Starting our Sonoma wine tour with a little mimosa using sparkling wine from Toad Hollow. Gorgeous bottle with a functional cap.
Today’s beauty: La Tuna Margarita at Rosarios in San Antonio. In the words of Manny from “Modern Family”: “I’m home.”
Packing for Texas, watching Flipping Out, and sipping wine. This is a Trinchero Meritage. Deelish.
UPDATE: The aforementioned yoga poser gets his own version of “Cops.” The lights are from multiple cop cars, an ambulance and a fire truck. He resisted his arrest.
Random San Jose character face down on the sidewalk doing bizarre yoga poses. Could this one be the get-on-the-ground-and-put-your-hands-behind-your-back-dirtbag pose??
Vaya con Dios
I have now incorporated the San Martin Caballero prayer candle into my job hunt. It’s been three months and nary a nibble in the Bay Area job front. Don’t get the wrong impression, I’m not some devout Catholic by any means. Wayward Catholic would be more accurate, although I did pick up a few Catholic-centric habits along the way. When things get bad (or you just need a tap of divine intervention), light a time-defying prayer candle and recite your prayer. Hope in a simple rose-scented tower of wax.
My mom always used San Martin Caballero when a money issue arose — and it almost always did in our household. Maybe it was coincidence or plain luck but it seemed to work, so I chose it not only for its familiarity but its success rate. (It is a spiritual investment, after all.)
Maybe San Martin Caballero can stand up to this stubborn recession and deliver a desirable job opportunity. No matter the outcome, I’m glad I dusted off the old tradition. It’s provided a glowing warmth and comfort that well-meaning words or reassurances simply can’t convey.
And for only a buck, that’s a spiritual bargain.
A Mexican picnic/lunch at Regale Winery with friends on a perfect Saturday afternoon. We plan to do this once a month. Maybe we’ll take over their grill next time.
My new obsession: Mi Pueblo grocery stores in the San Jose area. Pan dulce, a dozen homemade salsas and a great marinated meats selection. For my Texas friends, it’s like Fiesta but without the carnival-like atmosphere and gold jewelry kiosks. A nice dose of simplicity and friendliness. (Thanks to the woman who gave us the tip on making the best roasted corn!)
“A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou Beside me…”
1st photo -A full jug of JC Cellars’ “Daily Ration,” a mystery red blend that changes every few weeks. When you’re done, take it back to the winery and they refill it for $20. I was skeptical.
2nd -Our first attempt at the half-gallon wine. Yes, I decanted it; don’t laugh. It was a full-bodied, complex wine that drank really well. Pleasantly surprised. I swear we kept drinking, but it seemed to almost refill itself. (Could it be the new bottom-less mimosa?)
3rd -Decided to invite friends to an impromptu barbecue so we could conquer the jug o’ wine. Our friends were impressed by the wine as well!
4th -A sad, empty jug post-barbecue, but a lot of happy drinkers. And yes, we’ll be visiting JC Cellars (www.jccellars.com) for a refill soon, however, the winery only does it on Sundays. (Maybe it’s a blood of Christ, thing.) Next thing you know, I’ll report that I’m buying boxes of wine. Tip it!
This is the view from Regale Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I’m learning it’s not all about Napa! Later today, the jug o’ wine.
