Archive for January, 2008
Cheesewhizzes Sparkles
Monday, January 21st, 2008
We had another Cheesewhizzes party this weekend. The venue was Hall Winery’s absolutelygorgeous Rutherford facility. The winery has unbelievably moving art, and a chandelier that looks like tree roots hung with crystals and sparkly lights and that doesn’t really explain how breathtaking the venue.
(Planning a trip to the Napa Valley? Just look at this photo gallery! Make an appointment there for a private tasting. Do it right before you go to Auberge du Soleil to watch the sun set from the balcony. Tell them Cheesewhizzes sent you.)
Since most venues that are that breathtaking are up twisty roads and around hairpin turns, we hired a driver. Fued, from Black Tie Taxi, was personable, and most importantly, patient.
This Cheesewhizzes event had 80% people I didn’t know attending. Now that is some crazy stuff. Our little cheese tasting group has grown from ten to roughly 50 in a few short months. The venues are more and more luxurious, the cheeses, more adventurous.
Sadly, due to an all-encompassing fear of Listeria, I didn’t eat any of the cheese. Come to think of it, I didn’t drink any wine either. So instead I prepared snacks, ran dishes and made sure people knew the way to the bathroom. There will be time for cheese and wine.
Most importantly?
Natalie and I spread Cheese Enthusiasm.
Can you feel it?
2008, Belated.
Friday, January 18th, 2008
Last year, I resolved the following:
I resolve to send prompt thank you cards.
I resolve to take more photos, and update my website more regularly.
I resolve to try a new meal at least twice a month.
I resolve to take significant steps toward independent and self-sustaining income.
I resolve to be a better friend.
I think I had too much going on in my head last year to be a good friend or to update my site more often. But 2007 did find me making money on my own, trying new meals and sending thank you cards.
2008 has a few thank you cards that still need to go out, but who’s counting?
So, resolutions for this year.
Make a healthy baby.
Pay off both my credit cards.
Become more flexible. Both physically and mentally.
Quit flaking on getting back to people. It’s a shameful habit.
There we go!
What are you resolving? Anything new? Same old, same old?
2007 Recap
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008
With all of the sleeping and client work I’ve been doing, my resolution and my recap have been a little delayed.
(Plus, James is sick! Super sore throat! Sleeping all day! Orange Juice IV drip!)
But here we go. On the recap part. The resolution part will come tomorrow.
You’ve already heard about the whole pregnancy thing, but other items of note from 2007 include:
An amazing South by Southwest.
This year, I was able to share the trip to Austin with husband James. He had just as good a time as I did. SXSW blew my mind and opened a whole new future for my company. I learned so much about the future of the online space.
We went to Quebec for a week!
We took a great trip to Canada for gorgeous Jorge and Julie’s wedding. I finally got to see Niagara Falls and it was awesome.
Cheesewhizzes.org
With a new direction from my talented friend Natalie, our little Cheesewhizzes group has taken on a new life. Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont — new places, new cheeses and new dishes have grown our little group from 10 to 40. We’ve taken it on the road and taken it home.
Cheesewhizzes rocks.
This week’s Cheesewhizzes is our fanciest yet. We’ve even hired transportation!
A summer Midwest tour
I was able to take a summertime trip home whereupon I visited my family, went to BlogHer, crashed my 10 year college reunion and made it to my gorgeous friend Alyca’s wedding reception on the lake. I love going back to Wisconsin in the summer and this trip was no exception.
I quit my job and started my own company!
Probably, the biggest, most exciting part of 2007 finds me pushed out of a job that was a terrible fit for me.
And thank God for that.
Maplevine has been a joy and a joy and a joy.
I absolutely adore my clients,
I love the work that I get to do and
my blood pressure has been normal for the first time in ages.
Bocce, bocce, bocce
This year James and I got even more involved with our bocce team, Joanie Loves Bocce. Between our team track jackets and food themes, everything got better. Our playing got better and our team is even more tight. Go Joanie!
Yes, there was heartache this year. Yes, I spent a good deal of it crying.
But I’m tougher, I’m more sympathetic and eagerly anticipating all the changes to come.
After all of that, am I sure I want to write some resolutions?
(Of course.)