One of those rare series of events occurred last night: My husband and I were able to enjoy dinner sans kids.  Because he had to work late, I'd already put the sweet little angels in their beds.  While doing that, the dog at the three pounds of grass-fed sirloin I'd marinated to perfection off the counter.

Once the dog was banished to the outside and I'd managed to take enough deep breaths to not explode, I pulled out another package of (frozen solid) steaks and threw them on the grill.  Defrosting and marinating be damned; I was having a romantic dinner with my husband -- albeit, one that needed some sharp knives.  We celebrated our adult conversation and tough beef with a bottle of Z'Ivo 2005 Pinot Noir (about $6 on sale at Sunflower Market).  This wine, from Willamette Valley, is extremely friendly: cherry at the front and coffee for a finish.  It went well with our burnt-and-bloody beef.  We sipped more as we nibbled 73% dark chocolate and discussed everything from the kids' days to the UN Security Council. 

It's nights like last night that I so appreciate bottles of wine.  To be able to relax and sip a soothing elixir that revitalizes my palate -- that is indeed a luxury.