Wine to Pair with Turkey

What wines will you be serving this Turkey Day?  

Thanksgiving Day takes planning, preparation and perfect execution.  T-Minus 2 days.  Grocery lists are made, the bird is thawing and you have made your plan of attack.  But have you thought about the wine?!?!

With any other family dinner, my go to wine is usually a big red blend.  Turkey dinner, on the other hand, calls for something with a little more elegance.  Some fill the void with Pinot Noir.  In fact, we have been known to spend thanksgiving in Oregon wine country during their large thanksgiving event.  If your family pushes you over the edge this year, think of this event for 2014.  Pinot Noir goes great with turkey, there is no denying that.  But sometimes, one just needs to take a step outside the box.  Because Pinot Noir is the new Merlot, right?  And nobody wants to bring the ex-popular wine to a dinner party.

If this has you stressing out, it is ok, just open a bottle of Washington Wine and relax.  Or if you are lucky enough to live in wine country, go tasting.  Nothing is better than enjoying a glass of wine while putting together your turkey day wine plan of attack.

Thanksgiving in my household, begins with a cheese plate.  This calls for an Ancient Lakes White Riesling to pair.  I love the crisp mineral characteristics and it also pairs well with turkey if you have guests that prefer white wine.  As for reds, I will be bringing a Grenache from the Wahluke Slope AVA in Washington.  Grenache, pictured above, has nice light spice with subtle tannins.  Perfect with turkey.  

Good Luck!  and Cheers!

If all else fails- it is just wine- Drink It!

Recipe: Chocolate Oreo Truffles

Ok, lets be honest. We probably all have seen these chocolate truffle recipes on Pinterest.  I would also bet many of you have pinned it.  I am here to tell you: Make Them! They are the perfect winter dessert.  Bite sized and ready to be decorated and displayed!

What you need:

-1 package oreos

-1 package cream cheese

-1 package chocolate (White or dark- Your choice!)

How to:

Crumble Oreos.  Mix with cream cheese.  Roll mixture into balls.  Melt chocolate over boiler pan.  Dip balls into chocolate and let dry on some wax paper.  Top with chocolate, or sprinkles, or candy cane if you are ready for Christmas! Voila! It really is that easy!

I for one will be making these to bring for thanksgiving.  Have any go to dessert recipes?  Another bonus to these truffles- They go great with Cabernet!

Go, Fight Win! Go Cougs!

I for one am SO EXCITED to be heading to Pullman this weekend to watch the Washington State University Cougars take on University of Utah!

Must win for bowl eligibility.

Big game for recruit visits

Pullman in November... There is no snow in the forecast but temps in the 30s 

CHEERS & GO COUGS!

::Thankful Thursday::

November.  A month to count ones blessings, big and small.

Today I am thankful for my family, the one I was born into and the one who has welcomed me these past few years. 

Right after I became a Lybeck!

I am thankful for my loving husband who is my support and partner in crime.

I am thankful for my health and for the joy I have found in Hot Yoga these past few weeks.

I am thankful Louie joined our lives this year, he puts a smile on my face and gives me a great reason to get out of bed and enjoy a walk before work.

Lastly, I am thankful to have a career I enjoy! Nothing better than finishing a day of work with a glass of wine your hard work has created.  Satisfaction at its finest.

What are you Thankful for?

A Wine Country Bridal Shower

   

My Mother In Law and I had the pleasure of hosting a lovely bridal shower for my beautiful new cousin Kierstin.

The Beautiful Bride

The afternoon was spent noshing on desserts, spoiling the bride to be and catching up with friend and family I had not seen since... well, my wedding!   

We made all the treats from pinterest, of course.  Oreo and cheesecake truffles, raspberry shortcakes, and the amazing trout cookies made by a local woman here in the Tri Cities!  With the couples passion for fishing (Bo is a guide), the trout were the perfect Country Chic touch!

Kierstin, Grandma Arlene and Myself

Do you have any go to shower recipes?  

      

.::2013::. Garden in Review

It is that time of the year in Wasington wine country. Harvest is coming to an end.  There is a chill to the air.  The first frost has made the vineyards and orchards start to drop their leaves. And that same first frost has made it quite apparent that it is time to take down the garden and make plans for next year

 It is a time to review the past year.  What was a success?  What has the opportunity to improve?  Each year around this time I clean up the garden, remove the annuals, and review the bounty 2013 has given us.

Cherry Tomatoes soon to be pico de gallo

Year 1 in the Holly House. We got married. We honeymooned in Maui. I started a new job.

The garden is definitely in need of some TLC.

Spicy garden haul

This year was the first I started all our plants from seeds.  I had high hopes with many starts going...then we were gone for 2 weeks of wedding/honeymoon madness and the poor little plants did not take well to being cared for by my mother-in-law.  We ended up having roma and cherry tomatoes, along with  many (ok 12...seriously we had them coming out of our ears) jalapeño peppers.

We had one lonely bell pepper plant that Louie ripped out. Bummer.

Garlic pickled jalapeno rings

With the huge amount of jalapeños, we decided to pickle some.

Best. Decision. Ever.

I got to break out the mandalin we got as a wedding gift, and after 6 weeks of waiting we have been loving our little pickled rings.  Nachos are on a whole new level in this household!

I am designing some improvements, are you?

What is your favorite garden veggie?

Mark my words, by 2014 I will have grown my own cucumbers and not have to buy from the store to make pickles!