Wine Notes: Wolf Blass 2004 Platinum Label Barossa Shiraz

This was another gem from the Circle Liquors Aussie wine sale. I would put it at a 4 on my 5 point scale (where a 2 is about an 87 on the Parker scale). Very rich classic Australian Shiraz flavor. Fruit driven, but with structure and not sweet tasting. We had it with burgers, but it would have been as good with a juicy steak.

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Lyra LOVES Monkey Bars, I Think She is Another Future Rock Climber

When Lyra is on the monkey bars, we have do do regular palm inspections. She already has callouses, but will keep playing until she gets new blisters, and they pop. Then she wants band aids and tape, so she can KEEP playing. She keeps pushing herself to skip bars, and has a new thing where she will jump from the start to the farthest bar she can reach. Sort of proto dynoing. We need to get her to the climbing gym this summer.

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Lyra's Super Cute Beach Bunny Ballet Costume

Lyra has been in a ballet class for little girls. She had a recent beach themed performance, complete with beach balls. The studio also had professional photos taken that are pretty good, but I think this one is better. She had a great time, and I think will be going back for more dance.

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Marina Diamandis, Marina & the Diamonds, 9:30 Club, DC

Bad iPhone photo, but great show. Marina has not 'hit' yet in the US, but she is very popular in the UK. A little like Lily Allen, or like a contemporary Kate Bush (more pop though). First club show for Will and Eva. Will liked it, Eva was a little intimidated by the crowd, and the volume. I think my ears are already shot enough that I need to feel the music, not so much with Eva. Marina is a powerful singer, and enthusiastic entertainer. She deserves a bigger following here.

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Got totally wet in the car trying to get this photo (Bill is driving)

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Scooters di Roma - Corso Vittorio

I spent a few days in Rome this past week, and had a few (too short) opportunities to walk around. Wednesday evening I had dinner at La Danesina di Annalisa Polo, near Piazza Navona. There is a taxi stand also near the Piazza on Corso Vittorio where I took these photos. It seemed like scooters, and to a lesser extent motor cycles, were more common than cars, and everyone rode them - men, women, young and old. They were ubiquitous even in heavy traffic. If I were out in Roman traffic on a scooter, I would want body armor, not shorts, but it was hot so comfort won out for most riders.

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These kids are So Cute!!

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Disgusting!

Someone, I think Will, hid a piece of chocolate cake in a cabinet way up high. In April since that's the last time we had chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  I had bought Eva a birthday present several weeks ago and was trying to remember where I hid it.  Quelle surprise! And a total waste of *really good* chocolate cake. But some day, the kids are going to grow up and leave home and it will be quiet here, and clean and free from moldy surprises.  I will miss this in the years to come, I'm sure.  For now, I am just glad that the food storage container seems to have a very strong seal!

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Video: Arlington Children's Chorus, Festival of American Folk Music

Arlington Children's Chorus sounds GREAT! Check out the video -- Festival of American Folk Music http://t.co/0jtt1Qz via @youtube

http://twitter.com/cdphelps/status/77579562661314561

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A new take on wedding cake decorations

Found in a gag shop on my walk around Rome today.

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Lyra at the Playground, Luray, Virginia

There is no setting more suited to getting great photos of kids than a playground. Luray has a small park in the center of town with lots of good old playground equipment. The kids especially loved the see-saw, which did not have any of the modern safety features of newer versions.

While all the kids played, due to some combination of their behavior and operator error with the camera, Lyra ended up best represented in decent photos. These are not as sharp as I would like. I was trying to set the shutter speed for motion blur in the background, and ended up with too much blur in the subjects. The results were also helped by the fact that (when she is in the mood) Lyra actually likes to pose for the camera, and most of these shots had her cooperation. Lyra especially loves the monkey bars, and as usual ended up with blisters on her palms. She worked hard to pose holding on with just one hand.

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Love places like this!

Pack's Frozen Custard in New Market VA.

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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More photos of Luray Caverns in Virginia

I shot these handholding my 7D. I also tried flash, but generally did not like it. Someone smarter than me on our tour brought a tripod, but with my wife and three kids that would have been too much. And on Saturday afternoon the tour was packed. I need to go back alone at some point alone with better gear for low light. As my friend Joe Nash says, it's the difference between going somewhere and taking photos vs going somewhere TO take photos. Luray Caverns is designed for heavy tourist traffic. Our guide said 3,000 people on a heavy day. WikiPedia says 500,000 in a year (which would imply more than 3,000 on busy days in season). The path through the cave is paved, and the cave is well lit with electric lights. The guide told us they actually wash the cave formations once a year because of all the dirt introduced by the tourists. This was a far cry from our cave experience in Belize where we basically had to swim into a cave and the only light source was our headlamp and the guide's flashlight.

A more significant difference from Belize was in the use of the cave by Native Americans. In Belize, where there is also a dense cave system, the caves were extensively used by the Maya. In Luray Caverns the evidence of earlier human use is very limited and inconclusive. For such a large and spectacular enclosed space this surprises me.

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Cave Formation, Luray Caverns, Luray Virginia

> These incredible caverns were discovered in 1878 and basically saved this little town from bankruptcy. They are about 35 acres underground and have the best cave formations I have ever seen.

Cave Formation, Luray Caverns, Luray Virginia

These incredible caverns were discovered in 1878 and basically saved this little town from bankruptcy. They are about 35 acres underground and have the best cave formations I have ever seen. Sent from Bill Phelps' iPhone

Driving the Tesla Roadster #fire11

I could not resist the opportunity to test drive the electric Tesla Roadster this morning. It is crazy fast, handles like a go kart and the only sounds are the wind and tires. I wish I had it for the day and a long winding mountain road. The electric motor is very fast in bursts (0 - 60mph in 3.9sec), but overheats under sustained load, so unfortunately the car is not feasible to run on a race track - so no Tesla race series for the time being. Too bad because it would be great marketing. 200 mile range between charges, so an expensive toy, but one that is very fun.

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Photo Day for Lyra's Ballet Class

was yesterday and we took our own photo in the garden.  I don't know where she got the idea to pose like this!

Lyra takes ballet at Tiny Dancers.  The kids got to vote on the recital theme, the choices being (unfortunately) a bunch of Disney movie titles. Aladdin was the winner. I have never seen this movie but her class's dance has something to do with finding an oasis. The girls wear these funny little costumes with these old fashioned bathing cap things and they will be dancing to Surfin' Safari by the Beach Boys. How exactly this relates to the theme of Aladdin, I am not quite sure. I guess someone sees a connection between the Oasis and the beach but that is a big stretch for me.  Personally, I would prefer actual classical ballet themes and music, but the kids do have a lot of fun and they sure are cute. Maybe things get a little more traditional in the older classes.

Lyra is going to try a tap/hip hop class this summer.  She *desperately* wants tap shoes, what little girl doesn't?  Not a lot of hip hop fans in this household but I can't wait to see what she learns this summer.  I anticipate some fun video opportunities!

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Dulles Train Tunnel Photo - it's been a while since I posted a tunnel photo

Taken Thursday morning. Tweaked in Red Bullet.

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Travel has occasional perks. Great BBQ brisket this week at Ggode Co in Houston

I wish I had had more time for thorough sampling.

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Tasting Notes - Leeuwin Estate Art Series - 2000 Margaret River Chardonnay

Circle Wine & Liquors in DC is liquidating their premium Australian wines (25% off all wines over $25). I am indulging in some of the better bottles. It is really great that they have cellared some these wines for a number of years.

Aged Chardonnay, typically only seen with White Burgundy, is a very special treat. This wine was only 11 years old, but it was a beautiful amber color, and the flavor had shifted from fruit toward aged mineral and earth notes. I would give this a 4/5 on my scale. It was a fantastic wine worth savoring, but lacked a little of the OMG impact of an aged white Burgundy.

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Las Vegas or Rome?

Caesar's Palace copy of a Roman fountain. No gelato nearby.

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Scenic Vegas from My Hotel Window

Not my favorite city.

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Lyra Woodland Fairie Photo

Lyra had some great face painting done at a friend's birthday party today.

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Will's Birthday : Crossing the Teen Threshold

Will turned thirteen today. Wow. In three years he will be eligible to drive. In five years he will (hopefully) be off to college. Right now he is still having a blast being a kid. He is loving his models, and wooden Japanese wooden sandals (geta). He enjoyed his birthday (combined with Easter) feast in his kimono and geta. Japanese has become one of his favorite course this year, and he has really become fascinated with the culture. He also received James Clavell's book Shogun, which apparently is recommended by his Japanese teacher.

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The van replacement!

How did I drive that thing for so long? I am trying to get all the required stickers and inspections etc. before I get a ticket.

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Will's Sakura Matsuri acquisition

Bill took Will to Sakura Matsuri, the Japan American Society's street festival. By all accounts it was GREAT. Bill bought Will a kimono as an early birthday present. He's wanted one for awhile. It is silk and beautiful and I hope he gives it to me when he outgrows it!

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Voila! I will wear it tomorrow...

This is my first try at entrelac and definitely the finished end if the scarf is more even than the beginning where I didn't know what I was doing. What a great way to show off variegated yarn! And make the pattern look more complicated than it really is. This good nearly 4 balls of Mochi and is very soft. I will have to hide it from Eva.

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Sarah Jarosz at (yes, hard to believe) Reston Community Center

On of our favorite CDs from 2010 was "Song Up In Her Head" from Sarah Jarosz.  I would describe it as contemporary bluegrass, but it goes beyond that and Sarah's new stuff, which we heard tonight ventures further beyond a neat roots label. 

The concert was fabulous, with Sarah accompanied by Alex Hargreaves on fiddle and Nathaniel Smith on Cello.  All of these folks are young (Sarah won't be 20 until May), but they are truly amazing musicians.  

The band was playing to a sold out and very enthusiastic audience, and they were obviously enjoying themselves.  All the band members hung out after the show and Eva was able to get Sarah's autograph.

Sarah has a new album (or as she says, record, which sounds funny coming from a 19 year old) coming out May 17.  It is called Follow Me Down, and she played a lot of it tonight. The music is great.  

Sarah will be back in the DC area in late May with gigs at Rams Head and Jammin Java.  

April Fool!

The kids realized mid-day that it was April Fool's Day. Unfortunately for Eva, she had school so Will and Lyra had extra time during the day to work some mischief as you can see.  Will also short-sheeted Eva's and Lyra's beds.  And Will did that silly trick on Lyra where he talked her into letting him put a glass of water on the back of each hand while she had them resting flat on the table.  After 2 minutes, she realized she couldn't go anywhere! She was so mad that she wanted to get him back.  Being only 5 and completely unsophisticated (and also not knowing how to short-sheet a bed), Lyra snuck into Will's room and then dragged him in to proudly show Will her April Fool's prank which was......a perfectly made bed! Silly Lyra! I will have to help Eva get Will back later tonight when she is home from her friends' house.  And I told Will if he played any April Fool's joke on me involving a rodent, bug or other creepy crawlie that he'd never get an allowance ever AGAIN.  I think I am safe until he has a steady job.

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Finally finished my basket!

And I cannot believe I made this!  I almost hate to put bread or muffins or yarn or anything in it because the little ornament in the center is so cute.  May have to make one more teeny weeny one! Except I am behind on knitting.  Must. Finish. Scarf. Before winter is over.  Maybe that is why it is still cold and yucky here on April Fool's Day....because Mother Nature is waiting for me to hurry up and finish the @(&$)#( scarf!  Hope to have pictures of that soon.

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@Starbucks inside @Safeway. No soul, no heart and bad coffee. No nearby alternative in Reston

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Clear Weather at Last

Almost to the end of vacation and finally the weather is clearing up.

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Lyra and Sydney

Aren't they sweet? Wish all the cousins lived closer!

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Posted via email from Cathleen Phelps

Caption Anyone? Will at the Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana

This is a contraption that makes 'steam rings', what in a less PC time we would call smoke rings. You let steam build up, then push the top down and (if you do it right) it emits a steam ring about 14" across. Will put his face right over the hole when he pushed down, with the effect shown in the photo. I hope the steam was non toxic.

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Molding a Unicorn Horn

This is shot looking into a machine that creates a water vortex.

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Kite Flying, Newport Beach

For vacation we are staying a block off the beach on Balboa Peninsula. The weather has been brisk and often cloudy and windy. One of the great kids activities has been kite flying on the beach. Eva, Will and Lyra have all been having a great time with their kites.

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Lyra jousts with the black knight!

Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Side Street Cafe, Costa Mesa

We had a fantastic breakfast at Side Street Cafe this morning. We had been to this spot a few years back, and it it is still awesome. We found it the last time on the Chow Hound board, this time through Yelp. Yelp has quickly become my indispensable travel resource.

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How Foodie Kids Make Hamburgers

I have a reputation for making very good hamburgers. It all comes down to grinding the meat myself, and using appropriate meat - usually chuck. Of course the right helper is important too. There is no substitute for freshly ground meat in hamburgers. It is OK if the butcher does it, but the meat needs to be ground the same day the hamburgers are cooked.

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I didn't make it to CrossFit but Lyra did

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Cathleen

www.phelpslore.wordpress.com
www.givingfullcircle.org
www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org

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Lyra Intently Flying Her Kite

Lyra acquired her first kite recently, and she loves it. She was surprisingly patient when the wind did not cooperate, but needs to work on managing her kite string.

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