Maggie's Farm

Prosecco, beloved by Pliny, seems to be all the rage these days. I picked up a few bottles for Saturday evening's festivities to celebrate several family birthdays - plus a great new job in the family - and a bon voyage to my in-laws who spend several months each winter season in Mexico - Cabo - with all of their lively and enjoyable retired pals from all over America and Canada.

Do they play Mexican Train Dominoes? You bet they do. Good game. They like to go fishing too, and to take walks around Mexico. It's colorful. Fine seafood. The magnificent Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. Cabo is their winter home-away-from-home. Much more interesting than Florida.

Good Prosecco is cheaper than the tastiest champagnes. I'll be interested in what people think, but they will all enjoy anything because it's not about the food and drink - it's about the company and the family spirit. As usual, Martinelli's for the teetotalers.

Mrs. BD will cook a crown roast of pork with apple stuffing, with applesauce, mashed Yukon Gold taters with a little garlic in them, broccoli rabe with oil and garlic, and cake with vanilla ice cream, but I am doing work-related things tomorrow so I can't do much more than buy the wine and stuff.