Christmas Lights: Downtown Oklahoma City All A-Glow

You can't keep every GPS device ever created. There is nothing as wonderful as getting lost in a construction zone in downtown Oklahoma City. No, I haven't lost my mind. A few days ago, we were zigzagging down one way streets downtown amidst all sorts of construction and saw the most beautiful sites. If we had GPS, we would have missed it all. What were those beautiful sites? I'd be more than happy to explain...

Downtown Oklahoma City was caught up in the Christmas spirit! Lights were twinkling and sparkling everywhere. The trees in The Myriad Botanical Gardens were covered in lights of all colors. Entire sides of buildings were draped in Christmas lights. Despite the craziness of the construction, we continued to drive around the area - caught up in the warmth of the holiday season.

Exactly where these lights were located, I can't tell you. It was quite late at night and seeing the exact street signs wasn't a priority. I can, however, give you directions. Heading east on Reno Avenue, take the first left after The Myriad Botanical Gardens. Then take the first left that is just north of the Gardens. Continue zigzagging through the construction and one way streets and you will see more than your share of gorgeous Christmas lights.

Siobhann, our four year old daughter squealed and clapped her hands in delight at all the lights. She even thanked Santa for hanging all those lights in her letter to him. Unfortunately, due to traffic, I wasn't able to take any photos. I plan to go back one evening, very soon, and capture those lights on film. It will be well worth the trip from Stillwater. Especially with Siobhann with me!

It is a glorious way to get into the Christmas spirit. We sang Christmas carols all the way home. Yes, an hour of Christmas carols at the top of our lungs. No radio to help us with the words. The only conversation between my husband, daughter and myself was which carol to sing next.

Long story short, wherever you live in Oklahoma, it is well worth the drive to Oklahoma City to see these lights. I'm not sure, but I think there is a good chance that as Christmas gets closer even more lights will be added. Load up as many people as you can, turn off your GPS devices and bring your cameras; enjoy downtown Oklahoma City all a-glow!

Happy Oklahoma travels,

Emma Riley Sutton

A Good Okie Wine

I'm a baseball connoisseur, not a wine connoisseur. I know what I like and I know what I don't like. That's all that matters to me. I have varied tastes. I love the fruity ones and the spicy ones. A rich dry wine is perfect for me as is sharply sweet wine. Thankfully, I found a rather interesting wine made right here in Oklahoma. After one glass, it became one of my favorite wines of all times. I'm talking about the jalapeno raisin wine from the Plain View Winery in Lahoma.

If you are looking for fancy "wine words," you won't find them here. I've never written a wine review. In fact, I don't think I've ever seriously read a wine review. I simply drink wine occasionally and I finally found one that is worth writing about.

This jalapeno raisin wine is unlike any wine I've ever tasted before. It isn't spicy and it doesn't have the "jalapeno heat" I was expecting. It is warm though. The aftertaste has a bit of the jalapeno heat I was expecting, but it is very subtle. It isn't something you would notice unless you were really paying attention to it. I suppose the sweetness of the raisin balances the heat and the fruitiness. It reminds me of a smooth bourbon, but with the texture of a wine.

What should you drink it with? I don't have a clue. I drank my with a combination pizza from Mazzio's. I tend to drink wine I like with food I like. Yes, I mix red wine with fish and white wine with steak. Hey, I'm the one drinking the wine and eating the food. Why shouldn't I eat and drink what I like?

I've made that about as clear as mud, haven't I? Let me make it a little bit clearer. It is a good wine and you should try it. Be careful, though. Never drink and drive or operate machine. Sorry, you've probably heard that before. And, if you aren't old enough to drink, don't do it. For the record, my mom hat never comes off. You should know that this wine has quite a kick. One glass and I was done. I had a second because I was at home and it tasted so good! So...

If you're ever in Lahoma, stop in the Plain View Winery and pick up a bottle or two. Stop into your local liquor store and see if they carry it. A little FYI - the Browns Bottle Shop in Stillwater is where I bought it. They even offered a 10% discount off all Oklahoma wines. I now know where I'm shopping for all my Okie wines.

Happy Oklahoma traveling,

Emma Riley Sutton