|
| 07 Jun 2008 06:04:50 pm |
 Wine Tasting! |
|
|
|
| May 30, 2008. Severel months ago, my brother Greg decided to sponsor a wine tasting with the hopes that this new tradition would take off and be hosted in friend's homes on a mothly basis. Unfortuntaly it took two tastings for the idea to flourish and afterward I agreed to carry the torch and host an event. The theme was Italian Reds (of course) and everyone was instructed to bring their favorite vino di italia and I would provide the authentic antipasti table. We changed the format and added a twist in this event by randomly choosing 5 of the wines to partake in a blind tasting competition. The winner by poplular vote would recieve a special bottle from my collection, a Famiglia Anselma Barolo Adasi Riserva 2001... very nice!!! During the tasting, it was amazing to see how everyone gravitated to a different wine. Some sweet, some dry, some fruity, etc. Each wine received at least one "5" rating on our scale from 1 - 5 illustrating this different. The second place wine was an Amorone from my father, "Big John". I do not usually care for Amorone as I find the finish too dry and bitter but this one was really excellent and barely lost to ourwinner, a 2001 Brunello di Montalcino. This wine was big and bold, with a lots of berries and oak and a long finish. It belonged to your's truly. Now... there was some grumblings from the crowd, especially the drunk ones, that I stacked the deck and placed a ringer in the competition. It is true this wine was the perfect year, held a Wine Spectator Rating of 93, was big and bold and delicious. It may also be true that this bottle was a bit higher price point than the rest. But come on people.... this is a competition. Did you expect to win with a $15 bottle of wine? This is wine... you get what you pay for. Don't bring a butter knife to a gun fight! In the spitit of brotherhood, I offered to share the booty with the crowd and after the right glasses were found... we all enjoyed a wonderful wine on the deck with cigars and friends. It was a nice evening and I hope everyone enjoyed the food and wine and maybe even learned a little too. Until next time... stay winos! |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News |  Comments [1] |  Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 03 Jun 2008 07:58:28 pm |
| Baby Beach Party |
|
|
|
| May 28, 2008: There is no beach in Pittsburgh but since spring is here and JC Penny has their big beach picture offering... we decided to celebrate Quinn's 3 month Birthday with some bikini photos. Check these out... too cute! |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 21 May 2008 01:29:23 am |
| Gone Fishin' |
|
|
|
May 16 - 18, 2008: Lisa's father Dave has a fishing and hunting camp in north central PA in a little town called Clarmont (Pop. 19). Now... ever since he bought this little A Frame cabin 5 yrs ago, he has been telling trout stories. We catch our limit in 5 min, they jump into our net and the fish fries are the greatest he says, bla bla bla. So, we had to see it for ourselves and packed up the Volvo (1st one ever in Clarmont) and set off with Greg (my brother and future red neck), his wife Donna, Lisa and Quinn. With a baby the 3 hour trip became 5 hours but we arrived on Friday night ready for some beers, wings and buffalo balls at the local "Mountain Inn" and a day of fishin'. Saturday was rainy but with Smethport Lake freshly stocked with tasty rainbow trout, we put on the rain gear and attacked. Locals were killing it with a special spoon spinner (angler lingo) and we did not have it... so we went with the Dave bait "special". A trout cocktail of magots and bull worms with a small piece of foam to float it off the bottom. Too much for any trout to resist and over the course of 2 hours we caught 16. That night we enjoyed a fish fry and one of the best fish sandwiches ever!! Overall... a wonderful weekend with family and tradition. Dave was right... everything seems better up at camp.
Click for some fishy photos |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 08 May 2008 01:07:20 am |
| New Job! |
|
|
|
| May 5, 2008: First day of work and my new visa commercial: "Ten hard years making a name for yourself, great executive sponsorship, team respect, and world class accomplishments.... throwing it all away and joining a new firm where noone knows you... priceless". Deloitte Consulting LLP... here I come. |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [9] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 24 Apr 2008 08:14:10 pm |
| Doin' the Cabo Wabo in Mexico |
|
|
|
Quinn's First Swim, April 2008
April 15 - 23, 2008: People say that having a baby will change your life. This is absolutley true... but it does not have to turn you into old grandparents. With baby passport in hand (oh yes!), we packed up the family and left for Cabo, Mexico. This trip was special as our hosts Heidi and Marc not only generously offered their beautiful Casita to us, but extended the inviation to our friends Lara, Niclas, and Sarah. One thing you can always count on in Cabo is sun and it was blazing with blue skies and 90 degrees everyday. Lisa, Quinn, and I enjoyed the first days at the pool and beach. I hit up a local fisherman for some fresh marlin on day 2 and offered some gorgeous "margarita" grilled fish steaks for everyone. The left overs turned into fish tacos they next day and Lara showed us her "O" face... I think she liked them. Freelance, Quinn, and I were up for some beach and pool action on Day 3 and Niclas and Sarah joined the party that evening. After relaxing, we all hit the spring beach party hosted by the Real Estate organization with pig roast and DJ. This was a combination prom, wedding, and millionare retirement home mixer all rolled into one. Too funny! On Day 4 the guys hit the links for a golf scramble. Our team included Rich (a local Real Estate agent), Marc, Niclas (aka BN or Big Nick), and I... needless to say... last place was our calling but the course provided amazing vistas and lots of laughs. That night we ventured to the One and Only Hotel (5 star) and negotiated our way into the resturant called Aqua. Security was high due to Eli Manning getting married on the beach. Dinner and drinks were great and the wedding party seemed to be living the good life in this perfect setting. On Day 5 we hit the beach. I had to serve Niclas some humble pie by whipping him at bocci ball and Lara even braved the surf and got in the ocean. That night we just chilled by the BBQ and enjoyed a full moon. Day 6 was Marc's 35th Birthday and we started with a bday breakfast and presents. Heidi was a planning machine and arranged entertainment (a local band), a gourmet dinner, decorations and all. After breakfast we hit Cabo and enjoyed a water taxi out to "land's end" and the famous Cabo Arch. Just beautiful. We walked the town and did an unofficial guacamole tasting at several local establishments, then back for the big party that evening... great night!! Day 7 was sad as Niclas and Sarah had to leave but Lara, Quinn, and I had a very nice day at the pool where I again negotiated some fresh fish. This time yellow fin tuna.. the best cuts... and we decided to take it to a gourmet resturant in Old San Jose del Cabo. They prepared it and served it to us with rice, fresh veggies, and local Mexican Wine.... wow... ! Overall the trip was just great and had it's full share of laughs, interesting moments, and memories for a lifetime. Thanks again to Marc and Heidi for making it possible.
More Photos Here! |
|
|
By : donut
| Category : Recent Photos | Comments [21] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 08 Apr 2008 12:23:16 am |
| Opening Day at the Ballpark |
|
|
|
April 7, 2008: PNC Park was the venue for Opening Day for the Pittsburgh Pirates (aka da' Buccos). This is usually the only day the ballpark sells out to see the perennial last place Pirates and there borderline Triple A squad but with 70 degree sunshine (very rare in Pittsburgh in April) and the Bucs 3-3... which is .500 baseball baby... we could not pass up the chance. Tickets and tallgate provided by Paul Atencio and his law firm and Greg (my bro) and I joined him for a wondeful 12 inning adventure (ending in a loss). We finished the day at the Original Oyster House with fish and some cold beers. Nice Day with friends in da' burgh.
PS: for those European readers on JT.COM.... this is a reference to Baseball... so do not feel bad if none of this entry made any sense.
More Photos Here! |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [11] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 03 Apr 2008 07:22:08 pm |
| My bro needs some help. |
|
|
|
April 3, 2008: My brother Greg sits at work and finds these things.... my count is 33... bring on the 5 year olds!
33 |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [13] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 25 Mar 2008 12:16:57 am |
| Happy Easter! |
|
|
|
| March 23, 2008: This was our first Easter back with the family in at least 10 years and Quinn's first family holiday. We celebrated the day at my Aunt Jackie's home and all the whole gang was on hand for a wonderful gourmet feast and lots of catchin' up. Quinn was properly introduced to her new cousins Emma and Sydney (actually she mostly slept) and Sydney kept saying "baby... baby!" She is only 2. The holidays are for family and it was very nice being back home and enjoying all the love. Happy Easter to everyone! |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [21] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 20 Mar 2008 03:21:59 am |
| Quinn's First St. Patricks Day |
|
|
|
March 17, 2008: With a name like Quinn (Gaelic for "wise") and her full head of amber hair... she has to celebrate her first St. Patty's day. She received tons of kisses....
Click Here for More Photos |
|
|
By : donut
| Category : Recent Photos | Comments [8] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 29 Feb 2008 03:21:33 am |
| da 'Burgh (aka Pittsburgh) |
|
|
|
| February 28, 2008: Yes... we are moving back to Pittsburgh for a year. Iron City Beer, Primanti Brother's sangwitches, pierogies, kebosi, salads with steak and french fries on top, Friday fish fries, Pitt losses, O Dogs, smog, bad weather, traffic, and all the other reasons we love Pittsburgh.... well... mostly family. And we are baaaack. Our new address is 5251 Ellsworth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15232. See you soon. |
|
|
By : John
| Category : News | Comments [10] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
| |
| 1 2 3 ...9 10 11 Next |
|
|
