counting down

Two hours until our New Year's Eve dinner, a Southern-themed extravaganza featuring a collaborative effort from our kitchen, Whit...

first stop

I arrived in L.A. yesterday. The weather was sunny with only the very slightest winter chill (I actually felt silly with a coat)....

seeking sol

Since I can't seem to click my heels together the right number of times or pick the winning Lotto numbers to magically transport...

the christmas burrito

While others dined on turkey and ham and pies and puddings, we discovered the Taqueria Santa Cruz taco truck.Feliz Navidad indeed....

bah!

Usually, 95 percent of the time, Christmas is my favorite holiday. But this year, it feels like just another item to check off on...

the unveiling

Here's to a great grand opening for Tillerman! (And Taoist priests with great shoes!)The event went really well. Plenty of people...

learn more, want more

This is the photo I took in late October of the brand-spanking-new tea shop I am doing the PR for. (Yes, in addition to my full-time...

frock

This is Mari's holiday dress.(It's also possible that she may kill me in my sleep tonight.)...

six minutes of fame

Had my "big TV debut" today -- I did a segment on Australian sparkling wine on "The View From the Bay," a daytime talkshow based...

booby prize

This is the "prize" that goes to the last place wine at our tasting group meetings. (It's also known as "vag-wine-a." For real.)And...

fire up the stove, get fat

Also known as How I Keep Warm When It's Ridiculously Cold Out.Today was chilly, overcast and all-around ugly, so I stayed indoors...

addicted

I don't know what it is. Maybe the wrestling with the electric hand mixer. Or the way the batter looks when it's reached ideal consistency....