word reflections

Every spring we each choose a word and then reflect upon it the next year.
Soon I will post our 2010 words but here are thoughts about our 2009 words

Jim – active ~ I am recently pleased with my more "active" life. There were a few months where active was not part of it.

Mary – moments ~ I am well on my way to enjoying (and recording) my everyday moments. My blog has been a great way for me to focus on my moments.

Amanda - experience

Benjamin - evolving

Mike - build ~ Grade B, I wanted to rebuild our finances, relationship with kids, and relationship with Marty.

Marty – health ~ On the way to being attained – I am more in control and that is a good thing.

Doug – survival ~ I’m still here so I guess . . . attained.

Leslie – anticipation ~ There were many good things to anticipate this past year...and more to anticipate in 2010! I think my anticipation was for a possible retirement decision. Difficult as it has been to truly decide, now that the decision is made, I am happy about it. More time with Dougie, more time with friends and family, time to get organized, and hopefully more time to plan some new adventures! I look at all of my retired friends, and not one has an ounce of regret on their young, smiling faces!

Debbie - timely ~ For me that's the key, "for me", I think I'm doing a bit better. I've actually been at appointed places within five minutes of the designated times.

Dave - focus ~ He thinks he didn't do well. He's thinking of a new word for this year.. . but he .just needs to" focus".

Val – opportunity ~ I believe I was successful at being open to opportunities that helped me grow as a wife, mother (and mother-in-law! )friend, and teacher. For me, half the battle is recognizing an opportunity when it seems to be a celebration, event or challenge . . . That is the part I will always be working on!

Ed - please ~ Please, did not work too well. I am taking suggestions for my new word. Help Please.

Maryellen – thankful ~ It was the theme for our somewhat-annual Mortonian Valentine Letter

Ali - wedding ~ attained :)

living and exploring

photo: Real Simple Magazine

“Friendship, love, health, energy, enthusiasm, and joy
are the things that make life worth living and exploring.”
― Denise Austin

2010 W-o-W Brunch

24 photos of the annual Bull Brunch

9 red wines for less than $10

America's best sommeliers and wine merchants
reveal their favorite bargain bottles.

After reading this article in Country Living Magazine we headed to the wine store and were able to find 6 of these wines. For the next several weeks we will be tasting these at our Wine-on-Wednesday gatherings.

Spanish Wine
Alto Almanzora Este 2006 ~ Blueberry, plum, fruitcake, and chocolate are just some of the flavors in this six-grape blend from Spain. ($8.99)

California Wines
Nine North Ten Mile 2006 ~ This California four-grape mix is an ideal accompaniment to duck. ($9.99)

Redtree 2008 ~ Wine bloggers are going crazy (in a good way) for this light-bodied California Pinot Noir that tastes of clove and summer berries. ($6.99)

Pairing Wine
Alamos 2008 ~ "Malbec is on fire right now" and this Argentinian variety boasts a hint of sweet spice that makes it wonderfully suited for steak. ($9.99)

Sagelands 2005 ~ Buy and store extra bottles of this Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, since it gets even better with time. ($9.89)

Penfolds Koonunga Hill 2007 ~ This Australian mix of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with lamb. ($7.97)

European Reds
Vinos Piñol Ludovicus 2007 ~ This combo of four Spanish wines is an eye-opener. It tastes expensive! ($8.99)

Borsao Campo de Borja 2008 ~ A hearty chicken dish would complement the dark fruits in this Spanish Grenache and Tempranillo mix. ($7.99)

Domaine André Brunel 2005 ~ This French Grenache is equally great for fine dining or simply drinking by the glass. ($7)

W-o-W Hats

At a recent W-o-W gathering new hats were given away.
If you missed it and need a hat just chose one anytime.


For more information about these hats including the pattern visit

Corners of My Life (December 6th Post)

Chateau Ste Michelle

Even though it's not Wednesday, 2 WoW couples ( mac, mac, jr mm) are enjoying a bottle of Chateau Ste Michelle - cabernet sauvignon ($12) while we plan a trip to Florida in April. First glass was fine the second even better!

“This Cabernet Sauvignon highlights concentrated Washington State red fruit in an accessible style. It has plenty of complexity and structure, and is also very versatile with food--try it with beef, pork or pasta” - Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

A recent and new wine to us is
Peter Lehmann’s Clancy’s Red.
We do not usually drink "blends"
but this blend of Shiraz, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot turns out to
be quite good. It’s a nice mix of fruity
smoothness with sharp tannins
and a warm finish.

that single pour

Lori Leibovich: A Glass of Wine
Here’s what used to make me feel beautiful: my skin, bronzed after a languid afternoon lounging on a beach towel. My eyes, sharp and ready after eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. My hair, tangled and damp after dancing madly to a favorite band. These were simple, sensual everyday moments in an unencumbered life. Now there is a family and a house and a job, all of which need tending to, and beauty is harder to come by. My scheduled-to-the-minute existence means I’m often frenzied, pitched, worn-out. Like so many other mothers I know, to stamp out those feelings (at least temporarily), I often reach for a glass of wine. The first few sips have the same effect on me as a long, deep inhale. A few more and my shoulders migrate from their daytime hangout near my ears back to their proper place. Still more and I start humming.

I’m not talking about getting drunk. In fact, I rarely have more than one glass―that’s enough. Most of the time, that single pour is enjoyed at home, where it gives my evenings shape. Just as my children have their nighttime rituals―Go, Diego, Go! followed by a book and a piggyback ride to bed―I have mine. I wrestle with the cork and listen for the pop and the clink of the bottle against the glass. I take a second to admire the luscious color and breathe in the scent. With that internal to-do ticker no longer running roughshod through my mind, suddenly there’s room for free associations, for thoughts of food and books and distant friends.

Wine doesn’t simply soothe me; it opens the door to intimacy. At a party, a few sips of Chardonnay are enough to make me peel off some of my protective layers and reveal something about myself to a stranger. It helps me connect with my husband after a long, challenging day, too. Sometimes, once the kids have succumbed to sleep, we put on music, sit at the kitchen table, and relish a meal. At first we check in, sometimes about the business of schedules and finances; other times we don’t say much at all but simply revel in the food and our still house. As we pour some wine, the conversation may take a deeper turn. Sometimes we talk about the freedoms we once enjoyed in abundance and wonder why we didn’t take more risks when we had the chance. Other times we look to the future: how liberating it will be when the children don’t need us so fiercely, and, of course, how devastating.

In these moments, when I’m raw and questioning, nostalgic and a little melancholy, and he’s sitting there, listening, I feel beauty coursing through me again. I realize that freedom still makes me feel beautiful. But now I have a different understanding of the word. It’s a moment or two of space, my goblet of wine, and being understood by someone I love.

Lori Leibovich is the editor of Maybe Baby and has written for the New York Times, Elle, and Salon.com.

What Makes Me Feel Beautiful

around the world in nine bottles

Several W-o-W members enjoyed a 90-minute summer wine tasting cruise onboard the Sam Patch Packet Boat. Pittsford Wines offered an opportunity to sample and learn about wines from around the world as well as light appetizers provided by Via Girasole: – all while enjoying the area’s beautiful and historic Erie Canal between Pittsford and Bushnell’s Basin.

Favorite reds:

Sterling - California - Cabernet

Casa Lapostolle - Chili - Merlot

Favorite whites:

Martin Codax - Spain- Albarino

Schmitt Sohne - Gremany - Riesling

Mayers Lake Ontario Winery

We have recently discovered a local winery and attended a tasting voyage at their Hilton NY location. We tasted three reds and even though we are not "white wine fans" we did like one of their whites.

Pinot Noir dry table wine, smooth, soft, and mellow, with black cherry and plum tones.

Cabernet Sauvignon dry table wine, Deep, rich, dry cherry aromas are edged with sweet smoke and spice.

DeChaunac is a french hybrid grape grown in this country for over 200 years. Dechaunac wine has good berry flavors, a touch of black pepper, smooth finish.

Gewürztraminer ('ga-VERTZ-trah-MEE-ner') a spicy white wine with an aroma and flavor of grapefruit.