Halloween comes but once a year so I say go all out! I like to decorate from the street to the back yard! Some years we have had a big bash and some years we go for a more intimate, close knit, ghoulish affair. This year we a keeping it small but the details are still hauntingly fun! And you must wear a costume or you’re head will be lopped off! Continue reading
This lemony drink will sneak up on you! As the black skull floating in the yellow drink slowly begins to melt, an eerie affect begins to swirl around in your glass. As you sip your martini, the anise scent of the skull permeates your senses and combines with the rosemary lemon on your tongue. Your guests will all be talking about how nice a Slow Death can be…. Continue reading
Banana Bread loaves make wonderful gifts for the holidays or other special occasions. Our friends Michele and Mike recently welcomed their little girl, Ava, into the world and I made several dinners for them so they could have more time with the family and still have a great dinner. Continue reading
October brings mystery and witchcraft so it seems apropos to have some witchy tidbits served up with our cocktail today. In the late 1600’s, the Puritan settlement of Salem, Massachusetts flew into hysteria when accusations of witchcraft began to appear. Continue reading
I did get quite a few requests for the Pear and Blue Cheese Tart recipe from my post detailing the adventures in my kitchen last weekend. You can check out the whole story at: Theory of Relativity, A Cook’s Version. Then come back to try it out for yourself.
The tart is a wonderful blend of tangy blue cheese and sweetness from the pear all riding on the back of a crispy puff pastry base. The tart pairs beautifully with a Riesling or Chardonnay that isn’t too oaky. And pears are in season now! Continue reading
It’s wine tasting time again and our friends, Grant and Sherri, throw the best party every year! This year everyone was asked to wear hats to add an extra bit of fun to the festivities! Continue reading
A cocktail toast to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in celebration of his historic trip and discovery of San Diego! This weekend in San Diego, the annual Cabrillo Festival brings to life the story of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese conquistador and explorer in Mexico and Central America, who spent his youth in Cuba. Continue reading
Feeling Italian tonight? Pour a glass of wine and whip together this simple yet oh so luscious herb tomato sauce.
The secret to the thick flavorful sauce is the roux, a thickening agent used in three of the mother sauces of classical French cooking: sauce béchamel, sauce velouté and sauce espagnole. Usually it is equal parts of flour and fat. Another little French term that is used in recipes is Mirepoix, (pronounced “meer pwah”) A combination of onions 50%, carrots, 25% and celery 25% are the commonly used aromatics. Toss in some garlic and you will be saying Mangia, Mangia! Continue reading
Start the party on Friday but continue through the weekend. That is the beauty of Sangria. The longer the ingredients meld together the better it tastes. Sangria is a great summer time drink that goes with so many grilled foods and will please even your friends that “aren’t into wine”. Continue reading
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Life of the Party Always (LOTPA) is about socializing and making every occasion with friends and family a festive one .
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