Perfect pairings every time!
Posted in LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING, ON MY MIND, SEASONS on Nov 20th, 2008
Here are five ways to walk the talk on Thanksgiving Day:
Show appreciation for your host with compliments. Notice the clean house, the fresh flowers, the pretty candles, the well-behaved dog, etc., stop your host in mid-frenzy and deliver a sincere compliment.
Play with the children. Bring coloring books, stuffed animals, a board game, something that inspires [...]
Posted in LEARN ABOUT WINE, SEASONS on Nov 15th, 2008
Serving Rosé with Thanksgiving is always fun because many people don’t pair Rosé with food, especially at this time of year.
When buying Rosé, sparkling or otherwise, I like to try different varietals, but my favorite continues to be Rosés made from 100% Pinot Noir. One of my favorites is made by Lynmar. I’m seeing quite [...]
Posted in LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING, PAIRINGS & RECIPES, SEASONS on Nov 14th, 2008
One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is when my Mom opens the Champagne at noon on Thanksgiving. It’s for the cooks only! Here’s what we’ll be pouring this year.
(Picture is Hubby with a centerpeice that someone gave me at the Heirloom Tomato Festival in Carmel.)
Posted in ON MY MIND, PLACES TO VISIT, SEASONS on Nov 13th, 2008
Thanksgiving– the American Day of Feasting when all Americans look forward to good wine, food and friends/family. One year, hubby and I were visiting Bonaire, a small island off the coast of Venezuela. The resort staff gamely served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to their American guests–turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy and salad. The only food that [...]
Posted in PAIRINGS & RECIPES, SEASONS on Nov 4th, 2008
An easy, pretty and satisfying vegetable dish.
Autumn Squash
2 tbls butter (olive oil okay too)
4 mini-sweet peppers (red, yellow and orange, cut into small chunks)
1/4 cup sweet white onion (chopped)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
2 medium yellow squash (cut into medium chunks)
shake of garlic powder
1/2 cup chicken broth
dash of hot sauce
Place a large non-stick [...]
Posted in PAIRINGS & RECIPES, SEASONS on Nov 1st, 2008
Hi Alana, I know you are a wine pairing expert so can you help me find a wine to serve with my Pumpkin Soup at Thanksgiving? Cheryl
Boy, you have a complicated pumpkin soup recipe! I can’t wait to try it. What really stands out for me is the smokiness, earthiness, cream and hint of nutmeg [...]
Posted in PLACES TO VISIT, SEASONS on Oct 11th, 2008
The simple things in life are the most memorable for me. Hubby, Tulip and I took a day trip to Half Moon Bay one Sunday with no plans at all. After walking the cute little downtown, we bought a little witch at the Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel. An old-fashioned barn-like store, it has [...]
Posted in LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING, SEASONS on Oct 10th, 2008
On a whim, I gathered some old jeans, a Grateful Dead T-shirt, my old pink flannel shirt, a torn straw hat, custom boots courtesy of the Visalia Rockettes (circa my high school years), decomposing gloves from the garage, a little straw from the Pumpkin Patch, and a white pillow cover. I stuffed it with (a [...]
Posted in LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING, ON MY MIND, SEASONS on Oct 10th, 2008
Do you make small changes to your home seasonally? Today I will be putting the lightweight quilt into the closet and replacing it with the down comforter. Seasonal rituals change my environment and make me happy. And I don’t have to go shopping!
Posted in LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING, ON MY MIND, SEASONS on Sep 2nd, 2008
September is one of my favorite months. (June is the other.) The weather is cooler and yet still warm enough to enjoy being outside days and nights. My garden is giving me a last batch of tomatoes and carrots. I’m looking forward to planting lettuce and onions soon.
Each September I take a brief road trip [...]
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I hope you are relaxing, drinking a glass of wine and enjoying being introduced to new people, places and pairings. Use girlwithaglass as your personal concierge to living a pleasurable life. Join my Tip the Glass Friends. Check it out above. Cheers!