Mondavi-Cab

There's more to life than beer and nothing makes that statement more true than wine. May I introduce the Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon?

I'm not a big Mondavi fan and I'm not a huge cabernet fan. It tends to make me...how should I say...sleepy. Fortunately, for me, this particular cab does not tend to either create the wonderful red blush/line on my face nor does it make me tired.

My wife picked this up and I'm sure she didn't spend too much money. We have a policy in my house that comes from the words of my wife's cousin (who married a French woman from Avignon): "I try not to buy any wine that isn't under $10 a bottle." There's simply no reason to do so.

So, back to the cab. The grapes are very fruity and the taste is somewhat bold. It's very refreshing and can easily make a successful cabernet table wine (although I still prefer a beaujolais as my every day table wine).

Serve a stemmed glass of red joy along with a plate of pasta and cheese, with a side of white beans, yellow carrots and spinach dressed in a white sauce and some apricot chicken. Yes, I will drink red with chicken. I don't care about the stupid rules of red with meat (I rarely eat red meat (no pun intended)) and white with chicken and fish. Screw the rules! So, find a clean glass, open a bottle, pour, breathe and drink. Enjoy!

UFO-Hefewizen

Oh, the joys of wheat beers. I think they might be my favorite. I really do. With or without a lemon, wheat beers are still excellent.

This Hefeweizen (hefe=yeast, weizen=wheat in German) was generously purchased for me by my wife. I think she got it at the local Publix Supermarket, but I'm not positive. It's brewed by Harpoon Brewery out of Boston. Here's the link to the UFO Hefeweizen itself: UFO.

I love ice cold beers when it is roaring hot outside (in Florida that's very common), but my wife bought these during a cold front when our mornings were in the mid 30's and temps didn't get out of the 50's during the peak of the day. The UFO was just as good when it was what us Florida cold wimps call farggin freezing outside. Hey, there was frost on the ground, OK?

The brewery suggests it be served with spicy foods and I can account for that. I had it with wonderfully homemade green chili enchiladas. Simply the best. So, go out and find yourself some UFO, a lemon and a telescope and search the skies for some aliens while you enjoy a tall cool one...even in the middle of winter. Hats off!

Full Moon

There's some wonderful things other than the changes in weather when it comes to different seasons, especially for those of us in Florida (we don't have a winter). Seasonal beers!

Full Moon is brewed by the Blue Moon Brewing Co. out of Golden, CO. Since I've lived in the Denver area for 7 years of my life and the only brewery I am aware of in Golden is Coors, there's a pretty darn good chance (and I think I'm right about this) that Blue Moon is owned by Coors. It really doesn't matter though because both Blue Moon and the winter brew, Full Moon, are quite tasty treats.

Full Moon has tasted excellent in both a frosty mug with a lemon or orange slice and right out of the bottle without a piece of citrus. I was immensely pleased, especially since the price was right. It's easy to find this beer in my local grocery store even 1800 miles away from its source.

There was no aftertaste for this very dark amber beer. It went well with grilled foods, soup, pasta and when I was just generally thirsty for a tall cool one. Can you tell I was very pleased? Rumor has it that they are going to toy around with the recipe for next year. That's not always a good thing when you have a good thing going, but the brewery hasn't let me down yet.

Colors

I live about 3 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Going to the beach at sunset is a common event for us since we can easily get there at a normal hour. A few nights ago, the coquinas where very active and were tickling our feet. Here's a wonderful shot of the amazing colors that God provides. A few of these guys might actually be poking their bodies out of their shells. Here's another great shot of the wonderful white sandy beaches. I shutter to think what they would look like if a massive hurricane were to come directly in.

I'm Laughing....I Think

You've got to be kidding me?! Two at once? Just look at this next image...talk about rain!!!! Both are slated to become hurricanes. Gustav, a possible Cat3 and Hanna at least a Cat1.

Dolphins

Dolphins love playing. They just do. A few weeks ago, prior to going to Chicago, I was in the St. Simons, GA area (Jekyll Island) seining for crabs, fish and whatnot with my wife's cousin, Towny. Both of our families were there. All 8 of us got to swim with three bottle nose dolphins in the wild. This was no "pay $100 per person to swim with tamed animals at Sea World" experience. These dolphins stole fish from our nets, swam within 3 feet of us (even when I was neck deep in the Atlantic Ocean) and even hung around to play when we were done fishing. It was truly one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. On top of that, my wife got bit by a squid. NO JOKE!

Yes, that's me pulling the net. Yes, the video quality isn't the greatest, but frankly...I don't care.

Adventure It Is

It's always an adventure living in Florida (or a Gulf of Mexico coastal state) from June-December. There are times we are on-edge week-to-week. Fay is gone and here comes Gustav. Where will it go? I have my hurricane shutters, but knock-on-wood I haven't had to use them yet. The Tampa area seems to be in a vortex and goes unscathed from a direct hit from a hurricane.

Thanks to the Weather Channel for the Projected Path map.