Girlfriend We Gotta Talk

Picking Holiday Wines

Does this sound familiar?  You’ve planned a holiday party or meal and now you’re wondering what wine to serve.  Red, white, both, bubbly, all three….ack!  Ah, heck, you don’t know so you go with the cheapest or the best looking label.

We talked with Jeff Ottaviano of The Wine Loft who help us put the “drink” in “Eat, Drink, and Be Mary and Susie” AND boosted our confidence in picking wines that you will love and your family and friends will rave about!  In fact, we gave our honest reaction to several wines that we taste live!

 

Eat, Shrink and Be Merry

Food, fun AND healthy eating don’t often go together, that is until you meet sisters Janet and Greta Podleski, co-authors of the cookbook Eat, Shrink & Be Merry.  Think Comedy Channel meets the Food Network!  In fact, these pun-loving gals are indeed on the Food Network in Canada. 

Today we talked with Greta Podleski and got all the skinny (oh, we couldn’t resist) on easy, peasy recipes that are party pleasers, plus their strategies for keeping off the holiday pounds….all while having a fun time!

 

 

Memoirs of a Snow Queen

Remember the excitement and magic of sitting on Santa’s lap?  As a child, the holidays were just magical!  How can you tap into that childhood holiday magic as an adult woman?  One way is take a trip down memory lane.

Today we talked with Donna Deekens who enjoyed being The Snow Queen to The Real Santa for 20 years at the famed Miller & Rhoads department store in Richmond, VA.  In fact, Mary and her siblings gleefully trekked each year to Richmond to chat with Snow Queen Donna before being called by name to sit on Santa’s lap!  Mary’s experience was one of thousands of youngsters from the Richmond area and far beyond, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and even California. 

Donna shared stories of her years “in the gown” from her book Christmas at Miller & Rhoads:  Memoirs of a Snow Queen and her new children’s book Santaland:  A Miller & Rhoads Christmas.

 

Donna Deeken's Santaland Booksignings

in Richmond, VA Area

Mon, Dec 13:  Barnes & Noble, Chesterfield Towne Center, 4 - 6 pm; Henrico Theatre, Henrico County "Tidings" Concert, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Wed, Dec 15: The Library of Virginia, 12 - 1 pm

Sat, Dec 18: James River Cellars Winery, Holiday Open House, 12 - 4 pm

Sun, Dec 19: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, May Fair House Open House, 10 am - 1 pm; Westhampton Baptist Church and Santa Party, 6 - 8 pm