New Year's - 2015

Last night was spent quietly enjoying some champagne and snacks.  It was funny, even though I had the TV countdown on, I really didn't need it.  When midnight rolled around, there was lots of noisemakers and fireworks in the neighborhood.

This morning I woke up to cloudy skies and a light dusting of snow.

Fortunately, it was cold enough when it started to snow that there wasn't any ice, just some dry snow.

Later on, the clouds went away for the most part and the sun emerged.  As can be expected here in the Albuquerque metro area, folks celebrated by launching a couple of balloons from the park out back.  Balloons normally go up in the morning, so I was startled when I heard the propane whoosh around 2:00 PM.

The above two balloons seem to be a joint effort.

About half an hour later, I heard another whoosh.  Et, voila!

I'm not sure if the bumble bee color scheme balloon was with the first two or if it showed up independently.

Typical Albuquerque metro celebrating of the holiday.

Happy New Year!
Papillon

Champagne on New Year's Eve

A bit of history (historical history, not my history):  In 1772 Philippe Clicquot-Muiron founded the company that would eventually become Veuve Clicquot (pronounced vuv klee-KOH).  In 1798, Philippe's son, Francois Clicquot, married Barb-Nicole Ponsardin.  Francois died in 1805.  His widow (veuve is French for widow) was left in control of a company that handled banking, wool trading and Champagne production.  Barbe-Nicole decided to concentrate on the Champagne production.  As part of that, she is credited with the breakthrough allowing for the mass production of wine.  When Barbe-Nicole died in 1866, Veuve Clicquot was a substantial Champagne house and respected brand enjoyed by, among others, many of the royal houses of Europe, including Imperial Russia and England.

I had heard of Veuve Clicquot and had read a biography of Barbe-Nicole a couple of years ago.  So, when I found Veuve Clicquot Champagne for sale at, of all places, Costco at a reasonable price, I bought a bottle planning on having it on New Year's Eve.  Although it is a very pleasant wine to drink, sadly it did not blow me away.  I was expecting WOW!  Or even wow!  Instead, I got an OK.  Sigh. 

Oh, well.  I celebrated New Year's Eve as I like to - quietly and at home.  I definitely don't like going to New Year's Eve parties.  I went once (with friends) during grad school and hated it.  I don't like crowds.  I especially don't like noisy crowds.  I even more especially don't like drunk, noisy crowds.  So, staying home is just what I like.  No noise.  No crowds.  No standing in line to use a public restroom.

I just wish the Champagne had lived up to my hopes and had blown my socks off.  I guess if that's the worse thing that happens in 2012, I should have a pretty good year.

Bonne Annee,

Papillon