Some of my fondest memories of this record involve cooking dinner (oddly enough). I love firing up the oven on a cold winter night, popping open a bottle of champagne (the ONLY beverage that can rightfully be sipped while listening to Ms. Lee), and letting Peggy and the quintet serenade me while I cook. From her opening line, “Shall we swing a little?” to the very last note, Peggy is in top form. A fantastic live record from a recording legend.

This is the ultimate cookbook for people (like me) with an insatiable sweet tooth. Judy Rosenberg’s recipes are no-nonsense affairs of sugar, real butter, fresh cream and lots of chocolate. Although there are no photos, her instructions are so detailed it’s almost impossible to screw up. Everything I make from this book gets me rave reviews—it never fails. I’ve had my copy for almost 10 years, and it looks like it’s been through a war (torn pages, butter stains and chocolate spatters). It may be time for a backup copy.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Baldrige in person and having her sign my copy of this beautiful book. She is as charming as one would suspect (after all, she is an expert on manners). Even better, I brought my sister with me, because she’s a Jacqueline Kennedy fanatic. Ms. Baldrige took one look at my sis and pronounced her a Jackie look-alike. It was the best compliment she ever could have paid.

Although I like all the Archer Farms Italian Soda flavors (Lemon, Wildberry, Pomegranate) that I’ve tried, the Blood Orange is the one that keeps me making regular trips to our local Target.

It’s delicious—not too sweet, wonderfully effervescent and a pretty pink color to boot. Although it’s great on it’s own, it also is a fantastic mixer with alcohol (vodka and prosecco being my favorite companions). I try to keep at least a few bottles in the house at all times.