The Menashe family on Beach Drive in West Seattle creates the largest light display in the neighborhood along with Christmas music playing in the background.  I hope their neighbors don’t mind!   If you need a little help getting in the holiday spirit, drive on by this home!

These videos were taking with my new Flip recorder on December 1 when we had our first snow.   I treated myself to this mini-video camera to celebrate Mortgage Porter’s first birthday. I’m learning I need to "slow down" when I’m taking a video (I may have to stick with still photography).   

Just in time for a Friday funny…at least it’s cracking me up!  My brother-in-law, Mike, just published a review of the wine that my husband and I made and bottled earlier this year:  ChaToe LaFeet.   Here is our first official review:

This week I’ll review a new wine, ChaToe LaFeet, a 2007 Amarone from the upstart West Seattle Winery called Two Dogs Wine. First tasted at a small gathering in Burien we pared the wine with a superb turkey. Once shaken (not stirred) the wine spilled beautifully over a green table cloth. The red over green made for a festive backdrop. Although no tears were shed, eyes did water and noses crinkled while lips were puckered into a deep red foam.

After the first taste and subsequent falling onto our knees, hence the Two Dog all fours position, most of us recovered fully. My doctor advised me that my vision will soon return. Stumbling in the dark I spilled the wine on some olive oil and lettuce and discovered a tasty tart salad dressing. I’ll save that for a future article.

When my doctor came back with the chemical analysis he suggested that the wine may be better pared with a Volkswagon as either biofuel or E-85. However, as I pointed out to the doctor, this is a first tasting of this vintage and having no comparison the Porter family tasters bestowed a Bronze medal and expect great things from this new winery.

Be sure to pick up next weeks review-Spilled Milk/Thanksgiving Tears: 
A new Whine Territory?

Yours truely,
Vashon Vinters and Arsenic Tasters

Look out Gary Vanderchuk!

Oh no, Daddy is cooking…I hope you enjoy this spoof of Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 and have a very happy Thanksgiving.   "Kitchen, this is Houston; is it ready yet?"

Mortgage Master will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23, 2007 to honor Thanksgiving.   

Bon Appetit!

This is the perfect afternoon pick me up!

Hat tip, or should I say Double Tall Latte to Dustin Luther.