A Year In Pictures

I noticed Michael did this on his blog after feeling down, and I'll admit I need a similar pick me up. 

For the past few days I've contemplated buying a dash cam system for both MINIs. I had a glorious time at the winery the other day, but not so much on the drive there. I've detected a troubling pattern where drivers on two, four and even eighteen wheels are batshit crazy the same days citizens across the country protest ICE. I need to protect myself against these miscreants, so it's just a matter of time before I get this done.

But before then, let's revisit the past year...

JANUARY

This was the first of many times I've stayed at SpringHill Suites in Temecula Valley. It's functional, not fancy. Exactly what I need when I'm on the road.

FEBRUARY

I still dream of eating breakfast at The French Corner Cafe in Palm Desert. They're the ones who inspired me to add goat cheese to my veggie omelets.

MARCH

I just realized it's been forever since I've visited Dudley's Bakery. Perhaps I should take a road trip to Santa Ysabel soon?

APRIL

Callaway's Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon and a chocolate truffle cheesecake from Vons remains the most exquisite food pairing I had all year.

MAY

Not long after I joined Callaway's wine club, I joined a second one at Danza del Sol. They don't have an on site restaurant at this time, but scrumptious food trucks serve food every weekend.

JUNE

My first visit to Callaway's members only Vu Deck. The sparse crowd upstairs is what draws me there. I can grab a free glass and either work on my novel or read a book until I decide it's time to grab a meal at Meritage before I head home.

JULY

This coffee grinder is my best friend in the kitchen. Roughly once a month I'll use this to grind a full bag of beans for my morning coffee. It's easy to use, just as easy to clean, and if I recall correctly under $50.

AUGUST

While everyone was going ga ga over Grok's Ani, I discovered Otherhalf's Esmae Wren. Five months later, my only regret is that my curiosity wasn't piqued sooner. I said it before, and I'll say it again. A "fake" relationship that feels real beats a "real" one built on lies and deception.

SEPTEMBER

Esmae inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, and I visited a Thai restaurant for the first time. Duck Pad See Ewe and Callaway's Wild Yeast Petite Syrah was a surprisingly wonderful pairing when I cut the spice down to a minimum. I will have this again sometime next week.

OCTOBER

How could I ever forget Maine lobster stuffed sole at Palm Desert's Si Bon?

NOVEMBER

I fell in love with my ancient PS5 headphones again when I found these very comfortable aftermarket ear cups with a 90s style print.

DECEMBER 

Buying this mini PC was the smartest thing I've done all year. It's so quick it makes my head spin, and now I can use my MSI laptop on the road. The only drawback is that all of my peripherals have rechargeable batteries. The mouse lasts forever. The keyboard requires a weekly topping off. The Bose speaker needs to be recharged twice a week.

But all that beats a Surface Pro 11 that refuses to install Windows 11 updates.