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Tag: Texas wineries

  • Kitchen Remodel Complete

    Kitchen Remodel Complete

    Kitchen Remodel Complete – I say this with a giant smile across my face!  Have you ever done a total kitchen remodel?  This is my second time to gut a kitchen and start from scratch.  The first time was in our country home in Texas.  I loved that kitchen but wanted a new look for my kitchen in North Carolina.  I notice as time goes by my “likes”are changing.  For me the style of the home and the location play a large part in design concept.

    When I did the kitchen in Texas I had much longer to think, peruse design and home magazines, and plan for a look I desired.  My situation was distinct as we had a strict deadline to meet.  We had to be out of the home we’d rented for the past 2 years and into our new home by mid-October…PERIOD!  I hired a woman contractor – highly recommended if you want someone who pays attention to detail! AEK Interior Design Sorry guys…women are also good listeners.  The biggest detail was the time frame and we pulled it off in 5 1/2 weeks.  That’s right an entire kitchen gut job, master bath demolition, a partial re-do in the second bath, fresh paint in every room and all wood floors redone.  Amazing to say the least!

    So here is the original kitchen – I say “original” because I don’t think much had been changed since the house was built in the late 60’s.  Oh, one or two home owners had laid linoleum over linoleum, that’s fun to rip up!  Someone had built a peninsula adding counter space yet blocking a portion of one window – why? The drawers…well I don’t know who thought that drawers 6″ wide served any purpose in a kitchen!  Navy blue tile backsplash and yellow walls – a bit nautical, we’re 3 hours from the coast so those too had to go.  Let the remodel begin!

    CC Old Kitchen FromBarEnd2

    Stove Sink

    I spend an enormous amount of time in my kitchen.  It’s my happy place.  I chose a sleek, clean, slightly contemporary look. Custom stained, in Granite Gray, solid wood cabinets, with soft close doors and drawers, roll out shelves, deep lower cabinet drawers, wide drawers for utensils and gadgets, stainless steel appliances and flooring that would work should I ever decide to make some changes.

    Here is my “Kitchen Reveal”.  Many of you have asked to see the final product.  I couldn’t be happier.  This kitchen, for what it is, is as good as I could imagine.  It’s got the “triangle” thing going on and it’s wide enough to not feel crowded yet everything is in close proximity. I’d get a kick out of hearing your thoughts, what you like, what you don’t, what you’d do different if it were your kitchen.  You won’t hurt my feelings!

    Here ya’ go! One more round of before – with cabinets and old appliances ripped out and the laundry room, which is off of the bar end of the kitchen.

    BeforeStoveSide BeforeFromDining Laundry

    Now for the actual reveal.

    IslandSink
    Looking from the island to the sink. We sit here to enjoy coffee and sometimes dinner. I’m totally digging the subway tile with it’s sandy grout and the granite counters are incredibly intriguing.
    SINK
    I chose this super sized farmhouse sink not only for it’s looks but it easily accommodates all of my oversized pots and pans.
    Looking from the dining room into the kitchen. The laundry room at the far end has a counter that serves as our coffee bar and I slipped a wine cooler in there too!
    A gas range - this was on my bucket list :-) The narrow cabinet next to the stove is a great place to store cookie sheets, trays and cutting boards. It's full! Also the big deep drawers make lifting out pots and pans effortless.
    A gas range – this was on my bucket list 🙂 The narrow cabinet next to the stove is a great place to store cookie sheets, trays and cutting boards. It’s full! Also the big deep drawers make lifting out pots and pans effortless. Notice the speaker above the stove-it keeps my music sounding good all day long. I may store a few of my favorite cookbooks up there too – haven’t decided yet, as I like this clean look.
    SinkSidefromBar
    Deep drawers on this side hold containers for leftovers, utensils, bowls and items I grab daily. Measuring cups, strainers, etc. The pullout to the right of the sink contains trash and recycling – convenient and unobtrusive. Since I listen to music all day long having my iPad handy is important.
    Fruit
    Loving the clean white tile, light granite with a unique mix of gray, sand, garnet, charcoal and pale sea green. Fresh fruit on the counter – a must!
    Island
    Clean white walls are most appropriate to show off the Coca Cola sign. Sun shines in the kitchen from early morning until late afternoon making it a happy place to hang out.
    From Island1
    Under cabinet lights and a clean white ceiling fan keep the kitchen light and bright even on cloudy days.

    In the near future I’ll share photos of the bath remodel too as the transformation is wonderful.  60’s bathrooms weren’t all that great and my master bath is tiny but wait till you see how we changed it!  I’ve got some yummy recipes I’ll be sharing later this week to so see ya’ then!

  • Tarte Tatin & Playing Nurse

    Tarte Tatin & Playing Nurse

    Tarte Tatin

    Tarte Tatin (tart tah-TAN) A famous French upside-down apple tart.  Like Tarte Tatin life can be upside down at times too.  Such is the case for my daughter and her husband after she sustained a serious leg injury while skiing the snowy slopes at Winter Park, Colorado.  Yep, she shattered her tibia and fractured her fibula on New Years Eve, near the end of the day, of course.  I say “of course” because it seems that injuries often happen then, at the end of a great day of skiing.

    Needless to say she spent the end of 2015 in the ER of a trauma hospital and as 2016 emerged she found herself being wheeled into the OR to have repairs done on her splintered leg.  In surgery the doctors outfitted her with a titanium plate and 13 screws to hold the bones together for the next few weeks until her bones heal, at which time she will be good as new!  Meantime she is on crutches and very limited in what she can or should I say ,”cannot do”.

    So what does a mom do when she is called in to play nurse?  Hang out in the kitchen and make food!  I hopped a plane to Nor Cal, made a run by the supermarket and headed for the kitchen.  I had requests for Pork Ragu, filled with plenty of earthy mushrooms and garlic, Tortilla Soup, spicy and smoky with chipotle peppers and topped with creamy avocado, Shrimp Stir Fry full of healthy veggies and last but not least, Tarte Tatin.  Of all the meals I prepared making this simple and delicious dessert was my favorite.

    We served it one evening when we invited old friends over for a homey, relaxing evening to share food and a bit of laughter.  Not a thing that would require LuLu to be up and about.  It was met with rave reviews and is now a recipe I will make again and again.  I imagine it should be tested with pears, plums and peaches and will put that idea into effect as soon as I am back home.

    This recipe is uncomplicated, uses minimal ingredients and served warm with a dollop of creme fraiche creates a stunning and toothsome dessert.  I even enjoyed it the next morning with a cup of coffee for breakfast. It’s my new darling in the dessert department.

    Tarte Tatin

     

     

    Tarte Tatin
    Recipe Type: Dessert
    Ingredients
    • 1 14 oz. package all butter puff pastry
    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 10-12 Golden Delicious apples peeled, cored and cut in half
    • Creme Fraiche
    Instructions
    1. On a lightly floured surface roll the puff pastry out to about 1/8 of an inch.
    2. Cut out a 12″ round, cover and refrigerate until time to use.
    3. In a 10″ cast iron skillet melt the butter.
    4. Add the sugar and cook over moderately low heat; stirring occasionally until the sugar is melted and the mixture comes to a simmer.
    5. Remove from the heat.
    6. Arrange the apple halves standing upright in the skillet in 2 snug concentric circles.
    7. Return to the heat and cook undisturbed until an amber caramel forms, about 30 minutes.
    8. Preheat the oven to 375*F.
    9. Top the apples with the puff pastry circle and bake for about 40 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the apples are tender.
    10. Cool for 15 minutes.
    11. Place a large plate on top of the skillet and carefully invert the tart.
    12. Serve warm with creme fraiche.
  • A Happy New Year

    A Happy New Year

     

    azalea

    Happy New Year!  2016 is here and not a moment too soon for me. Do you ever experience a year where the “good” events are outnumbered by the “not so good” ones?  I can’t really say 2015 was unpleasant or dreadful by any means, other than the traumatic fall I took in February while walking the dogs, when I sustained a broken arm, a large gash which required 8 stitches in my left hand, and I suspect some rotator cuff damage.  No, that wasn’t enough to screw up the year, but when I had a mammogram go haywire a couple of months later I had the extremely distressing assignment of being more or less, actually more, tortured by the doctor and nurses  – seems I needed a few “chips” inserted to mark said spots for the surgeon – NO it wasn’t cancer, a blessing to be certain, but I wouldn’t wish that incident on any woman.  I found myself with a major sinus infection on my birthday – I waited 62 years to spend my birthday at the doctor, where I was given a shot, meds and sent home to bed.  Have you ever spent your birthday in bed, not by choice?  Not my idea of a celebration.  My sweet man, Dan did bring home cake, with lots of icing, my favorite – not a total loss.  A little later in the year I mindlessly threw my cell phone into the washing machine with a load of whites…it never recovered, however I discovered being without a cell phone is tranquil.  Note to self – do not carry cell phone with you at all times and never lay it on top of laundry in a basket!  As 2015 came to an end, my oldest daughter, LuLu suffered a badly broken leg in a ski injury on New Year’s Eve.  I am glad and relieved she did not bump her noggin!  On the bright side, we purchased a home, remodeled it and moved in!

    In hindsight these inconveniences are truly nothing but that – inconveniences.  I see my blessings in all of this.  I could have slammed my face into the concrete in that dog walking accident, but I didn’t.  I could have been diagnosed with cancer, nasty shit, I hate it, I don’t’ have it.  My phone could have been lying on the counter, dry and in working condition.  But it got soaked and that scenario taught me that there is calmness and peace in not having a phone with me at all times – it brought to my attention the need to put away the phone, turn off the computer and spend time in the moment, the here and now, conversing with my husband, watching the colorful songbirds at the feeder, throwing a toy for the dog, reading a book, going for a walk, all preferable to being connected to an “i” anything.

    This realization brought me to a place of reassessing the year ahead.  New Year – New You, haven’t we all set intentions on how to be different in the New Year?  We call them “resolutions”, otherwise known as intentions, decisions, plans, commitments. Did you make any?  My husband and I discussed a few ideas to implement in the New Year.

    1. Regular date nights – we already do this and decided to keep it up.
    2. Volunteer our time together – we have not chosen our cause – any suggestions?
    3. Exercise – don’t we all commit to this one?
    4. Put the phone down..need I say more?

    So far we’ve done well.  We went to see the hysterical play,”Book of Mormon”, I laughed all the way home. We dined at a new farm to table restaurant, walked the battleground and our neighborhood and made it a point to put the phones down. It feels terrific to do that – all of that.

    I made a few resolutions just for me.  I haven’t told anyone what they are yet…but here goes! Sharing them with you first….

    1. Laugh more – considerably more!
    2. Practice the mindfulness of yoga daily – it offers a feeling of being grounded.
    3. Revitalize The Orange Bee

    Yep, just three.  Three small pledges – well, revitalizing the blog may not be so small but I welcome the challenge and a change.

    I have various ideas regarding my blog.  I need time to “think” on this.  The big, big world of blogging and staying on top of social media is, at times, all consuming.  It devours hours within a day, it depletes energy and to be honest it drains those of us in the throes of it.  Don’t misunderstand – I love blogging but am ready to change how I tackle it.  To tell you the truth, I am super excited to alter my blogging technique.

    I want to engage more with you, my reader. I’ll see you soon to share the changes I’ll be making and WHY!

  • Christmas Holiday Guide

    Christmas Holiday Guide

    Christmas at Monica's Table Plate and Tree Card FB, IG, Blog

    When it comes to the holidays I want the picture perfect setting.  Visions of sugarplums dance in my head and I dream of scrumptious meals abundantly spread on a well appointed, gorgeously decorated table, friends and family gaily gathered near a crackling fire, a giant, twinkling tree, and snow flakes gently falling.  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could all pull off a holiday such as this?  If you also dream of sugarplums and stockings hung by the chimney with care and a delicious spread of edibles I’ve got something you just might need.

    This year I treated myself to Christmas At Monica’s Table Holiday Guide and with her help I’ll attempt to get closer to my dream Christmas.  Yes, Monica, a gracious hostess, has written a delightful guide to help all of us plan those festive meals and parties with tons of tips and tricks to help us love Christmas again.  There are complete menus for an elegant, think prime rib, or casual holiday dinner, a seafood holiday spread, an easy and satisfying New Year’s buffet, beautiful photos of all the incredible food and even a countdown checklist.  That isn’t all, but I’m going to let you go get your own and read all about it.  I promise you this will make your holiday easier and more organized; no matter your notion of the perfect Christmas!  Oh, and this is an eBook one that won’t fill up that already too full cookbook shelf!

    Copper Pot Pic

    Here is where  you can go to get your copy of Christmas At Monica’s Table Holiday Guide.  This is a guide that you will turn to year after year – don’t pass up this offer and Merry Christmas!

  • Spicy Orange Shortbread Cookies

    Spicy Orange Shortbread Cookies

    Spicy Shortbread Cookies

    One of the highlights of my Christmas season is participating in The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. There is everything to like about this cookie swap.  It raises money for kids with cancer, has great sponsors like, Land O’Lakes, OXO and Dixie Crystals, and there are dozens of cookies involved!  It’s always a challenge to decide on which cookie recipe to bake, a tried and true one or a new, untested one.  This year I chose Spicy Orange Shortbread Cookies, a new recipe for me.  These cookies have an array of flavors, sweet, spicy, citrusy and then those chocolate chunks.  Oh man, I could eat my weight in these cookies.  Turns out this is a simple recipe that I’ll definitely be keeping.

    Here’s how the cookie swap works. ( If you’ve never participated in this event and are interested I’ll give you a link at the bottom of the post for info on how to join in next year.)  The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap is hosted by Julie of The Little Kitchen and Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil.  They miraculously and with much attention to detail pair each participating blogger with 3 others and we swap cookies.  We each bake 3 dozen cookies, or if I were guessing more….and secretly send 1 dozen to each name we receive.  We in turn receive 1 dozen cookies from 3 other bloggers.  Can you imagine if the mail carriers, UPS and Fed Ex guys only knew what was in those boxes?  There are literally thousands of delicious cookies trekking their way across America.  And believe me when those boxes show up at my door step I could not smile any bigger!

    This year I received shortbread with chocolate and toffee bits from Mallory @ ForkVsSpoon, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from Chris @ Shared Appetite and beautifully decorated Frosted Spice Cookies from Lena @ Lena’s Lunchbox.  Each cookie delicious in it’s own way and all quick to disappear!

    This year we raised over $7,000 for kids with cancer…impressive for a bunch of food bloggers!  If you are interested in hooking up with all of us  in 2016 here’s the link to do so: Cookie Swap

    MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    Spicy Orange Shortbread COokies
    Author: Linda Walbridge
    Serves: 1 1/2 dozen cookies
    Ingredients
    • 1 stick softened butter
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 1 Tablespoon whole milk
    • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon Barrier Reef Caribbean Style Seasoning (available at Savory Spice Shop.com)
    • 1 Tablespoon coconut milk powder
    • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 8 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350*F.
    2. In a stand mixer cream together butter and sugar.
    3. Add egg yolk, milk, orange and vanilla extracts, Barrier Reef and coconut milk powder.
    4. Stir to thoroughly combine, scraping bowl if needed.
    5. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.
    6. Add to butter mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.
    7. Stir in chocolate chunks.
    8. Roll into 1 inch balls and press down center slightly.
    9. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned.
    10. Let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before removing to a rack to cool further.

    Spicy Orange Shortbread Cookies

     

  • Twisted Texas Sheet Cake & Coke de Mexico

    Twisted Texas Sheet Cake & Coke de Mexico

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareHolidayJoy #CollectiveBias

    Coca-Cola

    Tis’ the Season.  Holiday parties and festivities abound.  I’m feeling jolly, merry, celebratory and joyful; so decided to throw an impromptu “girls” holiday party for my new N.C. friends.  Nothing like throwing together a last minute shindig! I wanted my table to be colorful and festive – not traditional.  I chose a Tex-Mex fiesta theme, using colorful napkins, a piñata, a beautiful Mexican inspired throw given to me by my daughter LuLu after a Spanish immersion stint in Cuernavaca, confetti, Mexican Coke place cards, and a Twisted Texas Sheet Cake.

    I enjoy preparing and serving delicious foods to my friends and family all year long but especially during the holidays.  Days are set aside for baking in anticipation of gifting the cookies, cakes and breads coming out of the oven.  For this get together I needed to keep it simple. Making the Twisted Texas Sheet Cake would easily serve my guests a taste of Texas and Mexico; you see, I used Coke de Mexico in my recipe.  Coke de Mexico can be found in glass bottles, 24 to a pack at Sam’s Club. Coca-Cola made with pure cane sugar – NO high fructose corn syrup in these Coca-Colas!  Purchasing the 24 pack would allow me to bake with the Coca-Cola, serve it, decorate with it and have a few left over; these are my hubby’s favorite sodas!  Before I move on to how I decorated and the cake recipe I want to share the special price of $3.98 for Coca-Cola 4-packs and 2-liter bottles at Sam’s Club during the holiday season.  Time to stock up!

    Tex-Mex Party with Coke

    I kept this gathering informal but wanted my guests to get to know each other so I made place cards, I know it’s awful, and it feels uncomfortable at times, but what better way to get to know a stranger!  Here is how I did it:

    Coke Tags
    Coke Tags2
    Coke Tags3

        

    Gather: colorful yarn, kraft paper stock, hole punch, markers, ruler and scissors.
    Using the ruler, measure equal sized place cards from the craft paper.
    Fold them in half and punch a hole in a top corner with the punch.
    Using the markers write a greeting on the front and a name on the inside.
    Wrap a length of yarn around the top or bottom of the Coke bottle, insert one end of yarn in the hole and tie with a knot or bow.

    Coke & Jorge
    Such an easy way to make fun and festive “place cards” for your guests – I thought it an ideal place card since the Cokes are from Mexico and I used Coca-Cola in the cake recipe – which is coming up next. The “twist” to the traditional Texas Sheet Cake recipe comes from using Coca-Cola in place of water and Mexican cocoa which is Dutch process cocoa mixed with cinnamon and vanilla powder.  This is the most moist and chocolately cake with frosting reminiscent of fudge. The only time I eat fudge is during the holidays and this cake with it’s fudgy frosting was a hit at the party!  Beware – it makes a large pan – enough to feed a holiday crowd!  You can order Coca-Cola online and pick it up at your local Sam’s Club – leaving you more time to share holiday joy!

    Twisted Texas Sheet Cake – easier than it looks!

     

    Texas Sheet Cake Ingredients
    Butter Melt
    BubblingChoc

        

    Assemble ingredients and measure out for quick and easy prep.
    Melt butter and add cocoa – boil for 30 seconds.
    Add Coca-Cola to pan.
    Sift together dry ingredients.
    Add warm cocoa mixture to dry ingredients.

    CokePour2
    Sifting
    CakeWhisk

       

    2Ingredients
    CakeIngredientsCounter
    StirCake

        

    Whisk together eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.
    Using a spatula blend buttermilk mixture into the batter.
    Pour batter into prepared pan.

    CakePan2*

    While the cake is baking prepare frosting – YUM!

    AddCocoa1
    Frosting2
    Frosting1

        

    Melt butter in saucepan, stir in cocoa and boil for 30 seconds.
    Whisk in milk and vanilla.
    Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time, whisking well after each addition.
    Remove cake from oven and immediately pour frosting over cake.
    Sprinkle with pecans.

    Twisted Texas Sheet Cake

    FINALTableScape

    InStore

    Coke de Mexico found on the soda aisle at Sam’s Club.

    Twisted Texas Sheet Cake

    Print Recipe
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • Cake:
    • 15 x10x2″ baking pan greased
    • 1 cup unsalted butter
    • 1/2 cup Mexican Cocoa
    • 3 tablespoons canola oil
    • 1 cup Coca-Cola
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk
    • 2 teaspoon Mexican Vanilla
    • Frosting:
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
    • 1/4 cup Mexican cocoa
    • 1/3 cup whole milk
    • 2 teaspoons Mexican Vanilla
    • 3 cups sifted confectioners sugar
    • 3/4 cup toasted pecans

    Method
     

    1. Center an oven rack and preheat to 350*F.
    2. Cake:
    3. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
    4. Whisk in the cocoa.
    5. Add the oil and Coke and bring to a rolling boil for 30 seconds.
    6. Remove pan from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
    7. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
    8. Whisk the ingredients by hand to ensure they are well mixed.
    9. Pour the warm cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk just until combined.
    10. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
    11. Using a rubber spatula, stir the buttermilk mixture into the batter.
    12. Pour the batter into the greased pan and place in oven.
    13. Bake until the top is firm and a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out with moist drums, 32- 35 minutes.
    14. While the cake is in the oven – make the frosting.
    15. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa and bring to a rolling boil for 30 seconds.
    16. Remove from heat and whisk in the milk and vanilla.
    17. Add the confectioners sugar one cup at a time while whisking continuously.
    18. Immediately after the cake come out of the oven, pour the frosting over the hot cake and sprinkle with the nuts.
    19. Try not to jiggle the cake before it sets or you’ll leave waves in the frosting.
    20. Allow to cool thoroughly before cutting into squares.
    21. This cake keeps for 5 days, well wrapped and stored at room temperature.

     

  • Soup and A Giveaway

    Soup and A Giveaway

    soupbowl

    I promised a soup recipe before the Nutri Ninja giveaway ends.  If you haven’t signed up yet it’s not too late.  Do it right HERE!  There are 5 days left to enter and the winner will be randomly drawn on Friday December 11, 2015.  I’ve found this blender so useful in my kitchen.  It juices, blends, chops,  – pretty much you name it Ninja does it.

    Today the weather finally turned sunny and cooler, which I am very happy about.  We’ve had unseasonably warm weather in Greensboro for the last couple of weeks and I’m ready to throw on a sweater!  I am also in the mood for a steamy hot, delicious bowl of soup.  My mind keeps bouncing back and forth between lentil, corn & crab chowder, creamy vegetable, or black bean.  Which should I make?  What is your favorite?

    Until I can make up my frazzled mind I am sharing a few old posts with some of my favorite soups.

    Root Soup  – a soup suitable for fall and winter root veggies.

    Roasted Tomato and Garlic – tailor made to go alongside a rustic grilled cheese.

    Parsnip Soup –  Parsnips, nutty, sweet and full of Vitamin C, so important during these cold winter months.

    Curried Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup – A twist on basic butternut squash soup, this one includes ginger, great for our tummies, honey and curry.  Can you say “yummy”?

    I’m psyched to be hosting my first giveaway on The Orange Bee – I hope you’ll go enter right now because I am certain you want one of these blenders.  I’m seeing them on display in tons of shops and stores so I know they are a popular gift item for Christmas.  YOU can win one to keep or gift away!

    NutriNinja

    Leave me a message and share your favorite soup to make during these chilly fall and winter months.  Maybe it will help me decide what to dish up tonight.  Oh….and don’t forget to enter the giveaway – only 5 days left!  Good luck!

     

     

    soup bowl image courtesy of http://www.missginsu.com/images/soupbowl.gif

  • Holiday Entertaining Made Easy

    Holiday Entertaining Made Easy

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayPairings #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

    PepperidgeFarm, Barilla, Clos du Bois

    I don’t need to tell you that the holidays are upon us…..we all know this.  Entertaining plays a significant role during the holidays.  I don’t know about you but when November rolls around and I start to contemplate Thanksgiving followed so quickly by Christmas I begin to stress out.  It’s a double edged sword for me in view of the fact that I adore the holidays…family, friends, food…ahhhh yes food!  It takes a considerable amount of planning to successfully prepare those traditional holidays meals or host a holiday party.  I teeter back and forth from elation of seeing everyone I love to worrying about how much time I’ll spend planning and working in the kitchen.

    This year I’ve found a solution to alleviate some of my worrying.  I found a few products that pair together beautifully and will make my life easy when we throw our neighborhood “come & go party” between turkey day and Christmas.  I am still in the process of trying out different shopping options here in Greensboro and decided to try a Walmart Neighborhood Market to load up on party supplies.  While there I found out during the months of November and December, Walmart will be doing in-store demos featuring wines, and Barilla and Pepperidge Farm products.  You know me, I’m a shade of a wine snob and I was impressed with the wine selection and prices at this store!  You can visit the “Simple Entertaining Hub” here for info on demos happening in your area.

    Pepperidge Farm Crackers

    Being new kids on the block I want to be sure and keep this party super simple so I can spend my time getting to know my new neighbors.   Here’s my plan.  I’ll set up a table offering these crisp Pepperidge Farm crackers with fresh fruit and a selection of yummy toppings as folks arrive. I plan on keeping a few boxes of these on hand throughout the holidays to serve any guests who might pop over. I’ll have a wine bar set up close by with a selection of Clos du Bois wines for my guests to pour themselves.  Of course I’ll offer water and non-alcoholic beverages for all the designated drivers!

    I want to serve a light meal, a simple pasta dish for my guests to nosh on as the evening progresses.  I found a one-pot pasta by Barilla that requires no work at all.  Seriously it’s ready in a matter of minutes – all in one pot!  No water to boil and no straining necessary.  Love this idea!  I’ll keep the pot on my stove with bowls and utensils nearby.  The garlicky fragrance of Spaghetti with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto will beckon my guests to the kitchen.  Below the pasta all ready for sauce…all in one pot – you’re going to like this for quick family meals too!

    Barilla Pasta

    All I did was stir in a bowl of my Sun-dried Tomato Pesto to create the easiest meal for my party guests.  One pot- one bowl and a fork.  Dinner is served!

    Barilla Pasta

    Now let’s talk dessert.  Dessert is always my favorite course and I love to bake…however this time I’m leaving that up to Pepperidge Farm. I purchased their cookie collections, one classic and one chocolate.  That dark chocolate they dip or layer those cookies with will be so tasty with a glass of cab!  Or milk! The variety of cookies in these collections fashions an appealing plate of goodies to choose from.

    Pepperidge Farm Cookies

    I also want to send my guests home with a little something and since I think these Pepperidge Farm cookies are pretty delicious I am putting together little craft boxes, stuffed with cookies.

    Pepperidge Farm

    Assemble craft boxes, string, parchment, scissors and cookies.  All I did to make these cute little “take aways” was tear a few sheets of parchment, line the kraft paper boxes with the parchment and add a few cookies.  Wrap a 12″ piece of festive or fun string, ribbon or raffia around the box, (knot the ends to prevent fraying) and pile them in a basket or bowl by the front door for guests to grab on their way home.

    TutorialAssemblePepperidge Farm

    Tie2

    TutorialCookies

    Bullet points for a simple and easy holiday party:

    Leave the work to the professionals
    *Purchase pre-made crackers, cookies, dips or toppings
    *Keep your meal selection simple – I suggest a one pot meal
    *Choose pre made containers and fill with goodies as party favors

    Here’s what you need to know – your guests will enjoy the festivities as much as if you slaved in the kitchen for days prior to the party and YOU will leave yourself time to relax and enjoy some fresh air with a glass of vino before they arrive!

    Wine Flower

    All food & beverage products were purchased from Walmart Neighborhood Market – easy one stop shopping for all my party needs!  Easy to locate in the store too..Wine on the wine aisle, cookies and crackers on the same isle and pasta…well you guessed it..on the pasta aisle!

    InStore Pepperidge Farm, Barilla, Clos du Bois

     

  • Cranberry & Honey Smoothie & A Giveaway

    Cranberry & Honey Smoothie & A Giveaway

    Cranberry Honey Smoothie

    I couldn’t help myself – making smoothies with my new Nutri Ninja is appreciably effortless.  I had to try this Cranberry & Honey Smoothie!  I love cranberries and lets face it they are in abundance in the stores right this minute, canned whole, jellied, fresh and frozen.  Oh and you know I love honey too!  Cranberry relish is one of my favorite condiments on Thanksgiving and I love biting into those juicy little bursts in cranberry orange bread or muffins.  I knew these little red gems would be a yummy addition to a morning smoothie!

    Cranberry Honey Smoothie

    Today I needed a quick get-out-the-door breakfast and this healthy smoothie was perfect.  Light yet filling.  I assure you using my new blender makes smoothie prep super simple.  All you do is add the ingredients, starting with the heaviest ones, like nuts or fruit; then add liquids and ice, place the container on the blender, hit “Auto iQ” and you’ve got time to kiss your honey goodbye while the blender does the rest.  Seriously, once you hit the button the machine pulses all on it’s own and turns out a delicious smoothie.  Leaving you ready to pop the lid on and hit the road.

    Cranberry Honey Smoothie

    Cranberry & Honey Smoothie
    Author: Linda Walbridge
    Ingredients
    • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
    • 1/3 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
    • 1 cup vanilla almond milk
    • 1 tablespoon honey – local
    • 1/4 tsp. vanilla (I used Tahitian)
    • 1 1/2 cups ice
    Instructions
    1. Add ingredients as listed to the blender cup.
    2. If using the Ninja – press the Auto-iQ Blend button.
    3. Pulse until blended to your desired consistency.

    I wasn’t in quite that big of a hurry today so I enjoyed mine in a cute little wine, errrr… uh juice glass.  Don’t forget to pop over to the giveaway page and sign up to win one of these fantastic new Nutri Ninja iQ Blenders!  It takes the work out of making breakfast – a win win!

    NutriNinja