Good job Pete.
Alternate airport, not alternate approach.

http://www.aopa.org/pilot/features/ii_9807.html
AOPA's article on the subject. It points out that FSS is a good place to
start asking for alternate suggestions as they have the forecasts right in
front of them.

When I file and am required to list an alternate, the first line of thought
that goes through my mind is "why" I need an alternate.... What weather
phenomenon has created the conditions, is it moving, which direction, and
how fast?

A wide area of like conditions forcast to remain the same or deteriorate
will usually tell me to pick an alternate that is enroute prior to my
original destination, however, if my original destination is in a low lying
area, near water and possibly surrounded by ground fog, an airport close by
but at a higher elevation may be the ticket. Same theory for lake effect
snow, go where it isn't! I'm usually better off filing an alternate further
inland than along the lake even though I will be going past my original
destination. I also try to pick alternate airports that have more services
than my original destination, if the weather is bad enough that I can't get
into Podunk on their VOR or GPS approach I know that the weather is worse
than forecast and my alternate will be the closest ILS with radar but
hopefully in the direction of more favorable conditions. Note that once
choosing the alternate the weather at the alternate then must meet the non
precision 800/2 and precision 600/2 rule. But to steal a line from AOPA's
article "It is also worth noting here that alternate minimums apply for
planning purposes alone. If you're airborne and heading to the alternate,
published minimums will now apply."

Jim