The Wine Exchange

Blackstone, Merlot

I found this on sale at my grocery for $9.00. The Blackstone Merlot is a rich red wine, with an almost creamy texture. This Merlot has a flavor profile that is brimming over with ripe fruit flavors of plum and blackberry covered with a splash of vanilla. Excellent choice.

Our Black Friday Tradition

Happy Black Friday ! The thought of shopping at 5am with thousands of others makes me cringe. Instead, our tradition is to make a Gingerbread House and use it as the centerpiece for our table...and then we decorate our Christmas tree.

By the way, our Greenberg Smoked Turkey was FANTASTIC, just like I knew it would be. Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Mr. Greenberg !!
More for a note to myself...this was our menu.

Hot Crab Dip for snacking....YUMMA LUMMA !

Greenberg Smoked Turkey... Yes, I will order this again !!
Mom's Sweet Potato Casserole - Yes...perfecto !
Corn and Herb bread Sausage Stuffing Yes, it's fabulous every single time !
Mashed Potatoes- Always
Make Ahead Gravy-by Cuisine Tonight. Yes ! I will make it again. (I made it on Tues. )
Jellied Cranberry Sauce - out of the can...a must for the hubs
Fresh Cranberry Relish- didn't work this time -Use Pecans next year. Did not like the walnuts.
Carmel Banana Pie- a bit runny, but tasted great. Bake carmel longer next year !!
No Thanksgiving is without a hiccup in my house....I could NOT figure out why I was so relaxed at dinner...I felt unsettled because I knew something was missing but could not figure it out.
The CARROTS !! I forgot to make my buttered carrots !!!!!!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAA !! ( oh well, at least it wasn't the PIE, like I forgot LAST year !! )

Gobble Gobble

Look who was waiting for me on my doorstep when I came home last night !! Mr. Gobble Gobble arrives in a non-descript white box, but will NOT fail to impress me when I serve him up ! I can't tell you how relieved I am knowing the 'turkey' is already done ! I can't wait to make the 'sides'....my favorite part of the meal !! Thank you Mr. GREENBERG for making my Thanksgiving stress free and FABULOUS !! It's not too late to order one for Christmas !
GOBBLEGOBBLE.COM

Stack of Cuppies !

I love this idea for an alternative "Birthday Cake" for little ones. That way, everyone gets their own 'cake'...no fighting for a piece with special frosting etc. Thank you Paula Deen for this recipe ! I'm a peanut butter fan, so I LOVE these !

Peanut Butter Cupcakes by Paula Deen

1 (18 1/2-ounce) package chewy fudge brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)
24 miniature peanut butter cups

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 regular muffin cups with paper cupcake liners.

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies. Fill the cups half full with brownie batter. Press 1 peanut butter cup into the batter in each muffin cup until the batter meets the top edge of the peanut butter cup.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the cupcakes are set. When they can be handled safely, remove them from the muffin tins and let cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy !

The Wine Exchange

Yes, Yes, Yes....... I will buy this again. It has been dreadfully dreary day. A stormy, thundery, rainy, cozy, flu shot, bubble bath at 6pm kinda day. A perfect red wine night.... I picked this up at the local grocery on sale for $9.99.

Bogle Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2006

"Dark cherry fruit and vivid plums create a welcome first impression, while touches of herbal tea and leather nestle themselves among the spicy, saucy fruit. Sixteen months in American barrels have produced wisps of tobacco leaf and notes of spicy cigar box. With well-integrated tannins and a rich and round finish, this wine will be a favorite for years to come."

Blue Ribbon Peanut Butter Cookies courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Hometown Cooking Magazine

These won 1st Place and Best in Show by 8 year old Ellen ! So easy that my 4 year old daughter made them ! But more importantly, they are sooo good !
I will never buy a Nutter Butter again... these are fast,easy and fabulous, and they only take 18 minutes to make the entire batch. I love nothing more than reading community cookbooks ( i always find the BEST recipes there !) , and magazines that feature Blue Ribbon & State Fair Recipes !
This recipe only has 3 ingredients ! If you like Peanut Butter Cookies, please try these. They are fantastic.
Did I mention easy ???!!! ;)

Ellen's Peanut Butter Cookies

Prep 10 min.

Baking 9 min. per batch ( makes 2 trays )

1 C. Sugar

1 C. creamy peanut butter

1 egg

sugar to roll them in

Preheat oven 375.

In large bowl, beat sugar, peanut butter and egg until combined.

Make 1 inch balls...
Roll them in sugar

Flatten with a fork

Bake at 375 for 9 minutes. Enjoy !

*REPOSTED FOR DIY Day over at a soft place to land !

The Wine Exchange

Fetzer

Pinot Grigio

I love this wine. It picked it up at the grocery... $7.49 ! A refreshing basket of apple, pink grapefruit, and lime sorbet ! LIME SORBET ??? ARE YOU KIDDING ? What's not to love ?! A great wine to try !