Red Rooster Makes the Holiday Season Bright!

For everyone looking for that last minute holiday helper here's one for you!  Several years ago I was introduced to the Red Rooster Cocktail at a holiday party (Thank you Kathy for the introduction.)  Since then I've passed this easy and delicious recipe on and it's become quite a holiday hit!  People drink it up so I can't snap a photo!

As panic sets in with 10 days to go and counting, whip up this delicious cocktail to have on hand for yourself or your guests! 

Red Rooster Cocktail
Mix:
1 1/2 quarts of cranberry juice
6 oz of orange juice
2 c. vodka (I prefer cranberry)

Put in freezer and then serve when guests arrive or as a break for yourself!  It's very festive and sure to make your guests crow with delight!

Cheers!

Culinary Adventures Await!

In addition to things that are "useful" I am a huge proponent of giving and receiving "consumable" gifts as well as "experiences".  Some of my favorite consumables are luxury soaps, creams, candles and little indulgences like high quality coffee or chocolate that you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself but would savor if it wound up in your stocking, stay tuned for more features on those items :)

Concerts, trips and educational classes are all wonderful "experiences" to give and get this holiday season.  One of my CoMo favorites is Inside Columbia's Culinary Adventures gift card.  I must disclose that I lead the wine education portion for the majority of their classes.  This also makes me an expert on the quality, food, fun and experience that these classes have to offer.  It's SO much fun!  House Chef Jackson along with Chief Chef Brook Harlan lead and host Columbia's finest chef's their best dishes, tips and tricks.  You can expect to be greeted with a glass of bubbles and a light nibble while the guest chef demonstrates dishes and shares their expertise, then YOU become the chef using their recipes you prepare the dishes in a group setting.  While your dishes chill, bake or set up, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a blind wine tasting.  A variety of wines both domestic and international are tasted, and reviewed.  We have some new tricks up our sleeve for 2012!  The evening concludes with you enjoying the dishes you created.

Treat yourself and a friend to a fun, educational and tasty night out!  Winter classes start mid-January here's the schedule.  Indulge in a Culinary Adventure!

*photo courtesy of Inside Columbia

Ice Milk Aprons

 Photo courtesy of  Ice Milk Aprons which I stumbled upon this morning through a series of google searches.  I've not seen this apron in person, but LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the sophisticated elegance of it.  As a collector of aprons I especially love the girly dressy ones.  I find when I'm in the kitchen I appreciate feeling especially feminine and who doesn't want a bit of style with their sauce!  Aprons are a great accessory and quite useful too!  The V-shaped neckline on this is beautiful. Of course you can purchase Ice Milk Aprons on line, but it looks like in Missouri you can pick one up at Brown Derby in Springfield.  Great find this time of year for the ladies who love to entertain in your life, I hope Santa is reading this! 

Thanksgiving 2011

Reflective would be a good word to describe how I've been feeling lately, so if you're reading for a wine recommendation let me just say, pair your wines with the side dishes not the turkey or just go with what you like.  Maybe you've been holding on to a special bottle until the perfect time, today is that day, but then again so is next Tuesday. 

So often we wait for that special occasion to take chances, make changes, use the special plates or have the guts to do something different.  What are you waiting for?  This Thanksgiving morning I got in the shower to find Old Spice Sport 16 hour odor protection bath wash, this is new for me.  My 16 and 12 year old nephews are staying with me over the holiday.  Last night I didn't join friends out, instead we played a tough game of Scrabble with Aunt Danene getting beat by both.  We've had changes in our family over this past year that we didn't choose, but time marches on and the Grandparent that used to take care of you now needs some extra care, so dynamics change, we adapt and life goes on. 

The scalloped oysters that are a family tradition are in the oven as I type this, oh the pressure to get them just perfect, not too dry, not too soggy with just the right ratio of oyster to cracker.  I'm feeling pretty good about this batch...oh wait, I forgot the pepper, I'll be right back.  Ok, I'm back, they are browning nicely I might add. 

I say all of this to say time is moving faster, not only are you aging but so is everyone around you.  Where you find yourself today may be drastically different than next year, or 10 years from now.  Give thanks today, soak up THIS moment, find the joy in the crazy, there will be plenty happening all around you.  I am SO happy and grateful for my friends and family, for the past memories and the future joy's.  And know that good or bad happy or sad, this too shall pass.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011! 

Fall 2011

This tree is outside my hotel window in Napa the blur is the cars passing on the freeway.  I'm surprised to see such a beautiful fall tree in what I imagined an always green state.  When driving in I could see the leaves on the grapevines had turned yellow just as they have at home in Missouri.

I'd like to go on record to say that this has been the VERY best fall of my life!  The weather has been gorgeous!  I've had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the season, get outside, take day trips, have bonfires, lay underneath the stars and spend time with friends.  Yes, many years from now I will look back on the significance of the fall of 2011 and how it changed my life. 

There are seasons to all of our lives, and I'm particularly happy about the one I'm in.  Some think Fall is the death of the leaves, but I like to think of it as a burst of joy and vibrancy that comes only after the green has worn off.  Even as winter approaches, the warmth of fall will stay with me.  That's one of the best things about living in the Midwest we get ALL the seasons, and the trick is learning to enjoy them for what they bring to our lives! 

Sift's Pink Champagne Cupcake!

This week I've been in Napa at a wine conference, and while you would think I would be all consumed with wine, the first day I arrived I had some free time, and being on foot I set out to see what was in the hotel neighbourhood.  I have to tell you...not too much.

I crossed the freeway and visited a shopping center. There I found TARGET, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Copperfield Books and a little cupcake shop called Sift.  The doors were pink and I couldn't help but stop in.  I asked the guy behind the counter what they were known for, and as he pointed and described the Samoa, Snicker doodle, Pumpkin, the Car Bomb, etc. etc...then he said those magic words PINK CHAMPAGNE!

A moist, delicious raspberry cupcake with champagne butter cream frosting and pink sprinkles.  I had Sifted to heaven!  The perfect size too, not too big, but definitely more than one bite.  And a great value at $3.00!  I thanked the gent and headed to their sidewalk for my special treat where I sat on pink chairs at a pink table.

I understand why they won the Food Network's Cupcake wars.  I've never had such a perfectly moist cupcake with a not too sweet and I can taste the champagne in the frosting experience.  But who am I kidding it was my first Champagne butter cream experience.  I have no idea how they do it, and I'm not even going to try it at home, I'll simply savor the memories, after all I was tickled pink!