The Weather Isn't Normal, But We Are Having Fun Anyway!

After the first few great, above normal temperature days (February averages are highs of 76 degrees and lows of 47 degrees) we have had below average temps -- highs in the 60's and lows around 41 and some rain.  Not bad weather, but when you want to bake your midwestern bones it's not quite warm enough!  The plus to the rainy weather is the great "sky show" of clouds moving over the mountains.  I took these pictures from our back yard -- the view is of the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west.

Last Saturday, we were pleasantly surprised to have the UPS truck stop at our house with a delivery.  We thought it was a mistake at first since we hadn't ordered anything to be sent to this address, but it turned out that Matt & Sarah had arranged for their Christmas gift to us to be sent here while we are in California (THANK YOU!).  Their gift was a membership in the Wine of the Month Club.  We receive 2 bottles of wine every other month for a year.  December was a champagne (very good) and a dessert wine (we didn't drink yet).  Our Saturday delivery was a California 2007 Chambers and Reed Chenin Blanc which was also very good (light straw in color, pippin apple and slight honey notes with a slight citrus finish) and our favorite of all so far (we will be ordering more of this) was an Argentinian 2007 Don Sivestre Tempranillo (ruby red in color, notes of cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate and spice).  Yum!  Yes, both bottles have already disappeared.