When President Bush told the nation that citizens needed to help this great country by going shopping, we said, "HUH???" But our economic stimulus check eventually showed up in the mail. The smart plan would have been to save the cash--create a little nest egg for an unpredictable future or start a college fund for our son. But the check stared us down.



And so this once, we actually did what Bush told us to do.

My first response was, "Curtains! Miles and miles of pretty curtains!" Jason's response was, "Gadgets! Upgrade by downsizing! Smaller gadgets!" In the end, our plan morphed into death and an auction. Specifically, a benefit for the local nonprofit, The Dougy Center for Grieving Children.

It was a win-win situation. We spent our economic stimulus check by donating it to The Dougy Center, and in return we ended up the winners of four incredible bottles of wine: a 1990 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac, a 1983 Chateau Pichon Baron Pauillac, a 1983 Chateau Gruaud Larose, and the grand-daddy of them all, a 1975 Petrus Pommerol.



You're probably wondering how one measly stimulus check won this bidding feat. It didn't. We went halfsies with another couple who also spent their stimulus for the glory of owning of a Petrus.

And so all four of us planned a three-day beach retreat in a quaint little corner of the Oregon coast called Neskowin. We stayed at a beautiful ocean-front beach home, and filled its refrigerator with four lobsters, two pounds of clams, two pounds of crab, and 18 oysters. Also in tow were two three-year olds, stacks of animated movies, Goldfish, animal crackers, and a bag full of toys. Children be damned! We were intent on drinking this Petrus in style!



Bacchanalia Partners in Crime:



Kenny: Kenny works in construction finance for Kaiser. He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and his hobbies include golf, soccer, the outdoors and music. This "Weegie" is originally from the west coast of Scotland.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth is a commercial real estate investor. She is active in many Portland nonprofits and is busy raising her three-year old daughter.

Thing One and Thing Two:



Dinner:

• Elizabeth's deviled eggs
• mushroom shrimp Rockefeller
• steamer clams with rustic baguette
• roasted red bell pepper soup with crostini and olive oil
• salad from Kenny and Elizabeth's garden
• gorgonzola crab leg tortellini
• chocolate stout cake with milk chocolate ganache

Wine:

• St. Innocent, 'Temperance Hill Vineyard', Pinot Noir, 2004
• Beaux Freres, 'The Upper Terrace', Ribbon Ridge, Grenache, 2006
• Stags Leap, Petite Syrah, 2000
• Chateau Laufaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes (Premier Cru), 2003