We’re ringing out the old year and ringing the new tonight.  2014 went so quickly!  I love celebrating for any reason….or no reason at all!  I’m going to share some of my favorite things with you today.

This has to be my most favorite appetizer for special occasions!  Blini with smoked salmon, caviar, creme fraiche and a bit of snipped fresh chives or dill.  So simple to make and sooooo delicious!  A hint for you is to use an unsweetened whole wheat pancake mix for the blini.  And for quick creme fraiche, mix equal parts of sour cream and heavy cream….voila!

Next on my list is this recipe for bacon wrapped filet mignon….another simple and easy recipe….I believe in elegant simplicity!

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon Appetizers

1lb Filet Mignon or lean steak

1lb thin cut smoked bacon (It is essential the bacon be thin due to the fast cooking time.)

1 Medium white onion finely diced

2 cloves garlic minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped Italian (flat leaf) parsley

1 tablespoon salt

½ tablespoon pepper

Toothpicks (Colored wooden toothpicks work great, just not the ones with plastic frill on the ends.)

In a medium bowl, place onions, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, mix and set aside.

Slice filet into 1 inch disks, then cut disks into ½ inch wide cubes. You should end up with chunks of steak twice as long as they are wide. Place steak into bowl with onions and let sit for 4-8 hours in the refrigerator. Remove bacon from package and lay out the bacon strips and cut into 2 inch strips. This is easier to do if bacon is cold. Take a chunk of steak and wrap a piece of bacon around it. It should go all the way around it and overlap itself. Secure the bacon with a toothpick going through the steak. The toothpick will become the serving utensil when served. When finished wrapping all of the steak with bacon, place on a cooling rack and place them evenly spread across, and not touching, on a baking sheet. Discard the marinade for the steak.

In a 400 degree oven, roast the steak pieces for 10-12 minutes, just until bacon is crisp. Steak will be cooked perfectly medium. Serve immediately and garnish with the Chopped Parsley sprinkled on top. Place on a serving platter and a bowl of horseradish sauce or, for a twist, a bowl of chili con queso for dipping. (Thanks to “Las Vegas Man” for this recipe!)

Add a beautiful platter of fresh veggies….perhaps a light vinaigrette for dipping and you’ve got it.  Crusty bread and champagne will complete the menu….well, not quite!

I have to have my chocolate!  Pick up some delicious truffles and THEN you have a complete menu!

As for clothes….I’m loving this dress!  It’s available locally at Butler’s Stash…..$150.00….a great deal!  You’ll find the shop at Market Street between PeachMac and Cilantro’s.  Here’s a link to the shop’s Facebook page so that you can see more!  https://www.facebook.com/ButlersStash

Add a sexy black high heel and you can’t go wrong!

Good food….great fashion….fun!  Celebrate the coming of the New Year wherever you are….remember to be safe….have a designated driver….Enjoy!

Melissa | people | 12 31st, 2014 | 4 Comments »

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t dream of making a living as a writer.  Keeping diaries as a child….graduating to journals when that came into vogue….dreaming and dreaming.  My dreams came true in 2014!  Thanks to this blog I developed a platform on-line that has served me well!

I signed two contracts this year with a wonderful publishing house.  The first in my children’s book series will debut in February of 2015.  My first novel will be split into five separate stories and debut in 2016.  I’m pinching myself with happiness over all that is happening….all the goodness that is coming my way at long last.

I also learned how to play again in 2014!  Thanks to a lovely group of outstanding professional women.  We have a touch of mischief, just enough to make our time together memorable and fun!  Integrating play with work is so very important.  I intend to continue my adventures in 2015, meeting more wonderful people….featuring more history and stories….connecting the past and present in this beautiful place we call home.

I’m making a new “TaDa” list for 2015.  Not resolutions….I am resolving to do certain things to keep the positive flow going!  I’m promising to listen to my body and feed it what makes it feel best…to take time for myself, a break from it all, more often.  Stay with me on the journey!  2015 promises to be a fabulous new year and I am READY!  I begin each day with a big THANK YOU!  Arms outstretched, palms up….fingers stretched apart in order to receive all of the goodness life has to offer.  Cheers to new beginnings!

Melissa | Out&About | 12 30th, 2014 | 8 Comments »

Our time in Atlanta last week was certainly NOT uneventful!  We arrived in foggy, rainy weather that worsened as the day continued.

I have always loved a good corn dog so when our kids recommended we have lunch at one of the hot new restaurants, Palookaville, in Avondale Estates we all piled in the SUV and headed out.

I was not disappointed!  These hand-made corn dogs are the best I have ever eaten….ever!  Choose from an all beef corn dog, one with kielbasa or choose Italian sausage.  For the ultimate experience try the “Fryinstein” that includes all three on a stick, dipped in Palookaville’s famous corn batter and deep fried.  Dip these delicious dogs in regular or hot deli mustard…wash it down with one of the many cold brews on the menu and enjoy!  Bananas Foster on a stick?  You bet!  Owner, Jim Stacy, has created a fun filled menu with something for everyone!

The restaurant was packed with people full of holiday spirit spilling out onto the sidewalk.  We had quite a wait due to the crowd but we didn’t care.  It’s always fun when our family gets together.  We all love great food….unusual restaurants and good libation.  We were not disappointed at Palookaville.  “Bubba”, our server, kept us entertained and kept his cool as the Carnie atmosphere in this popular eatery overflowed with merrymaking diners.

Little did we know that the table of six seated next to us was comprised of members of the heavy metal band Mastodon.  Bass player, Troy Sanders sat at the end of the table nearest Mr. T.  During our lively conversation something was said that caused me to nudge my lovely husband in the arm just as he picked up his nearly empty glass of red wine.  The glass went flying, crashing to the floor inches from Troy’s feet.  Thank goodness it wasn’t full!  I must have turned the same shade of red as the wine…..how embarrasing!  My stepdaughter, gracious enough to pick up the glass which cleanly snapped stem from goblet, made our apologies.  Another story for our family’s annals of what we always term “The Griswolds Go Out”.  Just a note:  Bubba told us who the band was after they left and all of this happened.  Later that evening we ran into Troy AGAIN when my step daughter and I went to Walgreen’s to pick up a few things….what are the chances?

It’s never a dull moment in our family!  That’s one of the things I love about it all!  Another Christmas has passed….a New Year is about to begin! Celebrate….be safe….treasure your family’s stories and the history you create sharing good times.  2015 promises to be an awesome year!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 12 29th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

Enjoy the lovely piano of Kevin Kern.  Pearls of Joy is such a beautiful composition!  I think it fits the mood after a very busy Christmas week from which we are all recovering.  Take some time today to rest, renew, breathe deeply and enjoy thinking about all of the fun you’ve had and all there is to look forward to with New Year’s Eve on its way.  We have a new year beginning!  A new start….a clean slate….imagine the possibilities!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 12 28th, 2014 | No Comments »

My guest on the show this week, Cathy Lent, from our local humane society talked with me about animal safety during the holidays.  We also discussed bringing new pets into the family as Christmas gifts.  I think you’ll find some interesting tips when you listen!

Melissa | On The Radio | 12 27th, 2014 | No Comments »

After the feast of Christmas I love to prepare this simple dish of pure deliciousness!  You can find the truffle oil at Golden Isles Olive Oil, pappardelle at Harris Teeter or try Porcini Mushroom Linguine, also available at GIOO.  This dish is easy to prepare, elegant and a bit different….which I always like.  Culinary exploration has been a passion of mine most of my life so this recipe fits right in!  I hope you’ll try this and experience the complexity of flavors and textures!  Mix some crisp, organic salad greens, a crusty baguette and a bit of the bubbly to continue the season’s celebration!  Here’s a link to the site for Golden Isles Olive Oil…take a look at all the goodies owner, Paige Funkhouser, has to offer!  www.goldenislesoliveoil.com

Pappardelle with Shitake Mushrooms and White Truffle Oil

1 box pappardelle or pasta of choice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 pound shitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced thin

2 shallots, peeled and diced

10 fresh sage leaves chopped

1 tablespoon white truffle oil

1/4 cup fresh chopped chives

shaved parmesan/reggiano cheese to taste

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to finish

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Heat the olive oil and butter in a saute pan.  Add the shallots and shitake mushroom.  Saute for about five minutes.  Cook the pasta, according to package instructions.  I like the pasta to be “al dente” or slightly firm.  Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl.  Add the cooked shallots and mushrooms and toss well with the sage truffle oil and chives.  Serve in a large pasta bowl or platter and garnish with the cheese.  Season to taste.

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 12 26th, 2014 | No Comments »

Merry Christmas!  We’re in Atlanta with family, celebrating this glorious season.  Presents are being opened…..fresh begniets are in the works…..a bit of the bubbly is ready for toasting!  Not forgetting the reason for the season, I’m sharing this wonderful version of one of my favorite Christmas songs, “O Holy Night” by operatic soprano, Renee Fleming.  I wish you all a day filled with love, laughter and magic!  Experience the wonder and share it with everyone you come into contact with on this blessed day!

Melissa | Out&About | 12 25th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

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Not only do we celebrate the birth of Christ at this time of year we also celebrate giving.  There is nothing quite like the wonder of a small child as Christmas approaches.  The light in their eyes is so inspiring.

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Oh that we could all be like children again…..to let go of our adult worries and woes…..to simply BE!

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Whispering secrets to our dearest friend…..sharing what we hope Santa might bring…..unable to sleep on Christmas Eve we are so full of excitement and anticipation.

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Yes, Christmas is a time for celebration….for letting our inner child free to be joyful and to give thanks.  There is that word give again!  Isn’t that what life is all about?  Giving, with love for each other.  Enjoying the look of surprise and delight when presents are opened and good food is shared….it makes the season for me!

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 On Christmas morning, you just never know what you may find in your stocking!  Oh Christmas….I love you and I always will!

Embrace the season…make merry…..LIVE…LOVE…and GIVE!

Melissa | Out&About | 12 24th, 2014 | 6 Comments »

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a favorite of mine.  As children we would sing it over and over trying to sing faster and faster until we became completely tongue tied, laughing with delight.

Many stories have been told of the song’s origins.

Some are rather gruesome in their account of this being a way Catholic children learned their cathecism, which if not known, might lead to death.

I rather like the version of this being a song sung between Christmas and Twelfth night as a game of profit or forfeit.  If a line was missed a gift was forfeited.

If you know any better explanations for the song please share them with me!

In the meantime, enjoy this presentation of, what I think, is one of the dearest holiday songs!

Melissa | people | 12 23rd, 2014 | 2 Comments »

My radio show will feature Cathy Lent from the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia this week.  Cathy sent me a list of safety measures that are very important for any animal lover to know during the holiday season.  I was not aware of some of these and felt it important to share them.  You’ll hear them on the show when you tune in this week as well, but I’m getting an early start on sharing these all important facts.

Making sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored is at the top of the list.  Cats are notorious for climbing up to inspect the bright shiny ornaments and lights!  Make sure there is no way they can tip the tree over and that  neither cats or dogs can drink the water in the tree base.  You’ll want to clean up pine needles regularly if you have a real tree.  I had no idea that these can be toxic if your pet should eat them!

We all love our holiday plants!  But did you know that lilies can be deadly to cats?  Poinsettias are another plant that can upset a pet’s digestive system if eaten.  Other plants that cause issues are Holly, Mistletoe, English ivy, Amaryllis and Hibiscus.

Be careful with lit candles and extension cords as well.  A burning candle knocked over by a frisky pet could mean disaster.  Extension cords could also become a “chew toy” if placed where a pet can get to it.

Having Cathy on my show is always a treat!  The work she and all who work at the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia do is so important and valuable.  She had this little fellow, Max, with her while we talked.  Max needs a special home where he will be loved and spoiled.  That little face just cries out “Adopt Me”!  You’ll want to hear the show that will air Tuesday evening at 7:05 on WWEZ 94.7 and 97.5 FM to hear more about adopting pets as gifts and lots of tips on integrating new pets into your home.  It’s a great show that I know you’ll enjoy!

To learn more about our humane society, to donate or volunteer go here:  https://www.hsscg.org

Melissa | Out&About | 12 22nd, 2014 | No Comments »