Gloria's favorite foods

I'm sure we all have our favorite place to go in South Florida for authentic Cuban Cuisine. Now we can make it at home too, with recipes from Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Next month, Penguin Books releases 'Estefan Kitchen', a collection of the Estefan's favorite family recipes. I've got my taste buds set on the Masitas de Puerco (Fried Pork Chunks); although the Papas Rellenas (Breaded Mashed Potatoes with ground Beef Creole) sounds like a winner, too.

The book can be pre-ordered at amazon.com.

No honking zone

I was on vacation in the Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee last week, and I kid you not, I didn't hear one horn honk for five days! Talk about heaven. I was near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area - and that's just one of about 18 state and national parks around there. I've had a dream of having just a little piece of land with some trees -and this area has exactly that, plus peace, quiet and lots of friendly people.

I've been living in South Florida since 1962, so seeing the leaves change on trees just floors me. I was in awe of the brilliant colors - purples and gold and orange and red, all blending together in a true display of autumn. Up until now, the only way I knew it was autumn was from the different color wrapping on Halloween candy! If you ever get a chance to go north when the leaves are changing, do it, at least once. In fact, Big South Fork, the company developing the land, has specials when you tour the area by November 21st. You can click on the link at the top of my blog page. And let me know what you think after you see it.