Bogle's Sweet Potato Soup with Ginger and Curry

You know those emails you get from your relative that say "thought you'd enjoy, love so-and-so?"  Well I'm not usually one to read those unless they are wine or food related.  I know you are all shocked.

A few years ago we discovered our favorite "cheap chardonnay."  The Bogle 2008 Chardonnay.  Read more about it here, where I high lighted it along with Potato Cheese Soup from my childhood.  When my mother sent me Bogle's monthly email new letter I scanned through it only to find a delightful recipe at the bottom that tickled my taste buds.

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon, Leeks and Thyme

Every now and then I have a "new kitchen experience."  I could just keep them to myself, but as you all know, I'm not really a private person.  I live life out loud and if you ask me how I'm doing "fine" is never the answer.  So in my successes and my failures, in triumph and tragedy, I write and share.

We had friends coming over just for the day.  I decided to get up early before church and whip up some home-made comfy-cozy mac and cheese.  But maybe a little dressed up?  Found this great site for mac and cheese.  Some great ideas.

Speaking of dressed... I was in my robe, with my life line coffee mug in hand, hair pulled back into a "get to work" up-do.  It was time to cook.

BEST chocolate cake + BEST butter cream frosting (only the BEST for Aunt Robin)

I'll try keep this short and SWEET.  A dear baking friend in California never ceases to amaze me with her cakes and baking goodies.  This chocolate cake recipe is without fail a show stopper.  It's perfect in richness, chocolatiness (Webster's should add that one), moistness and air.  When Elisabeth finally gave me the recipe she shrugged and handed me this box:

Troon Vineyard, Carton OR

Excuse the lip marks all over my glass.  This wine was the kiss of Carlton.

Troon was the last stop on our Carton Sunday afternoon wine adventure.  Gold mine.  We could have gone there and just there.  OK, twist my arm... The Horse Radish was pretty spectacular.

There was a smooth vibe the moment you walked through the door.  Like a perfect Pandora station- mixing sophistication with cool and classic.  You were greeted but not bombarded.  It was the intrigue that drew us in, not obligation.  Then we saw him... Nigel.  King of Troon.