So the Halloween dinner menu is set for next weekend, and I decided to keep it to a few close friends whose favorite cheeses I know and who provide enough laughs to fill the whole house with energy and fun.

I've never really aspired to be a Martha - don't have the talent or budget for that level of perfection. But for many years I forced menus that were too demanding, guest lists that were too ambitious or idealistic, and expectations that wound up making the whole endeavor of hospitality a bit more anxiety-ridden than it should be. Don't get me wrong, I've always enjoyed every aspect of entertaining, I've just learned not to indulge my fantasies.

Some folks will never mingle with strangers despite your thoughtful, creative introductions or quantity of alcohol served.

Crostini won't remain crisp beyond about 5 minutes off the broiler. After that, your brilliant ricotta and fava bean topping won't be much of a pleasure when that chewy-ass slice of baguette is assaulting people's dental work.

A collage of white cat hair will undoubtedly wind up on someone's black pants - no matter how much you OCD-ly dust and vacuum before the party.

So in the spirit of simplyfing, next weekend I'm making one of the easiest menus ever - soup and soup! (or soup and chili technically) Tim and I used to attend an annual pumpkin carving party where the host made big pots of chili and corn chowder. I loved that combo, so I'm going to give it a whirl myself. Also going to try a pumpkin-hued cocktail of OJ, sparkling water, cherry liqueur and Limoncello. Weird combination admittedly, but it's festive and boozey, and probably won't suck. Guests are bringing desserts, which will no doubt be inspired and delicious.

I'm looking forward to this official kicking-off of the Holiday Trifecta - cat hair and all.

September, in Calories

So I've been out of touch - work has been crazy, yet there's been no shortage of food and fun! Football season has started, and the slight change in the sun's position alluvasudden has me looking at mums and recipes for roast parsnips. Yep, fall is around the corner, and is like a welcome, plaid-clad old friend.

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to attend famed University of Georgia football announcer Larry Munson's season kick-off party. It was a sea of red and black, and a lot of adorable 19 year-olds with Miller Lites, strapless sundresses and no back fat. (Bitches.) The food spread was, for the most part, totally ho-hum. But they rolled out the big guns with a praline station, complete with copper kettle and all. I easily consumed 7,327 calories just in pralines (and a few Miller Lites, myself) and enjoyed every last finger-licking bite with absolutely no guilt. I'll upload a few pics of the evidence soon.

The past few weeks have also seen a fiesta-themed Labor Day brunch with Huevos Rancheros (courtesy of a Southern Living recipe I couldn't find a link to), Limesicle Margaritas and a half-drunken trip to the mall - which thankfully only resulted in a lip gloss and pair of pants from the Gap. I wasn't driving, BTW. We capped the day off at Tap, a most excellent addition to Peachtree St. , I must say. Love to Sue, J, and Stevie G - people I'm totally thrilled to spend any day with - labor or no labor.

Now I'm busy planning a Halloween party, the date of which is hinging on the TV scheduling of the GA-FLA game, but will definitely take place sometime between Oct 26 and 28th. Lots of recipes and ideas a'brewin' (get the pun?!). More on that later.

And before I close this schizo post, I must shout-out to my local cantina, La Casita in East Atlanta Village. We ate there just last night - a delicious meal of Carne Rojo and Tres Hongos tacos, and their addictive chips and Guajillo pepper salsa. La Casita has all the right ingredients - kind of grimy, packed with people, always delicious.

As we glide into another season, I bid you the crisp blue skies of autumn, with the sweet frozen memories of summer.......

Limesicle Margaritas

1/4 cup scoop lime sherbet or sorbet (I used Hola Fruita!)
1 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. Triple Sec or Grand Marnier

Scoop, pour, stir until frothy and enjoy. Chase with songs from Putamayo's Acoustic Brazil.

Food for Thought - Literally!

Happy Thursday! As the week winds down, I feel myself checking out mentally - ready to start a fun holiday weekend with friends, football, and good food. But alas, I still have two more days to keep my nose to the grindstone. As luck would have it, I stumbled upon a great list of foods that boost brain function and energy. Some you've probably heard of, others may be a surprise!

Energy and Brain Foods

1. Eggplant: As long as you don’t forget to eat the skin, it doesn’t matter how you ingest your eggplant. Eggplant skin contains the nutrient naunin, which keeps your brain sharp by increasing communication between your brain cells and messenger molecules. You won’t be able to help staying focused after eating eggplant.
2. Raisins: If you need a boost of energy, steer clear of the carbs and grab a pack of raisins. These high-energy fruits are low in fat and calories and rich in antioxidants which help restore your body’s most important cells. Visit the Sun Maid Web site for recipes and product info.
3. Lima beans: Now that you’re over the age of eight, we hope you can finally appreciate why your mother made you eat your lima beans. Lima beans give you tons of energy from iron and dietary fiber while preventing your body from absorbing too much sugar. Iron helps you get a good night’s sleep, as it prevents anemia, a leading cause in sleepless nights for women.
4. Corn: Eating corn can help combat stress, so eat up. The important nutrient pantothenic acid is prevalent in corn, which helps metabolism and alleviates stress.
5. Figs: Figs have the best kind of dietary fiber that maintains high energy levels while keeping your appetite far away. Whether you find fresh figs or a pack of the dried fruit, enjoy its natural sweetness.
6. Tuna: While doctors continue to debate over the good and bad effects of tuna, especially when consumed by pregnant women, there’s no way to ignore the fact that tuna is the original brain food. Not only does tuna help you focus, it also fends off depression. Tuna is good for your heart and helps prevent childhood asthma. Visit the U.S. Tuna Foundation for more information on recipes and mercury levels.
7. Spinach: Make like Popeye and inhale that spinach. Full of practically every nutrient you could think of, spinach is the easiest way to take in all your vitamins at once. In addition to fighting cancer and building strong bones and muscles, spinach reduces stress and help keeps your brain young and focused.
8. Chicken: Chicken is a lean alternative to beef. It is filled with protein and important B vitamins that give you loads of energy and speed up your metabolism. Eat chicken several times a week and you’ll never be too tired to exercise again.
9. Turnip greens: Turnip greens usually don’t get as much credit as they should. A not-so-popular vegetable among children, turnip greens help keep your mind sharp as you creep into old age.
10. Green beans: Top off your salad with fresh green beans and feel your energy bounce back. Green beans are packed with iron and zinc, as well as immune-strengthening vitamins A and C.
11. Cod: Cod, like the other fish that appear on this list, is an optimal way to get your protein without indulging in a lot of calories. It also helps your brain stay focused and ward off depression.
12. Hummus: This all-natural food is an easy way to get some energy-boosting protein fast. Spread hummus on whole grain bread or rye bread for a tasty and quick snack.
13. Pita bread: Pick a hearty wheat or whole grain version of this ancient food to reap its health benefits. Pita bread generally has a few more calories than regular sliced bread, but it will help you stay full and focused longer.
14. Peanut butter: Get back in the game after just a swallow of this childhood favorite. In moderation, peanut butter makes a great snack. Indulge in a spoonful to curb your appetite and cravings for sugar. Click on peanutbutterlovers.com for a fun look at peanut butter’s history, recipes, and its own special month.
15. Kidney beans: These large beans are vital for maintaining high energy levels for long periods of time. Add to chili for a satisfying meal.
16. Honey: Drizzle a little honey on your morning toast, and you’ll not only get rid of your sugar cravings, you’ll also decrease your chances of catching a virus or other nasty disease.
17. Walnuts: The omega 3 fatty acids found in walnuts help you think more clearly and keep you focused your day. Also excellent sources of protein, walnuts are a delicious alternative to potato chips.
18. Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds are another popular, but uncommon, way to beat fatigue. They require a lot of work to eat, so your mouth will get a lot of exercise, forcing your body to work for its food.
19. Lemons: A squeeze of lemon in your tea or even sucking a sliced lemon for a few seconds will wake up your mouth and give you that extra pep you need to finish the day.
20. Sage: Banish forgetfulness with an extra dash of sage. Sage has been proven to improve memory, so you can start untying those strings from around your finger.

View the entire list of 100 Foods to Boost Your Productivity.

Rejoice! Peter Pan is Back

Next week, Peter Pan Peanut Butter returns to store shelves, and I am eagerly awaiting it - a slice of toast just hasn't been the same since!

When it was pulled from shelves last February, I tried Jif, Skippy, and a couple of other brands, but nothing tasted nearly as good as my beloved Peter Pan Reduced Fat Creamy. For a while I tried to switching to Whole Foods' fresh-ground almond butter, which is certainly healthier (if not cheap - at almost $9.00/lb!); but alas, it was just no substitute for the trans-fat and corn syrup-laden condiment I've loved since I was little.

I'll probably stick with the morning bowl of Total, fruit and slivered almonds - it feels like such a virtuous way to start the day. But I sure do look forward to a midnight rendezvous with a glass of skim milk, a spoon, and that sorely missed little green-clad imp.

Happy Hour Hunting

A friend sent me this list of happy hours and drink specials for bars and restaurants around Atlanta. Quite a handy little guide! Download it here.

The Flavor of the Gipsy Kings

There is probably no where I'd rather spend a summer evening than at Chastain Park Amphitheater. Live music, candles glowing from every seat, wine a-flowing, and gourmet food eaten off of tray tables - what's not to love?! I average about three concerts a year, but hope to work my way up to season tickets one of these days.

This past Sunday we saw the Gipsy Kings, whose music managed to be more sizzling than the high-90s temps. They are extraordinary musicians and performers, and I'll definitely be making some additions to my iTunes library this week.

Because the Chastain experience is as much about the food and wine as it is music, I always look forward to planning the picnic. Over the years, I've strived to find a perfect economy of special and simple. On the one hand, a concert there feels a bit like an occasion, worthy of more than Chick-fil-A nuggets or a Subway sandwich; on the other, it's usually hot, space-cramped and surface-deprived - not very luxurious conditions.

The Gipsy Kings show was the ideal occasion for traditional tapas, however I wasn't organized enough to put that together this weekend. I opted for grilled toasts and an assortment of spreads - technically "small plates" and close enough. Clockwise from top: Pineapple Salsa, Pesto Pulled Chicken (inspired by the topping for Giada's Polenta & Chicken Tartlets recipe, Trader Joe's Tuscan White Bean Dip topped with roasted red and yellow peppers.

Pineapple Salsa
Whole Foods sells a similar salsa that a friend introduced me to. I liked the addition of fresh ginger in my recipe.

1 pineapple, cored and diced
1 peach (or 1/2 mango), peeled and diced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1/2 bunch chopped cilantro (opt)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in bowl. For best flavor, refrigerate for 4-6 hours before serving.
___________________________________________________

Mel's Tips & Must Haves for a Good Ol' Chastain Time:

• Surround items in cooler with large Ziploc bags full of ice instead of just filling up the cooler with loose cubes. You'll have clean ice to use in drinks, and don't have to empty the disgusting food debris/dirty wineglasses/floating beer labels out of the cooler the next morning. You know who you are.
  
• Don't take more than about 3 individual dishes. Passing a bunch of bowls around is a major pain in the A when you don't have a lot of room to spread out. Not to mention, you may be too distracted setting up all your stuff that you miss Corrine Bailey Rae's first number.
  
• Try to bring foods in individual portions such as snack-size bags of chips, kebabs, small containers of pasta or fruit salad, cookies/ brownies, etc.
  
• Skip the flowers. Believe me, I love take it to 11 when it comes to atmosphere, but for me, the vase of flowers just isn't worth the hassle - you have to worry about the water sloshing out and blossoms being crushed. Sidenote: I once saw a woman in the table section with a (kid you not) 8-arm silver candelabra intertwined with ivy and silk flowers. Wrong on a lot of levels. I think people were more focused on the 8 teetering tapers all night than the music act!
• Always carry along an oilcloth or vinyl tablecloth. It can serve its traditional purpose or provide cover if it starts to rain. Now that's a good tip, you have to admit! Better than sticking your head through a garbage bag, I say!
  
• Bring one more bottle of wine than you think you'll need. And most importantly, while you're at it, bring a....
• Designated driver

Happy concert-going!

Ladies & Gentlemen, My Weblog.

Hello out there!

After much consideration (totally unnecessary belaboring, to be honest) my little egg on the World Wide Web has finally hatched! In the spirit of celebrating this tiny achievement, I thought it appropriate to share Mumm Napa, one of my favorite producers of sparkling wine.

My husband and I visited Mumm last August on a splendid 30th birthday trip to the Napa Valley. While they have a traditional indoor tasting room, the large, casual terrace offers one of the most beautiful views in the Valley. We sampled a flight of three wines, my favorite of which was the spirited Brut Prestige, a wonderfully-balanced wine - zingy and rich and soft all at the same time. Thank the Lord they gave us some nibbles; three back-to-back tastings of champagne can put a considerable buzz on a girl (even me). Mumm serves Stonewall Kitchen's Down East Asiago Cheese Crackers with tastings; I found them to be the perfect buttery complement to white and red wines, and I've been totally hooked ever since. The Rosemary Parmesan ones are also delish. The visit to Mumm was the first of many delightful, sense-boggling experiences in CA that made me appreciate the beauty of life on Earth.

We popped open our souvenir bottle of Brut Prestige last weekend as a toast to new, newlywed friends (congrats Lexa & Tristan!) It was even better than I remembered, surely flavored with the sweetness of good music and lively conversation.

You know, I chose the topic of my "debut" post because it seemed festive and symbolic, and because I knew I could decently write about something I'd just consumed days earlier. :-) But, as it turns out, I think champagne is actually a perfect metaphor for my foray into this world o' blogging. Bubbles, like words - eager to rise to the surface and bounce around.

Cheers, y'all.