Not so much anymore...

Seventy-eight years ago today, the United States Congress ratified the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and ending America’s 14-year “dry spell.” Rather than sobering the nation, Prohibition–the outlaw of the manufacture, sale and transportation of “intoxicating alcohol”–created a nation of bootleggers, including Al Capone who infamously profited from the illegal sale of hooch. Prohibition created more problems for the government than it solved and its repeal on December 5, 1933 had much support… and is still, ah, toasted by some, today.

Not so much anymore...

Seventy-seven years ago today, the United States Congress ratified the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and ending America’s 14-year “dry spell.”  Rather than sobering the nation, Prohibition–the outlaw of the manufacture, sale and transportation of “intoxicating alcohol”–created a nation of bootleggers, including Al Capone who infamously profited from the illegal sale of hooch. Prohibition created more problems for the government than it solved and its repeal on December 5, 1933 had much support… and is still, ah, toasted by some, today.

Good times in North Carolina included a trip to A Southern Season with friend Denise (and a meal at their Weathervane restaurant), an excursion to Q Shack for fantastic (if Texas) BBQ, a visit with friend and former colleague Rick “chefrixx” Sederholdt, General Manager of The State Club, and a surprising bookseller siting at the airport (never saw used books in a terminal, before…)

A Southern Season - cook's treasures as far as the eye can see!

A Southern Season's well stocked cookbook shelves

Q Shack in Durham for geniune Texas (?!) BBQ

2nd Edition sells used books in Durham Airport

A Frill A Minute in Durham, NC

Holiday shopping for a good cause–a great idea behind a wonderful event. The inaugural Frillseekers event in Durham, NC benefited The Autism Society of North Carolina and Peterson’s was lucky enough to be making an there, courtesy of the event organizers, including Paige Ward. From home and tree decorations by my partner-in-charity tablemate Kristen Ammons of Ooh-La-La Designs to hand-dyed, hand-woven baskets from Tasket-A-Basket, the Frillseeker Bazaar was full of handmade-in-North-Carolina goodness.

My Frillseekers gift tote included Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka (left) and Ward sister Claudia's lovely pink airport sign (right)... A great "Welcome to North Carolina," y'all!

Lyda Mihalyi & Paige Ward - "Frill"-spirited organizers

Peterson's makes an appearance...

Wares included the aforementioned baskets and ceramics (like hand-painted ornaments from the Autism Society and lovely, hand-thrown bowls from Berry Towne Crafts), pretty clothing, funky retro aprons and much more. Lisa Henderling designed all the fun, girly Frillseeker images (like the shopping bag, left), Scott Dameron and Jay Ladd V regaled us with great music. A big, frilly thanks to Frillseekers for hosting the author and to all who bought Peterson’s Holiday Helper, Peterson’s Happy Hour, Cookie Craft and Cookie Craft Christmas for such a great cause!

Trees getting the "Frillseeker" treatment for a cause

Tasket-A-Basket makers - handweave their wares!

Ooh-La-La owner Kristen Ammons takes a brightening break from her Christmas tree duties

Chilly frills... Valerie and Nancy "Execute-er Extraordinaire" Gary cocktail with coats on!

… living out their days in the newly and lavishly renovated Kings Daughters Inn, across from the Duke University East Campus (formerly the Women’s Campus). Owners Colin and Deanna Crossman modernized, stylized, and sustainable-ized the historic building (yes, up until 2006 it really was a former home for elderly, single women), creating a wonderfully-appointed bed & breakfast that feels more like a luxury hotel (HUGE, wall-mounted flatscreen TVs and port-and-chocolate turndown service). My Frillseeker stay was a lucky accident–a wedding guest canceled and freed up one of the 17 rooms, each named for a former occupant or current-day benefactor.

The key to the King...s Daughters Inn

Sunny porch

Historic... and sustainable

Seating to make you feel like a princess.

Mary Moss's namesake room - and Peterson's home away from home!

A small corner of the Kings Daughters Inn common gathering area

A view from a terrace - NYC Marathon

Mindy & Peter’s annual NYC Marathon Party features a great view of the race–in addition to Peter’s awesome Bloody Marys…

Cocktail thrills for the Frillseeker Bazaar

Developed by Peterson’s for the Frillseeker Bazaar, the “Autumn Frills” combines seasonal (and budget-conscious!) flavors with ease of preparation for a crowd — great for the harried host/hostess who doesn’t want to bother with the cocktail shaker when the turkey needs basting… or she herself needs brining!

Autumn Frills

makes 15 drinks

1/3 cup honey
8 ounces (1 cup) 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) unfiltered apple cider
I teaspoon high-quality orange bitters (ex. Fee’s West Indian Orange Bitters or Regan’s No. 6 Orange Bitters or Angnostura Orange bitters)

3 bottles of prosecco or cava (or other dry sparkling wine), well-chilled

15 long slivers of orange peel, for garnish
15 single, whole cranberries, for garnish

Autumn Frills make-ahead “mix”
In a microwave-safe container, heat honey a few seconds to warm into a very thin liquid (this will help it blend with other ingredients). Add cranberry juice, apple cider and orange bitters and mix all ingredients are well-blended. Refrigerate and chill well (not more than overnight).

To make each drink: To serve, pour 1 1/2 ounces of the well-chilled Autumn Frills mix into each champagne flute. Fill the flutes with prosecco. Garnish with sliver of orange peel and single cranberry.

Demonstrating crowd-pleasing party drinks

The Baltimore Book Festival – and the rest of Baltimore! – welcomed Peterson’s Happy Hour. Thanks to the Peterson’s featured Thomas & Daly clans for their hospitality, to the festival organizers and volunteers–and to IKEA for sponsoring the demo kitchen! Here are some book- and cocktail- highlights…

Volunteer Thelma passes out Peterson's samples

Guide to the festival...

Baker Street Regular, All You Need is Books and Text Message: book-lovers show their affection.

Fit for... anyone! The delicious honey & yuzu-infused Queen Bee cocktail at the B&O

A wise Baltimore institution: the historic Owl Bar

Whooooo are those people having a hoot at the Owl Bar?

Crazy for pumpkin art - by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers

Spotted on a recent visit to the Union Square Greenmarket… Zombie-fied pumpkin by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers. And if you think the undead are scary, check out their portrait of Geraldo.