Friday, July 24, 2009

Stuff I Love



I’ve been spending a fair amount of time posting about what pisses me off, what I think is stoopid or crap I want to veto, well aside from the gushing, “I love you guys” post so I thought in the interest of balance it might be time to post about the stuff I love, the things that geek me out and the things that bring me the most pleasure.

Friends, family and sharing my time, my meals and my laughs with them…that is a no-brainer and I won’t bother wasting anyone’s time, (well shit, more than I do know) by explaining a “No Der”.

Hearing my adorable neighbor laugh…melts me like butta.



Tomato sandwiches, only in the summer, on white bread, with too much mayo.



Love letters




A salty piece of rare steak, rib eye or hanger is preferred.



Day 2 of a trip to Europe, I’m a cranky, befuddled baby the first day. Day 2 and I am full of life, excitement and exploration…like a kid, feels exhilarating.



Changing into my jammies after a long day, in the dark of my bedroom….removing the bra, (Now most women will attest that this is a glorious moment in the day, the freeing of the breasts. Come to think of it, husbands might be rather fond of this as well) and standing in front of the fan, the only sound I can hear is the soft purring as it sways back and forth blowing cool air on my freshly freed skin.



Writing something that makes people laugh, or think….or both.


Photo Credit: © www.laboutiquedebacchus.com

Pommard with at least 10 years on it, one of the sexiest smells I can think of.




Finding that perfect, crispy French fry.



Dave Matthew’s voice, (rawr) and lyrics, man drives me insane.



A rare moment of complete silence, being able to hear the air entering and leaving my chest.



Fingertips on my skin.

Wines that thrill me so much that I buy them for everyone I know, like I cannot wait to share this freaking amazing new thing with them…..whadda dork right?! Well yesterday I had two wines that did just that, flipped my lid and shit howdy I’m fixin to tell you all, (thought better of using y’all, too country for this LA girl) about them!




2008 Domaine de Reuilly Pinot Gris Rose, ($16.99) Looking at the faintly pink color one might assume the wine is made from Pinot Noir, not that big a stretch seeing as it is from the Loire Valley but while most Pinot Gris is made into white wine, it does have dark skin and this wine gets its color from contact with that skin. Such delicate aromatics, a bit of peach and fennel with flint and limestone creeping up in the back. Elegant and refined on the palate, gentle fruit, more minerals and an airy delicacy on the finish. Gentle, regal, pretty…yum.




2008 Domaine Salvard Cheverny Rose, ($12.99) I tasted both these wines, one right after the other and this wine tasted more like home to me, when long time customer, friend and sometimes poster, Vicki tasted it she said, “Well no wonder you like this one better, it taste the way you are…kind of wild and full of acid”…that was cool by the way…but there is a wild nature to this little Rose, less pretty…more sexy, tangy, tart, full of herbs, fresh cut grass and lime rind. I dig it and brought another home with me last night, we spent the night together this wine and I…we are in love.

18 comments:

Michael Hughes said...

Sam- I love you! Hangar is one of my favorite cuts of beef. And that photo is also the title to a great Depeche Mode song "Enjoy the Silence".

Samantha Dugan said...

Michael,
There you go making me blush again! I LOVE hanger, so much rich, beefy flavor. I pick it over rib eye every time...rib eye can be a bit too, (gasping) fatty for me sometimes, can take awy from that meaty flavor I so love. Let me know if you hit up any of those places in Chicago on the list I gave ya...have a great time darlin'!

K Claret said...

Sam-

I am more of a Bordeaux guy so a clssified Pauillac at the 15yr mark sends my head spinning off my shoulders! A glass of Lagavulin or Etienne Dupont Calvados with a Rocky Patel cigar and Frank sinatra or coltrane playing in the backround! Totally agree with DMB! What do you think of the new album? Lobster Risotto with Ramey Hyde or Mersault-Charmes. Speending time with those I love and of course posting to Samantha San's Dosage! Have a great weekend! Cheers!

Kevin

Thomas said...

Tomato with mayo sandwich (on toast) used to be my hangover breakfast when I was in the Air Force--washed down with a beer!

Hangar steak is sublime; Pommard, too.

Don't know about the bra thing, but do know my male feelings about female breasts...and quite familiar with the cool fan breeze, plus the wonderful morning silence in the woods that surround my Finger Lakes property, where I am going to walk in just a minute--for rejuvenation and to face the day.

Sam, in the immortal words of a particular song that none of you probably know or remember: "...we have--soooo much in common, it's a phenomenon..." I think it was Sondheim.

Samantha Dugan said...

Kevin,
Older French wine is just, just...sexy as hell, no other way to explain it. Don't have the DMB cd yet, but LOVE "Funny The Way It Is" nothing better than a smart guy that can sing. I was all about Dave last night, listened to him in the car to and from dinner, little bit on my ipod, then when I was surfing my cable channels they were airing one of his concerts...weird.

Thomas,
Hope you enjoyed your silent walk this morning, sounds so soothing. I love the city but silence is very rare. So what kind of beer paired with your tomato sandwich?! Gonna try and find that song now...you made me blush too!!

Thanks for sharing guys...this was fun.

Thomas said...

Sam,

I was in the Air Force, broke, it was probably Rolling Rock!

The song's title is: Small World.

You might find a 1950s or 60s Johnny Mathis version of it, which is probably the best version.

The walk was, as usual, cleansing. Oliver, my standard poodle, and I met a leisurely skunk who at first looked like a cat to both of us--but we found out quickly the error of our assumption.

John M. Kelly said...

Thursday I walked in the vineyard looking for veraison (none) and mildew (none), counting Cinsault vines in the Syrah clone 174 (2.7%), checking the stand of young vines (must be 99.9%), listening to the bullfrog in the reservoir and watching the rabbits hide from the hawks overhead and the coyotes hiding from me in the treeline. Quiet except for the shuussh of traffic on Highway 12. I indulged for a moment in "I made this."

Collecting my beautiful kids from day care and holding their little hands in the grocery store is pretty nice.

Hangar steak, in Korean marinade, on the grill til crispy outside, sliced thin and wrapped up in lettuce leaves, washed down with an unassuming little Rhone blend.

The grilled cheese sandwich at girl and the fig has local heirloom tomato confit inside, and comes with matchstick frites and aioli. I'm wishing for a cold glass of Sancerre or a Chidaine Montlouis but since they only have some uninteresting Rhone whites on the list I have a Pim's cup instead. My girlfriend has a glass of Rose off the list, happens to be made by her favorite winemaker. The company is good. We eat at the bar; barkeeps John & Fred are witty friends.

I'm partial to a leisurely warm shower on a weekend morning when I don't have to be anywhere before noon if I don't want to.

The ever-changing ritual of putting the kids to bed, or picking them up from wherever they fell asleep, carrying them to their room (getting so heavy!) and tucking them in.

Reading a good book to settle my mind, then turning out the light, rolling over, pulling up the covers and spooning with my lover.

Samantha Dugan said...

John,
Sweet as hell....

Samantha Dugan said...

Thomas,
Thank you, would have gone mad trying to find that. Standard Poodle and a smelly cat...kind of a wild kingdom morning for you huh?!

Romes said...

Sam -

How come we live 1000 miles apart?

Choice Iowa Ribeye (perfectly marbled and 1 1/2 inches thick medium rare on the grill)

DMB always, but a must as I leave work on Friday, especially Live at Red Rocks 2CDs - brings back fine memories.

Waking up to the smell of bacon cooked by someone other than me! :-)

Starting dinner in the total quiet of our house before Trav comes home and turns on the TV.

Cooking a meal that everyone loves... pleaser in me I guess.

Deep, dark delicious chocolate... sometimes it really is better than sex.

All things wine - of course!

This was fun - thanks for the inspiration!

K Claret said...

I love my day off which is tomorrow and it looks like with all this talk of things we love....hanger steak and bordeaux for me and probably a good movie!

Cheers!

Kevin

Ron Washam, HMW said...

My Gorgeous Sam,

I'm late to this party, again, but, as your biggest fan, I love my view when you decide to release what I lovingly refer to as the Cote Brune and the Cote Blonde.

I love peeking at twins, but I really really love, sticking to the subject at hand, twin peaks.

Your HoseMaster

Samantha Dugan said...

Jess,
Great list, love the bacon one...so true! Another DMB lover, that is so awesome. I took Jeremy to his first concert, DMB at the Hollywood Bowl....dude, amazing, and we both got serious contact highs, just another thing Mom taught the baby, had to drive through Del Taco after!

Kevin,
Have a great day off, may it be full of things you love.

Ron,
I'm so glad we are done being mean to each other....I missed you.

Ron Washam, HMW said...

My Gorgeous Darling Sam,

Stuff I love:

The making up after a lovers' quarrel. Ethereally sweet.

Once Again Your HoseMaster

Nancy Deprez said...

I love the second day in Europe too! and the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and so on.........

I don't think I've had a 10-year old Pommard, but I'm guessing I would like it. I've liked most nice Burgundies I have had - of course I have not had enough. I suppose it is good to have something to work towards.

Nancy Deprez said...

Okay, I've never had Hangar steak; I must be missing something. I always get rib eye and yes, it is wonderful but excessively fatty. Must remember to try Hangar. Is it sold as Hangar?

Samantha Dugan said...

Nancy,
Yes, you need to have more Burgundy...never stop, let it grab you, once it does, it's all over. Hanger is sold as hanger but I almost never see it in the markets, mostly higher end restaurants, keep an eye out because it is amazing. Try it with Burgundy...rawr.

vickibarkley said...

Tomato sandwiches - I've had several in the past few days! The tomatoes here are unlike any I've had anywhere else. And, that wild Rose with the acid? That baby's on my list for when I get back into town! Lovely post.