I know I’ve said it before, but sometimes I buy/try wine based on the label and this week’s wine find is no exception to that.

I was walking down the wine aisle in my neighborhood grocery store when I spied a bottle that said Hey Mambo and described itself as a sultry red wine.

This wine is produce by The Other Guys, Inc. who make this Sauvignon Blanc we found at Costco for about $8 that was delicious that is bottled under the Lesse-Fitch label, just as an FYI.

Remember the B-Side wine I posted about 2 weeks back?  Well this wine is made by a family member, though I have no idea how they are related.  But needless to say they have a history in making wine and know what they are doing!

I thought this wine was good…but not one particular thing stood out.  This wine is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Barbera, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouchet grapes.  Those are some powerful grapes!  Though I’ve never heard of Alicante Bouchet, have you?

It is a bold wine, with rich flavors that I probably should have decanted to let it really open up…I just sometimes can’t wait for that! I think this would be a great winter wine because of its heaviness. It isn’t really a refreshing light wine you’d want during the Texas summer heat.  Or at least it wouldn’t be my preference.

It is definitely a wine I would have again, I just need to check the price point to determine how often I would have it again.  These wine makers have quite a portfolio of wine that I’d like to sample.

What will you have in your glass today?  Have you made the switch to whites yet or are do you stick with red all year round?

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I have to start this post with a confession…I stole this recipe…my roommate in college said this was a family recipe, however I have no found it on sites like All Recipes and Cooks.com, so I am in no way claiming this is MY recipe.

But I will say, this is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe in the world! Unless you like your chocolate chip cookies crunchy, but then you’re just weird (jk Mom!).

When making these first I let the butter sit out to get soft.  On the All Recipes site a woman said she melted her butter entirely to make the cookies more moist; but these cookies don’t really need any help in that department.

Mix together:

1 package of Jello Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (4 serving size)

2 sticks of butter (softened)

3/4 C packed brown sugar

1/4 C sugar

 

Once this is mixed really well, add:

2 eggs

2 1/4 C flour

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

 

Last but not least, mix in:

1 package chocolate chips

At this stage you could also add in some nuts if you’re not like me and allergic.

You could even switch out m&ms for chocolate chips if you want to mix it up.

 

For best results, chill the dough in the fridge over night, then cook at 375 degrees for between 8-10 minutes.

You don’t have to cook them all at once, but you will be tempted to.  That’s the great thing about this recipe, you could keep them in the fridge for a couple days and fix a few at a time.

 

 

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After months, dang, I can actually say that Creative Chaos has been out for months…time really does fly; you can finally purchase Creative Chaos in Paperback online!  You can simply click here and a paperback copy of Creative Chaos will be on it’s way to you!

It is also available in PDF format.  I’m not sure how many of you will actually want this type of version but I’ve been told I need to offer it, so I did!

I am new to the whole eCommerce scenario on a personal level so please let me know if you have any problems order Creative Chaos in paperback or PDF format.  My email is: kate@kateolynch.com

If you live in the Dallas area and you see me, odds are I will either have a copy on me or in my car and thanks to my nifty little Square card reader, you can buy a copy off of me in person!  (I can’t promise I’ll have a sharpie on me to autograph it though because I still fill a little silly autographing the book.)

Of course it is also still available for purchase in the Kindle Store and the Nook Store.

Sorry to be so slow in getting the paperback version of Creative Chaos available online.

Hopefully as you’re planning your summer vacations or staycations, you’ll keep Creative Chaos in mind and then tell your friends, family and strangers to read it after you do!  Your recommendation of my book speaks a thousand words!

I am really excited for even more of you to read it and let me know what you think!  I realize this may sound redundant but I honestly cannot thank all of you enough for all of the support, encouragement and love over these last few months!

For those of you who have already read Creative Chaos, have no fear, I’m already working on the follow up novel!

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This week’s Instagram, photo a day challenge:

May 5 – Day 126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5 – bird

On my way down to visit the Davis’ I stopped at Bucces and these birds absolutely cracked me up.  I can only imagine how long that beading took.

 

May 6th – Day 127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6 – you

I love this picture of me with Wesley, even if my brother thinks Wesley looks scared.  I think he looks adorable!

 

May 7th – Day 128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 7 – someone that inspires you

I couldn’t pick just one person who inspires me and I know I left off several people.  But I truly know some amazing people who aren’t afraid to take a huge leap of faith in business and really put themselves out there.  Here is a sampling of why the people in these photos inspire me: Ambler, Melissa Vest Jewelry, Freedom Fitness, Calligraphy Etc, Tweet Congress, and Life is a Run.

 

May 8th – Day 129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8 – a smell you adore

This is my favorite new Scentsy scent: My Dear Mr. Watson, love, love, love it!

 

May 9th – Day 130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 9 – something you do everyday

It probably takes me an hour everyday to wake up, I can’t even tell you how many times I rearrange when my alarm will go off or hit snooze.

 

May 10th – Day 131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 10 – a favorite word

My Starbucks coffee delivery from my dad everyday at the office is the perfect way to start each day!

 

May 11th – Day 132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11 – kitchen

This was the state of my silverware drawer in my kitchen…no more spoons or knives, so it was time to run the dishwasher!

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I purchased and tried this Mettler Family Zinfindal because a wine rep friend suggested it, and it was amazing!  I went to a wine tasting event at Corner Wines in Plano.  If you haven’t been to this cool wine shop you really should check it out, they’ve got a great selection to chose from.

Since I had never heard of the Mettler Family Vineyards before I went and checked out their website.  Apparently they really know their wine.  Their family has been a part of the wine industry back to the 1770s in the Lodi Valley.

To ensure the wines they produce are of the highest quality they only produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.

This Zinfandel was full of flavor or as they say on their website, full of personality.  Being the bad wino I sometimes am, I haven’t used my decanter in forever, but decided to get it out for this wine.  Each glass got better and better!

I will definitely be buying this wine again and highly recommend you give it a try as well.  Now I just need to track down their Cabernet and see if it is as good as the Zinfandel.

Thanks Rino for recommending this wine I really enjoyed it!  Sorry I drank it without you!

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