The Way I See Things

Tasting The Good Life: SOBE Wine & Food Fest 2011

Sorry for being out of touch last week but I headed South . . . all the way down to Miami Florida where I joined my friend Jen for the SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL!  It was just incredible!!!

So for today's post I thought I'd share my experience with all of you!

Day 1) We checked into the Royal Palm Hotel and were thrilled to have a view that overlooked, not just the beach, but the main event for that night: BURGER BASH hosted by Rachael Ray.  

The Burger Bash was amazing -- there were 26 burgers competing for the title of "Best Burger" and the people got to vote for their favorites.  

While these are not full-sized burgers, they are BIG sliders and come with sides.  Needless to say there was NO WAY I was going to be able to try them all but I did taste 8 of them!  Among my favorites were:

Morimoto's Nikomi burger (wagyu beef patty stewed in Morimoto sauce and topped with a fried egg)  The Iron Chef actually SERVED ME -- so cool!!!!

Bulldog Burger's Black Truffle Burger with Brie Cheese and Crispy Pancetta.  OMG!

Michael Symon's B Spot's Yo! Burger - fried salami, provolone, shasha sauce and pickled onion.  This burger ACTUALLY won!

Love Shack's Wild Love -- elk, foie gras, arugula, huckleberry jam -- I am now an ELK fan!

Michael's Genuine Food and Drink's Genuine Bacon Egg and Cheeseburger (white cheddar, chutney, quail egg on a rosemary biscuit)

and my favorite of the night . . . Burger & Beer Joint's Mutang Sally - Kobe beef, prosciutto di parma, onion marmalade, brie cheese, on a brioche bun!  It got my vote!!!

As for my favorite "sides" - best potato side goes to Burger & Beer Joint's truffle baked potato salad (it won!).  Also B Spot's Nutella and Hazelnut Liquer Milkshake, and Good Stuff Eatery's Toasted marshmellow milkshake!

My favorite desert of the night would probably be the pecan pie from Fireman Derek's Pies.

 

After surviving the Burger Bash, we slept late on Day 2.  We had a fabulous brunch on Lincoln Road at Van Dyke's Cafe -- great coffee plus this AMAZING bagel pizza.  It looked like a realy pizza but the dough was very light.  It had cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and onions on top and it was the coolest bagel treat ever!

After brunch we did some shopping on Lincoln Road but were still pretty exhausted so when we saw Starbucks on the corner, we found the solution to our problem -- caffeine!!!

That evening my college roomie Lisa drove down to Miami and met us for dinner at Emeril's restaurant at the Loew's Hotel.  Honestly, it was a little over-hyped -- the food was good but the prices were a bit crazy.  Still we had a wonderful time together and the MOJITOS were fabulous!

Day 3 was the Main Event -- the Grand Tasting Village.  The open area let us taste a few things (a bit of a teaser) before they let us into the tented area for the big tasting!  

Here we tried dozens of different wines (I love the wine lanyard, don't you?) and even more dishes.

There were many celebrity chefs there doing demos, signing books, and . . . well, eating and drinking!  There is no way to see everyone and do everything but we really enjoyed ourselves.  Among the celebs we watched were Jamie Oliver, , Sunny Anderson, Alex Guarnascheilli and Duff Goldman!  Plus others "popped by" for visits including Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, and Andrew Zimmern.

 

The grand tasting ended around 6 and we crashed at our hotel for a couple of hours to re-charge our batteries before heading out for the night -- we met up with friends and grabbed a light bite (very light!) and then had drinks and tried out a hookah lounge.  Hookah seems to be VERY popular in South Beach so we thought "when in South Beach . . ." -- it probably didn't hurt that I had been drinking since 11am so I was brave enough to try it!  It was definitely unusual but fun since we all tried it together!

On Day 4, our final day, we headed next door to the Loew's hotel once again -- this time for Paula Deen's Gospel Brunch.  Honestly, it was hard to eat or drink anything anymore -- I was pretty full from the last 3 days.

 I did try a few things (of course, twist my arm!) and was happy to see Paula Deen herself . . .

and MEET Alex Guarnaschelli.  She was so funny the day before and Jen and I really enjoyed getting to meet her the next day! I love watching her on CHOPPED and now I'm an even bigger fan. Now I have to check out her restaurant in NYC - BUTTER -- soon!

I got home about 24 hours ago and I'm still in a bit of a food & wine coma.  It really was a fabulous experience.  I can't wait to print out my photos and write about this trip in my next scrapbook!

If you're ever in Miami in late February, you should definitely consider attending this event!  It will be unforgettable!

Ten on Tuesday - 10 FAVORITE COCKTAILS

My annual visit to see my best friend Jen is coming up and if there is one thing I am sure of, there will be some drinking involved!  This week's topic, from Carole Knits is 10 Favorite Cocktails and it seemed like the perfect fit this week!

 

 Let me start by saying that these are in no particular order and YES, I do tend to like sweet drinks:

1.  Margaritas -- fell in love with these when I lived in Texas.  Frozen or on the rocks, with fruit or plain, I find them delicious!

2.  Blue Hawaiian -- I actually had my first one in Curacao where the "blue" goodness is made!  Mixed with rum, it tastes oh so good!

3.  Chocolate Martini -- made with Godiva liqeur, creme de cacao and vodka, it is favorite but one, I have learned from experience, requires me to pace myself!  They just go down too easily!

4.  Mojito -- On a hot day, there is just something about the fresh mint that really works for me!  One of the best ones I ever had was at the SOBE Food and Wine Festivals a few years ago.

5.  Mudslide -- When there's a drink that mixes two of my favorite things -- coffee and Bailey's Irish Cream, it was a no brainer that it was making THIS list!

6.  Orgasm -- There's that Bailey's again!  This time it's paired with kahlua and amaretto for quite the experience!

7.  Hurricane -- This blend of rum and juices originated at Pat O'Briens in New Orleans and, while I've had them elsewhere, no one makes them quite the same.  Worth the trip to N.O. just for this!

8.  Frozen strawberry Daiquiri - made with bacardi rum, this has been a favorite since I was "legally" allowed to drink!

9.  Mimosa -- If I'm having brunch, this is DEFINITELY my go-to drink.  Orange Juice + Champagne = great start on a Sunday morning!

10.  Cosmopolitan -- yes, the Sex & The City girls got me to try it and, I must admit, I really liked it!

 

So, what are your favorite cocktails (or mocktails for those so inclined)? 

 

Presidential Trivia in Honor of Presidents' Day

 

In honor of Presidents Day, here is a little presidential trivia:

DID YOU KNOW . . .?

 

William Howard Taft weighed over 300 pounds, Taft holds the undesirable distinction of being the heaviest U.S. president. Embarrassingly, Taft once got stuck in the White House bathtub. To avoid a repeat of this event, a new tub, which was four times the normal size, was installed.

James Garfield could perform a very unique parlor feat that entertained many. He could write in Latin with one hand, while writing in Greek with the other hand at the same time.

Woodrow Wilson raised sheep for wool on the White House lawn during Wilson’s term.

Warren G. Harding had the biggest presidential feet – he wore size 14 shoes.

Jimmy Carter was the first President born in a hospital.

Gerald Ford had two interesting jobs before becoming President: working as a fashion model and a Yellowstone park ranger.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day:  July  4, 1826

We have had eight left-handed presidents: James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

The tallest president was Abraham Lincoln at 6'4"; at 5'4", James Madison was the shortest.

Barack Obama collects Spiderman and Conan the Barbarian comic books.

 

History is BASED on a TRUE STORY

“When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

That quote is from the 1962 movie “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” starring James Stewart and John Wayne.  In the movie, Stewart’s character, US Senator Stoddard takes credit for shooting the outlaw Liberty Valance, is hailed a hero, and enjoys all the benefits that come his way.  The truth is that John Wayne’s character, Doniphon, actually did it.  At the end of the movie, Stoddard confesses the truth to the editor of the town’s paper.  To his surprise, he destroys his notes and tells him that he won’t report it.  He explains that "This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend”

 

 

 

 

 

Last night I attended Robert Wuhl’s class, Assume The Position. 

This is a show that blends comedy with fact.  It is the touring version of his two shows for HBO called Assume the Position 101 and 201.  In each he went to real college campuses where he assumes the position that history is BASED on a true story. 

 

Some of the stories he tells are fascinating.  In large part because you start to realize how much you believe the stories you learned as a child and never pause to assume there is more to the story.  Wuhl emphasized that you should always keep in mind who is telling the story.  A great example he used was this:  If Olberman and O’Reilly were at the same event and saw the same thing happen at the same time, you can be rest assured you are still going to hear two different versions of what happened.

 

One of the most interesting stories I heard last night was of Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride.  First Wuhl asked audience members if anyone knew the name Israel Bissell.  No one.  Of course, everyone in the audience knew who Paul Revere was.  “Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. . .”   Truth is that they BOTH warned the colonists about the British but with one big difference.  Paul Revere traveled a mere 19 miles from Boston to Cambridge.  (Don’t get me wrong, Revere did his job warning Adams and Hancock about the British!)  Bissell, on the other hand, traveled for five days across five states spreading the news from Boston to Philadelphia. 

So why then do we all know about the great patriot Paul Revere while Israel Bissell is relegated to a footnote in some random history book?  Consider who was telling the story?  The famous poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and if we’re being honest, Revere rhymes much better than Bissell!  While Longfellow may never have considered his poem to be taken as factual, for years textbook writers have use the poem as historical evidence, thus creating the legend of Paul Revere.  And when the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

I can’t help but wonder what stories being told today will become the “facts” of generations 100 years from now.  Wuhl suggested that one day people may really believe that Sarah Palin could see Alaska from her front porch!  It sounds crazy now but 100 years from now . . . you never know! 

There were many other things I learned last night.  Betty Crocker wasn’t real.  Farrah Fawcett wasn’t the only celebrity who died without making front page news because someone more famous (Michael Jackson) died the same day.  John Adams didn’t capture the news because Thomas Jefferson did.  Same thing happened to Orville Wright since Gandhi died the same day.  And did you know that scientists from the DuPont created the synthetic material nylon?  Can you guess where these scientists were located?  NY and LONdon!  Are you sure that Queen Isabella sent Columbus off to prove that the world was round?  The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about the world being round hundreds of years earlier.  Did anyone really think the world was flat during the time of Columbus then?   I could go on and on!

I am so glad that I spent last night listening to Mr. Wuhl.  If nothing else, I know that he will have me questioning many of the “truths” I grew up believing.

If you’ve never seen Robert Wuhl’s CLASS on HBO, enjoy the clip below!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Our DIRTY little secret

By now it is no secret that the Northeastern portion of the USA has been buried with more snow than usual.  In my part of Connecticut alone, we've seen about five feet of the white stuff fall.  Luckily we've had a bit of a break recently from snowfall but not cold temperatures.  As a result, our beautiful snow-filled landscapes have, well, changed a bit.  

While most Americans still see visions of powdery-white, snow-covered trees and roads dancing in their heads, that isn't exactly what we see.  Sadly the "pollution" that normally goes un-noticed day to day, becomes more visible when it gathers on snow.  I kind of think of it as our "Dirty Little Secret" since those who don't live here, don't ever see these images on TV or in the movies.  

Below are the images that I sadly see everyday.  I'm waiting for the weather to warm up and for Mother Nature to melt away this mess.  

 

Tips on Tuesday: Glitter, Glitter EVERYWHERE!

 

If you have young children, chances are you are all too familiar with glitter.  Starting in Pre-School, GLITTER seems to be the material of choice in MANY school projects.  The biggest problem is often that the glitter comes off almost as soon as it goes on.  I can still remember the many days I spent trying to remove the glitter from the back of my car, the carpet in my home, etc.  It didn't take long for me to reach the end of my rope and seek a solution.  I recently offered my "hope" for a glitter-free car to my friend Heidi who suggested I offer these tips on my next blog post.  So here we go:

 

First you want to ask yourself how long you expect to keep the glittered art work in question.  If your child is coming home with sparkling projects several times a week, you may not plan on keeping them for long. (Many of my kids' projects were on "display" for about a week and the replaced with newer projects!)

 My suggestion is to keep TWO things in your car at all times: 

HAIRSPRAY: (get the cheapest you can find as long as it's an extra firm hold!)  Simply spray (aerosol) the project with a fine mist to cover the entire project.  It will dry quickly and seal in the glitter.  UPSIDE:  this is a CHEAP and EASY solution to your problem.  DOWNSIDE:  Hairspray can yellow over time (maybe a month or so). Only use this method if you need to get the project home but don't plan on making it a family keepsake.

SPRAY SEALER:  (available in craft stores everywhere).  This works the same as the hairspray but the can is smaller and will run you about $5-$6 a can.  UPSIDE:  It comes in satin and gloss finishes so you can keep you glitter sparkling.  DOWNSIDE:  Costs a little more.

Of course, what if my advice is a day late?  Are you staring at the glitter as we speak?  If so, there's hope.  If the glitter is on a hard surface, sweep up as much as you can and then use a wet cloth to remove the rest.  If the glitter has made its way onto carpeting or upholstery, it's a little more complicated.  Vacuum first.  Next, masking tape will do the trick here.  For a small area, wrap masking tape around your fingers with the sticky side out.  If there is a lot of glitter, you might want to consider one of the lint brushes -- there are some that are rollers made out of masking tape.  This should do the trick!

 

By the way . . . these techniques also work for sand!  Happy Tuesday!

Monday Musings: Devils and Angels

 

I always love to share little things I find amusing with my blog visitors and this video clip from The Family Feud really made me laugh.  It's called "Devils and Angels" and after watching it, I think you'll understand why!

 

 

 

. . . finally, on a personal note, I just wanted to send my mom a happy valentine-birthday wish to heaven.  Hard to believe she's been gone for 7 years.  She had a good sense of humor and really would have LOVED this clip!

 

Writer's Workshop: A Valentine's Day Tradition

 
Once again I've stopped by Mama Kat's writer's workshop and joined the meme.  The prompt I chose was 5.) Valentine’s Day is coming…share a favorite Valentine’s tradition.

  

My husband Mark and I have enjoyed dinner together every Valentine’s Day since we were engaged (way back in '92).  He always makes the dinner arrangements, brings me beautiful flowers and my favorite chocolates. I consider this HIS Valentine’s Day tradition and I look forward to it every year.

 

ON THE OTHER HAND, I have my own tradition on Valentines Day.  You’re probably going to think I’m nuts but my Valentine’s Day tradition begins about two weeks before Valentine’s Day.  For nearly twenty years I have planned on giving Mark some BIG, GRAND gift for Valentine’s day but never seem to do it.  Every year I always think “This is going to be the year!”  It just never happens.  The tradition is my EFFORT.  I really, REALLY look for something to give him that's different.  But I never buy anything.  Perhaps my real Valentine’s Day tradition is that I fail miserably each and every year at giving my husband something other than candy and toys. (not that he EVER complains -- he really does like chocolate!)

 Of course it’s pretty much a joke now.  Every February 1^st I make a note that it’s only 14 days away and THIS is the year that I’ll find the perfect gift.  I've been looking for something to give him for a few days now but . . . well, nothing.  The problem as I see it, is that Valentine’s Day is only 7 weeks after Christmas. That's just not fair!!! 

 From October through December I’ve done all my best shopping and found all the most fabulous gifts to give him.  I know what you're probably thinking:  why not save one of these GREAT gifts for Valentine's Day instead?  I’ve tried “holding out” and saving something for V-Day but then I get too excited (just knowing a really cool gift is in the house) and give it to him in December.  Oh well!

 Now  he’s gotten plenty of chocolates over the years:  From the traditional kind like a giant Hershey’s kiss   to the fancy gourmet Godiva types,  and in all shapes and sizes (huge box, small box, chocolate shaped like poker cards, poker chips, heck even handcuffs!)

  

 

 
  I've even given him one of those giant chocolate chip cookies once or twice (you know the kind that declare your love!)  

 Sometimes I'd throw in a little stuffed animal to show my love – cute when we were younger, but how many toys can a grown man keep in his office without raising a few eyebrows? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I guess you could say that one of my favorite Valentine's traditions is being a traditional gift-giver -- even though I really try not to be!

 

Ten on Tuesday: What's on YOUR nightstand/bedside table?

Once again I'm participating in Ten On Tuesday hosted by Carol Knits! 

Today's topic:  List ten things on your nightstand/bedside table:

Well right now there is so much crap on my nightstand that even if I wasn't too lazy to get out of bed and grab my camera to take a photo of it, I'm too embarrassed to even do so.  So instead I will just describe things to you.  Here goes:

1. Tiffany-inspired lamp (it's quite lovely actually! blue, green, yellow and ivory stained glass shade with a floral design)
   
2. Alarm clock with built in sound machine (I prefer sleeping with the sound of rain over the sound of cars going past by house!)
3. remote control to my electric blanket -- Hey, it's cold here in Connecticut!
4. my ring box.  I love wearing rings during the day but NOT when I sleep :)
5. tissues -- I'm not quite over my cold yet.
6. scrunchie and head-band -- I wear these things before bed and first thing in the morning.  My hair is just too long to deal with at those hours!
7. My kindle -- I used to keep so many books on my nightstand that I couldn't see my clock.  This is much easier!
8. The house phone -- seems I'm getting a call every 3-4 days telling me that there is another snow day.  I don't love answering the phone at 6am but if I have to, I'd rather have the phone close by!
9. my iphone -- I like keeping it close (but my alarm clock has a docking station so I can charge it!)
10. World's Greatest Mother Award.  My boys gave me this "trophy" (looks like an Oscar) after our trip to Universal Orlando in 2007 and it's been by my bedside ever since :)

 

If I'm being honest, there is a lot more crap on there but the meme only asked me for TEN.  I also have some loose change and a few dollars pulled from the laundry yesterday, a half-empty can of diet barqs root beer I was sipping last night, reading glasses, several loose pens and some scrap paper to write crap down, a few magazines (Real Simple and Food Network magazine and mac Life) and a spoon.  I'm really not quite sure why there is a random spoon on my nightstand -- I think it was from the tea that my son Brett made for me last week when I was sick.  The mug went back to the kitchen but somehow the spoon remained . . . interesting.

 

and now after typing all of this I feel a need to post a photo anyway BUT since I'm still too lazy to really get up and grab my camera, I will use my handy little iphone so it will be the one thing you DON'T see in the photo! (my apologies in advance for the crappy photo quality - but at least you can get a sense of my "space")

So, tell me:  What's on YOUR nightstand??  I REALLY do want to know!