Tomorrow at 3 p.m. I’m meeting Barbabar Shinn and David Page, owners of Shinn Estate Vineyards for a tour of their vineyard in Mattituck and to taste their wines, including a few reds and a Chardonnay. I’ve been trying to schedule this tour/tasting for a while…so I’m glad that I can finally make it happen. Of course, it’s on a weekend that Nena has class…so I’ll be going solo instead of with my favorite wine tasting partner. I’ll be writing a column for Dan’s Papers on my experiences Saturday…so keep an eye out for it. David and Barabara are also…

…and I’m not talking about using that cheese or milk that’s been in your fridge just a little too long. Check out this cool story in Archaeology(of all places). It’s about Julie Powell (of Julie/Julia Project Fame) and her adventures cooking ancient foods with ancient recipes. It’s quite an impressive undertaking and she’s done a great job on the research side of things. Plus, the food looks spectactular. She’s even included Mesopotamian, Mongolion and Mayan menus and recipes.

Just wanted to post a few pictures from the pumpkin carving party we went to last weekend…highlighting out jack-o-lantern and the delicious pizzas! Pizzas More Pizzas Our wine-o-lantern!

How can you not love pork? This week alone I’ve had it at least four times…as sausage…pulled on a roll…and even in a wrap today for lunch (I’m a sucker for a wrap…but that’s a different post for a different time). I have at least a half dozen friends that don’t eat pork…and I’m not talking about any vegetarian friends I may have. That I can understand (to a certain extent). But the other people I’m talking about eat chicken. They eat beef. They just don’t eat pork. No bacon. No sausage (unless it’s turkey). No pepperoni on pizza. Why…

We’re headed to upstate New York again this weekend for a pumpkin carving party at my future in-laws’. Even as a person more likely to be successful using a pumpkin for soup as opposed to a jack-o-lantern, I’m looking forward to the weekend away. FMIL (Future Mother In Law) is making a slew of her soon-to-be famous pizzas for about 14 people…and of course Nena and I will be bringing wine! A weekend in the country is much needed at this point. Work has been extremely stressful and hectic…and the fresh air and relaxed tempo of Schoharie is always the…

I read an article yesterday touting cranberries and their juice as a a great, heart healthy beverage…that is at least as good for you as red wine and maybe even better. An interesting read…but if you really think I’m going to replace my wine rack with another fridge to store bottle after bottle of cranberry juice…you’re crazy.