The weather has been gorgeous here and I've been soaking up the cool sunny days and then sipping cinnamon sangria in the evenings while watching the sunset. The fruit mixed in makes it all the more festive.

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I've not cooked this in a couple of months. It was Coda's favorite dish and she especially loved the linguine soaked noodles with lemon, wine, Italian parsley and capers. After spending the day hanging with the dogs I felt it was time. A cooking wine should not be expensive - I used a tropical Sauvignon Blanc with hints of grapefruit. My train of thought is it would complement the lemons.

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This might not be chestnuts roasting on an open fire but when the weather outside is anything but frightful I choose this. Days are warm and inviting and nights are spent outside in t-shirts and shorts...flipflops are optional. Most nights a walk by the dock to see the lights and decorated boats are a calm way to close the night.

Maybe I spent too much time in the woods when I was growing up but cooking outside over an open fire is actually all I can think of lately. An affordable meal and one that sticks to my ribs is Beef Stroganoff. Since I had this dutch oven, I fired up the coals and mixed the meat with scallions for this one pot wonder. Once the ground turkey was browned I added water, a can of tomato sauce, and sour cream. Finally, top the mixture with egg noodles and cover for 30 minutes. Next, sit back with a drink and enjoy the night. I judge the readyness of the meal by the scent coming from the firepit. All I'm waiting for is the noodles to cook; however, I don't want the sauce to boil because if it does the sour cream will curdle. Use whatever kind of meat you like. I think it came perfectly! Simple, affordable, and delicious.

I hope all of you have a happy holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Let's go camping! The weather is cool and on some nights it is down right cold. But lets be honest, isn't camping just an excuse to make biscuits and serve them piping hot right out of the dutch oven while sitting around the campfire? This was my practice run.

Recipe:
1/2 c butter
2 1/2 T sugar
1 egg
3/4 club soda
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups bisquick
1/4 melted butter for the top

Put 17 coals on the top of the cover/lid and 8 on the bottom. Cook for 15 minutes or until ready. I got the recipe from Lodge.

Fall weather is in the air and I love to get outside and do things all day ...including grilling dinner. Sometimes the best intentions take a slight wrong turn.

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Fall is a wonderful season. On this dark and stormy night it was pouring rain; therefore, the pumpkin patch was soaked. So, what is pumpkin fest? It's not hard to figure out but every year we tend to go overboard for all things pumpkin. We tend to see colors more orange, and muffins dusted with spices, cinnamon and sugar.

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Last night I went to a dirty t-shirt party with some friends and today I felt like sleeping in for a little recovery. Sleeping late during a rain storm is golden. Once I got up and surveyed the soaked lawn I made this for brunch.

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I love my hobby especially when it comes to food blogging: ah the life, the parties, the trips!

Yes, I go on vacation just to eat the food. The passion of watching someone talk about what they love is what it's all about. I met other passionate people today for the Foodbuzz Tastemaker's event held at Carrabba's on 700 N. Dale Mabry in Tampa. Italian cooking is one of the most pleasurable types of cooking in my humble opinion.

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When I saw this recipe for Artichoke and Potatoes Papillote Provencale, I had to try it. I like to cook french food and I don't eat artichokes often enough but I do like them.

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