Home tour

[hotwine]

After church yesterday, we spent 3 1/2 hours at the local "parade of homes", touring nine new abodes in the $1.3-$1.7M range. Most had outdoor kitchens integrated into their patios and pool areas, a couple had "wine rooms" (without refrigeration), and most had small built-in wine fridges in the kitchens. The "wine rooms" were just off the kitchen in each case, and appeared to be designed as tasting rooms, with storage units to be added later by the buyers. Interesting. But I came away with the impression that the builders were "filling squares", as though they had read in their latest builders' rags that they needed to provide something wine-related in their new custom floorplans. There didn't seem to be any real thought behind the designs, although all nine houses have already sold.

We were most impressed with the outdoor living spaces, especially the patio kitchens. May try to do something like that here over the next year or two.

For supper, I grilled a Copper River salmon fillet on a cedar plank, and D prepared fresh asparagus and buttered baby carrots. A Kenwood Pinot Noir paired perfectly.

[Innkeeper]

I am surprised; NOT!

[Thomas]

In the possible words of Groucho Marks: what were you doing on a cedar plank???

More importantly, sounds like a nice meal and an expensive bunch of homes!

[hotwine]

You're right on both counts, Foodie: nice, food, expensive homes for this market.

It turns out one of the homes actually did have a wine cellar.... beneath the guest suite! There it is on that house's pages in the tour booklet. That home was very crowded, and we didn't even get into the guest suite, being distracted by the really nice patio, pool and outdoor kitchen. That house has his & hers 2-car garages, his & hers studies, 4 BR/4BA, pool, spa, designer kitchens, exercise studio, built-in flat-panel TVs in every room, you name it. Priced at $1.65M. At least a mil overpriced, IMHO.

[winoweenie]

The CR fishie is a fav of mine. Way too much wasted space IMHO in them dudes. Drop a couplea' BRs' and expand the wine cellars. WW

[Thomas]

Four-car garage--drop a few of them too and buy a motorcycle...

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 09-07-2004).]