Good Things by David

From Cantele in the Salice Salentino region of Italy comes this delicious rosso riserva made from 100% Negroamaro grapes.  Cantele's 2012 Salice Salentino is such a smooth and delicate wine that pairs well with a bevy of pastas, chicken dishes, and red meats.   The well-balanced tannins and acidity in this red wine are enhanced with notes of caramelized red fruits and spices.  Pair this wine with a hearty bolognese pasta, a simple baked ziti or even a tasty shrimp arrabbiata.  The wine would also do nicely any night of the week when eating your favorite cacciatore packed with tomatoes, mushrooms, olives and succulent chicken ( you can even add a splash of it to the sauce! ). You can pour the negroamaro into delicate stemware, or you can enjoy it in stemless glassware like we do at home for more informal occasions.  Salute!

Apples are in season and so are desserts made with them.  If you're in need of a scrumptious apple cake that tastes of seasonal spices and fresh apples, then look no further than this bundt cake made with unsweetened applesauce and a good amount of cinnamon and ginger.  The recipe has been adapted from one that I enjoyed many years ago, and it's been a favorite with people around town who have since tried it.  I'm already getting requests for apple spice cakes because the results are that good! This style of cake is just the thing to have on hand if you expect company over for the afternoon.  Because the tender cake keeps so well, you can bake it a day ahead and serve it whenever you sit down to tea. Apple Spice Cake Loaf What's great about the batter is that it can be baked in just about any pan.  I love making large, shapely bundt cakes, but every once in a while, a loaf or even a set of muffins will  do.   Click here for the printable recipe.

You may not be thinking about the cold months that are fast approaching, but now is the time to begin preparing our homes for the seasons ahead.  There are a few things that we do for our old colonial house each and every September, so that we are better prepared for saving energy and money during Fall and Winter.  Winterizing one's home is a matter of making some appointments, checking a few things and fixing what needs to be fixed before it's too late. It's a good habit to get into every year, especially if you happen to live on the east coast where temperatures can dip to below freezing from one week to the next.  Having your home prepped and ready for shifts in weather will be much appreciated by your family and your pets, as well as your wallet. Go through this checklist of tips and begin scheduling that heater tune-up. Plan a visit to your local hardware store to pick up a few supplies and get your home prepared for the months ahead.   Winterizing Your

Organizing a cookie cutter collection irrespective of its size, doesn't have to be a daunting task.  As long as you have some organizing bins or containers from your favorite housewares store or office supply source, assembling cookie cutters into groups based on style or season, is as easy as 1-2-3.  Whether you hand-write labels or create some using a software program, do make sure that every cookie cutter is accounted for.  Locating a particular shape for your next baking project will be much easier this way. Choosing a location to keep these kitchen tools handy and in one place is something else to carefully consider. In my mudroom located in the annex of our home, I have a set of built-in shelves which house my home office.   Click here to read that post in case you missed it a few years ago. As you can see, this cabinet had a hodgepodge of items, ranging from cake stands and baking pans, to felt rounds and spools of ribbon.   After careful considerati