Woodinville

 A few years back, the better half bought me the Woodinville wine pass for Christmas.  We elected to renew the pass each of the next few years, opting not to buy one this year.  We still managed to get out a few times to taste some wines. 

The wineries are definitely of varying quality, but some can be quite good.  Earlier this year, we happened upon Rocky Pond winery, which we just popped in on as a flyer, knowing nothing about it.  They really impressed us.  Great Grenache, really awesome GSM, and a solid Viognier.  Today we picked up our first wine club delivery, which included a complimentary tasting, and their Domestique really impressed us, as well.  All in all, we've like about everything we've tried of theirs.  If anything, the closest we've had to a disappointment was the rose, which was somewhat unremarkable, but definitely bad.  

If you're in the area, and you're one to enjoy the occasional glass of wine, might consider trying them.

Tarzan Couldn't Take This Hot

 We don't have long, hot summers in the PNW, but we have an occasional hot spell each year.  This year it's come over the past weekend.  We're in the 80s today, which is warm, but tolerable for the most part.  

To deal with the heat, we brought one of our portable AC units when we moved up from Texas.  Last night, it ran almost all night, but that was worth it to me, because it meant the pup could keep reasonably comfortable.  Sweet old girl, she just can't handle hot like she used to. 

Kind of Exciting News

Sort of...
I am 95% done with my last course for my Master's Degree.  Go Green!  Go White!

Kick the Tires

The Apple has started driving lessons.  That means that he needs practice driving.  That means we need a vehicle that we can rely on for him to learn how to drive on.  To facilitate that, I went out and replaced the very bald tires on the front end.  the rear tires were in great shape, so nothing to see there.

One thing we have noticed with our Highlander is that the front tires tend to spin whenever it's mildly wet outside.  The guy at Discount Tire suggested it's because we were using touring tires instead of traction tires.  That makes sense, but I also think there is a general problem among the Highlanders wherein they spin when the ground isn't ideal.  I have a hunch there's a torque/weight issue - the front end is lighter than the power that goes to the wheels, so if you hit the gas too hard (which can be anything more than slightly more than idling), the tires will spin and you sound like you don't know how to drive.  I base this on the notion that I have heard from three other Highlander drivers who have complained about similar issues. 

Anyway - don't get a Highlander.  Go use Discount Tire - good company.  Traction tires made very little noticeable difference, though - the wheels still spin.

Holy Frijoles!

Years ago, my friend Susan was kind enough to share with me her mother's bulgoki recipe.  It's as authentic as any recipe I own (she had to guesstimate the measurements because it was all by feel). It's a family favorite and something I make on special-ish occasions. 

A week or so before out office's holiday break, we determined we should have a potluck.  The team decided to do a mexican theme with a request to bring "your favorite mexican recipe."  Living up in the PNW now, "favorite mexican" apparently meant "corn chips and salsa" for most folks.  I decided to commit, though.  I texted one of my friends from law school and asked her if she had a favorite mexican recipe I could use.  She suggested Frijoles Charras - beans. 

It was a great suggestion.  Not only that, but she was kind enough to share her family's recipe.  Such an awesome recipe, and it was very popular among my coworkers.  So much so, we didn't have enough left for any full meals at home afterwards. 

I made up for that today - making some frijoles for dinner.

Man, they are good. 

Guy Fieri had it Right

Diners Drive Ins and Dives is one of those harmless shows about free advertising for restaurants that otherwise wouldn't be able to really advertise.  There is a place nearby that was featured on the show, and they have a huge picture of Guy on the wall of the bar when you walk in.  The food is pretty good, too - Hawaiian BBQ. 

It's the only place I've been to that has been on "DDD," since the show debuted.  I also went to a place called Rosine's in Monterey that was featured on the show, but that was back when I was stationed in Monterey, back in the mid 1990s. 

I feel like I should go check out more.  It's local comfort food, generally speaking, and I'm good with that. 

Freaking Lions

I know the NFL has their obvious favorites (read: Dallas, New York Giants, LA Rams, New England Patriots, San Francisco, and Green Bay).  And I know Detroit is on its third QB.  I also know that generally speaking, referees don't win or lose games for teams, but they do seem to try to make it as easy as possible for Green Bay to pull out wins over Detroit, ALWAYS...

Gym-type Behavior

So, back in 2013 I worked on my physical fitness and managed to lose some 50-60 lbs.  I'm managed, in the years since, to regain that weight.  It was not as hard as you might think to gain it back. 

I keep trying to keep myself motivated to drop some weight again, but it's been a challenge.

Christmas Week

And I've no idea what to get anybody.  It's been a rough year for gift ideas. 

I would buy tickets to Europe, but I'm not independently wealthy. 

Bunch of Whiny Crybabies

Bitching about the impeachment "undoing" the election of 2016, and subverting the will of the 63 million people who voted for the current president is not only stupid, but wrong.  More people voted for the other candidate, and for those not paying attention, there was an election in 2018 where "the people" expressly made it clear they didn't want rule by executive fiat with no congressional oversight, which is exactly why there's a Democratic majority in congress right now. 

Why does nobody press on that point more?

AIn't it Always the Way

You get somewhat comfortable in your work environment (even if you aren't particularly enamored with your job), and then there's a suspension of work that impacts a statistically significant percentage of the workforce and puts you at ill ease for your job security. 

I really should write that book. 

Wine me Dine me

We went out wine tasting today.  There's a decent chance this will be the last time we go out wine tasting this year.  Fortunately, we went to a couple places we hadn't been for a while, but we also went to one of my favorites - Abassador Wines of Washington. 

I've found that I like earthy wines - dark fruits, some tobacco or leather, maybe even some licorice or cigar smoke.  I don't like the really tannic, bold reds that will smack your jaw and leave you withing you had something else.  Heck, even for steaks, I prefer a good merlot to a cab, unless it's a very marbled ribeye. 

At any rate, Ambassador has easily my favorite grenache in the state.  I do recommend it.  Tasty, approachable, not too overt.  It's exactly what I look for in a red. 

Thus ends my free advertising for Ambassador Wines of Washington.

Goodbye Father Mulcahy

I can't say that he was my favorite character on MASH, but I did enjoy his contribution to the movie.  Rene Aubernonois was a very talented actor.  He will be missed.

Now the world is without either Father Mulcahy.  That's a shame.

Churrascarias

We have been to all of the Brazilian steak houses in the Puget Sound area now, and two in the greater Houston area.  In my experience, it's no argument that Fogo de Chao in Houston is the runaway leader in overall quality and experience.  Fogo in Seattle (well, Bellevue) is a close second.  It just doesn't quite have the same ambiance.  If you find yourself in Pierce County, and don't fancy a drive up to Seattle, Texas de Brazil is a fine alternative.  Those are the ones I'd primarily recommend.  If you want something a little less "chain," then Novilho's is an option, though their lamb chop tasted fishy (like, actual fish).  Grill from Ipanema had the best name, but the quality has dropped each time we've gone, which is a little disappointing. 

Regardless, I am a fan of all you can eat steak places.  I do recommend, unless you're a vegan.

Christmas Time is Here

And I really have done nothing.  I haven't put up the tree, I haven't started shopping, I don't even know what anybody wants. 

Bah.  Humbug. 

Rivalry Week

Michigan State's biggest game of the year is against Michigan, and they didn't show up.  But, I grew up rooting for the Maize and Blue, and frankly, I still like watching them beat the Buckeyes.

Yesterday, I went to the Apple Cup with a friend of mine from work.  The Huskies definitely had a disappointing year, but it was a fun game.  I do like Husky Stadium.

Go Blue!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday I tried apple pie with cheddar cheese on top for the first time ever.  The cheese was scarcely noticeable, but not bad. 

Just, FYI.

Two Posts in One Day?!

But I think it's interesting, that anytime anybody right now is critical of the current President, he or she is dubbed a "never trumper," even when that individual is an advisor to the current Vice President.  This embarrassment of a President needs to go.

Read in the Comment Section of Balloon Juice

And, so, so apparently accurate:

Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.

Busy Week in DC

I've been busy with my Master's Program, so I haven't been writing as much, but I have definitely been paying attention to he hearings on impeachment, the Roger Stone conviction, and the President's pardons of three soldiers who have no business being pardoned. 

I can't believe that this is where we have progressed as a country, that one party is so desperate to hold power that they would abandon their claimed sets of principles to prop up a guy who is so obviously, painfully inept at the job and who so clearly is more interested in advancing his own interests than those of the country.  It's shameful, and I don't understand how any of their personal sets of ethics allow for them to do so.