Which Wine for Dinner Tonight?

A hot evening calls for a light dinner.

I prepared some tilapia filets with fresh asparagus spears. Neatly placed them in a shallow stoneware baking dish, I drizzled melted butter over all then added a bit a salt, pepper and chopped parsley from my garden pot. (Bake at 400 for 15-20 min).  Instead of a heavy starch, we had Michigan produced cottage cheese and chives from my garden pot.

A reader suggest I try Michcato from St. Julian Winery. This semi-sweet white is a perfect compliment to our dinner. Subtle flavors of mango, pineapple and lemon cool the pallet. Serve chilled. I enjoyed a glass after dinner instead of dessert.

The wine is made primarily with Traminette grapes grown along Lake Michigan and bottled in Paw Paw, MI. The Michcato is Michigan's version of a Moscato. 

A great wine with a light meal or just for summer sipping. Sip on a glass while your honey grills or enjoy together after a meal while the kids do the dishes. 

This wine is also available in a can; perfect for picnics.

Visit St. Julian Winery for more info.

#ListenUpLadies - Learn From the Burn

Listen up ladies of all ages! 

If you pick up your razor and there is any doubt in your mind of how fresh the blade is... grab a new one!!!

I held a razor in my hand last night and had no idea of when or if at all, I changed the blade and then I did the worst thing ever. I used it! This morning I woke with a nasty razor burn on my legs. Argh!!!

Luckily, razor burn doesn't usually last long. A few hours usually, a couple days at the most. The key treatment is to moisturize and resist all urges to itch. 

Learn from my mistake, ladies!

Gram used an essential oil blend she made for all burns - razor, sun, stove... etc. 

3 Tbsp Aloe Vera gel

10 drops of lavender essential oil

10 drops peppermint oil

Mix well and store in the fridge.

My mom had a friend who swore by and used cold coffee. She kept a jar in her fridge and applied it with a cotton ball. Mom & I never tried it tho.

What is your go-to treatment for razor burn?

Check out this great article, 

8 Genius Razor Burn Home Remedies  

by Mora Gluskin & Naomi Torres 

Happy Father's Day

I 'd like to take a moment to wish the special men in my life a 

Happy Father's Day

Starting with my Dad. 

He was 42 when I was born. A WWII Marine and my hero who kept the scaries away, gave honest opinions and practical advise. He taught me to dance by letting me stand on his feet so I could follow. He died from pancreatic cancer when I was 27 and newly married. Dad never met my sons, but he certainly lives within them; they have his teasing demeanor and  "shitty grin".

My brother was 17 when I was born and left shortly after to join the Navy during Vietnam and became my other hero. His crazy personality and humor hid his extreme intelligence but it was his love of adventure that inspired me. It was while I was on an adventure of my own when I became a writer. He never gave me unsolicited advice but always let me know he believed in me. I love spending time with him and enjoy the laughs we share. He's been great at filling in for my dad and teaching my sons about their grandpa.

Middle son played a special baseball game in honor of his uncle.

My brother-in-law starting dating my sister when I was a year old. He's been in my life for so long he's more of a brother than an in-law. Steve, affectionately called Stevie, is 15 years older and never made any qualms about me tagging along his dates with my sister. He was often the one inviting me. I have so many memories of  driving to our cottage in his Triumph with the top down, singing Joe Walsh tunes at the top of our lungs; laying on our bellies reading Mad Magazine; him giving me advise on boys, and going gift shopping for my sister. He certainly keeps my sister from becoming too serious.

My sister & Stevie with my youngest son at his confirmation.

I'm so blessed to have an amazing Father-in-law who stepped in and filled my dad's missing shoes. He has always be available to fix or build something. His sarcasm drives me crazy but I've learned to embrace his lack of filters and sense of humor. I love hearing stories of his childhood (all the trouble he got into) and his time in the Army. Dementia is inflicting him and I'm blessed to have him in my life each day. Dad raised an amazing son and has been a wonderful grandpa and role model to my boys. He & Mom have never missed any of the boys' games.

Fall 2019

And last by not least...Happy Father's Day to the man who made me a mother...
my dearest hubby.
He's a great dad, a sexy pilot and at the end of the day manages to make me feel pretty.
He's the best Research Assistant a romance writer could dream of having.
I'm so glad he's mine.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Michigan Mixology - My Picks for Father's Day Gifts

My dad always appreciated a good spirit.

A bottle of a smooth whiskey makes a perfect gift 

for the dad who may like a drink synonymous with enjoying life. 

 

I'm a wine drinker but I salute the history filled tradition of making spirits.

With hubby's help, these are my picks for this year's Father's Day gifts.

Absolut Michigan

Yea, I know... Absolut is a New York product 

but the collectible bottle is sooo cool!

Absolut distributed vodka in collector bottles in 2019.

Some of the empty bottles are selling online for $30!

Foggy Mountain Bonfire

This cinnamon flavored whiskey is produced in Boyne Falls, MI. 

The cinnamon reminds me of fall, fun and bonfires.

When hubby kissed me, it was a cinnamon kiss! Give me more!

Visit Foggy Mountain Spirit Company for more info.

Traverse City Whiskey Co. American Cherry Edition

This is a smooth whiskey combined with fermented Montmorency Cherries grown locally.

Hubby likes the flavor, I admire the lovely red color. 

(Hubby is rolling his eyes at my comment.)

This is a good whiskey for those love cherries. 

Squeee! I love cherry!

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Michigan Apple

A special limited edition flavored whiskey may be hard to find but certainly worth it.

Straight bourbon is used as the base. After aging in barrels, it is then steeped with 10 lbs of local fruit for 10 days. The flavor makes you feel like your are drinking a well aged whiskey. 

Grab a cigar, sit back and relax on the deck.

Visit Traverse City Whiskey Co. for more info

All bottles featured in photo belong to hubby and he WILL share or I'm keeping them for myself.

Finally Open #ShopLocal

Yeah..Covid restrictions have been lifted (somewhat) so let's go shopping!

The region I live in is in Phase 4 of opening after being shut down for months due do the pandemic.

With Father's Day around the corner, I went to one of my favorite small towns to spend my $$$$ locally.

A visit to Cary Ann's Halmark Shop. 

The owner, Kyle, was practicing safety with his dandy mask and hand sanitizers available.  Kyle keeps a well organized shop full of awesome gifts, many are local & Michigan made. I always find goodies!

Today's mission - gifts for sons to give Dad.

Mission accomplished!