If you haven’t noticed (and I hope you have), I’ve recently started posting only once or twice a week.  This is intentional and it will be how I do things around here from now on.  I’ve had a wonderful year but a busy one.  One that had me so overworked that I couldn’t even remember what offline was anymore.  I have renewed my love for things offline like crocheting, hanging with friends, spending more time with my husband, and just enjoying a little extra me time with reading; something I hadn’t done in forever.  Hope you guys embrace this change and see it for the good!

Where’s my WINE drinkers???

While in  Dallas recently, I was talking with a couple of ladies about wine. How I really don’t much about the different tastes and they were trying to describe dry, sweet, etc.  Then the other day, I was sent some information on a wine quiz that helps determine your personality.  This is great for someone like me who doesn’t know much about it and it’s fun to see how you come out that do drink it and know what you love.  I’d love for you to give the quiz a try to see what your wine personality is. I’ve posted the questions and answers below.  Be sure to check out the Mirassou Winery site because they have some wonderful information over there from recipes to wine tasting education.

I answered the questions and it has determined that I am a Chardonnay kinda gal–Sunny and Mellow! I’d say that suits me to a T AND it’s the exact wine I tried while in Dallas that I LOVED. Cool!

Are you…

• * Sweet? — Riesling
• * Energetic? — Sauvignon Blanc
• * Sporty? — Pinot Grigio
• * Sunny and Mellow? — Chardonnay
• * A person of high standards? — Pinot Noir
• * Earthy? — Merlot
• * Adventurous? — Cabernet

The QUIZ

1. Are you a real sweetheart or big softy?
2. Do you prefer sweet tastes over salty ones?
3. Do you run circles around your friends because you’re so energetic?
4. Are you constantly “on the go”?
5. Do you spend most of your free time on the golf course?
6. Do you tend to participate in sports rather than watching as a by-stander?
7. Is your disposition a happy one?
8. Do you “go with the flow”? Have you been described by some as being flexible or “mellow”?
9. Are you a perfectionist, never letting go of a project until it’s completely perfect?
10. Are you a “Type A” with extremely high standards for yourself and others?
11. Are you a nature buff, one who’d rather be out hiking or fishing or out enjoying the natural world?
12. Are you concerned for the environment?
13. Are you a powerhouse in the workplace who is ready to meet any challenge and sometimes referred to as “adventurous”?
14. Do you like to take risks, preferring to try things outside your comfort zone?

Quiz Answers!

• * If you answered yes to questions 1 or 2, you are a Riesling.
• * If you answered yes to questions 3 or 4, you are a Sauvignon Blanc.
• * If you answered yes to questions 5 or 6, you are a Pinot Grigio.
• * If you answered yes to questions 7 or 8, you are a Chardonnay.
• * If you answered yes to questions 9 or 10, you are a Pinot Noir.
• * If you answered yes to questions 11 or 12, you are a Merlot.
• * If you answered yes to questions 13 or 14, you are a Cabernet.

For more info, you can head to the actual quiz.

Now to share a couple of things we ate this week. And I’d love to hear about what you ate this week. Did you try any new recipes??

Fajitas with handmade flour tortillas was a hit as usual!  Fajitas are like the easiest meal ever to make and while I prefer chicken fajitas, my guys prefer beef.  4 against 1, oh well.

And steak, another cowboy favorite.  We decided to use our new Lodge Griddle, well, my man decided to use it. He was dying to cook something on it and since it was pouring rain outside and our wood was wet, it gave him the perfect excuse to cook steak indoors.  I’ve never shared our secret to our steak recipe…and I’m not today either but maybe some day…..

Little Black Dress Wine and five recipes to serve at parties, with just the two of you, or even at the next barbecue!

LBD Wines Cabernet Cocktail

• 2 oz Little Black Dress Cabernet
• ½ oz Tuaca
• ½ oz Amaretto
• 3 oz Sprite

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients, roll to mix, transfer to serving glass

LBD Wines Couture-tini

• 3 oz Little Black Dress Chardonnay
• ½ oz Strawberry Puree
• ¼ oz Agave Nectar
• Top with Korbel Brut Champagne

In a shaker filled with ice, combine Little Black Dress Chardonnay, strawberry puree and agave nectar. Strain into chilled martini glass and top with Korbel Brut Champagne. Garnish with a strawberry.

Fashionista

• 2 oz Little Black Dress Pinot Noir
• ½ oz Pomegranate
• ½ oz Fresh Squeeze Lime
• ½ oz Agave Nectar

In a shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients, roll to mix and transfer to a tall glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Limelight

• 3 oz Little Black Dress Chardonnay
• ½ oz Midori
• ½ oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Sprite

In a shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients, roll to mix, transfer to a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Satin Slip

• 2 oz Little Black Dress Merlot
• ½ oz Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Agave Nectar
• ½ oz Cointreau
• Splash of Club Soda

In a shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients, roll to mix, transfer to a large wine glass and garnish with an orange slice

I know first hand how some people tend to react to shrimp and cheese but there are some tasty dishes out there including this one with one of my favorites types of cheese, Parmesan.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound large raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 1-1/2 cups onions, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (16 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 cup fresh asparagus, diced
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup black olives, halved
• 1 pound rotini pasta, cooked and drained
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) Wisconsin Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS:

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook shrimp in 2 tablespoons of oil for
about 3 minutes or until opaque, stirring often. Remove shrimp from skillet;
set aside.
In same skillet, cook onions and garlic in remaining oil for 3 minutes.

Add tomatoes, asparagus and wine; heat to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer
for 5 minutes. Add cooked shrimp and olives; heat through.

In a large bowl, gently combine pasta, shrimp-vegetable mixture, cheese,
parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers.

Get more cheesy recipes at Eat Wisconsin Cheese

I was in NYC the last few days and had the chance to eat at a much fancier restaurant, that is normally available to me, called Thalia.

Now many of you have probably eaten at places like this many times but I have not so even ordering the food was an issue for me.  I didn’t know what this was or that but with the help of my blogging friends, I was able to wing enough to get by.  While most of the other girls drank wine, I drank beer.  Yeah, I know…not classy by any means but it’s what I was comfortable with.

So that night they were having the special which consisted of the 3 courses.  The appetizer, the main, and the dessert.  I chose the vegetable mix while my good friend Tara chose the Butternut Squash Soup. She said it was fabulous and I believe her considering her bowl was licked clean.

For the main course, another good friend of mine, Alyssa, had this….and I don’t even know what it was called but those balls are cauliflower.  She too thought it was great and she wasn’t just saying that because she’s pregnant.

Even though I had a beer, I still gave the wine a try but, for me, it was too bitter.  I think you have to acquire a taste for wine you know.  I had a wonderful time with all the women there and the Thalia atmosphere is breathtaking.  Loved it and can’t wait to go back.

Guest Post by Nan Slaughter of Pots and Pins

There is a definite chill in the air, and I’m not just talking about the mister opening his checkbook either! Winter is upon us up here in the Great Northwest…no snow yet but when the temperature dips below our average (50 degrees) it’s time to break out the comfort food! And nothing says comfort like risotto! Even my mister would agree, and he is most disagreeable…his favorite food is boiled chicken and mashed potatoes and serving him anything colorful and flavorful is always risky so you know it’s good when someone with his bland-as-mush-palate will eat risotto! But then, this is no ordinary risotto! It’ll have your taste buds doing a feel-good dance in no time with it’s creamy, cheesiness and the freshness of the tomatoes – to say nothing of the subtle hint of saffron…guiro su dio!…Cross my heart and hope to die! Break out the pots and give this one a try…it’ll cure what ails you and then some!

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tomatoes, (about 2 lbs.) flesh scooped out and skin discarded
• 1 (32 oz.) container chicken broth
• 2 pinches saffron threads
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons butter, chilled and cut into pieces
• 2 cups baby spinach (a few generous handfuls)
• ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup Parmesan, grated

DIRECTIONS:

Using a food processor, puree the tomatoes. Pour into a medium saucepan and add the chicken broth and saffron. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then keep warm over low heat.

In a deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and garlic; season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the rice to coat with the oil, increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook until slightly evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in a couple ladlefuls of the warm tomato broth, stirring constantly until absorbed, about 1 minute. Continue adding the broth, a couple of ladlefuls at a time, stirring after each addition until absorbed and to prevent sticking. Cook until the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy but not soupy, about 18 minutes. During the last two minutes of cooking, stir in the butter.

Remove from heat and toss in the baby spinach and Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Recipe Adapted from Everyday With Rachel Ray Magazine, November 2008, Serves 4.

Have you ever been told last minute that guests will be arriving for a visit and have nothing quick to serve up?  Well, I have…too many times to count I might add but Pillsbury has a solution.  I make a lot from scratch I admit but sometimes I just don’t want to or have the time to do it so when I ran across these Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites in Cheese & Spinach style. I knew they’d be a winner for sure.  What I love about the new ones, is that they are “classy”.  Instead of serving your pizza rolls (which they have), Pillsbury provides you with an appetizer that is adult friendly and great with a bottle of wine and moms like myself need to feel like an adult every once in awhile right?  

Cooking these delights will only take about 20 minutes before being ready to serve.  With their flaky crust that is SOOOOOO good and perfect finger food size, you’ll have people asking you how did you make them!  I’m proud to say that my kiddos love them.  We bought these in town the other day and my kids were very skeptical of any spinach product being good but they were pleasantly surprised and ate all of them!

So guess what?  You can WIN IT!  What can you win?  Check it out!!

Here’s the Savory Gift Bag!

The Savoring the Moment gift bag will include a free coupon, a wine bottle topper, wine glass charms, a bottle opener, a wine and food guide, stampable wine tags and an appetizer plate that also holds your wine glass.  Whew!  That’s a lot!!!  And because I’m cool and I know cool people, I’ll even throw in a coupon for a runner-up!

WHAT??  You want to know how to enter?  Well, as always, it’s super easy!  Do one or all, your choice:)

Each entry MUST be in a separate comment or it will not be counted!!

To enter:

* Leave a comment on this post with your favorite Pillsbury product.

Additional entries:

* Stumble this post

* Blog about it

* Tweet it (twitter)

You can come back and enter every single day if you like by leaving a comment.  Giveaway ends on September 26th.