Hear the whirl?  That’s the sound of the holiday season heading towards us like a bullet train.  Just a few more days and it will be Thanksgiving.  It is my favorite time of year…not because of the gifts, but because it is when everything is beautifully decorated and when we entertain the most.  That, too, is one of my favorite things to do.

Check out our calendar for a free (yes I said free) class later this month.  In these tough economic times, I realize that some of you may not be able to attend our regular classes and I want to help prepare you for easy and affordable entertaining.  We will have lots of fun and it will not cost you a red cent.

Over the last few years several classes have been perennial favorites and people have asked us to put them on the schedule again and again.  Some of these classes, such as Italian Night and Turtles will be offered this year FOR THE LAST TIME.  So if you were thinking about taking any or all of these classes, make sure you take them while you still can.

For the past 7 months, we have been asking students if they want to receive more mailings from Simply Impressive.  With so many people asking for newsletters more often, we will begin sending at least 1 more mailing a month.  We will still provide you with the same information we currently do, but in a timelier manner.

We are in the process of putting our first quarter 2010 classes on the calendar.  If there is some class you have wanted to take, let me know soon so I can consider including it in our schedule.

This month we are featuring the herb, Sage.  This is very fitting since sage is used heavily around Thanksgiving.  We will use sage in our Thanksgiving gravy recipe later in the newsletter.  Be sure to check it. 

I hope to see you in a class soon, and don’t forget to take advantage of our monthly specials and our really special FREE class. 

Herb of the Month – Sage -- Sage is one of those herbs I use more around the holidays than any other time.  With Thanksgiving around the corner, you will find so many uses for it.  Check out our article on sage for helpful information and recipes.

Interesting Ingredient – Celariac.  In our recipe for Thanksgiving turkey gravy, we use an ingredient called celeriac.  If you have never used it before (or even if you have), read our article on celariac (celery root).  Once you try it, I know you are going to want to use it for other recipes as well.

Pumpkin; Fresh or Canned – have you ever wondered what difference using fresh pumpkin makes in a pie?  Testing the differences can be time consuming since it involves baking multiple pies.  Chef Gwen Ashley Walters has done the comparison work for us and wrote about it in her blog.  Check out pumpkin smackdown for her findings.  You may find yourself making a fresh pumpkin pie this year.

November Adult Classes – We are offering classes on Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thursday 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  We have a special class offering on Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Check out our website at November Classes for details.

Thursday 11/5 and Saturday 11/7 we are offering our brand new Cheesecakes class where we will explore different types of cheesecakes.  This is one of those classes that many people have requested.  If you have seen our latest brochure, our turtle cheesecake from the cover is included in the class.  Check it out on our website at brochure with turtle cheesecake on cover.  $63 per person.

Tuesday 11/10 and Saturday 11/14 we will hold our Italian Night class for the last time.  This class has been a favorite since we began offering it.  We will prepare a wonderful Italian meal with chicken marsala, risotto and my soon to be world famous tiramisu. Remember, this is your last chance to attend this class.  $63 per person. 

Friday 11/13 7:00 to 8:30 our Holiday Entertaining class where we will talk about easy and affordable ways to entertain your guests.  We will demo a quick appetizer or two and give you some great hints on easy entertaining for the holidays.  This class is FREE and sign-up is required. 

SPECIAL DAY -- Sunday 11/15 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Turtles — prepare homemade caramel, turtles and truffles for your family or as gifts.  $63 per person.  These wonderful candies make a perfect gift and freeze well so you can have them year ‘round.  Catch the class this year while we are still offering it.

Thursday 11/19 and Saturday 11/21 we will hold our Fancy Holiday Appetizers class.  This class will include appetizers that are perfect for not only holiday parties, but weddings, showers, etc.  If you have been to any of our appetizer classes in the past, you know how fantastic they are.  This class will include all new appetizers that are sure to please your guests. $63 per person

Upcoming Classes for December – We are continuing with more holiday classes this month.  For December, we are offering classes on Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Thursday 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Check out our website at December classes for class menus and details.

Tuesday 12/1 and Thursday 12/3 we will hold our Mini Desserts class.  This brand new class will feature wonderful ‘small bite’ desserts that are perfect to serve to your holiday guests.  $63 per person. 

Saturday 12/5 plan on attending our all new Holiday Cookies class.   You will prepare some of my favorite holiday cookies for your cookie-baking season.  As with all of our classes, you will participate in making each recipe so you will know how to bake everything on the menu when you leave.  Get a jump start on your holiday baking with this class.   $63 per person

Tuesday 12/8 & Saturday 12/12 we are offering our final Holiday Appetizers class of the season.  This all new class will include some of my favorite holiday appetizers for your guests.  $63 per person

For our final class of 2009, plan on attending our Uptown Brunch class.  It is being offered on Thursday 12/17 and again on Saturday 12/19.  Brunches are the perfect way to celebrate New Years Day and this menu fits the bill.  $63 per person

Private Groups – we love to hold private group sessions and hold them at my place or yours.  We can accommodate up to 12 at our location.  If you would like more information on private classes, give us a call.  We can plan special menus to fit your needs.

If you haven’t checked out our Mesa Food Examiner articles, take a few minutes to stop by.  We have informational and local food articles, along with recipes, kitchen equipment and so much more.  We post food related articles several times a week so you can stop by often to see what we’re writing about.  Or better yet, subscribe to the Mesa Food Examiner so you will automatically see what we are posting.  It’s free.  Just click where you see ‘subscribe’ to get them automatically. That way you can read what you want, and ignore the others.  We are posting recipes and information about Fall and the holidays and are also posting some of our restaurant reviews that you may not have seen. 

Do you twitter?  If so, follow us to see what we’re up to.  Our Twitter name is SimplyImprssve.  We are offering special deals thru Twitter this Fall so get ‘plugged in’ today.  

Recipe of the Month – Turkey Gravy.  If you get tired of the same old recipes for Thanksgiving, you may want to try our Turkey gravy.  We use lots of vegetables used to cook the turkey to flavor our gravy.  It gets thick and tasty and not a drop of flour or cream unless you choose to add it.  Best of all, the kids will not know they are eating their vegetables.  See our recipe at Thanksgiving turkey gravy .