Let's eat, drink and be merry!
Forget burgers and hot dogs; grilled pork chops and peaches are the summer shocker you didn’t know you needed. The smoky sweetness of caramelized peaches with juicy pork is a match made in grilling heaven. It’s not just tasty—it’s a feast for the eyes and a nutrition win too. Get grilling, folks!
Welcome to summer, the season of sunburns, mosquitoes, and backyard BBQs!
How Getting Sidetracked Led Me to Start an Etsy Store Hey there, fabulous people! It’s your friendly neighborhood entrepreneur with a knack for getting derailed and sidetracked. Today, I’m here to regale you with the hilarious and unlikely tale of how my meticulously planned life […]
Once upon a time, this site was dedicated to me as a Thriller/Mystery writer. The same can be said for my Facebook Author page, which I hadn’t posted on in five years (as of this writing). Yup. Last post was October 15, 2019. Then the […]
Yes, my friends, I am old school. Tech today is so far beyond where things started for the masses it’s the stuff movies were made of. I got hooked on tech stuff very early on. For instance, I’m OG Commodore 64, baby.  I know I’m […]
As I sit down to pen this blog post, I find myself teetering on the precipice of anticipation – the creation of my very first audiobook hangs delicately in the balance. What began as a mere whisper of an idea has now evolved into a […]
Yep, another trip around the sun, another year of questionable life choices, and another chance to reflect on the joys of getting older as a woman. Spoiler alert: it totally sucks!
Wine possesses an inherent elegance that transcends mere liquid refreshment. It’s like poetry in a bottle, with each sip a verse that dances on the palate. Perhaps it’s the way it effortlessly pairs with a gourmet meal, transforming a simple dinner into a symphony of […]
Elevate your grilled cheese to something that comforts to the core! This Pan Fried Mushroom and Cheese Sandwich is simple and oh so yummy!
Happy Holidays? The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, seeing family and friends you haven’t seen for a long time.
This past weekend Southern California was hit with it’s first tropical storm in 84 years. After years of drought, Mother Nature decided to have a bit of fun with us by sending Hurricane Hilary and a 5.1 earthquake. The earthquake was minor by our standards […]
To quote a famous Jim Carrey character… Some body stop meee! These bubbles are addictive. I mean seriously addictive. Bright, light, beautifully balanced and oh so refreshing on a smoldering summer day. This rose gold pink potion is an absolute must try. LVE = Legend […]
This was a very pleasant surprise of a wine and a perfect warm weather sipper. Although I personally would have considered a Demi-sec (off-dry) wine, that is a completely different bottle than this. Not being a huge fan of sweeter wines, the fresh tartness balances […]
I will be honest here. I am not a big fan of Chardonnay and will usually opt for ABC (Anything BUT Chardonnay) when given the chance. This wine changed all of that. In a word – GORGEOUS. LVE is John Legend’s label, Legend Vinyard Exclusive, […]
THE SCORE… Ratings are based on a simple 1 to 10 scale. The bar makes it easy to see where each component falls on the scale, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest.” This was a beautiful, fruit forward Syrah that I […]
Arborio rice. A stout little Italian grain named after a town west of the Sesia river, at the top of the boot that shapes Italy. Everyone wants to eat it! But no one really wants to cook it. Why? It takes PATIENCE! You simply cannot […]
Alexandria Nicole Cellars brings us this beautiful “Pinky Swear” Rosé that is as approachable as it is sophisticated. From Columbia Valley, Washington, this fresh sippable vintage has juicy peach, watermelon and strawberry fruits with hints of flowers and herbs. Light and dry, it’s a perfect […]
I had never heard of the Valdiguie grape before I was introduced to this wine. What a lovely surprise! Beautifully fruit forward and oh so easy to drink. Juicy pomegranate and dried fruits, just the perfect amount of oak and spice with a smooth, long […]
Wisdom Point 2021 Grenache Blanc is crisp and refreshing with ripe citrus and stone fruit flavors. A lovely alternative to Chardonnay.
A wine club worth joining… I’ve mentioned before that I am a huge fan of Naked Wines but I need to make sure you know about my second love, Firstleaf. Perhaps “second love” is incorrect. I suppose it’s like having twin children. You love them […]
His Majesty the Beast.
Alright! So today I am starting this section of the site in the hopes of giving more cohesion to my “vision“. Getting it together in a vacuum is absolutely exhausting. My poor cousin is the only person I have to bug for feedback and I […]
Vadouvan Curried Rack of Lamb
Nothing can be as versatile, or as boring, as chicken. As a lean protein, chicken is a healthy meat that us carnivores turn to over and over again. Finding exciting ways to transform this bird can be a fowl challenge. (See what I did there?) […]
That magical elixir that is Châteauneuf-du-Pape made a serious impact on my pallate.
I need to give you a little backstory here so you understand why I am writing about this piece of machinery. I am not a city girl, nor am I a country girl, although if I had to pick one or the other, I would […]
There really is nothing like a great steak and a good glass of Cabernet. A made in heaven pair, by any account. But finding a go-to, quick and easy way to whip up a really great steak can often seem daunting and it’s not always […]
Have you ever gone to a fancy restaurant and taken the time to actually look at what has gone into your meal? The actual work? Have you noticed the even cuts of the vegetables? The precision? It’s true skill, let me tell you! One of […]
From a very early age I had fear of the pressure cooker steamed into me. Horror stories of screws blowing off like bullets, lids shooting up like rockets, 3rd degree burns and molten lava food painting kitchen walls. My mother was the primary source of […]
I had been getting these little cards in my deliveries for over a year. A little credit card sized thing that said “NakedWines” on it. I already belong to a wine club so I would just toss those cards in the recycle bin. Until the […]
If you have ever watched any food show you probably have heard the chef say “simple and fresh” more than a dozed times. Easy for them to say, right? They lay out these gorgeous plates of yum that they used tweezers to get everything in […]
Let’s take ham and eggs to a new level, shall we? Even a dollop of pesto over perfectly poached eggs completely elevates the dish. I try to keep a jar in the fridge at all times for just such occasions. It’s so simple yet so […]
Food is life. It nourishes, comforts, heals, rejuvenates and can fill the soul with joy. It can unite families, bridge gaps, make new friends and inspire. Food can transport the senses to far away places and break through cultural barriers. When approached with an open […]
Yes, you heard me right, balsamic vinegar and strawberries. Combine that with the creamy lushness of whipped mascarpone and you have a dessert worthy of licking the plate. Chances are you have a bottle of balsamic in your pantry right now. We use it for […]
You haven’t lived until you have experienced the smell of fresh baked Ciabatta wafting through the house. That heavenly aroma that just wraps your senses in a warm blanket of yum. Seriously, it’s better than Xanax. During the Covid lock-down, I think half the known […]
My sister is the baker in our family, I admit it. However, my mother loves the Raspberry Linzer cookies from our favorite deli and with things are what they are, I had to get creative and roll up my sleeves. These cookies are from the […]
Pavlova was named after the legendary Russian Imperial Ballet’s Prima Ballerina, Anna Pavlova. I knew that. That’s about all I knew. I had absolutely no clue that the Pavlova was an ongoing origin war between Australia and New Zealand! Can you believe that? Or do […]
I am a huge mushroom fan. What vegetable do you know, personally, that can fit in at any party or even replace meat in a dish? Seriously, add a ton of mushrooms to that marinara and you will never miss the meat. Ever try a […]
When I really fell in love with wine, I knew I wanted to know more. I found such a huge respect for the winemakers, grape growers and every hand that had ever picked a grape since the dawn of time. I will never pick up […]