Weekend winery

We had a great weekend!  On Saturday we decided to finally check out La Fuente winery, I’d first heard about it a while back and had wanted to get down there to taste some wine.

The place was even better than expected.   I am a little confused why they call it a ‘winery’ since the wine isn’t made there, it’s made in Chile and imported to this place (and to restaurants and hotels in the area).  Honestly, I don’t care what they call it, we enjoyed the place whatever its called.

It is located in an office park, but once you come inside it’s a little oasis – K said it’s a ‘hidden gem’.   They have a back room set up with tables of all different kinds – we sat at a couch with a coffee table in front of us – very cozy.    We were able to taste 6 different wines (each tastier than the last) and we took our time and enjoyed them – the staff would bring over the next one once we were ready for it. Something new for me – they’d rinse the glass with the new wine, not water, so that there was no chance the wine was watered down.   We met and spoke to the owner (and wine maker) for quite a while during our tasting.  He’s led a very interesting life and is friendly to talk to, he clearly loves his work.   A surprise treat, they also brought over food to munch on -cheese/crackers/grapes, and some enchiladas made by the owner.  

It was a great place to pass an afternoon, and we purchased some wines from them.  It was a great way to stock on some good (and affordable) wine and is much better than my usual approach of picking up whatever bottle i think looks interesting at the grocery store – a hit or miss approach.

They will be moving soon, its worth checking out if you’re ever nearby!
 
Its interesting to me how many wine/beer establishments are in that area – Saint Arnold's used to be in that same complex and we saw where Karbach brewery was, just down the street.

Smokeys year so far

Wow, I haven't blogged in quite a while, I think about it but then quickly forget....will try to get back to it and must remember to write down ideas when i think of them..

You may or may not remember that I'd said that we thought Smokey was working on a project in the yard. I think I've figured out the project!  He would bring in firework remnants (from new years) one piece at a time.  I don't know where he finds them - i don't see any in the yard - but for a while he'd come in with something in his mouth each time we let him out and then set it around the house.   He hasn't in a while so he must've cleaned the yard of the debris.  And we thought he didn't help.....

At least these things he brought in were never alive.....S finds some gross things....

More updates on Smokey...

We are constantly making up nicknames for him, terms of endearment I guess?   One of my favorites is 'lumpy bump' since he's a lazy lump most mornings....turns out its also now a true name for him since we found a large bump on his side on Saturday.    I try not to take risks with my health or his, so we quickly made an appointment for the vet for Monday (MLK holiday).  Kevin and I both went, but thankfully the vet doesn't think its anything too bad and its not effecting his mood/appetite/walking, so we'll just keep an eye on it and have it removed when we get his dental work done next month, they'll already have him sedated for that.    Any chance I can get sedated for my dental appointment?  haha, can I?   Turns out K's previous dogs had similar maladies, i think he said they are fatty cysts...the vet said he's seen as many as 30 to 40 on a dog...poor dog!    and S will likely get more.   We'll keep an eye on him, he is after all middle age in dog years...

2013 -- another year of randomness

So far (we're not even a week in), 2013 is a wet year...considering we're in a drought I'll take it!

I've had several ideas of things to blog about but when I sit down to write I can't think of any of them - I should remember to WRITE THEM DOWN when I think of them.   you're not missing any gems, they were just funny stories..

This weekend is going to be full of football.  K's alma mater plays for the championship today Go Bearkats! and we're going to the Texans' playoff game  Go Texans!!!   If you're having a case of deja vu you're not alone...these 2 games were on the same day last year too.   I was able to attend last year's Texans game only because they were on the same day and his aunt and uncle decided to go to the Sam Houston game instead. I was at the better game last year - first playoff game ever for the Texans (we literally felt the stadium move) and the Bearkats lost.    I hope they can both pull out wins today, must say K is not confident in the Texans' chances (no one in Houston is really)  and yes, I'm probably the only person in Texas who doesn't care about last night's Cotton Bowl game.  I forget how many Aggies I know until a game is on and my facebook explodes into maroon.   I'm happy for them, though still a bit peeved they took UH's coach.

While the rest of the state watched football last night we watched a baseball movie, Trouble with the Curve.  Cute movie even though I'm not a big baseball fan.  I love Amy Adams and Clint Eastwood plays a grumpy old man like no one else.   Between netflix and redbox we could probably watch a movie every night (don't worry we won't).  I knew the movie premise, but was surprised to see macular degeneration (condition of the eyes) represented and had to think of our close family members (on both sides) who live with it.

side chairs with hidden reclining

We have a much more comfortable space to watch tv and movies now.   As a belated gift to ourselves we got new living room furniture.  Our furniture was falling apart and not comfortable to sit in anymore.   It was long overdue and we took advantage of the time off over the holidays to make it happen.  We are so happy with it.  We'd debated what to get and thought about a sectional and other layouts.  Ultimately we decided on a reclining love seat to replace our recliners - we are actually closer together! - and a sofa that has 2 recliners in it to replace the sofa we had.   Where we'd had the love seat previously we wanted 2 chairs to fit the space better, we also realized 2 people never sat there because it was too small a seat, and you really do need to love the person to sit together in a loveseat.   Looking online we found the perfect solution - side chairs that actually are recliners...It makes a great reading space and is a surprise when you tell someone they can recline.  So yes, that is SIX recliners in the room, we spoiled ourselves.  We were able to make great use of tables and lamps we already had and only bought 1 table.   We had it all delivered right before we went to Galveston.  We joke that my brother-in-law (who Smokey sat) enjoyed it before we did, though we'll enjoy it for many days and years to come.

Sometimes Smokey wakes me up during the night.   It may be that he has to potty thought sometimes I think he gets bored.  He'll whine and wake me up (never K, always me) and I'll let him out, then back in, and back to bed.  Last night he wanted out not once but twice...it'll be a long day for me.    Kevin jokes he's working on a project, too bad its nothing that constructive, but it is funny to think of S having a project he has to get back to.   We joke that he's the only freeloader and needs to get a job.  Kevin and I both work and do chores around the house and even the fish has a chore - eat algae - but not S, though he does entertain us with his antics.  Its a good thing he's cute.