Tidbit Tips

Julia Child’s Easy Semi-Demi-Glace to the Rescue!

I wanted to make the mushroom ragout from the Glazed Pork Roast recipe (post 12/28) for New Years Day and did not have demi-glace. I found this substitution on food.com submitted by littleturtle and gave it a whirl. It did the trick so I wanted to share an easy way to a flavorful sauce!

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January 1, 2011 ~ A Fresh Start!

Happy New Year 2011

Is it only symbolic or does it really matter? We like to find signs in things around us to help us believe that all is well, we are going the right direction, have made the right decision; so does it matter if the sign is real or just helps us stay on the optimistic path? We begin the New Year with numbers that shout “fresh start”! 1/1/11. The new beginning. The number 11 has been believed for years to hold spiritual and mystical powers.

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Limoncello Prosecco Cocktail – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Whether it is Champagne from France, Prosecco from Italy, Sekt from Germany, Cava from Spain or my go to bubbly Sparkling Wines from California, I always feel like it is a party when the cork is popped and the bubbles tingle the tip of my nose. Most people wait for a reason to celebrate with champagne but if you start with champagne, life then turns into a party. Each day can have a reason to celebrate.

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Celebrate Yourself

Celebrate Yourself !

During this holiday season , this time of celebration,

a time of reflection, a time of love,

I want to celebrate having you in my life.

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Sip Happens in the El Dorado Wine Country

We celebrated Boxing Day on Dec 26th in the El Dorado Wine Country by gathering up a box (case) of wine from several of the local wineries. This was a tough job but we felt we had to do our part. My brother Brett, his wife Kelly and my husband David helped me get the job done. We had been to the other wine country areas around our state but had never been to the foothills of the Sierra Mountains to experience their wine. Home to some of the oldest vines in California, this area is renowned for growing grapes that have intense fruit and deep color. And the people were incredibly friendly and had a great respect for each other as wine makers. What a delight it was! Continue reading →

Boxing Day

When my friend Ann, a Canadian, asked if we would like to come over and celebrate Boxing Day, I asked if we were going to fight with gloves on or just bare fisted. She laughed and explained to me what Boxing Day is, or has come to be.

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Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!

Give a little gift to those you love at Christmas to show how much you care about them. Here are some of my favorites this holiday season.

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Inhale, Exhale, Release the Stress!

Love the holidays but feeling a little stressed out? All the hustle and bustle, expectations for perfection and just generally too much to do can take an emotional and physical toll on your body and mind. Give yourself a break. Try these tips and pass them on to your friends and family so everyone can enjoy the holidays feeling calmer and more relaxed. Now that’s a gift!

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