Shaw Girl Happenings

There's got to be a special term for the camping in a convertible. Minimal? Convertible Packing? Converting it (as in roughing it?) Rick and I pared down to the basics: tent, stove, dining shelter, a small cooler, sleeping bags, and 2 sets of golf clubs. And a bottle of wine. Cruising to Syracuse with the top down...priceless.

Rick and I decided, on a whim, to travel and surprise Matthew at the closing ceremonies of Boys State, hence the camping trip at Green Lakes. The biggest surprise, however, was when Matthew said "So...are you driving me home?" And we said "Nope, sorry! No room in the convertible for you, you'll have to take the bus!"

Labels: Rick, Sue, vacation, What-was-I-thinking?, wine

I entered 4 wines in the State Fair this year, and one of them, my Geisenheim, won a silver medal. The wines are judged by American Wine Society judges, using the same criteria as when they judge professionally produced wines. Simply put, a silver awarded amateur wine is the same quality as a silver awarded professional wine that you would buy at the local liquor store. (Although, if I sell my wine it is a federal offense!)


We enjoyed our day at the State Fair, munching on spiedies (a local favorite: a whole chicken breast, fried on a griddle, chopped while cooking and liberally doused with a seasoned vinegar sauce, then piled into a warm hoagie bun), fried eggplant (really yummy, with a home-made marinara), a local micro brewery ale, and lemonades for the kids.



We especially enjoyed the equestrian jumping event. We've never seen this except on TV during the Olympics. The riders were smooth and handled their horses with ease. One horse, baulked at a jump throwing its rider. This young rider fell with an audible thump, but popped right up, brushed the dust off her jodphers, and hopped right back on her horse.



We listened to a couple of songs from the band "America." The first tune we heard was "Tin Man" and I was impressed with the band and the singer. (I'm not up on who's who on most pop music, as I was in my neo-romantic listening period during America's heyday.) The singer still has his pipes, and the band's rendition has evolved through the years. (Nothing bores me more than a band performing covers of its own music.) The second tune we heard "Sister Golden Hair" was sung by the other singer, whose voice has not fared as well. As the singer strained, missing pitches by a mile, my cringing kids said "do we have to listen to this?" Fortunately, it was time for the amateur wine awards.

FYI: One never sees ones wine after it is sent in for state judging. After judging, all the wine is poured down a drain, and the bottles are recycled.

Labels: fair, food, wine

Another successful year at the County Fair, for all of us who entered. I entered several photos this year and won one blue ribbon for my Thanksgiving photo (left), a couple of 3rds and an honorable mention. One category, “3 Scenes”, both Hannah and I had entries. Hannah’s 3 pictures of Nicole were amazing. Nicole was pitching in the middle of one of her games (she’s quite the softball player.) The photos were full of energy, and anticipation, capturing the concentration on Nicole’s face. The photos beat out my pictures of blueberries, and rightfully so.




Took two blues and a red for my wines: Rougheon (last year’s silver medal at the state fair), Cabernet, and Geisenheim (a German white) respectively. (The Cabernet and the Geisenheim are now at the state fair along with a bottle of Syrah and a Merlot/Cabernet blend. I don’t know their fate as of yet.)

Matthew’s picture of me fly fishing (which was previously published to this blog) received an honorable mention, and Katie was awarded ribbons for her knitting and woodworking. My friend, Patti, who I was in direct competition in with the coveted knitted socks category, won a blue for her socks and so did I! We entered our socks in different categories. So I guess we will have to wait another year to see who’s socks reign supreme! Brian’s green sweater also won a blue ribbon.

We weren’t at the fair very long this year. Gone are the days, when we had small children in tow, when we watched the fair through the fascination of their eyes. It’s not the same anymore. Sigh….

Labels: Brian, fair, knitting, wine

Labels: food, Matthew, party, wine

We had a great time at the state fair this week, our last hurrah before school starts. We camped at Green Lakes State Park, a real gem. Beautiful lakes, camping, trails, and a championship golf course, too.


Notice the blue tent on the left. That's complements of Carrie and crew from Christmas. It wonderfully replaces my tent I used backpacking through Europe (which is pretty much a goner.)





Here's the reason why we went to the state fair this year: I won a silver medal for my 2005 Rougheon/Lambrusca blend! There were over 442 wines in competition, so I am thrilled to have placed. I entered 4 different bottles of wine, including this one, plus a 2005 Chardonnay, 2004 Merlot, and my estate-grown 2004 Blueberry. We had such a great time, it was decided that I should work hard on my wines so that we can go again next year!






Here I am at the awards presentation recieving my medal from the state fair wine chairman. They explained that they use professional wine judges and use the same scoring system that professional wines go through. He stressed that, although we are amateurs, this contest is not dumbed down; a silver winning wine in the home contest was the same quality as a professional silver winning wine.






These are the wines I put in the local county fair. The Chardonnay won Best-of-Show, but did not medal at the state. A very good year for my wines!

Labels: fair, vacation, wine