Halloween, the Early Version

I'm up posting this at 6:30am because Matt had to leave for work at 5:45am. Normally, I would fall right back asleep, but ever since we watched Criminal Minds this week and the plot revolved around a serial killer who stalked houses in the CA Central Valley (where I live) that were less than 1 mile from the train tracks (again, exactly where I live) I've been a wee bit paranoid. So I got up, poured some coffee, started knitting on my sock, and decided to post.

It's actually amazing this morning - cool, overcast, smell of rain in the air, and QUIET. This is almost enough to turn me into a morning person. ALMOST.

Anyhow, last night we carved pumpkins.




Some of us did it the old fashion way with cheap plastic tools, and others took it up a notch.


Some of us overindulged


But they all turned out great.


OBVIOUSLY, one of the Cat pumpkins is mine (VIVA!). The other is my sister's, in memory of our dearly-departed cat Frisky. Maybe her spirit will visit us tonight.

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11:00am Edited to add:

How pretty is the parking lot at work right now? I've been waiting all year for this!! (Autumn is my favorite season).

Also, I am SOO loving me some overcast skies.

Taken from my moonroof this morning in route to work.

Yet Another Wedding Post

We FINALLY got our wedding album, and it was so, SO worth the wait. Here are some of my favorites:

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Also, I knit a sock.


Hopefully it's mate is coming soon.

Stalk My Wine Bar

Heather over at Knitting With My Horses sent a message for a favorite wine list in like, August. It's been in the works since then, I swear!

First off, my general way at looking at wine consumption is if you like it, drink it. For example, Matt & I have no problem ordering the cheapest bottle of wine at our favorite swank restaurant because it's our favorite. In addition, one of my favorite everyday Chardonnays comes in a box from the supermarket. So if you like it, don't let the price tag or a wine snob tell you differently. I've encountered many of them in my time and I now actually get great joy in turning my own nose up at their 50$ bottles (except for a few that are TOTALLY worth it)

One other note is that I've really only begun to explore wine, and to this day I am somewhat limited to California wines. Hey, why go far and wide when some of the best is in my backyard?

A final word of advice is to try anything. What do you have to lose? A couple years ago I volunteered to pour wine at a local Greek festival and found out the Greeks make some damn good, if not unique, tasting wine. Probably would have never know that otherwise. So anyways, back to the list.



Bubbly
I LOVE champagne with food. Something about the sweetness initially lead me to think it wouldn't stand up food the way that the strong flavors and aromas in wine could , but oh was I wrong.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs - $17.99
Korbel Brut Rose - $12.99
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label - $21.99

and just for fun...
Wilson Creek Almond Champagne - $12.99

White
I am a big chardonnay fan. Give me as much butter and oak as you can get into a bottle. However, I can also appreciate different varietals.

Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay - $5.99
Bogle Chenin Blanc 2006 - $8.99
Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 - $9.99
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Reserve 2005 - $35.99
Folie a Deux Chardonnay Napa 2006 - $14.99
Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2006 - $35.99
La Crema Chardonnay 2007 - $14.99 (ALL TIME FAVORITE!)
Laetitia Pinot Blanc Estate 2006 - $15.99
Nickel & Nickel 2005 Chardonnay Searby Vineyard - $50.00
Rombauer Chardonnay 2007 - $31.99
Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - $14.99

Red
Still seeking a cheap red alternative. My husband and his dad made their own about red blend 5 years, and that's been filling in for now. Let me know if anyone has a good suggestion!

Caymus Cabernet 2006 - $69.99 (One of the few $50+ bottles that I think is worth it)
Cinnabar Merlot 2006 - $16.99
David Bruce Pinot Noir Santa Rita 2004 - $42.99
Louis Martini Cabernet Alex Vly 2005 - $29.99
Quivira Zinfandel 2006 - $19.99
Robert Hall Rhone de Robles 2006 - $14.99
Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Tan 2004 - $25.99
Toad Hollow Eye Of The Toad 2007 - $9.99 (pink but AWESOME)
Wild Horse Pinot Noir 2007 - $22.99

So there you go. Here's to hoping all of you out there get the chance to enjoy a nice bottle of wine this weekend!