The Holidays...

We had a very busy...but fun day today.  The day started with a trip to the vet, which is always very stressful for both us as well as the kitties.  This is the first time they've been to the vet, since we've been in KC.  Thankfully, they are very healthy kitties, but that means they never get used to going to the vet.  We tried a few new techniques this time...covering a cage with a towel until they get into the exam room, spraying Feliway on the towels in their cage, and placing a toy in their cage.  They still weren't very excited to go but they did react a bit better...and recovered faster once we returned home.  Phew!  Glad that's over!!

We had a bit of time between events to finish off our holiday decorating.  Here's a pic of our place from below.  It's the one that's decorated...

 

This afternoon we headed out to a wine class at Cellar Rat,a local wine merchant in the downtown area.  This was our second class there.  We really enjoy them.  It's a small group and it lasts 2 hours.  They keep offering them via Groupon, so it's also very reasonable.  The class today was Wine Essentials: Reds.  The instructor was super knowledgeable.  He gave us several tips.  Let's see if I can remember a few:
*  When buying wine at a restaurant, stay away from Napa wines, as well as Cabernets, as those will be most expensive, since they are in the biggest demand.  Find a grape or a region that is lesser know.
*  Don't order Australian wines with meals because they are less acidic and don't pair as well with foods as higher acidic wines.

Here's a few pics from our class...

 
After the wine class we headed to the Holiday Walk on Delaware.  This was a holiday event that benefitted local merchants & artists.  The gist was to walk from business to business on Delaware.  Each business had their own thing going on but also had a local artist there selling their own wares.  We started out with some beer tastings from Grain to Glass, which is a local business that gives home brew classes.  I'm hoping to get in on one of these classes in the new year and try my hand at brewing once more.  We also had some phenomenal mulled wine at the Farmhouse.  Everything is always phenomenal there!!!  We walked out of there with a very cool necklace from Scarlett Garnet.  The necklace is a anatomical heart and benefits St. Luke's.  I love it not only for it's medical link but also that it looks artsy.

We also visited a few more venues and ended up with a dish from artist Ryan Fletcher.  It's from his Paper Plate collection, which was used as dishes at one of our favorite restaurants in KC...The Rieger Hotel.  Check out his website to read about it!  Very cool!!!

 
Hope everyone had a good Saturday!  Cheers!!