Sonoma in Virginia

From  my colleague Dianne Murphy...

 The Sonoma County Experience Lands in Alexandria with the Opening of Sonoma Cellar

Wine Tasting Room and Bistro opens for business Monday, August 17

Who:    Owners Rick and Elizabeth Myllenbeck bring their passion for Sonoma County Wine to the heart of Alexandria as they introduce Sonoma Cellar.

What: Offering an authentic California wine tasting experience, Sonoma Cellar will feature hand-selected wines from 180+ Sonoma County boutique wineries and 20+ Virginia-based wineries where guests have the opportunity to taste a number of varietals from these robust growing regions.  Sonoma Cellar’s bistro menu will feature freshly made, California-inspired craft-foods, prepared by executive Chef Bernard and designed to pair with the wines.  A gift shop will also carry a variety of distinctive wine- related merchandise.

Where: 207 King Street, Alexandria, VA    (703) 966-3550

When: Monday, August 17, 2015

Why:  The idea is to do more than just pour and sell wine but give customers a fun, enjoyable memorable experience that will bring them back for more.

Follow us: @mysonomacellar   www.mysonomacellar.com  FB Sonoma-Cellar

Ringing Out the Old and Bringing in the New!

A message from Glenda reminded me of the numerous ways people recognize the end of the year and usher in the new year.

Traditions/rituals to end the year

• Drinking bubbly around midnight
• Eating grapes  at midnight (while standing on a chair, if possible)
• Eating seafood
• Attending a house of worship just before midnight
• Attending a party
• Hosting a party
• Attending a public New Year's Eve Celebration (e.g. opera house in Sydney Australia, ball drop in New York City)
• Thorough cleaning of the entire home
• Silent meditation

Traditions/ rituals to start the year

• Eating greens (collard, mustard, kale, turnip) 
• Eating  black eyed peas
• Eating chitterlings
• Crossing the street with luggage
• Wearing yellow underwear
• Have a male be the first to enter your home
• Sweeping dirt out the door
• Have money in your pocket

Growing up, we often prepared snacks to eat New Year's Eve evening while waiting for the start of the New Year, if we stayed awake until midnight. A favorite snack to prepare was brandied wieners. My mother has perfected her recipe; my sister and I  learned the recipe as result of observation and asking questions.  We have convened via phone or text messages to answer each other's questions about modifications to the recipe.  The house underwent a thorough cleaning on New Year's Eve and no clothes washing  was allowed on New Year's Day. We did wash dishes, however.

I still do a thorough housecleaning that wraps up by nightfall on New Year's Eve. It has sometimes made me so tired I was asleep before midnight on New Year's Eve. My cousin Antoine tells me that his family has a seafood feast on New Year's Eve.

This year I will be staying close to home.  The bottle of bubbly is chilling ( I chose a 2009 sparkling wine from Stone Tower Estate Winery to  bring in the new year. It's a blanc de blancs). I also  have green grapes chilling that will be consumed at midnight.  New Year's Day dinner preparations are underway too. A bowl of dried black eyed peas is soaking; I will make Hoppin' John. A mix of collard and mustard greens is also on the menu.

What traditions or rituals do you or you family employ to recognize the end of one year and the beginning of the next? Share your comments below.

Wishing each of you a 2015 filled with abundance and joy, Happy New Year!

Be well,

Technicolor girl

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