarely hijacks the dogbeds.

there’s a “HURRY MODE”???

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Success has nothing to do

w
ith what you gain in life
or accomplish for yourself.

It is what you do for others.
– Danny Thomas

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“Fear of failure and fear of the unknown

are always defeated by faith.

Having faith in yourself,

in the process of change,

and in the new direction that change sets

will reveal your own inner core of steel.”

~Georgette Mosbacher
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remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

January 30, 2012

Saturday Regift Party 2012 January 28th part two

Saturday Regift Party 2012

Linda with her olive oil server

MB with the gift everyone wanted —

a basket of towels & bathroom accoutrements

Maureen stole the “wine glass”/Vase from ME!

no worries — I got MORE wine glasses…..

Pat with the lovely Eagles Football ornament

Weasel tuckered out – too much partying for her!

She is 77 yrs old.

Chester enjoying the party

doing a yoga pose with my new gifts because the

last ones got stolen!

Pete with a Popcorn Maker! Lucky Pete!!!

Todd — he stole the key finder gadget

Jim got the gift I really wanted (for Weasel)

a Teddy Bear — but his grandson will be the recipient –

at least that’s what Jim said…..

The Schneider Family —

Robin, Bill & Samantha — thanks for coming!

Todd, Jim & Chris

neighbor Deb stopped in

after flying home from her ski trip

dog “regifts”….. we have lots of those!

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All the pictures from REGIFT PARTY 2012 can be found Here:

http://pix.kg/p/233721239408%3A1374096084/scl

remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

January 30, 2012

Saturday Regift Party 2012 January 28th part one

Regift Party 2012

Each year for 8 (?) years we host a regift party.

You bring a present that you got for

Christmas that you don’t like/need –

but someone else might!!!

why Jesus got MYRRH as a present

Cat was FIRST to arrive —

thanks for Wine O’clock sign Cat!

Billy got this awesome painting!

You can tell he really likes it.

Mayor Bob “won” a “Hamster Wheel”

Bruce got a useful gift – a BALACLAVA —

then Michael stole it!

Chris really liking the wine rack — that he

“accidentally” left at our house……

WHAT could be in THIS box??

WOW – I needed this!

extra large wine glass!

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All the pictures from REGIF
T PARTY 2012 can be found Here:

http://pix.kg/p/233721239408%3A1374096084/scl

remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
http://helentdiehl.posterous.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

What would helen do?

2/2/12 Groundhog Day!!

It’s up for grabbing onto and living on the wild side.

Life is not about sitting safely in the harbor,

but about casting off the bowlines

and heading into the unknown.

Live life to the fullest today.

2/1/12 Beer Class & Wine School (someone has to do it!)

January 31st 2012 my first Wine/Food pairing at Taormina’s

Monday 1/30/12 groundhog week, dogs, Doctor

1/29/12 Sunday party recovery, Movies

Saturday Regift Party 2012 January 28th part two

Saturday Regift Party 2012 January 28th part one

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