A day to celebrate

   We have come full circle, you and I.  A full year and 78 blog entries.  Today is  Australia Day, again [ see "Australia Day in WA", Jan 26,2009 ]  On this day 222 years ago, the first fleet filled with convicts landed on sun-burnt shores.  So today was filled with civic ceremonies, airshows, water shows, bouncy castles and fireworks.  We joined the polyglot on the foreshores, cooked supper in our makeshift solar oven (baked potatoes this year instead of kangaroo chili) and watched the fireworks from our balcony.

   But do let me brag for a moment because, truth is, I don't get too many brag-able moments.  I have emailed this news to many, however, there may be someone in some far fetched corner of the planet who does not yet know.

   I won a writing contest!  I was so thrilled.  No, no big paycheck- it was a wine industry site asking about an interesting wine/wine experience--a bottle of wine is actually the prize.  I, however, accept all "major awards" no matter how minor. Here is the text:

  Sometimes in wine, just like in the kitchen, overthinking a prospect is not a good thing. Indeed, just the opposite is frequently true..."Don't think, just do!"..."Go with your gut feeling"..."Take a step, any step"... and you will come up with  a  EUREKA! moment.  So describes our experience with Guinea Run's 2005 Cabernet Merlot (Marri Wood Park, Margaret River, WA).    Rushed at the time of purchase, the label's graphics- two guinea fowl sommeliers rushing to service- seem to catch my husband's eye and fancy. Seems hardly more discerning than an eenie-meenie selection process, but hey...   Fast forward to Date Night at the Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema to see "The Julie/Julia Project". Long drive ahead...no nibbles packed yet....RUSH! And he grabs the Guinea Run Cab Merlot.   The movie, about famous chef Julia Child and Julia-wannabe Julie, is excellent. The wine is no more French than Julia Child and served in small plastic cups but the pairing is perfect.  The movie, the yummy wine and the yummy food onscreen that we can almost taste in our seats under the stars.  Bon Apetite!
  
   The bottle hasn't arrived yet.  I'll let you know how it was.