Thursday November 17th is Beaujolais Day!

Thursday, November 17 Beaujolais Nouveau Day (France) 2016

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the wine is released at 12:01 a.m., just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Parties are held throughout the country and further afield to celebrate the first wine of the season.

For years I would have a party...It was a great tradition which quickly got out of hand in regards to the size of the party. The pictures below of our last party held in our NYC apartment...small intimate group... 

What Kind of Wine Is It? The vast majority of Beaujolais Nouveau is made from Gamay, a thin-skinned purplish-red grape that yields a wine with flavors and aromas of fresh raspberries, tart cherries (some folks even say tutti frutti), and pink and purple flowers. Some producers blend gamay with its relative, pinot noir, or aligoté, a white grape which also grows in the region. Beaujolais Nouveau is light, fruity and fresh, and meant to be consumed sooner rather than later, so drink up!

Where’s the Party This Year?Beaujolais Nouveau typically makes landfall in the US a few days after its French release, and several restaurants are planning to celebrate in style:
• Ocean Place Resort and Spa, Long Branch
Beginning November 19, diners at Seaview Restaurant and Lounge can sample a French-inspired prix-fixe menu from Chef Peter Csikos, including Louis Jadot Beaujolais Nouveau. For reservations call 732-571-4000 or log onto OpenTable.com.

• Chez Catherine, Westfield
This Westfield classic restaurant is offering a Beaujolais Nouveau dinner featuring a French menu loaded with food from the region.
• Verjus Restaurant, Maplewood.

Verjus Restaurant is planning a celebration on Friday, November 20. The restaurant will offer 2015 Les Grandes Coasses Beaujolais Nouveau and 2015 Domaine de la Madone Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau to complement their $45 prix-fixe dinner menu. For more info or reservations, call 973-378-8990 or log onto log onto OpenTable.com.

• Madeleine’s Petit Paris, Northvale.
This French-owned restaurant and catering venue will host its Beaujolais Nouveau dinner on Sunday, November 22, with a menu that highlights the culinary creations of Lyon, France’s second-largest city, culinary mecca, and neighbor to the Beaujolais region. For more info or reservations, call (201) 767-0063.

Feeling Tired?

This time of the year many people are feeling tired.  One of the big factors is setting the clock's back by an hour.  As silly as that seems, once the dark comes upon us we automatically want to get settled in for the evening. 

Another reason is the overwhelmed  feelings of the holiday's coming upon us.  There is just so much to do between the time the calendar flips to November into December.   If you have young children in your house hold you most likely have school events, the class trips, birthday parties, sport practices, religion classes etc. etc. etc. Oh, and do you have a job outside the home?  If you have a significant other that helps keep up with the laundry, errands, food shopping etc ...you are among the  lucky ones...

One huge reason why you may be feeling so tired is from your home!  Since you are busy with so many other obligations and events this time of year your home sometimes gets neglected.  Or perhaps its not only this time of year but your home is always neglected.  If my home is out of sorts, I'm out of sorts.   Once your home is in order, your mind will be in order and you can rest easier at night.

There are professional organizers that can help you get your home to where it needs to be.  Thumbtack is a good resources.  You put in the area where you live and what you want done as far as organization.   You then will receive bids from various organizers.  If you can't afford a home organizer there are plenty on line sites that can motivate you to start.  My suggestion is to start in the heart of the home the kitchen.  Once your kitchen is organized than head on to the bedrooms.  I am telling you that once you have control of your home and your clutter you will feel energized and less.

Harmonizing Homes, LLC