Well today was the annual BBQ get-together at Sharon and Jesse’s home for all the folks still “keeping in touch” from the old Xircom days. There’s about 10 of us plus spouses, plus a ton of kids I can’t keep up with, who all meet at least once a year for a BBQ and a few other holiday gatherings throughout the year. Sharon and Jesse were so kind as to open up their home once again for the gathering – they provide the lovely home and BBQ and the rest of us bring all the side dishes and booze. This year we focused on the lighter meat dishes and lots of homemade side salads that were perfect for the lovely afternoon – it was a tad cooler in temperature then previous years’, but pleasant nontheless. With all this farer food, we opted for a nice bottle of Saxon Brown 06 Semillon www.saxonbrown.com to start. Not too sweet, not too dry with nice balance between fruit and acidity, this wine paired nicely with the caprese-on-a-stick appetizer that had a dramatic presentation of one small fresh mozzarella ball and a fresh basil leaf sandwiched between the cheese and a pear tomato – all this was lightly doused in a blasamic vinagrette. Tasty treats – thanks Barbara! We also had hummus with nan lightly toasted and fresh french bread. Lunch/Dinner consisted of grilled chicken and salmon along with a Mediterranean pasta salad with cannolini beans, feta cheese, olives and sun dried tomatoes (along with a few other items) – yummy, thanks Donna! Another salad of lemon doused pasta with feta and toasted pine nuts which was also very tasty and very different than the other pasta salad – thanks Neni! We also enjoyed some Sangria and guacamole from Patty and dessert consisted with loads of fresh strawberries, pineapple and great ice-cream from George and brownies made by Tara and Barbara – all was terrific with the Herman Story 05 Syrah from Herman Story www.hermanstorywines.com
Linda