Happy 2010

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a safe and happy celebration. Now's the time to set some resolutions (besides the typical getting into shape, the most borrrring pledge in the world). Here are a few of mine for 2010. I resolve to:
- Spend more quality time with my husband and puppy
- Finally paint my downstairs bathroom and dining room
- Throw away items that I have not used for over a year - I need the storage space too as extra motivation
- Actually read and soak in the information in my (600 page) wine study guide so that I can become certified as a wine specialist.

I could probably go on and on but I will stop there for now to keep things realistic. By regularly engaging in meaningful activities that give you pleasure - whether it's visiting friends, picking up a hobby, taking a class or doing volunteer work - you'll simply have less time to engage in the behavior that you want to reduce. Therefore hopefully being able to keep this year's resolutions!

Now what are your resolutions??

Cookie Swaps

It can be difficult to find time to get ready for the holidays and socialize at the same time. A fun way to help you cut-down on the amount of baking that you need to do and socialize at the same time is to have a cookie swap.

Here is how to have a cookie swap - Invite about 8-10 friends over to your house for this fun and yummy get together. Each guest is to bring about 2 dozen of the same cookie - making sure that each guest brings a different variety. Have each guest also bring (10) copies of the recipe to share with the other guests.

As the host, you want to make sure that you have a table big enough to hold the plates of cookies that your guests will be bringing. Since it is a party and the guests will be planning on taking the cookies home, you'll want to serve some refreshments. The guests will want to sample the cookies, so you probably shouldn't plan on anything too sweet. A light meal should do the trick. You may want to also get the guests involved and plan a potluck lunch.

Another idea for the host is to give each guest a recipe book/box to hold all the new recipes and future recipes from these cookie swaps!

One of my favorite cookie recipe follows...

Butterscotch Blondies

2 1/2 C All purpose flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 C (2 sticks) softened Butter
1 3/4 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
1 1/2 C Butterscotch chips
*Optional - Can half the amount of Butterscotch chips to 3/4 C and add 3/4 C Chocolate chips

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Combine all your dry ingredients in a medium size bowl
3) In a larger bowl beat together the sugar, butter and vanilla. Then add the eggs.
4) To the butter/sugar mixture add the dry ingredients to well combined.
5) Stir in the butterscotch chips
6) Spread into an ungreased 9"x13" baking dish
7) Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the blondies comes out clean. Let cool in pan before cutting into squares.

Enjoy!

Food and Drink Culture

Tasting Table is a free daily email that delivers the best of food and drink culture to adventurous eaters everywhere. Each weekday, subscribers receive delicious idea about dining, wine, cocktails, cooking or restaurant personalities. Informing you on only first-hand recommendations that they have tested thoroughly —one bite at a time.

You can subscribe to one of the local editions: New York, LA, Chicago and San Fran -alerting you to a must try dish at a forgotten restaurant, a hot new bar that deserves its buzz, under-appreciated cook shops and neighborhood food purveyors who may otherwise go unnoticed.

Or check out the newest national edition, Tasting Table Everywhere, keeping you informed about the most interesting dining trends, the latest food luminaries and the best new wines, spirits and cocktails around the country. They'll also direct you to essential new websites, kitchen tools and ingredients. And since you like to travel, they'll cover that, too, with weekly updates about where to eat on the road and how to plan your next food-driven vacation.

Go to http://www.tastingtable.com

Chicago Holiday Getaway

The holiday season is quickly approaching so it is time to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Eventology has created a unique and stress free two-day shopping trip to Chicago! Gather a group of your friends for a trip to the hub for large retailers, department stores and luxury labels – only four hours away! To save you time and money for the shopping Eventology has worked with trusted vendors to put together a Chicago Holiday Shopping Trip package. A private or semi-private minibus will transfer us to a boutique hotel just off the ‘Magnificent Mile’. You and your friends can relax while not having to worry about maneuvering through the Chicago traffic. After a quick check-in to drop off luggage let the shopping begin! Our onsite eventologist will provide each guest will a city map marked with hot spots to find something for everyone on your Christmas list. Once you have checked off those who have been ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ you will have time to refresh before your choice of a culinary dining experience - the perfect ending to a perfect day!

And remember, while it is the season to give to others, do something special for yourself. Request a spa appointment to sooth those aching muscles – afterall shopping is tough work!

Check out the link before and more information on my website (http://www.eventologyevents.com)

http://www.grumpybuffalo.com/evoholiday.html

Available dates:
November 20 – 22nd and December 11 – 27th
*Select one day and return the following afternoon (one night stay)

Hard Ciders

Cider is made from fermented apple juice. As with wine, the character and quality of the resulting product will bear heavily on the variety and quality of the fruit used. Modern, mass-produced ciders more closely resemble sparkling wine in appearance. More traditional brands tend to be darker and cloudier. They are often stronger than processed varieties and taste more strongly of apples.

Back in college I studied abroad in London and quickly gained a likely for hard ciders. Particularly, Strongbow, a traditional English dry cider. It is not as 'sweet' as American Ciders but also not as easy to find now back in the US.

Here are a few American hard ciders I have found but haven't tried all of them...I would love to get your feedback if you have tired or do try any of the following.
- Ace Apple Hard Cider
- Doc's Draft Hard Apple Cider
- Farnum Hill Semi-Dry Cider
- Original Sin Hard Cider



If you have any recommendations on different ones to try please let me know.
Thanks!

Brilliant Idea for Leftover Wine

After a get together with friends or just your curiosity of wanting to sample various bottles of red wine leave you with leftovers? Then try this warm mulled wine perfect for the chilly nights ahead.

Mulled Red Wine
2 teaspoons black peppercorns, crushed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 3-inch cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
2 750-milliliter bottles of fruity red wine, such as zinfandel or Merlot
3 bay leaves
Zest strips from 1 orange
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

Wrap the peppercorns, fennel seeds and cinnamon in a cheesecloth and tie closed with kitchen string. Bring the wine, cheesecloth bundle, bay leaves and orange zest to a slow simmer in a large saucepan and cover. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove cheesecloth bundle, bay leave and zests. Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Serve warm in stemmed glasses or mugs.
Note: If not serving immediately then let cool completely and can be stored in a pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve reheat gently.

Fall Festivals

Fall is officially here and with that comes lots of festivals celebrating the turning of the leaves, apples and hay rides. Following are several festivals that I hope to make it too!

Octoberfest
Put-in-Bay, OH
October 11th -12th

This Put-in-Bay family tradition celebrates Oktoberfest with lots of food and live entertainment by the Maxx Band. Great family fun Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Enjoy your favorite German foods including spatzel, cabbage rolls, brats, sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel and all your favorite German sweets! Held under the large tent located on Toledo Avenue near the downtown depot.
Tickets required - $4.00-$6.00
www.putinbay.com


Applebutter Fest
Downtown Grand Rapids
October 11th, 2009

If you're the type who appreciates life's simple pleasures, then this is the event for you. Take a quick trip south of Toledo to the village of Grand Rapids for an afternoon you won't forget! Always held the second Sunday of October, this festival features Heritage Craftsmen, juried crafts, entertainment, great food, vintage farm equipment, re-enactment groups and pioneer demonstrations, the traditional apple butter stir, and shops brimming with goodies.
www.grandrapidsohio.com


Family Fall Festival
@ Toledo Botanical Garden
October 11th, 2009
www.toledogarden.org


Little Boo at The Zoo & Pumpkin Path
@ Toledo Zoo
October 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th, 2009

The Toledo Zoo is the most exciting place to be this Halloween! Don't miss all the "ghost-travaganza" fun!

"Little Boo" is the perfect Halloween party for preschoolers who may be too young to enjoy Pumpkin Path. Trick-or-treat stations, games, and Fisher-Price's giant play area are just part of the fun! Costumes are encouraged. Pumpkin Path offers more trick-or-treat stations than Little Boo, but there are no age restrictions - if you can't make it out for Little Boo, your preschool poltergeists will enjoy Pumpkin Path too!
www.toledozoo.org/events/events_pumpkinpath.htm

Fall Festival @ Levis Commons
Perrysburg, OH
Friday, Oct 23rd - 25th

Pumpkins, Hayrides, Scarecrows and Candy, Oh My! Mark your calendars for The Town Center at Levis Commons’ annual Fall Festival ... 2009 promises to be the most festive Fall of all. Trick-or-Treat from store-to-store, get crafty with Fall projects, sing around the bonfire and cozy up with warm treats.

A few highlights happening each day...
Friday, the 23rd:
-Trick-or-Treating 5-7 p.m.
Put on your costume and come out rain or shine to Trick-or-Treat from store to store.
-Children’s Arts & Crafts 5-8 p.m.
Kids will enjoy a variety of imaginative hands on activities, including making slime with Toledo's new Imagination Station.
-Hayrides 5-8 p.m.*
Your family will enjoy a scenic horse-drawn ride around The Town Center. Hayride pick up will be located on Chappel Dr. next to Licata Jewelers.
-Costume Contest 7 p.m.*
Mary Beth and Rick from 101.5 The River will help to find the area’s best little ghosts and goblins.

Saturday, the 24th:
-Hayrides 5-8 p.m. Hayride pick up will be located on Chappel Dr. next to Licata Jewelers.
-Bonfire 6-8 p.m.*
Get cozy around the bonfire with warm treats and a sing-along with Kerry Patric Clark. Bring a blanket for a comfy seat.

Sunday, the 25th:
- Red Ribbon Run 8-11 a.m. 5k, 10k and Family Fun Run through Levis Commons. Come out and support a drug-free community. Click here for entry form.
-Family Fun 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Following the run, join us for our seat check, crafts, hayrides and more.
-Hayrides 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Hayride pick up will be located on Chappel Dr. next to Licata Jewelers.