Small Party - Big Fun

It was a smaller turnout than we had expected for Halloween.  I think we had about 15 people (sometimes we have more than 25), but it was fun just the same.  Our group is quite diverse, so you never know who'll show up.  There were four couples in costume including us.  I got my Black Widow costume together at almost the last minute.  I was sewing on the red "hour glass" at 5:00.  I rounded up some scrubs from the thrift shop for my hubby, who went as a "Urologist".  You should have seen his stethoscope!  Now we don't have a real one, and I couldn't find a good fake on such short notice, so I picked up a toy medic kit at Walmart for $1.  That was TOO fake...so he has this automotive stethoscope.  No, I'm not kidding, there really is such a thing.  You mechanics out there know what they are.  It has this long spike on the end where the cold flat part would be.  Look out guys!

Joining us among the "characters" were a vampiress & Jimmy Buffet, a pirate & a travel agent (she looked like a zip up garment bag), and a 1950s couple.  Our hostess with the mostess was wearing a black shirt with a Halloween design (forget what exactly - maybe ghosts), black pants and a cape.  She had some really cool glasses and a witchy hat. 

There were tons of good eats as always, including BBQ pork, black bean dip, several cheeses and crackers, biscuits, croissants, chips, fruit & desserts, not to mention plenty of wine.  Yum!  As with the people, we never know what food we'll have either.  No matter who or how many show up, or what we eat, it's all good.  Someday I'll tell how this all got started.  Yes, there is a story here so stay tuned.

Pasta alla Pancetta

Pasta is a quick go-to meal around our house, and the term covers anything from a simple goulash to baked ziti.

After spending most of the day away from home, and putting no thought into dinner I pondered what to fix. I know, pasta! I always have a number of dried pastas, tomato products and cheese. Add protein and/or veggies, and some herbs and spices and you've got a quick and easy dinner. Serve with garlic bread and some nice red wine and you're good to go. For the salad lovers out there, a side of greens is optional.

Here is what was for dinner last night.

Pasta alla Pancetta

8 oz. campanelle pasta
1 TB EVOO
4 oz. pancetta, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup cream
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (please, use the real thing)
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
S&P to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions (10-12 min.)

Sauté onion and garlic in EVOO, then add pancetta. Cook until browned. When pasta is done, drain and add the pancetta mixture and mix well. Add the cream and stir to coat. Add the parmesan and mix until melted.

It's Halloween and My First Ever Costume Party

I know it's hard to believe but this will be the first costume party of my adult life, and maybe even ever...The only Halloween party I can remember going to was when I was 6 years old, and temporarily living in Maine.  I was attending school there during the month of October.  Imagine that.  A first grader who had been very sheltered during those first 6 years, being pulled out of her class and moved nearly a thousand miles away among people she didn't know.  I barely knew my cousins, and they were some years older than I was.  Our reason for being there during the school year was that my Grandmother was in the hospital.  That was the only time during my school career that I ever rode the bus.  Thank goodness I did have cousins going to the same school.  

So, I did go to a Halloween party somewhere, but I don't expect I had a costume, and I don't remember anything else about it...it's just a vague memory.  Sadly, there is no one left who can tell me anything about it.

Moving on to modern times, our Cheers group is having a Halloween-themed get together tomorrow night.  Now, I've know for about 3 weeks that I needed costumes and here it is tomorrow and I'm not ready.  Shame on me!  In my defense, there has been a lot going on in our lives.  My best friend is very creative, and I was hoping we could work up something, but she has a busy life of her own being a 2nd grade teacher with 2 kids of her own.  She gave me some ideas, but not being very creative in that area myself, I didn't get very far.  We have had some family crises going on so hubby hasn't been able to participate in selecting a costume for himself, and I'm still figuring that out.  I have a few ideas, but not much to work with, and I'm too cheap to spend the bucks on something that'll only be worn once.

Anyway, here is what I've come up with for me.  I bought a silver cape with a spider web design and a black top.  I think I'll make a red hour glass design for the front, wear with black pants and shoes and go as a "black widow".  Did I mention that I lack creativity?  What's your costume this year?  I would love to hear about your Halloween costumes or parties you've been to.

Pinocchio's and Toys for Tots

There is a lovely little Italian restaurant in Spencer, NC called Pinocchio's.  The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the food is delicious.  Giuseppe, the chef, is a creative force in the kitchen, and Tracy keeps everything else running smoothly.  This year they will be joining Toys for Tots as a donation point.  Here is what Tracy said in her weekly e-mail. 

"It's going to be a particularly rough year for young families to afford Christmas shopping, so Pinocchio's is a donation point for Toys for Tots.  Just write a check made payable to Toys for Tots and bring it in when you come to dinner; I will take it, match it 50 cents on the dollar through my book company, and get a whole bunch of Fun Kid Kits to our local kids.  Your cancelled check is 100% tax deductible".

I hope you can join them for dinner sometime soon.  You'll leave with a happy tummy and a warm fuzzy feeling, and no I don't mean from the wine either. So drop off a check, and help make Christmas for the children.

Quote of the Week

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.  

- Author Unknown

Some worry that they'll eat too much, and others view the holidays as a license to eat everything they deny themselves the rest of the year.  If we just follow the "everything in moderation" rule we would be much better off all year round.

The Maze Within the Maize

Yesterday, I got a call from our good friends, you know the folks from the Rose Garden posts earlier, asking if we'd like to go a corn maze with them and the kids. Of course! It was a beautiful day after the rain moved out - it poured this morning.

We followed the directions on the website (this actually took us the long way around but it was short notice and I didn't have time to check the directions against the mapping software) Anyway, we got there and they were already there, and had been swinging on the swings.

In addition, there were sandboxes, pole ball games, bean bag toss, water balloon for sling-shotting (probably not a word) and a corn cannon for the kids. There was also a cow train, mostly for kids too, but I did see some very large "kids" on it. We all went on a hayride around the farm, several small lakes and some muddy hills. This was a farm wagon loaded with hay bales pulled by a tractor. It was a $1 extra per person for the ride, but the scenery was gorgeous. I wondered several times if the tractor was going to make it up the muddy hills, and the back end nearly dragged the ground in places. We were seated near the back, so the ride was a little tilted at times.

The feature activity was, of course, the corn maze. They said it was 7 acres, and the maze was in the shape of the United States. The paths were wide and maneuvering was not difficult. We were given ariel view maps (see the link below for picture), and there were strategically placed "you are here" signs throughout. The pictures were taken when the corn was green, and now it is quite dried and brown. Nevertheless, it was fun. We joked about trying it in the dark with flashlights. The places closes at dark, though, which is probably good.

There are food and beverages available for purchase. The fun all takes place at the 2009 Alpha Acres Corn Maze, in connection with the Winston-Salem Rescue Misson. I believe this was a fund-raising event.

Weight Loss: Is it realistic?

This is directed toward those with minor weight gain, but still within safe weight and body mass indicators, not those with severe weight problems that may require more drastic measures such as surgery or a medically supervised weight loss program.

After years of battling weight gain issues, this is what I have concluded:

There is no secret to weight loss, no magic pill, or potion, no other legitimate way other than to eat less and exercise more. Calories in, calories out. It's as simple as that.  However, there are things you can do to make the journey to a slimmer you easier.

• It takes 3,500 calories to make a pound.  Every 3,500 calories you take in that you don't burn off adds another pound of weight to your body.  To lose weight, you need to either eat an average 500 fewer calories per day or burn 500 more calories through exercise, or a combination of both.  

• You don't have to give up the foods you love; all things in moderation. You can still eat at your favorite fast food place.  The key is moderation. Don't load up on the extras.  Super-sizing is a no-no.  After you have determined your calorie needs, then look at the nutrition charts for each restaurant.  Many fast food restaurants have this information on-line. Just google the restaurant name and the word "nutrition", and it should take you to that area of the web site.  Armed with this information, you can choose something that fits your new lifestyle.  We don't call it a diet here.

• Eating 5 or 6 smaller meals throughout the day will keep your body fueled with energy and help fight hunger.  

• Make sure you eat enough food.  You've heard all your life that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  This is true. If you skip breakfast your body will go into starvation mode.   If you don't eat enough, your body thinks it is starving and will start to consume muscle for energy instead of fat.  Your muscle mass is key to burning calories.  Use this muscle for energy and your metabolism will slow down, you may stop losing weight, or even gain weight.  This can happen in as few as 3 days of extremely low calorie intake.  In other words, you can sabotage your weight loss program by eating too little.

• Drink plenty of water.  Some experts recommend 8 glasses per day.  This will also help keep your metabolism on an even keel.

• Exercise.  There are countless sources touting their exercise plans and as many guidelines as to how much, and how often to exercise.  One thing to keep in mind when creating your own exercise routine is to keep it balanced.  There are 3 major types of exercise:  Cardio, such as cycling or aerobics, or even just walking, which increases the heart rate and burns fat.  Strength training (using weights or other forms of resistance), which helps strengthen, tone and build muscle mass.  Flexibility and core training such as yoga and pilates to keep you limber and reduce the chance of injury while performing everyday tasks.  A well-rounded exercise program should incorporate each of these types of exercise.

I advocate neither the "ultra-thin, size 2 or else look" nor the "there's just more of me to love" look.  It is all about finding your healthy weight, and learning how to maintain it. 

Turkey Day is a Comin'

The biggest cooking day of the year is just around the corner.  Whether you are preparing dinner for a crowd or just a small gathering, Thanksgiving is still a big day.  Families come together from all across the country; over the river and through the woods...Family is what Thanksgiving is all about.  After all who we have around the table is more important than what is on the table.

Still food plays an important role in bringing people together, so, are you doing a giant turkey with all the traditional trimmings?  Or do you cook outside the box, making a local favorite, a family specialty or an ethnic delight?

Usually, we have several dinners.  One with my husband's family; they really like to do up the traditional dinner, with china, crystal, silver and lighted candles.  Some of the sides vary from year to year, but there are standards like curried onions.  This was something the boys' mother made, and now they are a much-liked regular. Either before or after this, we get together with friends for a less elaborate feast.  Last year I made a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, and pumpkin pie.

Just in time for the big day, my Penzeys catalog arrived yesterday with a special line up of seasonings for your Turkey roasting pleasure.  There is a traditional poultry seasoning, a Bangkok blend to add a Thai-style flavor to your bird, and their Bicentennial rub full of tasty spices and golden color.
  
I've created several delicious dishes based on some of their seasoning blends.  Check out their link for more holiday cooking ideas, and for under $8 you can share the joy of Penzeys spices with a delightful mini 4-pack.  Offer good through December 31, 2009.

I'd love to hear your Thanksgiving stories in the comment section.

Cranberry Juice: Fab or Fad?

I have never been a fan of cranberries or cranberry juice.  I thought it had a harsh, strong taste that I didn't like.  I am the one who always passes on the cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving.  When I accidentally picked up a cranberry muffin, I picked all the cranberries out...yuck.  Well, I am proof of how your taste can change over time, although my change stems somewhat from a desire for healthier living, as well as a change in taste buds.

As such, I have been researching the health benefits of cranberry juice, beyond bladder infections, and have found that cranberry juice benefits a whole host of other issues.  It is high in antioxidants and vitamin C, which is why it is so good at fighting off infections including respiratory and middle ear infections.  For instance, some studies show that it changes the E. Coli bacteria in ways that prevent it from causing infection. 

Cranberries are also heart-wise.  The antioxidants may protect the heart by lowering bad cholesterol, relaxing blood vessels, and reducing plaque buildup in the arteries.  Seems like a good reason to drink it to me.

Cranberries contain a compound shown to kill or inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory.  It is not known if this can be repeated outside the lab. Drinking cranberry juice, however, will not cure cancer.

We have touched on some of the ways cranberries are good for us.  Later we will explore the cranberry from a culinary view.

Just Another Monday

It dawned a clear sunny day here.  It's really nice after all the dreary days last week.  Not that I am complaining about the rain after all the drought we've had the last several years, but a little balance is nice.  

About 5 years ago, we had an extended dreary period.  My husband was out of town a lot, and I had no family left in town so I was, for all practical purposes, alone except for my cats.  Every day I hoped for sunshine, and every day it was dark and dreary.  I'd rather it had rained and gotten it over with.  I had never before considered how the lack of sun could affect one's mood.  There is a real medical condition caused by the lack of sunlight called SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

These are the symptoms of SAD.

• Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
• Carbohydrate cravings
• Decreased interest in work or other activities
• Depression that starts in fall or winter
• Increased appetite with weight gain
• Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
• Lack of energy
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Social withdrawal

I'm pretty sure I didn't have it, or if I did it was very mild.  I was definitely down in the dumps, though, and sad in the normal sense of the word.  I felt a keen sense of boredom even though there was, and always is, plenty to do around my house.  I did the chores, and worked in the yard, as it was fall, and the leaves were coming down, but I was always waiting for something...When this weather pattern finally broke and the sun came out, I cheered up somewhat.  Now I was still alone most of the time, but things did seem better.  I had read about SAD before, but hadn't experienced the glumness.  I believe it is a very real condition, and thankfully I didn't have it full out.

For those truly affected, there are treatments such as antidepressants and light therapy, and it will clear up on its own with the change in seasons.  Sometimes, however, SAD can progress to a major depression syndrome.

There is a lot of data on the internet about seasonal depression.  Check here for more information, or search on "Seasonal Affective Disorder".

I'm not a doctor and have no medical knowledge on this subject, so please seek professional help if you feel you may be affected by SAD.

Quote of the Week

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  

- Albert Camus

This is, indeed, a new way of looking at the fall season.  The turning leaves are just as colorful and compelling as first flowers of spring.  Though beautiful, I always feel a sadness for the passing leaves, as summer passes and winter waits just around the corner.

Junk Mail Is Not Trash!

How many of you get a mailbox full of unsolicited ads, catalogs, credit card applications, etc.?  The other question is what do you do with it?  Do you just toss it, unopened, in the trash?  Do you sort out the personal, financial stuff, and trash the rest?

I know it's a pain to process this unwanted barrage of junk mail.  Opening, sorting, shredding (we're all aware of identity theft) and recycling.  Did you know you can even recycle your shredded material?  Just place it in a bag that can be secured so it doesn't blow out.

Not only does recycling save space in our landfills and conserve our natural resources, it helps conserve energy, water and cuts down on air and water pollution.  We have but one planet, and its resources are not without limit.

The goal for paper recycling is to recover 60% of paper consumed by Americans by 2012. 

For more information on recycling, Paperrecycles.org has a section on frequently asked questions and other recycling facts, and Curb to Consumer has videos on paper recycling.

October at Misty Creek

We belong to an informal group who share a love of wine, good times and good friends.  I got an e-mail from the lady who keeps us coordinated and she passed along the following information from another member.

He is good friends with the owner of Misty Creek Vineyards, and wanted to share event information in support of this family-owned winery.

The Nichols family recently opened their tasting room at 710 Wyo Road in Mocksville, and they are having two October events at Misty Creek that may be of interest to you.

First, all during the October 16-18th weekend we’re offering a 25% discount on full case purchases, and you can mix vintages to get just the wines you want. Come stock up for the Thanksgiving holidays and enjoy our lodge-style fireplace with snack packs and great wines.

The following weekend on Saturday, October 24th the blue grass band Mountain Flat will entertain from 2 to 5 pm here at the tasting room. We’re looking forward to their first appearance with us, and they take requests! Enjoy our cheese and cracker packs, or bring you own snacks or picnic lunch.

Hope you can join us. We’ll look forward to seeing you again, and until then, Best Wishes from the Nichols Family!

My thanks to Cyndy and Bill for sharing this information.

Building a Blog

What makes a good blog?  Content alone, humor, intelligent discussion, pictures or just "conversation" with people with similar interests, all of the above?  So how do I promote my thoughts and ideas, and gain an audience.  I am new here, and just feeling my way through. 

I follow several money-saving coupon blogs, which are great, but I don't want to be a copy-cat of anyone else's efforts.  I just post my finds, successes and disappointments.  I like good food and wine, so occasionally, I'll post a recipe or talk about a winery visit.

Other interests include environment, such as recycling, and charitable causes, such as the Food Bank and abused women's shelters.  I have posted briefly on these topics, but there is so much more to these services than just putting your recycles out every week, and dropping a box of cereal into the collection boxes.

I'd thought to be (or become) a source of area information on events such as wine and food festivals, family fun, outdoor events, local concerts, etc.

Is this too broad?  If so, how do I go about narrowing it down, and still having interesting, readable content?  Where do I go from here?  I need to find my niche...

Like Pineapple? Have I got a muffin for you!

This is a recipe from a very talented lady who plays a major role in the food and wine discussion groups on the Winelover's Page.  As usual with her recipes, there is a story behind it.  You can go here and see the original recipe and read the story.

Pineapple Muffins
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
4 TB fairly neutral oil, like canola
1 20-oz can "crushed pineapple in syrup" (do not substitute fresh, the higher acid in fresh pineapple will kill your leavening)

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Make a well in the center, add the beaten egg, oil and 100% of the contents of one can of crushed pineapple. Stir until just blended. Scoop into greased muffin tins. Bake 20-22 minutes at 400 for large muffins (18 minutes for 18 regular muffins).

These are absolutely delicious.  I made some yesterday afternoon to send to family.

A Rose by Any Other Name...Would Still be Gray

Have you looked at my profile picture?  Doesn't look like a rose, does it?  Doesn't look like me either.  You're probably thinking it looks like a cat.  Bingo!  That's my Rosebud, aka "Rosie", aka "the Rose".  He is my 12 year old little boy.  Thinks he's a human, he does.  Twelve years ago this month we went to the Humane Society in search of a cat or kitten.  We had recently lost our 15 year old to old age/kidney failure.  He had been FIV positive for a number of years, but lived a happy life anyway.  I was looking for another "best friend", preferably a white/off-white long hair.  What I got was so far removed from that image words fail to express it.

Rosie is a long hair, all gray down to his toe pads - only his tongue is pink.  He was a cute little sucker (literally, but I'll get to that in a minute).  I knew he was going to be a big cat.  At 4 1/2 months his ears and paws were huge in proportion to the rest of his body, so I decided he needed a big-cat name.  I thought Nicholas would be a fair representation of the cat he would become.  I couldn't have been more wrong!  Now, he loved people initially, and in particular, loved to suck on your arm, your shirt, whatever was readily available.  He had to be all over you to the point that I threatened to "sell him down the river".  He was just a very loving kitten.  I feel that part of his problem was that he was "fixed" too soon.  He was only 4 1/2 months old when we got him and it was done before that.

Back to the naming part.  Since Nicholas didn't pan out, I needed to come up with something else.  For lack of anything better, my husband started calling him "Bud".  At that point, I said he's more like a Rosebud, and thus he was named.  Mostly we call him Rosie or Rose.  He is indeed a big cat at around 14 lbs.  He is long, with long legs and a mane like a small, gray lion.

He is still my little boy, and one of my best-est friends.

 

Click to enlarge

Quote of the Week - Now on Mondays

I found this in the Sunday comics recently.  The picture caught my eye since Mutts is usually in black and white. This was a full color fall scene with a guy and his dog looking at two deer.

Below is a similar experience from our own yard.

Everything natural - every flower, tree and animal - has important lessons to teach if we would only stop, look and listen.

- Eckhart Tolle

Click to enlarge

A Day Trip to Shelton Vineyards

Several weeks ago we had the pleasure of visiting Shelton Vineyards for the first time.  It was a pleasant one-hour drive from Winston-Salem through beautiful countryside.  We strolled through the shop where they have many wine-related items and, of course, wine.  We were ready for lunch, so we didn't take the tour or do a tasting.

We ate a very tasty lunch at the Harvest Grill.  We chose to eat on the enclosed patio.  There were quite a few other patrons there, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely.  We ordered the crab cakes, which came with grits, corn relish and broiled tomato slices.  I passed on the tomatoes, but everything else was delish.  This was accompanied by a nicely-chilled bottle of their Chardonnay.  Now I don't do WTNs (wine tasting notes), but it had a pleasant nose and went quite well with the crab cakes.  Dessert was 3 scoops of ice cream in an edible bowl.  One blueberry, one port-walnut and one peanut butter.  I tasted all three, but the port was my favorite.

After lunch, we took a leisurely walk around the lake.  They have picnic tables so you can bring your own fare, buy a bottle of wine and just enjoy the scenery.  That day, they were having free hayrides through the vineyard.  This is a place to visit again!

Recycling 101

It is recycle day in our part of the city, and as I drove by the many bins at the street, I noticed that some people still do not understand how to recycle. Here are some guidelines:

Just because an item is marked with the recycle symbol doesn't mean you can put it in the bin.

Paper goods consist of newspaper, junk mail, office paper, phone books, chipboard and corrugated cardboard.

All paper goods must be separated from the commingled items.  Use 2nd bin or brown paper bags to hold the paper.

Commingled items consist of glass, plastic, aluminum and steel.

Metal and plastics lids must be removed, and container must be rinsed.

Items such as pizza boxes, deli containers, margarine tubs, and waxed paperboard such as frozen foods come in are not recyclable.

Do not put items in the bins in plastic bags.  The exception is shredded paper, which must be tied.

Break down all chipboard (like cereal and soda boxes) and cardboard.

See Recycle Today's Frequently Asked Questions for more information on how to recycle.

Quote of the Week

A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.

- Elbert Hubbard

My best friend and I once decided that you know you're really friends when you can be gross around one another.  Now we didn't mean yucky gross or anything like that.  Just that we were totally comfortable and not worried about what we said or how we looked, etc.  We are still best friends today, so I guess this week's quote is true.

Christmas in October?

What's this, Christmas in October?  It's not even Halloween and already stores are getting their Christmas stuff in.  Early marketing can make us tire of the holiday season before it even arrives.

In this case, however, I'm talking about people in need.  Our senior population, who have given so much throughout their lives to their families and their communities.  This is one small way in which we can give back.

Senior Services of Winston-Salem has a Senior Stocking campaign where they collect items for seniors for Christmas.  This is a worthy program, and we, especially couponers, can make a difference in the lives of these people.  If we just go through our coupons and match up to several items on their holiday wish list, or look through our stockpiles, we could make a valuable and much-needed contribution this holiday season.


Gifts may be delivered to:  2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC  27105

Recycle Plastic Bottles - It's the Law Now

Effective today, all plastic bottles such as water, soda, detergent, milk, juice, etc. must be recycled.  These items are banned from the landfill going forward.  Here is an excerpt from the city's website:

The city’s curbside recycling program accepts all plastic bottles that have a neck smaller than the base or widest part of the bottle. It does NOT accept bottle caps or tops; antifreeze, pesticide, motor oil or other hazardous material containers; containers that are not bottles, such as deli or yogurt containers, margarine tubs, or flower pots; plastic bottles that are not marked with the recyclable symbol; wide-mouth prescription bottles; plastic bags of any type; plastic wrap, or Styrofoam.  For more information about recycling go to the Recycle Today web site.

I urge all of you to please recycle these items.  North Carolina has several facilities that turn used plastic bottles into new ones.  Another plant makes carpet from plastic bottles.  This will benefit us all by reducing our dependence on foreign oil (plastics are made from petroleum) and providing more jobs by increasing production in our recycling facilities.