TABOO TRUTHS

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Today is my day!  (Well, mine and my nephew Parker Cook’s that is.  Happy Birthday lil Angel!)  As the years go by this 24 hour period seems less unique.  Maybe it’s because I don’t reside near my family (who finds every reason to party!), maybe it’s because I have no significant other currently or maybe it’s due to the focus being on what was instead of what will be.  Whatever the case may be, birthdays are a call for reflection.

This year I’ve decided to start a list of things I desire to do in my life.  Big and small…a “bucket list” of sorts.  As the days pass I will add to this list and hopefully, mark some completed!

-European Trip with my girls

-Take my girls to a tropical beach and sit our asses in the sand doing NOTHING!

-Order and enjoy a bottle of Dom Perignon!

-Visit Times Square

-Wine trip to Napa Valley

-Finish my book

-Fulfill my daughters higher learning financial responsibilities

-Be in love, feel safe and get married (if fate permits…)

-Own another Great Pyrenees

-Go on another sister exclusive vacation

-Finish reading two more books in the category of “classics” (Maybe Wuthering Heights and Taming of the Shrew!)

-Visit the Greek Isles

-Spend 10 days in Germany with our relatives

-Learn to speak Italian (Ciao!)

-Meet Neil Schon and Steve Perry

…more to come. (maybe after some Champagne….)

I discovered this heavenly combination years ago.  But once in a while it becomes a necessity like the human body needs water!

I had a bit of a scare last night with my youngest.  She was riding a bus on JMU campus that  went out of control.  It crashed through a bus stop shelter, 2 trees finally halting once a cement wall was in its path.  Thank God, my girl is ok.  But it was one of many moments that we as mothers experience.  The reality that our force field of protection has limitations and at times is non-existent.  I’ve had several of these moments with both my girls.  Sitting there after learning the happenings directly from my daughter and her confirmed safety….reality set in.  In one moment, my life could have altered….forever.

So, time to dull the scare!  I partake of red wine for it’s positive health properties but more for  taste!  I had Horton Vineyards “Route 33″ red table wine opened from a few nights ago.  On the side  table was a dish of Dove Chocolate.  Time to get lost in a combined, rich, angelic flavor experience.  Truth be known my absolute favorite combination is Merlot and dark chocolate.  But this marriage definitely filled the void.  Specifically, Dove Milk Chocolate was consumed.  If you’ve never combined these two extraordinary elements together….here’s a little guide.

Step one: Sip red wine, flatten your tongue and slowly push to the roof of your mouth forcing the wine across the entire surface of your tongue.  Swallow slowly. (Ahhh…)

Step two: Take a bite of chocolate, hold it in your mouth until the chocolate begins to liquify.

Step three:  Repeat step one while the chocolate richness is still on your tongue.  (OH YES!!!)

Step four:  Repeat step one through three several times.

There are lots and lots of great chocolates out there.  Dove is a good one but one of my favorites is Gilberts Chocolates in Michigan.  Which chocolate do you fancy?  AND a favorite red wine to pair?

Related articles

• Chocolate and Willpower (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
• Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes (teacher-chef.com)