Jars of Smiles

Things in Jars... 

I have always loved the look of mason jars.  A family friend of ours has collected mason jars for what seems like FOREVER… seeing as how many she actually has.  Recently, when her daughter got married, they used these mason jars as the centerpieces for the tables.  In some of the mason jars there were flowers and in others, floating candles.  This is why I love jars, they are so versatile. 

Complied here are my 10 favorite things in jars… The options are truly endless with this.

1.  Cowgirl Cookies:

I was invited recently to a dinner at my sister's house and I made one of these as a small Thank You gift for having us over.  They are simple and easy to make. You can find this tutorial on Bakerella. 

2.  Mason Jar Wall Planters:

This is such a great idea and would be perfect for a small herb garden.  You can find this tutorial on Not Just a Housewife's Blog.  

3.  Everything in a Jar:

I love the concept behind this.  The hardest part about this project is just making sure everything will fit in your jar!  The Gunny Sack has even provided the template for the label that you can print out.  

4.  Salad in a Jar: 

This just looks delicious.  I could not pass up putting this one on the list.  The layering of each ingredient gives the look of sand art.  You can get the recipe here by Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body.

5.  Sugar Scrub: 

Yet another great idea for a Christmas gift.  Creating something like this and giving them out as gifts shows people that you put the time an effort into making something special for them!  You can find the tutorial on Tidy Mom's Blog. 

6.  Red Velvet Cake in a Jar:

Who doesn't love the rich colored red from a red velvet cake?  Impress guests at a party by making a couple of these for dessert.  You can find the recipe here from My Cakies.

7.  Dog treats in a Jar:

When I found this I immediately made these for my dog and he loves them! Super easy and your dog will love you for it.  Thanks for the idea My Sweet Savannah.

8.  Mason Jar Sippy Cups:

Great inspiration for an end of the summer party.  You can find the tutorial on A Bit of Sunshine's Blog.

9.  Rainbow cupcakes:

Don't these just scream Make Me!  These would be perfect for a child's birthday party.  Check out Running with Glitter's Blog on how to make these masterpieces.  

10.  Christmas Centerpiece:  

This is perfect for a Christmas gathering.  Simple and beautiful from Better Homes and Garden.

So many of these ideas can turn into easy, trouble-free, inexpensive gifts for others.  Keep that in mind for your next gathering!

Movember is HERE!

It's time once again for Movember.  For those of you who have been living under a rock and don't know what Movember is all about, here you go... Movember is an annual, month-long event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of prostate cancer and other male cancers.

Our very own beerd guys and friends here at the Lake Elmo Inn have started a team this year on movember.com.  If you would like to donate to their page, next time you come in they will reward you with a surprise appetizer that is not featured on our menu.  Please remember to include your name when donating to the page so we can verify that you did indeed donate.  Visit our page at movember.com/team/1066469

October Wine Feature

About This Wine:

Cashmere is one of the most precious gifts of nature. It evokes quality, luxuriousness, and something that is a labor of love to produce. Our Cashmere is a silky and wonderful blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah.  Enjoy with foods and friends of distinction.

Wine Profile:

Vintage:	2012
Wine Type:	Red Wine
Varietal:	Blend
Varietal Composition:
35%	Mourvedre
24%	Syrah
23%	Grenache
18%	Petite Sirah
Appellation:	California
Harvest Date:	August 21 - October 16
Acid:	.60 g/100ml
PH:	3.91
Barrel Aging:
6 months
25%	new French oak
Residual Sugar:	.41%
Alcohol %:	14.0%

Vineyard Notes:

The majority of the grapes for the 2012 vintage come from our vineyards in Contra Costa County. Grenache comes from the Massoni vineyard in Oakley, where grape clusters are meticulously thinned to concentrate the flavors in the fruit. Grenache also comes from the Big Break vineyards, where vines are dry-farmed and produce scant but intense fruit. Mourvèdre vines are planted in sandy soil and are dry-farmed, providing luscious flavors of chocolate and cherry. The addition of Petite Sirah this year has added a deeper color, more tannin and a nice black pepper note.

Production Notes:

The individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. The grapes underwent total de-stemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel with select cultured yeasts at controlled temperatures. The grapes were pressed at dryness then settled for ten days and racked to 25% new French oak with a dark toast level for six months.

Winemaker Notes:

Cashmere is a very flavorful, smooth wine offering big cherry, raspberry and chocolate notes with hints of cracked black pepper and plum.

Food Pairing:

One of the most versatile reds we produce, try Cashmere as an accompaniment to grilled salmon, pork roast or duck.

Other Notes:

Cline Cellars proudly supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer and over the years has contributed more than $270,000 to breast cancer foundations.

 **** We will be offering this wine for $8.00/glass and $30.00/bottle****

September Wine Feature

This month at the Lake Elmo Inn we are featuring Murphy-Goode Homefront Cuvée.  

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors. A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 5,000 volunteers across 25 chapters and has met more than 430,000 needs since 2002. A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94% of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs.

Homefront Cuvée

Murphy-Goode is very proud to partner with Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that helps military families in need. To salute our military families, and in support of Operation Homefront, we are releasing Murphy-Goode Homefront Cuvée. For each bottle of Operation Homefront Cuvée purchased, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Operation Homefront.

Notes from the Winemaker, David Ready, Jr.

“Homefront Cuvée exudes aromas of smoke, minerals, cedar and leather. Flavors of red plums and blueberries give to a rich expression of round tannins and a long and smooth finish. Homefront Cuvée is a meaningful way for Murphy-Goode to show how much we appreciate what American service members do for our nation. My father, both grandfathers and a great grandfather were all veterans who proudly served their country, so in honor of them and military families everywhere I’m thrilled we can help Operation Homefront. Giving customers who love our wine the chance to learn more about Operation Homefront - and it’s important work - is the best gift anyone could get.”

Keyes Vineyard, Howell Mountain

This historic mountain vineyard features well-drained rocky, volcanic soils and one of the longest climate-enforced hang times in the Napa Valley. Located at 1,600 feet, the Merlot fruit from Keyes provides sweet herb, mineral and black cherry qualities with powerful structural elements and an elegant mouthfeel.

Technical Goodes

Appellation: North Coast

Vineyard: Key’s Vineyard, Howell Mountain

Blend: 100% Merlot

TA: .69 g/100ml

pH: 3.51

Aging: 25 months in 100% French, (87% new) oak barrels

Alcohol: 14.5%

***We will be offering this wine for $30.00 a bottle and $8.00 a glass***