College friends of mine get together every summer for an annual birthday party. Well, not just a birthday party. The birthday party is the capper on a week-long reunion at a low-key vacation spot (think: Bend, OR or Cape Cod, MA). What started out as a lobster-and-Freixenet dinner party in a college fraternity house (more … Continue reading Weekend Cocktail: Orange Margarita
Ah, limoncello! That little glass of sunshine on a cloudy day (or a sunny day, or... any day). Limoncello is lemony-sweet boozy goodness that you can enjoy as an apertif, a digestif, or anywhere in between. If you've got some patience, lemons, clear alcohol of at least 80 proof (vodka, for example), and simple syrup, … Continue reading I Got Sunshine: DIY Organic Limoncello
Passover starts this evening at sundown, Lent is coming to an end, and Easter is on Sunday. There will be Seders and Second Seders and brunches (oh my!). In short, it's a weekend to hang with your nearest and dearest, enjoy their company and indulge a bit -- or a lot. Whether you want a … Continue reading Recipe: Local Salty Dog
Phew! December has been a whirlwind, hasn't it?! Between end-of-the-year everything (and if you're a business owner and/or financial type, you definitely know what I mean), not to mention the onslaught of holidays, there's hardly been time to catch up. And yet, here we are at the tail end of 2014! The Winter Solstice has … Continue reading Hello, It’s Me: Christmas Toddy
It's here! It's here! Stormpocalypse has blown in to the Bay Area! I don't know about you, but I'm hunkered down at home today. The first message on my phone this morning was a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service. Yikes! Well, so far that hasn't happened, but the warning sealed the deal … Continue reading Ridin’ the Storm Out
I'll keep this short because, well, I know you're slammed with preparations for the Big Day. Maybe you've got pies in the oven, turkey brining in the fridge (or already in the smoker)... or you're just scratching your head trying to figure out where everything and everyone is going to fit. I feel ya! Come … Continue reading Drink Local: It’s Another Thanksgiving Sunrise…
Sometimes you just gotta bail... hit the road... get outta Dodge. Take a vay-cay-shun. I love my little corner of the 650, but it's good to travel and see the rest of the world from time to time. I'd been fantasizing about a trip to Puerto Rico -- especially Old San Juan -- since the … Continue reading Field Trip: Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
According to the calendar, summer is just about half over -- which means that there's still six weeks left to enjoy! (Officially, summer started on June 21 and ends on September 22 this year.) Sure, if the kids are heading back to school in a few weeks, or work starts getting busy again right after … Continue reading Summer Check-In: 650 Blackberry Mojito
While visiting my parents in the midwest earlier this month, I learned three things: The town where I grew up built a new police station directly across the street from my old house. Seriously. Right. Across. The. Street. (Good thing that didn't happen while I was in high school -- just sayin'!) I am lucky, … Continue reading Spicy Cucumber Margaritas
It's summer! Just writing those words brings a smile to my face. (Could you tell that it's my favorite time of year?) How did you mark the official arrival of summer? Did you barbecue at home with the family and neighbors? Take your kids to the park for a picnic? Pass a leisurely afternoon day … Continue reading Field Trip: Celebrating Summer with CUESA
