Slowly adjusting to wintertime Pandemic. I have not traveled far in months. No hotel stays to rack up Marriott points. Credit card tip -- If you are paying for a travel credit card, call the bank up and ask for a reduced fee for the card. You are not getting the services you paid for. I have found that they will reduce your fee without any pushback.
Wineries are adjusting to the new normal. There have been less free shipping deals but wineries are starting to come out with holiday offers which include some good deals. My favs include: Domaine Drouhin still has $20 shipping for 6 bottles and $30 shipping for a case. Tablas Creek has a bunch of specials with free shipping. Municipal Winemakers has free shipping on orders over $79.
New local brewpub Untied https://www.untiedbrewingco.com/ It is located on a back street in a warehouse section of New Providence, NJ. They make good beers of all types. Very relaxed atmosphere. Indoors or out. They have music on Saturdays. Easy to socially distance as they have lots of space indoors and out.
Trying to be more creative with cooking. Go to a Trader Joes for all types of very reasonably priced food ideas. Their frozen foods can be great and their cheese selection has really improved.Use spices more assertively and think about different cuisines when trying to figure out what to cook. Instead of Italian, try Greek. Think feta cheese and spinach pie, (Trader Joes has great frozen Greek Spanakopita)Try Chinese or Mexican. Think guacamole, fried rice, dumplings and lots of veggies. (Trader Joes has some great frozen dumplings. A number of varieties. I have been making fish and chips with cod. Have you made pork schnitzel in a while with German potato salad. Pound some boneless pork chops and bread them. Lightly fry in pan. don't overcook.
Making pizza is an old standby. Add toppings of your choice. Making dough is very easy and very rewarding. A nice Chianti Clasico Reserva makes the pizza even more enticing. Look for 2016's.
