Our Evening in Antica Terra Heaven.

When I received the email from Antica Terra that they were hosting their very first picnic in the vineyards I quickly called and reserved our spot.  The limit was 40 people.  I have always wanted to try wines from Antica Terra, but they were a little out of my budget.  The cost per person for the picnic was $35.00. Affordable and finally I would get to sip on wines that many buzz about on Twitter.

Antica Terra

The day started off slightly cloudy which wasn't a concern as Oregonians still do fun things in the rain.  As they say, you can tell who is not local by the people that carry umbrellas. Bear had arrived home early from the Gulf of Mexico so this was a great date event.  Our wonderful friend Roberta joined us as she originally was my date and was willing to have Bear take back that role.  Nate greeted us and poured a 2010 Phantasi Roussane which took us to the gates of heaven.

The table was set up in front of the vines and our chairs were hay bales. Lights were twinkling in the trees and a violinist and guitarist were playing great music.

Tables in the vineyards and hay bales for chairs.

Our musical entertainment for the evening.

Antica Terra Pinot Noir - 2006, 2008, 2010

Fresh Mozzarella

My creative shot, pre-wine.

We met a wonderful couple, Gannt and Alison.  Gannt is an Assistant Professor at University of Oregon teaching German and Scandinavian folklore, narratology, fairy tales and Iclandic Saga.  How cool is that!  Alison is a masseuse, AG Massage in Portland, Oregon and I am going to treat myself one day to her magic fingers.

Gannt and Alison

Dinner was German brats and sausages, heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. 

Grilling the goodies.

My plate of yumminess

Heirloom tomatoes from Gathering Together farm.

While we were eating our delicious brats, Nate and Maggie poured our wines.  We had 2006, 2008 and 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.  Okay 2006 blew our mind.  Of course you cannot buy these wines as there are no more.  We savored every single drop.  2008 and 2010 were wonderful.  Smooth, silky and fruit forward. (<-- that one was for Mitchell).

Yes please.

Nate

Maggie - winemaker extraordinaire

 Maggie had organized a Pinata for the little ones and while we ate our wonderful dessert, which I don't have a picture of, we watched the children destroy the beach ball.

Even the kids got to have fun.

After dessert Nate took a few of us for a walk in the vineyard.  It was the perfect end to an incredible evening.

Antica Terra

Nate explaining about the soil.

Grapes getting plumpy. (Nubian wine terms)

Pommard grapes.

Perfect.

I now understand why there are so many Antica Terra groupies on Twitter. Their wine is mind blowing. Choirs of angels singing. You want to break out into a rendition of 'The Circle of Life' song from the Lion King and hold your glass up high. That good.

A few days later I received a hand written note thanking us for attending their event.

My Mother would approve.

Yesterday...

Source

... I signed up for Watercolor classes.

I have never drawn or painted so this is so far out of my box I need a tether to stay connected.

Wish me luck.

Just another day in the life of my husband, my superhero.

As many of you know last November Bear did a stem cell donation.  Click here to read about the first process.

Bear received a call before he left for the Gulf of Mexico that the patient was now in need of his T-Cells.  Hurricane Isaac happened which delayed time and eventually after many rescheduling the day was upon us to head on up to Portland.

We checked in to The Inn at Northrup Station and I thought we had both sipped on some of Alice's happy juice and slipped down the rabbit hole.

Walking down the passage inebriated would not be wise

All I could think when I saw the 'headboard' was where are the handcuffs.

Living area with purple door that leads to another rabbit hole.

Portland is well known for their outstanding restaurants. We were in the Northwest Portland area and we decided to go to Serratto Restaurant and Bar. Once again Portland did not disappoint.

 

Their happy hour menu was wonderful and we agree with our friends, Dave and Lars, happy hour in Portland is incredible.  These pictures are the happy hour portions. 

Calamari Rings

Octopus Bean Salad. I dug in before I took a picture. Hence the bite out of the bread.

Fries, garlic mayo and ketchup.

Walnut salad

Pizza of the day

Creme Brulee

The Creme Brulee was on the house per our wonderful waitress Erin.  I had told her why we were in Portland and she was a little verklempt.

Serratto. Great place, great food and great atmosphere.

5:00am Came all too soon and we were off to the hospital to get Bear checked in. 

Bear all checked in and waiting.

 

 

 

I had to leave the room when they put the needles into Bear's arms. These are some big boys and I don't do well with the sight of needles.  

So calm and happy.

Once Karen, our wonderful nurse we had last time,  had Bear all situated we turned on the TV and I flicked through the channels to find something to occupy us all for the next four hours. The T-Cell collection was not as stressful as the Stem-Cell.  If you remember back then Bear had to take injections to increase his stem cell production which put pressure on his bones.  My husband is a trooper. Not one complaint. Now me... well as Karen said, "We'll make sure you have two nurses in the room."

Bear and our amazing nurse, Karen

If you look to the right of the picture and about the machine you will see a bag with red liquid in it.  Those are Bear's T-Cells.

All done.

Our thoughts, prayers, wishes, good juju and mojo go to the patient.  We hope she has a positive reaction to the T-Cells and that she gets stronger every day.

Thank you to Fari at Be The Match for keeping us straight on our paperwork and appointments and for always having a hug and a smile for us no matter how hectic your day was.

Karen, thank you for your kindness and your compassion.  You made this journey so much easier for us both to get through.

Bear, thank you for going along with me when I signed us both up on the registry and for not giving me the sideways look when you were called six months later.  You are selfless and I wish there were more people in the world like you. I love you much.

If you are thinking of signing up on the registry please take a moment and educate yourself on all that is involved.  We can all get caught up in the emotion and when our number is called we should be ready to say yes.

Now go. Sign up. Now.

Wordless Sunday.

Pictures taken by Mr. Nubian - Gulf of Mexico - August 2012

Kramer Vineyards and Crawfish Deliciousness.

Kramer Vineyards

While Bear is off in the Gulf of Mexico chasing Physeter Macrocephalus aka Sperm Whales, I decided to treat myself and attend a Crawfish Boil at Kramer Vineyards.

For some, Twitter is a bother. For me, Twitter is a blessing as it has introduced me to some wonderful people who have become firm friends and the Kramer family are included in that small group. Over the summer Kramer Vineyards hosts various dinner events and I jumped at the chance to attend their Crawfish Boil dinner.  Kim, the fantastic and gorgeous winemaker, invited me to stay at Casa Kramer so I wouldn't have to make the long trek back to Corvallis at night.  In other words I could get my drunk on. (Mom, really I wasn't drunk, just a little relaxed.)

I love Kramer winery and was amazed to hear that some people in the Portland area have not visited this wonderful winery.  The very first time Bear and I visited the winery we were welcomed by the wonderful Ms. Angelene whose infectious smile and bubbly personality has you asking what is she on and where can I get some of that happiness, the fabulous Mrs. Trudy Kramer with her sun hat and her handful of fresh blooms and Kim, second generation winemaker.  Kim poured for us and watching her describe her wine and the process makes you feel as though you are intruding on an intimate moment.  Kim is very passionate about her wine and it shows. 

Mr. Kramer welcoming guests.

Relaxing and waiting for the dinner to commence.

Big Ron Sabin

The Kramer family knows how to put on a party and this event was finger licking, crawfish slurping deliciousness.  The music was provided by Big Ron Sabin and he provided the perfect winery event ambiance. I invited myself to sit with the wonderful Mike and my twin, Jacqui. Good choice as these peeps are my kind of peeps.

Fresh crawfish goodness.

The wonderful Kathy and Michelle, pourers of the happy juice.

Crawfish delicousness.

There was salad, but as Mike said, "This isn't a salad boil."

Kramer Rose of Pinot Noir - perfect pairing

My plate and my sippy cup.

My plate of awesomeness

Mr. Kramer with the incredible Pinot Noir 2002

Mr. Kramer surprised us all by opening a jeraboum of Kramer Pinot Noir Reserve 2002.  Everyone got to try it and it was mind blowing berry bursting velvety smooth heaven. Thank you Mr. Kramer for sharing with us one of your library wines.  

Fresh peach cobbler

Fresh whipped cream with basil.

After we all went up for seconds and some of us for thirds of dinner, dessert was served.  Fresh peach cobbler with fresh whipped basil cream.  *cue song* 'Heaven, I'm in heaven' I had a cup of coffee that was made from beans that Mr. Kramer roasts himself.  Not only does he make superb wine, he also makes superb coffee.

Much laughter, much wine and many sucking and slurping noises filled the vineyard and for the grand finale clear skies in which to witness the meteor shower.

Kramer Crew, you know how to throw one hell of a party.