Picture of the Circle in downtown Indianapolis

Good Morning!

It is Friday and next Monday is Memorial day….in my world that means summer is here! I am originally from Indiana and Memorial weekend is all about the Indianapolis 500, the greatest spectacle in sports. More fans come to Indianapolis than any other one day sporting event, and then millions and millions of people watch on TV. The party starts in Indy (Indianapolis) in early May….the town starts to wake up from winter, flowers are springing up and everyone there is holding their breath and hoping those famous thunderstorms stay away.

The month kicks off with the Mini-Marathon, 1,000’s of runners take over the streets of Indy and then every weekend the Speedway track is filled with the roar of the cars. Their are drivers at the track who create a huge buzz in the community and the sportscasters and cameras are everywhere. Hotels and restaurants are packed and during the month long build up to the race the city is like a beehive.

So, I miss my home and I miss the events my friends host in-conjunction that I used to attend. The Saturday morning before the race, the city hosts the 500 parade….I lived in a high rise for several years and had a birds eye view of all the drivers, bands and even Ruth Buzzie (sp). I have seen big time celebrities, like J. Lo and Ben A., Jesse the quarterback on the Bach. Jim Nabors and Florence Henderson…but the real fun starts at the local parties. Specialty drinks are made and enjoyed, traditional brunches are hosted and canned beer at the track are all part of the race traditions. (The most famous is the Danica Patrick panty dropper).

A couple of years ago I went home for all the fun and we had a 4 day Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio wine-a-thon. I love how so many of the folks in Indy raise money and awareness for causes like the the little 250, where they close down Mass Ave and use hay bales to create a track and teams of tricycles race for the trophy, they raise $1000’s for people affected with HIV and AIDS. I love the Mutt Strut, where you can walk your dog around the Speedway race track…I could go on for days about the crazy events.

But this year I can not get back to my favorite city in the Midwest, so I am going to have a Rose’ and Bubbles weekend. I purchased 14 bottles of these two great wines….I will give you a run down review of my favs next week. It will be 90 plus degrees here and the pool will be calling, and the grill will be my kitchen.

I know this blog has very little to do with wine, but I am homesick and thought I would journal my thoughts and then I’d feel better!

Thanks for listening!

Much LOVE and wine and have a great weekend!

Tammi

The Arts Garden in Indianapolis...the downtown will be rocking this Memorial day weekend