December 17th, 2015
A glass or two of wine with friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures. The Swirl Girls started in Ocean City, Maryland, almost 6 years ago by a group of friends that enjoy wines. Women and Wine, it is all about good conversation and great wines to taste. And, dinner is usually served, as well.
Once a month throughout the year they get together. One person is the host, she provides the food, the rest bring what they would like to drink which is usually wine but there a few that prefer spirits at times.
And, at this time of the year, Donna, gives a Swirl Girls Christmas Party. It is at this time that “members” can invite friends to attend. And, that is where I come into the picture. My friend, Cindi, invited me.
We were to only bring a present worth about $20 or so with an Italian theme. We arrived at Donna’s to find the house totally decorated, the tables set, and the Swirl Girls ready to mingle with friends.
Nobody is posing for photos so what you see is what I got.
Tasting wine is not the same as drinking it. You have to pay attention to those acute senses of sight, smell, touch and taste.
A true Swirl Girl holds the stem of the wine glass, and gently swirls the glass in small circles on a flat surface, allowing the oxygen to penetrate the wine. You are aerating the wine. As the wine coats the sides of the glass, it releases its bouquet.
For dinner, we had pasta, Caesar Salad, shrimp, cheeses, breads and soups.
For dessert homemade cakes, cannoli and cookies.
Then the Presents…..We all got one number. Everyone got a present. By the order of numbers, starting with number 1, this person opens her present, then the person with number 2 decides if she wants that present or she can open her own. In reality you can steal the other person’s present. And so the evening went. For example, I got this bottle of Italian Pisa Liquor and was immediately snatched by one of my “friends”.
Others were able to show their presents so others could make a decision. The bottle of champagne was snatched too.
The next photos show some of them wearing colanders. There is a reason. And, it is not that they had too much wine. Did you read about the woman that wanted to wear a colander on her head on her license’s photo? They finally did let her. She is part of a “religion” called the Pastafarians. I am not making this up. You can research it yourself. So being politically correct, we decided that the theme would still be Italian and few colanders showed up during the evening.
The greatest gift of life is that of friendship, and I have received it!! At times I don’t get to see them often enough, but when we get together is like time have stood still. Love it and I find it priceless!!
Yeah, it's all here.
October 21st, 2013
As The Second Season continues at the Delaware Beaches….the restaurants and area chefs are sharing their culinary expertise by holding cooking classes and events. Some of these events are held with fundraising in mind; it is also a great opportunity to get out and meet some of the people lucky enough to live on the coast and learn about a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.
TUESDAY, 10/22 – WOMEN & WINE – at Lupo di Mare located at 247 C Rehoboth Ave. inside the Hotel Rehoboth. The evening will be a fundraising event for United Way Delaware whose mission is to maximize the community’s resources to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans.
This event is limited to 65 guests. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. $39/person. Gratuity is not included. Please RSVP Mike Dickinson at 302-226-2240.
Pairing Wines with delicious food. An Aperitif of Lake Chalice “Cracklin Savie”. First course of fresh mozzarella, roasted beets, olive tapenade, sea salt, paired with with Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc. Second course of local apple salad, fennel, baby kale, crispy soprasata, asiago, grilled lemon vinaigrette, paired with Seifried Riesling. Third Course of pork meatballs, white corn polenta, rosemary, tomatoes, pecorino, paired with Forrest Pino Noir. Final course of house made ricotta cheesecake, honeyed walnuts, paired with Forrest “Doctors” Riesling…..
WEDNESDAY, 10/23 – NEW ENGLAND COOKING DEMO from 6 – 7 p.m. at Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View, Delaware, just a couple of miles west of Bethany Beach. The cocktail hour will begin at 4:45 p.m. until 6 p.m. The deomonstrations of Autumn Sangria, Warm Baby Kale & Apple Salad, Lobster & Sweet Potato Piegories, and Pumpkin Maple Bread Pudding. For tickets and information, please call 302-537-1785 or email colby@sodelconcepts.com.
SATURDAY, 10/26 – A NIGHT IN NORTHERN ITALY – Tune Your Palate with Paul Cullen at the Bellmoor Inn & Spa located at 6 Christian St. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. His demonstrations bring his passions for food and music. The cost is $55 and they include everything he will make and wine. You must 21 to attend. You can purchase tickets, by visiting http://www.paulcullen.net, or call 302-228-9775.
SATURDAY, 10/26 – ABRACADINNER COOKING CLASSES with Chef Kris. On Saturday the class will be A Season for Soup. It’s that time of the year and Roasted Winter Vegetable Soup, Raunchy Red Lentil Soup, and Asian Dumpling Soup will be on the menu. Besides this class, Chef Kris holds classes throughout the season. The schedule is as follows: 11/9 Pumpkin Palooza!, 11/30 Comfort Foods, 12/14 Gifts from Your Kitchen.
The classes are held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. The fee for each class is $55. Please call Chef Kris at 302-228-6125 for further information. Check http://www.abracadinner.com.
FRIDAY, 11/1 – BEER DINNER, DAY OF THE DEAD BREWERY, at Papa Grande’s located on Rt. 54 in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Growing up in Puerto Rico “El Dia de Los Muertos” was a day of usual torrential rain, and floods. The evening begins at Papa Grande’s with a reception of duck tostada paired with Day of the Dead Blonde Ale. First Course will offer hangover seafood cocktail, fresh seafood, spicy tomato salsa, and avocado, paired with Day of the Dead Amber Ale. The second course will bring honey crisp apple salad, baby kale, jicama, pickled onion, cajita, pumpkin seed lime vinaigrette, paired with Day of the Daed Hefeweizen. The third course will have adobo marinated pork loin, spicy rainbow chard, potatoes, grilled green onion, crema, paired with Day of thye Dead IPA. Dessert will be a house-made cinnamos churros (love churros), coffee infused Mexican chocolate dip, paired with Day of the Dead Porter. Please RSVP to Jim Affeldt at 302-436-papa, or jim@sodelconcepts.com.
SATURDAY, 11/2 – COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF HARI CAMERON of a(muse.), located at 44 Baltimore Ave., in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Noon until 2:30 p.m. He will be putting his distinctive twist on a collection of Classic American Recipes. Learn the basic of iconic American dishes and learn to put your own signature twist…in other words….make it your own. On Saturday, 12/14 from Noon until 2:30 p.m. the class will be centering on the holiday foods that come to mind. Chef Hari will be taking a look at those favorite holiday dishes; putting his own spin on them.
These classes are informal and are followed immediately by a special lunch with Chef Hari. Please call 302-227-7107 or visit http://www.amuse-rehoboth.com and click under menus. The classes are $60.00.
MONDAY, 11/11 – MURDER MYSTERY – A FOWL FEAST at The Buttery on the corner of Savannah Rd. and Second Street in the heart of Historic Lewes, Delaware. 6:30 p.m. For reservations and info., please call 302-645-7755.
TUESDAY, 11/12 – LIVING GLUTEN FREE IN DELAWARE at The Birch Tree Cafe located inside Good Earth Market, 4 miles west of Bethany Beach in Clarksville, Delaware. Join the group to discuss and share the gluten free lifestyle, cooking and dining habits. They will be offering cooking/baking advice, new product information and much more. Each month they will taste different products. This meetings will take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
SATURDAY, 11/16 – HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING at Nage, located at 19730 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Classes are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. If you cannot make it, then on Saturday, 12/7 Nage is offering a Holiday Dessert Cooking Class. More info? and registration? Please call 302-226-2037. Or, visit http://www.nagerb.com/special-events.html#cookingclasses.
SATURDAY, 11/23 – BIG FISH GRILL COOKING CLASSES at 4117 Highway One in Rehoboth Beach. The cost per class is $75 and you must register in advance by calling 302-227-9007. The classes are held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Menu items from the Big Fish Grill and Summerhouse will be featured. Hands-on participation in the pereparation of festured menu items is part of the fun. The classes will include a tour of the restaurant, a whole fish cutting demonstration, which I happened to volunteer when I participated some time ago, and tips about purchasing and preparing fresh seafood.
Other dates: December 7th and 21st, January 4th and 18th, February 1st and 15th, March 1st, 15th and 29th, April 12th and 26th and May 3rd.
On the day of the class the doors will open at 9:45 a.m. Go hungry!!
Have a great time!!
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