This feast we also a chance to visit with my niece, Kari. She now lives in Huston, Texas of all places on God's (somewhat) green earth. Kari has developed an appreciation of wine over the years, so it is always fun to talk with her about what she has been drinking. We started our meal with an '06 St Innocent's Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. From there we proceeded to a Washington State Riesling. We brought Kari an '06 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir to take home with her to Texas.
Wine reminds me that I am a rich person. It certainly is not necessary for life. It is an extravagance. So, I try to be thankful for just how blessed I am. Part of that blessing is good wine. Part of it is being surrounded by family and friends who love me and put up with me. Part of it is feasts at which we can eat much more than we need for our daily bread. This feast culminated in a pinochle tournament! We ended up staying overnight and then into the next day and on into a second supper. We were graciously asked if we'd like to spend another night. But we know that "fish and friends start to stink after three days" so we made our way home, driving past the very wineries that had produced the wines we had just enjoyed. And that's the final blessing. I live in a wonderful, green, beautiful place, where they make truly beautiful wines.