The Value of Wine Ramblings!

Friend/neighbour, Pussycat Paul called in this morning, to say he was driving up to the out of town Supermarket.
And, thoughtfully asked,was there anything, he could bring me in, as the footpaths to town were so icy!
My reply - milk, orange juice & more important, WINE please!
He was as good as his word & stocked me up with half a case of Australian red!
First to be sampled, was the Rosemont Estates Founder's Selection Shiraz - vintage 2006... A nice, full bodied little 13.5% vol. number; deeply coloured, rich in fruit with a hint of spice & smooth.
A perfect Winter warmer - only thing lacking, is company to share it with!

It's a well known blog fact, I enjoy my wine, sometimes too much for my own good.
However, the below quotes, not that I need any, do give it's consumption justification and/or raise a smile....

"Drink no longer water, but use wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities"
The Bible, 1 Timothy, 5:23.

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"Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes
[450 BC - 388 BC]

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"The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken."
Homer -The Odyssey
[800 BC - 700 BC]

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"If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?"

Cardinal Richeleu

[1585 - 1642]

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"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used."

William Shakespeare - Othello

[1564-1616]

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"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame.
Then I look into the glass & think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes & dreams .
If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered.
Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish & worry about my liver."
Jack Handy - singer-songwriter, poet and playwright

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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink.
When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
Frank Sinatra
[1915 - 1998]

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"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."
Henny Youngman - Comedian

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"When we drink, we get drunk.
When we get drunk, we fall asleep.
When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.
When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!"
Brian O'Rourke

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"Eat, drink & be merry for tomorrow, we may be die"

The Bible, Ecclesiastes VIII 15 [King James Version]

Though, I'm more familar with it, as the motto of 'Battle of Britian' 2nd World War fighter pilots!

Talking of which, was watching earlier, on afternoon TV, the 1964 film '633 Squardron'.

The flying scenes & memorable sound track never fail to thrill me.

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"Alcohol - the cause of and solution to all of life's problems"

Homer Simpson

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And, finally my friend Jeannie's favourite quote on the subject...

"A day without wine, is like a day without sunshine"
Ernest Hemmingway
[1899 - 1961]
Can't argue with that one!

And, all this wine has given rise to much blateration on my part.
Yes!
I've got to use another one, of my recently Adopted Words!

Saturday Photo Hunters - Bridge[s]!

Now, I'm hopeless @ card games, apart from Snap!

And, Internet Patience - the latter, I've been playing this week, due to the recent snows keeping me more computer bound than even, usual.

Anyway, as a consequence, the prompt from host tnchick, made me think of the skillful card game of Bridge & playing @ building bridges with the said cards...

Snow Musings!

Listening to the BBC lunch-time news - a tale of road & school closures, disruptions, business's failing as no-one made it into work, general woe & people be-crying the effects of the snow, I think we Brits have gone soft!
I have posted bemused snow photo's, because, having lived in Dreamingspires for now, an amazing 36 years, I've only twice, in the last twenty plus of those, seen snowfalls here to match this weeks.
And, with my current brittle bones status and ability to slip, slide & fallover, I profess to being cautious in this weather.
But, I am of the generation that remembers, repeatedly snowy Winters when, life just continued on, rather that grind to a halt as it seems to these days.
And, I've been to places like Saskatchewan, CA; where what we have now, is the norm!
To them, we are a joke!

Friend Aileni, per an 'Comment' earlier today, reminded me of the severe Winters of 1947 & 1963.
The former is well, before my time; but, I grew up hearing tales of it's length & severity, when snow chains on cars were the norm.
I do however, remember 1963, as that was the year I walked on solid frozen snow drifts that towered over my Mother's head.
But, the Village Infant School, I attended remained open.
And, the Steam Trains made it through - mine, was a Railway Community.
Other Winters in the 60's & 70's, regularly saw my village, in a rural valley in Northamptionshire severely snowed upon.
The Secondary School there, only closed briefly then & not because we, the locals couldn't walk there but the 'bused' in children couldn't get in on the first day.
I remember, with amusement, one over zealous teacher skied in, to take his C.S.E. Geography class [mine, as it happened] only to find it cancelled.
He couldn't ski home, up hill & ended up lodging @ one of the local pubs for the night.
Strangely enough, when the school, re-opened, the following morning, he was unable to take his lesson - cried off sick!

Winter back then, automatically meant, stocking up in advance, doning Wellington Boots & thick socks, mittens & warm woollen jumpers.
Now, due to years & years of mild affairs, no one is prepared.
Or, worse still, is dangerous - as no one knows how to drive carefully in ice & snow.
I think we better learn fast, as I for one, am with Aileni, re Global Cooling!
Think we are in for a lot more of this...

Snow Watch replaces Sky Watch Friday!

As yesterday, I was pre-occupied with managing my blossoming 'True Colours' photo meme, I never reported on the unusual phenomena that hit Dreamingspires for the second time in a week - Snow!
Dawn on Thursday, saw four inches...Thankfully, my bird feeders were still half full...The neighbourhood children, off school because of the snowfall were soon busy...Because of their efforts, this guy appeared @ the end of my road...And, found another fun little one, in a nearby drive, although he was suffering from mid-morning melt off...However, further flurries fell @ lunchtime.
The 'Cut' the lakeside path to my Park...But, the walk there, was worth it...The latest on the white stuff:-
It sleeted overnight, then froze and now it's snowing well again.
This is quite unprecedented Winter weather for here!
The treacherous conditions, means travel chaos reigns across my region & else where in the country
I'm staying close to home!

True Colours Thursday - ORANGE!

Now, ORANGE doesn't feature very much in my life, apart from the fruit.
Am a great believer in their Vitamin C content!
Anyway, looking around my home for subjects to photograph, the only blaze of this weeks colour, came from these, 1970's Penguin Paperback spines on my bookshelves, next to peachy, no ORANGE silk roses...That got me thinking!
I have several pre-war books owned by my Mother...Penguin Paperbacks first went on sale in Britain in July 1935!
And, "The Strange Case of Miss Annie Spragg" by Louis Bromfield, seen in the photo on the left is an early copy.
It's reverse cover lists the first twenty titles published.
It is No 19 & inside, the fly page states:-
'Published in Penguin Books 1935'!
Moving into more recent times, one of my favourite reads was the winner of the ORANGE Prize for Fiction in 2002.
"Bel Canto" by Ann Pratchett, even obligingly, has the right coloured cover...
To participate in True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs or text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
Then, leave a me a 'Comment' here, to say you are playing along this week.
Rinkly Rimes has already done so else where.
And, another earlier player this week is Rosy.
NB - To help visiting - everyone, who is or has previously participated, is named & linked in my side bar.
Next weeks colour is SILVER!
If, anyone has a suggestion for a 'Guest Colour', please feel free to say.

Postscript:-
Am again, posting unusually early for me, via Bloggers 'Scheduled Posts' function to aid any early players!
Last week, we had seven new participants!
Am amazed & delighted equally.
If this meme continues to grow in popularity, I will consider asking Mr Linky to help out.
In the meantime, do please check out my sidebar & Comments!

Wheelie Wednesday - Nurse Judy reporting!

"Hi, it's me Judy!

How's everyone???

Well - I hope and keeping warm.

It's been simply ages since I had a word with you all.
Boy - you wouldn't believe the trouble I got into with Bailey, re letting dear Sir Woodstock post instead of me.

He was one mean brother, as a consequence!

But, 'hee-hee' - he's got his come up pence now.

Wheelie Flu, for the second time too this Winter!

He's really poorly, OR making out he is.

Mummy's giving him a wide berth, as she doesn't want to catch it again.

So, I donned my best Florance Nightingale look & fetched out the tissues...He can't stop sniffling...

Then, I went and found some meds...

Even, took his temperature - remembered my 'virtual proffesional training' by experienced WFT nurse Asta & put the thermometer, under his tongue...He'll live!

Must dash, as am off to make him a hot toddy.

Mr Lemon says he will make the sacrifice...

Aren't, I, just the very best Sis, he could ever have???

I'll remind of that, when he is well again.

Foxy love & wheelie ,
xxx"

ABC Wednesday - C is for...!

Continuing my foodie theme for this round, after careful consideration, my chosen C is for Cakes - particularly, those of the Covered Market's Cake Shop that creates incredible Celebration Cakes!They include, very individual wedding commissions...And, creatively crafted Chocolate confections...
Now, although, I much admire the Cakes Shops creations, my only tasting was a considerable disappoint!
At a friends for Easter tea last year, my host produced one of their cakes...But, underneath the icing, rather than a rich fruit cake, was a extremely ordinary sponge cake, with a sickly butter cream & red coloured jam filling.
It was all show, dry texture & no flavour!
I guess I was over critical, not because of my own coquinating, [one of my Adopted Words, meaning to behave as a cook] but because, my friend Aunt J, use to bake an incredible Victoria Sandwich, never ever surpassed by anyone in my opinion.
Even my own Mother, a good cake cook, couldn't match the lightness & more important, the moistness of Aunt J's sponge.
And, I certainly never could - filled with lightly whipped fresh Cream & home-made Scottish Raspberry jam, it was heavenly - to die for.
I remember those Sunday afternoon teas with sweet nostalgia!

Aunt J followed the 'old school recipe' using Plain Flour, Cream of Tartar & Bicarbonate of Soda, instead of modern Self-raising Flour, and baked it in a coke fired Aga cooker.
Sadly now, confined to living with her son & diet conscious daughter-in-law Skyebird, she isn't allowed to cook any more, so her delicious sponge is lost to the world.
I do still have her old receipt, for those interested...
4 ozs soft Butter
3-3 1/2 ozs White Sugar
6 ozs Plain Flour
2 fresh farm Eggs
1 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar
3/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
Method - traditional creaming.
I have no oven temps or times, with a old temperamental Aga, it was down to experience & good judgement!

ABC Wednesday's creator is Denise, who's crafted a dedicated blog HERE!

Post but Not for Me!

It comes to something, when the mailman delivers a parcel and it's not mine!

Today, I got household bills in the post, Sir Woodstock recieved this...Last Wednesday, he entered the competition run by Autumn, Maggie & Mitch's 'wheelie' to win one of special minature socks knitted by their arty/crafty Mum.

And, he won with a little help from me!

As a consequence, we now have a new delightful Hug member courtesy of them too...

A FULL REPORT can be found on his blog - LOL!

But, here's Woodstock helping Merry out of her travel trunk...

And, @ least I can say Thank-You here!

Postscript:
Per a little recent Internet research, as was curious - newcomer, Merry is a Merrythought Bear from Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK.
She will therefore have been hand made, just like Woodstock

And, is fully jointed & a collectable Mohair bear like him too!

Can't date her @ mo but all Merrythoughts, are limited editions.
So, even greater thanks to Autumn and M&M's mum!!!
I just wonder, what journey took her to North America & how she got lost!

Two fer Tuesday - 24 Hours!

A few months ago, for reasons I don't recall now, saw me take a photo, from my bedroom window overlooking my neighbours gardens - this is very much how the view looked on Sunday..This was the same scene yesterday after the afternoon snow...

It certainly looks prettier, apart from the garden sheds continuing to multiplying!

But, what difference a day, or two makes!!!

Am posting early, as can't sleep.

The night world looks white!

Who knows, what this mornings light, will bring.

Two fer, is long standing blog friend Jonna's thing!

Postscript:

The overnight snow never materialised, it's already starting to melt off!

Sorry!

I've not been visiting anyone today.
It's a personal issue
Just, bare with me - have blogged re Today's Flowers, to prove I continue to exist!
The rest, I promise I will try to catch up on.

Todays Flowers - Snowed in!

Now, to those living in North America, where Winter is Winter, this may seem really silly!

But, it's snowed!
The UK's Met. Offices forecast was for once, was spot on - I, the sceptic didn't believe them!
However, light white flurries,, have been falling all day here in Dreamingspires - we have about a couple of inches as I type!

Wow!
But, that's NOTHING in comparison to what's hit other parts of the country.
It's the most significant snowfall in 18 years, for London & the SE of England, upto 8"!

Life has subsequently ground to a halt there!

And, around the country - Airports are snowbound, planes grounded; Motorways closed & snarled with abandoned & wrecked vechiles; Buses & Trains are none existent due to icy roads & frozen points.

British Rail says... "It's the wrong type of snow"!!!

The beneficiaries of our inability to cope - children, whose schools are now closed!

And, there is a new 'Severe Weather' warning in place for the next 24 hours!
The Capital could end up with a foot of snow, and the the likes of the North Pennies 3 feet!
Blimey!

I've only ventured out briefly, into my front garden - the neighbours Polyanthus looked pretty miserable in the drifted snow... But, last April's brief but, unexpected heavy snowfall produced the saddest images.
Cherry Blossom engulfed...My Tulips drooped...

Today's Flowers is hosted HERE!

Guess, I should say ... watch this space.

The snow may well get me & my locality yet!

Monochrome & Odd Shot Monday - Parking Up!

Following on from my Sunday Scenery photograph, I continued my Saturday walk around the town centre & came upon this typical, jumble of parked students bikes...As a Monochrome Maniac, thought I'd give them the B&W treatment for Aileni's meme.

And, then, came across this...Was a bit bemused - there is security & security.
But, chaining the bicycle up and then taking off both wheels too, seemed extreme!
Or, did someone take a fancy to them & strip the bike?

In this city of cycles one never knows.

Last Summer, I came upon the opposite take...Odd Shots is Katney's project!

Teatime Treats!

An unexpected invitation, to early afternoon tea today, from Pussycat Paul & France' - my neighbours & closest, local friends was not to be turned down.
I skipped along, to find I was to be 'guinea pig' to France' first, ever, attempt @ English scone making!
No worries!
They were a light, soft success, and PP's Mothers home-made Rhubarb Jam from last year was scummy.
But, have had to smile privately as this treat came from - Sorry, but, a seemingly spoilt, French born girl, who couldn't/didn't/wouldn't cook @ all, when she & PP moved here.
All early invites to snacks, supper etc, saw PP in the kitchen!
Now, a Mother of two, with a deep routed desire to stay home to raise her girls; she has with the aid of a Bread Maker, a Yogurt Maker & a fancy Fan Oven become an all most, old fashioned, thrifty wife.
She bakes & creates and admits to reading PP's recipe books.
Now, shops @ the weekly outdoor market rather than going to Supermarkets
Has put her name down to rent a small allotment plot to grew her own fruit & veg. on, as our gardens are not that big, especially hers, after their latest extension.
And, she's opened up the Victorian fire place in their house's sitting room & goes foraging for wood to burn.
The latter was a 'toasty warm' delight to sit by - sadly, the previous owners of my home, sealed all the chimneys & removed the fireplaces - dam, damm, dammm!

Anyway, extended Tea Time, was fun.
Their girls - Shy & Little Miss Smile - now 3+ & 2+ respectively, are delightful, which is supreme praise indeed from me, who's not child friendly.
The maternal streak did not run in my family & skipped me totally.
But, have to admit to having, a sneaking affection for these two.
They know me by name, play easily with me & try hard, very hard to find my tickle spot!
I did take some great photo's but Pussycat Paul asked me not to share here.
His new partnership in a prestigious law firm, the cause.
He's such a lovely guy, I could not, not respect his wishes.

Sunday Scenery - Students Wheels!

Bicycles lined up in the heart of Dreamingspires yesterday, here outside St Mary Magdalen church, says that the universities Hilary Term is well under way...Student parking isn't always as orderly, as tomorrows monochrome will show.
Sunday Scenery, is the creation of Tarheel Rambler .

Camera Critters Sunday - Puddle Ducks!

The recent heavy rains & resulting puddles provided more than interesting reflections for me [Sky Watch Friday below], as walking through my Park, came across this group of Mallards...There were more ducks, a puddling in the mud, only they took fright & quickly waddled off.

Oh, for a proper ZOOM lens!

Camera Critters Mama is Misty Dawn - the home site HERE!