Traffic sucks. There’s always some sort of interstate construction going on, and I could avoid it if I want to drive through no less than three school districts. There’s construction on the bypass, which I don’t use, but travel past every morning. So, it backs up traffic on the interstate for about a mile where we all travel around 10mph. Then, as soon as we pass that, we hit a stretch of interstate construction all our own…two lanes at 45mph. And almost everyone wants to get in the outside lane to travel into downtown, which of course means we play chicken with those who are brave enough to still use the three on-ramps to the interstate which are still open.

Okay, I got that out of my system, but really, it’s enough to drive a person to drink (pun intended). No drinking while driving, though, and no drinking at the day job. In fact, there have been a few functions I’ve been to lately where alcohol was a no-no. So, my wine for this week is…
Sparkling Grape Juice.

I know. I know. It isn’t a wine, but it’s a first cousin and good for pretending. First, we popped the “cork” at our monthly SMRW meeting (at the public library) to celebrate two of our members who signed contracts last month. Cheryel Hutton signed with Samhain, and Leanne Tyler signed with The Wild Rose Press.

I don’t care for the red sparkling grape juice, but the white was decent. So, when I was asked to buy some more the “bubbly” last night, I skipped the red altogether.

I may pick up a bottle the next time I’m at the grocery store to keep at the office. Who knows? I might have a chance to celebrate something at the day job, and I want to be ready.

Just in case.

Jessie

It’s cold.

Okay, now we’ve gotten the whine out of the way, let’s move on to the wine.

I’m not much of a wine connoisseur, and truthfully I can’t tell a good one from a bad one. I like champagne, and every once in a while a glass of merlot or cabernet. I don’t know what kind of glass they’re supposed to be poured into, and frankly I don’t care. I don’t distinguish different plates for chicken, fish, or beef, so if I find myself with a bottle of wine, the contents get poured into whatever glass is handy

However, about two years ago I ran across a wine I really like. Manischewitz Cherry Wine. It’s kosher, it’s sweet (hubby says it’s too sweet), and it’s cheap, selling for about $5 a bottle. I’m not embarrassed to say I like a cheap wine. Although for some, this revelation is more horrifying than anything they’ll see or hear on this day of horrors. (Halloween for those who may read this sometime in the future.)

And, if you visit the company’s website here, you’ll find an excellet recipe for Cherry-Chocolate Tam-Tam Pie. I have no idea what Tam Tam crackers are, but anything cherry and chocolate gets my mouth watering. Sounds like a good dessert for Thanksgiving dinner.

Jessie