Wine & War

France's greatest treasure, their wines played a significant  part in World War II. Here are a number of anecdotal tales of how the French attempted cleverly to protect and save their beloved wines and vineyards from the Nazis during the Occupation. Interested in wine and/or history?  

Wine & War: The French, the Nazis & the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure  is worth a read, for sure.

Food...

Hendrick's Gin...

 The Colonel enjoys the G&T made with Hendrick's Gin and embellished with cucumber slices.  This set of scales was a gift to him for his 60th birthday from good friends.  The bottles are black and the amount of gin in the bottle can not be determined by sight. So, a scale is required to read exactly how much is left in the bottle.

It seems this bottle is nearly 3/4 full.

Beautiful brass features. 

More on Hendrick's gin here. 

The Last Runaway

Yet another fetching historical fictional novel by Tray Chevalier : The Last Runaway.

A story of immigration, Quakers, The Underground Railroad and slavery, quilts, bonnets, The Last Runaway stars a very strong, young, religious woman, Honor Bright who finds herself alone in a new country and facing surroundings and situations that she is very unfamiliar with.  

 Here is the cover should the book be purchased overseas. 

Be sure to have a look at Ms. Chevalier's pinterest page as well.

Worth a read, for sure.

Whistler...

Just returned from a visit to a winter wonderland, Whistler, British Columbia.

I spent some time snowshoeing through the woods. Snowshoes can be seen in the header.

Some selections from a lunch wonderful buffet in the Fairmont Whistler Chateau.

Sea planes landing in Vancouver.

Seaplane taking off

Moss and snowy covered rock formation

Dessert at the Fairmont

Rumbling ravine 

The Colonel and the son spent a day heli-skiing.

Old man's beard lichen

 Scenery along the way while snowshoeing