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As far as I am concerned, it’s never too early to start thinking about your entries for the State Fair, and I’m already deep into thinking about what I want to enter this year. I love the Cookie Contest so I’m going to enter various categories in that division and after my second prize ribbon last year for my Pesto Rolls I’m going to try the “Tricks With Mix” category again and show how semi-homemade can be done in a nutritious, cost effective way. I’m very excited about Celebrating Home and their great food products so I’m focusing on doing some fun tricks with those the Lifestylist® way.

I’ve been craving a great chewy spice / molasses cookie like I used to buy at Dean and Deluca when I had my office in New York City. They were the perfect mix of spices, the tangy bite of molasses and a touch of sugar all rolled up in the perfect bite. Trying to replicate that hasn’t been easy but I think I’m getting close.

My friends all love test kitchen days, but I think they are ready for me to get this right and move on to the next challenge.

A chance to spend the evening sampling Executive Chef Joanne Bondy’s exceptional cuisine paired with wines from the Rombauer Vineyards is an event that can’t be missed. Add to that the fact that KR Rombauer of the Rombauer Vineyards will be in attendance to share his knowledge and passion of wine and you have an evening that will be cherished and remembered for years to come.

On Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, Old Hickory Steakhouse at Gaylord Texan Resort will host an evening with KR Rombauer of the acclaimed Rombauer Vineyards.

A reception and five-course seated dinner prepared by Old Hickory’s Executive Chef, Joanne Bondy, will be hosted in the restaurant’s elegant Bacchus Room.  A reception will begin at 6:30pm, followed by dinner at 7:00pm.  The cost for the event is $135 per person including tax, gratuity, and valet parking.  Seating is limited. Before or after dinner, guests can enjoy the intimate setting of the resort’s Old Hickory Wine Bar.
The evening will include:

First course:
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay 2007
Crab Cakes with Sauce Louis
Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart
Smoked Salmon Canapés

Second course:
Rombauer Vineyards Merlot 2004
Beef Daube
Spring Mushroom Ragout
Swiss Chard and Garlic

Third course:
Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel 2007
Poached Pears, Roquefort Cheese and Texas Pecans
Mache Salad, Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

Fourth course:
Rombauer Vineyards Diamond Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rosemary Roasted Lamb Chop
Curry and Tomato Jus
Cocoa Roasted Carrots
Cheese Grits

Fifth course:
Rombauer Vineyards “Joy”
Late Harvest Chardonnay 2005
Lemon Meringue Pound Cake with Pecan Lace Cookie

For more information or to make reservations, please call 817-205-8393 or visit Gaylord Texan.

Savor Dallas is finally here again and it was a perfect evening! If you weren’t able to attend you truly missed out, but at least you still have a chance to enjoy the Grand and Reserve tastings tomorrow.

People truly had the opportunity to “stroll” during the arts stroll that visited the Nasher Sculpture Gardens, Dallas Museum of Art and the Meyerson Symphony Center. Fine wine paired with incredible art – how could life get any better?

We all moved on to Victory where there was an abundance of opportunities to sample great wines, spirits and food offerings while listening to great music and enjoying the evening.

Photographer Lisa Stewart did another amazing job of getting great shots, and there were so many choices it was hard to choose which ones to share here. Be sure to check out her site to see others.

I have a favor to ask of all of you that really doesn’t have anything to do with this blog but it does – my 10 year old nephew is learning an important lesson about marketing and the power of the internet.

Sam lives in Oklahoma City and is the ultimate sports fan – he is crazy about the OKC Thunders and goes dressed to show his support to almost every game. His parents have always been wise enough to let Sam find his own calling, so his enthusiasm (and his outfits) are all his idea. Because of this, Sam was nominated to be part of the Ultimate Fan Finale.

He is also a great well rounded child (and I am a proud aunt!),does very well in school and loves to cook with me – we entered the State Fair of Texas Cooking contests this year and Sam won two 2nd place ribbons!

If Sam wins this contest he gets to go to Boston and see his team play there as well as learn some valuable history lessons when he gets to tour the city.

Please help me encourage Sam to follow his dreams. The link for where to vote on the NBA site is here, and you can vote was many times as you would like. Most of the others that are up for this honor are adults so I’m even more proud of what he’s accomplished. Please vote for Sam Davis and vote often!

There’s nothing better than giving back, but when you are also able to discover new trends and products for yourself it’s a bonus!

Not only did I come home from the Empty Bowls event with a beautiful, handcrafted new bowl, I also discovered a company that sells “pantry staples” – pre-measured ingredients that you can easily make up into homemade meals quickly and in a cost-effective manner.

Homemade Gourmet offers meal solutions that make it easy for anyone to whip up a great meal, even if you think you can’t cook. They had Lemon Sandwich Cookies at the event, and they were divine! I thought they came from a restaurant and I was thrilled to find out they were something I could make at home.

Fortunately they had one of their catalogs in our goodie-bags along with a sample of their Fire Grilled Salsa Mix so I can get some of the mixes for myself. I’m also anxious to try the salad mixes, especially the Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad mix – it sounds like a perfect meal to enjoy outside on the patio soon.

The North Texas Food Bank held their annual Empty Bowls event again today and it’s an event that this Lifestylist® tries to never miss. Combining two of my favorite activities – food and art – it’s an opportunity to pick up a beautiful handcrafted bowl and sample some fantastic food and beverages from local companies.

Local artisans donate their time and talents to create handmade bowls that re truly a labor of love, and lucky attendees of the event then get to pick out their favorite to take home and enjoy. Their was also a potter there that was doing a demonstration so we could see how much skill is needed to create each bowl.

All proceeds go to fund the North Texas Food Bank.

I’m so excited that it’s almost time for Savor Dallas! This is the 5th year for the event, and I’m proud to say that I’ve attended every one and wouldn’t miss it this year for anything.

This two day event features the best in food and wine, and it’s the perfect opportunity to sample those wines that you’ve always wanted to try. As a Lifestylist® I always view this as a great opportunity to find out what the latest trends are in food, wine and beverages as well. Last year there was a grapefruit infused vodka that they mixed with grapefruit juice that was fantastic – not too sweet, and the perfect option for a unique spin on a Mimosa.

Photographer Lisa Stewart is responsible for the photography of this event – be sure to take a look at her images from previous year and I promise you you’ll wish Savor started tomorrow!

Alas, the event won’t be held until March 6th and 7th in the Victory area, Arts District and downtown Dallas. If you can’t wait until then to sample what will be offered this year be sure to take a look at th elist on the Savor Dallas site of who will be attending.  There are also “Tasting Notes” by some of the wines that will be offered that will give you a preview of what to expect. Tickets can be purchased on the website for all of the events.

As many of you have heard, Sandra Lee is launching a new magazine, amazingly named Semi-Homemade Magazine. In her interviews, Sandra has shared that this has always been her dream to have a magazine, etc. but after doing some research, I guess Sandy has forgotten that she tried to launch a magazine in 2003 with the same name.

Nancy Nichols, the talented and delightful food editor for DMagazine and her Side Dish Blog wrote on November 24, 2003 the following:

LOCAL LIFESTYLIST

I’ve been thinking about Sandra Lee, the semi-Martha Stewart who has her own national cooking show and magazine Semi-Homemade. We all admit to dropping our standards, but to see her full frontal face smiling away over recipes containing chicken and rice soup really chaps my sensibilities. Maybe I’m just jealous. She has millions and I’m just a semi-writer, but Ms. Lee has ruffled the feathers of another FB Foodie with a full title who writes:

And about Sandra Lee – Semi Homemade – most of the time it takes just as long to do it her way as it does to do it from scratch. A little side note — I trademarked the term “Lifestylist ” which became official about a year ago. Ms. Lee tried to go in after me and trademark other uses of the term as well. She tried being a “semi-designer” and a “semi-chef.” Now she’s going after becoming a “semi- Lifestylist .”

So take that, New York. Dallas is the home of the real thing, Suzanne S. Felber, Lifestylist ™. I love America.

Nancy Nichols · 08:20 AM

November 24, 2003

I checked out all of the book stores and grocery store lines when I originally read this but never did find a copy. Let me know if you have one – maybe we can send it to Ms. Lee.

It looks like Lisa Garza hasn’t been affected in a negative way by not being chosen the Next Food Network star – instead she looks more chic and happy than ever.

It still amazes me that we haven’t seen a show featuring Lisa – from the comments I receive and what I have read, Lisa obviously has a following that is looking forward to seeing and learning more from her.