Why fall in Sonoma rules

The leaves on the endless rows of vines have begun their sudden change from lush, emerald green to restrained shades of burnt orange and rust, to startling gold and scarlet. The long months without rain left a thick layer of sparkling dust on the... Continue

On friendship and breast-healthy foods

October. It isn’t just Birthday Month, it also happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 37 years old. 37! That number boggles my mind. I didn’t know her then, and she is -- thank... Continue

Birthday month!

October. Birthday month. I can hear the sighs and see the eye-rolling from my friends. Yes, October is my birthday month, but, let me assure you, last year’s bacchanalia of birthday festivities was just a one-time thing. I promise. Now, don’t get me wrong,... Continue

Kristin’s grocery goodies

I love grocery shopping. I truly do. Run out of milk and I am the first to jump up and offer to go get some. Sure, I know that I will need food tomorrow, but I think I will just get enough for today so I... Continue

Goodbye summer, you were delicious

Summer is officially over, the first day of autumn arriving this week with a noticeable change in the air, a certain crispness that wasn’t here just a few days ago, a tinge of color dotting trees here and there that were all green yesterday, it... Continue

What’s cookin’ Sonoma?

Harvest time in Sonoma, when the light is low and golden and the shorter days start chilly and clear and the afternoon sunshine persists in all of its heavenly warmth. As the grapes are picked, gone from the vines magically overnight, the leaves begin to... Continue

Meet Cafe La Haye’s Chef Jeffrey Llyod

Every town needs a charming little neighborhood spot to pop into for a lovely Friday night date, a quick bowl of pasta any old evening, or a special occasion dinner with your sweetie. Cafe La Haye is exactly that sort of spot. There is never... Continue

Hey good lookin’ whatcha got cookin’?

It hadn’t dawned on me until very recently that whenever my life gets a little tough, a little sad, a little rough, I instinctually end up in the kitchen. So, it happens that this past, very difficult year, the kitchen has literally saved my sanity... Continue

Summer makes everything taste better

There is hardly a thing, I think it safe to say, that a long, lovely drive in a convertible won’t cure. I believe this to be especially true when the day is a sparkling, late summer Sonoma stunner and the destination includes a fancy, four-star... Continue

Meet Chef Ari Weiswasser, Glen Ellen’s newest food star

Wine Country is utterly amazing. It is still mind boggling to me that in the middle of a tiny little town like Glen Ellen there is not one, but rather multiple fantastic restaurants. With the recent opening of Glen Ellen Star, that teeny town got... Continue