Tag Archives: wine

Wrist to Forehead Cinema?

Posted on January 7, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure:  I had some Mohawk Valley adventures on Saturday that I could have written about.  But I wanted to to a Sunday Cinema post so we started watching movies.  Unfortunately, we are only on the second movie of the day and I want to make my post before it gets any later (when one gets up for work at 3 a.m., it gets late early).

Tippi, watch out!

We started out with Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, one of our favorites.  I won’t say it is a cinematographic masterpiece, but it is highly entertaining with excellent effects, especially for the time.  I’ve named a character Annie in my next murder mystery, after Annie Hayworth, the school teacher, because she is such a door mat.

That awkward moment…

We debated quite a bit during The Birds as to what we would watch next. I always like to have a connection between movies.  I thought of going from The Birds to Birdcage, but I wanted something darker. I thought of The Postman Always Rings Twice, which kind of has a connection because it features Hume Cronyn, who was married to Jessica Tandy, who is in The Birds.  Come to think of it, on that basis, we could have gone to Rope, which in addition to being written by Cronyn, is another Hitchcock movie.  But we have seen Postman and Rope recently.  Moreover, I like to drink champagne when I watch Rope, and I was drinking Barefoot Pinot Noir.  At last we settled on Sudden Fear.  It does not connect with The Birds, but it is film noir, which goes nicely with pinot noir.  Joan Crawford, there could be no possible objection.

As we watched Sudden Fear, we realized our television was getting quieter and quieter.  Sometimes it does that and we do not know why.  It goes back to a normal volume when we look at regular TV, so now we are looking at Snapped, my usual Sunday treat.  If you are wondering about my headline, well, it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday for a number of reasons.  As you have seen, I had some heartburnings selecting our second feature.  Additionally, I am somewhat mortified in trying to have a Sunday Cinema post on only two features.  Well, you’ll have these things when you read a silly blog like mine.  I hope to write about my Mohawk Valley adventures in coming days.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

I do loves me some Snapped.

 

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Wuss-out Winesday

Posted on December 20, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Mohawk Valley Girl does not usually plug chain restaurants, preferring the distinctive, locally owned places (although she does talk about herself in the third person, don’t judge), but sometimes the chain place is a fun place to be on a Wednesday night.

But first, a housekeeping note, this is a kind of a Wuss-out Wednesday, because we were supposed to go to Karaoke at Asteroga Ale House in Herkimer tonight (um, in about three and a half hours, but I rather doubt we will change our minds at this point).  I messaged the people we were supposed to go with. One has to work, one has lost his voice, the third was totally into it and asked (showing a flattering knowledge of my blog): what is this, Wuss-out Wednesday?  We agreed to try again next Wednesday (and it will make a good blot post, I hope).

In the meantime, Steven and I needed to eat, and he had not taken anything out of the freezer.  He was willing to go anyplace I suggested, but I suddenly remembered: Winesday at Applebee’s!  The last time we went there (on a Wednesday to get half-price bottles of wine, not just to Applebee’s) was 2015 (we met with friends to discuss casting for Leading Ladies, the play I directed for Ilion Little Theatre)  (good God, has it been that long since I directed?).  I called to make sure the promotion was still in effect.  When the lady answered the phone mentioning “Wine Down Wednesday,” I rejoiced.

The other good thing about Applebee’s for my blogging purposes, is that they do embrace local connections. The walls are decorated with pictures of local sports teams and events.  So I feel it is Mohawk Valley Girl-ish enough to recommend Applebee’s in Herkimer, NY, as a good place to eat.

We had a bottle of LBD (Little Black Dress) Pinot Noir and an order of Neighborhood Nachos.  Yum on both counts.

And this is my blog post.  As a side note: tonight is my Friday, because I am off from now until January 2, 2019.  Woohoo!  Lots of Mohawk Valley Adventures to follow!  Or maybe I will just sit home watching true crime television shows or Christmas movies on DVD or video (yes, we’re old school).  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Late, Lame, What a Shame

Posted on September 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is that moment on a Friday, when I want to just not worry about being a blogger and go to sleep.

I typed that last night, then I went to sleep.  Full disclosure:  Steven and I got together with our friend Kim.  We went to Happy Hour at Asteroga Ale House then to the VFW for another drink.  We’re not members of the VFW, but Kim knows some folks there.  I told them I was V but not FW.  We found out we could join the auxiliary, so we may do that.

The point is, wine makes me sleepy.  Still, it was a fun Friday night.  We used to go out every Friday night.  When we lived in Potsdam, NY, it was Happy Hour at Alger’s.  When we moved to Norwood, NY, we went to Jeremiah’s. Good times.  Actually, it is the epitome of the expression, the good old days — we weren’t good, we weren’t old, and they weren’t days, they were nights.

So here I am at five in the morning, typing in something, anything, so I can still feel I am a daily blogger.  Well, why not?  We make up rules for ourselves and can bend them to our will.  I call myself a daily blogger.  If I miss a day and make two the next, I say that counts. If one is pure foolishness, I say it still counts!  And if I want to call it Lame Post Friday early on a Saturday morning, I will.  I hope your weekend is beginning splendidly.

 

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I Need Some Nosteratu

Posted on June 16, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

The obligatory psycho eyes!

Hey, it’s Lame Post Friday! I have not shared monster pictures all week, so I thought I might indulge tonight.  I open with a monster of the human variety (using the term “human” loosely), the murderous Rhoda in The Bad Seed, as played by Patty McCormack in the 1956 movie. She is shown with her mother, played by Nancy Kelly, who does a good bit of scenery chewing herself.  Steven and I are watching the movie now.  I wanted something cheesy, familiar, and fun.

I did not mean to make a real movie blog post about The Bad Seed.  I merely mention it to set the scene, as it were.  It is the end of a long week, and I am tired.  I need some Nosferatu.

“Ah, fresh air!”

Here is the picture I always think looks as if it is in front of Little Falls Antique Center at Canal Place.  Just to give a little local flair.  For a little more local flair, I am sipping some Reisling from Merritt Winery in Forestville, NY.  I have not been there but have sampled the wine at tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.

I just flashed on Dracula, saying, “I never drink… wine”  (of course he pronounced it “vine”).  That is where the vampire and I differ.  Therefore I will close with a picture of Frankenstein, “Drink!  Good!”  Come to think of it, he may have been talking about gin.  Well, one must make do after all.

Tea is good, too.

This is Boris Karloff in 1931’s Frankenstein, on a break.  Just to complete the scene, we are now at the point in The Bad Seed where the characters are drinking gin and tonic.  Damn, that’s one of my favorites!  Well, wine is good, too.  Happy Friday, everyone!

 

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Wuss Out or Shout Out?

Posted on June 14, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Wuss-out Wednesday, I’m afraid, but I hope to add a modicum of worthiness to the proceedings with a shout-out to a local business, the Miners’ Table in Herkimer, NY.

Steven and I first went to the Miners Table on a recent Sunday, and I hope to write an article about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  In fact, I have started writing the article.  Full disclosure:  I could have finished writing the article without returning to the place, but I wanted to go out.  So did Steven.  So we went.

We sat at the bar, as we did before, and ordered drinks and an appetizer.   I wandered around the restaurant with my Tablet, taking a few pictures.  I will submit the pictures with the article.  I suppose I could also use them in this post, but, like I said, this is Wuss-out Wednesday.

It was a fun interlude for mid-week.  We chatted a little with the bartender. She said it was a great place to work, where they treat their employees well. I told Steven he should apply for a job.  The appetizer we got, Hammer and Chisel Nachos, was as substantial as a meal.  I understand most people order it as a four-person appetizer, but I think it would still be pretty substantial.  The wine was tasty too.

The Miners’ Table is located at the Herkimer Diamond Mines, 4579 State Rt. 28, Herkimer, NY, 315-891-3463.

 

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It’s Lame Post Friday and I Want Monsters!

Posted on June 9, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, I typed in that headline, went to my Media Library, and said, “I can’t use that!” to every monster picture I saw.  What the hell, me?  Why don’t I just take a blogger’s sick day and drive on.  All I want to do is knit and watch true crime television anyways. And now I have to go turn the meatballs again.

There.  I was cooking with wine, and now I’m letting the bowties cook for another ten minutes.  I could do a cooking post, since I am getting a little creative, but, dammit, I’m in the mood for monsters.

 

OK, they haven’t made the monster yet, but what an atmospheric shot.

I do like a grey shot of a cemetery.  And just look at all those crooked gravestones.  I always heard that when a gravestone was tipped, it meant the soul that had been buried there walked. I say cool, although others may say it’s just erosion.  I try not to argue with such people.

I’m not sure what he’s doing, but he is definitely more ambitious than I am this evening.

Here’s the monster!  Yes, he is Frankenstein’s monster or The Monster, not Frankenstein.  I personally do not have a problem with anybody calling him Frankenstein, although I think “Frankie” is a little precious.  However, I am not the arbiter of these things.

Sometimes we all need a little help from a friend.

To round things out with three pictures, here is The Monster having a tea break.  Ah, tea.  Perhaps I will have a cup.  After my glass of wine. It is Friday, after all.

 

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Snapped, Wine, Who Cares If I’m Lame?

Posted on May 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I read on Facebook that it is National Wine Day.  Of course, I believe very little of what I read on the internet. However, I decided to give Facebook the benefit of the doubt and poured myself a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.  Ooh, do I love Cabernet Sauvignon!  After one sip, I returned to Facebook and typed in a status saying so.

Another thing I read on Facebook was a promo by Oxygen, sharing all these tweets from people saying how their Sundays involve wine and Snapped.  I was naturally inclined to believe this, since that is how many of my Sundays progress.  How pleasant to feel that I am not alone in my tastes!  Then I thought, why should Sunday have all the fun?  Snapped is on Oxygen as I type and sip.  Aaaahhh…. Friday.

Additionally, it is the Friday beginning a three-day weekend for me.  Alas, my dear husband works all three days, as I’m sure others do as well.  Please do not attempt to shame me.  I intend to enjoy my days off with a minimum of guilt.

I am, unfortunately, feeling a trifle guilty about my continued foolish posts.  Lame Post Friday, of course, is my beloved institution, but this has been a bad blogging week for me.  I thought briefly about making another Running Commentary post, since I went running again.  Yay me, running two days in a row! I DESERVE this delicious glass of wine!

In the meantime, one episode of Snapped is getting over and another about to begin.  I prefer to watch and knit over continuing my Lame Friday Post.  For another reason, foolish posts should at least be brief.  Happy Friday, everybody.

 

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Blame the Wine, Not the Fish

Posted on February 24, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

What could be lamer than making my Friday Lame Post on Saturday morning?  Sorry, folks.  I’m going to blame the full pours of wine at the Ilion Elks Lodge.  Steven and I went there for Fish Fry.  We went into the bar to get a glass of white wine to go with it.  The nice bartender filled those glasses to the brim!  And we had two apiece.  I came home and fell asleep on the couch.  In my defense… no, there is no defense.  I drank wine and fell asleep. I might as well cop to it.

We enjoyed a really delicious fish dinner.  I had broiled haddock with rice and Steven had broiled scallops with french fries. Both dinners came with cole slaw.  I wanted a baked potato, but they were out.  I told Steven that meant we must eat there on a subsequent Friday.   I guess I could just bake my own potato at home, but what fun is that?  For one reason, I can’t broil any fish to go with it.  I’ve never used the broiler in my oven.  I don’t even know if it works (ooh, that could be a future blog post: cooking on the broiler).

I am putting the finishing touches on Secrets at Suiter House, as we begin rehearsals tomorrow.  Perhaps I will write a blog post about it, without giving away any secrets, of course.

Ilion Elks Lodge is located at 8 West St., Ilion NY.  They serve their Fish Fry on Fridays during Lent.  For more information, you can call them at 315-894-1444.

 

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Halloween Movies on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on September 11, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I interrupt the movie-watching portion of the evening to make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post. When I point out that it is also the bra off, sweats on, wine drinking portion of the day, I’m sure many will appreciate my dedication to making my blog post.  Or perhaps you will merely snort and say, “Huh. Should have done that sooner.”  I can’t worry about such negative people.  I have a blog post to make.

These are not the scariest stairs in the house, but they are the ones that include the most cast members.

The first movie we watched today was The Haunting (1963), starring Julie Harris. It was directed by Robert Wise, whose birthday it is today, according to what I read on Facebook.  I was happy to watch it in honor of the birthday, but in fact I have had it in mind to watch the classic for some time now.  For one reason, it has popped up in a couple of my monster movie groups.  For another reason, it is the Halloween season, and this is a classic ghost movie.  Of course I am more apt to write about movies of the cheesy variety, but my tastes are not so vitiated that I scorn a true classic.

I did not have the best time at my own prom, but at least I had it better than this chick.

Steven suggested we watch Carrie (1976) next.  That is another classic scary movie, but I am not sure I am in the proper mood for it. However, I remembered I had used this picture in a previous post, so thought I could recycle same.  The movie I had in mind was The Birds (1963), because it is also Angela Cartwright’s birthday today. She is the rather pathetic younger sister of the love interest, Rod Taylor.  I get her mixed up with her sister, Veronica, but Steven is usually able to set me straight.

If they filmed in sequence, the cast must have been thinking, “Thank God it’s almost over!”

While I just spent an inordinate amount of time searching for a picture of Angela Cartwright in the The Birds that I could download, Steven popped in Carrie.  Like I said, I don’t mind watching Carrie.  I don’t mind watching almost any movie on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  But I sure would like another glass of wine.

 

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It’s Flustered Friday!

Posted on August 26, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I said, “Next Up: Portrait of Dorian Gray”  (only I couldn’t italicize in a headline).  However, today being Lame Post Friday, I make bold to be lame enough to NOT have Mr. Gray and his pretty picture be next on Mohawk Valley Girl.  (Is that a contradiction in terms, bold enough to be lame?  Might make a good headline.)

Actually, I think I will begin a new feature today.  A subspecies of Lame Post Friday:  Flustered Friday. In fact, I am pausing in my Flustered Friday gyrations to make this post.  Then I will continue to Flus (yes, I know that is not a word; don’t be so didactic!).

When I got home from work, I went running, feeling pretty damn virtuous for running two days in a row.  I thought about it all day at work, hoping to instill it in my mind so I would not have to talk myself into it.  It worked.  I had meant to run on the mini-tramp again, watching more of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with my beloved John Barrymore.  However, the weather seemed so fall-like that I decided to run outdoors.

After a good run, cool-down walk, stretching and shower, I put on my short terry robe, got myself a glass of chocolate milk (my recovery beverage of choice) and sat down with the laptop. I was going to make a Running Commentary post.  First I checked my Facebook notifications and emails (I have four but only check three on a regular basis).  Soon I started to feel tired and brain dead.  This would never do.  I had plans with my friend Kim for 5:30.  I wanted to get my blog post done first so I would not have to worry about it.  I ate a small snack and tried again.

Eventually I went to the message string with Kim to double check the time for tonight’s adventure.  Not 5:30, but 5:00!!!  It was 4:36 by my computer’s clock when I made this discovery.  It was actually better to go at five, because Steven worked till six so I had a good shot at being home at least not too long after he got there.  I had time.  It! Could! Work!  (You remember that line from Young Frankenstein, don’t you?) (If you don’t, go watch Young Frankenstein! It’s a great movie!)

First I had to get dressed.  What to wear, what to wear, what to wear?  I need to do some serious work on my wardrobe.  Then I saw one of Steven’s Hawaiian shirts that would go awesome with my yellow capri pants.  I put it on.  Ooh, wrinkly.  I knew I had not put my iron away the last time I used it.  Did I have time? YES!  I scrambled around finding a notebook, pen, Tablet and purse.  I was ready in time, yes!

Our adventure was to DikinDurt Distillery on Smith Road in Herkimer.  I intend to write an article about them to submit to Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I’ll probably write a blog post as well (preview of coming attractions).  It was a fun visit.  We must go there again.  For one reason, you can only try three moonshines at a time.  For another, Steven will like to join us.

After leaving DikinDurt, we thought to go to Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, where they often have Friday tastings.  We stopped by my house first to pick up a couple of school supplies.  You see, Valley is having a promotion that if you donate a school supply, you get 10 percent off your purchase.

We tasted some flavored vodka.  We liked it but did not buy any.  Then we walked all around the wines deciding what too purchase.  Having enjoyed some blueberry moonshine at DikinDurt, Kim was looking for blueberry wine.  We found several choices as well as some other fruits.  I decided on some Faustino Tempranillo and Great Western Champagne.

As we left the liquor store, I mentioned to Kim that I was supposed to cook supper but really should have started cooking at five.  Oops!  When we got to my house, Steven was not there yet.

“Get cooking!” Kim said.

“I think I’ll get fixing myself a drink,” I said. Kim approved that modification of plans.

I got to pouring myself a glass of wine.  I’m still drinking it.  Steven came home while I was typing just now.  We still have to figure out what to do for supper.  I know it will not involve going out, because Steven is already in his sweatpants (that man is FAST when he gets home from work).  At least my ironed Hawaiian shirt made it to the distillery and the liquor store!

 

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