Sunday, July 6, 2008

Four Years!

My boyfriend Paul (a.k.a. The Dutchman, cause he's half-Dutch) and I celebrated our fourth anniversary at Arrington Vineyards, just outside Nashville:


It's a winery owned by Kix Brooks from Brooks and Dunn, which is apparently a popular country band. I hate country music, so I don't know anything about them except dude makes some darn good wine. The winery is located in a beautiful rural area marked by rolling green hills and lots of trees.


We had the Riesling, which was hands down the best Riesling I've ever had. I'm usually not a fan of white wines because they're too sweet, but this wasn't nearly as sweet as some other Rieslings I've had. I prefer reds, but they give Paul heartburn.

I packed a light picnic dinner, which we ate on a wrought-iron table on the winery's large deck. We split a loaf of Rosemary Olive Oil bread:


I made the Picnic Caviar from the latest Veg Times (black and pinto beans, corn, bell pepper, oil, and vinegar), but I left out the red onion and cilantro (because Paul is picky) and added tomato (because I can):


It was perfect for dipping my Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos in. Also on my plate are chunks of Teese!


Note on the Doritos: As far as I know, these are vegan. That's what Peta says, and though there was some debate on the PPK boards recently, I e-mailed someone I know at Peta for re-assurance. And she backed up their claim. If you know something un-vegan about these (like hidden natural flavors), please DO NOT tell me. I really like these and would prefer not to know ... besides, I rarely eat them cause they're totally unnatural and super-fatty. They're reserved for special occasions.

For dessert, we munched on strawberries and peaches, but I forgot to take a picture. Of course, you know what strawberries and peaches look like ...

34 comments:

Jan Scholl said...

I don't usualy like flavored chips but those Doritos-OMG! I want a hung of that bread-but keep the cheese stuff-can't stand fake or real cheese.

Wishing you many more years of happy. He's a cutie too-sorta Moby like.

The Voracious Vegan said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! It looks like you had a wonderful time.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great time - nice little picnic.

Brad and Ahnah said...

Looks like it was a good anniversary! Congratulations!

I have to try that recipe now! I wish my Teese would arrive....

Little Miss Sunshine said...

Happy Fourth Anniversary!! So glad you have such a great time ;0)

Onto the food! The rosemary olive oil bread ... yummoi!! I love artisan bread soooo good!! Sob sob, I still have no luck in spotting any Teese products here in Australia (we have Cheezly here)...

Oh, don't worry too much about the Doritos :0)

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Yippie for love, good wine, beautiful bread- sounds perfect!

Lisa (Show Me Vegan) said...

Happy anniversary! Looks like you had a nice day for celebrating.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Wishing you two a VERY happy anniversary - may you have many, many more!! :0)

Anonymous said...

You two are too cute. I've never tried those Doritos. Maybe it's best that I stay away if they're as good as you say they are! Congrats to you and Paul on your anniversary!

thedalyn said...

Congratulations! We just celebrated one year over here, but I keep telling Josh that it feels like four. In the good way, of course...

Alicia said...

Congratulations! I hope you had a great time. Well, actually, it looks like you had a great time! Yay doritos!

jessy said...

congrats on your anniversary, Bianca! that rocks so hard! you guys are too cute! i love it!

i'm gonna have to try those Doritos! and that picnic caviar looks so tasty and fresh! i might have to try that - it sounds too good not to! the wine & the bread look amazing! i wish i had yummah bread & wine. mmmmmmm!

Me said...

Aww, you make a very cute couple. Congratulations on the anniversary!

J said...

What a great picture, you both look so happy! Congrats! I'm sure there will be many more to come.

And the picnic, that is really sweet! A great way to celebrate if you ask me.

Meghan said...

That's so strange you have those Doritos!! They were the only type chip I could eat at a BBQ on Friday and I'd never seen that flavor before...kudos to the Doritos people.

Katy said...

Happy anniversary! Looks like you two had a great time with great food!

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Happy anniversary!

You are a BEAUTIFUL couple-- seriously.

Marisa L. S. said...

Happy anniversary! You guys make a cute couple. I love wineries. Rieslings are one of my favorite wines!

Unknown said...

Aww congratulations on 4 years!! What a gorgeous dinner...AND couple! :0)
PS...I love your shirt!!

Jamie the Foodie said...

i was just at the book store on sunday & was looking at vegetarian times & saw so many yummy recipes i decided to buy it (had a gift card, of course!). i just made out my grocery list & am planning on making that same "caviar" this week. looks delicious!

glad you all had such a nice time; looks romantic!

KitteeBee said...

Happy Anniversary! Looks like y'all had a fun picnic. Check into Garden of Eatin' Pico De Gallo chips, they're awesome and not as crappy as doritos, but taste just like 'em. They're even be organic
http://www.gardenofeatin.com/images/products/w450/01583900882.jpg

xo
kittee

Anonymous said...

congratulations on the anniversary! ps, i love your blog!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Everything looks delicious. I have to try that caviar, it looks so good. Thanks for all of your comments!

Unknown said...

Aw congrats on 4 years! You two look happy :)

And wow, the food looks great! I'll have to check out those Doritos too.. I just assumed that the cheesy ones had obviously cheese in them..but I never thought about other flavors! :)

The Veggie Queen said...

Congratulations. Happy to hear that the Doritos are an occasional fling. Stuff like that could end up killing you, but slowly and possilby deliciously (if you like that kind of thing). How was the fake cheese? Do you like it?

Hungry Hungry Dancer said...

happy anniversary!!!!
I made that caviar too... it was delish (def try it with cilantro.. it makes it i swear)

Yea i had to wear the headphones and have the super cool mic hanging from the ceiling.. it was awesome!

Anonymous said...

Hi. Your site is great. I am glad I stumbled upon it. I too, live in BBQ hell, Texas. Have a great day.

Krys
www.twoveganboys.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

I've pretty much stayed away from Doritos because of the MSG in them but I have to admit I always enjoyed them. Now I want to go out and buy a bag.

Happy Anniversary! Being in the Nashville area myself I'll definitely have to check out that winery.

Anonymous said...

Yay! Congrats on four years... just let me know when to make that wedding cake *wink*.

... I kid, I kid...

Seriously though, those Doritos are the shizzy. The Brit won't touch them though and I can never eat a whole bag (of anything) by myself before they go stale. So sad.

Erin said...

Congrats on your four years! Looks like a lovely picnic. Oh, and if you find out anything bad about the doritos don't tell me either, I <3 them.

Anonymous said...

Love those Doritos! But yeah only once in a while kinda thing fo sho. Do you like the Teese plain? I have some in the fridge, I'm thinking Triscuits + Teese might be awesome...

Anonymous said...

Oh and congrats!!! You guys are a cute couple, anyone who goes on picnics with Doritos is cool in my book :)

Veggie said...

Congratulations on your four year anniversary!

What a great place to spend your anniversary, I love wineries too.

I had no idea that Kix Brooks from Brooks and Dunn had a winery, I'm not into country music either. I guess you can do anything when you have the money. I'd love to open a winery.

Vegan_Noodle said...

Aw, happy anniversary! Sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate. I am the same way about oreo cookies....