An Almost Empty Wine Glass

We used to drink a half glass of red wine every evening before dinner. That stopped mid way through the pandemic. We just didn’t have a taste for it anymore. Now we have a small amount of wine on special occasions - which are rare - or every once in a while at home. But since my husband has started taking a new medicine, that has changed things up again. This medicine puts him to sleep and zaps out his energy. That’s why he takes it before he goes to sleep. But oftentimes there is a residual effect. And, we are also trying to figure out if there are any dietary issues that are exacerbating his problem. That could include wine, tomatoes, coffee, chocolate and a host of other things. So it’s not a great idea to drink something that can also make you tired. So every once in awhile - especially if there is a bottle open - we have a glass of wine. Except now I have the usual less than half glass, and he barely has a swallow. I’m not sure if or when he will ever be able to eat and drink the things that we always did. Things could be a lot worse. Right now it’s just a big inconvenience. 

Wine Again?

For as long as I can remember we always had a half glass of red wine every evening. We still have a small wine rack in the dining room that houses a few bottles from a variety of places. We even started to order a case of our favorite wine every few months from Total Wine. It was cheaper than buying a bottle here and there at the grocery store. But half way through the pandemic we just decided to stop. I’m not really sure why - we just did. I haven’t really thought much about it - except every week when I’m dusting and brush off the bottles. For whatever reason this week we thought it might be a good idea to have a glass of wine before dinner - just like we used to. So I asked my husband to pull a bottle out. He reached to the bottom of the pile and found Los Vascos. It is from Chile from 2008. For no particular reason I asked him to look up the price to see if it’s changed in fifteen years. It was only eleven dollars - no difference at all. That just goes to show you that some things don’t change over time. So I uncorked the bottle and poured our usual half glass. Then we had a toast. This is the first time I actually could taste the difference from what is our usual flavor - and I can honestly say I didn’t care for it. But we will finish the bottle off over the next few days. There is something nice about sipping wine before dinner - even though I never really cared for the taste. Should we get any replacement bottles? I’m not so sure. 

An Unexpected Surprise

We didn’t check for our delivery at the front desk for a couple of days. We ordered a filter for the refrigerator so we weren’t in any hurry and that’s what I assumed it was. So today when we picked up our mail the filter was in the mailbox, so we we perplexed as to whatever the other package was. It was from Wine Country gift baskets. We had no idea who it might have been sent from, and then I thought of one thing - before I saw the name on the gift card. We had gone to the army museum at Fort Belvoir a few weeks back at the request of someone that we know from the Midwest whose father was in the Korean War. He made a donation for a brick at the army museum and she wondered if we could see if it was installed there and take a photo. We were happy to go because it made for a fun excursion and is only thirty minutes away from where we live. It’s a brand new museum and would also be a great place to take photos for the weekly photo challenge. Plus, our son was in the army for twenty years. Unfortunately the brick was not yet installed, but I sent photos of the place to our friend - and that we would be happy to go back when the brick is put in place. I didn’t think any more about it. Then this lovely package arrived thanking us for making the trip. It was totally unexpected, but also very thoughtful. It certainly wasn’t necessary, but was such a nice gesture. Thanks Debbie! 

52Frames_windowlight

This week’s 52Frame’s photo challenge was all about window light. I struggled a bit with this one. I usually like to be outside somewhere - either in the neighborhood park or for a drive in to DC to find something apropos. I spent one entire day fooling around with ideas in the house - especially since it would be the one day with bright light. But that wasn’t the idea - I don’t think it mattered if the light was bright, just that it was natural light. Whenever I try to get “artistic” the outcome isn’t really that great. By artistic, I mean out of the ordinary of what I typically do. I like to take photos for this blog, but also for memorable personal scenes. So sticking a bird behind a shade didn’t do it; following rainbows on the walls and floors weren’t any better; using mirrors and reflections and windows as backdrops didn’t seem to do much for me. Then on Sunday I was sitting on the couch sipping the last bit of our nightly dose. The balcony door was open facing the western sky and the best idea popped up. The light shining through my fingers and glass just seemed right. So I submitted that image and was happy about it. Sometimes the best photos come at the most unexpected and least planned times. 

Morning Walk, Voted, Total Wine and McDonald’s

We took our morning walk as we usually do - but there were three main diversions. We finally mailed our ballots at the post office - we didn’t want to wait in line at the drop off station -  then went to pick up our Total Wine order in Fairfax. I’ve been searching for our favorite Diseno Malbec and no one has 12 bottles anymore. If you get a case at Total Wine, you get a discount plus more if it is a case. Our local store has been sold out for weeks, so I’ve looked at Reston, Alexandria and Fairfax. Finally I found a dozen at Fairfax yesterday, ordered it and scheduled a pick up, only to get a call this morning that they only had nine. So we not only lost our discount price of an unbelievable $7 plus per bottle, but the case discount as well. It was still less than what we would have paid at Giant if I added six bottles to our grocery pick up scheduled for tomorrow. The traffic to get to Fairfax was ridiculous for only 7 miles or so, but the pick up was easy enough. Now you can inform the store you are there through the email notification. You just need to write in the parking space you are in. Of course they check your ID too. Since it was past noon we decided to stop at Mac’s on the way home and pick up a light lunch which of course included French fries. We saved half of them to add to breakfast omelets. So it was an “eventful” day given our usual activity of nothing most of the time. It was a beautiful sunny blue sky day - we walked, voted, stocked up on wine, and had Mac’s. Who could ask for anything more? 

Shake Shack Breakfast and Wine Pick Up at Schneider’s

Our usual morning walk started out the same. But we were on a mission as well. Because the HVAC people were coming in to check building filters and pipes, we knew we would have breakfast while we were out. And since it was a scorcher - again - we headed to the air conditioned Union Station. After walking all three levels twice around we checked on Chick Fil A, but decided on Shake Shack instead. So we sat in the main hall and watched all the interesting sights. Then we went outside in to the dreadful heat and walked a couple of blocks to Schneider’s of Capitol Hill Fine Wine and Spirits. For being just 1030 in the morning, the place was crawling with activity. We were asked by our daughter in law (who now lives in Virginia) if we would mind picking up a bottle of wine that they would be needing in time for a wedding this weekend. She had made arrangements with the place to let them know we would be there. So when we arrived, the bottle was ready and waiting. We have passed by Schneider’s many times during our walks in the neighborhood but had never been inside. I guess it is a landmark of sorts and the family history goes back to 1917. Yesterday was a weird day with the building washing machines needing service, planning a last minute get away to see Billy Bob Thornton’s band play in Virginia, and digesting a very large bill about a water leak. So today was much more pleasant, but different from, our usual routine. 

Total Wine Coupons

We drink about a half glass of red wine every evening. When we go to a restaurant for dinner, my husband orders one glass of red wine and I order ginger ale. We split the drinks between the two of us. Lately we have been buying our new supply at the grocery store. There is always a promotion going on - typically buy six bottles of any variety and you get “x” per cent off. Before buying at the grocery store, we started going to the Total Wine store in McLean. It was okay, but I preferred getting everything at one time rather than having to stop at another place that looked to me like another grocery store - which isn’t a place I enjoy going to anyway! So now we receive coupons over email from Total Wine with deals going on all the time. My husband was interested in seeing how the stock changed and determine if there was a brand he would like to try, so we took a trip to Total Wine with two email coupons in hand. There are some restrictions, but we found what we needed. We hadn’t been there since before Christmas when we were looking for wine bottle Christmas decor for our friends. In the end we saved about $20 plus on twelve bottles of any Direct Wine only Malbec and Cabernet stock. Was it worth the trip? My husband thinks it’s a better deal because it’s just wine stock. I’m not so sure. To me, it all tastes the same. 

Total Wine Store Finds

We haven't been to the total wine store for quite some time. Lately we have been picking up six packs at the grocery store, which are supposedly already discounted, and then discounted again when you mix and match up to six. But since we needed to stock up for our own supply, and purchase a red and white for friends - with spiffy covers - we decided to take a ride to the total wine store in McLean. The parking lot was packed, and the store itself was expanded, remodeled, or both. It is HUGE and has anything you would ever need to wine and beer supplies. So we got our little cart and found mostly red for us, then asked an attendant to help us select a white wine. The store now has an order on line and pick up section that was overflowing with readied orders and busy with people coming to pick up their stock. I wanted to find some whimsical bottle covers that showcased the holiday season. Some were quite out of the park - like the sequined high heel that is a wine bottle holder. Then we stumbled upon these cute felt sweater looking covers - one with a snowman and one with a Christmas tree. They would be perfect! And hard to believe they were only ninety-three cents each! I didn't notice that one was cut to fit a wide bottle while the other was cut to fit a tall slender bottle. Luckily the two bottles we selected were one of each. So the "sweaters" fit perfectly. When we got home I put the sleeves on the bottles and they look quite cute. They make a fine holiday decoration as it is. Maybe I'll just keep them for myself!