cat shepard

Brenda, I am sorry to read this. An important reminder to savor each moment. ❤️ Ann

RNB @erewhon is our New Zealand Dailyite. The first of us to greet the new year, month , or day.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy thank you for telling us which ship is where! It is 45, sunny and if I am lucky - today will turn out as gorgeous as yesterday. High 60s, sunny and no wind. Just perfect. Vanessa, thank you for helping us keep track of what is happening with everyone. Praying that the upcoming procedure gives you relief. Mani-pedi, Bindi walks, chores, more grout cleaning and HIIT should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain, debilitating conditions, grieving the loss of a loved one or in a funk. And the caregivers. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Praying that Tana feels better. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Paul glad your surgery was a success. May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* Pyros 2021 Appellation Chardonnay (Pedernal Valley) Consumers and critics agree that this light Chardonnay from Argentina is excellent. A bit elusive, but there are a few online distributors with prices starting at $26.95. 91 Wine Enthusiast 91 Decanter From vineyards at 1,400m in San Juan's Pedernal Valley, this well-made cool climate Chardonnay balances elegant, creamy freshness with clean citrus and tropical fruit, all underpinned by brisk acidity, with stony, gunflint hints.

Bon Voyage. Enjoy!

Great news, Paul!

Jacqui, it isn’t a typo. It is a systemic glitch. AND if you fix them, my decoder ring will get rusty. 🤬 So get busy wrapping yourself in bubble wrap before you step foot out the door.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for our map! It is a nippy 41 here this morning, but no wind - yet. But we are being warned that this is the calm before the “gusts”. At least it will be sunny! Vanessa thank you for everything you do to keep up with us. You truly are amazing. Praying that the procedure will bring you relief from the pain and numbness and you get to sleep - a long, restful, rejuvenating sleep. Gym, Bindi walks, more grout cleaning and other fun chores will fill my day. Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain, debilitating conditions, the loss of a loved one, or just in a funk. The caregivers. Cheers to all who are celebrating! So many Dailyites heading to Hawaii! Bon Voyage! Would love a group pic, if you are willing. May we each find a reason to smile today. *********** Schnaitmann 2019 Lämmler GG Dry Riesling (Württenberg) My trusty decider ring is certainly getting a workout this year! Good thing mine is rechargeable. If you live outside of Germany, or aren’t visiting anytime soon - this wine may not be an option for you. There were a few USA distributors, but they are all sold out and the starting price was $68.79. Too bad, it sounds lovely. If you are in Germany, you can get it shipped to you. Online prices start at $34.97 + shipping. Winemaker Notes Deep golden yellow. An overwhelming variety of aromas can be seen in the glass. Elderflower, lovage, woodruff, hazelnut and salted caramel, as well as fine spices such as thyme and cloves, with delicate notes of Amalfi lemon, apricot, pineapple and peach. Demanding wine with powerful tension. The juicy, ripe acidity picks you up directly on the palate and leads elegantly over the densely woven middle section of polished tannin structure and charming enamel. Great length. 92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2019 Riesling Lämmler GG is elegant, pure and refined on the discreet nose that opens slowly to ripe and dense fruit aromas intermingled with notes of crushed stones and herbs. Round and juicy on the palate, this is an elegant, refined and balanced Lämmler that reveals its power and elegant richness only on the finish that is not bone-dry but charming. Not very long but stimulating. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. 97 Wine Enthusiast

Sandi First, my sympathies. Second - What roll does your left arm play in your cross stitching? Do you rest on it a great deal? Is it positioned one way for a great length of time?

Melisa @JazzyV Vanessa is psychic. ❤️

@Sharon in AZ Look at that sky! Have an amazing cruise! @kazu Jacqui we want to wrap you up to avoid the injuries - such as how you originally hurt your ribs. Or your elbow. Or your ankle/leg, etc. Bubble wrap is not know to prevent aggravating healing boo boos.

@HAL Sailer Melisa May your new year bring you laughter, love, and time to take care of yourself. ❤️ Ann

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Speaking of Bubble Wrap… I will be shipping some to Jacqui, so she can wrap herself up to prevent further injuries. Roy thank you for today’s maps. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying that you get the relief you need from your upcoming procedure. It is 45 here this morning. Yesterday it was 70 at the same time. And it was already windy before it started getting light. Someone stole Florida again during the night. But at least it is sunny. Today I have errands, chores and Bindi walks to keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. I know the 49ers & Chiefs fans are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** Raats Family 2019 Dolomite Cabernet Franc (Stellenbosch) This South African vintner released two Cab Francs in 2019. The more reasonably priced one does not have “family” in its name, has very good - excellent ratings and online prices start at $23.40. The wine that has “family” in its names has excellent - superb ratings, but the only online price I found in dollars was $125.00. I included the info on both. You choose. Distributor notes The 2019 Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc is a stunning release! ‘This is a brilliant Cabernet Franc,’ enthuses Neal Martin, while Tim Atkin MW says, ‘it’s a Cape version of a Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.’ The Raats team come together as the undisputed Kings of Cabernet Franc in SA, and their high standards and focus on quality trickle down to this ‘second’ wine, leading to extraordinary value! The Dolomite Cabernet Franc has built a solid reputation on its quality; with previous vintages having received a Platter’s 5-star rating as well as having placed in the Top 5 of Winemag’s Alternative Varieties Report. The quality of the 2019’s elegant tannins together with its perfume and finesse, are typical of the finest examples of Cabernet Franc. As pioneers and champions of the variety, Raats has raised the bar yet again. The Raats Family Cabernet Franc is SA’s most lauded Cabernet Franc. The latest 2019 release is called a ‘Cape benchmark‘ in the Platter’s Guide (96/100), and has ‘beguiling purity’ according to Neal Martin. Sumptuous, yet elegant and svelte, it is long and detailed with refined tannins that linger on and on. This has decades of evolution ahead. Tasting notes: Raats, Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2019 ‘The 2019 Cabernet Franc Dolomite has an energetic, tensile nose of wonderfully defined red and black fruit, sage, bell pepper and clove aromas; hints of dried blood emerge with time. The palate is very well balanced, taut and fresh, with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a harmonious, sophisticated finish, and suggestions of black pepper on the aftertaste. This is a brilliant Cabernet Franc from Raats that will age gloriously. Drink 2022-2042.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Nov 2021) ‘Dolomite has been doing its thing since 2010, expressing the charm, perfume and balance of Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc for more than a decade. Lightly wooded, with 40% whole bunches and notes of green herbs and red berries, it’s a Cape version of a Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil. Drink 2022-26.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 91/100 ”Entry level’ in this range but one of the best around, 2019 stays true to form. Lithe & fresh, with earthy blackcurrants, forest-floor leafiness, velvet ripe tannins, hints of iodine & salt. 14 months older French oak.’ – Platter’s Guide, 4.5* (90/100) Raats, Family Cabernet Franc 2019 ‘Cape benchmark, always shows sublime varietal expression, classic-inclined styling. 2019 tense & mineral, with ink & iodine woven with lean blackcurrant fruit, leafy-earthy core, all in fine harmony after 18 months in mostly seasoned oak.’ – Platter’s Guide, 5* (96/100) ‘Dominated by fruit from Bruwer Raats’ beloved Polkadraai Hills, this is a Chinon-style Cabernet Franc with lots of perfume, black cherry, capsicum and red pepper flavours, floral top notes, fine 25% new oak and a balanced, granitic finish. Drink 2023-28.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 94/100 ‘The 2019 Cabernet Franc Family has a very engaging nose, more savory than other Cabernet Francs, featuring dried blood, meat juices, white pepper and fennel. Wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and finely judged acidity. Sour cherry and black truffle develop toward the harmonious finish. There is a beguiling purity to this Cabernet Franc, and it will age supremely well in bottle. Drink 2023-2040.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Nov 2021)

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. It is so timely, I will be sailing on the Escape in a few weeks. My “traveling Sister”’s volunteer group is using it as a fundraiser, and we are both nervous/excited about the size of the ship and the number of passengers. But it will be a very easy drive to a port Canaveral for us. And the idea of a ropes course & zip line on a ship sounds great. We jokingly tell everyone that we can walk from the bow to the stern and get our daily steps in. We figure we can handle anything for 7 days - right? Did you do any excursions at your ports? Did you visit their private island?

@aliaschief Bruce, my song choice would be a Led Zeppelin song. 😎

I hate flying out of MCO. Hope all goes smoothly!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy thank you for our maps. It is already 70 here and beautiful. But the rain is supposed to cool everything down again this week. It should not get as cold as last week end - and not sure about the winds. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. I wish you could fast forward to your appointment with the radiologist. I can not believe I would be able to handle it. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores. More floor cleaning! Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. May we each find a reason to smile today. *********** 2015 Genesis XII This is our first wine from Georgia. Note: I changed the name, because Genesis X is no longer available. Small vineyard, only 689 cases. Very elusive and quite pricey. If you can find it, it will cost in the vicinity of $65.00. Winemaker’s notes Genesis is our "flagship" wine and also our best-selling wine! The Miller's eldest daughter Elizabeth named it after the first book of the bible - since it was Yonah's first wine they ever made, and it was their beginning. We source these high-quality grapes mainly from Beckstoffer Vineyards in Lake County, California, to capture the taste and style that the Millers wanted to bring to Georgia. These Vineyards produce 3,600 acres of some of the highest quality grapes in the world. Each generation of Genesis is a unique Bordeaux style blend, and technically Genesis 12 would be considered a "Right Bank Bordeaux" TECHNICAL INFORMATION Appellation: 100% California - Lake County Varietal: 40% Merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 27% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc Alc/Vol: 14.6% Harvest Date: Original Genesis was a 2006 harvest. We add some of the previous Genesis to the next one, so it is considered a NonVintage Wine. Bottled: March 2022 Cases Produced: 689 To find the blend for Gen 12 Tristen tasted through 95 barrels to find the best of best--also known as "barrel select". Only 32 barrels made the cut. Gen 12 is made from 3 different vintages, 2015 (10%), 2016 (50%) and 2017 (40%), and aged in majority French oak along with a little Hungarian thrown in to aid in mid-palate mouthfeel.

Safe travels, Dixie!

Thank you Jacqui, Roy, Vanessa, Dixie, Debbie and all our Dailyites for contributing or just reading the Daily to see what is happening. Just a quick visit. Heading out to the beach for a friend’s birthday breakfast. It is quite foggy here. It will be interesting to see what the beach is like. Then a wine tasting and finally wrapping up the day at a neighbor’s for dinner. And somewhere in here I need to fit in Bindi walks & feeding. Praying for all who need support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** Marques De Carceres Crianza Rioja This Rioja sounds lovely. Widely available and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $12.99. Winemaker technical sheet GRAPE VARIETIES Mostly Tempranillo, with small contributions of Garnacha Tinta & Graciano. Selection of small plots from Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. Low yields from old vines harvested by hand. Mostly clayey-limestone. Plots in Rioja Alta with ferrous subsoil and more limestone in Rioja Alavesa. VINIFICATION The bunches are carefully destemmed for alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. Maceration with the skins lasts up to 20 days in order to extract colour, aromas and density in the mouth. Malolactic fermentation is completed in new barrels and stainless steel tanks, depending on the plots and areas of origin. When finished, the wines rest in barrels and are racked every 6 months. Wine suitable for vegans TOTAL TIME IN BARREL 12 months in French (60%) and American (40%) oak barrels. The barrels are distributed between 25% new oak, 25% with two wines, and the other 50% with a maximum of three to four wines. VINEYARDS & YIELDS HARVESTING The grapes are hand-picked, prioritizing the order of harvesting according to the ripeness of each selection or area of each village. December 2023. Serve at: 16º C. Alcohol content: 14% vol. 2020 VINTAGE AGEING IN BOTTLE Minimum 1 year of bottle storage in the winery prior to release. Slightly warm year, with accumulated rainfall slightly above the historical average. After the beginning of the year alternated cold and humid periods with dry and warm ones, a warm and humid interval began at budbreak and lasted until the beginning of June. From then on, dry and warm weather prevailed, with storms and occasional showers in mid-July and August. The months from September toNovember tended to be cool and dry, allowing the harvest date to be modulated according to the ripeness of the grapes. A ruby red colour of medium intensity. Complex aromas of black fruits, combined with balsamic notes and delicate, fine, well-balanced oak. The nuances play a skilfully harmonious game. Gentle bouquet of fine leather with a touch of peppermint adding to the freshness in tasting. Well balanced wine that invites enjoyment with each glass. Full-bodied, frisky tannins, delicious in the mouth and pleasantly refreshing. An elegant, harmonious wine, with velvety tannins. JS9292 PTS. / JAMESSUCKLING.COM (Thursday, November 4, 2021) A perfumed nose of mulberries, blueberries, dried herbs, cloves and cigar box. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and fresh acidity. Chalky texture with a crunchy, flavorful finish. Vegan. Drink now or hold. WE8888 PTS. / WINE ENTHUSIAST (11/1/2022)Red-violet in the glass, this wine offers aromas of cassis and flint. Hearty tannins and a touch of smoke support flavors of blackberry, dark plum and anise with a touch of tar. A bright fruit note returns on the spicy finish. (Mike Desimone) SP8787 PTS. / WINE SPECTATOR (May 31, 2022) A crisp, light- to medium-bodied red, with cured tobacco and dried cherry fruit flavors framed by chewy tannins and orange peel acidity. Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano. Drink now. 225,000 cases made, 70,000 cases imported. (Alison Napjus)

Wow. Just Wow!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for our maps. I appreciate both of your efforts. Today is also the first Full moon of the year. We all need to stand outside & howl tonight. Did people really believe this would work? (Don’t just read the item circled). Now chocolate and wine might work for me, but cheese? Vanessa thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying that you get permanent relief from your pain. SOON. Gym, Bindi walks, chores. I have started cleaning the grout of my tile floor. It is laborious work, but the results make it worth it. I started in 3 high traffic areas and finished three tiles in each area. My hand started cramping after that. We will see how far I get today. Prayers for all who need our support. @ger_77 Gerry, keeping you & Maurice in my prayers. Thinking of you Terry & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. *********** Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc This is the wine that put New Zealand wines on the map for me. Immensely sippable and refreshing. You can find it almost everywhere. And it is definitely priced to try and enjoy. Online prices start at $10.99. Winemaker’s notes A refreshingly new take on the wine experience, Kim Crawford Illuminate New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc White Wine is light in style, yet satisfyingly flavorful. This Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc bestows aromas of passionfruit and guava with hints of citrus. The full flavor and crisp acidity of this elegant white wine are highlighted by a fresh herbal and citrus finish. Carefully chosen, sun-ripened New Zealand grapes undergo cold-soaking prior to fermentation and treatment with Spinning Cone technology, which removes a portion of the alcohol without impacting the aroma or taste of this New Zealand white wine. The result is a lower calorie*, reduced alcohol wine with satisfying aroma and taste in each glass of wine. Compared to Kim Crawford's original sauvignon blanc with 120 calories per serving and 13% ABV, this easy-drinking, lower alcohol wine has only 70 calories per serving and 7.0% ABV, yet this 100% sauvignon blanc wine still boasts Kim Crawford's signature quality and style. For optimal enjoyment of this delicious wine, serve chilled. Make it Amazing® with Kim Crawford wine. *Per 5 fl. oz. serving of average analysis: Calories 70, Carbs 2.8 grams, Protein 0.13 grams, Fat 0.1 grams. Please enjoy our wines responsibly.

Bruce those pineapples look amazing!

@ger_77 Gerry, I echo everyone who urges you to get Maurice medical help ASAP. Keeping you both in my prayers.

I know Amazon has them ,but you might find a cheaper option.

Ahem. Jacqui & Rich - I can NOT believe you left off the most important day of all! Though given its recent weather, it is just starting to re-earn it’s Sunshine State nickname. 😎

Very elegant, Sandi!