This wine goes great with steak and on Saturday I will post a delish recipe for steak with gorgonzola cheese sauce. Until then....Salute!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thirsty Thursday's New Wine
Happy Thirsty Thursday loves! Today's new vino is....Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro Gold Label. Oh yes, this chianti is so yummy and not outrageous at 30.00 a bottle, but if you search I am sure you can find it at a lesser price. It's a wine that is to be savored and it's not a good idea to drink it too quickly or you will not get the full effect of the great body this vino holds.
This wine goes great with steak and on Saturday I will post a delish recipe for steak with gorgonzola cheese sauce. Until then....Salute!
This wine goes great with steak and on Saturday I will post a delish recipe for steak with gorgonzola cheese sauce. Until then....Salute!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Mt.Washington Hotel in New Hampshire is All that and a Bag of Chips!
My husband and I were always big skiers before we had kids, so this year when all three girls were old enough to ski we decided to pack everyone up and head to the Mt.Washington Hotel for the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend. This would be our first time at the Mt.Washington, as we normally have stayed over at the Loon Village when we head north. I have to say this hotel was simply AMAZING, so rest assured we will be heading to the MT.Washington again this winter.
I know what it's
like to travel with all three girls, we've done Disney,Bermuda,NYC and more on numerous occasions, but this hotel was like no other when it came to catering to the ENTIRE family, so much so that I just had to share it. I am all about sharing family fun and when I find a great family place I have to share it with others. Yes, I'm a giver we've already established that, now onto the hotel.
The first night we were there we brought the girls down to story time by the fireplace, where they enjoyed listened to 'If You Bring A Mouse A Cookie' and my husband and I enjoyed a cocktail next to them. We then headed off to the Hot Cocoa scavenger hunt where we rummaged through the entire hotel looking for treasures and were rewarded at the end with a yummy cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream. After that we headed to the family movie night and munched on popcorn while watching "The Little Rascals" and when it ended we headed up to our rooms and within minutes the girls were out cold. This gave the hubby and I some nice quite time alone even while we shared a hotel room with 3 little girls. I have to admit though, these rooms were basically like suites, so the girls were not bothered by my husband and I talking and having a glass of wine.
The next morning we hit the mountains only to find out that it was waaay too cold for our littlest one, so we headed back to the hotel much to my older daughters disappointment. Not to worry, the hotel had a tubing hill on the other side of it and the girls were still able to have hours of outdoor fun without getting frost bite. I call that a win win situation for everyone. After tubing my wonderful husband took the girls over to the pool while I hit the hotel spa for one of the most relaxing massages I have ever had. I know that hubz had the kiddo's so I may have lingered a lil' longer than necessary but it was just so relaxing to sit and read a magazine with a beverage in hand. I did eventually go back but I admit it was purely out of guilt. After we hung out in the hot tub for a bit we headed out for a late lunch/early dinner, and here is the best part, to a restaurant that is not in the hotel but that has a shuttle that brings you back and forth to the hotel! Yay, nobody has to drive, so we can each have a glass of wine with dinner! The food was not gourmet but that's fine because the girls were happy with their pasta and even the hubz didn't complain about the food. We headed back to the hotel where the girls got changed and once again fell asleep within minutes. I was utterly amazed,they never just fall asleep. There is always the threat of "we will have to leave first thing tomorrow morning if you can't go to sleep in the same room". Not this time baby!
Our last full day there we had reservations for a sleigh ride after breakfast and even though it was super cold we piled the big furry blankets on top of us and took a breathtaking tour of the area surrounding the hotel. Simply Beautiful. The hubz and the girls then went on a dog sled ride that I bowed out of, no need to make the poor dogs drag me around when I can walk thankyouverymuch! We hit the tubing hill and then the pool again that afternoon and then ordered room service for dinner so that hubz could watch the Pats blow their Super Bowl bid. So thank you to the Patriots for being the only horrible thing that weekend. Jerks!
I know what it's
like to travel with all three girls, we've done Disney,Bermuda,NYC and more on numerous occasions, but this hotel was like no other when it came to catering to the ENTIRE family, so much so that I just had to share it. I am all about sharing family fun and when I find a great family place I have to share it with others. Yes, I'm a giver we've already established that, now onto the hotel.
The first night we were there we brought the girls down to story time by the fireplace, where they enjoyed listened to 'If You Bring A Mouse A Cookie' and my husband and I enjoyed a cocktail next to them. We then headed off to the Hot Cocoa scavenger hunt where we rummaged through the entire hotel looking for treasures and were rewarded at the end with a yummy cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream. After that we headed to the family movie night and munched on popcorn while watching "The Little Rascals" and when it ended we headed up to our rooms and within minutes the girls were out cold. This gave the hubby and I some nice quite time alone even while we shared a hotel room with 3 little girls. I have to admit though, these rooms were basically like suites, so the girls were not bothered by my husband and I talking and having a glass of wine.
The next morning we hit the mountains only to find out that it was waaay too cold for our littlest one, so we headed back to the hotel much to my older daughters disappointment. Not to worry, the hotel had a tubing hill on the other side of it and the girls were still able to have hours of outdoor fun without getting frost bite. I call that a win win situation for everyone. After tubing my wonderful husband took the girls over to the pool while I hit the hotel spa for one of the most relaxing massages I have ever had. I know that hubz had the kiddo's so I may have lingered a lil' longer than necessary but it was just so relaxing to sit and read a magazine with a beverage in hand. I did eventually go back but I admit it was purely out of guilt. After we hung out in the hot tub for a bit we headed out for a late lunch/early dinner, and here is the best part, to a restaurant that is not in the hotel but that has a shuttle that brings you back and forth to the hotel! Yay, nobody has to drive, so we can each have a glass of wine with dinner! The food was not gourmet but that's fine because the girls were happy with their pasta and even the hubz didn't complain about the food. We headed back to the hotel where the girls got changed and once again fell asleep within minutes. I was utterly amazed,they never just fall asleep. There is always the threat of "we will have to leave first thing tomorrow morning if you can't go to sleep in the same room". Not this time baby!
Our last full day there we had reservations for a sleigh ride after breakfast and even though it was super cold we piled the big furry blankets on top of us and took a breathtaking tour of the area surrounding the hotel. Simply Beautiful. The hubz and the girls then went on a dog sled ride that I bowed out of, no need to make the poor dogs drag me around when I can walk thankyouverymuch! We hit the tubing hill and then the pool again that afternoon and then ordered room service for dinner so that hubz could watch the Pats blow their Super Bowl bid. So thank you to the Patriots for being the only horrible thing that weekend. Jerks!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day! We here at Casa de LoNigro love and I mean LOVE Valentine's Day because it contains 3 of our fav things...pink,sparkles,and more pink! Hey I never said we weren't the tiniest bit obsessed with pink and V-day is the perfect day to celebrate our favorite color! Pink flowers,cookies,sparkly hearts,ribbons...you get the picture. We here in LoNigro villa live by the following code of pink! "I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
— Audrey Hepburn
So Happy Valentine's day and may your day be filled with lots of pink sparkly treats!
— Audrey Hepburn
So Happy Valentine's day and may your day be filled with lots of pink sparkly treats!
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| Another free digital slideshow by Smilebox |
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thirsty Thursday's New Wine
Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine and the price is super great at only 14.00 a bottle. It's a very rich tasting wine so it's very easy on the palate. Just lovely.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Today's The Day To Try....
So I have been thinking of adding this little number on my blog for a bit but was not quite sure how to do it. This morning after calling in my two oldest from school due to sore throats, which I am sure will turn into strep, I thought 'screw it and just do it'. Yeah I did that little rhyme on purpose, took me hours to think up, but I'm good like that so there you go. On Wednesdays we will add a Today's The Day column and talk about things to try that day, feel free to send me any ideas you may have. So here it goes....
Today's the day to...
Increase the amount of time spent with your family without an electronic device. Yes, sometimes it's just so easy to put on a movie and veg out in front of a television set but, today's the day to do something different. Go for a walk in the snow or if you are lucky enough in the warm sunshine, play a board game, or color a picture, anything that increases talking or contact.
Remember, it's always nicer to meet a friend for coffee or drinks versus FaceBooking them and the same goes for kids. Why not play outside instead of watching someone else play on the computer? Go outside get some fresh air and wear their little bodies out. Trust me, everyone will be happier for it!
Today's the day to...
Increase the amount of time spent with your family without an electronic device. Yes, sometimes it's just so easy to put on a movie and veg out in front of a television set but, today's the day to do something different. Go for a walk in the snow or if you are lucky enough in the warm sunshine, play a board game, or color a picture, anything that increases talking or contact.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Super Bowl Diva Style
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Yummy Seafood Risotto
Ingredients:
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 6 Tbs. olive oil
- 1/2 lb. shrimp, peeled, deveined and each cut
into 4 or 5 pieces - Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 6 cups chicken or fish broth or water
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups medium-grain rice such as arborio,
vialone nano or carnaroli - 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
(about 1 cup) - 1/2 lb. fresh-cooked crabmeat, picked over to
remove any shell fragments
Directions:
In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté the garlic and 2 Tbs. of the parsley in 2 Tbs. of the olive oil, stirring once or twice, until the garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, just until the shrimp are pink, about 2 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside. Add the broth to the saucepan and bring just barely to a simmer.
In a large saucepan or risotto pan over medium heat, warm 3 Tbs. of the oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until the kernels are hot and coated with oil, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and continue to cook, stirring often, until the liquid is absorbed.
Add the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and making sure the liquid has been absorbed before adding more. When the rice is about half cooked, stir in the tomatoes, salt and pepper. The risotto is done when the rice grains are creamy on the outside and firm yet tender to the bite, 20 to 25 minutes total. Rice varies, so you may not need all of the broth or you may need more. If more liquid is required, use hot water.
Stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and cook, stirring, just until heated through, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Remove the risotto from the heat. Stir in the remaining 1 Tbs. each oil and parsley. Spoon the risotto into warmed soup bowls and serve immediately.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside. Add the broth to the saucepan and bring just barely to a simmer.
In a large saucepan or risotto pan over medium heat, warm 3 Tbs. of the oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until the kernels are hot and coated with oil, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and continue to cook, stirring often, until the liquid is absorbed.
Add the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and making sure the liquid has been absorbed before adding more. When the rice is about half cooked, stir in the tomatoes, salt and pepper. The risotto is done when the rice grains are creamy on the outside and firm yet tender to the bite, 20 to 25 minutes total. Rice varies, so you may not need all of the broth or you may need more. If more liquid is required, use hot water.
Stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and cook, stirring, just until heated through, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Remove the risotto from the heat. Stir in the remaining 1 Tbs. each oil and parsley. Spoon the risotto into warmed soup bowls and serve immediately.
Love, Love, Love this recipe and the Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio.
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