Four days and a wake up...

...and then I'll take my final! Been a great 1st year. Difficult at times, but always very interesting. On my surgery observation day I was able to observe a bilateral total knee replacement. Bone flying, tissue burning (cauterization), hammers, saws, drills...LOVED IT! Then I saw a ureter stent placement for a patient with a HUGE kidney stone in her ureter. Took like 5 minutes total...amazing. Really enjoyed surgery...just another route I may want to travel as an RN.
My super sweet mother-in-law, Mary, is coming to visit us next Friday and she's staying for 10 days! We can't wait!!! Last time we saw her was bittersweet (good to see her, but heartbreaking reason), but this time is all for fun. We are so looking forward to showing her our city and enjoying her company. And I'll be out of school so we can play every day! I do have to work one day while she's here, but I'm sure she and Lon will enjoy some mother-son time without me. :)
Liberty Shiraz has been opened! And it is tasty...mmmmmmm. It's a very light Shiraz with a little buttery taste and a slight dryness, but a clean finish. It's not the berry-heavy, big mouth feel we're used to with our favorite Australian Shiraz styles, but it's great for spring/summer. We didn't plan it that way, but we're glad it's not heavier. Perfect for a picnic...slightly chilled served with cheeses, crusty bread, olives and some fresh fruit. My mouth is watering already. Maybe we'll have to do that while Mary's here...Once we (finally) get the labels made and on the bottles, I'll post some pics.
Can't believe it's already almost May. Lon told me nursing school would fly by and it sort of is...I've heard horror stories about 3rd semester, so I'll be glad when I've completed and passed it in December. 1/5 of the previous class failed 3rd semester...so it's no picnic apparently. I'll enjoy my time away this summer, but will have to be vigilant in keeping up my skills/meds/studying prior to the fall. Just think...in only one short year I'll be graduating, getting ready to take the NCLEX and get my RN license. Wow. Exciting and intimidating...but I'm loving my classes and clinicals so I think I may have finally found my calling. It only took me 35 years. :)
Til next time, as my good friend Willy has said many times, 'If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.'

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm back...let's see what's been going on. Well, gave the 'crafty' gifts and they were well received. Yea! Pics to follow. Took my first exam...made an A! Woo Hoo...great start to my 2nd semester. It's been very chilly (it IS winter!) so we haven't been out playing in the city as much as we would like, but I heard a rumor that spring is on the way...
Found a new addiction in FB's Cafe World. Farm Town ran its course with me...we'll see how long this one lasts. Also, we've started playing Little Big Planet. One of the most unique games I've ever seen...quite surreal at times. Enjoying it, but missing my R&C tons! Maybe Crack in Time will arrive in time for our birthdays...
We haven't labeled Liberty yet so the pics are of naked bottles (don't worry, they aren't modest). I tie-dyed a couple of tiny little shirts for Addison's 3rd birthday and then did two shirts and a scarf for me. My first attempt (since like Girl Scouts or something)...really enjoyed it and plan to do more. Found instructions online how to tie-dye a peace sign...that WILL be my next project. Too cool.
Used ceramic stucco mixed with paint to create a silly/fun birthday gift for Jan. She used it to make a painting for us for Christmas. Neat stuff...will definitely continue to use it. Need to do another in my Magic Mushroom series. That could work very well. Here are the pics...enjoy! And until next time, if you want someone to know something you have to TELL them. :)

Wednesday in the 'Noog

Good morning, Loyal Readers! It's a sunny 27 degrees here in Chattanooga, but our high today should be around 50. Beautiful day! Last night Lon and I bottled our newest creation, Liberty Shiraz. This morning 27 pretty little bottles are sitting on our table. They have to stand for 3 days before we can lay them on their sides in the wine rack. That's going to fill it for sure! :)
I'm finishing up a few gifts for some upcoming birthdays. I've become quite crafty lately...or at least that's what I tell myself. I can post pics once the gifts have been distributed. There is the ever-so-slight chance that one of the intended recipients MIGHT read my blog within the next few weeks. Doubtful, but possible. Big lead up, huh? Makes you wonder what my infinitely creative mind has come up with, doesn't it? Now you really want to check them out, don't you? BUT YOU CAN'T! Ha, ha, ha, ha...Even my blog has become craftier! Where will it end????
Sorry...mental vacation. Was that Bailey's or creamer I put in my coffee?
Will post pics of Liberty soon. Have to make the new labels next...
Happy Hump Day!

Happy 2010!

Good-bye 2009. We had some good times and some tough times. Lost some loved ones. Grew closer to some of those left behind. Lost a job I hated. Found a job I enjoy. Made some wine...some delicious wine! Started nursing school...still enjoying it. I learned a lot from you, 2009. I may not have liked you at times, but I got a lot of valuable experience and some great memories.

Hello 2010!!! Welcome! I'm excited that you're here. I know we may have our ups and downs, but I'm confident there will be more ups. We have a new batch of wine clarifying. I've started a new semester. Lon's finished up his required intern hours. The sun is shining. We still LOVE our city and look forward to getting out and meeting more of its people this year. Here's to a great start on an amazing year ahead!

Shiraz is fermenting!

'Nuf said. :)

Busy, busy...

We have had our Shiraz juice here for over a week (or has it been two already?) and haven't had a chance to mix it and get it fermenting! Either I've had class, clinical or work...or Lon has had class or interning opportunities. We are both enjoying our 'busyness,' but we want this red for the cooler weather! He's at a workshop all day today, so I guess if I want this done I'll sanitize all the equipment today and have it ready for mixing tonight when he gets home. I worked yesterday and I work tomorrow...and with class every Mon, Wed and Thurs it doesn't leave a lot of spare time. Of course, we have also been scoping out rental and for sale homes...our lease is up in Feb and we would LOVE to have a free-standing home. So sick of apts! Our new neighbors are fine, but after having several months of no one below us, the 'walking on eggshells' feeling sucks. Not trying to piss them off...I know these walls are like paper, but would like not to have to worry about movies, video games, etc...
Just watched X-Men Wolverine and LOVED it! Would have liked not to have been worried about the surround sound, though. Hugh is a hottie and I love the X-men series...I'm a sci-fi nerd and proud of it! :)
School is going very well thus far...A's on all three tests! Have my 4th test on 11/23 and the final on 12/16...then off for a month til the Spring semester. Guess I'll be working my bootie off those 4 weeks.
I have a lot to do on my day off...it's about 65 F outside, sunny and gorgeous! I would love to enjoy it, but I have some assignments that might be nice to get done and out of the way...not to mention the sanitizing thing, straightening the house, blogging (that's almost done!), and whatever else distracts me today.
Guess that's about it for now...Fall is absolutely beautiful here in Eastern TN. Think we'll be here for a while. We really love our town. First time we've felt truly at home somewhere...and just an FYI, we are more than happy to show off our fave city to anyone who wants to visit. Hopefully we can find a cool little rental house and actually have a place for potential guests to stay! :)
Hope you're enjoying some refreshing fall weather where you are!

Our first review...

Well, the wine has been made, bottled and labeled...and now it has received it's first review.
"This wine is great!" --Josh O.
Thanks, Josh! We think its pretty tasty, too...I have attached a pic of our label (Great job, Lon!) and the here's the verbage on the back:
'We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.'

In our Late Harvest Riesling you will find notes of honey, apple and apricot dominate the aroma and taste, right through the long, rich finish. Displays much of the complexity of an Ice Wine, but with less sweetness.

Lon and Rachel Jordan created this late harvest Riesling with love for each other and their country. Their hope is for all Americans and citizens of the world to have the opportunity to experience freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Of course I played with the fonts, but blogger.com won't support them. Eventually maybe I'll get a pic of the actual bottle on here...Other than that, we recently attended The Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival at Ross' Landing on the TN River. This is an annual free concert right on the water held in early October. It was fantastic! The first Sunday of every month is the Hunter Museum of Art's free Sunday. We attended that as well, checking out the new exhibit from NYC and some live music on the plaza. Fall is definitely here and we are welcoming it with open arms (and open windows and doors!) Right now it is overcast and 61 degrees. We've been getting quite a bit of rain the last week or so, but the fall colors are just starting to peek through the green. Out of my window right now I see pinks, reds, pale oranges and some light yellows. And still a lot of green, too.

Success!

Sweet Freedom wasn't due to be uncorked until September 30th...but we tried a bottle one month into aging (not so great) and another one earlier this evening. It's 10 days before the big 'uncorking,' but curiosity got the best of me and I popped another one open. Success! It's tasty! We are so excited our first batch of wine doesn't suck! Especially after the funky 'young' taste it had less than two months ago...we were going to be really upset if 30 potentially drinkable bottles of wine were all for naught. But patience apparently IS a virtue and aging works wonders! Looking forward to trying a 6-month bottle and a 1 year bottle...supposedly just keeps getting better. Of course, most wines should be consumed within a few years of bottling. Only the really 'special' ones can be aged for decades. Otherwise they turn to vinegar. Then I guess they are good for cooking. I myself would rather drink them while cooking. :) So, next time you're in the vicinity or I'm in yours, we'll have to have a little tasting.
On the school front...things are going well. Working WAY less than expected, but probably another blessing in disguise. My first exam is Monday...looking forward to it, but a little anxious at the same time. Actually set my alarm for 0530 this morning to start my last leg of studying. Planning on a 0600 am wake up call tomorrow to finish it off. I can get a lot more done when I'm not tempted by MI winning football games (Go Blue!!!!) and wanting to hang out with Lon. Those are my favorite times...that's why studying is better when he's asleep and there's nothing good on TV. ha, ha, ha! Did schedule in some breaks from the books to have breakfast (break with Lon), have lunch (check out game...we won!), went for a walk (between storms) and then took the evening off for relaxing and dinner. Tomorrow has its own schedule too...kinda have to do that. Makes the sitting down with books and a computer more doable...knowing something fun is coming up shortly.
Guess that's enough for now...time for bed.
Today's Thought:
In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it - thou art a fool.
Lord Chesterfield (Guess I'll be learning something until I'm dead. I'm good with that.)

Sweet Freedom has been bottled!

Finished and corked (didn't realize the pic was that blurry!)


Finished bottling...onto the next step.


This is the carboy that our wine has been aging in the last few weeks.


The first few bottles...looks yummy!


Here are our beautiful, empty, clean bottles just waiting to be filled with Sweet Freedom..


If only...but we did manage to bottle our late harvest Riesling which we named Sweet Freedom. Got a few pics during the process...was lots of fun and we look forward to our next batch. We're thinking Australian Shiraz, but haven't decided yet. School is fine, only 4 more weeks. Work is keeping me busy. I worked Monday and I work today, tomorrow and Sat. Whew! It's early and I need to get ready for work, but wanted to post about Sweet Freedom for my 2-3 followers! Hope you all had a wonderful 4th!

Wine Update

Just read back over previous posts and realized I never posted that we are making some REAL wine! The 'homemade wine' I spoke about back in May was literally 100% real fruit juice and wine yeast...some little quickie version we found on the internet and decided we had to try it (only cost $4 total)! Drinkable, not the worst we've had. However, on May 27th we began work on our latest masterpiece. Washington Valley Late Harvest Riesling...30 bottles of it! We invested in the correct equipment and quality wine grape juice and additives...Next week we'll be bottling and it'll be ready about 1-2 months after that. Woo Hoo! I'll let you know how that turns out...and if you live close enough for a visit, you might just get to try some. :)

Busy, busy, busy...

Sorry it's been a while, but since I'm updating from work on my lunch I think the title says it all. Between school, work, Farm Town (if you have FB, you may also be an addict) and having some fun, I haven't taken the time to update. All is well...tonight after work we're heading down to Oneonta because my lil' step-sis, Mary Beth, is getting married. Her shower is tomorrow. So since I couldn't make it down for Father's Day, I'll get a two-for-one visit! Our wine should be ready for bottling the middle of next week (super cool!) Just 6 more weeks of class, then I start Nursing courses on Aug 31. Can't believe the summer is 1/2 over already! That's it for now...gotta eat and get back to it. Happy Saturday!

Been a busy few weeks

Sorry it's been a while...been a little busy. Started work as a Patient Care Tech at a local hospital. Still in orientation/training, but I'm on the floor now. Also, school just started last week. So between two night classes and 2-3 7a-7p shifts a week, I haven't really been thinking about updating. The header pic is real...one I took when Lon and I visited Arrington Vineyards a few weeks ago. That lunch was delicious! Gorgeous setting and they have live music every weekend in the summer. We left before that started (had been planning to check out the National Cornbread Festival, but traffic was a bitch...ended up at the winery instead!) since we'd already been there for some time. We've already made plans to go back with a picnic lunch, chairs and a sheet to spend a leisurely afternoon. It's just south of Nashville in Arrington, TN if you get the chance to stop by. And they have 'real' wine, not the fruit or muscadine stuff. Those are very popular around here since traditional wine grapes don't like our weather/soil. And there are plenty of people who love those wines...just not us. However, we currently have some homemade wine fermenting and will let you know how it turns out. Gotta find a hobby, right?