Pure Drivel

• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and that your wiper fluid works. Getting stuck in a car on the highway that doesn’t have fluid when you need it is not fun. (Hmm…personal experience speaking? - Yes.)

• Always keep windshield cleaner in your car. You use it frequently and do not want to get stuck without it.

• From October until _?_, carry an ice scraper and shovel in your car. Need I say why?

• Green light = go.
Yellow light = go fast.
Red light = go faster or stop. (I’m just documenting what I see on a daily basis, not necessarily what I do.)

• If you’re a pedestrian, WATCH OUT.

Tags: Thoughts

I recently attended a wine event at the Woodland Park Zoo. It was cool; South American was the theme for the appetizers and wines. And while we enjoyed eating and drinking we got to see the new jaguar at the zoo. He was enormous! (Especially compared to the 11lb kitty I know here at home.) Watching him was breathtaking; simply an amazing animal.

Thought I’d write a bit about the wines featured:

1. Errazuriz Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - Chile: Luxurious aromas of sweet cigar and slightly herbal berry fruit are accented by well-integrated vanilla oak

2. Mont Gras Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah Blend - Chile: not worth writing up!

3. Terrazas Malbec - Argentina: Aromas of red, black and dried fruits, especially plums and figs combine to give the wine a great intensity.

4. Arboleda Carmenere - Chile: Unique to Chile wine region, it is a red grape called Carmenere, a long last Bordeaux variety. Rich, dense, dark but also supremely soft.

5. Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay - Chile: didn’t try it. It’s white!

6. Casa LaPostolle Merlot - Chile: didn’t like it at all.

So…if you’re looking to enjoy some South American wines, my personal recommendations are:
• #3 by Mont Gras. That was the best one.
• In at a close second is #1 by Errazuriz.
• If you’re looking for something with a powerful flavor, try #4 by Arboleda.

Tags: Wine

OK. I just couldn’t resist putting up a picture of Shio’s new and improved scratch post (a la Joshua). It’s a little over two times the height of his old one, and this one was made by his loving male human caretaker. Joshua did a great job and even put a 10lb weight at the bottom. That’s how this 11lb cat can climb up on the thing like he’s doing in the picture. He seems to like it a lot already. (Maybe it’s because of the catnip we spilled all over it.) Regardless, it’s cool to see him stretch out full-length and scratch the daylights out of this carpeted post.

Tags: Raves

A co-worker recently told me about a store just north of Seattle, called Daiso. She was pretty sure I’d like it because it’s full of containers and little gifts - all for under $2. She was SO RIGHT!

I have found a new addiction: this store. Seriously, people, [I predict] these stores will be popping up everywhere around here in the next few years! Who knows why they chose Lynnwood for their first store, but it’s probably a good thing for me. Not close enough to go too often, but close enough in case I wind up “needing” something. Yeah, right!

After visiting Skagit Valley and Anacortes last weekend, I stopped there on my way home. Yes, the following silly little items brought me great pleasure and made me feel like I had made out like a bandit! For just nine dollars, I acquired:
• a stationery set
• a body scrub
• a foot scrubber
• 10 ponytail holders
• stickers
…and…
• an 8-clamp “delicates” hanger.

Here’s a great Seattle PI news story about this store.

Visit Daiso’s web site at: http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp

Tags: Raves

It finally happened.

Last week I bought a new sewing machine. It’s the Pfaff Quilt Expression 2046 and so far…I love it! It’s leaps and bounds better than my first sewing machine (that cost just $100). Still, I’ll keep the old one for basic straight-stitching and other uses, like sewing fabric onto paper and other experiments. Never in a million years would have EVER guessed that someday I’d be into fabric, sewing machines, and quilting.

Lots to learn about this one. It’s good that it comes with a CD-ROM that has some short videos on some of its features. Now it’s time to play and see what this thing can do!

Tags: Raves