Cooking for Two on Valentine’s Day

There are many holidays that are meant to be a celebration of family, friends, and memories. Valentine’s day is a holiday that is meant to be a celebration of love. While that love can relate to family and friends it is quite often interpreted as a celebration of romantic love. While it would be nice if we could all go out and enjoy dinner together each Valentine’s Day at our favorite restaurant that is not always even a remote possibility. After all, someone has to prepare and serve the foods, put on the productions we see, and drive us to and from those locations or any number of other important features. There is also, of course, the little matter of the fact that for many of us, Valentine’s Day falls exactly one day prior to payday.

Chateau Du Sureau

A fairy tale awaits you in Oakhurst, California, just minutes from Yosemite in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas at Chateau du Sureau.  Everything from the European style stucco building to the life-sized chess board will evoke a feeling of being transported to another place and time.

Wrought iron gates emblazoned with the Château's elegant crest open to reveal the stately 9000 square foot stucco Inn, complete with a stone turret, Parisian balconies and shuttered windows, all on nine acres of meticulously landscaped park grounds. 

A Party Planner’s Guide to the Best 4th of July Celebration Ever

If you are looking for something special to do for this year’s 4^th of July celebration, throwing an awesome party can be both fun and rewarding for you, your family, and your friends. 

Ever since the first 4^th of July celebrations in the late sixteenth century, parades, festivals, feasts, and fun have been the norm.  Today, a celebration usually starts with a party at someone’s home or a local park, and then ends up with watching the community fireworks go off at the local community park. 

What Are Some Mexican Cookies

Special occasions call for special treats. There is quite a variety of Mexican cookies. Some are for anytime, while others are made at celebrations. Some are served at holidays while others are found at weddings. Whatever the time, they are sure to make anyone's mouth water with the sweet aromas and delicious tastes.

Wedding Cake cookies are traditional Mexican cookies. They are made out of shortbread. Some of the ingredients include different nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans that are ground. These cookies are very popular. They are served around Christmas, but also at Mexican weddings and anniversaries. Throughout the world, there are different variations of these cookies. Russia and Sweden refer to the cookie as Tea Cakes.  

Italian Food on a Date

Want a romantic night out on the town?  A fine Italian food restaurant is a safe bet.  Italian food has always been romantic and here are some tips to picking a great restaurant.

It's important to pick a place that serves authentic Italian food; otherwise your date will come off looking like a cheap imitation of the real thing.  How do you know what's authentic?  Simply look at the menu; if you understand it, it's not authentic enough.  You're looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza.  You might also want to talk to some people who work at the restaurant.  When I'm looking for an authentic Italian food experience I definitely want the people behind the food to know more Italian than English.  If everyone there seems too American you can bet the food is going to be more American-Italian than authentic Italian food.  

Cooking for the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is an important holiday in Mexican culture in which the departed adults that have gone on to the afterlife once again walk the earth for a night. It is an opportunity to honor those who have left us behind and a very healthy approach to death that many other cultures would do well to adopt. This is a family event and as such there is typically a good deal of great food involved.

If this is your first celebration of the Day of the Dead you are not alone. Most Americans never adopt this custom and those that are interested enough to try out some of the cuisine of this important day in Mexican society are very rarely versed in the tradition, which makes it difficult.

Casa Escondida

Chimayo, New Mexico is home to the lovely Casa Escondida. Situated in a sheltered, country location, Casa Escondida ("hidden house") is in addition handy to historic Santa Fe, quaint Taos, the ancient ruins of Bandelier National Park, the cultural magnificence of Native American pueblos, soothing hot springs, inspiring landscapes of Abiquiu and many other wonderful sites. 

Every one of the rooms is filled with handpicked antiques and accented in a rustic southwest style. Some rooms offer amenities such as an antique wood stove, private patio, fireplace, private deck or oversized bathtub. Architectural elements, such as kiva fireplaces, wooden tongue & groove ceilings, saltillo tile floors and wooden vigas, all add to the warmth and rustic charm of Casa Escondida, which is fairly similar to a southwestern country inn. Four of the eight guest rooms are set to allow pets.