Peace on Earth. or in our House.

I have a dog. His name is Griff!

I also have a bear. It's name is Pink Bear!

You might remember them both from one of my first blog posts.

Griff and Pink Bear have a errrrrr......special relationship. Griff is extremely aware of my undying love for Pink Bear, and he has learned that stealing Pink Bear is the FASTEST way to get my attention. As Pink Bear clings to life in the clutches of Griff's jaw, I shriek in fear as memories of Kate Shofner de-stuffing PB flood my mind. I could hire a full-time therapist to talk through the tough times I have seen PB through.

You see, you all need to realize that PB has slightly elevated my left shoulder as I sleep for years.

as in ALL of my years.

And I honestly don't even care if (when) you judge me. At this point it is practically a medical necessity for my sleeping habits. So there!

All of my ramblings leads up to one of my absolutely favorite Griff moments ever. You see - Josh leaves for work at approximately 3:30 a.m. each morning, so Griff and I hang tight on our own as I get ready for work. Griff normally has morning-scurry-prancing-fun for about 20 minutes ... and then he naps. Because after 9 hours of sleep and a 20 minute romp, he's tired. (and I hate him for it...)

On one particular Tuesday morning, I heard Griff rustling in our bedroom and then silence. But not napping silence... mischief silence. So I peek over our little ledge into the living room (his nap spot) and I see this...

There was Griff sleeping, as usual. But there seemed to be something on the couch with him. So I creeped downstairs and whipped out my camera just in time to capture this!

It is my favorite face and my favorite booty all in one cuddly bundle of cuteness! There was my rowdy boy, sound asleep and curled up to my Pink Bear.

I guess I am not the only one who can understand a good shoulder elevator. He truly is my dog. and my heart grows a little bit more...

Disclaimer:

No beloved, medically required pink bears were harmed in the making of this post.

Wine Wednesday - A Perfect Pairing!

Hallelujah! It's Fall! The end of October not only means pumpkins, wreaths and Halloween costumes - it also means that nobody will judge me for wearing my cashmere even thought it is 82 degrees and I am sweating like a pig. Because gosh darn. It's FALL!

Fall for me and Josh means one thing... turkey meatloaf! Specifically my rootin' tootin' tasty turkey meatloaf. I would like to think that among the 14 people I have served it to, I am famous.

Now all of you Smitten-Kitchen-readers and Martha-Stewart-lovers have already turned up your snotty (from the weather changing) noses to one word in that paragraph above... meatloaf. But you know what? The Brady Bunch kids loved it when Alice made meatloaf. And when you have a good recipe... your husband just may fall to the ground and weep with joy (just like mine does!) when you pop this little beauty in the oven!

So get off your high horse and make the darn meatloaf. I can almost promise you will be a convert for life.

Josh's Favorite Dinner - Turkey Meatloaf!

This recipe is slightly adapted from a Cagle Family recipe. However, the Cagles are basically my family (anyone you spend Thanksgiving/Christmas with is officially FAMILY.) so I cook this sucker with love in my heart.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey

1 lb. ground super lean beef

1 pkg. onion soup mix

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup half & half

2 eggs lightly beaten

1 sleeve Ritz, crushed

1 bottle of Heinz chili sauce

In a large bowl, place onion soup mix. Cover with sour cream, eggs, and half & half. Allow to stand well mixed for a few minutes. Sprinkle the Ritz crumbs over the mixture. Add the meat (uncooked) and mix thoroughly. Shape into a free-form loaf in the middle of a casserole dish ( Allows for more of it to caramelize...) Dump a 1/4 to 1/2 of the bottle of chili sauce on top. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350 degrees. Serve with extra chili sauce on the side.

Yay for dinner! But WAIT!

It's Wine Wednesday, not Meatloaf Wednesday! Although that's not a bad idea....

Turkey meatloaf is savory, meaty and deLISH. But the turkey keeps it from being too heavy and the chili sauce gives it a subtle yet interesting "tang". This is one of those comforting, yummy meals that is perfect on a cool evening, and Josh and I both agree that this a "red wine" kind of meal. So many dishes can go a thousand directions in the realm of wine, but this is meant for a full, juicy, cozy red. We have a couple of favorites to pair with this one:

When you are feelin' schmancy...

Frank Family Vineyards - Zinfandel

Retail approx. $40

I know this is expensive. And I know that a lot of people out there turn and run when they hear the word zinfandel. But this is RED zinfandel and it. is. the.

Best.

If you have never tried a good red zin or haven't liked the cheap stuff, then this is for you. It is juicy with lots of blackberry, jam, a subtle spice and tannins that balance perfectly. This bottle will not only make you rethink zin, but it will also justify every penny you spend on it. Just think! A bottle of this plus the meatloaf ingredients is still going to be cheaper than going out to your standard restaurant... So buy it! You can find it at good wine stores and even high-end grocery stores. Just let the fermented perfection overwhelm you...

If my eloquent words couldn't convince you...

Folie a Deux - Menage a Trois Red Wine

Retail approx. $10

This stuff is super cheap and pretty darn good! It isn't going to rock the foundation of your wine world, but it is a reliable, easy drinking red. We always have it at our grocery store, and we really enjoy sipping this with my turkey meatloaf! I think this is also a great option for guys and gals that tend to favor whites over reds. This one is like putting on your old t-shirt from middle school - soft, comfortable, easy and casual. Even if you are too cool for my meatloaf, this would be a great one to add to your grocery store rotation.

So eat! Drink! Celebrate fall! And don't judge my meatloaf. just give it a little love.

Wine Wednesday! At the Restaurant!

My sweet Daddio sent the fam a Wall Street Journal article earlier this week that had some tips on ordering wine at business dinners. It reminded me of some fabulous tips I read from the same fine publication about ordering wine the smart way in restaurants. You know how I love my bullet points, so let's get started, shall we?

• The most overpriced bottle on the menu: I love this this tip. It is simple, easy to apply, and completely logical. How many times have you found yourself in this little situation?

The budget's tight this month, the recession (or your children) are killing your "play money" reserves, or you are a poor recent college grad working hard for the table scraps at the corporate dinner table. But you are hungry and tired of eating hot dogs and heck! You need a night out! So off you trot with your friends or your sweetie to your favorite little bistro for a little indulgence. You crack open the wine list and scan the options. You gotta play this smart, so your eyes head straight to the bottom of the list where your dear friends, the inexpensive bottles, live. You don't want to look like a total cheapskate and order the cheapest thing on the menu, so you jump a bottle or two up and call it done! Whew! You can now order with the confidence that you don't look like a penny pincher to your waiter, but you didn't break the bank in the process.

Congrats!

And by "Congrats!", I mean Congrats to the restaurant owner! Because he priced his menu based on the idea that you will be too self conscious to order the cheapest bottle if you are choosing a less expensive bottle from the menu. The funny thing is that often that cheapest bottle on the wine list is probably a great bang for your buck. The mark-up on the second and third cheapest bottles are generally the highest on the menu. So if you are dining a budget, don't be afraid to choose the lowest priced bottle - you actually will do your wallet a favor and might just find a new favorite!

• Common Labels/Varietals = Overpriced Wine

A study of restaurant wine lists and pricing across the U.S. showed two very strong trends - American chardonnay is generally the most overpriced type of wine on a menu, and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is the #1 overpriced label. Guess why? Because they are familiar and most customers prefer to order wines they already know. It doesn't mean that American Chardonnay or Santa Margherita are bad wines - in fact, they both encompass some great wines! But when you are paying that restaurant mark-up, take the opportunity to try something you have never seen at the store. Restaurants can get their hands on some really fun, interesting wine if you will just give it a shot! And better yet - they keep the margins lower on the wines that aren't ordered as often.

• Uncommon regions make for tasty deals!

Americans as a whole are notorious in the global wine market as being a bit predictable and boring with wine preferences. We tend to drink the basics - chardonnay, pinot grigio, merlot, cabernet, and pinot noir, etc. But there are literally hundreds of species of wine grapes that make fantastic wines in very small regions of the world. So check out the whole list - see what jumps at you!

Now don't get me wrong - sometimes when I am out at dinner, I decide that I absolutely MUST have that California Cab I spotted, or that Pinot Noir that I haven't been able to find anywhere... but don't let yourself get stuck in an overpriced rut. If you are overwhelmed, then just talk to your server and/or sommelier. You will often end up with recommendations that are fun and completely outside-the-box.

So try that 2006 Trimbach Gewürztraminer!

Approximately $20 retail

Tasting Notes:

The basic Gewurztraminer from Trimbach is a real gem for those of you who like the spicy exotic aromas that this grape is renowned for but who don't appreciate the cloying and often times sweet character in other wines. This is dry and racy showing the classic Trimbach restraint with this grape resulting in a delicious lichee and orange peel-scented beauty. 89 points Wine Spectator: "This dry, light-bodied white has a minerally undertow to its flavors of grapefruit, smoke, orange granita and spice. There's good balance, with a modest finish. Drink now through 2016." (11/09)

or give that 2004 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino a shot!

Approximately $40 retail

Tasting Notes:

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "La Fortuna’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is especially beautiful in this vintage. The wine is remarkable for its density, richness and concentration, all of which have been achieved while maintaining clarity and freshness. The French oak is beautifully integrated in this sumptuous, generous Brunello. Suggestions of flowers and spices add notes of brightness on the finish. The Brunello spent a whopping 40 months in 25-hectoliter medium-sized casks prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019." (06/09)

Find that inner dare-devil and let it take over! Love ya'll - mean it!

P.S.

Photos and tasting notes are from K&L Wine Merchants - one of the top wine distributors in the U.S.

I. love. them. and you.

Dance it out.

I don't like to exercise. There. I said it. But it's true! The sweatiness, the ugly sports bras, the draining of my time... I just can't stand it. I try to be all good and "healthy" - it's practically a prerequisite at Baylor, but whatever. 9 times out of 10 I just blow it off and cuddle on the couch with Griff.

But there is one place that I will never be able to hold back, and my friends, that place is the dance floor. Whether it is on the parkay tiles of a wedding reception, the Kappa room for Sing practice, or my living room on my 21st birthday, the dance floor is where you will find me. Now, I don't dance to look cute and sassy. I don't daintily sway and giggle in my high heels. I throw caution (and my shoes) to the wind, slap my hair in a ponytail, and

dance.

it.

out.

I get sweaty... and rowdy... and completely unattractive. But I also burn every darn calorie in those glasses of champagne that I washed down with my slice of wedding cake. Weddings are practically my only option at this point in my life. dang it...

So today, my darlings, I challenge you to forget that lame power walk, that boring yoga class, or that Satan-created elliptical. There is a far better way to work it out. and that is to dance it out.

Love ya'll! Mean it.

To tide you over...

While I am working on my post about Maine (It needs to marinate a little longer...) I thought I would pay a little tribute to my darling hubby and our second anniversary. After all, without the big day there would be no big trip!

There are a few things in this life that I truly love with all my SOUL. Like Jesus, Josh, cheese and High School Musical. This little diddy below, created by my friend Meredith, manages to combine a couple of these things into the greatest piece of film on the planet. If I could hang this thing above my fireplace, I would.

So in honor of 2 years of wedded bliss, I dedicate this to my main squeeze, Josh!

Love.

woopsie daisy!

So I guess I kinda fell off the radar there, huh? Sorry darlins, but I have been on a whirwind, multi-state traveling extravaganza involving my sweet hubby and (for one meal at least) a certain breakfast club. It was sheer delight, and I can't wait to fill ya'll in! So keep your eyes peeled... the good stuff is coming soon! Just as soon as I throw away all the expired produce in my fridge and unpack my toiletries. And yes - that might take a while.

Love ya'll! Mean it.

Wine Wednesday! At the Grocery Store!

As much as I love to frolic through the Napa wine country, picking and choosing my favorite bottles of wine, it just can't happen all the time. Because I have never won the lottery or a Nobel prize. Heck, I can barely fit in a trip to our little wine store when our months get crazy.

So what does this all mean? A reality check.

Yes, a reality check that me and most of you probably end up buying wine at the grocery store more often than anywhere else. However, thanks to many grocery stores pushing to add some credibility to their wine shelves, as well as the recession tanking restaurant/speciality sales, an impressive selection at every price point can be found at the ol' supermarket.

In a wine tasting course I attended, I learned some valuable little tricks to wine shopping in grocery stores or anywhere else that may not have a knowledgeable staff. These can be a great help when you are in the mood to try something totally different or simply can't spot your favorites.

Disclaimer: These tips are most valuable when shopping for inexpensive wine ($15 and under). Many fabulous wines would break all of these rules, but most cheap bad wine will too. That being said, if you know the vineyard/wine, then go for it! Save these for that moment when you are staring at an aisle with your eyes glazed over...

1. Alcohol Content

Many super-mass produced wines use very poor quality grapes to crank out enough booze. These grapes are so bad that they don't have enough fruit sugars to convert into alcohol. So do you know what these companies do? They put SUGAR in the juice to get the alcohol levels to an appropriate level. You are basically drinking fermented Tang. disgusting.

These sugared up wines, due to their calibrated alcohol percentages, are often set at whole or half percentages (12.5%, 14%). So look for wines with an "off" percentage (13.2%, 14.1%) which means the wine was likely made with quality grapes that could produce the alcohol on their own.

2. Estate Bottled

Look for the term "Estate Bottled" on the label. Many wines slap something about being estate grown, but that pretty much means nothing.

Where else would the grapes grow? On the shoulder of the highway? hmmm... don't answer that.

If the wine was actually bottled at the estate, as opposed to a factory, it is more likely to be a quality product.

3. Cutesy Labels

I love a good cutesy label! And it doesn't mean the wine is bad! But many yucky wines do try to maximize the cute/funny factor on the label, so you will buy it for the look instead of the taste. If the label is very simple then you can trust that the wine will speak for itself.

So on your next trip to grab that gallon of milk, make a little detour to the wine section and pick up something you have never tried. After all, you might just find your new favorite.

Love ya'll! Mean it.

total and utter devastation

I know this darn recession has dampened quite a few parties, but it has officially now broken my heart. more like CRUSHED MY SOUL. Because the third greatest publication in history (after the Bible and Harry Potter) has been shut down. My darling, fabulous Gourmet magazine will be no more.

Did you ever read it? The most gorgeous photography and the most fabulous recipes could all be found in this little gem. It is (was) the oldest food magazine in publication and the stupid, dumb-heads at Conde Nast shut them down because they were "too luxury". Pish Tosh! I don't think those two words together have ever been used to describe me, but heck! I sure still loved reading about it!

My heart is breaking. my tears are shaking. And yes, I know that second phrase makes no sense. But I thought the power of the rhyme was more important, so roll with me on this one.

Anyway, the website is still operational for now.

So go!

Go NOW!

and absorb every photo, every recipe, and especially every cocktail detailed in the "Cocktails of the Decades" feature. Then make yourself a gimlet and cry with me.

I love you, Gourmet, and will miss you always...

These are the times I am so glad to have Pink Bear in my life.

Mac. and. Cheese.

This past weekend was truly magical in that the temperature outside finally dropped below 86 degrees. Hallelujah! So what did I do to celebrate this ummm... "brisk" weather? I made macaroni and cheese! But hear me out. This mac and cheese was life-changing, glorious, mind-bogglingly spectacular!

Is "mind-bogglingly" a word? Anyone?

I can't say that I have ever had a crush on a dish of pasta, but I think I have now. I am smitten, despite the understanding that our relationship will prevent me from ever looking cute in my skinny jeans. Sometimes you have to reevaluate your priorities in life, and my friends - this mac and cheese is a priority.

This is straight from the kitchen of the Pioneer Woman, who keeps me thoroughly entertained and out of my skinny jeans. Whip this up for dinner, pop open your favorite chardonnay, (or merlot if you're feeling cozy!) and don't forget your sweat pants. You will need them, and you won't care. I promise!

PW Macaroni and Cheese

4 cups dried macaroni

1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons) butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups whole milk

2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)

1 egg, beaten

1 pound cheese, grated

1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (more to taste)

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*Optional spices: cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.

In a small bowl, beat egg.

In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.

Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.

Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.

Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.

Add in cheese and stir to melt.

Add salts and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.

Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.

Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

You're welcome.

Movie Night!

Nothing wears me out like a long week of faking intelligence and wearing business clothes from 2002.

If I've get money to spend, this girl is buying a cocktail dress. Besides, nobody has said anything about the safety pin holding up my one pair of slacks, so it's all good, right?

And when it has been one of those weeks, a sassy snack and a gloriously classic movie just hits the spot. The thing is, I have found that my super-perfect-favorite movie of all time is one that many have never seen! Thus, I am begging you to open your minds and hearts to the fifties musical treat known as... Bye Bye Birdie!

Do you you have idea who stars in this thing? Brace yourself...

Ann-Margret!

This little vixen is one of my all-time favs, and she doesn't hold anything back in this movie. It cracks me up watching her try to play the role of a goody-goody teenager because let's face it - that is not what my gal is known for... sweet little thing.

Dick. Van. Dyke.

I don't think there is anything else I can begin to say here. Moving on...

Janet Leigh!

She is a sass and a half, and I love it. If you watch this movie for no other reason then watch it for her dresses. I need all of them in my closet immediately. I also need my legs to look like hers immediately.

But what I really love about this movie is its celebration of all things cheesy - high school romance, a fan's undying love for a celebrity, and defeating the Russians. (I promise, it's in there.)

If you are still not convinced, just watch this little diddy. I think I have burned more calories trying to recreate this dance in my living room then I ever have on an elliptical.

So go buy it. or rent it. or steal it. Just do what you have to do. and when you finally get your hands on this little gem, just pop some popcorn, whip up a Coke float, and call it a night. no wait... a perfect night.

And I would recommend you add a dash of amaretto to your float, but I am worried my parents might start to think I have a "problem". And I don't! At least I don't see it as one...

Love ya'll! Mean it.

Coffee Talk

In college, I got a lot of joy in judging my fellow students' obsession with coffee. I particularly enjoyed verbalizing my disdain for the beverage towards my roomie Meredith. Poor thing - as she sat on her little bed, in her little room, with her little mug of coffee, I would rattle off every statistic that Google had to offer that I felt proved coffee was secretly the #1 killer in the world. As far as I could tell, coffee was to blame for everything - jittery dictators overthrowing countries, hopped up drivers causing collisions, and that caffeinated kid sitting next to me in Economics who was not capable of silence.

But then...I graduated. And got a job. And I had one baby cup of Josh's morning coffee before a long day of work. 3 days later? I was downing my own pot without a second thought. And lucky for me, all of a sudden all my stats suddenly seemed to imply that a daily coffee could be good for you! So with each pot I brewed, I added days, probably years to my life. And this is the perspective I continue to champion today. Long live the coffee bean!

In my hunt for the perfect portable coffee cup, I have been left with heartache and disappointment. But I think I have finally found it. It's earth-friendly, it's leaky free, and most importantly... it's cute!

Introducing.... the "I am Not a Paper Cup"!

I love that it looks like a to go cup, and that the lid is silicon. It is a simple, clever little product that I have decided I can't live without. After all, if I can't finish that last hot cup o' joe at home, it might as well been in something fun to tote! And best of all - you can get it at Target! So go buy one. And buy me one too.

Love ya'll! Mean it.