May 31, 2010
Happy Memorial Day!
Today is the day that we stop and remember those who are, and have served our country, especially those that have paid the ultimate price. Our traditional form of celebration often involves food, as it often does.
Today we are having some people over for an impromptu celebration. We're having BBQ ribs and chicken, baked chicken legs with rosemary and thyme, baked beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, spinach artichoke dip with cut vegetables, squash casserole, yeast rolls and for dessert we're having gluten free cake, apple pie with a crumb topping, brownies and homemade vanilla ice cream.
How do you celebrate and what are you having?
Posted by Dianne at 11:34 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 28, 2010
Don't Forget!
To come over to Daffodil Lane and Tell Me What Great Things Come In Small Packages and you could win a $100 Carrabba's Gift card!
How easy is that?
Posted by Dianne at 12:26 PM
May 17, 2010
Stop By and Say Hello!
I'm posting at The Greenists today about growing your own herbs. Stop by and say hello and tell me what herbs you like to grow!
I'm off to see my 92 year old grandfather in Greeneville, TN today. I haven't seen him for a couple of years and I'm so excited! Can't wait to give him a hug!
Hope you all have a fabulous day!
Posted by Dianne at 7:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 12, 2010
Wines I'm Digging
I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but one of my "goals" this year was to find a wine out there somewhere I liked. In the past I've tried wines and I had never found anything that I liked. It was all just sour to me. What I realized is that I prefer a sweeter wine, or what they call a semi-sweet or even a sweet variety. So here's a list of the things I've tried that I liked. As time goes by and I find other varieties, including the ones I have in my "collection" I haven't tried yet, I'll be adding to this list.
First up let me tell you about a wine from here in Maryland. It comes from Frederick Cellars and it's called "Trail's End".
I've found that I prefer red wines, but once in a while I come across a white variety that I really enjoy. This is one of those times!
The next two come out of Saint Micheal's Winery, also located here in Maryland. I have two that I like from that winery, a red and white. First is the Gollywobbler Red and second is the Gollywobbler White.
I like the red a little better, but the white is good too!
Unfortunately with wine in Maryland by law (Stupid law!) it can not be shipped in or out of the state as far as purchasing it and having it sent to you. But if you're in Maryland, or are planning a trip, you should check these out!
The next one I enjoyed is out of a winery in North Carolina called Duplin Winery and was recommended to me by a friend on FaceBook. This one is called Hatteras Red and let's face it with my love of Cape Hatteras I felt a kinship with this one before I ever tried it!
This is a muscadine wine. For those of you who aren't familiar with muscadines they are found readily throughout the south. Oh how I miss muscadines! I LOVE them! It turns out they make a pretty good wine too!
I have a couple more varieties from this winery I haven't tried yet. If I like them I'll tell you about them later!
Lastly I have a variety from a winery in Tennessee near where I grew up called Savannah Oaks Winery. I have several bottles from this winery as well that my parents brought to me. The one I have tried is the Concord variety, which I really enjoyed!
Concord grapes are also a favorite of mine. I love when they are briefly in season in the fall! Grape juice is made with these grapes and it just goes to show that they make a really good wine too!
As I said as I try other varieties that I like, then I'll tell you about them over time. I've heard good things about Linganore Cellars in Mount Airy and have a tip on a wine from The Culinary Chick that I plan to look for next time I'm in Howard or Baltimore county, but for now this is what I'm enjoying.
My wine consumption is slow since I am the only one in the house that drinks wine and I only have a glass or two on weekends then it takes me a bit to make it through a bottle, but I'm enjoying the process. Who would have thought that I would actually like wine? ;oP
So tell me what kind of wine do you like?
Posted by Dianne at 9:16 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 11, 2010
Come Over To Daffodil Lane And Tell Me What Great Things Come In Small Packages And You Could Win a $100 Carrabba's Gift Card!
Hop over to Daffodil Lane and tell me What Great Things Come In Small Packages between 5/11/2010 and 6/11/2010 and you could win a $100 Carrabba's gift card!
What are you waiting for? Good luck!
Posted by Dianne at 3:39 PM
May 10, 2010
Castillos in Etowah, Tenneessee
As I mentioned last week Alexis and I went on a little adventure to Grams and Pop's house. We got to see Jamison's mom too, as she lives close to my parents, as well as Darlene and several friends I hadn't seen in years. We had a really good trip!
You've heard me mention in the past that I LOVE Mexican food! Seriously I never grow tired of it, though I don't eat it that often. Donna (Jamison's mom) came up and met us at my Mom's house when we arrived and Grams, Grandma, Lex and I went out for a mini girl's dinner at the local Mexican restaurant Castillos. We were having such a good time talking and laughing that I forgot to take pictures.
Later in the week Mom and I decided to get take out from Castillos so I could get some pictures to share. Mexican twice in a week? Why not?!!?!
Alexis opted to make a salad at home. She does that often. But I had the Vegetarian A plate:
This consists of a bean burrito, a cheese enchilada and a tostada with refried beans and cheese dip. It was fabulous! On Sunday when we arrived I had the Chicken Fajita Nachos and those were really great too! But as I mentioned no picture of that one.
My Mom got the Yolandas:
This consists of three chicken enhiladas with cheese and ranchero sauce. It's served with lettuce, tomatoes, gucamole and Mexican rice. Mom thought it was a bit spicy, but she likes things really mild. It looked really good.
And finally my dad got the Beef Taco Salad:
The shell is filled with ground beef, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
If you're in Etowah or passing through then stop by and check out Castillos. They are located at 331 Tennessee Avenue and you'll definitely be glad you did!
Posted by Dianne at 11:01 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
May 5, 2010
Did You Miss Me?
So have you missed me? I bet you thought I had fallen off the planet, but no, I'm still here, I've just been crazy busy. Life is like that I suppose.
The rose above is from my mom's front yard. Lex and I went on a little adventure last week and went to see "Grams and Pop"! We're actually going back to Tennessee in a couple of weeks. I love that Alexis travels well now. When she was a baby? Not so much! She was one of those "I'm going to scream until we get out of this car and never go to sleep!" kind of kids. She has never been the "Throw them in the car and they'll sleep until we get there!" kid AT ALL!
She has fallen asleep in the car FIVE times in her entire life.
FIVE!
And in case I didn't mention it, that was FIVE.
But I digress!
Anyway.....
I've got a couple of restaurant reviews coming up from the town I grew up in in Tennessee. If you're ever in the area you should check them out! I also have recipes for Roasted Garlic Ceasar Salad and a Gluten Free Cheeseburger Macaroni. My "garden" is going and I have plenty to tell you about that as well! Hopefully I'll be able to post something starting tomorrow, but we'll see how things go.
So I'm back...Sort of! Hope everyone out there in cyberland is doing well!
Posted by Dianne at 10:23 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
