vampire cabernet 2005

i could not resist the purchase. vampire wine for halloween - perfect! the label that is... of course it is blood red, with smells of berry and spice. this light bodied wine is anything but a great bottle of wine. however, it is sufficient to get you through a night of trick or treaters at the door.

the holidays: bringing back the joy

the holiday season will officially be upon us tomorrow morning. with the conclusion of halloween, comes the start of the lists, commitments, and all around chaos. this year, i want to implement a shift - i want to focus on the joy of the season and not on making everyone else happy. this year, i will try to sidestep the modern commercial frenzy that consumes me every year. i want to fully engage with the season by focusing on the original meaning for the celebration. this year my gifts will be of sentimental value. above all I am going to give thanks for my family and all the wonderful people in my life.

the bike vs. spouse test

a very uncomfortable test in this month's issue of bicycling magazine:

who do you love?

circle either spouse or bike after every line. if you are not married, spouse can be substituted for girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.

1. i will never forget the first time i saw you
bike spouse

2. i wanted you instantly
bike spouse

3. i often find myself daydreaming about you
bike spouse

4. there is more than one photo of us together on my desk
bike spouse

5. i love showing you off to my friends
bike spouse

6. my friends often remark how attractive you are
bike spouse

7. in a typical week, we spend five or more hours of quality time together
bike spouse

8. when you're around, i often look at you with admiration and longing
bike spouse

9. in the last three months i've spent more than $250 on you
bike spouse

10. i desperately want to take you to italy
bike spouse

11. our last ride lasted more than an hour
bike spouse

12. it's thrilling how you respond beneath me
bike spouse

13. i would never let anyone else ride you
bike spouse

14. you make my heart beat faster
bike spouse

15. you make me feel young
bike spouse

16. you have taken me places and shown me things i never thought i would see
bike spouse

17. when i'm alone with you, i am at peace with the world
bike spouse

18. you were made for me
bike spouse

19. i can't live without you
bike spouse

20. i will never upgrade to a newer model
bike spouse

now that you have revealed something very troubling, hide these pages from everyone - except your biking buddies

taco soup recipe

today i am making the first pot of taco soup for this winter season. loved by all! here is the recipe if you wish to make some. start early - the longer it simmers the better it tastes!

taco soup
ingredients*:
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 can white kidney beans beans
1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 bottle beer
2 (10 oz) cans rotel
1 package taco seasoning
3 or 4 chicken breasts

optional
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
finely chopped green onions
tortilla strips

directions:
1. drain beans and corn
2. combine onion, beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, rotel, and taco seasoning in crock pot. cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
3. cook chicken breasts (on grill if possible) & then cool. shred the chicken and add to crock pot.
4. continue cooking on low for another 2-3 hours.
5. serve over rice or fritos, with sour cream, cheese, & green onions on top

*considering the amount of can goods used in this recipe, the sodium can be very high. i have found a few brands of canned beans that have very little sodium - compare labels for a few minutes when buying ingredients

don't harass me - just let me run

argh! today i was running town lake...er....lady bird lake and enjoying this fantastic fall that austin is experiencing. at one point, i was passing a dad (i am assuming) pushing his daughter while she was on her bike. i noted to myself how cute this moment was as i ran by. at the same time i was passing an older gentleman (being polite here) who was running a bit slower. and as i passed, this guy found it necessary to comment to me that if this little girl didn't start pedaling her bike there was no way she was going to grow up and be as good looking as me. a stranger felt compelled to say this to me! why? if i was at a bar somewhere, maybe i would not be so offended given the much more appropriate location. gentlemen, i beg of you, don't harass me while i run. just let me run my run.

castillo de monseran garnacha 2005

another tasty spanish red $8.99

easy fruity red. great for the end of work days on a crisp fall evening. smells of cinnamon and berry. very fruity upfront with a nice tangy tannin to finish. light bodied and delicate. would hold well with bbq. another great bargain red. (wishing i had grabbed a few more bottles)

new tasty $6 red - protocolo tinto 2004

protocolo tinto (spain) 2004
$5.99 - central market

tasty tempranillo, medium bodied, light on the nose, short finish but a good balance. tastes of dark cherry and spice. goes great alone, but could hold up to some fall comfort food. my new favorite value priced red.