The Humble Apron

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few.

It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

-ANONYMOUS

My wine review Recommendation Scale explained

BUY = you should really buy this wine in quantity
Buy = good value. Buy a bottle of this wine
OK = You can buy this wine if you dont see anything else thats decent
Pass = walk away from this wine
PASS = Run away from this wine

L.A. Cetto 2008 Petite Sirah

I was really looking forward to this wine, especially after tasting their 08 Zinfandel, but this one was very disappointing. Ok fruit, but a definite unpalatable nose and taste ... notes of paint thinner. Long finish and the unpleasant taste lasts the whole time. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: PASS

Don Mendoza 2008 Reserva Merlot

Disappointing Merlot from Argentina. Old World style. Lacking in fruit. Medium body. Medium finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Fuzion Alta 2009 Reserva Malbec

Surprisingly decent Malbec. Lots of fruit, medium body. Drinks like a Merlot. Nice longish finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Coyote's Run 2003 Old Vines Chardonnay

Decent attempt at a Chardonnay for a new Niagara winery. Lots of oak doesnt really produce the buttery flavours that I wanted and/or expected. Citrus notes and a long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

L.A. Cetto 2008 Zinfandel

This is one of those great finds. A $10 wine that drinks as well or better than the low-end (read $20+) Zinfandels from Napa. Although it doesn't have the body or the 'heat' of a great Zin, this one bursts with fruit. Medium body and fully opens within 10 minutes. Lovely soft tannins and a respectably long finish. Honestly, it shocked the heck outta me. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: BUY ... a case.

Mexico has wines? Who knew?

di Leornardo 2009 Merlot

Absolutely wonderful Merlot, bursting with ripe black fruit. Medium bodied and a lovely long finish. Smooth tannins. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: BUY

Giacomo Montresor 2007 Amarone

I have yet to meet an Amarone I didnt like and I am very happy this one kept up the tradition. It certainly has the heat (15.5%)and the full body even if it doesn't have the depth of flavour that the great Amarones have. Decent fruit. A nice lingering finish. Would be excellent with a bolognese. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Joke of the Day

A SQL Injection walks into a bar, starts to #quote something but stops, drops a table, then dashes out.

(You have to be a bit of a hacker to appreciate this one. Blame Melanie, not me)

Le Gravillas 2009 Sablet

An interesting red wine from Cotes du Rhone. Nothing that jumps out at you, nothing wonderfully complex, just a wine that can be enjoyed. Plumy. Medium body. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Mission Hill 2003 Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay

I guess my idea of "reserve" and Mission Hill's is different. Personally I expect a superior wine. This Chardonnay is quite drinkable but nothing extraordinary for the price. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Joke of the Day

Two hunters hired a pilot to fly them into the remote bush to hunt moose. They bagged four. As they started loading the plane for the return trip home, the pilot told them the plane could take only two moose. The two hunters objected strongly, stating, "Last year we shot four moose, and the pilot let us put them all on board, and he had the same plane as yours."

Reluctantly, the pilot gave in and all four were loaded. Unfortunately, even at full power, the little plane couldn't handle the load and crashed a few minutes after takeoff.

Climbing out of the wreck, Hunter #1 asked, "Any idea where we are?"

Hunter #2 replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year."

Peterborough Photowalk Update

Joke of the Day

Customer: Waitress! This coffee tastes like mud!

Waitress: Of course it does, sir. It's fresh ground!


<rimshot>

Farnese 2009 Sangiovese

One note Sangiovese that really needs a pasta sauce to pair with. Surprisingly almost drinkable for an dirt cheap red wine. Might make an acceptable choice for a large party (like a wedding.) Medium long finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Okay if you need some cooking wine but probably best to pass

Henschke 2005 Henry's Seven

A lovely blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre and Viognier. Medium body. Features luscious black fruits with a nice long finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy