Clematis 'Jackmanii'

Clematis 'Jackmanii' is a hardy perennial climbing vine with large purple blooms. The jackmanii species is a hybrid clematis which was derived from crosses between Clematis lanuginosa, Clematis viticella and Clematis hendersonii introduced in 1862 by nurseryman George Jackman from Surrey, England.
 

The Clematis Jackmanii will grow to a height of 2 to 3 meters (7' to 10') and a spread of 1 to 2 meters (3' to 6'). Its showy blue-purple flowers will bloom from late June through July.  Clematis generally prefers full sun, but the Jackmanii will tolerate part shade. It is a fairly easy maintenance plant as long as you make sure the roots of the plant are kept cool. Always shade the base of the clematis by planting a low annual or perennial and protect its base with mulch. The yearly blooms on the clematis occur on the plant's new growth, therefore prune back the plant in early spring to 1' to 2' from the ground to guaranty an abundance of showy purple blooms.

Rogue River Blue

A year ago this week, at the 2011 American Cheese Society Convention, I had the opportunity to taste Rogue River Blue cheese from Oregon for the first time. I quickly became a big fan!

Rogue River Blue is an award winning blue cheese, which is wrapped with chestnut leaves that have marinated in pear brandy. This raw cow's milk, natural rind, blue cheese is aged between eight and twelve months and has a moist creamy texture with crunchy granular bits. The flavours are quite complex with notes of burnt cream, coffee, ripened berries and a lingering sweet note of pear brandy. Heavenly!

Rogue River Blue pairs well with a German Gewürztraminer, a Cabernet Franc, a desert wine or even a pear brandy.

Rogue Creamery is one of the USA's oldest dairies, in operation since 1935, located in the beautiful Rogue Valley of southern Oregon. Rogue Creamery has been known for a while now for producing repeat award winning blues and cheddars and the unique Rogue River Blue.

Rogue River Blue Awards;

World’s Best Blue Cheese – 2003 World Cheese Awards, London, England

Best in Show - 2009 American Cheese Society in Austin, Texas.

Best in Show - 2011 American Cheese Society, Montreal, Canada

http://www.roguecreamery.com

Meet the owners and cheesemakers of Rogue Creamery.

Episode #2 Rogue Creamery from Everyday Wonder Productions on Vimeo.

Tommette Baies Roses

Tommette Baies Roses is a fresh raw goat-milk cheese seasoned with a pinch of "Herbes de Provence" and sprinkled with pink peppercorns.  The peppery flavour reduces the acidity of the fresh goat milk cheese and leaves you with a delightful fresh and fruity aftertaste.

Tommette Baies Roses is a wonderful chèvre that can be served after a meal or in a salad or it would certainly add character to any cheese platter.

The Tommette aux Baies Roses cheese comes in a small 100g round shaped wooden box. It is produced by Fromageries de l'Étoile located in Haute-Provence, France.

http://www.fromageries-etoile.com/

Amy Winehouse - Wake Up Alone (Live)

A year ago this week, we unfortunately lost one of the most powerful female singers of our time. On 23rd of July 2011 soul-jazz singer Amy Winehouse passed away at only 27 years old. Her unique deep contralto vocals and her eclectic style will forever be remembered.


This performance of "Wake Up Alone" is an excerpt of her "I Told You I Was Trouble" DVD recorded live at London's Shepherds Bush Empire in London, England in 2007. There is an intimate moment during her performance where she lips "I love you" to her then husband up in the balcony.

Check out these other memorable Amy Winehouse tracks performed live; Back To Black, You Know I’m No Good, and Valerie.

Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones Live At The Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago 1981

In the middle of the Rolling Stones American Tour 1981, the Rolling Stones arrived in Chicago on November 22nd before having to play 3 nights in Rosemont Illinois. The band paid a visit at the Checkerboard Lounge to see the legendary bluesman Muddy Waters perform.

It didn’t t take long before Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Ian Stewart were joining in on stage and shortly later Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Lefty Dizz also played their part. It was a unique occasion that was fortunately captured on camera. This amazing blues night has recently been released in an official DVD release, restored from the original footage and with sound mixed and mastered.

The Rolling Stones were highly influenced by the Chicago blues, the group's name actually comes from one of Muddy Waters songs.
 

Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones - Baby Please Don't Go



Also check out Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones perform Mannish Boy and  Champagne & Reefer recorded live on the same night at the Checkerboard Lounge.
 

Jac Le Chevrier

Jac Le Chevrier is a soft paste, natural rind pasteurised goat milk cheese.

This artisanal cheese is presented in the form of a small cylinder 6 cm (2 1/2") round and 4.5 cm (2") high and weighs approximately 135 grams (4.75 oz.). Jac Le Chevrier has a golden wheat coloured wrinkly rind with a white fine chalky paste.

Jac Le Chevrier has a mild to medium intensity with a delicate goat milk aroma and hazelnut flavour. Its texture is rather smooth and creamy if ripened one month.

Jac Le Chevrier is produced by cheese-maker and farmer Jacques Mailhot on his eco-cert organic farm located in Saint Flavien in the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Québec.

http://www.routedesfromages.com/repertoire/detail/413

Louie

Stand-up comedian Louis C.K. has written directed and created this television series entitled Louie. The show is a fictionalized version of Louis CK, a recent divorced stand-up comic, struggling to raise his two young daughters in New York City.

 

 

This comedy series consists of different stories and segments about Louie's life as well as fragments of his live stand-up performances.

Louis CK lets you see life as something ridiculous, vulgar, honest, funny and beautiful.

I highly recommend this hilarious comedy series. "Louie" Season 1 & 2 are out on DVD. Season 3 is currently airing on FX Network.

http://www.fxnetworks.com/louie/

Monte Enebro

Monte Enebro is an award winning soft paste full flavoured pasteurised goat milk cheese from Spain.

The striking blue-gray coloured mold rind made from penicillium roqueforti covers the 2 1/2 lbs. elongated tubular shaped log. The snow white paste is dense and chalky when the cheese is young with a mild tangy flavour. As Monte Enebro ages the paste becomes creamy and runny and the flavours and aromas strengthen and become more pungent.

Monte Enebro is very tasty on its own but it is a delight with a sprinkle of extra virgin olive oil or served with fresh figs when young. A more mature Monte Enebro is great served with olives.

Monte Enebro is produced by Queserías del Tiétar. This artisanal cheese dairy is located in Ávila, Spain in the La Adrada area in the Tiétar valley. The Tiétar Dairy is run by father and daughter team, Rafael and Paloma Báez Bravo-Murillo.

http://www.queseriasdeltietar.com/indexeng.htm

'Alaska' Shasta Daisy

(Leucanthemum x superbum 'Alaska')

 

‘Alaska’ Shasta Daisies are attractive large single snow white blooms with soft yellow centers that bloom in June through July. It is a hardy perennial that will thrive just about anywhere and will grow to a height of 60-90 cm (2'-3'). It grows best in full sunlight, but will tolerate any light, or soil condition. The stems are long and stiff which makes beautiful cut flowers and the blooms are long lasting.

This eye-catching Shasta daisy is a popular favourite garden plant as it mixes magnificently in any perennial garden. The plant is attractive to bees and birds and serves as a good butterfly nectar source. 
 

Waldorf Salad à la Bleu d'Elizabeth

A  Waldorf salad is usually made of fresh apples, celery and walnuts dressed with mayonnaise. The salad was created in the 1890’s by Chef Oscar Tschirky for the Waldorf Hotel in New York City. Today many variations of the salad can be found. 

Waldorf Salad à la Bleu d'Elizabeth 

Recipe Ingredients

2 diced sweet red apples

2 stalks of sliced celery

1 cup red seedless grapes, halved

1/2 cup walnut pieces, broken

3 Tbsp mayonnaise

freshly ground black pepper

pinch of cayenne

1/2 cup crumbled Bleu d'Elizabeth

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts. Add the mayonnaise and toss well. Add pepper and cayenne to taste and crumble the blue cheese over salad.

Serves 4