Eat. Drink. Memory.

Top-selling holiday pattern comes in parchment red; 40-piece set for $149.99, which is a savings of 62% off MSRP

Free 6 piece crystal hostess set with purchase of $75

Celebrity scents 'Black Friday' beauty bargains

Looking good and smelling great are gifts anyone would be happy to receive this holiday season.

Look for Black Friday Bargains on gift sets from RocaWear, Badgley Mischka, Britney Spears and Maria Carey.

Mariah Carey's Forever

Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 fl oz

Body Lotion 3.3 oz

Deluxe Mini Parfum

$68 (a $158 value)

Available at Macy's and other fine department stores.

X Rocawear Holiday Gift Set & Gift With Purchase

Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 fl. oz

Over Body Shampoo 3.4 fl. oz

Deodorant 2.6 oz.

Receive a Rocawear duffle bag with your purchase of $65 or more

       $70 (a $93 value)

Available at Macy's and other fine department stores such as Dillard's & Belk's.

9IX Rocawear Holiday Gift Set & Gift With Purchase

Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 fl. oz 

Shower Gel 3.4 fl. oz

Deodorant 2.6 oz.

$70 (a $118 value)

Receive a Rocawear duffle bag with your purchase of $65 or more

Available at Macy's and other fine department stores such as Dillard's & Belk's.

 Badgley Mischka Couture Holiday Gift Set

Eau de Parfum Spray 3.4 fl. oz/100ml

Parfum Elixir 0.5 fl. oz/15ml

Leather Beauty Case

$100 (a $138 value)

Available exclusively in the Neiman Marcus Direct Catalogue.

 

Britney Spears Believe Holiday Gift Set

Eau de Parfum  Spray 1.0 oz

Body Soufflé 3.3oz

$25 (a $50 value)

Exclusively at Kohl's department stores 2009 holiday season.

 

Britney Spears Greatest HIts Gift Set    

Believe Eau de Parfum .33 oz

Midnight Fantasy Eau de Parfum .33 oz

Curious Eau de Parfum .33 oz

Fantasy Eau de Parfum .33oz 

$35 (a $46 value)

Exclusively at Macy's through the 2009 holiday season.

World Food Programme inspiring 'Gift of Hope'

The family feasts are finished and the parades wound down. We have gathered together to celebrate our blessings and the abundance in our lives.

This Thanksgiving and in the upcoming holiday season, please remember those who are less fortunate with a lasting Gift of Hope to the World Food Programme.

This holiday season, make a difference by giving family and friends a life-changing gift… the Gift of Hope. Look at our new catalogue with 12 ways to fight hunger, and find the gift that inspires you most. Your gift will bring happiness to a loved one and spread hope to people bearing the burden of hunger each and every day. Hope means a brighter future when a child receives the gift of a school lunch; it means survival during an emergency when a family receives the gift of nutritious biscuits; and it means a healthy newborn baby when a mother receives the gift of fortified food. Find the true meaning of the holiday season by giving the Gift of Hope. Your personalized e-card that is sent when you make this lasting gift will also inspire generosity of spirit in others.

Nutritious food for a pregnant or new mother - Help a woman give her child a better chance from the start. Utensils for 25 students to eat lunch at school - No child should go hungry.   Nutritious biscuits for 100 victims of emergencies - Time saved means lives saved.

Time for a new Thanksgiving tradition with Pasta Sfoglia recipe

Turkey too hum-drum?  It's time to start a new tradition with a sensational holiday recipe from Sfogila chef restaurateur Ron Suhanosky.

Nonna's Holiday Crab and Lobster Sauce Spaghetti is a childhood favorite of the New York chef and co-owner with wife, Colleen, of two acclaimed Italian bistros - one in NYC, the other in Nantucket. We're sure it will become a much anticipated favorite in your family as well.

Suhanosky idled many a childhood afternoon in the kitchen with his grandmother and great-grandmother, watching and learning and inhaling the happiness their cooking brought to the family.

"I always saw her in the kitchen. I could see how happy she was and I wanted to be that happy," he says. "Food was the element for bringing people together."

The Suhanoskys, whose Italian heritage is central to their appetite for slow food prepared from whole, fresh and local ingredients, both grew up in families where lavish family meals were customary on holidays.  

Suhanosky's background is Polish, Hungarian and Italian while his wife's is Sicilian and French.

He dreams of pasta, mixing textures and flavors - both sweet and savory - in the manner of skilled chefs of the Italian Renaissance.  His province in the kitchen is all things savory while hers is all things deliciously, decadently sweet.

"I started experimenting with old traditions, dried fruits, savory with sweet," Suhanosky says. "I'm usually hungry when I start working on a menu."

Pasta is the quintessential italian comfort food. It melds cultural tradition and simple ingredients to produce memorable moments at the table. Suhanosky's nonna's classic seafood sauce is a holiday tradition that can be yours for the making.

adapted from the Suhanosky's recently published cookbook PASTA sfoglia from Wiley

Nonna's Holiday Crab and Lobster Sauce

serves 8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons grape seed oil

3 cloves garlic, smashed

6 live blue Maryland crabs, cleaned (see Note)

Two 1-pound 12-ounce cans peeled whole San Marzano tomatoes, passed through a food mill

8 cups water

3 lobster tails

1/4 cup finely chopped preserved lemons (Pasta sfoglia provides a recipe, but you may purchase these ready made)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound good quality spaghetti

Optional garnish: 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs, such as flat-leaf parsley, basil or dill

1. Add the grape seed oil, garlic and crabs to a large sauce pan or stock pot over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the crabs turn red, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and cook for three more minutes.  Add the pureed tomatoes and 4 cups of the water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and simmer until reduced by half, about two hours. Add the lobster tails and 2 cups of the water and cook for 30 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate overnight.

2. Turn on the heat under the sauce to medium-high. Add the remaining two cups of water and stir to combine.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

3. Remove the crab and lobster to a serving platter. Stir the lemons, salt and pepper into the sauce.

4. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Two minutes before the pasta cooking time is complete, use a wire mesh skimmer or tongs to remove the spaghetti from the pot and place them directly into the sauce.  Stir to combine.

5. Serve immediately with the platter of crabs and lobster tails on the side. Sprinkle finely chopped herbs of your choice over everything, if desired.

NOTE: Crabs are bottom feeders so they need to be thoroughly cleaned before they're cooked. Soak them in generously salted water for 24 hours. When you remove them from the water, they are no longer alive. Use a stiff brush to clean between and under the legs.

Donations to the Allie Noelle Whaley Memorial Fund

This week as we prepare to give thanks for all our blessings, please take a minute to do something good.

Ten-month-old Allie Noelle Whaley won't have a first Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Born with congenital mitral stenosis, a severe blockage of the heart's mitral valve, she  died October 25, 2009.

The family has insufficient health care coverage and huge medical expenses.

In honor of Allie Noelle Whaley, Doc's Gun & Pawn (506 S. Memorial Drive, Greenville, NC 27834). is raffling a $1,000 Shopping Spree. Tickets are $5 and the drawing is December 11.

Anyone interested in contributing to The Allie Noelle Whaley Memorial Fund  should contact:

Allie Noelle Whaley Memorial Fund

282 Bowen Circle

Ayden, NC 28513

Nintendo & Wii tops on the wish list Giveaway starts Dec. 1

We should own stock in Nintendo.  It's a corny joke, I know, but by the time we get through with the wish list, our family will have done its part to boost the sagging economy.

Recently, we had the opportunity to review some of the great new games available for the Nintendo DS and DSi as well as the Wii (only $199 now).  What a blast!

Enter the Wii Game Giveaway beginn.ing Dec. 1

Tops on our must-have list:

FOR THE Wii

Astro Boy

If you are a fan of this old-school japanese manga from the 50s, then Astro Boy: The Movie gives you the chance to be  Astro Boy. Use all his super powers- lasers, arm cannons, super strength, and flight- on the ultimate adventure to save Metro City. Harness his positive "blue" energy and embrace destiny.

The Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the Fifth Sun

Take control of Zak Saturday and his family the Saturdays, scientific explorers dedicated to discovering and protecting secret artifacts and mysterious creatures known as Cryptids. Fight against the dastardly V.V. Argost’s evil plot to control the Cryptids and rule the world. Don't expect this game to stick to the cartoon story line; it has its own twists and turns.

Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks

This fast-paced, 3D-action game is based on the hit television series ALIEN FORCE airing on Cartoon Network and offers all-new story content, multiple playable alien forms, and an unlimited combo system with puzzles and challenges that will engage players of all levels. No more earning aliens to blast. This version gives them to you from the get go.

Game Party 3

Get your old school game on with  Game Party 3's pick-up-and-play game pack featuring Croquet, Bocce Ball , Racquetball and Mini Golf. Game Party 3 is perfect play for the family or for a crowd - up to four can play or in tournament mode up to 16. Don't miss Root Beer Tap.

SceneIt?

Rock the Hollywood scene with movie quizzes from anagrams to scene clips. Earn glitz and buy bling. It's all about who you know (and a little bit of what you know too).  Score big and be the star of Tinsel Town. Try a free demo and see why everyone is rushing the red carpet.

For DS

Style Savvy

Hours of retail therapy await the fashionista. Style Savvy, launching this holiday season, invites players to create a fashion-forward boutique, help customers in the game find their perfect style using 16 different brands and compete in glamorous runway contests. Let's go shopping!

Touchmaster 3

The DS favorite mini-games compilation redux.  Ultimate TouchMaster brings on on a new batch of puzzles from the MegaTouch series. With 20 games designed for quick touchscreen sessions, Ultimate TouchMaster is versatile family fun for hours.
       

Wii Game Party 3 Giveaway Winner

On October 31st, we selected a winner for the Game Party 3.  Our winner needed to verify the shipping address with ContestMachine in order to ship the prize.  We then chose an alternate.

As of today we have disqualified 3 possible winners because they did not notify us.

Today I made the last selection: Marissa Green. 

If the winner does not respond by Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at 5 pm., the contest is over.

Thanksgiving dinner at Bistro de Leon

Terrific salads from turkey leftovers & beautiful berries

Tired of the same old, same old post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches?

Toss the bread and fat-laden mayo aside for these new takes on turkey salad. The secret to these easy recipes is berries. 

Fresh berries add a burst of flavor, a bit of texture and, of course, up the health quotient.

This Blackberry Rice Turkey Salad from Driscoll’s is a quick and easy way to give your leftover turkey a makeover. Aside from being tasty, blackberries serve double-duty by adding dietary fiber, heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, Vitamin C and antioxidants to your diet.

Another wonderful menu option any day of the year is this Raspberry Turkey Salad recipe from Driscoll's. Snap peas add texture and crunch while raspberries add color (and a healthy dose of antioxidants) to this light and fresh salad.

Driscoll’s is offering $.50 coupons through their website www.Driscolls.com.  Just click and print!

Blackberry Rice Turkey Salad

Prep time: 10 minute plus rice cook-time
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

 
Rice Salad

1             package (6 ounces) Driscoll’s Blackberries
3             cups whole grain brown and wild rice, cooked
1 1/2       cups turkey, cooked and cubed
1             cup celery, thinly sliced
3/4          cup radish, thinly sliced
1/3          cup glazed walnuts, coarsely chopped
 
Vinaigrette

1/3          cup olive oil
1             teaspoon Dijon mustard, coarse ground
2             tablespoons lemon juice
1             teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2          teaspoon salt
1/4          teaspoon black pepper

For the rice salad, mix blackberries, rice, turkey, celery, radishes and walnuts in medium bowl.
 
Stir in just enough vinaigrette to moisten salad.  Serve or refrigerate until serving.

For the vinaigrette, whisk olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, thyme leaves, salt and pepper in a bowl until blended. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Nutrition Per Serving: 497 calories, 25.63g total fat, 4.00g saturated fat, 20.23g protein, 47.18g carbohydrate, 40.42mg cholesterol, 4.89g fiber, 434mg sodium
 

Raspberry Turkey Salad
 
Prep time: 10 min
Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients
 
1   package (6 ounces) Driscoll’s Raspberries, rinsed and divided
¼  cup balsamic vinegar
½  teaspoon sugar
¼  teaspoon black pepper, coarse and ground
4   ounces field greens
4   ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed and blanched
6   ounces turkey strips, cooked and sliced
2   ounces ricotta salata cheese, grated
 
Purée 1/2 cup of the raspberries, balsamic vinegar, and sugar in a food processor or blender; strain. Stir in black pepper.
 
Combine field greens, remaining 1 cup raspberries, sugar snap peas and turkey in medium bowl.

Drizzle dressing over salad. Toss until evenly coated. Divide between two serving plates. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Per Serving: 302 calories, 7.73g total fat, 3.50g saturated fat, 31.97g protein, 23.74g carbohydrate, 78.36mg cholesterol, 8.20g fiber, 137mg sodium

Fritzel's Jazz place to be for Big Easy's French Quarter Fest

Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub is the ‘little jazz club that could’ and it’s in the center of the upcoming 2010 French Quarter Fest, when the Big Easy is packed with thousands of jazz lovers.

Carrying the tradition of being a Mecca for true Dixieland Jazz since 1969, international jazz bands will perform at Fritzel’s all day and night April 9-16, 2010. Proprietor Vasile Zarkanis and Manager Kate Wimmer invite international jazz musicians from around the globe to contact them for this very special music ‘happening’.

During the Fest, Fritzel’s will be jamming with jazz fans ~ filling their secluded garden courtyard and ‘Upstairs at Fritzel’s’ ~ a dazzling 2nd floor for private parties that overlooks famed Bourbon Street. Fritzel’s remarkable 1831 building is an example of American architecture sprinkled with Creole influence.

The French Quarter Fest features a week-long extravaganza of free music and free activities for festival-goers across 17 stages throughout the historic French Quarter.

• World Championship Oyster Eating Contest
• Battle of the Bands
• Dancing at Dusk
• Thousands of musicians from traditional & contemporary jazz, rhythm & blues, New Orleans funk, Zydeco, opera and gospel
• Historic Courtyard Tours
• 70 food & beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Wolderberg Riverfront Park and Louisiana State Museum ’s Old U.S. Mint

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Fritzel's guests are whisked back in time to when Dixieland music was purely THE sound that made this city so unique. It’s a modest club that feels just right to guests who want to get close to the music. Its intimate setting erases the distance between audience and band ~ perfect for French Quarter Fest.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Fritzel's European Jazz Pub

733 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

504-586-4800

www.fritzelsjazz.net

Meet Lidia Bastianich at NYC book signing