May 29, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Summer Wine

I did a post awhile back about my favorite red wine.Then I wrote about the time my husband came home with a bottle of wine named after the girl of his dreams. And I thought that would be it for my posts on alcohol. But who are we kidding? Or rather whose blog is this?

It looks like someone else likes my wine, too.

My husband recently went to the store. And he came home with a pink moscato. And I was slightly disappointed inside. Not because I don’t like moscato. Because I do. I really, really do. For those of you who are not wine drinkers, moscato wines are usually very sweet and they often have a low alcohol content. And, of course, that was the reason for my sadness. I consider a wine with a low alcohol content, a waste of calories. There is much logic and perhaps sadness to that statement.

Nevertheless, it is true.

So, imagine my surprise when I saw that this moscato had a 9% alcohol content. The alcohol content is still not as high as a typical bottle of red or white wine. But it is higher than the 6% I had seen in previous moscato wines I have tried.

Is it just me or is Murphy way too interested in this wine?… I think he’s guarding it!

And it is so good. It is perfect for summer. Sweet. Cold.

Yep. That is definitely my dog.

The brand is called Barefoot. My husband purchased it for $5 a bottle at Albertson’s, because it was discounted if you bought six or more. He also bought their regular white moscato and a red moscato. I have not tried those yet, but the awards on the label look promising.

It’s the little things: adult beverages for the summer at a great price.

Do you like sweet wine? Have you tried this brand of wine before?

May 22, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Pretty Dining Pieces

The other day found me in an Anthropologie and I fell in love with a few pieces for the table. Of course, I only purchased two of each dining item…for my family of four. This was to justify the cost and also because I like mixing and matching.

I saw these wine glasses and I had to have them. They even have a pretty product name, “Cumulus.” They are one of my favorite colors. That seafoam minty green. I am now praying we don’t break them. When I pulled them out to show my husband, I said, “I would like to introduce you to Carl.” Anybody?

These plates (I cannot find them anywhere online)! Spaghetti in these plates?! Yes, please! I only purchased two. I want six more of these. They are all ready discounted, but I am hoping to bide my time for an even better sale price.

They will keep pastas nice and contained in the bowl/plate (I cannot figure out exactly which one of these categories this fits into).

I have tried a new spaghetti recipe I will be blogging about soon. It is made in the crockpot. It is easy. It makes a ton. I freeze half of it in two containers and each container is a family sized serving. Anyway, it has coffee grounds in it. Yes, coffee grounds! So weird, but it is delicious. Especially the next day. Here is the recipe in case you want to try a new spaghetti recipe and do not want to wait for my post. It is from the blog, Layers Of Happiness.

I did, ahem, cut back on the water… And, cough, um, double the wine. I am quite sure that does not surprise you.

Speaking of water. How pretty will these be with water in them? I have had these purple tumblers in my wishlist for forever. I finally just caved and bought two while I was at the store. I like to purchase my breakables in store, because far too often I have waited for sale and bought a piece I have desperately been waiting for only to have it arrive broken and subsequently also be sold out.

I first heard about this candle on Liz’s blog, With Wonder And Whimsy. I was intrigued. I love food flavored candles. Although typing that sentence made my stomach churn. That doesn’t quite sound right when it is phrased in that manner. It is “Strawberry Shortcake” scented. “Scented”! That was the word I was missing! It smells like a strawberry Starburst candy. I cannot wait to burn it.

The sad part is I rarely burn my candles. I am usually cooking and I like the smell of food cooking better than candles. And I have a rule that my house has to be spotless in order for me to get the privilege of burning a candle.

So, maybe never? That will be when this candle is used. But I can still sniff it. That’s got to count for something, right?

Have you purchased any home items lately? Do you burn your candles with wild abandon or do you have weird rules about them like me?

* I shared this on Savvy Southern Style.

February 4, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

“I Know Kung Fu”

I had been sick. For weeks. My body craved wine like shoes crave brownies. Not. At. All. Well, I don’t think shoes eat brownies. Well, unless they’re Mary Janes. And the brownies are special. But I digress.

I couldn’t consume alcohol.

Let’s let that register.

And now for something more shocking.

I didn’t care.

I know.

I was sick.

But one day. One miraculous beautiful day two weeks ago, I was preparing dinner and suddenly wine seemed like a very good idea. No. It seemed like a great idea. No. It seemed like the best idea that had ever occurred to anyone.

I was a genius.

I looked at my wine supply. I said, “I looked at my wine supply.”

There was none.

Had I been robbed?

No. I guess before I got sick, I thought it was a good idea to be all polite and serve wine to my family on Christmas Eve. You know, being a good hostess and all. Don’t worry. I won’t let that happen again. Water, anyone?

I kid.

You can totally drink all of my husband’s beer that you want.

I’m super generous that way.

Being that I was in the middle of making dinner, I asked my husband to please go to the store next door and pick me up a bottle of wine. White wine.

He asked, “What kind of white wine?”

I was in high spirits. Well, I soon would be, and so I replied, “Oh. I don’t care! Surprise me!”

This is what he came back with.

Oh, wait. Here’s the front.

Yes, “Kung Fu Girl.”

Now, I don’t know if it is good or not (he brought home two bottles. I drank the other one). Heck, I’ll drink any wine. And it has a generous alcohol content (which is why he chose it, he said. We’re super snobby about our wines around here. Points? What are those? Give me percentages. Yeerrmmm).

I kind of don’t want to drink it.

It will totally defeat the purpose.

I won’t be able to greet him at the door with my, “HIYAH!”‘s anymore.

Can I tell you how much he loves that?

But I’m fast as lightning.

He finds the whole thing frightening.

* Since writing this, I have tried the wine. It actually is very good. It has a 90 point rating.
I just want to say now, “I know Kung fu… And I like it!”

January 6, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Easiest Tortellini Recipe

My friend, Kerri, made this for me awhile back. It is a recipe from Southern Living. I have adapted it just a bit. I loved it so much at her house.

I memorized what was in it so I could search the internet for the recipe. This is such an easy and delicious dish. I like to make it on nights I don’t have a lot of time to cook, but still want my family to have a homemade meal. It takes about fifteen minutes to make start to finish.

I added just a few things.

As I do. But if you want to follow the original recipe, just click the link above. I like it both ways.

Ingredients

20 oz. package of tortellini (I use Costco’s 24 oz. package and I use the whole thing)
1 16 oz. jar of Alfredo sauce with sun dried tomatoes (I believe Classico is the only brand that makes this)
1/4 cup white wine
1 14.5 oz. can drained petite diced tomatoes
1 clove minced garlic (I use one packet from the frozen pack)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (I use one packet from the frozen pack)
1 pinch of dried red pepper flakes (1/8 tsp.)
3 Tbsp. Olive oil
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Optional:

2 cooked diced chicken breasts
1 Tbsp. Red pepper spread

First, boil water in large pot. Add tortellini and 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water and cook pasta according to directions on package. Before draining, carefully reserve 1/3 cup water.

In a large skillet, heat remaining 2 Tbsp. of olive oil over medium low . Sauté garlic for one minute (if you are using red pepper spread add this with the garlic).

Add Alfredo sauce to skillet.

Add wine to empty Alfredo sauce jar. Gently shake. Pour wine into skillet.

Add tomatoes and basil to skillet. Let mixture simmer five minutes.

Add chicken with the tomatoes and basil if you are using this.

Add drained tortellini. Mix in pepper flakes, reserved water, and parmesan cheese.

Stir.

Heat for one minute. Turn off heat.

Serve up this easy meal. And enjoy!

Thanks Kerri for making me this. It was so good! My family absolutely loves it.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

wine

It’s The Little Things: Summer Wine

It’s The Little Things: Pretty Dining Pieces

“I Know Kung Fu”

Easiest Tortellini Recipe