Ice Wine And Early Bird Specials

Settling In To a New Year

Visions of Ski Lodges Dance In My Head

Happy New Year everybody!

Hopefully all my readers had a safe, enjoyable holiday.

I was supposed to babysit the grandkids last night, but my daughter and charming-son-in-law’s plans changed, so the Hubster and I went out to our favorite Italian restaurant for an “early bird” dinner.  Geesh, what’s become of us?

When we were younger, we used to go to New York City for New Years and party all night long; then the kids came along and we’d go out to our friends for a nice dinner and party and come home about 2 am.

Now, as Baby Boomer’s, it’s early-bird dinners, we stay home and the hubs turned in around 9 pm on New Years. Last night I blogged and tweeted and partied online doing the hashtag #lamenewyearseve.

I embibed a bit with sipped some Ice Wine on New Years eve.  There’s still some left from Christmas, and since it’s sort of officially still New Year’s Day, I’m finishing it I finished it.

You may ask what’s Ice Wine?  No, this isn’t a paid post, or anything of that sort.  I didn’t know what it was either until I went to Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York to visit my brother one year.  We toured some wineries, since it’s wine country up there.

Here’s the official Wikipedia definition of ice wine:

Ice wine (or icewine, as one word, or in German, Eiswein) is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The sugars and other dissolved solids do not freeze, but the water does, allowing a more concentrated grape must to be pressed from the frozen grapes, resulting in a smaller amount of more concentrated, very sweet wine.

When my brother visited for Thanksgiving, he brought a house gift of Ice Wine from Hunt Country Vineyards for my daughter.

I would describe it as smooth and sweet – almost like a brandy. To me, it leaves a definite coating when you drink it, unlike a regular wine. It’s meant to be an apertif, or after-dinner wine. I serve it in my Waterford Crystal wine glasses. Perhaps it could also be served in cordial glasses.

I’ve tweeted about ice wine, and Renee Ross from Cutie Bootie Cakes asked what it was.  Speaking of Renee – she was my Secret Santa Pal this year when I participated in the T.J.Maxx and Marshall’s Secret Santa exchange.  More on that in another post!

Now, in my mind I’m sitting by a roaring fire or wood stove looking out the window at the snow-covered ground in New England here.  I don’t ski anymore, but would be content to curl up in a ski lodge that has Wifi or read a good book, and sip a nice vintage ice wine!

Actually, I tried to order the Hunt Country online, but Connecticut and their stringent laws, won’t allow purchases of wine online (so I was told when I went to place my order.)  I doubt I could even join a Wine of the Month Club here. In fact, even though Pennsylvania borders New York, they don’t allow it either!

I’ve found others locally at are equally as good – one has sweet flavors of pineapple and citrus while another has peach and honey flavors in it.

Have you tried Ice Wine?  What’s your favorite! If not, you might look into it for Valentine’s Day!

Don’t forget to check out my Best Posts of 2009! Happy Holidays!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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New Years Eve Party 101: Celebrate Responsibly

Don’t Drink and Drive

Ringing in the New Year

I’ll be babysitting the grandkids this year since my oldest daughter and my charming son-in-law will be going out for a night on the town.

When I was younger I always looked forward to New Year’s Eve.  My husband’s family enjoyed partying, and there was many a New Year’s Eve that we would travel from Connecticut to New York City and spend the night.

All the in-laws would stay at the same hotel in the Big Apple.  We’d have dinner in the theater district at Sardi’s or Gallagher’s (where you can see the beef hanging in the window!) or sometimes at Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant on Broadway.  Afterwards we’d take in the scene at Times Square to get a glimpse of the ball.  Later we’d go back to the hotel and take in a show at Rockefeller Center the next day, and stop in at Tavern on the Green.

What was nice about going to NYC was that once we were there, the car was parked and we didn’t have to drive.  We’d take a cab or walk wherever we wanted to go.

Many cities and towns now have First Night celebrations, which is really nice because most family events and are alcohol-free.

During the holidays, everybody looks forward to celebrating with family and friends.  Our mailbox fills up with invitations to Christmas and Hanukkah parties, dinners, and other get-togethers.  Through each exciting gathering we learn to control our eating to avoid those holiday and New Year’s pounds.  Another thing to be aware of is how much alcohol we consume.

Everyone wants to get into the spirit of the occasion.  But good natured frivolity can get us into trouble when we drink without thinking at office parties and other holiday gatherings.  Having a truly good time means handling our alcohol responsibly. 

We need a plan before we even reach the party.

Choose a designated driver. You hear it all the time but that’s because it’s important.  This doesn’t give permission to drink until you can’t stand up but at least when you are ready to go home, someone who is in control of their faculties will be in charge of driving.  To appear fair, rotate the role of designated driver among your circle of friends so everyone gets a chance to participate fully in the party happenings.

Mix your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages. One or two drinks can have less of an effect on us when drank intermittently with soda.  If you drink only one or two drinks it may be best to hail a taxi rather than risk driving home because you’re unsure whether you’re over the limit or not.

Blood alcohol content is how the police test for the amount of alcohol still circulating in your system.  In the United States, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent.  Anything above that is considered breaking the law and will result in a DWI or DUI arrest and possible prosecution.

When someone is stopped by the police, they assess the need to administer a breathalyzer test.  The person blows on the instrument and it registers a blood alcohol level.  The number that appears is admissible in court should it come to that.

But, how did they know to stop you?  Believe it or not, someone under the influence of alcohol tries to rationalize that they are alright to drive.  It’s the ones who are just over the limit that rationalize the most.

They reason that if they drive slower, they’ll make it home safely.  Unfortunately, the body has other plans.  Alcohol slows the reaction time.  As a result, people under the influence of alcohol drive slower so they have less trouble braking if needed.  They brake more often because they are trying not to hit anything.  Forgetting to turn on the headlights isn’t uncommon.

On the other end of the spectrum, someone who is blatantly drunk will drive fast, swerving across the center line and showing a disregard for traffic signals and signs.  Wide turns result in accidents either with stationary objects or another moving vehicle.  When people drink and drive, someone can die.

The bottom line is don’t drink and drive.  The odds are against us that we’ll get away with it.  Don’t bet someone else’s life (or your own) on it.

Happy New Year!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Old Navy Weekly: $50 Off $100 Purchase – Coupon Giveaway

Holiday Bargains

Item of the Week

Now that my daughters are launched and spending their own hard-earned money on clothing, one of their favorite places to shop is Old Navy.

This past summer we were down the seashore and on a rainy day to pass the time we hit the mall for some “shop ‘till we drop” time.

My daughters knew that my husband and I would be taking a long-weekend getaway vacation in September to Olgunquit, Maine.  Ever the fashionistas, the girls turned into my personal shopper and picked out some fashionable casual day wear for me!

Thanks to M80, I’ve been contacted by them on behalf of Old Navy and would like to let you know that I’m able to offer nine (9) $50 off of $100 coupons to my readers for some post Christmas Holiday shopping at OldNavyWeekly.com.  This is Old Navy’s new weekly coupon hunting site!

As the coupons are electronic coupons in a PDF format, all the winners have to do is click and print)!  What a great way to get some bargains!

The coupons are good only from December 25-31st.

The “Item of the week,” are Jeans! Adult jeans are just $15 (Reg. $29.50-$34.50) and kids and baby jeans are just $10 (Reg. $16.50-$19.50).

You can have fab jeans and great prices with Old Navy’s One Day Wonder sale (12/26 only).  You’ll find amazing denim deals – adult jeans just $15 (Reg. $29.50-$34.50) and kids and baby jeans are just $10 (Reg. $16.50-$19.50), select styles only.

Coming up also is Old Navy’s One Day Wonder sale (in-store only) or this great offer: $50 off $100 when they talk about the One Day Wonder sale.

Please note:

• Coupons are valid for a limited time only. Old Navy and M80 cannot replace a coupon that was not redeemed in the correct timeframe.

• If a Sales Associate advises that code is not working, customer should ask them to key in the alpha-numeric code under the barcode (if the code is valid, and it’s just a question of the barcode reader having issue with the print quality of the code, then keying in should work – unless it’s already been redeemed then it will come up as invalid).

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be nine (9) winners of  one coupon code each for Old Navy $50 off of $100.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Old Navy and leave a comment about what the SuperModelquins are wearing this week at OldNavyWeekly.com. What’s your favorite look?

This contest will run until December 25 at 11:00 pm. EST (USA Only)

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

Santa’s Workshop – Wickham Park Connecticut – Wordless Wednesday

You Better Be Good

We took the grandkids, ‘Lil Moomette (3) and Slugger (16 months)  to see Santa at Wickham Park in Manchester, Connecticut on Sunday.

It’s so magical there, and my most favorite place to visit!  It’s not commercialized, like the shopping malls.  The park, high up on a hill overlooking Hartford,  is beautiful in winter – all decked out with colored lights, and we went when the sun was starting to set!

Santa’s helpers, the elves were there, along with train sets, a roaring fire in the fieldstone fireplace; Mrs. Claus was passing out cookies, and there was a huge Christmas tree that reached the top of the cathedral ceiling in the log cabin house!

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

For More Information Visit: Wickham Park

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Life in New England – Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Real Simple

Turning a New Leaf

What have we done?

Here I am, the blogging Baby Boomer Grandmom from New England.  NEW ENGLAND!

Land of four seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall and … Winter!

Winter – which in most people’s minds, means, snow, cold, more snow, more cold; ice, more snow and ice, slush ….  and real Christmas Trees!  You get the picture.

Having been married for over 35 years, nine of which were sans kids – we’ve always had a r.e.a.l. tree.  Right – REAL, as in not artificial.  Nope, not us.

Hubster and I had been trudging through the woods (and Christmas Tree farms) here in Connecticut, in all kinds of weather (see above, and add rain) to cut down (with a saw), a real – live – Christmas tree.

Over the years, we’ve had some that barely fit through the door.  Actually, the first year we were married and in an apartment (where no live trees were allowed), we ever so silently dragged our real.live.tree up the stairs and through the hallway and set it up in our living room.  Until, oh, maybe February?

When it was dry as a bone, we then opened the living room window and shoved it out from the 2nd floor to the ground, where it landed – not a needle on it!

So what makes this year different than all those others?

Now that the kiddos are grown and launched, I am simplifying my life and wanted an artificial tree.  Mostly because they come pre-lighted, and I don’t want the hassle of having to string the lights by myself since nobody else will help me.

We drove for about 5 hours looking everywhere – Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Home Depot again, and gave up trying to find one that looked like a real.live.tree.  Not to be one to give up, I finally called brother-in-law (he & sister-in-law with the straight out of  Martha Stewart Living beautifully decorated home) and asked where they got their tree.

So off to Vinnys we went.  They had such a beautiful selection and even the Hubster is happy!  Only thing missing was the real.live.tree smell.  Nothing that a Mistletoe Yankee Candle couldn’t fix.

And of course, to go with my beautiful tree – I found the most gorgeous vintage Battenburg Lace white Christmas tree skirt on eBay!

So here it is, in all it’s splendor, and my very favorite Christmas ornaments adorning it for the very first time.

Do you have a real.live.tree or have you gone the artificial route? Link up here!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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This Holiday Season Experience a Branson-style Family Vacation!

Destination Vacations

Create New Memories For The Whole Family

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all yearn for memories of the Christmas and holidays of long ago, a time when family all lived locally and came together to celebrate.

In today’s mobile, modern society, that often isn’t possible.  Family members are on different coasts, or even in different countries.

With a destination holiday, coming together is easier when one family doesn’t have to be host to many out-of-town guests.

Bring the family together in the warmth and comfort of an Ozark Mountain Christmas this holiday season with the Hiltons of Branson.

There’s several different affordable packages you can choose from, with enjoyment enough to keep members young and old entertained.

If you’re like me, as I’ve never been to Branson, Missouri, it would seem the perfect opportunity for family members to experience the sights and sounds and festivities of a new locale together!

With packages like It’s a Wonderful Life, starting at $329 per night and running from Nov 15 through Dec 23, 2009 you’ll experience the ultimate holiday getaway for shopping, relaxation and entertainment with receipt a Branson Landing passport loaded with discounts at dozens of shops and restaurants along with a treatment at Aspire Medical Spa.

From Friday through Sunday Nov 15 thru Dec 23, 2009 bring family together in the warmth and comfort in the lobby of the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, where little ones will enjoy Story Time with Mrs. Claus, and Santa himself will deliver presents, cookies and milk to guest’s rooms with the Santa’s Coming to Town Package, starting at $189 per night.

With these exciting holiday packages at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, parents, grandparents and the kids will be in for a true holiday treat!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Rothschild Kids Sporty Color Block Jacket – Review

Quality Kids Outerwear

“Every Child Is A Rothschild”

When I was a new mom back in the 1980s, dressing up my little girls for the holidays were an exciting time of year for me.

My sister-in-law and I each had girls, and her aunt, who was childless, would always help us out by buying Easter and Christmas, and Sunday best coats for kids.  Aunt Pookie was very well-traveled and wordly, so only the highest quality coats, purchased at finer department stores, would do for her great-nieces.

Aunt Pookie preferred Rothschild, and over the years my daughters were outfitted in some beautiful dress coats with matching hats and leggings.

Recently I was asked to do a review on a girls Rothschild jacket and I was so excited, as now I have a granddaughter that I’m having fun picking out clothes for!

Here’s a photo of my daughter, now 26, (’Lil Moomette’s mom) when she was about 2 years old, dressed for Christmas in one of our favorite Rothschild coats.  I just absolutely loved this matching gray coat and hat set!

The jacked I received was the Rothschild Sporty Color Block Jacket.  The color is called “Primrose.”

Not only does Rothschild offer wool dress coats, they also offer mid-weight jackets, snow pants and snow suits.

My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette was so excited to try it on!

When I picked out jackets for not only my own girls, but my granddaughter, I look for durability and warmth.  I consider a jacket an investment, and hopefully one that can be passed down from child-to-child within the family.

The Rothschild Sporty Color Block Jacket offers the following features:

• Warm and comfy fleece liner

• Inner knit cuff to keep out the cold air

• Easy to remove zip off hood

• Shiny eyelet trimming

• Hat and scarf included

• Machine washable

My granddaughter wore this jacket today when her family went to pick out a Christmas tree.  It was raining, but since this Rothschild jacket has a polyester shell and is wind and water resistant, I’m sure she stayed warm and dry!

Did you know that Rothschild also has jackets and accessories for boys? After having all girls, I’m having fun looking at what they have to offer for my grandson, Slugger, who’s now 16 months!

Style. Quality. Imagination. Rothschild Kids. America’s most trusted name in children’s coats and outerwear for over 125 years. The classic skating coat, the sporty snorkel coat, the down snow parka. A coat for every occasion, for boys and girls from newborn to pre-teen.

Rothschild is offering readers of Moomette’s Magnificents a promo code coupon good for 40% off everything on RothschildKids.com until 12/31/09.

Use Code: MTM40

For More Information Visit: Rothschild Kids

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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The Popcorn Factory – Popping for 30 Years – Giveaway

Yummy Festive Treats

Delicious Ways to Celebrate!

Having lived in New England all my life, when I think of the Ye Olde Yultide Holiday Season, in my mind I envision Christmas trees decked out in homemade popcorn balls, or popcorn strung around the trees.

When I was a child, as a holiday tradition we popped corn the old-fashioned way – in a pan over the stove.  We’d then use a needle and thread to string the popcorn, and wrap it around the tree. Have you ever tried that?

I recently had the opportunity to review Popcorn Snowman Snack Assorment tin of popcorn from The Popcorn Factory!

Packed inside this large, reusable decorative tin were:

• Popcorn Balls

• Festive Cookies

• Pretzels

• Holiday Kettle Corn, ’Mores, Cheese and White Cheddar Corn

The Popcorn Factory also offers gift ideas for all types of celebrations – Birthdays, Congratulations, Corporate gifts, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thank You, Thinking of You, Get Well and Encouragement.

My son-in-law is a Yankees fan, and there are Sports Tins available for all of the major league baseball and football teams!

It was  nice to see the New England Patriots included!

A selection from The Popcorn Factory makes a unique corporate holiday gift that an entire office can share.  Many grandmoms and granddads would enjoy the old-fashioned caramel corn!

Do you know someone serving our country in the service who could appreciate a delicious tasting treat?

You can personalize ANY tin with a photo and or message for only $4.99. And you can put a personalized tag on the towers.

For More Information Visit: The Popcorn Factory

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a tin of popcorn from The Popcorn Factory.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit The Popcorn Factory and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until December 13, 2009 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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3 Simple Tips to Clearing Clutter in the Kitchen for the Holidays and Everyday

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Circus Ring from Playmobil

Imaginative Play

My grandkids are 1 and 3, and at the perfect age for imaginative play.  I’d been looking around for some cheap holiday gifts to stay within my budget, yet at the same time, I wanted toys that would last and not fall apart.

Many people have great memories of visiting the circus as a child. What wasn’t to like? You could see tigers, elephants , horses, clowns and acrobats, all in one place while enjoying some delicious popcorn and cotton candy. A visit to the circus is always sure to give children memories that will last a lifetime. However, the circus only comes to town once a year, what’s a child to do for the rest of the year?

Now the fun doesn’t have to end once the circus leaves town. Children can recreate the magic by conducting their own circus in the comfort of their own homes with Circus Ring from Playmobil. It includes all the things needed to run a successful circus: trapeze artists, the signature Big Top tent, lighted entrance, ticket booths, a ringmaster and so much more.  It’s a large set, so small hands won’t have trouble playing with the pieces – a bonus!  It makes the magic all the more real, because they actually have room to maneuver pieces with ease, big enough for little hands to grab!

Children can play as the ringmaster, emceeing the show as it goes on underneath the Big Top with the Circus Ring from Playmobil.   The best part? Your child makes a decision what happens and when. Watch as trapeze artists do their death-defying stunts through the air or see the other performers ride elephants and fight with tigers. With Circus Ring from Playmobil, your child can even serve refreshments to the spectators.  Children can add their favorite characters from other Playmobil toys to create an audience for their shows! Circus Ring from Playmobil really has everything that your child will need to recreate their favorite circus moments!

Help your child expand their imaginations and relive some fun memories by letting them create their very own circus with Circus Ring from Playmobil. This would be a perfect gift for grandchildren, daycare, pre-school or homeschooling.  Watch as they recreate circus magic year-round with the Circus Ring from Playmobil.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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