Best ginger snaps ... ever

We are heading off to Walla Walla, Washington (isn't that fun to say) early tomorrow morning with my cousin and his wife and a few of their friends for a weekend of wine tasting!  They have planned a picnic lunch and a dinner on the grill by the river for Saturday!  How fun does that sound!  For dinner, each couple brings their meat for the grill and then a side dish to share with the group. 

In addition to John's fabulous contributions (see below), this gives me a chance to pull out my favorite cookie recipe in the world!  I found this recipe on David Lebovitz' blog and it's from Alice Waters at Chez Panisse (which probably means more to the folks from California). 

I typically make them when we're out at the cabin to serve with home-made ice cream.  Every time I have made and served them, someone has asked me for the recipe.  Last month, I found the guests had raided the kitchen in the morning and eaten the left overs from the previous night before I even got the first pot of coffee on!  They are pretty simple to make, and I find the more spices I throw at them the more I like them.

John made a fabulous cheese, pepper and egg tart for an appetizer

And finally ... a zucchini bread with zucchini straight from the garden ...

So some good people, good wine and good food.  I think it's going to be a great weekend ;-).

All the best
Lisa