What took so long, eh? A post about Tequila....
Tequila is produced in Mexico. And a particular part of Mexico. As champagne is only a 'sparkling wine' outside of a particular part of France, tequila is only made within a certain physical location in Mexico.
And some tequila is made for distribution in Mexico and some is made for export.
We've tried - in our time here - to find a tequila that we like, preferably a bit smokey yet smooth. And we've found several that will fill the bill.
However, while still in southern California we ate frequently (about 5 or 6 nights a week during the last year) at a family-run restaurant in nearby Chatsworth. And our favorite tequilas there were Partida and Tres Generationes. Both were available in a Reposada version, with enough time in a recycled whiskey barrel to impart a fine smokey taste. It wasn't necessary to go with the Añejo version, but the Reposada was my favorite.
Most mixed drinks are made with the Silver (no time in wood) version and there are those who say 'Why bother with Resposada or Añejo in a mixed drink?' Well, I'm here to tell you that if you can't taste the difference between a Silver and at least a Reposada, your tongue needs an overhaul!
Our waiters used to look at me when I ordered the margaritas as if I was wasting the Reposada tequila, but as long as I could taste the difference, it was worth the upcharge.
Michael recently discovered Partida Reposada at a local beverage shop (La Europea - which has branches all over Mexico - including the place we're visiting later in January, Cabo San Lucas) which carries Partida and we've sprung for the cost. Perhaps we need to introduce my brother to Partida...
Now Michael tells me that Tres Generationes is available both at La Europea and Mega (which forms part of our back wall in the backyard). I'll probably be there tomorrow shopping....
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Winter Willies
I know that our weather is nowhere near that our families and friends are experiencing in the States, but it's darned cold down here.
According to our nifty infrared thermometer, it's 58F outside and 65F inside. Why so cold?
Two reasons: Due to a lack of trees, homes here are made of brick, cement, and plaster. Once they get cold, they stay cold. Once the weather turns to something warmer, it will take at least 3 days to warm the house up. Until then, it's like living in an ice cube. Walls are cold, ceilings are cold, and floors are cold. With carpeting unknown, the tiles on the floor are cold, too.
Two: Without central heat you're pretty much at the whim of the weather. Many homes are without a source of heat at all; some have fireplaces in which you may install a set of gas logs (firewood is limited). We have the gas logs from our last house, but we have no fireplace in this house in which to install them. Instead we have two portable gas heaters that use tanks of propane the size one would use for a BBQ. The heaters produce an infrared heat source that works well when you're within striking distance of the heater. Further away it's not so warm - though there is some heat thrown off. It just takes a long time to heat a room.
And with the type of construction of homes here, there is no handy way to install central heat afterwards. It can be done in some circumstances, but not most. There has come on the market a heating/cooling unit that can be installed after construction, but that uses 220V electricity, which presents another problem which is addressed in the second paragraph down the page.
We're lucky enough to have two heaters - one for upstairs and one for downstairs. You just have to keep a spare tank or two on hand or you'll run out over a weekend. It's not like it runs off our main tank for the house. In our very first house we did not have gas heaters. Instead we had a few electric heaters and January & February were especially cold and wet that year. The dogs and we huddled in the office (the computers threw off some heat) during the day and moved to the bedroom at night. Luckily, we had read up on living in Mexico before moving here and had outfitted the bed with a heated mattress pad that provided low-voltage warmth. And there's a concern that the heaters produce carbon monoxide, so we really should have a warning system, but that hasn't happened yet, so we're very careful about using the heaters for any length of time. This makes it very icy in the morning....
The electric heaters did provide some heat, but jacked up our electricity bill by eliminating the supplemented reduction in the rate - for a 6-month period! The next year we went out early in the season and purchased gas heaters!
So we dress warmly inside and out, stay as dry as possible, use the portable electric heater in the bathroom only when taking showers, and think warm thoughts!
I suppose it's all relative....
According to our nifty infrared thermometer, it's 58F outside and 65F inside. Why so cold?
Two reasons: Due to a lack of trees, homes here are made of brick, cement, and plaster. Once they get cold, they stay cold. Once the weather turns to something warmer, it will take at least 3 days to warm the house up. Until then, it's like living in an ice cube. Walls are cold, ceilings are cold, and floors are cold. With carpeting unknown, the tiles on the floor are cold, too.
Two: Without central heat you're pretty much at the whim of the weather. Many homes are without a source of heat at all; some have fireplaces in which you may install a set of gas logs (firewood is limited). We have the gas logs from our last house, but we have no fireplace in this house in which to install them. Instead we have two portable gas heaters that use tanks of propane the size one would use for a BBQ. The heaters produce an infrared heat source that works well when you're within striking distance of the heater. Further away it's not so warm - though there is some heat thrown off. It just takes a long time to heat a room.
And with the type of construction of homes here, there is no handy way to install central heat afterwards. It can be done in some circumstances, but not most. There has come on the market a heating/cooling unit that can be installed after construction, but that uses 220V electricity, which presents another problem which is addressed in the second paragraph down the page.
We're lucky enough to have two heaters - one for upstairs and one for downstairs. You just have to keep a spare tank or two on hand or you'll run out over a weekend. It's not like it runs off our main tank for the house. In our very first house we did not have gas heaters. Instead we had a few electric heaters and January & February were especially cold and wet that year. The dogs and we huddled in the office (the computers threw off some heat) during the day and moved to the bedroom at night. Luckily, we had read up on living in Mexico before moving here and had outfitted the bed with a heated mattress pad that provided low-voltage warmth. And there's a concern that the heaters produce carbon monoxide, so we really should have a warning system, but that hasn't happened yet, so we're very careful about using the heaters for any length of time. This makes it very icy in the morning....
The electric heaters did provide some heat, but jacked up our electricity bill by eliminating the supplemented reduction in the rate - for a 6-month period! The next year we went out early in the season and purchased gas heaters!
So we dress warmly inside and out, stay as dry as possible, use the portable electric heater in the bathroom only when taking showers, and think warm thoughts!
I suppose it's all relative....
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Christmas Celebrations
So, it's nearly 4:30 in the afternoon of Christmas Day here and we're finishing off last night's eggnog. The 'nog' is a blend of rum and brandy which makes the egg part quite yummy! We did have a small gathering last night with the French-Canadien tourtiere (a pork pie) served with pickles and ketchup in the manner of the Michigan U. P. accompanied with green beans and cherry tomatoes (successful, so they'll make another appearance at the New Year's Day dinner) and a simple salad. And eggnog, of course. Hadn't made it in years, but it seemed so appropriate! Dessert was skipped (didn't get made) and it's just as well. Made it this morning and we didn't have the correct type of pastry so substituted rolled out biscuits. Not quite the thing - though the raspberry/blackberry filling was quite good.
Last night we also put together this morning's breakfast casserole - which we've nearly polished off! Not sure what's for dinner.... We've been too busy planning for last night and a larger party on New Years Day to be concerned with the day-to-day menus. I think we may be out of quickie things to fix - oh, no!!!
Friends and family keep suggesting that we go downtown so they can see us on the SMA webcam, but the Centro Historico is crowded for the holidays and we don't really 'do' bunches of people. We will be downtown to meet internet friends tomorrow - maybe we can manage something then - though many of our friends and family will be back at work, I suppose. Maybe this weekend would work better? The Jardin is about a 35 - 40 minute walk, so it's hard to be precise about appearance times. We did manage it once!
We have finally hooked up with some internet friends who are in town for a few weeks from the Great Northwest. We'll meet in person tomorrow morning. David proceeded me as a moderator on the Yahoo Groups List about San Miguel. So we've been 'we'll have to get together' for a couple of years without success. Hope we like each other in person!
Other than the explosions at the stroke of midnight - those well-known aerial bombs, some of which were set off just across the street - kept Miyaki awake and barking, but eventually stopped. Both Miyaki and I are very glad of that!
Otherwise it's been a quiet day. Would watch the finale of the eleventh Dr Who tonight, but it's on BBC America and we only get BBC World News. Drat! Maybe we can get it on a tablet???
I hear Michael rolling the downstairs heater around in the living room, so I guess I should throw some clothes on (bathrobes are so comfy) and see what's up.
Chat with you later....
Last night we also put together this morning's breakfast casserole - which we've nearly polished off! Not sure what's for dinner.... We've been too busy planning for last night and a larger party on New Years Day to be concerned with the day-to-day menus. I think we may be out of quickie things to fix - oh, no!!!
Friends and family keep suggesting that we go downtown so they can see us on the SMA webcam, but the Centro Historico is crowded for the holidays and we don't really 'do' bunches of people. We will be downtown to meet internet friends tomorrow - maybe we can manage something then - though many of our friends and family will be back at work, I suppose. Maybe this weekend would work better? The Jardin is about a 35 - 40 minute walk, so it's hard to be precise about appearance times. We did manage it once!
We have finally hooked up with some internet friends who are in town for a few weeks from the Great Northwest. We'll meet in person tomorrow morning. David proceeded me as a moderator on the Yahoo Groups List about San Miguel. So we've been 'we'll have to get together' for a couple of years without success. Hope we like each other in person!
Other than the explosions at the stroke of midnight - those well-known aerial bombs, some of which were set off just across the street - kept Miyaki awake and barking, but eventually stopped. Both Miyaki and I are very glad of that!
Otherwise it's been a quiet day. Would watch the finale of the eleventh Dr Who tonight, but it's on BBC America and we only get BBC World News. Drat! Maybe we can get it on a tablet???
I hear Michael rolling the downstairs heater around in the living room, so I guess I should throw some clothes on (bathrobes are so comfy) and see what's up.
Chat with you later....
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Holidays
It's almost over -- the celebration of the Virgin Mary's birth, though here in Mexico it's the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.
Unfortunately, the folks in Mexico love to celebrate with aerial bombs. Any excuse for some bangs and they're on it! And since this is such a big holiday, they've been going off since last night - through the night - and all day.
We don't even have a church in our neighborhood. Most holidays w/aerial bombs are church-related and with no local church, the explosions are rather distant. But these have been as close as a few doors away on our street! I did go out on the front terrace and glare at the folks setting them off. Not sure it did much good, but they stopped temporarily.
Fiyero doesn't like them, but Miyake barks back at them. Last night she finally fell asleep about 2 am - barking at each explosion up until them. But when the sun came up she resumed her responses. And it's not just a bark in return, but she responds with peals of barking...
Of course, holidays like these generate a lot of postings on the Civil List - and then people respond with 'Why don't you go back to where you came from if you don't like it' - and then we have to get involved with the 'Don't be rude' notes. There have not been a lot of comments for this holiday; maybe people are wising up to this is what happens in Mexico? Or their internet connection is down....
We are off to dinner with friends who live in the new Vista Magna development not far from our little part of town, but with a spectacular view, especially at night when all the churches are lit up. Not too many people are living in the development yet, so it should be quiet.
One can always hope....
Unfortunately, the folks in Mexico love to celebrate with aerial bombs. Any excuse for some bangs and they're on it! And since this is such a big holiday, they've been going off since last night - through the night - and all day.
We don't even have a church in our neighborhood. Most holidays w/aerial bombs are church-related and with no local church, the explosions are rather distant. But these have been as close as a few doors away on our street! I did go out on the front terrace and glare at the folks setting them off. Not sure it did much good, but they stopped temporarily.
Fiyero doesn't like them, but Miyake barks back at them. Last night she finally fell asleep about 2 am - barking at each explosion up until them. But when the sun came up she resumed her responses. And it's not just a bark in return, but she responds with peals of barking...
Of course, holidays like these generate a lot of postings on the Civil List - and then people respond with 'Why don't you go back to where you came from if you don't like it' - and then we have to get involved with the 'Don't be rude' notes. There have not been a lot of comments for this holiday; maybe people are wising up to this is what happens in Mexico? Or their internet connection is down....
We are off to dinner with friends who live in the new Vista Magna development not far from our little part of town, but with a spectacular view, especially at night when all the churches are lit up. Not too many people are living in the development yet, so it should be quiet.
One can always hope....
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Tuesday
It was a successful mid-week trip to Home Depot and Costco in nearby (45 km away) Celaya, a malfunctioning heater replaced, and a birthday party attended.
Our friend's mother recently purchased a condominium home here in San Miguel and the blessing of the house is scheduled for this next Saturday. Of course, that means a party, so off we went to Celaya to look for a BBQ grill (how can you have a party without food?).
We had made arrangements to visit our local hardware store on Monday, taking our friend along. It really helps to have a Spanish-speaking person with you when dealing with esoteric situations. Our second heater we purchased just a week ago had gone on the fritz and wouldn't stay lit. Luckily the weather had warmed up a bit and we didn't really need the heater on the second floor.
However, Michael was glad of our friend's company and an exchange was easily arranged. So we're ready - again - for cold weather. Our former gas heater went over to our friend's house and has been working well there. The lack of central heating has been something that we've had to become accustomed. After the first winter here - when once we decided that it was going to be cold and damp and we needed a heater - there were none to be had and we had to make due with electric heaters -- very expensive to run.
These gas infrared heaters are so much simpler - and less expensive.
On Tuesday, after inspecting their inventory, a grill was selected and off we went to Costco for some light shopping. I think we got out for under $3000 pesos, so it wasn't bad. Our friend and his mother also picked up some needed household supplies.
Upon returning to SMA, we decided to visit the Tuesday Market for the meat to be BBQ-ed. Now I know why we haven't gone to the tiangus since we first moved to San Miguel! It's huge and there are a surfeit of people all going from one stall to the next. Just short of pandemonium! But our friend knew where to look for what he needed (and we got some meats, too). The walk back to the car was shorter than the walk from the car to the vendor - luckily.
We were invited to a friend's birthday party nearby on Tuesday evening, so off we went. The party was nice - we knew most of the people - and the celebrator had hired a caterer and musician. Very pleasant, though I was pressed into service bar tending - and didn't really have all the things I needed. Still, every one was happy, so it was all good.
A busy Tuesday; returning home, we fell into bed and slept the sleep of the dead.
Such is our life here in San Miguel!
Our friend's mother recently purchased a condominium home here in San Miguel and the blessing of the house is scheduled for this next Saturday. Of course, that means a party, so off we went to Celaya to look for a BBQ grill (how can you have a party without food?).
We had made arrangements to visit our local hardware store on Monday, taking our friend along. It really helps to have a Spanish-speaking person with you when dealing with esoteric situations. Our second heater we purchased just a week ago had gone on the fritz and wouldn't stay lit. Luckily the weather had warmed up a bit and we didn't really need the heater on the second floor.
However, Michael was glad of our friend's company and an exchange was easily arranged. So we're ready - again - for cold weather. Our former gas heater went over to our friend's house and has been working well there. The lack of central heating has been something that we've had to become accustomed. After the first winter here - when once we decided that it was going to be cold and damp and we needed a heater - there were none to be had and we had to make due with electric heaters -- very expensive to run.
These gas infrared heaters are so much simpler - and less expensive.
On Tuesday, after inspecting their inventory, a grill was selected and off we went to Costco for some light shopping. I think we got out for under $3000 pesos, so it wasn't bad. Our friend and his mother also picked up some needed household supplies.
Upon returning to SMA, we decided to visit the Tuesday Market for the meat to be BBQ-ed. Now I know why we haven't gone to the tiangus since we first moved to San Miguel! It's huge and there are a surfeit of people all going from one stall to the next. Just short of pandemonium! But our friend knew where to look for what he needed (and we got some meats, too). The walk back to the car was shorter than the walk from the car to the vendor - luckily.
We were invited to a friend's birthday party nearby on Tuesday evening, so off we went. The party was nice - we knew most of the people - and the celebrator had hired a caterer and musician. Very pleasant, though I was pressed into service bar tending - and didn't really have all the things I needed. Still, every one was happy, so it was all good.
A busy Tuesday; returning home, we fell into bed and slept the sleep of the dead.
Such is our life here in San Miguel!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Registration Renewals
So, as I mentioned earlier today, we need to renew our registration in the January/March 2014 window. We were directed to a local bank, Banamex. However, we do not bank with Banamex. It was tied to Bank of America, which we do not like.
So we (Michael) went looking on the internet. As it turns out, we can renew our registration at any of several banks. And our bank is one of them!
And we should be able to do it online!
We'll let you know if this works out the way we think it may once we're in 2014. Our bank's website is set up for 2013 registrations at present.
So we (Michael) went looking on the internet. As it turns out, we can renew our registration at any of several banks. And our bank is one of them!
And we should be able to do it online!
We'll let you know if this works out the way we think it may once we're in 2014. Our bank's website is set up for 2013 registrations at present.
Vehicle Registration and a Belated Turkey-Day Feast
Oh, gosh -- I left you hanging, eh? So sorry! Well, the next Wednesday came and went and we're now proud owners of a nationalized and locally registered minivan.!
The second step was painless: waiting to be called, some signatures, a payment for the plates, we were handed our plates and off we went! We had hoped that the VIN inspection and plates would all happen on the same visit, but it was not to be. Except for the waiting, it was pretty painless.
Didn't use the inspection station near Rentas after all - no McBurger! - but used one we had used before (we had smogged a NOB vehicle - which didn't really need to be done) less than a mile down the road from our home. Based upon the last digit of our plate number [8], our bi-annual inspections will be due in February/March and again in August/September. Glad we have a window to get the testing, as we will be out of town for much of August.
Our annual registration renewal is due in a January/March window. I understand that no notice is sent (!), you are supposed to just know when they are due. (Everyone's is due during this period, but no one told us - had to find someone to ask). Simple, I guess: go to a bank, show them your 'card of circulation', pay them the fee and you're set for the year. Hoping that we can do this at our bank so we won't need to shift funds around too much, but the bank to which we were directed is just a block away from home. Annual cost for two smog inspections and what we expect the registration to be: $2 USD per week, depending upon what the registration fee will actually be - and the current exchange rate!
Got the plates/registration just a few days before Michael drove off to Guadalajara for our friend's family event. Timing was good - just a little too close for my comfort. Have I mentioned that I like to plan ahead?
Last night we had a dinner for friends - sort of a belated Thanksgiving. At least there was a turkey on the table! Four different appetizers, a non-dairy cream of carrot soup, jicama salad, the aforementioned salad, a spiced turkey breast with apple chutney [which was really good, even if a bit spicy (the chutney)], three side dishes (corn moque choux, the usual green bean casserole (which we've not had in years - if ever), and our traditional shredded Brussels sprouts with prosciutto dish), and homemade pumpkin pie for dessert (complements of Victor).
Of course French bubbly, local wine, and Starbucks Christmas Espresso Roast coffee was served. Victor helped with the dishes as we cleared each course last night and we finished the washing up early this morning. The house is now back to normal.
Now nothing on our schedule until the blessing of his mother's new house next Sunday here in San Miguel. It's a lovely, new condo with a rooftop deck that has a spectacular view of San Miguel. I think Victor will be BBQ-ing on the roof....
The second step was painless: waiting to be called, some signatures, a payment for the plates, we were handed our plates and off we went! We had hoped that the VIN inspection and plates would all happen on the same visit, but it was not to be. Except for the waiting, it was pretty painless.
Didn't use the inspection station near Rentas after all - no McBurger! - but used one we had used before (we had smogged a NOB vehicle - which didn't really need to be done) less than a mile down the road from our home. Based upon the last digit of our plate number [8], our bi-annual inspections will be due in February/March and again in August/September. Glad we have a window to get the testing, as we will be out of town for much of August.
Our annual registration renewal is due in a January/March window. I understand that no notice is sent (!), you are supposed to just know when they are due. (Everyone's is due during this period, but no one told us - had to find someone to ask). Simple, I guess: go to a bank, show them your 'card of circulation', pay them the fee and you're set for the year. Hoping that we can do this at our bank so we won't need to shift funds around too much, but the bank to which we were directed is just a block away from home. Annual cost for two smog inspections and what we expect the registration to be: $2 USD per week, depending upon what the registration fee will actually be - and the current exchange rate!
Got the plates/registration just a few days before Michael drove off to Guadalajara for our friend's family event. Timing was good - just a little too close for my comfort. Have I mentioned that I like to plan ahead?
Last night we had a dinner for friends - sort of a belated Thanksgiving. At least there was a turkey on the table! Four different appetizers, a non-dairy cream of carrot soup, jicama salad, the aforementioned salad, a spiced turkey breast with apple chutney [which was really good, even if a bit spicy (the chutney)], three side dishes (corn moque choux, the usual green bean casserole (which we've not had in years - if ever), and our traditional shredded Brussels sprouts with prosciutto dish), and homemade pumpkin pie for dessert (complements of Victor).
Of course French bubbly, local wine, and Starbucks Christmas Espresso Roast coffee was served. Victor helped with the dishes as we cleared each course last night and we finished the washing up early this morning. The house is now back to normal.
Now nothing on our schedule until the blessing of his mother's new house next Sunday here in San Miguel. It's a lovely, new condo with a rooftop deck that has a spectacular view of San Miguel. I think Victor will be BBQ-ing on the roof....
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