Wine Tasting

My own creation - Notice the date?
It was drawn well over a year ago.

I do not know about you, but I am more than ready to welcome fall after one crazily hot and hazy summer! And what better way to celebrate the promise of cooler weather, the holidays, and harvest season than with a wine-themed party or a wine tasting? Here are a few tips to help get you on your way to throwing a fun and memorable soiree!  I just attended something similar downtown - last week. Think in terms of a fundraiser. This is my idea for a fundraiser for next month: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sending an email or giving guests a call may be the easiest way to bring in RSVPs, but it can also be fun and unexpected to order or make your own a wine-themed invitation you can send through the mail. I love this simple yet classy design, which is just perfect for a rehearsal dinner or cocktail party.  Of course, wine is always at its best when paired with the right appetizer or entree. Go potluck, and encourage each guest to bring along a favorite wine, along with an hors d'oeuvre or tapas-style dish that complements it. This way, everyone can enjoy mixing and matching throughout the evening. Just designate in advance whether certain guests will bring whites, reds, roses, sangria's, cavas, or dessert wines, so that you end up with a nice variety. And do not forget to offer plenty of non-alcoholic options for those who choose not to drink! Getting chilly outside? Add a mulled cider to your list of drinks to help everyone warm up. When served with heated nuts, like spiced pecans or walnuts, this is an easy favorite with guest. Help guests remember which glass is theirs in style with colored charms. With packs of eight available for just $8 at Pier 1 Imports, these are a steal! Going all out with a dinner party? Wine-cork place-card holders, like this matching set. I think it is a great idea in keeping the theme going. Favors are not just for weddings and showers anymore! Send each guest home with a wine-themed memento, like this cute yet functional fall wine-stopper, to help them remember what a great time they had. ELB 2011

Elena and Courtney - A Day of Beauty

Elena and Courtney -
Courtney is my friend and she is my hair stylist.

Courtney has been styling my hair the past three years. It is so nice to have a friend and someone familiar to cut and style one's hair - she is that for me. I wear my hair in the same style I did at the age of three years old. I will let it grow out, at times, to my chin, then I will cut it above my jaw - regardless the length it is the same style. I have very thick hair and it gives Courtney problems cutting, even with my short style, because of the thickness. In the video below, you will see Courtney and I checking and rechecking for 'tags.' Before I get out of that chair I know my hair is exactly how I want it. I always get my hair cut a couple of weeks before my birthday - this is my 'birthday day' hair cut. Before any big event one should get a hair cut at least two weeks before, so the cut has time to grow out a little and it will hold it's style better. The best part is the catching up and talking about what is going on in our lives and in our community. Of course we discussed Clinique's latest 'free gift with purchase' at Dillard's (every season they have this offer) - I picked mine up, yesterday. I even wore the new fall lip color that came with the gift, just so they could see the shade. We discussed the 65% off shoe sale - I wore a  pair of shoes I purchased, yesterday. We discuss the newest restaurant, our favorite restaurant and which restaurant we will go to during our next Lady's Night. Then we discussed diets and they all think I am, too, thin - uh, 'No.' There is no subject off limits. The sisterhood is solid and we are the real life 'Steel Magnolias' - after all, we are Mississippians  and Mississippi is 'The Magnolia State.'  ELB 2011

Labor Day and Tropical Storm Lee - 2011

This is me on Labor Day 2011,
during Tropical Storm Lee

On this Labor Day, September 5, 2011, Tropical Storm Lee spent the day in Meridian, Mississippi, and I decided to go out and play with him. What else was there to do? There was no work, since most were off for the holiday, no school,  many people were locked inside their homes with fear of flooding and/or tornadoes, and others were traveling back home after a long weekend. Labor Day represents the end of summer for many, but here in the Deep South summer weather will return, once Tropical Storm Lee and it's remnants pass over us. We do not stop barbecuing nor do we stop wearing white - least till October. As I have said before, 'If the Pope can wear white after Labor Day, we can, too.' Truth to tell - I love fall fashion and I cannot wait to start styling it. Autumn is my favorite season. My birthday is on the 22nd of September, and fall usually falls on the 22nd or the 23rd of September. My love of Autumn is no surprise - it is providence.  These are just a few things I did on this stormy Labor Day of 2011.  My new Harley-Davidson denim jacket! I met Marie who was wearing a 'frog; shirt.  I shared my frog story with her. An ice cream cone kind of day. Yes! I washed my hands after handling the frog.  Ice Cream makes even a Tropical Storm feel like a piece of cake!  Oh, I love misbehaved children! I scream! You scream!  We all scream for ice cream! Dillard's was having a 65% off shoe sale. I selected a pair of  $98.00 Antonio Melani  for $34.30 and a pair of $69-99 Gianni Bini for $24.49! I love Labor Day Sales! Afterwards, a delicious Mexican dinner at El Norte. So, this is me after spending the day in the wind and rain -  One HOT mess! ELB 2011

Coffee Shops

Coffee Shops

Do you not just love coffee shops? Whether it is the comfy couches, mellow music, or free wi-fi that reels you in, you are bound to stick around for a while and grab a little nosh. Since coffee shops serve way more than coffee these days, it helps to have a little know-how to help you stay on track with your diet. Be careful of the “silent sabotagers” – coffee beverages. Many drinks can have the calorie and fat value of desserts. A large whole milk mocha will set you back 400 calories and almost half your daily limit of saturated fat. If you are the kind who likes a little coffee with your sugar, try to think “less.” Use less sweetener, one pump flavor shot or one sugar packet. Choose fat-free milk. Get a small size “designer” beverage. Choose unsweetened drip coffees, Americano, or iced coffee most of the time and save the indulgent drinks for once in a while. Pace yourself on the pastries. We all love the homemade muffins, bagels, and croissants at the coffee house. But the portion sizes can be over the top. They have all practically doubled in size – and fat and calories. You do not have to totally abandon these tasty treats, but you should really make them treats! Look for bran muffins or low-fat baked goods. Many coffee houses offer modest sized banana breads, hearty muffins made with with carrots, apples, and raisins. The low-fat recipes will use less oil and replace it with low-fat yogurt or applesauce. Coffee shops are places I go to and unwind. I really like those in located in bookstores. I go at least once a week to Books A Million (BAM). I get to checkout the latest books, magazines and I always run into friends. I get caught up on e-mails and messages from the social and professional sites I belong to. I will also try to get a blog started or posted, while enjoying a Frappe, a Latte or hot chocolate! I really do stay away from the pastries - better in the case than on my waist. ELB 2011

Southern Shrimp Boil

Southern Shrimp Boil

You might find yourself this weekend thinking how can I do something different for dinner? Typically, a get together during the day consists of hamburger, hot dogs, brats on the grill and fresh veggies. Why? Because it is easy and simple - but this time around bring out your stockpot with it's steamer insert and boil up the most delicious, spicy and juicy batch of shrimp you have ever tasted - it is easy and simple, too! Nothing gets people in the South together better than a good old fashion boil, whether that be crawfish or shrimp. It is a Louisiana tradition and it is so easy and simple we people in Mississippi can even do it. It takes no time to prepare and get the men to boil the seafood, while you put the finishing touch on the dessert.  In all seriousness, this shrimp boil is so delicious, easy and simple that you must give it a try this summer or in the fall. Just roll up your sleeves and enjoy a big steaming pile of juicy jumbo shrimp and spicy vegetables.  Summer Shrimp Boil Ingredients: 5 lbs (21-25 count) shrimp 2 1/2 gallons of water 2 large onions, quartered 2 heads of garlic 6 stalks of celery, cut into thirds 4 lemons, halved 6 bay leaves 1 bottle of ZARTRAIN's or Old Bay Seasoning for boils or steamers 1 lb smoked sausage, cut into 4" links 1/2 cup salt ( I know this seems like a lot but trust me!) 2 tsp cayenne pepper 2 lbs red new potatoes 6 ears corn, broken in thirds 1/2 bag of ice Directions: In a heavy 20-quart stockpot, with it's steamer insert, bring water to a rolling boil.  Drop in all ingredients but the potatoes, corn and shrimp Cover and rapidly boil at least 10 minutes to create a flavored seasoning stock.  Add potatoes, return to a boil and cook for another 5 minutes.  Now add the corn and boil for another 10 minutes.  Add shrimp the the pot, cover and return to a boil.  Boil for 2-3 minutes tops. Immediately remove pot from the heat and add ice.  Let the shrimp, sausage and vegetables soak in the water for 15-30 minutes.  The longer they soak the more flavor they absorb.  Drain off water before serving and pile onto plates. There is no need to silverware, this is to be eaten with your hands. Provide plenty of napkins, you and your guest will surely need them. Enjoy! I personally do not eat onions, I eat around them, but the flavor from the onion is a must. It is the blending of flavors that make a dish delicious. The same for those who do not like garlic, celery, tomatoes, etc. - when it calls for the vegetables to be sliced in halves, thirds or quarters they are large enough to eat around them - that is what I do. ELB 2011

Labor Day 2011

Bring Back American Jobs, Mr. President

I am working today. In fact, if I am conscious, I am working. That is largely because it does not seem like 'work' today. My mind is on the long weekend and all that is planned, including the rain headed our way, with a potential for flooding along the Gulf Coast. More and more people are lucky enough to have a job like mine - work you would do even if you did not have to, even if you did not get paid to do it - but pay is good, too.  This is a bigger idea than it seems, because it changes the posture of what you do. Different motivations ought to lead to different results. My version goes like this: If I am doing this for fun (and I am) then I might as well doing something remarkable, great, worth doing. Otherwise, why bother? Each day, I thank my Heavenly Father for my job and the security it brings me. I have always been one to say, any job, if it is honest, is a good job. I believe that more now that unemployment has risen to 9.1% - The Labor Department reported on Friday zero net job creation in August, far worse than expected. We are living in hard times and the U.S. needs job creation - now. Americans deserve better from our government. I blame our government and big business for  sending jobs across our borders and overseas. See what we are left with? When there is no income there is no money for the necessities, let alone any luxury.  I am anti-NAFTA ' North American Free Trade Agreement. I am pro-American industrialization and job security. Under NAFTA Canada's GDP rate at 3.6% growing faster than the U.S. at 3.3% and Mexico at 2.7%.  The time is now - Americans for Americans. We were once the largest industrialized nation in the world - now we take a backseat to other countries.  Americans are now known as lazy people - when did that start? When have we become 'too good' to hold down a job, any job? Even as labors, Americans could put food on their tables instead of standing in the welfare lines. It is my prayer we earn back what we lost. To hell with socialism or globalization. Americans made America GREAT - no foreign country will ever have our best interest. We are one nation under GOD. It is time we remember who we are!

September

This is me during the month of September, the onset of Autumn 

September The goldenrod is yellow, The corn is turning brown, The trees in apple orchards With fruit are bending down; The gentian’s bluest fringes Are curling in the sun; In dusty pods the milkweed Its hidden silk has spun; The sedges flaunt their harvest In every meadow nook, And asters by the brookside Make asters in the brook; From dewy lanes at morning The grapes’ sweet odors rise; At noon the roads all flutter With yellow butterflies– By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer. Helen Hunt Jackson I took this photograph last September