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

For many, many years, I had a fairly serious addiction to New Orleans’ style coffee and chicory.  Each morning, lingering for longer then necessary, I would sit and watch the sun rise with my oversized mug of strong, milky café au lait.  I always brewed... Continue

You know when it was so hot last week?  Out came the first of what I am sure will be many of my favorite to make cold, cold, raw vegetable summer salads.  I stopped at the Fruit Basket on my way into town: a Sunday... Continue

I am a daddy’s girl.  I adore my dad for many reasons: his huge loopy smile, the big hugs he doles out generously, his kooky addiction to radio trivia contests… but it is his love for food that makes me most happy. I can’t say that... Continue

The long languid days of summer are almost here!  With these wonderful sunshiny days come picnics, hikes, warm afternoons sipping wine in the Plaza, and festive barbecues in the backyard.  It is truly difficult to even consider traveling away from Sonoma when it is just... Continue

Sonoma, I have some good news and I have some bad news.  The good news is very, very, very good.  It is very yummy news to say the least.  I could not be happier to report that we are about to get a whole lot... Continue

I love that shake-ah, shake-ah noise: ice rattling ferociously in a stainless cocktail shaker.  The crunch-crunch sound of ice, fruit, citrus, herbs being muddled... all happy sounds of a cocktail being prepared.  The heady aromas of mint being crushed beneath sugar and lime, the glorious anticipation... Continue

If only because of strawberries, spring is one of my favorite times of year.  I wouldn’t dream of picking them up anywhere but at the Watmaugh strawberry patch, where each berry is jewel-like, sticky sweet, and tooth-achingly perfect.  I adore the fact that at just... Continue