A very special evening with an interested crowd of about 50 persons came to enjoy the evening with Ron and other artists.  People were very impressed with Ron’s new watercolor works that are framed sans glass.  This is a big innovation only recently available to artists.  Ron carries this a little further by mounting the paper onto a regular canvas, the final result is sealed with a relatively new product that protects the art.   Who knew , glass free watercolors at last! Ron was very successful in his sales that night and four of his trios went to new homes.

Great wines were served by Leroy Schoot, resident wine expert.  He had three lovely whites featured in his “Wines of the Neighborhood” – Spicy White , a blend of Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer and Big White, a lovely Chardonnay, were both from White Salmon Vineyards. A Late Harvest Riesling came from the Hogue Cellars and is a great wine with good balance of sweet and acidity.  The reds were equally outstanding with a full bodied Pinot Noir from White Salmon Vineyards, a classic Syrah from Maryhill, very rich with a peppery finish, and a stand out from Sagelands with the name of the winemaker, Freddie’s Blend.  This is the creation of Frederique Spencer, their very lovely female winemaker, and it is my choice from the selections offered, a very fine wine.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid eating carrot sticks.  Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately.  Go next door where they are serving rum balls.
2. 2.  Drink as much eggnog as you can, and quickly. It’s rare. You cannot find it any other time of the year but now.  So drink it up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you are going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat, enjoy it.  Have one for me.  Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they are made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have  a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free.  Lots of it!
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Years.  You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you will need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10 pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself  near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. If you leave them behind, your never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat.  Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two Apples and one Pumpkin, always have three.  When else do you get more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost.  I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip : If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read the tips: start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive, well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”

Have a great holiday season.

Author unknown

So drink up!