This is not my dog. But for the next week, she kinda is.
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Divinum as a taster, and not a volunteer
We had our attack plan for Divinum. We did most of the stands we wanted to try. In some cases, the reception was poor and we didn’t linger. In others, the wines weren’t as nice as we remembered them. But, in the end, we discovered and re-discovered some of our favourites. We ordered more this year than in previous years, but we still played it fairly safe. Dieci Cavalli and a really nice Valpolicella Ripasso from Enoteca Capponi, the S’escusu Salice Salentino Riserva (and a few jars of tuna-stuffed red peppers) from Elvira Caligara-Monsellato, and the Cornalin and Humagne Rouge from Varone – which every year until now, we really liked, didn’t buy, and sorta regretted it afterwards. Maye was there as well, but they didn’t have their full stock at hand to taste, so we’ll have to drive out there when the Valais has its open cave day.
Ben got a bit tired and grumpy when the food ran out partly through the afternoon, so we sent him home and finished what we wanted to taste. Katy, bless, discovered what happens when her Grogan instincts on not throwing away any sort of alcohol came into conflict with reworked internal plumbing and much less body weight to counteract the effect. In other words, she got right wasted, Lesta-style! I haven’t seen her that drunk in a loooong time. Sadly, or happily, I’m still debating it, I was only sipping and then throwing out most of my wine, so I was mostly still sober and was able to drag/prop her up on the way home.
Edit: I wanted to leave this here as a reminder for the next Caves Ouvertes:
Domaine du Beau-Soleil, in Mont-sur-Rolled.
Les potiers dans les tulipes
The recent and unexpected snow we had last week really did a number on the tulips. Those that were in full bloom looked a bit ragged, and those that weren’t in bloom have been delayed. The miserable, rainy weather we had on the weekend also literally put a damper on things, with the potters complaining that attendance and sales were really down compared to last year, when the weather was gorgeous. As always though, there were really nice things – if sadly bloody expensive. Also, ceramic cat butt!
Divinum 2019, the less good day
Day 2 of glasswashing was sub-par. 4 of the scheduled volunteers didn’t show up, so we were short-staffed and slammed. People were grumpy. I didn’t really have a break all evening, but at least we got a couple of bottles thrown our way by kind-hearted people.
Team spirit was still fairly high and the mood light, until I realised that some jackass nicked my Roots fleece. I mean, the thing was falling apart at the seams, but I really loved that coat and it was a shitty thing to do. I’m hoping one of the jeunesse took it by accident, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
Obey the Goth Chicken
Divinum 2019
I’m volunteering for Divinum again this year, working in general logistics one evening and glassware two evenings. The first night, Wednesday, was fairly quiet – emptying out spittoons and making sure the bins were emptied.
Tonight was seriously more animated. I must’ve gotten my 10,000 steps in tonight, picking up crates of dirty glasses and trying to get clean ones to exhibitors in an orderly fashion. Those that were too impatient bribed the staff with bottles. Free market in action. Or they might just have been nice :)
The (Brexit) Scream
You can’t out-polite a Canadian
[recipe] Homemade creamed corn
700g corn kernels drained if canned
1 small onion diced
45g / 3 tbsp butter
30g / 2 tbsp flour
8g / 2 tsp sugar
180ml / 0.75 cup heavy cream
300ml / 1.25 cup milk
salt & pepper to taste
2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/8 teaspoon dried
Combine onion and butter and cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent.
Add flour, salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes while stirring. Add corn and mix well.
Add in milk, cream, sugar and thyme. Stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Allow to boil 1 minute while stirring.
Remove 1 cup of the corn mixture and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. Stir back into the creamed corn.
Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Last night’s dream
Writing a project brief, during a budding zombie apocalypse, at a wine fair.