Ok, I know, it’s been nearly a month since you heard from me. Seems like spring came and went and before I knew it, summer was here and the heat had settled in. good ol MO heat and humity. The grapes don’t seem to mind. They thrive well in the hot weather. The clusters of fruit are forming nicely, looks like a good crop this year. I took a ride out into the vineyard earlier today and the bunches of grapes look beautiful!
Marty and I had the pleasure of joining our daughter and her family on vacation to Sanibel FL last month. Sanibel is a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery of the ocean. I think it must have been MO week there. We talked to quite a few from St. Louis and surrounding areas. Of course, the shelling was fantastic. They were dredging a few miles from where we were staying so we were like many others, hunched over picking up our perfect shells. Family wanted to know what was Grandma going to do with all of those shells she insisted she was taking home. Grandma had the same question after being back home!
Grandsons are coming off and on for their summer stays. Working around ball games and camps have made scheduling a challenge this year but I think all will all be here at some point. Grandma loves to spoil them!
We’re getting geared up to bottle on our new bottling line. Bottles and labels are here, a few more adjustments to the new equipment and away we’ll go!
Come see us in the cool cave and sip some wine. We have added pitchers of sangria this season as well. I must say, it’s yummy!
Have a good 4th of July holiday!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Fun Filled Weekend
Last weekend was a fun filled two days. Starting off with the Progressive Dinner the Route du Vin wineries put together. We served pasta salad paired with our Chardonel Off Dry and I would claim that it was well received. These events are becoming a hit, so watch our websites for future events, or check out the RDV website www.RDVWineTrail.com and get in on the fun!
Also, our neighbors from Webster Groves, who we had not seen in a few years, came for a visit. We truly had a wonderful afternoon. Their girls and our girls were inseparable growing up, so it explained the non stop talking and catching up with each others lives. And of course, we had to show off our fire truck. Marty drove it over from the barn and all of the young ones (and old) had loads of fun and laughs. It was great to see them all!
Sunday we were treated by Cousin G to a real home made pasta lunch. After some discussion on what was in my pantry, he came up with a delicious menu with a 1lb of ground venison and eggs, flour, and a few cans of tomatoes. Within two hours, we had homemade pasta and meatballs. Family, employees, and our friends who stopped by, all enjoyed the delicious lunch. G said that this was a one time deal. He would not become my chef.
I have been tending my rows of vines, tying up, and gloving. I’m pleased how they look so far. Little bunches of grapes are already formed.
We expect a busy Memorial holiday weekend. Pray for good weather and come by and say hello!
Monday, May 11, 2009
It's Spring!!
Have been spending the past few weeks outdoors (weather permitting) planting flowers and creating planters of flowers. I am confident that I am 99% finished. Next week I hope to have that last plants arrive. Right now, they are still being babied in a wonderful, well cared, greenhouse here in Ste. Genevieve. We are lucky to have places to buy local.
A few weeks ago, the grandsons were all here and the older boys decided they would have a clubhouse by the walk out basement door. I didn’t see any harm with this so I gave the go ahead, until I realized all of our “junk” some how ended up in their club house! This I did put a stop to and insisted it be cleaned up. I kept preaching about snakes, “Keep the doors closed! Keep things from around the door to prevent hiding creatures!” You can guess what I am getting at. My cousin and his wife were visiting and staying the guest room downstairs. You guessed it - they saw a snake in the middle of the living area! Now granted, it was small, but big enough to freak us out. We caught it. They left the next morning (so would I). So now, when grandma says “Keep the door closed”, maybe they will hear me.
Our new bottling system arrived this week. It will be ready for operation in June. Stop by and see it!
Vines are growing with all the rain we’ve had. Unfortunately so is the grass in the rows between the vines. Because of the soggy ground, we can’t get in there to mow.
Hope to see you soon. It’s always nice to see friends!
A few weeks ago, the grandsons were all here and the older boys decided they would have a clubhouse by the walk out basement door. I didn’t see any harm with this so I gave the go ahead, until I realized all of our “junk” some how ended up in their club house! This I did put a stop to and insisted it be cleaned up. I kept preaching about snakes, “Keep the doors closed! Keep things from around the door to prevent hiding creatures!” You can guess what I am getting at. My cousin and his wife were visiting and staying the guest room downstairs. You guessed it - they saw a snake in the middle of the living area! Now granted, it was small, but big enough to freak us out. We caught it. They left the next morning (so would I). So now, when grandma says “Keep the door closed”, maybe they will hear me.
Our new bottling system arrived this week. It will be ready for operation in June. Stop by and see it!
Vines are growing with all the rain we’ve had. Unfortunately so is the grass in the rows between the vines. Because of the soggy ground, we can’t get in there to mow.
Hope to see you soon. It’s always nice to see friends!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Route du Vin Recipes
So many of you requested the cookie recipes from this weekend - glad you enjoyed them! We were happy to have such a great turn out for Jour de la Terre weekend! Hope to see you on the next Route du Vin Wine Trail event! (May 16-17, Progressive Dinner)
Grandma Strussione's Anise Biscotti
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
¼ tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 TBSP Anise Extract
1 cup sugar
Mix dry ingredients. Beat butter, sugar, & eggs. Add extract. Gradually add flour mixture. Turn dough onto floured surface. Divide in two. Form 2 logs approximately 3” wide. Place logs on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 min at 350 until golden brown. Take out logs, cut into ½’ cookies, put them back on cookie sheet, turn off oven, and put them back into oven to harden.
Grandma Strussione’s Pizzelle Recipe
4 eggs
2 2/3 cup sifted flour
2/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp anise extract
Pizzelle Iron
Mix ingredients and drop by spoonful onto hot pizzelle iron. Cook according to iron directions.
Grandma Strussione's Anise Biscotti
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
¼ tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 TBSP Anise Extract
1 cup sugar
Mix dry ingredients. Beat butter, sugar, & eggs. Add extract. Gradually add flour mixture. Turn dough onto floured surface. Divide in two. Form 2 logs approximately 3” wide. Place logs on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 min at 350 until golden brown. Take out logs, cut into ½’ cookies, put them back on cookie sheet, turn off oven, and put them back into oven to harden.
Grandma Strussione’s Pizzelle Recipe
4 eggs
2 2/3 cup sifted flour
2/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp anise extract
Pizzelle Iron
Mix ingredients and drop by spoonful onto hot pizzelle iron. Cook according to iron directions.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Blogging is a priority today! My sister, who follows my blog, let it be known to me that I haven't blogged for a while. Looking back on my notes, I realize she is right! My sister will be happy to read this blog.
Spring has arrived here in Ste Genevieve! It’s a favorite time of year for me. The beauty of nature coming alive is very uplifting. With the warmer days and time racing by (March is just about over!) my thoughts are on April and planting. I enjoy planning my flower beds; deciding what I can do this year that may be a little different from the previous year. It has always been a passion of mine. I hope you will take a moment or two and take a look at the flower beds around the tasting room. I am hoping to add a few different flowers this year and I am going to label the plants, in case you are wonder what they might be. Last year, guests had questions on a few of the plants, and if I wasn’t on the property to answer your question, you probably didn’t get an answer.
Last week, work was done to the pond in the cave. We have battled a leak in this pond since it was developed and after a few methods that didn’t work, we decided to line it with a rubber liner. (I know, this should have been done in the first place) Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we will have it all back together, looking natural once again.
Hope to see you soon, let’s sip a glass of wine while we enjoy spring!
Spring has arrived here in Ste Genevieve! It’s a favorite time of year for me. The beauty of nature coming alive is very uplifting. With the warmer days and time racing by (March is just about over!) my thoughts are on April and planting. I enjoy planning my flower beds; deciding what I can do this year that may be a little different from the previous year. It has always been a passion of mine. I hope you will take a moment or two and take a look at the flower beds around the tasting room. I am hoping to add a few different flowers this year and I am going to label the plants, in case you are wonder what they might be. Last year, guests had questions on a few of the plants, and if I wasn’t on the property to answer your question, you probably didn’t get an answer.
Last week, work was done to the pond in the cave. We have battled a leak in this pond since it was developed and after a few methods that didn’t work, we decided to line it with a rubber liner. (I know, this should have been done in the first place) Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we will have it all back together, looking natural once again.
Hope to see you soon, let’s sip a glass of wine while we enjoy spring!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bad Dog
Tram was a bad dog last night! He had two big chicken dinners! This morning, when I looked out the window and saw all the feathers, I knew what had happened. Tram got into the chicken house and helped himself to two chickens! When he saw me, he knew he had been bad and that I was not happy with him. How, you ask? Because he squints his eyes to say “Sorry”. So, on my agenda today is to repair the hole in the screen that let this all happen. When you see Tram and he looks well fed – well, now you know why.
I have finished pruning my vines and moved on the help Vineyard Mistress. It was a beautiful day to be out and visit with her. We had not worked together since fall so we had plenty to chat about while we clipped. Only 5 rows to go!
Anyone have any comments about my blog? Would love to hear from you!
Until later…
I have finished pruning my vines and moved on the help Vineyard Mistress. It was a beautiful day to be out and visit with her. We had not worked together since fall so we had plenty to chat about while we clipped. Only 5 rows to go!
Anyone have any comments about my blog? Would love to hear from you!
Until later…
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Guest Blogger...
Hi, this is Angela blogging for mom. Mom, dad, and two of my sisters spent some time at my house last week. Most of them went to the Grape and Wine Conference at Tan Tar A. Somehow I talked mom into staying for the week and then babysitting over Valentines Day weekend for me. So, this week it was my turn to come and help her out with the Mardi Gras preparations. How writing her blog for her became part of the deal, I'm not sure. So here I am blogging, cooking and decorating. If you don't have any plans for this Saturday the 21st come by for a visit. Homemade gumbo is on the menu with rolls and cupcakes and Dave Cattani will be here playing live music in the loft. Throw in some good wine and some really cool Mardi Gras beads and you’ve got a perfect afternoon!
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