Amortentia. A powerful love potion. We first run across it in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Professor Slughorn is having his students identify a group of potions he’s brewed. Let’s head down to the potions classroom and listen in… “It’s the most powerful love potion in the world!” said Hermione.…
We’re all familiar with the toast of champagne at midnight on New Year’s Eve, right? Pop. Fizz. Clink. Sip. Got it. Cue the “Auld Lang Syne” (thanks, Robert Burns!). Unless you’re springing for some quality bubbles you might find your sparkling wine a little dull, especially if you’re planning to have more than one fluteful.…
The Danish have a fun Christmas tradition of making Risalamande, a special rice pudding. I read about it this year in both The Year of Living Danishly and The Little Book of Hygge. I love rice pudding, but the type my family has always made is baked and more like custard. This variety is light…
When the weather turns so cold this time of year, piling on blankets and furs only gets you so far. Sometimes you have to warm yourself from the inside out. North of the Wall, it is especially frigid, but the Lord Commander has a store of wine to keep him warm. “The Old Bear…
It’s that cozy time of year when sweaters, mugs of hot chocolate and big, bubbling pots of something warm and hearty seem like a good idea. There’s no better time to curl up with a book as when there’s the scent of something soul-soothing on the air, especially when you actually get to eat whatever…
Pumpkin pasties are just about my favorite thing to eat from Harry’s wizarding world. These and maybe pumpkin juice. Or butterbeer! So much to love. 🙂 As you may know I just returned from a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. I tried the pumpkin pasties there and while they were…
It’s October! It’s Halloween month! I am leaving on a jet plane (tomorrow!) for my first visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. Well, what do you know? Looks like another excuse to do Harry Potter stuff! I like to imagine these amazing pancakes being served for breakfast in the…
Halloween is nearly here! You can’t tell I’m looking forward to it, right? I’ve been watching some of my favorite “scary” movies to get in the…spirit. 🙂 Truth be told, I haven’t actually read the book, but I swear, every time I see the Practical Magic midnight margarita scene, I wish that I had a similar tradition.…
Have you ever pictured yourself sitting somewhere in the Italian countryside enjoying a sumptuous meal outside, passing bottles of wine across the table and laughing with friends? This is a common daydream of mine and a scene that I find so relaxing and full of the best that life has to offer. The goal of…
This year has provided ample opportunity to celebrate the magic of the Harry Potter books and films. With the 20th anniversary of the release of the first book at the end of June, many Potter fans have been pausing this summer to reflect on what the wizarding world has meant to them through the years.…
Butterbeer is delicious, right? A very special treat. But for your everyday wizarding feast, pumpkin juice is most appropriate for the table. This was one of the beverages offered at the Harry Potter party I threw last year. Pumpkin juice is so incredible! I cannot recommend it enough. If you like pumpkin AT ALL, please…