I can haz winebar!

Didn't even know we had one in my hood.  I checked out Vinacciolo http://www.vinacciolonyc.com last night with a few friends and can recommend it as a nice spot to drop in for a few drinks.  They have a nice selection of appetizers and a few mains if you're inclined to stay for dinner. The wine list is interesting and not outrageous (by NYC standards) and gives you the option of getting a half-glass (3 oz) or a full glass of many wines as well as their by the bottle selections.  I chose the Vin De Pique Nique, a French organic white to start; it had the honeyed apples pears and peaches as advertised and was bright and fresh with a hint of fizz.  A very nice start.  My second wine was also enjoyable and organic, the Fabula Rossa Montereggio "Maremma" from Italy;  I definately got the dark fruits and leather, but didn't taste the chocolate or violets.  Not a problem.  

The three of us shared the saffron rice balls, the pate de campagne, and a selection of 5 cheeses (I recognized a standard chevre, morbier, and assagio, and there was also a nice blue and camembert, but I couldn't tell you which ones).  The rice balls could have been more highly spiced but the cheese and pate were just as one would want.  To finish we split a chocolate ganache ... which was just that, a slab of chilled ganache on a plate with some creme Anglais and a few berries.  Good for when you need that intense chocolate fix.  It went quite nicely with my vin santo.

Tuesday Evening Grumpies

Been fighting the grumps on and off all day.  
I picked up the makings of a proper salad nicoise with fresh tuna (which I'll sear and slice thin) on top, which will make a lovely dinner.  Sadly, dinner will have to wait until after I teach a voice lesson from 7-8.  
I'm feeing a bit overbooked, especially with the long slog out to MA to vist the 'rents looming this coming weekend.  
I also came home to a notice that they'll be turning the water off to replace the boiler in my building at 8am tomorrow.   
My cable box died the Wednesday before I left for Pennsic, and I haven't had the time to have it switched out yet.  If I don't manage to be hyper-organized some day this week and get it done during my lunch hour, I'm feeling a mental health day next week. 
Laundry also needs to be magically done before the weekend.
"Shoulds" are starting to pile up, never a good sign

for tonight, 

I'd like to have a nice leisurly dinner ---Done
I'd like to have a nice soak in the tub ---Done
I'd like to do some yoga and unblock what's feeling blocked
I'd like to have a solid night's sleep and wake refreshed ---about to see about this

... off to teach, and then we'll see what I can do about those 4 items for tonight. 

EDITED: to tic a few things off tonight's list.  Truly, being Not Grumpy is a choice, and I'm sure I'll be more up to maintaining that tomorrow.

hmmm

works for me!

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Lupin

You like a nice, kind guy with a bit of a fierce streak and you don't mind if he comes damaged. Sure, he may take some convincing since his self-esteem's so low, but once you win him over, you know he's yours for life. Unless of course he has an attack of "I'm not good enough" and runs away, but luckily he's also good at making friends who will push him back into line if necessary.

(Art by Gold-Seven http://gold-seven.deviantart.com/ Used with permission.)

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