:Debby on…Home for the Holidays

Remember that movie? Home For The Holidays.?There’s been any number of holiday movies produced about family getting together for the holidays. If I remember correctly Home for The Holidays centered around Thanksgiving. There’s the classics like Miracle on 34th Street, but I prefer holiday comedies, movies that make us laugh at the quirkiness of that unit called ‘family’. Christmas Vacation is one of my favorites. Last year, upon the recommendation of my sister-in-law (due to a…’quirk’ in the family) I read Skipping Christmas by John Grisholm. Home For The Holidays. My euphemism for family dynamics, family quirkiness, particularly during the holiday season.

I often want to go home for Christmas. By home, I mean with my sisters in my hometown in rural Nebraska. The family I grew up in; where I’ve been part of the family my entire life, even though I haven’t lived in Norfolk since 1972. When things approach full-speed quirk, give me quirks I understand to my very core! The thing is though…(correct me if I’m wrong Kelly) we’ve never begun to approach full-speed quirk. And I doubt we will. We made it through sorting through mom’s stuff – ALL OF MOM’S STUFF!!  – with only a minor quirk or two. If we passed that test with relationships intact (and we did), I think full-speed quirk is beyond our comprehension.

I love my sisters. When we met for Sisters Weekend last September, it was so familiar… Into our jammies, talking until we fell asleep. When we were kids, still living in town, sometimes I would haul my mattress from my room so I could sleep with them in the room they shared. With sisters you don’t have to explain things. You don’t have to explain who you are. Or why you did something. Or try to figure out where you fit. You know where you fit. Kelly is here on the blog. I wish Lori were too.

Hey! Kelly! I’m going to post our trees. Maybe it will inspire her to join us! And don’t go all quirky (I won’t make it through if my sister goes quirky – I’ve had enough for one holiday, thank you.) but, I’m going to share a paragraph from your email…

Do the rest of you see how tall that tree is?! A couple of stories!

And here’s my tree. I love this stupid tree. Grandma had a tree like this. She decorated it with pink bulbs, complete with a color wheel. When I was little, that was the prettiest Christmas tree ever. Mom hated alluminum trees (well, really…they are tacky, tacky). But she sent me this one….

It represents childhood memories, a gift from mom. The blatant commercialism of the holiday. It’s a quirky tree!

And sent by Kelly several days later…

Here’s a picture of Lori’s tree.  She told me she hasn’t taken the time to learn all what can be done with a camera and the computer. 
So here it is if you would like to include it on your blog with our trees.

:Debby on…Nate’s engagement

Last night over a great Italian dinner in a busy (!!!) family owned restaurant Nate and Kelly announced their engagement. I’m delighted! They’re a great match! This photo was taken on a hike near the Flatirons in Boulder. Kelly is holding Buckley. And that’s Chuck – a dog they adopted together – in front.

:Debby on…Tuesday Morning

I got up early this morning, really early. As the pot was brewing, I quietly entered the library. Rick put up Christmas lights this weekend. The candles in the window were glowing, operating on batteries and light detection. Instead of turning on the desk lights, I plugged in the lights around the window. As the snow continues outside, inside it’s festive!

:Debby on…Margo and Dawa

The night the puppies were born, this is what moon looked liked on the drive back and forth. Then, forth and back.

I love the moon. Astrologically, Cancer is my sign. It’s considered a water sign, a yin sign and is ruled by the moon…if one is into that kind of thing. Don’t know much about it all, but I’ve always felt at home in the water and under the moon. Some years ago Sondra asked me if I ever get spooked going to the kennel in the dark. Nope. I feel embraced by the night.

Given the beautiful moon the night Ponya’s two daughters entered this world, I thought Tibetan moon names would be appropriate. I sent this photo to Tenzin, asking for translation.

Wanting to make sure she was correct, she asked her dad. Here’s the response:

Here is the correct meaning for the waning moon and crescent moon.
 
Waning moon:mar ngo (dmar phyogs),the last fifteen days of the month, including new moon.
 
Crescent moon:

But the thing is, there are difference in Tibetan spoken and writing. According to my dad, most of the Tibetans use the spoken words. If you tell or asked people about above definition for crescent moon then majority of Tibetan people wouldn’t know.So,generally you can use (Tsey sum dawa) for crescent moon,which means first three days of moon. 

The black girl is named Kunza Mar Ngo of the Past, call name Margo.
The sable girl is Kunza Tsey Sum Dawa of the Past, call name Dawa. 

:Debby on Cru Vin Dogs

Two of my favorite stores ever – The Hardware and Evergreen Drug – closed several years ago. Both stores hung on longer than most Ma and Pa stores, but finally Big Box prevailed.  Carol grooms Emerson and Steinbeck for the former owners of The Hardware. I groom Daisy for the former owners of Evergreen Drug. We live in a small town.

Evergreen Drug was like an old dime store. You could find anything there! A pharmacy. Clothing. Fabric. Art supplies. Wine. Beer. You name it. Evergreen Drug had it. Besides the Big Boxes, Mr. Skaff had become very frustrated with burdensome managed-care regulations and third-party prescriptions and in 2005 he converted the store to liquor only, complete with a wine tasting room. I’m on the email list for the weekly tasting (sometimes it’s beer and NO, I’m not there every week!). I thought this week’s venue was fun and wanted to share. 

        We are pleased to extend our weekly invitation of complimentary wine tasting this Thursday, December 4th   from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm in The Evergreen Liquors customer wine tasting room.  We are featuring 5 wines from Cru Vin Dogs.  Cru Vin Dogs track down exceptional vineyards and small lots of wine throughout the world to craft masterful blends of exceptional quality and value, and brings them directly to you, the consumer.  Their mission is simple:  They exist to combine their passions-friendship, wine, art, and their love of dogs, and worthy causes – into a wine brand with a purpose.  Wine that gives back.  Wine that makes a difference.  A representative along with the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) assistance puppy will be here to demonstrate the wines, the art and the charities they support.  Visit their website at http://www.cruvindogs.com to learn more about their unique story and the charities that they support.  We will be serving the following wines and you will get additional discounts from the listed prices during the tasting:
 
Labrador Sauvignon Blanc:   The Marlborough region in New Zealand produces perhaps the most consistent, unique, and best value wines in the world.  What makes Marlborough sauvignon blanc so special?  First of all, it’s that nearly indescribable sea breeze aroma.   What’s also so unique to this wine are the flavors – no other sauvignon blanc in the world has the same high tone expression of fresh-cut pineapple, lime zest and yes, kiwi fruit.  You will love this one and the everyday price is only $16.99
 
Bloodhound Chardonnay 2005:    It’s hard to believe that this wine is a California Chardonnay as this wine has a character and purity that screams white Burgundy. Aromas of dried flowers and raw honey are framed oh-so-nicely by bright citrus.  The flavor profile simply begs to be studied and dissected-pear, white peach, honeydew melon, and ginger root – all steeped in the exquisite floral essences of orange blossom and chamomile.  The everyday low price is $18.99 and only 562 cases were produced.
 
Golden Retriever Chardonnay 2006:  Your first sniff will be an exquisite aroma of honey and pollen and nectar – all things floral.  The flavors and texture of this wine echo the incredible nose-a rich honey-d texture (though the wine is bone dry) is rounded out with touches of pear, toasted almonds and Meyer lemon.  We guarantee that you will not find a better chardonnay for the price of $18.99.
 
Yogi Cabernet-Syrah 2005:  The aromas and flavors are a grand testament to the pedigree of the blend—steep hillside syrah from the foothills of western Dry Creek Valley and the very highest quality cabernet sauvignon from two top Napa Valley vineyards.  The fresh-crushed wild berry aromas are touched with hints of white pepper and exotic Asian spices.  Huge spiced blueberry, raspberry, and black currant fruit is dusted with fine cocoa and a wisp of smoke.  And the texture…WOW!  The finish of this wine really seals the deal.  Try it and you will want to stash away a case or two in the cellar. The price is only $29.99 and should increase in value as it ages.
 
 
Lucky Cabernet Merlot 2006:  This 2006 “Lucky” Bordeaux blend features Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a splash of Cabernet Franc from the esteemed Spring Mountain appellation in Napa Valley, as well as Merlot from steep-sloped vineyards in the bench lands of west Dry Creek Valley.  The fruit is a winemaker’s dream-combining the concentration and complexity of its flavors with balanced tannin and acidity, which drives the wine’s age-ability.  Consider how the dark cherry, boysenberry and smoky plum aromas expand and intensify; how the red currant, pomegranate and cranberry flavors ripen in the glass as notes of floral spice are gradually revealed. It also has an excellent finish and the everyday price is $29.99