I think many people were expecting to kick 2021 in the ass, and celebrate 2022 in style. Unfortunately, Omicron said ‘hold my beer’. I think this is how many of us are approaching 2022. Very cautiously!
I apologize for the absence, but I just got back yesterday from 12 days in Newfoundland. It was a great Christmas, albeit very quiet. Sadly, I didn’t get to visit any friends, but I did have a great time with family. My Mom turns 87 January 5th and we were being super careful.
Happy New Year to all my readers. Thank you for joining me in another year of discovering great wine at affordable prices. I’m not sure how you celebrated New Year’s Eve, but I was in PJ’s by 5 p.m. and in bed by 9 p.m. But I crossed over on the Newfoundland ferry the night before and didn’t get a lot of sleep. I did, however, BBQ on New Year’s Eve.
This might look like a wonky omelet in the making, but it’s the starter of my meatballs. In this bowl, bread crumbs, milk, 1 egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian season, hot sauce, & a little BBQ sauce.
This is what the finished product looks like.
My sauce recipe is very simple
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
And I used a little curly parsley as a garnish. Delicious, and you can freeze them, and have them any time you need a quick meal.
Ok. Let’s talk some wine. Normally the first wine blog of the year talks about upcoming wine trends. But I’ll do that next week. I want to share a couple of gifts I received.
To say my family went a little overboard on the gifts, would be an understatement. I did very well.
My friend Sandra gave me this Prosecco.
I love Prosecco, it’s so festive. I haven’t had this Villa Francesca yet, but I am willing to bet it’s delicious. It’s so affordable, this particular one is $18 a bottle, and Prosecco is crisp and refreshing and goes with everything.
My nephew Brady, who I stayed home longer than planned so I could see him, gave me this beauty.
I’ve had this wine before, and it’s a gorgeous treat wine. It’s about $50 a bottle and I had bought this one year before to watch the Oscar’s. It is after all, Francis Ford Coppola’s Director’s Cut Zinfandel. You used to be able to buy it here, but apparently the one store that carried it, is not carrying it anymore. That makes this gift all the more special. From Sonoma County in California, this is a rich and full-bodied wine, that I’ll be saving for my next feed of baby back ribs or a steak.
On a closing note, this was Maggie’s first Christmas with our family and what a fun time she had. The gorgeous scarf she is wearing was a gift from me, and made by my friend Angie. It has her name on it and looks so cute on her. She also received lots of toys.
I hope all of you had a Christmas as wonderful as Maggie. Till next week, Cheers. And Happy New Year
Wine-It’s Just My Opinion 