I apologize for the delay since my last blog. Man, life can get hectic. August was a struggle for me but why focus of the busy and the bad? I had a few great evenings in August and that is what I care to share with everyone. If you ever find yourself in a bad spot and in desperate need of a relaxing evening, James Arthur Vineyard is just the place your looking for. A short drive down a couple of country roads and you are out of the city and in a little paradise. The vineyard soothes all your senses, first with the lush colors. Deep green vines, grass and leaves complemented by the royal purple of the grapes and of coarse the bright blue sky which slowly fades in to shades of orange and pink. Although the temperature is the same as the rest of the city it feels just a degree or two cooler. This trip to the vineyard was the only night in all of August that we were pleased to sit outside. The night was filled with friendly chatter but we were also lucky enough to have some outdoor music provided by the staff. The vineyard hosts live bands on their patio Friday nights during the summer. And of coarse the wine! Something for everyone's tastes. Reds, whites, blushes, meads, the list goes on and on. The vineyard also hosts special events where you can blend and bottle your own personal wine. The other really cool thing about the vineyard is that you can bring your own food. They do sell cheeses, breads and meats to complement their wines but they allow you to bring in snacks of your own. This particular trip to the vineyard was for Theary's going away. I was not excited to see her go but was thrilled to spend the evening eating and drinking with good friends. To my surprise one of Theary's good friends brought some homemade butters to snack on the bread with. Her inspiration? My blog! She used my original recipes for two of her butters and then created one of her own. A delicious spread with smoked salmon and green onions. Overall it was the perfect setting for Theary's going away. Just the right balance of music, food, wine and good company.
