Bailey's Irish Cream

Bailey's launched its Irish Cream Liqueur in 1974, after years of development. The cream liqueur is based on an old Irish recipe using all-natural ingredients, including cream that is produced just for the Bailey's company. In fact, becasue the product line has become so successful, Bailey's accounts for one-third of Ireland's entire milk prodcution. More than 4,000 farmers supply the 40 million gallons of milk used annually in prodcuing cream for the liqueur. For recipes using Bailey's, go to www.baileys.com

Again, thanks to everyone who continues to purchased books from me on my EBay site-Valerie2901 or under the general heading of cookbooks. Also, remind me to do feedback for you.

A couple of interesting books listed this week are a new diet book (not new-from the 70's, but new to me)-Martini's & Whipped Cream & The Allergy Cookbook-recipes within this cookbook include no wheat, corn, milk or eggs.

On Wednesday, I went to the local Premier of the movie Sex and the City2. I actually liked this movie better than the first one. Thousands of twenty-somethings dressed like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda showed up. And quite a few women came looking like Jennifer Hudson in the first movie. My friends and I missed out on the appetizers, but there were plenty of Cosmpolitans for everyone and a chocolate fountain that never stopped.

May 22, forever I know-I will do better!

Well, I was going to add some pictures of Chichen Itza, but somehow I erased them from my pictures on my computer, as well on digital camera. I am so technically challenged.

Thanks again for everyone's support and purchase of books on EBay website-Valerie2901. Again, if feedback is important to you, please let me know-otherwise I probably won't leave it. Some of my books listed in the last week or so have had a 7-day, 5-day and 3-day listing. I have done this to accommodate my work schedule when I am out of town. I needed to leave adequate paypal time for you to pay and me to ship out. So don't miss out on any of my book listings. They will come around again soon, but I'm still working on my June work schedule, so it may be awhile yet. Some good books to look at are: The Book on Champagne-quite a comprehensive book on the subject. Though written ten years ago, it is still used a great reference guide. For you grilling enthusiasts, The Great American Grilling by Omaha Steaks is a very special book. Also, one I have seen before-Healing with Chinese Herbs-not a cookbook by any means, but certainly interesting to read.

In my last post, I mentioned how much I love the Mr. Food Cookbook series and received a comment back from them. They do have autographed cookbooks available for sale, if you are interested. Also, a website worth looking at- http://www.mrfood.com/ .

Many of you are familiar with Morton's Steakhouse. This is a pretty pricey steakhouse, great steaks, but pricey. But now....they have Happy Hour prices with food and drinks that I love. Locations all over the U.S. with bar drinks starting at $4 and Bar Bites at $5. I have been to the one in Las Vegas twice in the last 3 weeks. Very nice settings, great service & great food at a price I can afford. Check out for a Morton's near you at http://www.morton/ .

I would never have thought of dining at a Culinary School, but this is actually a big thing with a low price menu. Recently some friends of mine had lunch at the Culinary Art Institute in Henderson-a complete set menu, from appetizers to dessert for $9.95. While looking up information on this, I found other culinary schools that offer student trained meals-Le Corden Bleu-Las Vegas, Western Culinary Institute-Portland, OR, CA Culinary Academy-San Francisco, CA, Maui Culinary Academy-Kahului, HI, American River College-Sacramento, CA, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts Restaurant-Vancouver, BC & the Art Institute of Seattle-Seattle, WA. Now these are only a few on the west coast. I would never have thought of looking at Culinary Schools for a new dining option.

Food Lore-Hard Rock Cafe: When the first Hard Rock Cafe opened in 1971 on Old Park Lane in London, England, not one guitar or gold record decorated the walls. The burger joint was the inspiration of two Americans Peter Morton and Issac Tigrett, who couldn't find a decent American-style hamburger anywhere in London and decided to do something about it. The restaurant soon became famous only for its food, until along came Eric Clapton, who donated his guitar as a joke. Up on the wall it went. Not wanting to be outdone, Pete Townsend of The Who soon offered up a guitar of his own to be hung on the wall next to Clapton's with a note: "Mine's as good as his". That started a wave of donations from rock and rollers through the decades and thus was born the world's first theme restaurant.

Now, I am not a senior citizen (yet). But I found out recently that many states allow senior citizens to attend/return to college for "free-completely free". Ages vary by state and various universities and colleges within the state. So maybe you know someone who would like to return to college-pass this along.

I have a BBQ competition that I am going to tonight. My brisket is wonderful, the barbecue sauce-three different trys and is probably not prize winning, but at least I'm trying.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

May 4, 2010

Yes, it's been a long time since my last blog. Between work, vacation and life in Las Vegas, I have been very busy. I just got back from a week in Cancun, where we stayed at the Mayan Palace in Rivieria Maya. Beautiful facility, great pools. We did a driving tour of Cozumel, saw the Pyramids at Chitzen Itza, & went shopping in Cancun.

I'm off on a work trip tomorrow and won't be back until late Sunday night. Hard flight trip, so I won't be on the computer much.

For all of you who have bought cookbooks from me on my Ebay website-Valerie2901-thanks again. But let me vent for a moment. I don't see what the big deal is about the feedback. People get all upset with me if I don't leave feedback. I list about 300 books per week, ship out another 40-100 and this is just a part-time hobby. You buy a cookbook from me, you like it-great, you don't-you complain. What does the feedback really do for you-a pat on the back for buying something on EBay? Do you contact every store you shop at and leave feedback? No, of course you don't. I read an email yesterday that said I was a terrible seller on EBay, because I didn't leave feedback. Now, if someone specifically asks me to leave feedback, I will. And once in a while (very infrequently), if I have some spare time I will leave some feedback until I get bored. So I'm through venting and if you want feedback, remind me to do it for you.

New in Las Vegas-at least new to me-I went to Changs Hong Kong Restaurant on Decatur for Dim Sum. They brought out so many dishes (there were 9 of us), we all thought the bill would be $100 per person. Actually, it was only $16 with gratuity-not bad and very good food. I even ate duck-that is until I knew it was duck-it was very good, but I won't eat duck knowingly. Just a phobia I have.

Went with a friend today and saw the "Back-Up Plan" with Jennifer Lopez. She doesn't have much luck with movies does she. It was okay, just not great and not really funny-I was in the mood for a comedy.

I have about 200 books still to list, it never seems to end. So many great cookbooks, so little time. My personal favorite these days is the "Mr. Food" series-I'm saving all of his, so unless I get duplicates, you won't see any for sale.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

April 5, 2010-Happy Easter a day late.

For Easter I met friends at the Brio Tuscan Grille in the Town Square in Las Vegas, NV. We had a wonderful brunch-there were 18-21 of us (the numbers varied on who showed up at different times). They gave us a private dining room, because our group was so big and it was marvelous.

On Friday, I met friends and we had tapas and Sangria at the Barcelona in Southern Highlands (a golfing community in Las Vegas). Again, we had a big group and this was a little harder to accommodate us, but we had wonderful tapas. I tried for the first time Figs wrapped in Bacon in a wine sauce-to die for.

This past Thursday (I have been very busy), I went and saw Luke Jermay, Mind Reader-at O'Sheas on Las Vegas Blvd. He is featured quite a bit on the Mentalist TV show. Amazing show, he truly has a gift and enjoys what he's doing. Alot of it is a carnival act, but surprisingly he brought out many things in the audience from their childhood. If you don't laugh at his jokes(British humor), he just laughs anyway. Now, his assistant Kathleen took a dislike to me for whatever reason. She had every person in the audience, but me, fill out information for Luke Jermay to think about (though honestly, he never used it), but that's besides the point.

And the other day I had a massage at the European Massage School with Kelly. Now when Kelly started the school massage program-she had a gift. A gift for massaging, now she has a technique. Take away the gift-it is so sad.

What else-on my Ebay website, starting today and every day through April 11th, I will have over 100 new books listed. This is in addition to the other 350 I will have listed. Lots of gems in here. Please look under Valerie2901 on EBay or under the general heading of cookbooks. And for you cake decorators out there-there are four older Wilton Cake Decorating Annuals, still in top condition. Did you know that Wilton Cake Decorating has been in business since 1929? I would never have guessed. Look for new seafood cookbooks on the 7th. And new Christmas books; Christmas books sell for 10 months out of every year-I'm amazed by this.

That's all for now.

CookbookVal

The Next Chapter

As I said earlier, I'm back and since I won't be selling as many cookbooks in the next few days, I will be busy with my blog. Cookbooks will be back selling on April 6th. Please visit my website on EBay at Valerie2901 for new, different & fun books.

On the 6th, I've decided to start with Diet and Dessert Cookbooks. I know opposite ends of the universe, but I'm quirky that way. I have so many new books now, you'll just have to keep checking back each day for what's newly listed. All my prices still start at $.99, so there are some real bargains out there, if you pay attention.

For those of you trying to lose weight (arn't we all), there is a new website that will give you information of other websites that will pay you to lose weight. Actually 5,000 people have already signed up for this. Go to: www.livelighter.org/get-paid-to-lose-weight-in-2010/ . Getting paid to lose weight-that may be the motivation that will work for me!

Another one is where the top 10 weight loss winners win a vacation for two to an exotic destination: www.uweightloss.com/contests.aspx .

For you dessert lovers and chefs out there, here are some new contests for you to enter:

Your Signature Dessert Recipe Contest-$1,000. Go to: www.mixingbowl.com/group/contest/rules.castle?g=1728985

The Great American Cake and Wedding Show Competition, May 1-2, 2010

www.greatamericancakeshow.com

Did I ever tell you that I joined Houseseats.com in Las Vegas. They also offer it in Reno and Phoenix. Well, for a yearly fee of $89. I can 2 tickets to so many available shows in Las Vegas. I have been a member about a month and I have already paid for my membership. I'm not sure if you have to live in Las Vegas to participate in this, but it doesn't hurt to check it out, next time you're in town. Tonight, I'm going to see Luke Jermay, Mind Reader. Maybe the not the show for you, but they have usually 3 children's shows listed daily, lots of comedy shows, magic shows, variety shows and today I could have gotten tickets to see Melissa Etheridge on Saturday, but I have another commitment. Something to think about.

I'm in my pasta stage right now and I'm going to share a recipe with you.

Ziti with Three Cheeses

1 pound ziti, 1 (15ounce) container ricotta cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 egg, lightly beaten, 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley, 1 clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 tsp. basil, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Cook ziti in boiling, salted water following package directions, drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper and basil together in mixing bowl. Place in greased casserole dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and serve.

Hmm. Good. I've been craving Baked Ziti for about a week now. Enjoy!

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

Quick Note Only

I will blog later today, but I wanted to send off this quick note. No, I am not out of business on my EBay website, I just don't have any books listed right now. New books will come out again on April 7th. Because I pushed all my work dates together this month, I knew I couldn't ship out the cookbooks in a timely manner. So I'm taking a break, until books start again on April 7th.

Please be patient, new information, lots of fun contests & much more-later today.

That's all for now.
Cookbook Val

Another day, a week later

Well, I'm changing things up again in my blog. Still finding my voice. Right now, I am home sick with either a head cold or sinus infection (can't tell). So, I'm living on Dayquill right now. I'm getting all caught up with the couple of hundred cookbooks that I still need to list for my EBay website-Valerie2901. Lots of new/used cookbooks. Good cookbooks-just keep checking back. Hopefully, I will have all of the new books listed by Tuesday night and then I'm taking to take a break and sit back for awhile.

I've pushed (or will be pushing) all my trips together in April, so I only have to commute once back and forth from Las Vegas to April-probaly be gone for 13 days. During this time, you may not see alot of books listed. I just don't want to promise I can mail books, when I can't-if I'm not in Las Vegas. Friends keep telling me to get an assistant for when I'm out of town, but I'm not doing that good selling cookbooks. Maybe some day, I'll have an assistant.

Then I'm off to Cancun, Mexico for a week with friends, at the end of April. Sun, fun and hopefully no drama. I also have one trip (as a flight attendant) to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. And maybe some fun San Juan, Puerto Rico layovers coming up.

The sun is definitely shining in my life. Las Vegas weather is perfect right now. I've even had a few days of my convertible top down.

I've picked easier trips for next month and while I'm away for 13 days, I'm going to concentrate on my dieting and some exercise. (I can only carry so many books with me-so I might as well exercise and my time to good use). I also have my laptop with me, so you can follow me on this new journey. Maybe someone will pay me $1000. every time I lose a pound, like they did for that woman on the Biggest Loser.

A Star Studded Foodie Event: April 8-11, 2010-Pebble Beach, CA Third Annual Food & Wine Festival. Featuring 250 wineries and a lineup of 60 chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, Jacques Pepin, Hubert Keller, Thomas Keller, Alex Stratta and many, many more. For more information go to www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com

Noted Las Vegas Chef and show favorite, Les Kincaid is leading food and wine tours to Italy June 16-29 and Napa Valley, October 8-10, 2010

Blacksburg, VA-May 1, 2010 will have their 2nd Annual Blacksburg Fork and Cork, Food, Wine and Art Festival, featuring more than a dozen local wineries, cooking demonstrations and live entertainment. For more information go to www.blacksburg.org/fork

That's all for now.

CookbookVal