Disappointing Pumpkin.

I feel like I have been a horrible blogger these past couple of weeks.  Can I blame it on working alot and call it a day?  Well I have been working about 30 hours a week, which isnt too bad so I feel like I cant blame it on that.  It's not that I haven't been doing anything, I just forget to take pictures?  Still, not a good excuse.

This past weekend I carved pumpkins with some friends (We had an Italian themed wine night, and even made our own pizza!- probably not very Italian, but hey we tried).  I had really high hopes for my pumpkin.  I am not even one that really enjoys carving pumpkins...but I was so excited because I was going to put a mustache on it.  Well, it turned out horribly.  I shunned my pumpkin and refused to take a picture of it.  I think my friends took some pictures of it, but I don't even want those memories back! (Wow, am I being dramatic much?)  I hope your pumpkins turn out better than mine did!

I was going to save this for a later time but it is just too funny.  I can't wait, and must show you now: Click Here please.

200.

This is my 200th post!  How exciting!  I have had this blog for a little over 2 years...it doesn't seem that long at all!  I feel like I should write something about how much I have seen myself grow and how much fun I have with this blog...and I do... but I think that I am just going to do a regular ol' post!  I should have written about this a while ago, but I forgot that I had taken pictures!  So two weeks ago-ish I went to DBA Wine Bar in P-town (that's what we call Pomona) with my friend.  She was studying to take her Master Sommelier level 2 test, and we went down there so she could sample the wines...I went along to help her study...I'm such a good friend.  She sampled a few of the wines, and I had the Malbec..it was amazing.  I would like to go back again for sure.

Once again....taken with my phone...I like to be inconspicuous when taking photos of strangers!

African Wine Night.

Our wine nights have been especially successful these past two times.  Last night we "traveled" to Africa.  Luckily, my friend Olivia is from Kenya and my other friend Teresa's husband is from South Africa...so it helps our authenticity, right?  Olivia made Ugali and Sukumwiki (pictured on the right).  I had to ask her several times what it was called, and how to spell it.  I just was not getting it.  Teresa made a stew (pictured on the left)

Taken with my phone....I always forget to bring my camera!

I didn't ask her what it was called more than once because I thought that I would be able to remember it, but I have forgotten!  The more important thing is that it was delicious!  Cheryl brought a rice and pita dish (I forgot the name of this one as well!  I am horrible!)  We enjoyed some yummy wine, and Danielle also brought Tucker beer (I know, beer at wine night?  But Africa is mostly known for the beer than their wine...or so I'm told).   I brought a dessert call Bananas Ghana.  I wasn't a huge fan of it, but the other girls liked it all right...it didn't stop us from finishing it! We finished off the night playing Loaded Questions.  A very successful wine night.

Baguette.

Nearly every Friday night my friends and I get together for wine night.  Sometimes we will do themed nights where we "travel" around the world.  Once we went to Poland (accompanied by some bland food and ketchup) and this week we went to France.  This was a very successful wine night.  Some of the girls brought macaroons, some cheese, some ratatouille, and I made...a french bread baguette!  (probably a pitiful display of French food, but we tried!)  I had made loaves of bread before through the mentoring of my meemaw, but this was a little different.  This is the recipe I used...and i took some pictures of the process:

Kneading the dough:

Letting it rise:

Fresh out of the oven:

It was pretty easy to make...but my meemaw's bread is SO much better!

#7-- Check!

Even though #7 on my list says to go to Galleano Winery and San Antonio Winery I am still going to check it off my list because I went out to Temecula with some friends and hit up a few wineries there that Cheryl says are personally better than Galleano and San Antonio.  So that's that.  The first winery we went to was Ponte Winery.  My initial thought was, "I'm going to have my wedding here!" Except for the fact that I am missing a groom...but that's just a minor detail, right?  The inside is adorable, and country-esque.  The wine was pretty good too. 

The next winery we went to was Mount Palomar.  My initial thought here was...THIS is where I am going to get married! I liked this place better because it was more secluded and random people couldn't just walk by and watch the ceremony. (again, still missing the groom!)  The people here were so nice, and their wine was SO good.  We were so close to checking off #12 on my list... if only we had gotten there a little bit earlier!  But we did see the bride and groom taking pictures!  You can kind of see her in the picture.

We then headed over to Robert Renzoni.  On the outside, it looked so quiet...like no one was there.  But once we opened the door, it was like there was a party inside!  We got to talk to one of the owners who was so nice, actually everyone that worked there was really nice!  Sorry I didn't get any pictures here!

Our next stop was Oak Mountain.  This place was really fun.  Apparently every Saturday they have gourmet pizza and music.  While we were waiting to start the wine tasting...there was an avocado oil tasting.  There were different flavors to try like Tuscan herb, or lemon herb.  So good.  It was then that we realized how hungry we were!  We didn't even do a tasting here! We left and headed over to Bailey winery, and had lunch and their restaurant called Carols.  A perfect end to the excursion!

Once we got back...I headed straight over to my lovely friend Steph's going away party.  She is movie to Nashville with her husband and band.  I am sad that she is leaving...but so excited for her at the same time.  Love you Steph! (And seriously...if you ever need me to house and dog sit for you...I will!)

Wow...long post!  What a fun weekend!

Day 23: In the next year I am going to... Check for #18

...be turning 24 years old.  Since when did I get so old?  I still feel like I am barely...21?...sure.

...graduate from college... this is seriously scary!  But I still will probably go back to school for my masters... so maybe it won't be that scary after all!

...move out?  Nah...I have it so good at home!  I doubt that The House Fairy would follow me to my new place!

Anyways...

Check # 18 off my list!

I was drinking wine with some of my friends (Syrah and Shiraz specifically...I had even brought it with me!) and I was really enjoying it!  Then they brought out some Riesling (my previously favorite wine), and it was too sweet for me.  So I think that I am able to check this off my list and say that I have officially grown a taste for red wine.  Yay me!