Spiked Punch Bowl: Reliving Teenage Years

     I thought it was time to do another post about local fun and finding other recipes to live an interesting life.  Now this is not a drink recipe for a spiked punch but rather a play on words and meaning for what I am about to discuss.  I have blogged about ways to have fun during the summer; outdoor activities, music festivals, and even menus for physical activities to enjoy life. Here is a little recipe for fun with friends reliving special events in your teenage years with an adult twist.

     A close friend was turning the dirty 30 before the Christmas holiday.  Another coworker's birthday was happening too.  These two decided to have a little fun for their big day.  Why not have a Prom for adults?  You know what they were thinking.  Prom gowns, suit and ties, a band, decorations, pictures, etc. But this time the punch bowl wouldn't contain just a fruit based Kool-Aid but a full stocked bar, a rocking band/dj, and good adult fun without the chaperones. So, what might this type of recipe entail you may be asking?  Well this is what we called our Adult Prom

 

 

     Imagine a room filled with decorations.  The theme for this was a Winter Wonderland.  Snowflakes hung from the ceiling, boards, and streamers.  An arch for prom pictures decorated with lights. A corsage for your date and maybe a boutonniere for yourself.  We all arrived at separate times but the excitement we all felt was the same.  What we were supposed to do?  As adults we can forget how a simple dance or event can be just the thing we need to put excitement into our lives.  As we all settled down with our drinks, our dates next to us, and the conversation starters, we all started to feel a bit more comfortable.  It was bizarre at first, an adult prom. How do you act? Do you go straight to the dance floor, the bar, or the food table?  Eventually you sit back relax and the fun just comes naturally.

     The drinks begin to flow, the music begins to entice us to the dance floor, and some even sneak outside to smoke a cig acting as if hiding from the teachers so not to get into trouble. The night carries on with laughter, dancing, cheersing, and even a slip or fall here and there.  The time flies as everyone is having a great time. A king and queen are even crowned to add to the hijinks of the adult fun. Reliving their youth going back to their prom but this time with the ability to have more fun without the consequences, (well with the exception of the hangover that occurs now as we are much older). So there it is the recipe for the spiked punch bowl.  What kind of prom would it be without it?

 

 

Ingredients For A Christmas Tradition

     Growing up in a half Italian household created its own unique traditions.  Since my mother was Italian we always spent Christmas Eve at her mother's house, my grandmother.  She did the traditional Italian Christmas feast.  This included: shrimp, smelts, baccala, calamari, anchovies, crab, and of course a bunch of pasta. For most of us some of the seafood was not that appetizing.  There were times the calamari was swimming in marinara and the sight of the tentacles dangling out was frightening.  The fried smelts and anchovies created their own smell and unique feeling of having them on the table.  After she moved in with us when I was in school those Eve meals stopped but we tried to continue some of that tradition with a smaller meal.  To this day we try to do pasta and at least one seafood item.  This year we swapped the Eve meal for the one on Christmas Day.  We kept it simple with a homemade pasta, a single seafood dish, and a favorite casserole of everyone.

     Besides the tradition with a meal we also have other traditions that I am proud to say we continue. As a Catholic, Midnight Mass was something you always did.  Even as kids we attempted to stay up late not to spy on Santa but to go to mass with our family.  To this day I always make it a point to attend this sacred evening at church.  Following mass it was always something to go home sit and relax with a glass of eggnog until your eyes began to sag and it was definitely time to call it a night.
 
     When the morning arrives we always get up at a decent hour to begin our day of Christmas festivities. We start out by fixing breakfast and sitting around the kitchen table with our meal and coffees.  Upon finishing our wonderful breakfast we all head into the living room to open our gifts.  As any typical family we all sit around on the floor or furniture and open our gifts. As the exchanging of presents comes to an end we typically continue to all lie around, watch movies, or play board games until the big meal. 

     As mentioned we do the typical Italian feast of fresh pasta and a fish/seafood item.  This year we opted for fresh fettuccine and shrimp scampi.  I was tasked to do the pasta and my brother the shrimp, however due to a sudden cold I ended up doing both.  The meal was fantastic.  The fresh pasta and the marinara sauce were as expected to be.  The shrimp in it's buttery, garlicky sauce was delectable.  And don't forget the family favorite broccoli casserole with its cheesiness. 

     After everything is said and done the day comes to an end, everyone is exhausted, full, and content with all the festivities that occurred.  Traditions linger on within the family.  Without them it just doesn't feel like that same old holiday you once had growing up.  Some new traditions have come about but adding them to the old feels like adding a new blanket of warmth.  Traditions are made to allow you to hold onto memories.  Special memories that can only mean one thing; family.  My traditions hold a special place in my heart and I hope yours do too.  Merry Christmas everyone!

 

nothing beats a glass of eggnog on Christmas Eve

 

A traditional Italian Christmas treat!

 

Pasta and Seven Fishes, (minus six)

     

 

 

 

I am worn out and exhausted.

The Art Of Mountaineer Tailgating

 

     Another great recipe for fun and enjoyment in anyone’s life, whether you are a bachelor, a single father, or a country gal is to enjoy your local sport activities.  Coming from West Virginia we are huge WVU college football fans.  Some of the greatest and friendliest people you will meet are at a WVU game.  They say that Morgantown, (home of the WVU school), is one of the friendliest towns in the country.  You can witness this when going to a game and watch as visitors from the opposing team walk by.  You will simply here, "welcome to Morgantown!" in such as joyful tone that you yourself will be impressed and grateful that you can call WV your home.

     I have mentioned before that I myself am not a huge sports fan, however, when it comes to WVU as alum I watch my alma mater compete in every game.  To be able to go to a home game is such a great treat that sadly I can only enjoy once in a while.  WVU fans have perfected the art of "tailgating".  From tens, BBQ pits, campers, full on food service with open bar stocked with both beer and liquor.  Even some have TV's sat up against their tent or vehicle.  Music blaring, people singing, cheering, enjoying each other’s company.  That is what makes a true Mountaineer.  The hospitality of our natives is a fantastic thing. 

     To join in with such enthusiasm can be the perfect recipe for a wonderful fun filled weekend.  You start first thing in the morning.  Gathering all your ingredients and food supplies to truck down to the tailgate lot.  If you are one of the lucky ones you already have a camper spot, a tent spot, or an invitation to an organizations’ private tent area.  You start eating, drinking, and getting prepped for the big game.  You enjoy the food, the atmosphere, and your guests and everyone becomes one.  The hum from the crowds, the smell of the different foods cooking, and the sea of gold and blue colors everywhere allow you to feel like this is where home should be. 

     Then for the next 3-4 hours you go inside the giant stadium, inside the belly of the beast.  The bleachers are packed with again the sea of blue and gold.  The crowd is cheering, chanting, and singing.  Kickoff is about to begin.  And you are off.  Off on an exciting adventure of live sports at its best.  The next couple hours of your life are filled with more food, fun, and excitement.  Following the game more tailgating and eating continue whether still in the parking lots or back at your place of residence.

     A joyous day of fun, family, friends, and comradery is just what the perfect "menu" calls for.  Some say it may cost too much to attend live sporting events, and yes at times it does.  However, nothing can compare to being there in person with good people and good spirits.  It is definite that the Mountaineer fans have tailgating down to an art of perfection. Final score: A perfect win!

Tons of people tailgating

Friends having fun

Smile for the picture

Beer run

Come on give us a smile

Let's Go!!

The Pride of WV

A Recipe To Teach

A Recipe To Teach

 



      An interesting thing I have found is that some people don't know how to make certain homemade items.  I grew up in a house where my mother and father cooked almost everything that was laid onto the table.  Nothing ever came from a box.  My friends were interested in learning the art of making homemade pasta.  So when it came down to a free weekend I invited them over to watch the game on TV and decided to make it into a night of teaching and eating.

     I had already had some marinara sauce in the fridge.  I quickly mixed up some homemade meatballs, (see http://www.recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/05/Gnocchi-Meatballs.html), placed them in the sauce, and placed it on the stove to simmer all afternoon.  My friends and I happen to have wanted to watch the WVU game on television so we started our evening out around 2:30. 

Crystal mixing the eggs and flour

Eric rolling out the dough

 

Crystal cutting the noodles

 

     Let's just put it this way, it is definitely fun and different to watch and teach your friends how to make something that you yourself can do with your eyes closed.  My friends had such a good time taking the reigns and control over making this delicious homemade meal.  Teaching someone how to do something comes with its own gratitude. They were so proud and happy to have learned this new skill.  The oooohs and aaahs coming from the table were comical. 

     Teaching cooking is something I enjoy.  In fact it is something I would love to do for a living.  Being able to give that same excitement I get from cooking to others is heart warming.  In my house growing up it was just something we did together anyways.  It was time for everyone to put away their toys, computer games, come inside and spend time with each other.  Dinners with family and friends are the best time to relax, sit back, and enjoy each other’s company.  Without such a great experience that social interaction that we as human beings need just dies out.  We lose something without this type of experience.  So grateful for the time that was had.  You should give it a try.  Get together with some of your friends or family and cook a meal together.  Laugh, eat, drink, sing, and tell stories, all while eating something you have created.  Nothing beats that kind of recipe for life....



The meal family style

Flavorful Ingredients To Win With Health

    What do I mean when I say "Flavorful Ingredients To Win With Health"?  Well, I went on a little getaway out of state to my cousin's town, Toledo, to not only visit and spend some relaxing time with family, but to also run in a 5K Color Run.  A Color Run is a fun filled morning of running/walking 3.2 miles, getting blasted with colored cornstarch, all in the name of charity raising money for the Children's Miracle Network.  So, now you see what these flavorful ingredients for health are.  Get it?

     I'm a runner at heart.  Have been doing it since grade school.  I used to run in events when I was in my teens and continue to this day running for exercise.  When the thought and invitation came up about running in a 5K again, was brought to my attention by my cousin I thought, "What the hell, lets do this!" 

     Myself and another cousin took the 6-hour drive up north to Toledo for this special event.  We arrived early afternoon that Friday at our family's house.  A nice evening on the deck with homemade pasta, sausages, tomato/cucumber salad, bread, and wine was the perfect meal for our busy day about to happen. After a nice evening chatting and eating it was time for bed as we planned on waking up fairly early to get to the race in time.

     The next morning that alarm clock went off way to soon for my blood, 5:30am.  We all awoke, dressed, and drove downtown to the start of the event.  What a site to see, over 5000 people participating in this special run/walk all in support of a good cause.  There was a stage with entertainers playing music, doing Zumba, etc. Booths set up all around selling items from the event, water stations, etc.  Everyone lined up at the starting line as the event began.  They sat us off in waves so that at all times someone would be on the road during the race.  The music blaring and the announcer pumping us up. 

      If you have ever ran a 5K all you need to know is that it goes by pretty quick.  You think at first you will never reach the finish line and before you know it you are there.  Running is a great way to release endorphins and get the cardio your body needs.  It feels great to run as it gives you a lot of energy.  Add in a charitable cause and you feel even better.  At the end of the race everyone packs around the fair grounds and stage where they continue to play music and have color bombs where they count down from 10 and everyone tosses their color packets up in the air to create a wonderful cloud of colors.  Definitely the "Happiest 5K on the planet" as they profess with their tag line.  I would highly recommend this to anyone whenever the run comes to a city near you.  Not only for the health benefits and charity but also for the pure enjoyment of it all. "Take your own ingredients to win with health!"

Homemade pasta boosting meal

 

 

 

Runners and walkers

 

Dancing for joy

 

 

 

 

Color Bombs

1/2 CARAFE of Wining And Dining

     As with a few of my posts, this one has to do with a great "recipe" for local fun, dining, and relaxation.  Not too far from where I live there are a few different wineries.  Now I know what you are thinking, "Does WV have the climate for good wine making?" Your answer is yes.  Just about an hour away from my hometown sits a little farm where they make their own wine and whiskey's.  Along with taste testing their fruit of the land they also have an upscale fine dining venue that one can enjoy while experiencing some good flavors of libations.

     An old friend of mine from high school had called me up and was in town and wanted to drive on up for the evening, meet up with another friend from school, and have a great night of wine tasting and dining.  Who was I to turn down an evening with great friends, great food, great wine, and even better spirits?  As it turns out an old friend from high school and her husband own the place and we were lucky enough to have them show us a great evening and how they give their own spin on the meaning of hospitality.

     It was just a normal Tuesday evening after work that we decided to head on the road for the very short hour drive up to Heston Farms in Fairmont, WV.  Not that hard to find, the farm sits right off the exit on Interstate 79.  Short couple miles up this road up a hill and "Ta Da!" you are there.  The winery/ restaurant has this very attractive open garden in front with a stage off to the right where they allow live bands and musicians to perform for the entertainment of the diners and tasters.

     Walk through this garden entrance and enter the front door where you are greeted with a sort of rock cavern where the tasting occurs.  The walls are lined with wine bottles, whiskey, and homemade items for sell.  To the front sits a long counter where one can taste the multitude of homemade wines and whiskey's they have right at your disposal. 

     Off to the left is an indoor dining area followed by a walkway that leads upstairs to more indoor dining.

     My friend and I did a little wine and whiskey tasting before heading out to our table in the front garden area where we were joined by our other friends/owners of this fine establishment.

Good meal with good friends

 

     The menu from the Foxfire Restaurant within the farm ranges from appetizers, main courses, desserts, to even sandwiches.  The variety of different items goes from Filets of choice beef, pastas, grilled items, seafood, etc.  The upscale dining experience is quite good and we definitely ate our share of a couple different items.

     By the end of the evening we were all stuffed and feeling pretty good all thanks to our gracious hosts and good company.  What better way to enjoy an evening out but tasting what your local area can provide you. 


     If you are in the mood for great food, great wine, and even better company please check out Heston Farms website at http://hestonfarm.com/ and try your hand at a wonderful WV winery. No recipe can beat what your local environment can provide straight from the earth to your table.