Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you enjoy all the dishes you, your family, and friends have prepared. I baked an apple pie from scratch that turned out wonderful. The recipe's in my cookbook, "Everyday Comfort Foods with Family and Friends." It's available at IUniverse.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and Amazon.com for $8.95.

Beringer White Zinfandel, or Merlot?

I purchased a bottle of Beringer White Merlot yesterday at Smart & Final on sale for $3.99. I also had a $1.00 off coupon (something rarely seen in the coupon section of the Sunday news paper). I've always been a fan of Beringer White Zinfandel and have had White Merlot a few times in the past. Now, I remember why I love it! It's not as sweet as White Zinfandel, but has all the fruity flavor and berry taste as a Merlot. And, it goes well with fish and just about any meat dish. I enjoyed a glass with some spaghetti I made for dinner. I'll try Beringer Chenin Blanc next.

Sale at Macy's

It's Veteran Day, and the malls are open. And, they were crowded when I was there. I browsed in the clearance section at Macy's and found a lovely, colorful skirt for a steal - $10.32, plus an additional 20% off! Yes, I was all smiles over this purchase. I have a tan and a cream-colored blouse I can wear with it, along with two solid black sweaters. With sales throughout the year, Macy's makes it easy to shop, buy, and dress for less.

Comfort Food for dinner

Today, I fixed one of my favorite comfort foods, Red Beans with Smoked Turkey, Sausage, and Rice. Yes, corn bread goes great with this dish, but I decided I wanted a baked sweet potato today. Instead of baking the sweet potatoes, slices them, and baking them again with a syrup mixture, I just baked them and added a little margarine on top. And, they were delicious. You can find both of these recipes in my cookbook, "Everyday Comfort Foods with Family and Friends." It's available for $8.95 at IUniverse.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Amazon.com. They make great gifts for the holidays!

Wine and Caramel tasting at J. Lohr Winery

I'm on "the Juice for San Jose" email list that features several wine tasting events throughout the south bay. I haven't been to an event for a while, but as soon as I saw "Wine and Caramel tasting", I knew I had to go. With your $15 ticket purchase, you'll get to taste various wines and caramel and take home a jar of your favorite caramel. I'll be there! The event is from 3 to 5pm, Saturday, November 19, 2011 at J. Lohr Winery, 1000 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, (408) 288-5057. Get your ticket today!