The festival was broken up into 3 hour sessions over 2 days (Friday and Saturday).  Casey had gotten tickets for us to attend the 1-4 pm Saturday session.  We had lunch before the event at a very nice cafe in Elmira, Charlie’s Cafe.  Casey called ahead to Charlie’s and said they were capable of providing gluten-free options for her, which was nice!

When we first arrived at the festival it wasn’t too crowded, but soon enough the rink floor was packed.  We made sure to visit some of our favorite wineries, but we also tried some new wines.  It was nice being able to try new wines from wineries we had never visited during our previous fingerlake trips.

Below are some photos of the event as well as the wines (including a hard cider) we ended up buying at the festival.

Happy Heavens Rainbow

Casey and I enjoyed a movie later that evening, Blind side.  We both enjoyed it, check it out next time you are looking for something good.

Sunday, the kids got out their mother’s day card they made Casey, it was huge, like 1.5ft x 2 ft.  Funny how the kids area already realizing how different aspect of gifts get more reactions.  We then hurried and got everyone ready and went out for breakfast at the waffle shop on Atherton.  We knew there was going to be a line and we were prepared, snacks, toys, games, etc just to keep them entertained till we got to the table.  It was definitely the least pleasant trip to the waffle shop ever.  I know it was mother’s day, but taking like 25mins to get our food seemed a bit ridiculous.

We then went over to my grandmother’s house to visit.  We also took some flowers and a vase.  She enjoyed the flowers and got a kick out of watching Hailey and Tyler play.

Later that evening, I cooked Casey her dinner request for gluten-free Mac n Cheese with grilled rosemary balsamic vinegar chicken. And to finish off dinner I made a Cranberry Mint Martini (her new fav).

Cranberry Mint Martini

Happy Mother’s Day!

Gluten-Free Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Tinkyada Brown Rice Grand Shells Cooked
• 4 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
• 3/4 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3 cups favorite pasta sauce

Cooking Temp and Time: 350F for 35 mins

Anyhow, Casey and I have been enjoying the summer.  We went to Alexandria, VA this weekend for a bachelor and bachelorette party.  It was fun.  The party/gathering was at Dave and Busters.  We had never been to a Dave and Busters, but it is basically a Chucky Cheese for adults.  We had a good time.  

Casey and I did dinner at P.F. Changs which was right around the corner from Dave and Busters.  Casey loves P.F. Changs because it is the only Chinese food that Casey can eat that is gluten free (normal soy sauce is bad news).  We shared a bottle of riesling wine, some chicken lettuce wraps, and both of us had Ginger Chicken Broccoli entrees.  

After Dave and Busters, the group decided it was time to venture into the city for some fun.  We all headed to a little bar called the Madhatter.  It was a small bar, but a favorite of the bachelor and bachelorette.  Casey and I left the bar at around 1:30am and caught a ride on the Metro back to our hotel.  The Metro ride was interesting since neither of us had ever ridden the Metro by ourselves.  We managed to figure the ticket machine, hopped on the train, and made one switch to a different line, and finally got back to our hotel. woohoo.

I will try to post more frequently, or maybe not since it is summertime.

Casey and I have stayed at different places in the past; hotels and B&Bs.  This time we did something different, thanks to one of Casey’s co-workers for letting us know about a wonderful place.  We stayed at Finger Lakes Cabins at Mill Creek near Valois, NY (East Side of Seneca Lake).  This place had two cabins that were fully loaded with everything we could possibly need (soap, shampoo, stove, fridge, microwave, tv, games, coffee, creamer, charcoal for the grill, wood for the fire pit… you get the idea).  

So we left very early Friday and manged to get up to Watkins Glen around 11am.  We stopped at Wegmans in Corning, NY to get some food to cook on the grill later that evening.  We made our first wine sampling stop at Atwater Estate Vineyards and sampled some of their highly rated Riesling wines as well as others (we bought a few bottles here).  We then headed to our Cabin.  The hosts were very nice and showed us around our cabin and the property (which included several nature trails and a enclosed jacuzzi).

After unpacking the car, we decided it was time to get something for lunch. We went to Wagner Vineyards and Brewery to eat at the Ginny Lee.  When we got there I had to snap a photo of a Porsche GT3 parked in the lot, sweet.   The staff at the Ginny Lee have always been able to accommodate  Casey’s gluten-free needs and their food is so fresh.   Casey and I also enjoyed drinks with our lunches that were made on-site.  Casey had a Riesling and I had the Summer Sail Hefeweizen beer from the brewery.

Our second winery for tasting was Wagner Vineyards since we were already there.  We got served by the same gentleman that serves us everytime we go there; Ken.  Ken is a hoot and very knowledgeable about the wines they make. We bought 2 bottles at Wagner Vineyards before heading off.

Our third winery for tasting was an old favorite and probably the place where Casey and I first started enjoying wine, Hazlitt Vineyards.  This place is great, super friendly staff, great wines, and sometimes people get a little crazy.  Since it was a week day it wasn’t too crazy.  We bought a few bottles here before leaving.

Our fourth winery we stopped at was another favorite of ours, Red Newt Cellars.  They produce some great wines and Casey and I enjoyed our tasting here.  When we arrived there was a bus full of college students enjoying the area (a little too much).  They were very loud and at one point a dozen girls came up to Casey and I telling us that we looked just like John and Kate plus 8.  LOL.  They left and we got back to enjoying the rest of our tasting.  We bought a few bottles here also.

We then decided it was time to head around to the West side of the lake.  Casey wanted to see the Belhurst Castle on the north west shore of the lake.   On the way we stopped at Fulkerson Winery for some tasting.  I didn’t realize it but Fulkerson is also a huge producer of grape juice that can be purchased to make you own wine, pretty cool!  We bought two bottles of their Riesling before heading off to the castle.

We finally make it to the Belhurst Castle, it was very impressive and there was even a wedding happening on the grounds.  We also did some tasting on site, although we didn’t buy any of their wines.  It was almost five o’clock, so we decided to head back to our Cabin to cook dinner and relax.

We cooked garlic/lime shrimp, salmon, and steak on the grill and made a baked potato in the oven, all while enjoying one of the new wines we purchased.  After dinner we hopped in the jacuzzi, wow that sure was relaxing.

The next morning we got up early and the hosts prepared and delivered to our front porch breakfast in a basket.  It included a gluten free egg dish for Casey and home made blueberry muffins for me, juices, and fresh cut strawberries.  After breakfast we realized we had better get going and head home.  We ended up getting home around 1 in the afternoon.

We had a great time thanks to Casey’s co-worker’s recommendation and Casey’s mom for watching the kids.

Casey made the bread from a recipe on the back of a Pamela’s Products Baking and Pancake Mix.  She said it was so  easy and the results were definitely the same as everything we have made with this mix, super yummy.  Below are some photos for you to enjoy.

• Roasted Brined Turkey - Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Grand Champion Free-Range Fresh Turkey
• Cornbread Stuffing based on two great recipes: gluten-free cornbread and Betty Crocker’s stuffing
• Mashed Potatoes
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Gravy
• Sweet Corn
• Green Beans
• Wegman’s Cranberry Sauce
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie with gluten-free cookie crust.

GF - French Bread

Ingredients:

• 8-10oz of Dr. Schar’s Gluten-Free Penne pasta
• 1 can (16oz) of Classico Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce.  The Classico’s Faqs page states that this sauce is gluten-free.
• 10oz frozen broccoli florets
• 3-4 thin-sliced skinless chicken breasts (I was serving three, so I only used 3 chicken breasts).
• 2-4oz white table wine

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.
2. Cook pasta as indicated on its packaging.
3. While pasta is cooking…
4. Cook the broccoli in the microwave as indicated on the packaging.
5. Heat up a large Sauté Pan over medium-high.
6. Toss the chicken breasts into the pan and cook until fully cooked (use an instant-read thermometer)
7. Remove the fully cooked chicken from pan and place on a plate for later.
8. Remove pan from the heat, pour wine into pan, replace the pan on the heat, and de-glaze pan.
9. Reduce heat to medium, then add the cooked broccoli and alfredo sauce to the pan
10. Drain the cooked pasta and put it into the pan, mixing everything together.
11. Plate your pasta and place a chicken breast on the top.

GF - Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli

• regular pasta – Instead use a gluten-free pasta of your choice (I prefer Dr. Schar’s Gluten-Free Penne pasta, available at Wegmans, Celiac.com).
• regular all-purpose flour - Instead use a general gluten-free mix (I actually use the brown rice flour mix from “Gluten-Free Baking Classic” ).