We had a GREAT weekend! As I mentioned back in January, Little J and DIL have come back to the States for a little R&R. While I love Mrs. J dearly and enjoy her company, it's been nice to have a couple more voices in the house. We've still got them until the end of this month, so we've got that going for us.
As an additional surprise, I got a call a couple of weeks ago from my Brother. We talk on the phone a few times a year, but I haven't seen him in person since MBD and SIL's wedding 3 years ago. During the conversation, I mentioned that his nephew would be visiting. He then asked if he could visit.*
We said yes and worked out the schedule. He flew into San Antonio Friday PM and arrived just before Dark. Which was a good thing because Stormaggeddon II was still affecting the area.
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| What is not apparent from the picture is on top of the snow is about a half inch of ice. Michiganders may be able to drive on ice. Texans can not! |
We also coordinated the schedule and arrival time of MBD, SIL and MG, as he hasn't met his new grandniece yet.
We took care of that introduction almost immediately. (Ok, after we opened a bottle of Rose'). My sister joined us for dinner (Green Chile Chicken - essentially Chicken Stew with Jalapeño's, Pablano's and Canned Green Chile's). Unfortunately, although I seeded the jalapeño's, they were much spicier than usual. There were a few watery eyes around the table. But...All of it was eaten.
Saturday was planned by the "Kids", we were going to go wine tasting. Apparently, the wine making industry in the area has matured quite a lot from my days of owning a wine store and wine tour company. Back then there were 6 wineries in our vicinity. A wine tour consisted of visiting all 6. Today there are 80 wineries in the Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area. That's according to the wikipedia source. I think there are WAAAYYY more than that. So many, and so many people visiting, that tasting reservations are highly encouraged and at some wineries required.
In any case, our first stop was at Southold Farm & Cellar. It's a relatively new winery, the oldest wine they were tasting was harvested in 2018. The 4 wines we tasted were good, but young. The young lady who was running our tasting was fun and knew her stuff and didn't put on any "airs" about wine. You know what I mean. "This wine has a lovely nose with just the slightest whiff of elderberry" all the while they're looking down their nose at you. Nope, she was funny and knew her spiel and knew that we knew something about wine. So, we had a great time.
But the big draw at this winery was this.
That cell phone pic doesn't really do the place justice. The winery is located on the highest point in the Hill Country, and about 10' in front of those picnic tables, the ground slopes quite sharply down several hundred feet. (No, Beans, not much danger of falling, but rolling down it would be quite ... exhilarating!)
Overall grade? We will go back again.
Next stop was at William Chris Vineyards. This wasn't one of the 6 original wineries in the area, but it has been around quite a while, and was one of my usual stops in my wine tour days. It was quite crowded there when we arrived for our tasting appointment, but we went right in. So having the appointment was a good idea. Jonathan, who conducted the tasting, asked us what we knew about wines. We mentioned the tours and store, and he broke out in a big smile. He excused himself for a minute and returned. Shortly thereafter the winemaker, Chris Brundrett, stopped by. I introduced myself and to my surprise, he recognized me. (Yes, Beans, Jonathan might have had an influence on his memory, but Chris didn't have to stop by either.)
In any case, Jonathan led us through a 6 wine tasting starting with two whites, a Blanc du bois, and a Roussane followed by 4 Red Blends. All were outstanding. Jonathan then asked if we'd like to taste an unfiltered sparkling rose, I'm not a big fan of bubbles, but MBD, DIL and Mrs. J are. So...
Jonathan asks us if we'd ever seen someone open a bottle with a saber. Both Little J and I had, but SIL said he hadn't but would really like to see it. Jonathan disappeared and returned with a bottle and a short sword, more of a scimitar than a saber. He escorted us outside, where he told SIL that he (SIL) would be performing the action. After a short instruction period, the bottle was opened.
He was pretty jazzed about that.
We then sat down at the table in the background in the video, ordered a couple of Charcuterie trays and a bottle of wine (Enchante', one of their red blends), and enjoyed a warmer February afternoon.
Overall grade? Must revisit! Often.
Afterwards, some of us took a long winter's nap.
Sunday was church as usual, brunch afterwards and MBD, SIL, and MG's return home. My brother flies out as this post gets published. We had a great time. Hope your weekend was good also.
*He lives in LA (No, Beans, I don't hold that against him although one of the first things we agreed upon was not to discuss feelings about various government officials. As of this writing, that agreement has not been violated by either side.)
That would be a perfect day.
ReplyDeleteWatching the video, it looks like SIL had done it a million times before.
This morning there is a heavy dusting of snow on the ground in Philly, and it's thirty degrees at 0600.
Our plans are to not go outside.
Off topic, the first two episodes of Reacher are very, very good, and we watched some of the third episode before going to bed around midnight.
John,
DeleteYep, it would be pretty hard to improve on it.
Even re-watching the video, it doesn't look like he exerted much effort. But as I said, it looked more like a short scimitar than the sabers I've seen, so Force- Mass X Acceleration seemed to work just fine.
As to weather, we'd been cooped up in the house for the previous 3 days, it was very nice to get out and about. And...I didn't have to drive, just keep my granddaughter entertained. A great day.
Thanks for the recommendation. We'll give it a look-see.
Napoleonic era artillery sword, maybe mid 1800's. Short but heavy blade, useful as a machete, chopper and as a defensive weapon.
DeleteThanks, Beans. Good to know and next visit, we'll test Jonathan's knowledge of weaponry, as well as some wine ;-).
DeleteIf you ever hit Flohduh, you might want to try Lakeridge: https://www.lakeridgewinery.com/
ReplyDeleteMark, Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteWhen there's a half inch of ice on the ground this Northlander stays off the roads, being an old fart I can.....:) Good to have a partial gathering of the clan, time passes much too quickly. The wine tastings sound excellent and remember, hold the high ground always! Oh ya, someone has that nap-taking down pat.
ReplyDeleteYep, We stayed in also. Our well-stocked larder took a bit of a beating over the past few days. Apparently, feeding 8 three squares a day requires more supplies than feeding two. Who knew? Big plan for today is a trip to HEB for food. I'm so excited! ;-)
DeleteLooks like a good time was had by all. SIL has a nice touch with that blade.
ReplyDeleteAs to the view from the Southold Farm & Cellar, good spot for a firebase, dominates the surrounding terrain.
Yep, In the video, did you notice the woman walking into the field of fire? Clueless is a poor way to go through life. SIL retrieved the cap and top of the bottle and is, no doubt, displaying it in the family house in CStat.
DeleteAdd in a little bit of Airpower (always) and that would be a pretty survivable firebase.
Impressive. Never done that, doubt I ever will. I remember being told a scimitar is the better blade (weight, stiffer, balance?) for this.
ReplyDeleteHtom,
DeleteAgreed. The sabers I've seen were about 3/4" wide (cutting edge -> Back). I'd estimate this one to have been closer to 2", so more mass. In fact, my initial reaction on seeing him swing was that he'd missed. It wasn't until I stopped filming that I saw the top of the bottle. I don't know how often they do that ceremony there, but SIL was beside himself the rest of the day. So, William Cris has new wine club members.
Juvat, I do not wonder that the Texas Hill Country Winery industry has benefitted in at least some manner from the growth of the nearby Austin Area (lots of Californians, but others to be sure) that 1) Have experience with California Wines so they are willing to pay and buy them, and 2) Do not want to pay California prices for wines. I have driven through the Napa Valley more than once: wonderful scenery, wines I cannot afford.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful day and that everyone did have a good time indeed. Was the saber specifically for opening bottles? It appears a bit truncated, but perhaps that is from the shot.
(Good on you and your brother for agreeing to a truce. Would that all family members were so inclined.)
THB,
DeleteI don't know where I read it, but recently I ran across something that said "Remember...You're refugees, not missionaries". I so want a bumper sticker with that on it. One of my pet peeves is a conversation that starts with "When we were in California....". My mind generates the thought "If it was so wonderful, go back"
I was born there, my mother was raised there, I have family there, and while the scenery and climate are beautiful, I have no desire to visit.
That having been said, I do buy some California wine. I enjoy good wine wherever it is made.
As to the saber, I don't know if it was made solely for that purpose, but, as I've mentioned earlier, it didn't look like any saber I've seen, so yes, maybe.
Thanks, Agreed.
From the picture the sabre resembles a mid nineteenth century Naval cutlass. Old Guns
ReplyDeleteI yield to more expertise. At my first glance I thought it was a machete, but the blade wasn't quite as wide as that nor shaped like one. The blade did have a curve on the cutting side and little to no curve on the back, so you're probably correct.
DeleteCutlass is a good guess, but as I said above it looks like an artillery sword. Basically one is the other. Heavy chopper, more a multi-tool than a weapon-only-weapon.
ReplyDeleteI cook with wine, don't often drink it. Though Mrs. Andrew and I are thinking of getting a good bottle of icewine for this year's anniversary. Or some plum wine.
Other than that, sounds like a wonderful weekend. May you have many more.
Thanks, Beans. What was an artillery sword used for? It doesn't look big/long enough to be a very effective weapon.
DeleteIt was used for artillering, of course!
DeleteAhhhh, NOW I understand!
DeleteAn interesting discussion of Artillery Swords can be found here
DeleteClose defense weapon, a shorter blade is better in tight quarters. Also used as a machete, for chopping wood, for hacking turf, basically a giant K-Bar knife. And... for killing artillery horses and hacking them out of harness, sad but true.
DeleteAlso useful for busting open crates, boxes, digging. Think sharpened entrenching tool. Which artillery troops also were equipped with, that being shovels and pickaxes and all sorts of stuff.
But back to the shortness of it. Artillery troops were highly skilled and highly trained artillerists. If it gets so bad that the artillery troops have to engage hand-to-hand, it means the poop has hit the rotary oscillator and it's best to be close in to your opponent. Thus heavy short swords and daggers and artillery spikes and blocks and maces and linstocks and other weapons.
From six wineries to 80? Methinks they have discovered that wine is good business! They just making the wine or growing The grapes as well? I did like your Hill country, far more scenic and varied in landscape than down by San Antone.
ReplyDeleteIt was good business when we had the store and tours. It's a mixed bag of winery only and vineyard/winery. Most of the big/well known are both, most of the small ones are wineries. Virtually all have to buy grapes from somewhere. Some do so from your neck of the woods and that kinda irritated some folks as Texas law allowed them to label the wine as Texas Wine. New Law is going into effect this year which clears that up. A wine labeled as "Texas Wine" has to be made in Texas with Texas Grown Grapes. (They don't have to be grown on that winery's property unless labeled "Estate", just somewhere in Texas.
DeleteYep, it's pretty easy to determine when you enter the Hill Country.
What a fun visit! Good food, good fun, and good wine! I've only been to one winery in Texas, Haak Winery, down towards Galveston. My brothers prefer beer over wine.
ReplyDeleteI know the Haaks, met them at a "how to make wine" class we were both taking. I've stopped by there a time or two since. Nice folks.
DeleteOne winemaker I know has an adage. "Good wine requires good beer."
I do like me some good Hill Country vistas. A while back I stayed in a cabin on a ranch near Mountain Home, west of Kerrville, that had a nice lanai, errr, porch, that looked west over valley to some other hills. Very relaxing place to spend an early evening, and even an early morning. The fact that there was a LOT of exotic game on the ranch that wandered by frequently was a real bonus.
ReplyDeleteI flew into DFW on Saturday afternoon, arrived about 5:00 - still lots of ice and granular snow around the buildings. I was amazed at the huge swath of what looked like heavy accumulation in parts of what I think was western MS and eastern LA as we flew over that area.
Glad you had a great weekend with the family - thanks for the nice pics of everyone.
Thanks Tom. The weather wasn't as bad as last year. We only lost power once and only for a couple of minutes which is infinitely better than being without for 5 days. However there wasn't much ice last year, but was this. We knew it was coming and it was just a matter of whether the family would arrive before, during or after that was of concern. Fortunately, all were present and accounted for before the storm.
DeleteI've been to Mountain Home quite a few times. You're right, very pretty country.
Thanks
Good times with family is priceless! Glad it all came together! And he did good with opening the wine bottle!
ReplyDeleteThanks, you're right.
DeleteYeah he did, he even spent a bit of time finding the Cap and ring of glass as a souvenir. I think it's going into his trophy case. :-)
It's important to retrieve the top, because it's a very sharp ring blade. Horrible thing to step on or pick up by mistake or be found by a pet. The bottle to is also very sharp!
ReplyDeleteWe did, it's in his "I Love Me" trophy case in a place of honor. (You have one of those don't you? ;-) )
Deletec/bottle to is/top of the bottle itself is/
ReplyDeleteI knew what you meant.
DeleteLooks like you had a good time. That day wasn't the warmest, but better than the last few. We hunkered down with plenty of food and firewood.
ReplyDeleteNo loss of electricity at all down here near Bandera. The only bad part was my mother-in-law spent Wednesday night through Saturday afternoon with us and drove my wife crazy.
When we go north to visit family in the Metromess, we go through the 'Burg and take 290 east. I last did that back in the fall. There were more wineries going in between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. It has been amazing seeing the growth over the last 8 years since my daughter, SIL and grandkids moved down to Bandera. I want to visit the Altstadt Brewery, which is in the middle of all the wineries, as I am a fan of German beers having lived there for 3 years (77-80). What they bottle is good, but they have more on tap. I may take one of my ill-gotten Oktoberfest liter mugs just for entertainment.
Alstadt is worth the stop although we found it to be a bit snooty. But that was a couple of years ago when it had just opened. Might have to give it another shot and it's not too far at all to some really nice wineries from there...if you decide to walk out.
DeleteOther than the very short power loss, which unbeknownst to us caused the heater in one of our cabins to go offline (as expected). What was unexpected was it didn't start back up when the power came back on. Yes, the house got cold as in sub freezing. Fortunately we had turned the water on to drip. Made quite the little stalagmite in the shower