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"We will fight until hell freezes over, and then we will fight on the ice." ND Forever!


LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

December 2012

hollyMerry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Yearholly Bonnie Carroll



Dear Life Bites Readers,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We have some great traditional recipes and fun family destinations for December. Much of this issue is filled with travel, food, event and spa stories on beautiful Puerto Vallarta Mexico, where we attended the XVIII Festival Gourmet International; a collective of master chefs, foodies enjoying the colors and flavors of mexico.

The Newly opened all inclusive Hilton Hotel and Resort in Puerto Vallarto is magical, and their Ki Spa has a floatation pool that is blissful. Once again we visit the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission for Thanksgiving, where everyone had a good reason to be grateful. We look forward to the the December 23rd performance of the Nut Cracker Ballet at the Granada Theatre to bring in Christmas with a special warmth and happiness.

A photo has been sent over the internet of Obama as Christ...how many of you are considering him as the Anti-Chirst???

Movie lovers are all talking about "Anna Karenina" "Flight" "Lincoln" and "Sessions." Robert De Niro will be honored with the SBIFF Kirk Douglas Award in December. Cody Hilton celebrated another birthday on November 22nd and has some great film news and car care advice for your consideration.

Sips has a great tequila tasting from a professional at CasaMagna, and Chef Theirry Blouet and Chef Javier Placencia share a Christms Green martini recipe for your holiday enjoyment. Christmas trees are going up in every community throughout the world, and Santa Barbara lit their tree up just before their annual Parade on State Street. I always enjoy the lighting event at Rockefeller Center in New York, and the show televised this year was a star filled amazing celebration of Christmas. I just never cease to be amazed at the go for it spirit and determination to rise above adversity of New Yorker's . . . they are the best. Keep praying and sending donations to help them.

I hope you will join us in remembering our soldiers fighting in foreign lands and pray for their safe return to their families. God bless them, and God bless America in these challenging times. May the flag of freedom fly now and forever. Please pray for peace.

Merry Christmas to you, your family and dear friends. Thank you to all who contribute to LBN, and to the many readers who keep coming back.


Please enjoy a wonderful Pico Italy Tozetti recipe Lauren Birmingham Piscetelli included in her holiday story in Taste of Italia Magazine. Lauren  has been a friend for over seven years. She created a wonderful "Cooking Vacations" business that has become renowned and now generates stories and fine recipes on different destinations in Italy.

Cordially,

Bonnie Carroll

Bonnie Carroll
Publisher/Editor

LBN DECEMBER PARTY IDEAS holly

  1. Budget. List every possible item you may need and project the costs. Figure out where you can afford to splurge and where you must cut back. At the end of the event, you can compare your actual costs to the projected and see where you saved.

  2. Plan for the masses. Whatever you thought to order for food and drinks, double it. This is a time for all of your friends to come together so you have to accommodate everyone, have options!

  3. Music. Music will keep the party going so make sure you have a DJ who knows how to control a room or asks friends for song suggestions and comprise a playlist on your iPod.

  4. Have fun! Remember, you’re planning a party! If the decorations don’t show or you run out of hors d'oeuvres – you’re surrounded by your friends, colleagues, family – they’re all drinking and dancing and most likely haven’t noticed.

Ideas from Jon Gabel, the CEO of Joonbug.com


LBN Staff 2010

Bonnie Carroll, Publisher/Editor

writebc@aol.com

Rosalie Frances, Contributor, tolifebites.com

Mary Hilton, Content Contributor/Marketing Director

Maryhilton2000@aol.com

Cody Chandler, Teen Times Columnist

tolifebites@aol.com

Natasha Melikoff, Montreal Reporter

tolifebites@aol.com

Mike O’Connell, Photo/Video Director/Contributor

tolifebites@aol.com

Isabella D'Angelo, Rome Correspondent

tolifebites@aol.com

Additional contributing writers are included on an individual issue basis. Please contact the editor with questions regarding journalist assignments. Email: writebc@aol.com

LBN Offices

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Santa Barbara, CA 93105

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Email contact preferred please

LBN Best of 2011
Best Hotel ChefUS
Joachim Splichal, Patina
Best International Chef
Gerhard Schwaiger, Tristan Mallorca
Best International Hotel
Excelsior Hotel, FlorenceItaly
Best US Hotel Spa
Ojai Valley Inn Spa
Best Beach Destination
Melia Hotel, Mallorca Spain
Best US Hotel
Four Seasons Biltmore, SB
Best Bed & Breakfast
Secret Garden, Santa Barbara
Best Cocktail
Almafi Dream, Olio e Limone SB
Best Steak House
Ruth's Chris, BH
Best Int'l Luxury Resort
Villa d'Este, Como, Italy
Best New Luxury Spa Resort
Laguna Shores Marriott
Best Art Museum US
Metropolitan NY
Best Chocolate Experience
Marie Belle, New York
Best Hotel View
Hassler Hotel, RomeItaly
Best Restaurant View
Cannons Seafood, DanaPoint
Best Sunday Brunch
Bel-Air Hotel, Los Angeles
Best Int’l Business Hotel
Melia Hotel, Dusseldorf Germany
Best US Business Hotel
Trump Hotel, New York
Best Spa Cafe Menu
Café Verde, Ojai
Best New Museum
Mullin Automotive Museum, CA
Best Museum Café US
Getty Museum, Malibu, CA
Best Tour
Dublin Food Tour
Best Ocean Destination
Kaanapali Beach, HI
Best International Flights
Airberlin, Air Canada
Best US Flight
JetBlue, Southwest, American Eagle
Best Epicurean Event
LA Chocolate Salon
Best Cook Book
Rose Petal Jam, B. Zatorska
Best Dessert
Spago, Beverly Hills (Sherry Yard)
Best Wine List
Four Seasons Wine Bar, New York
Best Family Hotels
Marriott Worldwide
Best Organic Food
TBA
Best Historic Hotel
Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire
Best Film
The Decendants
Best Book
The Help
Congratulations, You're the Best!


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© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved