: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

:Debby on..Twice baked sweet potatoes…

Have the rest of you recovered from the holiday feast?

It snowed last night. This morning Rick and I are meeting the rest of the family at the Cherokee Ranch Castle for a tour. Planned for Rocky’s visit, we’ve had tickets for weeks. Rocky came out early. He thought the world of Jeff.

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner for 12 people. We toasted family. We toasted Jeff. Nate and Kelly – along with their dogs Buckley and Chuck – slept over Thanksgiving night. Hectic, it all was! Ya gotta love family! And ya gotta love friends!

Carol. Among many people I’m thankful for is Carol. Dan, Jeff’s friend and co-worker, spoke about the ease of working with Jeff. He said they could work comfortably side-by-side for hours, not having the need to speak. He told of knowing which tool Jeff was looking for, seeing Jeff look towards the ground. Sometimes Dan would hand Jeff that tool. Jeff asked how he knew. Dan told him, “because I’m good.” That’s what it’s like to work with Carol. Toni once said it was like watching a ballet. We anticipate each other’s moves.

Carol knows I don’t cook. Carol reads cookbooks for entertainment. She cooks. She bakes. She suggested my contribution to the Thanksgiving feast. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. Read the last line of the recipe.

A few minutes after Dan’s response, Jeff replied, “if you were really good, I wouldn’t have to look at the floor.” 🙂 Maybe if they’d had the chance to work together more years, 18 years like Carol and I, that could have happened.

The recipe turned out great, converting one non-sweet potato relative. I sugared the nuts myself. I did everything myself. I didn’t have to follow the last step.