This morning I finally started trying to plan the menu for our Halloween party (Saturday at 7p, come in costume). No rush, it's not two days away or anything. I discovered I really needed to plan one aspect of the menu months ago, given our recent increase in weekend socialization. Every year we have mulled wine. It looks like that is just not going to happen this year because of time constraints, and that makes me rather sad. What is mulled wine? I'm so glad you asked! It's similar to serving hot apple cider, but feels more sophisticated to me. It's the type of beverage that should be served in an elegant NewWave Caffe mug like this one: Let me see if I can recall the recipe off hand.

two bottles red wine (not too spicy or sweet -- I always use a table wine from local Lakeridge Winery) one cup water half a cup sugar mulling spices (make your own or buy a pre-made packet) Pour all the ingredients into a pot. Stir and simmer. Taste it to see if I guessed enough sugar. It might need more. The heat will cook off some of the alcohol, so you can drink lots without getting tipsy. But I wouldn't let under aged people imbibe.

It's really a wonderful beverage perfect for any time you would have wanted hot cider. Plus, while cider makes my tummy sad, mulled wine does not. Now then, about that cool-looking coffee mug. It was designed by Villeroy-Boch (http://www.villeroy-boch-us.com), a company that has been around for TWO HUNDRED SIXTY YEARS! Wow! They provided tiles that are used in the Holland Tunnel. I love multi-taskers! From coffee mugs to road construction tiles. Heh. I've been clicking around their site looking at some of their table bling (yes, I just called tableware "bling") and there are several pieces I would appreciate receiving from Santa Claus. And someday, when we open our restaurant (it'll happen), I'll want to have them supply my spoons at the very least, because they're so cool! If there is a coffee lover in your life who likes to entertain, you really should consider hooking them up with some of these stylish cups and saucers. Did I mention the spoons?! I think they are so much fun!

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