Cycles Gladiator

Cycles Gladiator
Chardonnay 2006
Central Coast
about $10

It's been ages since I reviewed any wines. I've said it many times in this blog but in case you missed it, it was a really busy fall! I've certainly drunk my fair share of wines this fall but most evenings I enjoyed them for the bliss they brought and not for any complexity. After a little vacation - and with every candle in the house adding calming ambiance - I finally feel up to the task of writing a review.

Good little wine snob that I am, I picked this wine for the label. The label uses whimsical art from the late 19th century, true to the spirit of the times. The wine makers would like you to believe that that same spirit is encapsulated in the wine. The label also happens to include a naked woman, which got this wine banned in the state of Alabama. So for all my family down there in Alabama, this one's for you!

Cycles has classic peach and blossom flavors often found in California Chardonnay but this one is incredibly light. Since the wine did not seem to touch any oak, the subtle tastes are able to sparkle. We had it with pork chops cooked in pear jelly (made by Pete and Anne: Thanks again!) and it matched the feathery sweet flavors nicely. Sitting around after dinner sipping gently, the wine doesn't quite hold up to the evening. It would, however, be delightful sitting on the porch in August - especially in Alabama.

A Merry Little Christmas

Monkey & Peanut are up North with their mom for the Holidays while Stan, Puddin' and I are down South enjoying a very mellow Christmas. There is abundant peace and goodwill around us and very little Christmas hype. In some ways it feels a little too calm to be Christmas, or maybe even anti-climactic.

After a hectic fall, we've all been looking forward to a break. This past weekend we were given a bigger break than we dreamed of. After Monkey's ballet recital Friday night (she did so well! No stage fright, managed to smile a little, and mostly remembered her moves.) the blizzard started. We woke up Saturday morning to 6 inches of snow and no sign of stopping. After a call to Nana's, we realized that the extended family Christmas present exchange was not going to happen that day since they had more snow than we did. (Luckily, Nana & Papa had the foresight to drop off presents with us after the recital. We've all been really excited for Monkey & Peanut to get their gifts.) All morning long we watched the snow pile up and puttered about the house with tea and hot chocolate. After lunch we went ahead with present opening, putting family on speaker phone as needed. It was actually a lot of fun to have just our quintet and take our time enjoying and exploring. We laughed and played and had a grand ole time until all the presents were open. Then we laughed and played some more.

Sunday morning the snow had finally stopped but had left us a foot and a half of fluffy white. The snow plows were no where in sight so we were house bound for another day. Monkey & Peanut finally got up the nerve to brave the cold and went outside to bury their heads in the snow. (Honestly. They were playing "ostrich.") Stan started shoveling while I watched from the warmth of my teacup. Once again, we spent the day playing and talking. We cooked and baked. We talked about Advent and what Christmas means to us this year. We went to bed satisfied.

By Monday afternoon, when Monkey & Peanut's mom picked them up for the winter break, it felt sad to break up our little gang. Three days together with no errands or projects was a tremendous blessing. More than a blessing, it was everything I had asked for for Christmas - rest and peace.

So here I am, about to celebrate Christmas proper, and feeling too spoiled to ask for anything more. I hope that each of you will find that joy and satisfaction as you go through your own holiday season.

Flashback

Stan was out this evening so I ran the show solo. Monkey & Peanut each had long lists of things to accomplish before bedtime so I was dreading the evening. They rose to the task, though. Each accomplished her list and had extra time to do something freely chosen. Extra time is elusive in this house so for both to find some borders on miraculous.

I finally got all three girls tucked in, lights out, and then had quite a flashback: Now that I've got the kids down, what am I going to do until the parents get home? That's right folks, standing there in my very own kitchen, after putting my own kids to bed, I thought for one fleeting moment that I was the babysitter.

I haven't yet decided what this says about my mental state.