Baked pumpkin seeds provide a great source of dietary fiber along with a nutty flavor. So, instead of popping that bag of popcorn tonight, grab your favorite Halloween movie, sit back with your toasted pumpkin seeds and enjoy.

Prepping the Seeds

First, scoop out all of those seeds and put them in a glass bowl. Next, separate the seeds from all the stringing pumpkin meat. You’ll need to do this fairly quickly because once they’ve sat long enough to have gotten too dry, they will be harder to clean.

Using a cold-water rinse, finish taking off what is left of the stringy stuff (there will be some little bits left more than likely) off the seeds. Tip: place a strainer in the sink so all that pumpkin goop doesn’t go down your sink.

Once your pumpkin seeds are completely clean, put them on a waxed paper cookie sheet to dry and dry them overnight. Tip: If you like your seeds salty, like I do, you may want to let them sit in a bowl of salt water overnight. Be careful though and don’t over salt the water. Remove from bowl of water and dry as stated above.

Now that your pumpkin seeds are prepared, let’s get to the actual cooking of them. Here are both a microwave and oven baked recipe for you to choose from. Note: Preparation is the same for both of the following recipes.

Microwave Pumpkin Seed Recipe

Place salted butter in a microwavable rectangular baking dish and heat for about 30 seconds. Place seeds into pan and toss through the melted butter. Spread the seeds out evenly into one layer on the bottom of the dish. Microwave on high for about 8 minutes or until seeds are a light golden color. Make sure you stir the seeds every couple of minutes while in the microwave to prevent burning.

Oven Baked Pumpkin Seed Recipe

Spray your seeds with butter spray. Cook for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Watch for them to lightly brown and then take them out and season with your favorite seasonings. Some popular seasonings include salt and garlic. Let them completely cool before enjoying.

What To Do With Leftovers

You can store any leftovers of your pumpkin seeds in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3 months. If you choose to refrigerate them, they will last for about a year in an air tight container.

Did You Know?

Pumpkin seeds are not the only seeds that can be eaten this way?  Butternut and acorn squash seeds can also be cooked just like the pumpkin seeds so give them a too for an easy and festive fall snack!

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Caramel Apples

Ingredients:

6 apples
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels
2 tablespoons milk

Directions:

Lightly butter a baking sheet and set aside.  Remove the stem from each apple and stick a craft (popsicle) stick into the top of each apple.  Unwrap caramels and place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl.   Microwave approximately 2 minutes, stirring half way through.  Carefully remove caramel from microwave and let cool for about 1 minute.  Quickly roll each apple in caramel until well coated.  Place on prepared baking tray and allow to set.

Monster Party Mix

Ingredients:

* Be warned this mixture is very rich and contains quite a bit of sugar… serve in small amounts!

1(11 ounce) package of small pretzels
1 (10 ounce) package miniature peanut butter filled crackers
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
½ cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 (10 ounce) package M&M’s
1 (18 ounce) package candy corn

Directions:

In a large bowl combiner pretzels and peanut butter crackers and set aside.  In a large saucepan combine sugar, butter and corn syrup.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.  Pour over pretzel mixture and stir until coated.  Transfer mixture to a greased baking pan.

Bake at 250F for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and break apart while warm then allow to cool completely.  Transfer to large bowl and toss with candy corn and M&M’s.  Store in an airtight container.

Easy Halloween Party Mix

Ingredients:

10 cups prepared popcorn
1 package peanut butter chips
1 cup candy corn
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Hot Witch’s Cider

Ingredients:

1 gallon apple cider
1 (16 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cloves

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.  Simmer over low heat for approximately 15 minutes.  Transfer to punch bowl and serve.

Pumpkin & Goblins Punch

Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 (1-liter) bottles of ginger ale
1 package orange sherbet

Directions:

In a punch bowl combine condensed milk and orange juice concentrate.  Add ginger ale and mix well.  Right before serving top with scoops of orange sherbet and serve.

Scary Frozen Bugs

Ingredients:

*These are great for serving in party punch or drinks.

Water
Raisins

Directions:

Fill ice cube tray with water and place a raising in each ice cube.  Freeze and use.

Mummy Dogs

Ingredients:

6 hot dogs
1 package ready to bake pastry
Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Wrap each hot dog in a pastry sheet and lightly brush with melted butter.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top.  Place “mummy dogs” on a lightly greased baking tray and bake at 350F for approximately 15 minutes or until golden and baked through.  Top with “blood” (ketchup) and serve.

Halloween Burgers

Ingredients:

6 hamburgers or veggie burgers
6 slices cheese
Pitted olives
Red and green bell peppers
6 lettuce leaves
6 hamburger buns (split)

Directions:

Using a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter cut cheese into pumpkin shapes.  Cut olives into shapes for eyes and nose.
Cut bell peppers into shapes for mouth and pumpkin top (green pepper). Cook burgers according to recipe and during the last few minutes of cooking top with cheese.  Carefully remove and place into lettuce-lined buns.  Garnish pumpkin face using olives and peppers.  Serve open top.

Ghostly Eyeballs

Ingredients:

2 packages red jello
Vanilla ice cream
Raisins
Red decorating jell

Directions:

Prepare jello according to package instructions.  Fill individual glass serving bowls with jello and place in refrigerator to set. Once jello has set, using a spoon scoop out a circle of jello in center of bowl.  Fill circle with one scoop of vanilla ice cream. Place one raisin in center of ice cream and using red decorating jell paint lines going down the side.  This will create a “bloodshot eye” swimming in “blood”.

Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups self-rising flour
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon all spice
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar and spices.  In a separate bowl combine beaten eggs, vegetable oil and pumpkin puree.
Mix well and add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture.  Mix well.  Fold in chopped walnuts (if using).  Place in a lightly greased pumpkin shaped baking tin.  Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for approximately 25 minutes or until golden and baked through. Decorate with orange frosting, candy corn and liquorice to form a pumpkin face.

Tip: If you don’t have a pumpkin shaped baking tin, you can use a regular tin and decorate as a pumpkin for a similar effect.

Graveyard Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Prepared Cupcakes
Frosting of choice
1 package gummy worms
1 package chocolate cookies or graham crackers

Directions:

Place a few cookies in a plastic bag and using the back of your hand or a rolling pin press down until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Using a teaspoon make a small well in the center of each cupcake.  Frost cupcakes around well and sprinkle with cookie crumb mixture.  Stick a gummy worm into the center of each cupcake.

Skeleton Bones

Ingredients:

4 large egg whites
2 cups icing sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250F.  In a large bowl beat egg whites until stiff.  Gradually start adding the sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
Keep beating and adding sugar until you have a meringue.   Line baking trays with paper.  Using a piping bag with a plain nozzle pipe a straight meringue bone line (approximately 4 inches long). Pipe a meringue ball at the end of each bone.  If necessary shape bones further using a small knife. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until bones have dried out.
Remove from oven and let cool on paper.

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Fall is football season and represents numerous tailgating parties and other outdoor events.  Did you know there are some outdoor friendly wines that drink outside the box?  I know the stereo types about boxed wines, but there are some award winning wines that are being boxed to meet the mobile demands of consumers.

My personal favorite is Black Box Wines.  Black Box has won ten gold medals and been part of 10 Wine Enthusiast Magazines Best Buys since 2004.  The boxes hold 3 liters of wine (which is equivalent to four 750ML bottles!) and retails for $24.99.  I can tell you first hand that this box is much easier to carry and much safer to transport then four bottles of wine.  Don’t worry if you have leftovers, this wine still tastes great for about four weeks after opening.  Black Box Wines include Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Reserve Merlot, and Reserve Chardonnay.

I was able to sample the 2007 Central Coast California Shiraz from Black Box Wines.  This wine is deep purple in color, and has a spicy, ripe cherry aroma.  This wine tastes peppery, with dark fruit notes and has a very soft finish.  Black Box suggests pairing this wine with braised meats.

Black Box Wines is hosting the “You Got Boxed” contest to challenge its fans to share boxed wines with their friends.  For a chance to win, contestants secretly serve guests Black Box Wines and capture their reaction on camera when the box is revealed.  There is a monthly $2,000 prize and a final grand prize of $10,000.  Visit http://www.yougotboxed.com/for more details.

If you are interested in taking Black Box to your next outing, visit them at: http://www.blackboxwines.com/wheretobuy/ or
http://www.blackboxwines.com

Another great boxed wine is brought to you from Australia by Alice White.  You have seen bottles of Alice White in your local wine retailer and now you can enjoy three varieties in a box as well (Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Alice White’s exclusive Lexia varietal).  Alice White has also received accolades from leading wine publications including Wine Spectator and is considered a Best Buy.

Some Alice White benefits include:

• Packaged in light-weight durable Tetra Pak cartons
• These 500 ML containers carry approximately three glasses and retail for just $4.99
• Light-weight, shatterproof and travel friendly
• Tetra Paks are green – 70 percent made from renewable resource paper and smaller carbon footprint
• Available in nationwide retailers.

I reviewed the Alice White Chardonnay from South Eastern Australia.  This wine is not only great for tailgates, but would be an excellent choice for a picnic as well.  It has a very smooth finish with powerful citrus and tropical fruit flavors, which is a common characteristic for Australian Chardonnays.  Pair this chardonnay with brie, shellfish, salads, or enjoy it on its own.

As you can tell, wine packaging is evolving, and boxed wine does not equal bad wine.  Take Black Box or Alice White to your next outdoor event.  You may even want to take a video camera to surprise your friends and enter Black Box’s contest while you’re at it!

Review Disclaimer:

The Wine Mom has a review policy in effect that promises to only post reviews on products my family or I absolutely love.  You likely won’t hear about the products we didn’t like, and you can be guaranteed that I won’t post a review just because we got a product for free

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Flora Springs Winery

Recently, I was able to enjoy some wines from Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards. Both wines were enjoyable, competitively priced, and come from green farming methods.

Flora Springs, a third generation winery in St. Helena, California, offers a wonderful selection of wines and they use sustainable and organic farming practices (20% is certified organic, with another 240 acres to be certified this year). The winery, owned by the Komes-Garvey families, own 650 acres of sustainable vineyards. All of their wines come from their estate grown fruit to ensure that they maintain the quality of their wines. In December 2007, Flora Springs implemented solar power at the Komes Ranch on Zinfandel Lane, enabling all of their red wine production to go completely off the grid. (per Flora Springs Facts, Jarvis Communications).

Flora Springs 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – This Cabernet has a spicy, pepper aroma with a piquant, berry flavor and velvet feel when you drink it. The tannins hit the back of your tongue but do not over power this wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is typically paired with beef and heavy pasta dishes; and I really enjoyed this wine with both spaghetti Bolognese and beef stroganoff. The heavy cream sauce and beef in the stroganoff really complemented the spicy aroma and flavor of this wine. This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and all of the grapes come from 3 of the Flora Springs vineyards. At $36, this is priced very competitively with other Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. The Winemaker notes that this wine should be enjoyed now through 2014.

Flora Springs 2008 Oakville Sauvignon Blanc, Soliloquy Vineyard – This wine is brand new to the Flora Springs collection. This pale yellow wine smells of tropical fruit, citrus, and floral notes. None of the aromas overpowered one another. The Oakville Sauvignon Blanc has a floral, citrus taste as well. This wine is 100% Oakville Sauvignon Blanc from their Soliloquy Vineyard. I enjoyed this wine both alone and with lighter meals. Although this is not a typical pairing, I really enjoyed it with home made chicken noodle soup. The light chicken broth really complemented the flavors of this wine. The Oakville Sauvignon Blanc retails for $20.

If you enjoy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, consider Flora Springs. With their estate grown grapes and competitive pricing, they are a must try. For more information about Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards and their wines, visit: http://www.florasprings.com/.

Review Disclaimer:
The Wine Mom has a review policy in effect that promises to only post reviews on products my family or I absolutely love. You likely won’t hear about the products we didn’t like, and you can be guaranteed that I won’t post a review just because we got a product for free.

Flora Springs Fence

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Experience Hilton style the weekend of October 16th and 17th at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel’s Cooking School Weekend at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel!

Guests will be welcomed upon arrival to a sumptuous Wine Tasting Reception followed by a cooking demonstration with the Hotel’s very own Chef Nathan Read the next morning as he teaches participants how to prepare the appetizers served at the Wine Tasting.

Saturday evening participants will experience a lavish four-course dinner that will be paired with appropriate wines and will also learn how to prepare the featured meal the following morning. So be prepared to wow your family and friends this season as the menus will prepare you to be the perfect holiday host or hostess!

COOKING SCHOOL WEEKEND

October 16th 17th 18th 2009

Fridays Reception

Display

Imported and Domestic Cheese Display with Cured Missouri Meats

Served with Crackers, Crostini, Honey Comb and Fruit Jam

Smoked Rainbow Trout with Capers, Cornichons, Hard Cooked Egg, Diced Red Onion

Served with Grilled Flatbreads and Herb Goat Cheese Dip

Brimstone Cheese Fondue

Served with Grilled Potatoes, Baby Carrots, Zucchini, Apples, Pears and Baguette

Hot Hors’douvre

Fried Butternut Squash with Aged Balsamic and Parmesan Cheese

Assorted Individual Pizzettas

Shrimp Fritters with Green Chile Salsa

Action Station

Smoked Newman Farms Pork Loin, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Dried Cherry Vanilla Demi

Desserts

Assorted Individual Dessert Display

Just check out that menu! I would love to learn how to cook some new and different food to kind of spice things up a little bit and change from our usual routine. I’m too afraid to just go out and get a recipe myself and try it because I know I will mess it up and it won’t taste the same.. but if I could learn to cook it from a professional chef.. I’d be good to go! It would also be a nice little getaway for my husband and I to go to an event like this because we’d get some quality time together and cooking together can be a very romantic thing to do!

This one-of-a-kind package also includes deluxe accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel for two people Friday and Saturday evening all for just $398.00 plus tax for both nights! Not only will you experience the pampered luxury that only Hilton – the first name in hospitality – has to offer, but you’ll have easy access to shops, boutiques, restaurants, a river walk and other attractions when you’re not enjoying the splendors of your wine tasting and four-course meals.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is within easy driving distance of Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums and 49 live entertainment theaters. With so much to offer, this exciting vacation community is perfect for everyone!

When we travel now, we always stay at a Hilton. We’ve always had the best service at a Hilton and they seem to have the cleanest rooms than any other hotel we’ve stayed at. My husband always talks about how nice the employees are too… and they are very friendly and will do anything they can to help you out.. even at 3 a.m. in the morning! We had car trouble one night, don’t ask me what we were doing out so late but we were.. but the employees were there to help us figure out where to get it fixed and did everything they could to make sure we were ok.

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Many of us do not think of New Mexico in terms of wine production, but it actually is the oldest wine growing region in the United States dating back to 1629.  Recently I was introduced to some beautiful wines from Heart of the Desert in New Mexico.  I was impressed with how well the wines drank and their distinct flavors.  This farm not only grows grapes, but is also a pistachio farm.  I was fortunate to sample the wines below from Heart of the Desert.

Pistachio Rose – this wine is very versatile and great for a family dinner.  It is noted for having a nutty flavor and for its versatile pairing.  I agree but the most intriguing part of this wine is the vanilla finish.  This will completely depend upon the person as some note vanilla and others sense a nutty finish.  The vanilla was fantastic and was an enjoyable change.

Chardonnay – I really enjoyed this wine.  If you avoid Chardonnays because they are typically aged in oak barrels, then this wine is for you.  This is aged in stainless steel, so you get to enjoy the flavors of this wine without the oak taking over.  This is not a wimpy chardonnay!

Viva la Roja – this wine is made for the Sangria lover.  I enjoyed this blend (zinfandel, merlot, and Muscat) and it tastes great with a spicy dish or on its own.  This wine is an excellent choice for fall.

Muscat – this Muscat was a light wine both in color and feel with a very floral scent.  The sweetness did not over power the wine.  This wine is great for an evening out on the back porch or dessert with friends.

Merlot – I was impressed with this Merlot.  It is very deep red (almost purple) in color.  It felt soft with a nice fruity flavor, almost rolling across my tongue.  It was very enjoyable to drink.  This Merlot is noted for light tannins and deep red color.

Heart of the Desert wines are priced from $12-19, making them budget friendly.  Visit their site for wine, pistachios, candy, cookies, and gift baskets, which are also reasonably priced.

Heart of the Desert is offering a one-time 10% discount off of any order placed using the code VINE09.  You can get there directly using the following link: http://www.nexternal.com/eagle/?Coupon=VINE09 and the discount will automatically be applied.

If you want to browse the entire website: http://www.heartofthedesert.com/, then use the code VINE09 at checkout.

Enjoy your experience to the Heart of the Desert.

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Summer is ending and fall weather is rapidly approaching.  The best way for me to transition, is to think about all the good things that come with fall: the leaves changing, a new school year, Penn State football, and putting on a nice warm sweater.  Fall is also harvesting season for many grapes.  This is a great time to fall for wine.

• Take a Tour. Harvesting season is a great time to visit wineries that offer tours.  Not only do you get to learn about the wine making process, but you may get to see some of it in action.  Afterwards, make sure to visit the tasting room to taste the fruits of their labor.  Check online or call ahead for details and to schedule a tour.

• Wine Festivals. There are numerous wine festivals in the fall.  This is a chance for you to taste some different brands and styles of wine in one stop.  Many local wineries participate in festivals as well.  Don’t be intimidated, festivals are set up for first timers and the experienced.  Grab a newspaper or browse online to find a festival near you.

• Spice it Up! Mulling wine can be a warm change from your typical glass of wine.  Mulling spices consist of cardamom, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon (some recipes call for orange peels or slices).  You can warm these spices with some sherry, port, apple, or cranberry wines.  Put the burner or slow cooker to the lowest (or warm) settings to heat.  Mulled wine will also make your house smell incredible.

• Get Educated. Numerous specialty stores, restaurants, and wineries offer wine classes.  They range from making wine, pairing, tasting, and cooking with wine.  Visit the information desks or check the websites for class details and schedules.

• Make a Hearty Dinner. Squash and pumpkin dinners are a trademark of fall and taste great with a white wine.  If you want something meatier, homemade chili, soups, and roasts are a great way to cook into the fall season.  Pair the chili with something sweeter if the chili is spicy and grab a hearty red for a roast.

• Throw a Dinner Party. Get out the fondue pot, a red and a white wine, and have some friends over for a full tasting experience.  Try some fantastic cheese and broth fondue recipes and don’t forget the chocolate fondue for dessert!  This is a great way to interact with friends.

On a family note, check out the selection of grapes available at this time of the year.  I am already seeing numerous grape varieties in my local stores.  Your family will be sure to enjoy them too.

Enjoy your fall into wine.

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Recently I tasted some chocolates that would go perfectly at your next tasting event.  They are Choco Pods from Chuao Chocolatier.  These chocolates are filled with enticing flavors that will heighten any tasting experience.  My husband and I tasted these chocolates over the course of a few days and had some red wine on hand.  However, we enjoyed the chocolates so much that we didn’t have any wine until we finished.  Below are the Choco Pods that we experienced.

Banana Choco Pod – brown sugar caramel

• I thought this chocolate tasted like Bananas Foster or Flambé sauce inside.  The chocolate itself is very smooth.  My husband liked the milk chocolate and this was his favorite Choco Pod.

Candela Choco Pod – spicy macademia praline

• This has a nice balance of smooth dark chocolate with an almost crystal praline crunch.  You are left with a lingering dark chocolate flavor.

Passion Choco Pod – passion fruit caramel

• This chocolate has a very bold passion fruit flavor but is balanced nicely with the dark chocolate.  If you love passion fruit, this is a must try.

Modena Choco Pod – strawberry balsamic caramel

• This complex dark chocolate tastes extraordinary with the strawberry balsamic flavor.

Picante Choco Pod – spicy Cabernet caramel

• This was my favorite chocolate.  I loved the mix of dark chocolate and clear Cabernet flavor.  You are left with a lingering spicy finish which is unexpected, but leaves you wanting to try more.

I recommend these delicious Choco Pods if you are going to bring dessert or if you are attending any kind of tasting party.  They will generate discussion and there are multiple flavors to experience in each chocolate.

Chuao Chocolatier has numerous chocolate products including vegan, milk free, and hot chocolates.  They are priced in line with specialty, boutique chocolates.  You can order online and visit them at stores in California and Miami.

For more information about Chuao Chocolatier visit them at: www.chuaochocolatier.com

Review Disclaimer

The Wine Mom promises to only post reviews on products my family or I absolutely love.

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HALL Wines

This past Sunday we entertained friends over dinner where we enjoyed two bottles of excellent wine from Hall Wines.

We started with the 2005 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.  This Cab is deep red and purple in color with notes of ripe berries with a smooth berry flavor.  The Cab finishes with a slightly spicy note.  One of our friends felt that it had a peppery finish.  Wine notes are often subjective, but we found this wine to be excellent, well balanced, and a great way to begin our time together.

The 2005 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon is noted for currant, blackberry, ripe cherry and toasty oak aromas.  You may also notice nutmeg, plum and vanilla flavors in the wine.  This wine is ready to drink but can also age another seven to ten years.

We also decided to open the 2008 Hall Sauvignon Blanc.  Its clean taste left a lasting impression on me.  This wine has a fruity finish.  I could enjoy this wine on a regular basis.  Hall also notes that it has a tropical fruit taste with a clean feeling.  I absolutely agree and plan to buy more!

The entire Hall Wines experience is impressive.  Hall is environmentally responsible for their vineyards, operations, new winery complex, internal spaces, and for their community.  Some highlights include:

Hall transitioned from sustainable farming to organic farming in early 2007.  They are also expecting to be certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).

The Hall facilities were built according to LEED Gold Standards of the US Green Building Council Avante-garde winemanking techniques.  (LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system.)

More than twenty five percent of the energy needed to power the new winemaking facility is provided by solar panels.

In April 2008, Hall celebrated the completion of the Dry Creek Fish Barrier Removal Project.  Hall collaborated with local conservation agencies to remove a barrier and stabilize the bank of the Dry Creek River.  This area is vital to Steelhead Trout.

Hall is known for their offering of Cabernet Sauvignon, but they also sell a number of red and white wines.  Pricing starts at twenty dollars.  If you are looking for wines that are environmentally friendly through out the entire process, then consider this winery.

If you are interested in purchasing Hall wines, you can visit Hall St. Helena or Hall Rutherford by appointment.  If you are not able to visit the winery, you can join their wine club or order wines online.  Visit www.hallwines.com to learn more about their wines, vineyards, and much more!

Review Disclaimer

The Wine Mom promises to only post reviews on products my family or I absolutely love.

HALL Rutherford Tasting Room Chandelier

HALL Wine Caves

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Recently my husband and I went on a seven day cruise through the Western Caribbean.  We left from Port Canaveral and traveled to Cozumel, Belize City, Costa Maya, and Nassau.  We had a fantastic time and came home very relaxed.

We sailed on Carnival and they offer two wine packages.  Yes, the wines are marked up compared to your local stores, but there is a significant savings compared to buying bottles of wine throughout the week.  The markup is less than you will pay at most restaurants and we found it to be reasonable.  Carnival does allow one bottle of wine or champagne to be brought on per adult.  But with all the opportunities to eat and enjoy yourself on a cruise, two bottles can go quickly.  We found the wine package to be an excellent accompaniment to our vacation.

Once you determine which wine package is right for you, they will hand you a receipt.  At the first dinner, your waiter will hand you five wine coupons.  The coupons can be used through out the ship, not just during dinner service.  The wines are listed on the back of each coupon and you just let the waiter know which wine you would like.  Don’t feel rushed to enjoy your bottle; the waiters will save any remaining wine for the next evening’s dinner.

Now our favorite part of the cruise ship experience, at least on the ship, was dinner.  We had wonderful wine, fantastic food, and were lucky enough to share the table with an awesome couple from up state New York.  My husband and I enjoyed their company and had a great time watching a comedic waiter at the table next to us all week.  We all swapped excursion details, show highlights, and any ‘secrets’ we all learned along the way.  Some people are nervous about assigned dining.  We have found that it’s an excellent way to enhance the experience; you should try it at least once, even as ‘anytime’ dining gains in popularity.

Another dinner option was dining in the Emerald Steakhouse.  It is an additional $30 per person, but you get a full steakhouse experience.  It was very quiet and the food was excellent and plentiful.  The Emerald dining room also hosted a cooking demonstration of their lobster bisque, surf and turf of filet and shrimp, and chocolate melting cake.  The demonstration was geared for the viewers to be able to do the recipes at home.

The cruise also offered a wine and cheese pairing class on two of the at sea days.  That is a great opportunity for cruisers that are unsure of how to pair wine and food.

Like most others vacations, room service is always a fantastic option too!  We tried that a few mornings when we felt like relaxing in the room.

Over the course of the next week, I will be writing about other aspects of our cruise experience.  We had a great time and I am looking forward to sharing the experience with you!

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