Feeling peachy

People are already starting to talk about summer in the past tense and it makes me want to cry. I’ve heard the hushed mention of back-to-school and thought, really? I mean, there are still green tomatoes on the vine. And darn it, I have not... Continue

Slow-noma, U.S.A.

Sonoma is easily the most delicious town I have ever lived in, easily the most delicious town in the states. From our spectacular farmer’s markets, wonderful grocery store, and farm-focused restaurants it is truly simple to follow the ‘Slow Food’ way of living and eating:... Continue

Eating West Marin

If I closed my eyes briefly, then opened them slowly, taking in the curious scene around me: the vintage, four-foot-tall stuffed stork perched above the entry, hovering, beady eyes watching, and the silver-haired, artsy, well-to-do hippy diners quietly raising forks and paper thin wine glasses... Continue

Talking tasty tomatoes

There is one wonderfully delicious result of this month’s relentless heat… tomatoes! This past weekend, I practically lived on the most gorgeous tomatoes I snapped up at Friday’s market. That evening, I whipped up a luxurious batch of tarragon-filled homemade mayonnaise that we slathered all... Continue

Summer, for Sonomans

I am always torn which season in Sonoma I like the most. I do love those cozy, wintery, wet days. Spring, there are the fresh peas, the asparagus, the roses, the first days in flip flops. Harvest consumes Wine Country in the fall and that is... Continue

Everything in its place

I recently read an insightful, elegantly stated blurb from the famously perfect chef of The French Laundry, Thomas Keller. It was about how by using the culinary concept of ‘mise en place’ — French for ‘put in place’ — in his cooking, and everyday life, allowed... Continue

Sonoma’s fabulous farm stands

The small town farm stand. There may not be a means of shopping for food that brings me more joy. Saturday dawns and I begin plotting my day, which will inevitably revolve around an unhurried stop at one of Sonoma’s many delightful farm stands. We... Continue

High Five pops-up with Korean fried chicken in Guerneville

The itsy bitsy town of Guerneville, it’s Main Street lined with towering redwoods, seedy looking roadhouse-style bars, and small town gift emporiums, is one of those Wine Country towns that always leaves me wide-eyed in wonder. In what feels like the middle of nowhere, here... Continue

The 2013 Market report

The woodsy, heavenly smelling smoke hovers over the horseshoe, making my stomach growl and as I approach the Plaza, I am ridiculously happy to see the bright white tops of the market tents through the (finally) green leaves of the trees. It is officially Tuesday... Continue

Beach in a bottle

I am only back from the beach a few days when the craving for the hot, golden sun on my skin and soft sand beneath my feet, the smell of tropical fruit, of ocean, and coconut sunscreen -- that unmistakable beachy smell -- overwhelms me. The... Continue

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