All About Decorating

Better Than Christmas Candy-Familia Deicas - Licor de Tannat

Several years ago I visited my son Matthew and his family in Montevideo, Uruguay.  I was so excited when Matthew reserved a guided tour at Establishment Juanico Familia Deicas, a beautiful vineyard and winery just outside of Montevideo.    

Located on the 34th parallel south, Establecimiento Juanico's 800 acres are part of Uruguay's oldest and best suited region for the production of fine wines.  It's tradition, history and beauty make it a must visit place for locals, tourists and wine enthusiasts. 

The tour was wonderful and after a wonderful afternoon of tasting their magnificent wines, I left with a case of my favorite Licor de Tannat.  

Now when other family members visit I always request they bring a few bottles back to the states.

Familia Deicas - Licor de Tannat

Licor de Tannat is the first of its kind to be produced in Uruguay and is made from the ripest and most concentrated Tannat grapes using the same traditional methods as the famous vintage ports. The fermentation is stopped with the addition of high quality Tannat alcohol thereby retaining some of the natural sugars in the grape juice and achieving 18-20 degrees of alcohol.
The result is a rich wine that is naturally sweet and has been matured for one year in oak barrels.
This Port style wine is intensely dark in colour and has aromas of ripe figs, mint and chocolate. On the pallet it has concentrated and balanced fruits and shows its natural sweetness whilst retaining its tannic character. Ideal to accompany desserts, particularly chocolate, but also cheese or as a digestif. 

I know you are wondering how this is related to Christmas Candy?  I had a few close friends over last weekend for dinner and we finished a wonder meal of Prime rib roasted on my rotisserie, twice baked potatoes and Eggnog Trifle with a glass of Tannat!  It is like candy in a glass!

Well my son and his wife are heading home to Uruguay next week after a 6 week visit to the states.  They are in the middle of starting a new venture and looking for investors to help with purchasing a 26 acre farm for a christian retreat facility just out side Montevideo, Uruguay.  I don't have a lot of info about it at this time but there is room for mom to teach slipcovers and sewing which helps the economy in Uruguay.  Learn more about Matthew and his outreach in South America at www.mattandtoni.org

Merry Christmas and be sure to try the Licor De Tannat,

Claudia

Out West at the Flying E Ranch

Last week I visited the Flying E Ranch, a great Dude Ranch in Wickenburg,AZ just west of Phoenix about 40 miles give or take a cactus of so.

Breakfast is over, the horses are saddled, and your day at the Flying E Ranch begins with a ride out over rolling desert hills to check for newborn calves. At the Flying E, a dude and working cattle ranch, the casual and relaxed atmosphere is as natural as our gorgeous sunsets.

Well, it is time for the Flying E to have a new look!  Today we are getting ready to select the fabrics for the guest rooms at the Flying E.  I have a found a beautiful soft microfiber with a tooled leather look for the duvets.  The fabric is so soft and cuddly that it would keep any cowboy warm on the range. 

     

Now for the lightly shirred bedskirts, this is where we need to add a cowgirl touch! Maybe a stripe or print.  That is today's project.  

 

If you planning a trip out west stop by the Flying E Ranch and meet Ande and Steve, great people and the love showing you a good time.

Your hosts, Andrea & Steve Taylor welcome you to enjoy all the west has to offer.

With the bluest of blue skies, craggy mountains surrounding you, excellent food and the legendary hospitality of the Old West, the Flying E Ranch is the ideal place to take a step back in time.  Clean air, warm sun, good horses, breathtaking scenery and genuine cowboys as your guides will fill your hearts with memories to treasure for the rest of your life. 

 Visit the Flying E Ranch