What to watch, what to drink
I’ve been stuck at home with baby too young for vaccines, so I’ve been watching more than a little bit of TV. Next week, we get a little freedom back, but since I’ve been doing the legwork, I thought I’d share some of my favorite shows. I’m not one to merely watch TV, so I’ve also provided a drink pairing for each suggestion.
Justified is an amazing show about a US Marshall in Harlan County Kentucky (I have an uncle from just outside Harlan). There is plenty of gunplay, action, and bourbon. Raylan goes up against guys he grew up with, and the dixie mafia. This show picks its drink pairings itself. In the last episode, Raylan brings the police chief some Blantons (my all time favorite bourbon). I don’t know what advertising deals they have on the show, but they usually have some really good bourbon featured. You’ve got some catching up to do. Justified is in its final season.
Next up, Black Sails.
I’ve reviewed the show and my rum pairing before, but its a new season, and I’m still down. Getting lost in a period piece with plenty of violence and nudity while enjoying a rich glass of rum from Guyana is not a bad way to spend an hour.
To further immerse ourselves, we got some food from Carribbean Plate. I recommend the saltenas, yucca, and Jamaican beef patties.
I’d been hearing a lot about Downton, but it was my parents that finally talked me into giving it a chance.
I’m not sure why I enjoy watching young women struggle in Edwardian era relationships, or Lord Grantham struggle to keep his estate afloat, but I do. I do know why I like the Dowager so much. She as a dry acerbic wit to which I aspire. On the show, they drink a fair amount of wine, sherry, and even a cocktail on rare occasion (when they’re up for some excitement). However, I, like Lord Grantham, prefer a nice glass of scotch. If you want to compromise, maybe go with a sherry cask? I’ve also been known to brew a nice cup of tea, or even pop some bubbly.
I’ve talked about how much I like Peaky Blinders before, but why not again.
I’ve never considered it before, but it looks like I really like period series. Peaky Blinders is a netflix series, and looks to have a pretty big budget. Visually, its pretty amazing, and I’ve found the plot every enjoyable. Despite being set in England, there are Irish characters and the IRA also come into play. Therefore, I skip proper ale (usually) and go for whiskey.
Archer just started back up.
Archer is hard to explain, but essentially its a raunchy action comedy cartoon with a James Bondy and arrested developmenty vibe. Archer works for his mom, which I find to be fairly relatable. Any drink pairing would do, as Archer is all over the map. Champagne, icewine, schnapps, rubbing alcohol, or vodka could all work. Despite expensive tastes, Archer drinks whatever is available and often drinks bourbon. So I went with a bottle my buddy recently got me:
There is also a pretty good mini series on History right now called Sons of Liberty. I have gone the obvious route of cracking open a Sam Adams, but for a deeper and more accurate cut, maybe open a nice bottle of Madeira. I might have to go out and grab a bottle, as I’m all out. Madeira would also go well with the book I’m currently reading.
Whatever you watch, try pairing it with a drink.
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Ode to the Hot Tub
The other day at about noon the snow really started coming down. I was working from home and had to do a little house sitting anyway, so I decided to take a lunch break. My truck was the more obvious choice, but I decided to take the M3 out for a snowy spin.
After bringing in the mail, I decided to make sure the hot tub was working properly.
I was reminded of the proverb: without pain, there is no pleasure. Having a newborn can be a tad stressful at times. I think this was just about the most relaxed I’ve ever been. My favorite cigar, my favorite Scotch, a steaming hot tub, some jazz, and the gentle fall of the snow. I even had a cardinal come keep me company, but to be honest, it was some much appreciated alone time.
I enjoyed a little tree overhang that sheltered me from the snow, and a magical and ethereal view that the above picture doesn’t do justice. I decided the sauna needed a quick check as well.
HB took EF for a walk in the winter wonderland. EF was full of wonderment for about 20 minutes, and then enjoyed a nice brisk nap.
After the walk, HB made some homemade hot coco while EF enjoyed some leche de madre.
That weekend, I thought HB might enjoy some hot tub time as well. I picked myself out another cigar.
Then while HB was soaking, I popped some bubbly and made up some canapés as a quelle surprise.
I’ve got to say, this was a pretty damn good time. The salty fattiness of the caviar, crème fraîche, and blinis was cut perfectly by the dry acidity of the bubbly. The cigar put my olfactories into overdrive and took me back to Havanna. The jazz didn’t hurt either.
Let me wax a little poetic about the champs. This bottle was an impulse buy for new years. Fortunately, we only managed a bottle a person on NYE, and this one was spared the saber. I was aware that Bollinger is a favorite of Bond, and totalwine said it had a high wine spectator score, but that was about it. I was very impressed by this bottle. It was rich and complex with velvety bubbles, and paired perfectly with our accompaniments. Its a very handsome bottle as well. Dark forest green glass, gold accents, and a beautiful pearlescent label that screams that one pair it with caviar.
EF took a pretty long nap, and HB and I got a lot more hot tub time than anticipated (Thanks EF).
After a long afternoon of hot tubbing, we decided to unwind in front of the fire with a little brown (Thanks again to Susie, a true aficionado, for the bourbon – HB loves it). Then we put on some Strikeback and enjoyed some sex for no reason…
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HB’s Bday
HB’s Bday was this weekend. Since FJ and Swaggy-we were going to St. Lucia, we went over to celebrate early. FJ got some soup and pretzels and beer cheese dip from Taste by Katie. Very delicious. CK made some birthday cupcakes, and LeBeef had us smoke some smores, which were…interesting.
Since my parents were out of town, we had to have a party at their place. HB and I had been craving wings, so I instacarted 30 lbs, got some sauces, 16 lbs of fries, and we were in business. We smoked the wings to defrost them, and then grilled him. I don’t have any pictures of this because it was quite an undertaking. Thankfully, HB and Jodi sent me a bunch of pictures so I could still do a post (thanks again!).
The spicy buffalo did a number on my tumtum. CW loved the bbq, and HB was all about the sweet chili.
HB blew out her candles, and errbody gave EF some love. HB opened some prezzies, my fav of which was the bourbon.
Then, in keeping in the spirit of a high school party while the parents are out of town, someone suggested a drinking game. Things got a little wild, and we did a little singing.
It may look like drunken karaoke, but things got a little slow, a little country, and a little emotional, and HB may have not been the only one to shed a tear…
Later that weekend, HB enjoyed her first hot tubbin since getting knocked up.
Then EF gave her mommy the gift of going out, by getting some vaccines (which will be enjoyed when they kick in in two weeks).
Now, its time for one of those 80s cleaning montages before the parents get back. Fortunately, a lot of picking and cleaning up got done at the party. We have good friends. I saw Ash in particular doing a lot (thanks again). It was a really great party, and to quote CW, “We needed this.”
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McCormick & Schmick’s private booths, EF’s first restaurant, HB’s first oysters in months
Over the weekend, Candy and Parker came to visit so Parker could get a checkup. While there were up, we went out to McCormick & Schmick’s in McLean (Parker is doing much better). I love M&S’ private booths because they’re intimate and I’m not a big fan of crowds or noisy restaurants. They’re even more convenient when you have a newborn without shots during flu season, but need to entertain out of town guests.
We started out with a couple dozen oysters and a bottle of prosecco. HB got down as she hadn’t indulged since getting pregnant. Parker and I also had our fair share.
EF had the milk. I went with the shark, which CK told me was not sustainable, but it was delicious.
The next day, FJ whipped up a nice breakfast, and we opened some prezzies. I got some beer from Burley Oak Brewing Company which I was very excited about. I decided to try the barleywine.
It was quite delicious, and even better out of my new mug. Thanks again!
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Snow Day
I intended to go to work today, but HB had a doctors appointment, and she didn’t want to drive the baby in the snow, or walk with the carrier though an icy parking lot, so I stayed home with EF. When HB got home, she brought our traditional snow day meal, and then we took EF out for her first snow angel.
It was so pretty out, we decided to take baby girl on a walk. HB wanted a beer, but not just any beer: draft beer. We headed over to Dominion Wine and Beer. They just got taps, and you can see their current list here. We got some growlers of Founders Big Lushious and Uinta Hop Nosh.
The premiership on the tube was an added bonus.
EF got to meet a lot of her neighbors on her walk. She also facetimed CK and FJ, but LeBeef, who still doesn’t have facetime, missed out. Time for a new phone.
I poured myself a glass of the IPA (delicious), and HB went out to get the best burger in Falls Church (from Mike’s Deli).
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New Year’s Eve’s Day, New Year’s Eve
Since so many of us have bebe’s now, HW and Li planned a New Year’s Eve’s Day party. There was a great spread, a delicious punch, plenty of beer, and plenty of bebe’s.
VA did her best Bobby Light impression by grabbing her chair and doing the booty-do.
I was pretty crazy to see how fast the bebe’s grow. All the girls are four months apart.
After we had our fill of football, dranks, and snacks, we headed back home for an evening in.
We just planned on having the capt’n over, but with ML’s lady in Indiana, he joined us as well. Fortunately, we had a pretty decent spread.
We sabered some champs, and let the good times roll.
We promoted the Capt’n to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) for gallantry in champagne consumption. HB backfilled the Captain’s position.
Riding high on his promotion (and tiny bubbles) RDML Thom danced recklessly with EF.
EF got ready for her first New Year.
And ML sent a sext to CT (mid-salsa). RDML Thom went below deck for a little R&R (not pictured).
We went through some champs and vodka, but ended up with plenty leftover.
The next morning, I was first in line at Taco Bell’s drivethru to make sure everyone had a filling start to 2015.
Chad.
Thom brought about twenty board games and insisted we play one. I’ll admit, I did enjoy some spy alley.
Last year, HB and I had a pretty epic new year. This year we just planned to watch the ball drop on TV (#WYMGTB?) and have a little bubbly. Thanks to HW, Li, Thom, and ML for making this year special.
My resolution last year was to start a journal (this blog). I haven’t thought of a resolution for this year yet, but I’ll definitely keep BVVA going.
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RP’s 30th, Jack Rose, Brown Sauce Abounds
I’m going to tell you about RP’s 30th, but first, let EF take a selfie… 
The Capt’n drove up, and then we dropped the bebe off with Nana and ubered to The Tune.
After some bourbon and sodas, we walked over to RP’s for some delicious pizza.
RP didn’t get diapers. For your 30th (and combined xmas prezzy, which all December babies hate), you have to get something special.
So HB and I went with a personalized pre-embargo-lift Cuban humidor for storing fine puros habanos.
After dinner and gifts, we headed to Jack Rose.
The neophytes were overwhelmed. If you’re not familiar, they have a pretty extensive selection of brown…
HB started out with some Old Taylor from the fall of ’65. Jes.
RP got some Talisker to celebrate his milestone.
Thom went with an Old Fashioned.
I started with a dram somehow tied to Ardbeg, which was quite enjoyable.
HW and ML enjoyed some manhattans.
I was looking for something special and different to order for the birthday boy, and since they didn’t have what I ordered, the bartender suggested some 17 year old Japanese whisky from the 1970s. I ordered a couple, and was quite impressed by it. I very much appreciated the suggestion.
We were having a great time, but EF needed some leche de oro so we had to vámonos. A special thanks to Jodi for planning everything. I almost suggested Jack Rose as the venue, but then decided it wasn’t my place, so things certainly worked out well (and great minds think alike). Happy Bday again to Ry; I suspect it will be a big year for you.
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Downton is back
Pour some scotch and kick back.
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