Wine Zinfandel -The history of Zinfandel- Serve at 60-68° Although Zinfandel's roots go back to Croatia, it has made it's way to the United States and is now most widely produced in California's wine country. Zinfandel was first known for sale during the Gold Rush (between 1852-1857) and is now the third-leading varietal grown in California's 58 counties. In Italy, the same grape is known as Primitivo and has many of the same qualities as the California Zinfandels, yet it does lack some of the spice and the blue/black fruit notes of the California grape. This is much to the credit of the soil and climate California can offer. Zinfandel is typically full of dark fruit: Plums, dark cherries, blackberries, and blueberries are common notes, those fruits are beautifully married with plenty of spice, ranging from peppercorn to star anise. If the Zinfandel has been aged in new oak , you can expect cinnamon, clove, caramel, vanilla, and other classic baking spices to shine. Zinfandel vs Cabernet They are both fruit filled and a bit "spicy". Zinfandel is also known for being high in alcohol content, which can give it a bit of a kick. Cabernet is known for its more complex flavor with notes of black cherry, and cedar, as well as a hint of vanilla. It is usually more tannic than Zinfandel, which can give it a more structured mouthfeel. Another key difference between Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon is how they age. Zinfandel is known for being a drink now wine, meaning it’s best enjoyed within a few years of bottling. Cabernets, on the other hand, can be aged for several years, or even decades, to develop a more complex flavor profile. Enjoy my two choices for this month - both coming from California. My Sweet Spot is from the Paso Robles region and my Special Day is from the Napa Valley region. One is a bit lighter than the other and both are awesome choices in two very different price points. Sweet Spot Zinfandel- Castoro Cellars Double Black Zinfandel Paso Robles - $13.99 A great value when looking for an easy drinking Zinfandel that pairs with many foods. This would be incredible with BBQ or your favorite Italian red sauce. It is dark fruit forward yet has the perfect amount of spice to balance the jammy sip. You'll love this one! It's the easy pour you're looking to put with any meal or snack. Special Day Zinfandel- Frog's Leap Zinfandel 2020 - $46.99 Powerful and spicy, this incredible favorite of mine has more body than most Zinfandels but still has the fruity notes you expect from the varietal. With mild hints of vanilla and black pepper it makes this a lovely wine with spicy dishes, beef, game, and bbq. If you're wanting to celebrate something special, choose this one and if you're in Napa Valley you should visit the Frog's Leap Winery. It is at the top of my list each time we visit. The wine tasting and grounds are incredibly well done, and their gardens are a must see! Food Pairing If a lovely glass of your favorite Zinfandel was searching for the perfect mate, here is what should be on that list. Meats: smoked pork, spicy sausage, duck Seafood: blackened fish, tuna Veggies/Fruits: grilled peppers, eggplant, cranberries Spices/Herbs: pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon Cheeses: smoked gouda, parmesan, feta Sauces: spicy, bbq, cajun, tomato Dessert: carrot cake, spice cake, gingersnap cookies Try this month's Sweet Spot wine with one of my favorite new dishes! I have been working on perfecting this for a few years and I think you'll love it as much as my family, too! Deconstructed Lasagna by As Noted By Me Cocktail Apple Cider Mimosa This simple, fun mimosa is Fall in a cute coupe glass. It is a perfect tailgate cocktail or the best way to kick off your upcoming Thanksgiving celebration. I'm a sucker for anything with bubbly ;) The Mocktail version is simply a substitution of n/a champagne, n/a Prosecco or club soda. Mocktail Apple Cider Mimosa Mocktail Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive. This information is for people over the age of 21. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol. -As Noted by Me-

Trespasses by Louise Kennedy Read with me! November's selection is Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. Trespasses greatly captures time and place in Northern Ireland during the 1970's and how difficult the co-existence was for Catholics and Protestants. Cushla is young and naive; she’s still grieving her father. Working full time as a teacher, part time at her family’s pub, all while being a caregiver to her mother. She falls in love with Michael, and he is the wrong choice for so many reasons. Louise Kennedy is a gifted storyteller, t he characters are beautifully written, and the landscape is captured in such a way that you feel transported. You'll not quickly forget this story. HAPPY READING!   Book Review Questions for October Florence Adler Swims Forever 1. Florence Adler Swims Forever opens with Florence’s death and ends with the birth of Fannie’s baby. In what ways do life and death frame this novel? Describe Fannie and Florence’s relationship. Do they have roles that they fall into? What do you think is gained by a seven-year age gap? What complications are introduced? When Florence dies, Esther’s first instinct is to keep Florence’s death a secret to protect Fannie and her pregnancy. If you were in each character’s shoes, do you think you could have kept this secret? Fannie is devastated by the death of her infant son, Hyram. Her mother, Esther, doesn’t understand her grief, saying he doesn’t need a gravestone because Fannie “didn’t need a place to go and wallow. What does it mean to Fannie to be pregnant again? How do these two mothers—Fannie and Esther—handle the death of their respective children? Near the end of the novel, Joseph strikes a deal with Isaac to entice him to leave the family forever. What do you think of Isaac’s decision? Do you think—if he stayed—that he could have changed? The novel ends without the reader learning of Fannie’s reaction to the news of Florence’s death and Isaac’s departure. Based on what you know about Fannie, how do you think she took the news? How would you have reacted if put in the same position?

Soup season is here and we're celebrating the 12 Saturdays in Autumn with a soup each Saturday. Come to my blog each Saturday in Autumn and I'll share a favorite soup recipe to help make your soup season extra warm and cozy.  As Noted By Me :: Soup's on Saturday Week Five: Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup Use the best cheddar cheese you can find for this one! YUM!

This time of year it's always fun to make my (somewhat gross) spin on meatloaf - Spooky Season Feetloaf is not for the faint of heart. It was a longtime favorite of my littles and a Halloween night tradition in our home. My recipe is an old favorite (a standard, farm girl meatloaf) and on any other night, we eat our meatloaf like normal folks - BUT - this time of year, we get a little SPOOKY. Enjoy!

It's HERE!!! Soup season has arrived. The air is cool, the crops are coming out of the fields and football games are in full swing and that means SOUP SEASON . This is my favorite chili to make when I am expecting a crowd (and let's be honest that is most of the time during football season)! It also freezes really well, so don't worry about having leftovers! I have linked my favorite soup containers to use when freezing leftovers. The smoky heat that comes from the chipotle chili powder is what sets this chili apart from other chili. It can be a little HOT...so beware. I add up to 1 tablespoon of the smoky heat magic, but my recipe is safer to start with the 2 teaspoons and adjust from there for your liking. I have noticed different brands of the spice can bring a different amount of heat, too, so experiment as you wish. I add the brown sugar for a hint of sweetness, but if you're using garden fresh tomatoes you won't need the full 1/4 cup. Cool it down with a big spoon of sour cream or chase it with a cold beer. ENJOY!

Soup season is here and we're celebrating the 12 Saturdays in Autumn with a soup each Saturday. Come to my blog each Saturday in Autumn and I'll share a favorite soup recipe to help make your soup season extra warm and cozy.  As Noted By Me :: Soup's on Saturday Week Four: Chicken Wild Rice Soup . Enjoy with a crusty piece of bread! Say no more...this is a crowd pleaser and a Christmas Eve tradition at my home.

This is a home run - grand slam - one for the record books recipe. A chili sauce that is easy and a huge hit with my family. If you have an immersion blender it is easy to get the perfect consistency - that is always the best part of a chili dog - a thick, hearty sauce that can also hold all the onions on top and not run off the dog and bun. This is it - you're going to love it. Grill some dogs this weekend and enjoy a chili dog and a great game! Cheers to Chili Dogs!

Soup season is here and we're celebrating the 12 Saturdays in Autumn with a soup each Saturday. Come to my blog each Saturday in Autumn and I'll share a favorite soup recipe to help make your soup season extra warm and cozy. As Noted By Me :: Soup's on Saturday Week Three: Enjoy my Slow Cooker Hamburger and Vegetable Soup. I am always looking for a broth based, veggie loaded, slow cooker soup. I used leftover farmers market vegetables and added just the right amount of savory spices and a kiss of parmesan cheese to make this one perfect.

Soup season is here and we're celebrating the 12 Saturdays in Autumn with a soup each Saturday. Each of the next 12 weeks I'll share a favorite soup recipe to help make your soup season extra warm and cozy. As Noted By Me :: Soup's on Saturday Week Two: Enjoy my Sausage and Gnocchi Soup. This one has been a labor of love. I have spent many weekends trying to get this one perfect. If you cannot find mini gnocchi, the regular size will work just fine. I like to get the spicy sausage from the meat counter at the grocery store- and more specifically find Graziano's if you're in Iowa.

Soup season is here and we're celebrating the 12 Saturdays in Autumn with a soup each Saturday. Each of the next 12 weeks I'll share a favorite soup recipe to help make your soup season extra warm and cozy. As Noted By Me :: Soup's on Saturday Week One: Enjoy my Chicken Tortilla Soup . It's a favorite in my family (and with my friends) - so much that I can make this soup in my sleep! Enjoy!

Wine Pinot Noir -The history of Pinot Noir- (pee-noh nwhahr) Serve at 55-60 Pinot Noir is the product of patience within the process. The finicky, hard to grow, thin skinned, high maintenance grape rewards you greatly if it produces. Pinot Noir is nearly 1000 years older than Cabernet Sauvignon and is grown, for the most part, in the Burgundy region of France and has earned the nickname "the noble grape of Burgundy" . Several winemakers in other regions have tried (and failed) to grow the " heartbreak grape" and in terms of other regional Pinot Noir success, the Willamette Valley of Oregon has seen the greatest. Pinot Noir grapes take up a mere 5-10% of grapes grown in California proving this grape is indeed a challenge to winemakers. American Pinot tends to be a bit more fruity (often jammy) and sippable than it's French companion. Germany and Austria have been making some waves in the Pinot Noir production game too. They tend to be a little more earthy and smoky - with a softer acidity - they are a great option and tend to be a bit more affordable. My Sweet Spot selection this month is a STEAL from the Burgundy region of France and my Special Day selection is from the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County California and I highly recommend this for your Thanksgiving table in November! You will love both - I Pinot promise! Sweet Spot Pinot Noir - Domaine St Germain Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir - $19.99 Are you looking for a bottle for under $20 that tastes like it's $50? This is for you. It isn't easy to find a higher quality Pinot Noir from France that brings this much complexity. You'll find this medium body sip to be filled with hints of black cherry and berries, yet not sweet. I love it with a tomato pasta dish and you'll find it quite easy to pair with many foods. Special Day Pinot Noir- Amici Pinot Noir 2022 - $44.99 This is one of the best Pinot Noir's I've ever tasted. I'm thankful the expert at Total Wine led me here :) It is a legit sexy sip and feels balanced with berries, a hint of spice, and a velvety finish. This will be on my Thanksgiving table - it is made for that "big time" meal. I hope you love it just as much! Food Pairing If a lovely glass of your favorite Pinot Noir was searching for the perfect mate, here is what should be on that list. Meats: filet mignon, roast turkey, bbq ribs, duck Seafood: tuna, salmon Veggies/Fruits: mushrooms, dried fruits, strawberries Spices/Herbs: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg Cheeses : brie, gouda, herbed goat Sauces: teriyaki, tomato Dessert: chocolate covered strawberries, salted caramel The perfect dish to pair with this month's Sweet Spot wine is my Tomato, Basil & Brie Linguine . It's light, summery and showcases tomatoes and basil from your garden or seasonal farmer's market. You can add some grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. Cocktail Raspberry Mojito Mocktail Raspberry Mojito Mocktail Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive. This information is for people over the age of 21. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol. -As Noted by Me-

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters September's selection is The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. Read with me! This is a powerful and emotionally challenging read. Trust me, you need to read this one! July 1962. A Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia arrives in Maine to pick blueberries for the summer. Weeks later, four-year-old Ruthie, the family’s youngest child, vanishes. She is last seen by her six-year-old brother, Joe, sitting on a favorite rock at the edge of a berry field. Joe will remain distraught by his sister’s disappearance for years to come. "A stunning debut about love, race, brutality, and the balm of forgiveness." —People Magazine, A Best New Book HAPPY READING!   Book Review Questions for August The Last Love Note What is it about death and grief that we find so difficult to talk about? Kate worries that widows are always judged when they fall in love again. What do you think drives this judgement? Do you think Hugh did the right thing, keeping the secret from Kate? What would you have done? What was the saddest moment in the novel for you?  What dreams have you been deferring that you’d most regret if time ran out?