Our Vacation in the Winter of COVID
Before COVID-19 became a household term and a worldwide nightmare, we typically spent about half the year enjoying various forms Read the Rest…
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To Catch A Shrimp
It’s a couple of minutes past 5:00 pm and just as I am mentally switching gears to happy hour, I Read the Rest…
Happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day. Is this the holiday you love to hate, or is that just me? I mean, while I do Read the Rest…
French 75 Punch, Perfect For Your Holiday Party
While Jon and I are all about entertaining, admittedly we tend to enjoy hosting small, intimate gatherings over large, standing-room-only Read the Rest…
Berry Shortcake
It’s strawberry season here in our little neck of the woods, and I could not be happier. The local farms Read the Rest…
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Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini - A Lemon Drop With A TwistHow To Make An Ice Ring For A Punch Bowl
The Best Key Lime Pie Ever
To Catch A Shrimp
It’s a couple of minutes past 5:00 pm and just as I am mentally switching gears to happy hour, I Read the Rest…
Happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day. Is this the holiday you love to hate, or is that just me? I mean, while I do Read the Rest…
French 75 Punch, Perfect For Your Holiday Party
While Jon and I are all about entertaining, admittedly we tend to enjoy hosting small, intimate gatherings over large, standing-room-only Read the Rest…
Berry Shortcake
It’s strawberry season here in our little neck of the woods, and I could not be happier. The local farms Read the Rest…
Martini On The Rocks
It seems I have become infatuated with frozen water. Honestly, my love affair with ice is not a new thing. Read the Rest…
Eliza’s Cinnamon Buns
book club A code women use to get together and drink large amounts of alcohol, especially margaritas. It Read the Rest…
Homemade Carrot Cake – A Labor Of Love
This cake is a labor of love. By that, I mean it’s a lot of work. But I love carrot Read the Rest…
Pimento Cheese – It’s a Southern Thing
Pimento Cheese. It’s a Southern thing. Like so many recipes that have been around forever, there are many versions of Read the Rest…
Grapefruit Martini: This One’s A Keeper
Sometimes, it seems, there can be a lot of joy and happiness in a martini glass. And this is one Read the Rest…
Christmas Brunch
When we started this blog, I had a vision (albeit somewhat blurred) and goal to share all aspects of life Read the Rest…
Debbie’s Birthday Cake
How do you spell love? For me, I spell it C.A.K.E. At least that’s what I did last week when Read the Rest…
Life Happens
Life happens. That’s the only reason I have for explaining our absence over the last couple of weeks. With an Read the Rest…
A Journey Down Campari Lane
This was one of my first posts when we launched our blog. I’m re-posting it because, get this, the first Read the Rest…
Mother’s Day Brunch
Here’s what is going down this week. It’s Mother’s Day. You volunteered to host the family for brunch. You haven’t Read the Rest…
The Magic of Frozen Water
My sister-in-law, Lisa, showed up the other day with a present for me. It may be one of the best Read the Rest…
The Best Key Lime Pie Ever
This isn’t a novel idea, but it’s certainly how my mind works. My food tastes and preferences change with the Read the Rest…
Cinco de Mayo Party
One doesn’t need to be fluent in Spanish to know what Cinco de Mayo means. Although, truthfully, I wonder how Read the Rest…
It’s Time To Face The Music
By now, hopefully you’ve figured out that we’re more than just a food blog. Our goal is to be your one-stop source Read the Rest…
Some Of My Favorite Entertaining Tips
Once again (and back by popular demand), here is a list of entertaining tips from House Beautiful magazine. The magazine Read the Rest…
Pineapple Daiquiri – A Happy Hour Trip to the Tropics
It’s that time of year when, for many of you, warm sunny weather just can’t get here fast enough. So, we’re Read the Rest…
Risotto With Friends
When we first started this blog, one of the first posts we shared listed 10 reasons why you all should Read the Rest…
Easter Brunch Menu
Here comes Peter Cottontail… While I know the the true meaning of Easter isn’t the egg hunts or the candy-filled Read the Rest…
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Biscuits. It hardly gets more southern than this. Biscuits might even be considered a downright staple in the south. If Read the Rest…
Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup – What’s Not To Love
This is not new news. I love soup. I love eating soup and I love making soup. For me, a Read the Rest…
What’s New?
The Hostess and I are pretty excited to introduce what’s new here at our humble blog: We’ve been accepted by Read the Rest…
What’s For Dinner: Comfort Food
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a gazillion times. There’s a reason that they call it comfort food. Read the Rest…
Blood Orange Gin And Tonic – A Refreshing Spin On A Classic
For the most part, I’m a creature of habit. It’s the way I’m wired. Google “if it ain’t broke, don’t Read the Rest…
The (Not So Lazy) Lemon Tart
Two things attracted to me to this recipe initially. One, the name. The original name was Lazy Mary’s Lemon Tart. Read the Rest…
Something Sweet and Homemade for Valentine’s Day
Note: This is an updated version (with many more pictures) of our Valentine’s Day post from 2013. You can read Read the Rest…
Back To Basics: Really Good Mashed Potatoes
Soufflés are to the culinary world what Mt. Everest is to the mountaineering world: The ultimate proof of skill, tenacity Read the Rest…
Crock-Pot Meatballs
According to my good buddy Brian Williams, the Crock-pot just turned 75 last week. Ours isn’t 75 years old, but Read the Rest…
A Simple Party For The Reluctant Entertainer
My sister-in-law is what you might call a “reluctant entertainer.” Which is a little funny to me. Ironic funny, not Read the Rest…
Finally. The Best Bloody Mary.
I love a good Bloody Mary. There’s just nothing like a frosty pint glass full of spicy tomato-y goodness overflowing Read the Rest…
Time to Simplify
Some people start the new year like a runner leaving the start line of a big race. A little start Read the Rest…
A New Year’s Eve Dessert Idea
It’s New Year’s Eve, which means I’m busy pulling together the final details for our dinner party. Our friends offered to Read the Rest…
New Year’s Eve Dinner Party
“Here’s to the bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old; Here’s to the things that are yet Read the Rest…
Every Day is a Holiday With Nanaimo Bars
We’re re-posting one of our most popular holiday recipes (originally posted in November of 2012). Since Nanaimo Bars are an Read the Rest…
When Girls Do Lunch
Things have been a little quiet around the blog the last couple of weeks. Our energy and our focus have Read the Rest…
Once Again With The Cranberries: Brie Cranberry Bites
Although I was always told it’s not polite to say “I told you so,” some situations just seem to call Read the Rest…
Hand-Shaken Cranberry Margaritas
The Hostess is on a serious cranberry binge. Cranberries have recently taken over our kitchen. And our blog. Cranberry scones, Read the Rest…
Glazed Orange Cranberry Scones
If variety is the spice of life, then these scones are providing plenty of spice around here. This is my Read the Rest…
Expert Holiday Entertaining Tips
Every year for the past few years, House Beautiful magazine has published a list of top holiday entertaining tips. From Read the Rest…
Dress Up Your Punch Bowl With An Ice Ring
Punch for parties. Talk about something that has been around forever. A quick search on the internet told me that Read the Rest…
Holiday Punch – Champagne, Cranberries, and Spiced Simple Syrup
Last night the Hostess and I made another appearance as guest bartenders at Salon Rouge, one of our favorite local Read the Rest…
Cranberry Layer Cake – A Perfect Thanksgiving Dessert
Okay, here we go again. A new recipe (yea!) that, yet again, I can’t seem to share without telling you Read the Rest…
Virtual World Meets Real World
Blogging is a virtual thing. Probably more than any other aspect, that’s what I’ve come to realize and appreciate about Read the Rest…
Halloween Dinner Party
It’s true. I’ve been known to get just a little carried away during the holidays. I’m not biased. I treat Read the Rest…
Mummy Cookies for Halloween
My history with frosted sugar cookies goes waaayyy back. Almost to the beginning of time. Well, at least the beginning Read the Rest…
Pumpkin Carving Party
You know how irritating it can be when some people sit around and talk about how different things used to Read the Rest…
Betty’s Pumpkin Bread
Fall. People either love this time of year or they don’t. I fall into the “love it” category. Someone recently Read the Rest…
Celebrate Fall With A Caipirinha
Fall has arrived, and as the cooler weather and earlier evenings drive us indoors, I’ve decided it’s time to change Read the Rest…
Fall Is Here – Time for Chicken Corn Chowder
There are very few things I enjoy as much as a fall day. A real fall day, when the temperatures Read the Rest…
She Walked.
And she walked. She walked 60 miles over three days. She walked over 1500 miles during the months leading up Read the Rest…
Bite-Size Lasagna
Around our house, when we have some bit of information to share with each other, we’ve gotten in the habit Read the Rest…
A Legacy of Feeding People
Sometimes, something hits you and it’s so darn obvious you can’t believe it hasn’t been utterly clear before that point. Read the Rest…
Jon’s Birthday Cake
It’s been a while since I baked a cake for Jon’s birthday. And, when I say “a while,” I really Read the Rest…
Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones
It all started with a trip to one of the local farm stands a couple of weeks ago. It was Read the Rest…
Lemon Blackberry Ice Cream
There has been a whole lotta blackberrying going on around here lately. Sometimes, everything comes up roses. At this particular Read the Rest…
Fresh Tomato and Basil Tart
Something had to happen. These beautiful, ripe tomatoes, gifts from neighbors with bountiful gardens, had been sitting on our counter Read the Rest…
Impromptu Entertaining
Impromptu. What a great word. Fun to say and perfect in some situations. Just another good example of something we Read the Rest…
Goodbye, Summer
As if right on cue, the temperatures have dropped about 20 degrees today and the skies are gray. I guess Read the Rest…
Blackberry Cobbler – Some Things Are Worth Repeating
When we first launched our blog, one of our earliest posts was about blackberries. Specifically, it was about my dread Read the Rest…
Hot Crab Dip
As I write this, we have a crab pot in the water and we’re whiling away some time, which seems Read the Rest…
Summer’s Last Hurrah
I know. Seasons change. Four seasons and all of that. And, I’m actually okay with living in a four-seasons world. Read the Rest…
Let Them Eat Cupcakes
What’s a birthday party without cake? Or, in this case, cupcakes. I know they are a little trendy right now, Read the Rest…
Good Tidings From The Garden
A recipe for Lemon Zucchini Bread showed up in my feed from Pinterest this morning. Which was very timely since Read the Rest…
Lavender — It’s Not Just for Grandma’s Bathroom
During the summer months the Hostess and I live in what I’m beginning to think of as “Lavender Country.” There’s Read the Rest…
Our Favorite Summer Salad
Summer. At its best, it is easy, leisurely and relaxed. And, it seems that everyone is on an endless vacation. Read the Rest…
Just Do It
Not like I need any reminders of why I love summer. But this was a perfect summer evening, and we Read the Rest…
Raspberry Ice Cream
Occasionally on Facebook or in e-mails I see one of those lists that contain things that “kids born today” will Read the Rest…
Homemade Clam Chowder
Growing up in the Seattle area in the 50’s and 60’s, we were all familiar with a guy who was Read the Rest…
Nature’s Spontaneity = Strawberry Shortcake
I’ve never been much of a “fruit and vegetable” gardener. I’m one of those people who loves the idea of Read the Rest…
Happy Birthday America!
Everyone loves a birthday party, it seems. And when it’s the good ol’ US of A that’s having the birthday, Read the Rest…
A Pound Cake Recipe Falls Flat. Or Does It?
It was one of those afternoons where I feeling pretty snorty about my entertaining prowess. The table was set, the Read the Rest…
Some Like It Hot
For as long as I have been making cornbread (the early days using the stuff out of the blue box Read the Rest…
Watermelon Martini – Summer Food in a Martini Glass!
If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you know how the Hostess can go on and on during this Read the Rest…
Pork Ribs: A “His and Hers” Recipe
People who follow our blog know that when it comes to putting the food on the table, the Hostess and Read the Rest…
Strawberry Napolean
I think this dessert has been around for a long time. But I had never had it until I was Read the Rest…
Lemonade
Did every kid, at some point growing up, have a lemonade stand at the end of their driveway? I did. Read the Rest…
Mom’s Simple (and Simply Delicious) Potato Salad
Growing up, our family was not what you would call foodies. My mom didn’t spend her time in the kitchen Read the Rest…
Summer Spinach Salad
Summer is here, and the proof is in the eating. It’s strawberry season, which means it’s salad season in this Read the Rest…
Grilled Cuban Sandwich
I’ll take Entertaining Quandaries for $200. Answer: “Cuban Sandwich Sliders” Question: “What do you take to a dock party where Read the Rest…
Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini – a Lemon Drop with a Twist
This is one of my favorite cocktail recipes. It’s one of the very first drink recipes we added to our Read the Rest…
Crab Cakes – A Summer Favorite
Memorial Day is the official kick-off to the summer season. At least in most parts of the country. Here, in Read the Rest…
Pizza, Chapter 3
Sometimes, in life, it’s the simple things that can make the biggest difference. With food, this can be especially true. Read the Rest…
Brunch – A Good Reason to Rise and Shine
I’m not what you’d call a morning person. And by that I mean that not by any stretch of the Read the Rest…
Scones! A Glorious Way to Start the Day
My love affair with scones began at the state fair. I don’t think I ever missed the fair and loved Read the Rest…
Chalk: It’s Not Just For Kids Any More
We have a pretty fabulous group of friends that are all part of our entertaining community. Our “village,” if you Read the Rest…
Homemade Cinnamon Bread
When I look at my collection of recipes, I feel very fortunate to have so many from friends and family. Read the Rest…
Cinco de Mayo? Cinco Margarita Recipes!
So you’re thinking of throwing a Cinco de Mayo party this weekend? Really want to impress your guests with something Read the Rest…
Got Limes? Try a Kamikaze!
I really get excited about “classic” cocktails. Especially the cocktails dating back to the pre-Prohibition era that have loads of Read the Rest…
Zucchini Muffins: An Experiment in Cryogenics
What is it about zucchini. It seems that every fall some well-meaning neighbor (the one with the big vegetable garden) Read the Rest…
Egg Salad Sandwich: Sometimes Simple is Best
Sometimes simple is best. And, for me, that’s how I feel about Egg Salad Sandwiches. Three ingredients, plus a little Read the Rest…
Caramel Layer Chocolate Squares: Bake ‘Em, Serve ‘Em, Take a Bow
There’s a reason I waited so long to make these Caramel Layer Chocolate Squares. And, I almost didn’t tell you Read the Rest…
A Tasty Use for Hardboiled Eggs
If the Easter Bunny does his job this weekend, chances are you’ll have a surplus of dyed hardboiled eggs in Read the Rest…
Lemon Icebox Pie
Even before Pinterest came along, I was a collector of things that inspired me and recipes I wanted to try. Read the Rest…
Gettin’ Social
Hey there — Jon here, with a post that’s slightly off-topic from our usual fare. Sometimes I do a little Read the Rest…
Hummingbird Cake (Just a Funny Name – No Birds Were Harmed)
The original recipe for Hummingbird Cake was submitted by a reader and first appeared in Southern Living magazine in 1978. Read the Rest…
Making The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A friend asked me recently what my “signature dish” is. That one stumped me. I had never stopped to consider Read the Rest…
Oven Baked French Fries with Truffle Oil
The internet is the greatest invention. Ever. Not only can I find anything I’m looking for, no matter how abstract Read the Rest…
Margaritas, Tangerine Style
“Money can’t buy happiness. But it can buy tequila, and that’s almost the same.” (Jose Cuervo advertisement) There’s just something Read the Rest…
Dinner Party 101
As far as parties go, I’m a dinner party kind of gal. I mean, as opposed to a cocktail party Read the Rest…
Top Off St. Patrick’s Day With An Irish Coffee
St. Patrick’s Day is a tough holiday for me to understand. Sure, I’ve read about who St. Patrick was, what Read the Rest…
Favorite Pasta
Everyone seems to have a favorite food. We’re a community who loves our food and labels it accordingly. Oh, this Read the Rest…
Pizza Night
I love pizza nights! Well, more specifically, pizza nights when we make homemade pizza for dinner. Okay, actually what I Read the Rest…
A Toast to Winter’s End
Depending on where you live, throughout much of the United States this has been a winter for the modern-day record Read the Rest…
Hosting Après-Ski
a·près-ski [ah-prey-skee, ap-rey-] noun 1. the period of relaxation that follows skiing: menus suitable for après-ski. adjective 2. pertaining to Read the Rest…
Craft Beer Confessions
I have a confession to make. Although I’ve presented myself as the cocktail guy on our blog these past 18 Read the Rest…
Chocolate Chip Cookies to Covet
This is a pretty bold proclamation, but I think these are the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. I Read the Rest…
Breakfast for Dinner
I read something recently that said that the new trend is having breakfast for dinner. Boy, I never really thought Read the Rest…
Say “I Love You” With Chocolate. And Raspberries.
If I’m being totally honest, I have to admit that sometimes I feel like the Scrooge of Valentines Day. It’s Read the Rest…
Groundhog Day
It’s official. Six more weeks of winter. At least according to that cute little rodent turned meteorologist, Punxsutawney Phil, who Read the Rest…
Hosting a Ski Weekend
Oh, sure. Our friends tell us that we’re the reason they come to visit. But we have a sneaking suspicion Read the Rest…
Pulled Pork Sliders – A Game Day Crowd Pleaser
Contrary to tribal folklore, men really do appreciate something besides a bag of chips for football game snacks. It’s just Read the Rest…
Homemade Granola – A Dine and Dash Breakfast
Around this house, mornings seem to happen at one of two speeds. We’re either relaxed and leisurely and can hang Read the Rest…
Girls Weekend
What do you get when you have a group of longtime friends, together for an entire weekend, away from jobs Read the Rest…
Blueberry Martini? What a Great Idea!
It all started a year ago when a friend of ours showed up at our house with a bottle of Read the Rest…
Got Tangerines? Make A Mousse!
Of course I understand how someone might have asked, “Why exactly do you need 10 pounds of tangerines?” And that Read the Rest…
Fun in the Snow Means It’s Time For Hot Chocolate
Baby, it’s cold outside! And the snow has been falling pretty much non-stop for the last several days. Around here, Read the Rest…
The Story of Our Quickie. Oops, Make That Quiche…
This is one of those times when I am super excited to share something with you. In this case, it’s Read the Rest…
The Bartender Crosses Over to the Dark Side: The Old Fashioned
Our blog is now partway through its second year, and in looking back at my cocktail posts I realized that Read the Rest…
The Bartender Suggests a Cocktail for New Year’s Eve: The French 75
With New Year’s Eve upon us, our thoughts turn to reflections on the passing year, hopes for the coming one, Read the Rest…
Turkey: From Roast to Soup
I’m all in favor of a big feast of turkey, or roast beast if you happen to live in Whoville. Read the Rest…
Christmas Morning Torment
To the casual observer, my childhood and upbringing could appear pretty idyllic. A beautiful mother that we’re pretty sure June Read the Rest…
Mom’s Chocolate Cream Pie: A Holiday Tradition Born In the Kitchen
There is no other time of the year when traditions mean as much as during the holidays. Big or small, Read the Rest…
Putting the Couth into Casual
There is something appealing about a formally set table. Just looking at the pictures on Pinterest or in catalogs makes Read the Rest…
Tips to Help You (Throw a) Party Like a Pro
‘Tis the season! To jubilate and to fa-la-la; to gather together and celebrate; to host and be hosted; and to survive with Read the Rest…
When You Can’t Hide the Welcome Mat
Like it or not, the holiday season is here. And with it comes the inevitable opportunity for entertaining in a Read the Rest…
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
When people discuss Thanksgiving and the annual feast of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pies, they usually seem to have pretty Read the Rest…
Ready, Set (the table), Go!
Call me old fashioned, but it just seems like everyone should know which side of the plate to put the Read the Rest…
A Recipe Straight from Tuscany
Most people agree, there is a lot to love about Italy. People who have been there talk about the history. Read the Rest…
An Alcohol-Free Alternative: Cosmo Punch for the Holidays
A few evenings ago, the Hostess and I tended bar for a local business at their annual holiday open house. Read the Rest…
Recipe Reflections
As I write this, Mother Nature is doing her darndest to make it perfectly clear that fall is here. The real fall, Read the Rest…
The End of Summer
All good things must come to an end. Or so they say. And lots of people are saying it around Read the Rest…
Lazy Days of Summer?
We know that we have been woefully absent from this blog the last few weeks. Thank you to our followers Read the Rest…
Amazing Creamed Corn (Trust Me!)
Since this is the third time I’ve made this recipe in just about as many weeks, I think it’s time Read the Rest…
Time for Fresh Crab
Signs of summer are all around us. We’re experiencing an early summer here in the Pacific Northwest, and by that Read the Rest…
For the Love of Simple
Simple food. It seems to be what I always gravitate to, whether I’m planning a party for 6 or just Read the Rest…
Just In Time for Mother’s Day
We had one of those impromptu sort of gatherings the other day that remind me what it’s like to be Read the Rest…
Last Call for Margaritas!
I’m wrapping up my series of Margarita Month postings with a yet another tequila-based recipe, our Top Shelf Margarita. This Read the Rest…
Another Round of Margaritas: Shades of Taos
Shades (noun): A present reminder of a person or situation in the past, as in “Shades of my younger days” Read the Rest…
Margarita Season is Coming
There’s something about that first really nice spring day. Not that day where there’s still a chill in the air Read the Rest…
Best. Cake. Ever.
The truth is I don’t make cakes very often. And the reasons are pretty simple. First, a big cake goes Read the Rest…
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring
Spring has (finally) begun to show its face here in the mountains. If you measure a winter based on snowfall, Read the Rest…
Resolutions, Remedies, and Research: A Tale of the Gin and Tonic
I’ve posted quite a few of my favorite drink recipes since the launch of our blog a few months ago. Read the Rest…
And the children shall lead us
Let’s be honest here. If it weren’t for our daughter’s refusal to eat pancakes made from Bisquick when she was Read the Rest…
Ode to Dad: A Tale of Three Coconut Cream Pies
Last week would’ve been my dad’s 95th birthday. In his memory, and to celebrate his birthday, I decided to make Read the Rest…
A Hearty Wintertime Favorite
It’s early March. In many parts of the country, that means there are starting to be hints that spring is Read the Rest…
A Craving for Orange Rolls
Sometimes it just starts with a hankering. And many times, as in this case, I really don’t even know where Read the Rest…
The Perils of Happy Hour
Don’t let people tell you otherwise. As a host or hostess, a happy hour can actually be too happy. Don’t Read the Rest…
Simply Entertaining
We’re sort of in recovery mode here. We started off the month with a visit from our forever friends and Read the Rest…
The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat
Say “I Love You” with a cupcake. I’ve spent a fair bit of time around pastries. Probably more time consuming Read the Rest…
Mac and Cheese for Grown-Ups
This is not your kids’ mac and cheese. This is an I’m-all-grown-up, serve-me-with-wine, call-me-pasta-not-macaroni kind of dish. This is a Read the Rest…
A Comfort Food Classic
Comfort food. Even the name conjures up a happy place. It’s the kind of food we want to eat when Read the Rest…
When Life Doesn’t Give You Lemons…
I never really considered how the phrase, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” might apply to bartending. But a few Read the Rest…
To Brine or not to Brine
We tend to be late adopters in general. You’ll probably never hear about some new technique or gadget here first. Read the Rest…
Chili, redux
It’s not that I’m really a perfectionist, but I don’t like making mistakes. I mean, really, who does? But I Read the Rest…
Great Cocktail, Dumb Name
When happy hour approaches and I ask our guests if I can shake them up a little something at the Read the Rest…
Our sweet addiction
First there was Cracker Jacks. Followed by Fiddle Faddle. And then Kettle Corn. A distinct evolutionary track of my caramel Read the Rest…
The Season of Entertaining
There is a season of giving. A season of hope. We all know about football season and the season of Read the Rest…
Gluten Free?
We got this great question recently about gluten-free recipes: Jim asked: “Hey entertaining couple! In my small group of best Read the Rest…
Bartending field research, north of the border
The Hostess and I recently spent an extended weekend at The Wickaninnish Inn on the remote western coast of Vancouver Read the Rest…
Happy New Year!
Tonight and tomorrow are all about reflection, anticipation, out with the old/with in the new, and celebration. Tonight we kiss Read the Rest…
Top 10 reasons to love Risotto
1. Rice and cheese. Okay, technically that’s two reasons, but it’s because this dish is a combination of rice and Read the Rest…
My quest for the perfect Pizza Margherita
A few years back, The Hostess and I vacationed with friends for a couple weeks on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. We Read the Rest…
How to set up a bar at home
I have to admit, it doesn’t seem all that long ago that bartending at home, to me, meant having a Read the Rest…
Short Cuts
Here’s how the whole thing played out. Our house is located in such a place that we were pretty sure Read the Rest…
How to be spontaneous? Plan for it!
Do you ever wonder how some people can pull off spontaneity without even so much as one ruffled feather? Do Read the Rest…
A Little Respect for the Cosmo
With the holidays coming on, it only seems right to pay homage to the Cosmopolitan. This crowd-pleasing cranberry-hued cocktail is Read the Rest…
Nothing Smells Like Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Before there was Cinnabon’s, there was my mom. Growing up, we never bought cinnamon rolls at the mall. Our cinnamon Read the Rest…
Fun holiday garnish
Last week, as we gathered at a neighbor’s house for Thanksgiving, we were thankful for the many things that our Read the Rest…
Of Celebrities and Thanksgiving Leftovers
I should start by saying that I’m not one of those people that goes berserk over celebrities. While I can Read the Rest…
Our road show leads us to a Mocktini
Recently The Hostess and I volunteered to serve drinks at an open house for a local business. The event was Read the Rest…
Life of Pi(e)
On Friday, I was sitting here having one of those serious “what was I thinking” moments. My family Thanksgiving get Read the Rest…
Season’s Drinkings…
As The Hostess observed a couple days ago, the holiday season is already upon us. This time of year, opportunities abound for Read the Rest…
Holiday Time is Party Time!
There are Christmas decorations in almost every store. I’m starting to see Christmas commercials on TV. And, today I heard Read the Rest…
An easy scoop ‘n serve dessert
Several years ago, we were fortunate enough to take a ski trip to Switzerland. In the land of the Alps, Read the Rest…
Minestrone Soup
I didn’t grow up in an Italian family. Far from it, actually. Yet somehow I wandered into adulthood with this Read the Rest…
Homely fruits can make great cocktails
This particular drink has been served at our house on countless occasions. I can’t remember exactly when “pomegranate martini” became Read the Rest…
Candle Confessions
There’s really no denying it. I’m a candle junkie. I have this ungovernable urge to buy and hoard candles in Read the Rest…
Resurrection of an old favorite cocktail: Grape Nehi
Those old enough to have been a fan of the 70’s TV series M*A*S*H may remember that Nehi Grape soda Read the Rest…
Beans in chili? There’s no debating it
First, let’s be very clear what this isn’t. This is NOT a blatant attempt to incite a debate over what Read the Rest…
Our take on a classic cocktail
Not everyone is a fan of the classic gin martini. It’s an acquired taste, and like caviar, or oysters, or Read the Rest…
A Fall Favorite
Fall. People either love the season or they don’t. I fall into the love category. As the weather turns cool, Read the Rest…
Soup’s On!
We’ve just returned from a 3-week vacation in Turkey where, among other things, we spent a week on a boat Read the Rest…
I’m not a real bartender, but I play one on the web…
I’m not sure how or why it happened, but the “when” part is pretty clear. It was just before Christmas back Read the Rest…
Fresh Summer Corn!
When summer corn is in season, I just can’t resist it. When it’s sweet, local (which means cheap!) and good, Read the Rest…
Wine charms
This is fun idea for a party. I’m always looking for something to do with that stash of vintage postcards Read the Rest…
Three Lessons Learned from a Lemon Drop Martini
My signature cocktail is, without question, my Lemon Drop. Our return guests expect them as soon as they walk through Read the Rest…
A day in the life of a dinner party
This is probably a good example of a menu that we planned when we were hungry. Like grocery shopping on Read the Rest…
‘Nuff Said
This designer has the best quotable cards. For me, this one says it all. In case you can’t read the Read the Rest…
Blackberry Cobbler
We all have those memories from our childhood of things we didn’t like to do. It was part of growing Read the Rest…
Blueberries are in season!
Here’s the interesting thing. I wasn’t a fan of blueberries for a long time. Like most of my life. Not Read the Rest…
Yogurt Fruit Smoothies
Recently our friends came to visit for the weekend and brought their 3 1/2 year old daughter for her first Read the Rest…
Summer’s here, it’s guacamole time!
It seems that everyone has a favorite recipe for guacamole. Or at least their own “special recipe.” Our daughter-in-law suggested Read the Rest…
Best French Toast Ever!
I learned this process of making French toast from the owner of a bed and breakfast in Portland, Oregon that Read the Rest…
Skillet Corn Bread
Many years ago, when my husband and I were first dating, we took a weekend trip to the wine country Read the Rest…
Oatmeal Worth Getting Out Of Bed For
This recipe will easily feed 4 – 5. Leftovers can be kept for a day or two. But be forewarned, Read the Rest…