 Hosting a dinner party for the first time, or the seventh, can be a stressful event – the menu, the place settings, not enough burners on the stove or ovens in the kitchen to cook everything. If you’re looking to host a gathering but want something on the simpler side, try brunch.
Brunch offers the opportunity to have friends and/or family over in a less formal, more relaxing atmosphere. It can also be served buffet style, keeping with the causal theme. Brunch and Sundays seem to go hand and hand, and Sunday, after all, is the day of rest. Why not create a relatively stress-free menu by making most of the items a day ahead? This way, when your guests arrive, you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen; you’ll be able to enjoy the day, and the food, with your guests.
A staple for brunch and a total make ahead is fruit salad. Chop up the fruit the day before, combine into a bowl and refrigerate. Then on the morning of the brunch, toss with a light sauce made of sugar, ginger and lime juice.
Baked goods like blueberry muffins or scones and coffee cake can also be made the day before and will still be completely delicious the next day. No one will know you didn’t bake them fresh that morning.
Take the usual bagels and cream cheese up a notch by making a smoked salmon spread. The spread can be made the day before and chilled in the refrigerator overnight. Just combine cream cheese, chopped smoked salmon, fresh dill, sour cream, capers, salt, pepper, lemon zest and juice. Serve with sliced bagels.
A French toast casserole is also a great way to include a breakfast/brunch favorite but can also be made ahead of time. Try something different by making a savory French toast casserole instead of a sweet one. Combine six eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, chives, French bread pieces and Gruyere cheese. Refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning before guests arrive.
Another great make a head dish is a strata. Combine onions, green bell pepper, garlic, cream cheese, half-and-half, 12 eggs, day old bread, cheddar cheese and salt and pepper. Refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.
Bread pudding and quiche are also brunch staples and can easily be made ahead. With the quiche, bake it right after you make it and then heat it up again in the morning just before guests arrive. The bread pudding can be put together the day before and refrigerated until the morning of the brunch.
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate a traditional egg dish without having to cook while your guests are there, try poaching eggs for Eggs Benedict the day before. Poach eggs as you normally would but slightly undercook them. Put them in a refrigerated container filled with cold water. When you’re ready to serve, just put the eggs back into a simmering pot of water to finish the cooking process.
And what’s the best part of all about hosting brunch? You still have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy yourself before work starts again on Monday. Let Nalley Jaguar know how your recipes turn out!
 You’ve spent last month’s salary on some great wardrobe basics, but by taking care of your new favorite pieces you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Below are eight tips from Nalley Jaguar to keep your clothes looking fresh and fashionable for years to come.
1. Follow wash instructions. Those tags sewn into your clothing are there for a reason. Adhere to the guidelines and you’ll extend the lifetime of your clothes. Wash light-colored clothing with similar pieces and darks with darks. Avoid drying cotton items completely to extend the life of the fabric.
2. The rules on jeans. This wardrobe staple gets a tip all to itself: Only wash jeans when it’s absolutely necessary. This will prevent fading. More importantly with stretch jeans, it will preserve, well, the stretchiness.
3. Dry clean. Some pieces, like your favorite LBD, require gentle care. Don’t attempt to wash items that say “dry clean only” – you’ll spend more money in the long run when you have to replace damaged garments. Also, after you pick up your dry clean remove the items from the plastic covering. This is especially true if you live in a humid climate. Clothes need to breathe.
4. Tackle stains. Stains are best handled immediately. The longer you let that coffee splatter on the front of your shirt go, the more likely it’s going to be there forever. Use whatever you have handy – water, club soda, a stain remover chemical – and go to town. If you use a stain remover, follow the instructions and then wash the piece of clothing. Your quick action will be rewarded with a good-as-new garment.
5. Take pride in your closet. Imagine the clothes’ rack and shelving in your closet are that of a high-end boutique. In other words, don’t cram, crumple and crush clothes. Fold sweaters and jeans so nice it would make a salesperson proud. These simple actions will help keep your clothes in good condition, and you’ll have a new appreciation for the beautiful items showcased in your closet.
6. Avoid wire hangers. Wire can really damage clothes by stretching and reshaping fabric. If the wire rusts, it may ruin clothing beyond repair. Plastic, cloth or wood hangers are your best bet. Opt for folding heavier items like sweaters.
7. Change with the seasons. Many of us have closets the size of kitchen cupboards which means every square inch of space needs to be utilized. For people that live in colder climates, switching out clothes when the seasons change can free up a lot of room.
8. Don’t give up on damaged pieces. Holes and tears may be repairable. Also, if an item no longer fits properly, it may be possible to have it tailored. If you want to update an old basic, you can always shorten or let out a hem, remove sleeves, or add pockets. Get creative enough and your old favorite could become your new go-to piece.
 Nalley Jaguar was incredibly honored to help support local high school senior Riley Davenport’s efforts to raise funds for the Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center on March 5th at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground. Riley wanted to dedicate his school senior project to his grandfather, David Martin Davenport, who died from Alzheimer’s at a young age. Said Riley: “He was an amazing person, father, grandfather, husband, and friend. When my grandfather passed away, his wish was to donate his brain to Alzheimer’s Research at Emory University so he could help other people who were suffering from this disease and maybe one day find a cure.” The event featured a Texas Scramble round of 18 holes on the beautiful Hawks Ridge course, lunch, dinner, gift bags, a silent auction, and live music, with all proceeds benefitting Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Our thanks to the many scramblers who came out and helped this wonderful cause. Even if you weren’t able to make it, we hope you will still consider making a donation to help fund this important research. Checks can be made payable to Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and mailed to Riley Davenport, 500 Sun Valley Drive Suite H-2, Roswell, GA 30076-5640. A portion of each donation will be tax-deductible.
 Hosting a dinner party for the first time, or the seventh, can be a stressful event – the menu, the place settings, not enough burners on the stove or ovens in the kitchen to cook everything. If you’re looking to host a gathering but want something on the simpler side, try brunch.
Brunch offers the opportunity to have friends and/or family over in a less formal, more relaxing atmosphere. It can also be served buffet style, keeping with the causal theme. Brunch and Sundays seem to go hand and hand, and Sunday, after all, is the day of rest. Why not create a relatively stress-free menu by making most of the items a day ahead? This way, when your guests arrive, you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen; you’ll be able to enjoy the day, and the food, with your guests.
A staple for brunch and a total make ahead is fruit salad. Chop up the fruit the day before, combine into a bowl and refrigerate. Then on the morning of the brunch, toss with a light sauce made of sugar, ginger and lime juice.
Baked goods like blueberry muffins or scones and coffee cake can also be made the day before and will still be completely delicious the next day. No one will know you didn’t bake them fresh that morning.
Take the usual bagels and cream cheese up a notch by making a smoked salmon spread. The spread can be made the day before and chilled in the refrigerator overnight. Just combine cream cheese, chopped smoked salmon, fresh dill, sour cream, capers, salt, pepper, lemon zest and juice. Serve with sliced bagels.
A French toast casserole is also a great way to include a breakfast/brunch favorite but can also be made ahead of time. Try something different by making a savory French toast casserole instead of a sweet one. Combine six eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, chives, French bread pieces and Gruyere cheese. Refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning before guests arrive.
Another great make a head dish is a strata. Combine onions, green bell pepper, garlic, cream cheese, half-and-half, 12 eggs, day old bread, cheddar cheese and salt and pepper. Refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.
Bread pudding and quiche are also brunch staples and can easily be made ahead. With the quiche, bake it right after you make it and then heat it up again in the morning just before guests arrive. The bread pudding can be put together the day before and refrigerated until the morning of the brunch.
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate a traditional egg dish without having to cook while your guests are there, try poaching eggs for Eggs Benedict the day before. Poach eggs as you normally would but slightly undercook them. Put them in a refrigerated container filled with cold water. When you’re ready to serve, just put the eggs back into a simmering pot of water to finish the cooking process.
And what’s the best part of all about hosting brunch? You still have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy yourself before work starts again on Monday.
The Jaguar XF was first launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the car’s sporty styling and powerful specification drew a lot of praise and excitement. The XF replaced the S-Type and has remained at the cutting edge of our product line at Nalley Jaguar ever since. Just three years into its life, a facelift has been announced for the 2012 Jaguar XF, which should continue to reassure buyers that this is one cool car. Here are just some of the reasons why.
1. All trims boast an exclusive 5-liter V8 supercharged engine, which pretty much guarantees one of the fastest rides of any production car. The XFR will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.7 seconds, with a staggering 510 brake horsepower.
2. Because the JaguarDrive Selector™ takes up less room than a traditional gear selector, there is more than enough space for CD storage, the Front Media Interface, two auxiliary power sockets, and two cupholders. Another two cupholders are located in the rear center armrest, too.
3. Crystal-clear visibility is an intrinsic part of driving any vehicle, and on the XF, the headlights are about as sophisticated as you can get. The beam from the xenon head lamps will bend in the direction that you steer, and the optional Intelligent High Beam turns the full beam on and off as the road conditions dictate. Daytime running lights help maintain safety in all conditions too.
4. Interior mood lighting is becoming an increasingly popular feature in modern cars, and the XF features phosphor blue halo illumination over the majority of the car’s controls. Optionally, you can extend this lighting to the interior doors too, adding to the cool, ambient atmosphere inside the cabin.
5. It’s hard to maintain exactly the right temperature inside any car, but the XF certainly does its best. Heated front seats are available in some trims, extending to ventilated seats in other trims to keep you warm or cool. The dual-zone climate control also means that the driver and front passenger can enjoy different temperatures.
6. The XFS boasts head-turning design credentials to remind everyone of its performance heritage. The front grille and bumper design are given a sportier look for this model, with louvers on the hood featuring a ’supercharged’ motif. Look out for the ’R’ badges on the grille and trunk lid too, which act as an exclusive badge that every other driver will want.
7. Many cars have parking assist, but the XF can offer optional front and rear parking aids. The rear parking camera uses the touch screen display on the dash, with guidance lines to help direct the driver safely into an available space.
8. All XF models feature a ’winter mode’ as standard. When activated, the engine, transmission and stability all work together to maintain traction in adverse weather conditions.
9. Handling across the XF range is excellent, and is even more refined on the XF supercharged and XFR. Adaptive dynamics analyze chassis movement, driver input and wheel motion up to a staggering 500 times per second. That’s pretty amazing!
10. Adaptive cruise control encourages the most relaxing (some would say lazy) drive you can imagine. A microwave radar fitted on the front bumper will sense vehicles in front, and will adjust your speed accordingly to maintain a fixed distance, accelerating if and when the vehicle moves out of the way. All you have to do is enjoy the ride!
 Here at Nalley Jaguar, we want to share the knowledge of our experienced service staff as much as possible, so each month we ask one of our technicians to answer questions we receive from our customers in this column. This month’s question goes to our own Reggie Goldman!
Q: What are the simplest maintenance strategies to avoid car trouble?
A: The best way to keep your car running in good condition is to keep up with maintenance regularly. It is suggested to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. It is suggested to have your tires rotated every other oil change to prolong the life of your tires. If your check engine light comes on, it is suggested to bring your car in right away to give the situation immediate attention. When you come in for your regular maintenance, your technician will update you on the condition of your brakes. But if you all of a sudden hear noises or feel vibrations, then it is suggested to come in to have a technician take a look at your brakes.
Got a question for Reggie or one of our other service specialists? Leave us a comment or stop by the dealership!
Gnocchi is a classic Italian dish of pillowy soft potato dumplings that are served like pasta, with a variety of sauces, meats, and vegetables. It’s possible to get pre-made dried gnocchi at many supermarkets and specialty stores, but it’s really not that difficult to make, and the flavor and texture of homemade gnocchi is light-years better. This festive green-and-white gnocchi recipe from Nalley Jaguar gets its color from the addition of spinach to half of the dough. While it’s often served as a first course or side dish, this gorgonzola and pesto-draped version makes a hearty main dish when paired with a simple green salad.
Green and White Gnocchi with Gorgonzola and Walnut Pesto
Total Prep time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Active time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients for Walnut Pesto
1/2 cup tightly packed basil leaves
1/2 cup parsley leaves, de-stemmed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 large garlic cloves, smashed
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Ingredients for Gnocchi
2 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil
1 pound fresh spinach, rinsed, stemmed, and dried
1 pound potatoes, boiled and peeled
3/4 to 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 egg
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Walnut pesto (recipe follows)
1/2 cup gorgonzola, crumbled
Directions for Walnut Pesto
Fit a food processor with a metal blade. Place the basil, parsley, walnuts, garlic, and salt in the processor and pulse until well chopped. Mix the Parmesan cheese with the olive oil and slowly add the oil-cheese mixture to the herb mixture, pulsing to combine. Process until smooth, remove the pesto from the food processor, and set aside.
Directions for Gnocchi
Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside.
In a large pan, heat the grapeseed or olive oil over medium-high heat and add the spinach, sautéing just until the spinach begins to wilt, about 1 minute. Shock the spinach by plunging it into the prepared bowl of ice water. Remove the spinach quickly and wring it dry by hand or in a towel. Place the spinach in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Smash the potatoes using a potato masher or by running them through a food mill. Make a well in the middle of the mashed potatoes and add 3/4 cup of the flour, egg, salt, and pepper and mix to combine. Divide the dough into two equal portions and add the spinach to one half of the dough.
Knead both doughs separately, using the rest of the flour if needed. Roll each portion of dough into a 1-inch-thick rope, one green and one white. Slice the ropes into 1 inch pieces. Curl each gnocchi piece over your thumb or index finger and press with the tines of a fork to form the classic gnocchi shape.
Working in batches of 10 to 15 at a time, drop the gnocchi into the boiling water. When all the gnocchi float, use a slotted spoon to transfer them from the boiling water to a paper towel to drain. Continue until all the gnocchi are cooked. To serve, toss with the walnut pesto until well coated, transfer to plates, sprinkle with gorgonzola, and serve warm.
 The dreaded sand trap! As far as golfers are concerned, sand should be reserved for the desert or David Hasselhoff’s swim trunk lining. It is the most difficult shot in golf to master and can turn a championship caliber round into a hackfest. Here are some tips from Nalley Jaguar for digging your way out of the bunker.
- Don’t panic. It’s not like you’re in a mine field or anything dangerous. It’s just a pit of sand. Many golfers psych themselves out before they even reach the bunker. Mental strength is the calling card of a good golfer. Mental weakness and panic are the calling card of golfers who waste four strokes trying to get their ball out of the sand and end up throwing their wedge into a pond.
- Have a purpose. Think what it is you want to do. This will depend on the depth of the bunker, the location of the ball in relation to the edge of the bunker and how much sand is covering the ball. Don’t simply hope to hack the ball out when an approach shot is possible. Conversely, there’s no need to hit the pin when the best a reasonable golfer could do is get it out of the trap.
- Control the club. You don’t have the advantage of lining up your shot. You must, therefore, compensate by controlling the club better. This can be done with a narrower stance and by playing the ball a few inches forward in your stance. Choking down on the club gives you a better feel and better control.
- Establish a firm foundation. The wise man built his house upon a rock. The foolish man built his on the sand. The wise golfer should dig in deep with his feet and get as firm a stance as possible. Stability can be further enhanced by not twisting your hips and keeping your body still as you swing.
- Alter your normal swing. Swing with your arms and keep it vertical. Bringing the club straight back is nice for hitting the ball a long way when you’re on the fairway, but you’re not on the fairway. When you come down, hit the sand about an inch behind the ball, follow through with your body and arms, and remember that a steep angle is the key for moving the ball forward and out of the bunker.
- Practice. Many golfers neglect this important part of their game. Practicing these techniques will make the sand shot more relaxed and almost fun. Maybe.
 Spectacular, flower-laden golf courses, festivals and beautiful weather dominate the Georgia vacation experience in the spring.
Here are five ways we at Nalley Jaguar like to stop, smell the flowers and enjoy the “Peach State” in the spring:
The Masters
Staged in early April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, The Masters, one of golf’s four majors, is recognized in the golf universe as one of the most prized victories in professional golf. The tournament began in 1934, and since 1949, the winner has been awarded the coveted green jacket. Masters tickets, unfortunately, are very difficult to obtain, as tickets are only sold to members of a patrons list. To see a practice round, you must make an application nearly a year in advance to be part of a random ballot. The course, designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, is touted as one of the most beautiful in the world.
Golf
One look at Augusta National Golf Club on television in April with its stunningly brilliant azaleas and dogwoods, and you’ll have no doubt that spring is a fabulous time to play golf in Georgia. Unfortunately, Augusta National is a super-private club – you’ll need to know a member if you even want a chance to play. That said, other Georgia courses with magnificent, colorful foliage include the two courses at Sea Island Resort on St. Simons Island, Lake View course at Callaway Gardens Resort, and the Jones Creek Golf Club in Augusta.
Inman Park Festival
Inman Park was Atlanta’s first planned community, dating back to the 1800s. Every year on the last full weekend in April, the community stages a large neighborhood festival that includes a Tour of Homes, parade, live music and dance performances, a Kidzone, and a wild and crazy footrace called the Rocket Run & Caterpillar Cruise, where people dress up in outlandish costumes and compete as teams. Other activities include an arts and crafts market, street market and food vendors selling pizza, barbecue, funnel cakes, gyros and other street festival food favorites.
Savannah
This historic city, with its shady town squares, Civil War-era buildings and fabulous restaurants (after all, it is home to Paula Deen), hosts more than 200 festivals a year. Among the happenings in spring are the Daily Cannon Firings at Old Fort Jackson between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Spring Steam Days from mid-March to mid-April, when you can ride a restored steam locomotive at the Georgia State Railroad Museum; and the Spring Garden Festival in late March at the Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens, where you can attend gardening lectures and shop at plant and craft booths.
Saint Simons Island
Grab your bicycle and head to Saint Simons Island, a barrier island near Brunswick, which has a series of excellent bike paths that take you through areas with shady, moss-draped oaks, salt marshes and historical sights. Among the places to see are the Fort Frederica National Monument, Bloody Marsh Battle Site and Saint Simons Lighthouse.
Jaguar has long been known for classic British luxury, but with the introduction of the C-X75 hybrid supercar, the automaker can now take credit for being a technologically-advanced, environmentally conscious innovator.
The C-X75 uses a turbine-based range-extender that produces enough power to be competitive among today’s most high-performance supercars that use conventional means to produce speed. Where these normal supercars are not known for either their fuel efficiency or environmental friendliness, these are two areas where the C-X75 excels, in addition to its sleek styling and innovations.
At the 10th annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards in Detroit, MI, the Jaguar C-X75 won the award for Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2011, as well as also receiving the Concept Car of the Year award.
More than two dozen jurors were part of the selection process that included 29 total vehicles, with the Jaguar C-X75 topping other high-profile concepts such as the Audi Quattro, Mazda Shinari, and Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid.
“We decided we’d design to indulge ourselves,” Jaguar’s Design Director, Ian Callum, told car buff Jay Leno in this AutoMotoTV video above. Watch the whole clip for a fascinating chat between Ian and Jay tracing the car’s design influences back to the Jaguar XJ13 and introducing some key features of those two jet turbines.
While many concept cars never make it into the driveways of eager consumers, we at Nalley Jaguar are excited to announce that the C-X75 is actually slated to go into production—meaning you could eventually be the proud owner of one of these ultra-sleek, uber-efficient award winners. We’ll be sure to keep you posted of any future developments, or you can register to receive future notifications by clicking on the “Keep Me Informed” button on the Jaguar website.
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