Flowers that were addressed to an old tenant were sent to my apartment the other day. I texted her to let her know that there were flowers here for her and she asked me to open them. The card read, “Happy Birthday Grandma.” She insisted that they weren’t for her and that I just keep them. So after calling the flower company and texting with her, I ended up with a fresh bouquet of flowers. Now I am looking to pay it forward because I believe in karma. Happy Birthday, Grandma!
Earlier in the week I went to a really interesting talk about Africa. It was wonderful for many reasons, one of which includes the illustration that was shown (above) to convey the size of the African continent in relation to other – more familiar – places in the world.
I remember reaching the point in life in which I realized that my global education had been incredibly European-focused. What that meant to me at the time was that ‘they’ had largely ignored teaching me about Asia. While I wouldn’t say that I was completely clueless about Africa before this talk, it was still reminiscent of that first realization of how much I didn’t know. It was also a strong reminder of how gratifying it is to take advantage of the resources that surround you, something I plan to do more of.
When Albert and I moved to LA, we only brought a couple of suitcases. I found this little gem at a yard sale within the first week of our arrival. It only cost $20. I knew that I couldn’t keep it the way it was and was determined to make it fabulous. I am proud to say that I did!
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BEFORE
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AFTER
Because our apartment is so white and bright, I knew we needed a bright color. That is why I chose Jamacian Blue! I followed this blogger’s advice the whole way through. Never underestimate the power of a project. I love my new little dresser!
Guess who’s back?! It’s our favorite wine aficionado and fellow blogger, Catherine, with her latest seasonal wine selections! We just love these creative guides that she prepares exclusively for Sister Disco. Can you guess the inspiration for this installment??
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(image via here)
I get excited about asparagus season. For real! Like fresh, in-season, not-supermarket asparagus.
It’s nice in risotto… Wrapped in pancetta… Roasted and sprinkled with parmeggiano-reggiano… Grilled and salted and dripped with lemon juice… Blended into a soup…or crunched on raw.
It’s a segue-into-spring veggie. I may still be wearing tights and boots, but when I bite into some fresh asparagus, I know I have made it through the winter.
I’ve never fully understood the obsession with wine and food pairings. Going crazy over the perfect match-up seems like a waste of energy. Perfection is relative anyway. I believe there is an interchangeable spectrum of wines that can go with a particular dish. The creative journey of finding all the ways they pair up is part of the fun. Food and wine can have many soul mates…whatever works…free love!
Drink a wine that is delicious to you along with simple food that is tasty and real. Do so with people and spaces that make you feel good…and there you have it.
That being said, there are some exceptions, such as asparagus (and a few other vegetables like artichokes), that are notoriously finicky as far as wine match-ups go. Drink the wrong wine and you may find a chemical, too grassy, kind of gross taste in your mouth. Not nice.
So, in celebration of a spring that has finally come and the harvest of those awesomely weird, stringy, bitter green stalks with their pretty bushy heads, here are 8 wines to help your asparagus experience be all that it should.
1) Frascati Superiore DOC by Principe Pallavicini. Approx: $10
Frascati was the first thing that came to mind when I thought of wine for asparagus. So here it is to start the list. An ages-old blend of grapes local to the rolling hills surrounding the eternal city is the perfect suitor. This particular blend includes Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia del Lazio, and Trebbiano Toscano.
2) Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Vigna di Gino by Fattoria San Lorenzo. Approx $15
Verdicchio is a native grape to the region of Marche, located in Central Italy on the Adriatic coast. Verdicchio makes a white wine rich in saline minerality and sweet yet savory grassiness. It is a grape that can turn out a fairly complex white of medium body.
3) Erbaluce di Caluso La Rustia by Orsolani. Approx: $22
Erbaluce is another indigenous Italian grape. This one being native to the Canavese Valley Piemonte, located in the northwest corner of the country. Erbaluce makes bright whites with citrus, sunshine, and heady herbal qualities. This one is made by a generations old producer from their version of a “roasted slope.” Luscious.
4) Malvasia “Emiliana” Colli Piacentini DOC by Lusenti. Approx $22
This wine is so fun. It is made from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, a local clone of a grape that grows all around Central Italy. This particular take on malvasia is a straw-like shade and a little cloudy. It is made completely naturally and has brilliant acidity. The texture is frizzante – perfect for cleansing the palate. Go ahead, try something different, get crazy!
5) Salento IGT Le Vigne Rare by Pirro Varone. Approx: $16
If you ask anyone from Puglia, fiano minutolo is something completely unrelated to Fiano di Avellino…or any other fiano for that matter. Whether or not this is true, this varietal expression of the fiano minutolo grape produced by Pirro Varone, an organic winery with a beautiful history, is something distinct. Zingy, lean, and bright – the epitome of spring.
6) Vouvray Spring Sec by Vincent Careme – Approx $14
100% Chenin Blanc produced organically and aged on its lees for a bit of time. Chenin Blanc is one of the most capable little grapes and can make a wine that is luxuriously rich in body and flavor.
7) Rias Baixas by Santiago Ruiz. Approx $17
Here is a traditional blend of grapes native to the O Rosal sub-zone of Rias Baixas – albarino, loureiro, and treixadura. Like licking a salty, rainy rock…in the most delicious way, of course.
8) Sauvignon Blanc by St. Supery. Approx $16
100% Sauvignon blanc grown and made in the good ‘ole Napa Valley. In classic Cali fashion, this is a pleasantly bold and sun-kissed expression of a well-known variety.
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Past guides from Catherine:
12 Wines to Keep You Cozy in Winter / Guide to Rosé / Guide to Bubbly
Lauren is the question master this week in our “Coast to Coast” series. Looks like I have some questions to answer.
Happy Monday everyone! Spring really feels like summer out here in California and I am loving it. I had a relaxing weekend and am looking forward to having my mom here this week!
Our friend Lis is awesome and his been on the blog many times before. She recently took a trip to Portland and we asked her if she would share some pics with us. Here they are:
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Lis – Portland, Oregon
Pictures from my last trip to Portland.
I had the most amazing smoothie a couple of days ago. The original recipe is in Dr. Frank Lipman’s new book Revive. I didn’t have all of the ingredients so I did the best with what I had. I am used to having a pretty basic green smoothie in the mornings, however I have tons of herbs now and wanted to incorporate my mint. If you have a chance, please try it. It is fresh and fantastic! I am hooked!
* Add some ice cubes too if you’d like. Enjoy!
F: What have you been making in your kitchen?
L: A mess. Ha. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Actually some friends stayed in my apartment when I went to Cleveland for Easter. As a thank you, they left me a refrigerator full of groceries (as well as flowers and Girl Scout cookies – all such a treat!). It inspired me to start making one big fruit salad, and one dry green salad to eat throughout the week. So far, so good. I also made a spinach/gruyere/mushroom/onion frittata that is pretty delicious. Big moves over here.
F: What the best clothing item that you have purchased lately?
Mom and I went on a major shopping spree when I was home. The whole experience was completely, and shamelessly gratifying so it’s hard for me to pick one favorite. Instead I’ll just say that sometimes it feels really good to update your look.
F: What purse have you been rocking?
L: See above. One of the things I came away with was a new black purse. It has a long shoulder strap and lays pretty flat. It’s been good because I don’t carry around nearly as much unnecessary stuff as I usually do.
F: Have you been practicing yoga? Where?
L: I had been having the hardest time getting back into a regular yoga practice, which is annoying because after every yoga class I take, all I can think about is how much I love yoga. As of this weekend, I think I’ve set myself back on a good path, with a welcomed variety in the classes I’m doing.
F: What are you going to do this weekend?
L: I don’t know yet.
Bonus: Do you miss me?
L: Always.
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