2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 lb. puff pastry (find in rectangular sheets in frozen section of grocery store)

1 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

Serving up a platter with an enticing array of holiday cookies is almost as appealing as receiving a box of them — it’s producing the goodies that can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have days to devote to baking projects.

3 3/4 cups unsifted powdered sugar (1-pound box)

9 cups all purpose flour

1 1/3 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

Copia is holding Sugarplum Teas Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Tea and baked goodies are served to the music of traditional holiday tunes played on the harp. The cost is $45 per person, and reservations are necessary. Call 259-1600.

Matching wines with foods that make culinary magic remains something of a mystery to most of us. There are the standard rules, and beyond this someone is usually available to make a recommendation, which usually works just fine. But then you encounter someone who can make a match that is out of the realm of the ordinary, and you have to wonder, how did he do it?

4 3-oz. portions of ahi tuna, sushi quality

Beef tenderloin

1 pound baby greens

Credited with earning The Restaurant at Meadowood a two-star rating from the esteemed Michelin Guide, restaurant chef Joseph Humphrey announced today he will be leaving Meadowood to accept the position of executive chef at Cavallo Point — The Lodge at Golden Gate, scheduled to open in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge next summer.

This week's recipes come from the kitchens at Hess Collection Winery, including Hesse Salad, Ahi Tuna with Quinoa, and Beef Tenderloin with Celery Root Puree.

All decked out in its holiday best, the McClelland-Priest House and its owner Celeste Carducci have a lot to celebrate this Christmas, as she opens her doors to visitors on Landmarks’ annual Holiday Candlelight Tour today.

It was Pajama Day at Mt. George Elementary School, which was why even Principal Janine Burt was decked out in pink flannel jammies.

Leave it to Mario to give the Wii its best game -- maybe even one of the best games of the year on any system.

QUEEN OF THE VALLEY

BALDWIN-BASILAN — Kenneth Roy Baldwin, 35, Sheffield Way, American Canyon to Irene Padul Basilan, 36, Sheffield Way, American Canyon.

BERINGER — Mark E. vs. Phoebe J., Nov. 30, 2007.

4.0 GPA - Sixth Grade

With focused intensity, gingerbread house maker Lauri Zaker rushed to build her gingerbread cookie fence with a bag of sticky icing. Her assistant for the day, John Peterink, tried to be helpful, but as the clock ticked toward the judging deadline, the best he could do was to keep out of Zaker’s way, as she raced to complete her dog house gingerbread design.

A recent survey among wine consumers in the United Kingdom indicated that 37 percent of consumers are more receptive to alternative wine packaging, particularly PET plastic bottles and bags-in-a-box. Pouches and Tetra Paks also were mentioned.

The three Napa Valley vintners who challenged a law that prevented them from pouring wine at charitable events or donating wine to charities were honored last week by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, who authored a bill that changed the law.

As the holiday season nears, consumers are warned to beware of scams  designed to separate them from their money. But it isn’t just consumers who are subject to scam artists — some wine producers have been targeted, too.

With the Internet opening doors to heretofore unknown cultures and customs, people from Sydney to Seoul, Boston to Bratislava are eagerly exploring lifestyles around the world.

California wine producers frustrated with government-supported competition from Australian, Chile and other wine producing nations may find another competitors in the stores soon — a competitor encouraged by the U.S. government.

John Shafer was honored as the 2007 recipient of the “Making a Difference Award” at Healthy Moms and Babies 3rd Annual Holiday Dreams event Sunday  Dr. Robert Moore, medical director of Clinic Ole and Healthy Moms and Babies, presented the award, and  Congressman Mike Thompson’s wife, Jan Thompson presented a Congressional resolution recognizing Shafer’s leadership in creating Napa’s Community Health Center and promoting collaboration among non-profits to coordinate services in Napa County.