Lcubed

Ann @cat shepard praying for your sister to have an easy, full recovery.

No problem Ann @cat shepard, happy to help. I'm glad you're back and you enjoyed your cruise.

Good Morning! Welcome Home Ann @cat shepard I hope you had a good time on your cruise. Relax Pink Rose Winemaker Notes Relax Pink Rose is a fun, fruity Spanish Rose with fresh aromas of strawberries, raspberries and cherries. It is a beautifully balanced wine with a refreshing crispness and soft, round finish. Wonderful on its own or as a complement to cold salads, cheeses and spicy foods, it's truly a go-to choice for any occasion. Serve chilled. It can be found on line for $10.99 Professional Ratings 90 Tasting Panel With its notes of zesty orange peel and cleansing. juicy apricot, this peachy-pink sipper keeps a crisp profile at 11% ABV. The palate gets a boost from the finish of salted dried mango.

Good morning! It is 59f/15c and sunny a copy of yesterday when the temp. reached 79f/26c. I don't think CC likes umlauts so I took them out. Although the 2021 vintage of this wine rates better than any previous year, I don't think it will be easy to find. Since the Finger Lakes had a Riesling Festival at one time, now a Wine Festival, I'm sure Paul @kochleffel can recommend a Finger Lakes Riesling for us. Have a great weekend everyone. 2021 Riesling Uziger Wurzgarten Spatlese, Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erban, Mose The taste profile of this wine is peach, apple, pear, honey, minerals, slate and citrus. Pairs well with pork, poultry, shellfish, spicy food and cured meat. On-line prices start at $31. Critic tasting note: (2014 vintage) "Crisp lime, peach and pineapple flavors mark this refreshingly brisk late-harvest wine. Its delicate sweetness is offset by pristine layers of crushed slate and river rocks. The finish is exhilarating and fresh. Drink now through 2020." -90/100, Wine Enthusiast Weingut Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben is a small but well-regarded Mosel wine estate known for its fine Riesling wines and located in the dramatic Urzig region just north of Bernkastel. The Christoffel family’s involvement in winemaking in the village dates back to the 17th Century. However, since 2001 the management of the vineyards and winemaking has been leased to Robert Eymael of Monchhof.

Good Morning! The temperature this morning is 52f/11c and should warm to the mid 70s. This is festival season here. Last weekend was the Strawberry festival, this weekend is the Gourd art fest. and the Greek fest. In the following weeks we have the Botanical fest., Seafood fest., India Fest and Spring fest to name a few. We'll be heading to the Greek festival today. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Today's wine seems hard to find and I’m not sure if I would like “clay pot minerality.” Watermill Winery 2020 The Rocks District GSM The red blend of Rhone varietals includes 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Mourvedre. On the nose, it presents aromas of red berry jam, bacon fat and black pepper. On the palate, it opens with vibrant raspberry with notes of black tea and dried herbs emerging on the mid-palate before finishing with clay pot minerality. - Reviewed by Gary Hayes SavorNW Award: Best of Class 2023 Judges Score: 97 Points Price: $53

Good Morning! The temp this morning is 57f/14c and very sunny. My DH goes to donate platelets this morning. @JazzyV hope your procedure goes well today. Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Winemaker Notes #15 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023 Pale straw color with green highlights. Powerful gooseberry, white currant, red capsicum, passionfruit and lime peel aromas. Medium-bodied, with strong flavors of makrut lime, passionfruit, lemongrass and a refreshingly smooth, dry and persistent finish. This is a white wine that seems to have a lot of fans. Pairs well with summer salads, salmon, seafood, including green-lipped mussels. On line price $19.99 Professional Ratings 94 Wine Spectator This stunning version is fresh and vibrant yet also complex and full of flavor, from toasted green tea and lemon thyme to mouthwatering passion fruit, yuzu and mango. Ends with hints of white pepper, lemon blossoms and sea salt on the long, expressive finish. 92 Wine Enthusiast Zingy lime, pineapple rind and guava aromas—flanked by ground white pepper, bell peppers and dried herbs—burst from the glass of this aromatic, layered Sauvignon from a consistently solid producer. There’s a slightly chalky texture and a pop of flavor on the palate. Food-friendly but easy solo sipping, this is a steal for the price. 90 James Suckling Aromas of fresh peaches, sliced mangoes and jasmine. Medium-bodied with silky texture. Bright and succulent with fresh tropical and stone fruit at the core. Subtle spice at the finish.

Another chilly morning at 48F/9c. Today we have to drop the van off at the dealer for another recall which they say will take 5 hrs. I guess I will have time to continue working on taxes. Sorry @kazu but the wine is a red. I might try it just to find out what a "lovely strap of leather" tastes like. Carol Shelton 2020 Albini Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) Priced on line for $40 WINEMAKER NOTES: Inky color, super concentrated nose of blackberry fruit and peppery spice, with a lovely strap of leather that follows the creamy oak all the way thru the long and vivid finish—bright acidity keeps the berries singing well into the zingy finish. This will pair so well with rare steak and tomato-sauced pasta! Professional With the grip of a Nebbiolo and the herbal spice of a Sangiovese, this captivating wine brings an Italian flair to California Zinfandel. Moderate tannins brace vivid raspberry, black cherry and cranberry flavors while fresh thyme and dried-grass notes add complexity. Best from 2025–2032. — Jim Gordon

Good Morning! We had 2 1/2 days and 6.5 in /16.5cm of rain here which is unusual as it's our dry season. This morning it is also cooler at 48f/ 9c. Bread & Butter Pinot Noir This wine goes well with beef, pork and roasted mushrooms. The vintner also seems to think it goes well with cinnamon toast. I think I would like to try that. Pricing on line starts at $13.99 Winemaker Notes Delicate and silky notes of bing cherry, sweet rhubarb, and strawberry meld together with aromas of earthy forest floor and baking spices. Finishes with bright acidity that makes every sip linger. Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Professional Ratings 90 Wine Enthusiast Charming strawberry and red cherry aromas lead to friendly, fruity flavors and a lightly tannic texture in this medium-bodied wine. A sense of sweetness comes with a soothing texture.

Good Monday morning! This is a wine my DH might like since Moscato is about the only type of wine he seems to like. It’s one we’ll have to try especially since it’s got a lot of 5 star ratings and is in our budget with an on line price of $13.99. Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti 2022 Winemaker Notes A brilliant straw yellow, this fragrant Moscato d’Asti has floral aromas with notes of peach and apricot. It is creamy with fine bubbles and a crisp finish. An excellent companion to fresh pastries and fruit such as strawberries and peaches. Professional Ratings 92 Wine Enthusiast Energetic and lifted from the start, this classic Moscato d’Asti offers aromas of white peach, mint, ginger and lime leaf. The palate is fresh with a wonderful balance between sweetness and acidity, making each sip refreshing. 90 James Suckling Pleasant sweet, floral aromas on the nose, together with a hint of chamomile. Medium-bodied with light effervescence and a clean, fruity finish. Good balance. This is always a good Moscato.

Good Morning! It's been raining here since last night and the current temp. is 61F/16C. I'll be working on my taxes again today. Campo Viejo Tempranillo Rioja 2021 I used the 2021 vintage which is available on line for $10.99 Campo Viejo has a long history that dates back to the Roman Empire. However, it has been only in the last century that their name became synonymous with Rioja wines. From the first vintage – brewed in the former Ortigüela winery in 1959 – to the creation of the famous ‘Rioja Bottle’ in 1961 and the unveiling of their new state-of-the-art sustainable winery in 2001, Campo Viejo has been at the forefront of Rioja wine making. Winemaker Notes Crafted from 100% premium Tempranillo and a passionate wine making philosophy. The result is a fresh and lively fruit expression of the variety, that is undeniably Campo Viejo. Leading with beautifully ripe black plum and berry fruit, and the brooding, dark earthy/cacao complexity typical of great Merlot, the wine also displays more lifted aromatic hints of violet, lavender, vanilla, cedar and spice. The palate is full bodied and powerful with a plush richness and weight balanced by gentle acidity and an exceptionally fine grained, ripe tannin structure that lends the wine great presence across the full length of the palate. Perfect with pasta, poultry and fresh light cheeses, grilled chicken, small bites (light cheese, grilled vegetables). Professional Ratings 89 James Suckling A simple and fruity Rioja with strawberries, raspberries and a hint of orange. Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate with firm tannins and an easy, light finish.

@marshhawk I haven't seen you post in a few days. I know you had a cough, so I'm concerned and hope you are just very busy. Laura

Good Morning! I hope @cat shepard has a wonderful cruise. I will try to sub for her on the wine selections while she is away. We are expecting rain here for the next two days but so far this morning no rain but 97% humidity and 64F/18C. Campo Viejo Cava Brut Reserva This Cava from Spain seems to be very popular with 4 and 5 star reviews and pairs well with hors d’oeuvres, fish, clams mussels and shrimp. It can be found for about $12.00. I would certainly give it a try. Winemaker Notes A noble and austere sparkling cava. Greenish yellow in color with golden glints, it's clear and star bright. A persistent, elegant stream of bubbles rise to form a perfect rosary on the surface. Complex aromas of white fruits with hints of wood. Fresh, well-balanced, and elegant on the palate with an excellent final sensation.

That's kind of funny, because when we moved back to FL my husband worked here remotely for his old Columbia, SC company. We still have friends in Lexington & Columbia so we go back about once a year. Loved living close to a college town.

Good Morning all! Thanks for the Daily and all contributors. @Cruzin Terri I'm in northern Melbourne (by Palm Shores) and the rain stopped about 6:30am. We got about 5" overnight. It looks like it will be clear from here to Miami. It seems like the rain will stay by Titusville & the beaches all morning. Have a safe trip. @seagarsmoker sorry about the job. Hope you can find another job in Columbia or Lexington. It's a nice area, we lived there for over 8 years.

@smitty34877My deepest sympathy to you and your family on your DH Lou passing.

This happened to me as well. Then I realized the name on the AARP card is different. I used the name on the AARP card with my HAL mariners # and I was "Confirmed"

@luvteaching Karen, my sincere condolences on your DH Phil's passing.

@rafinmd Roy, Happy Birthday!🎂 It's summer on the Space Coast of FL. The temp was 77 F with 84% humidity at 7am. The pool is at 90 and we have to check the skimmer BEFORE going in the pool for snakes. There was one in the skimmer this morning and one on the pool deck. We had a rocket go off at 4am this week (very hard to sleep thru) and another at 11:35am today. A lot of neighbors in their front yards to watch (as usual) but it was so cloudy we didn't see much. Hope you all have a great weekend!

@superoma My condolences on the passing of your father and my prayers for you and your family.

I did something similar. My strawberry wine made to the bottles but the corks blew and we had a pink dining room ceiling. I stuck to making white wines after that. 😁

I do the same, limit sodium & since I'm never thirsty, remember to drink liquids. I try to keep daily sodium to under 2000mg. I read a lot of labels and use Dash diet recipes & low sodium recipes from online. As you noticed you do have to pay attention to any meds, OTC & prescribed, as well as tests & dental/medical procedures. If I have a question my Nephrologist will answer it and sometimes change a prescription a different doctor/dentist has given me. I have also learned if my friends or family want to go to a chain restaurant (I usually don't have a problem at mom & pops) to check their online nutrition guide. Some item's sodium content blows my mind! I am probably the only one in the group who knows exactly what I am ordering before I walk through the door. It sounds like you are doing a good job, eventually it will just become second nature for you.

@Cruising-along I started out with stage 3b kidney disease 10yrs ago and now I am stage 3a. The waiters are very good about asking if you have allergies or restrictions. Usually I get the standard menu for the next day the night before. I circle what I would like and put "low sodium". If the menu isn't available yet they send it to my room. You have to hand it back usually before 9am the next day. It does depend on the chef what you get. If I circle something with mashed potatoes I might get mashed potatoes or a baked potato. The first night I try to pick something that seems safe, not a lot of sauce for example. I once joined friends at their table and ordered BBQ spare ribs ( I had been really good all day), I didn't preorder but low sodium was on my file, so I got ribs but not BBQ'd. Ugh! The hard part for me is always lunch in the Lido. I usually have salad 🫤. I hope you have a great cruise!

@TiogaCruiser It looks like Ft Lauderdale is getting more heavy rain now but it looks like it will clear by 9pm. I have not been on I-75 (alligator alley) in more than 10 yrs but I was on 80 & 27 many times up until 5 years ago it is not an easy route. Maybe @POA1 could let you know the conditions close to the port as he lives there. Also the port is open but try to call HAL if you can. They might delay departure with all the airport problems. They did because of the hurricane in Nov 2022 by a day. Wish I was close enough to pick you up and take you there. Good luck take care.

Yes. NA in view?

From the HAL website under "Shipboard Life" "Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding." I have seen cartons of water at our local supermarket. When I bought a single can of water on our Nov 2022 cruise I think it was $5. In general we just drink the tap water on a cruise.