Rules, rules and more rules: there are rules for almost everything, some of which must be followed and some which should be followed. Wine is in the same class as there are rules on serving, pouring, storing, the bottle shape, the "proper” glasses, the stopper and on and on ad infinitum. more

Fall is my second favorite season. I love having my house opened up with the delicious fresh air and sounds of nature drifting through the windows. I love the crisp, cool mornings and the warm afternoon sun. I mourn the shrinking of long days and the fading of green, but the stretch of time that creates a landscape of fall color captivates me. more

It finally happened. After a stifling summer in the broiler, fall temperatures dipped to a crisp, cool 58 degrees. And that meant it was time for the annual changing of the closet. more

Have you ever taken an interest in Thomas Jefferson? Not because he was one of the founders of our country or even as our third President but as a wine lover who had dreams for the newly emerging country becoming a producer of fine wines. more

Jesus told the parable of two men who went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (considered by the people to be good) who prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” The other was a tax collector (considered by the people to be “bad”) who stood at a distance, beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:9-14 NIV). more

Over the past weekend, I commented to Darren that I had noticed a difference in the amount of hot water I was able to utilize at one time. If the washing machine or dishwasher is running, I tend to run out of hot water while taking a shower, which is a change. more

There. I said it. more

There are wines produced in all price ranges from the very affordable to the just barely affordable to the “if we don’t eat for a week, we can afford it.” The question must then arise, “Is the wine worth it?” more

It used to be a common acknowledgment that all have sinned. Of course, no one likes going around saying, “I’m a sinner.” The personal acknowledgment of sin is embarrassing and humbling. Even in the Church, people don’t actually like to confess their sins. Yet that is exactly what God says is required in order to find forgiveness! The Bible states it this way: “If we confess and forsake our sin, we will find forgiveness; but whoever hides their sin will not prosper.” more

Dear Ragweed, more

Just about the time that our clocks “fall back,” and the leaves on the trees are turning red or golden, we begin to think about the approaching end of the year celebrations of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s, and the grand get-togethers with family and friends. It is also the time of the year that we look to sparkling wines as our beverage of celebration and after all, what is a celebration without a sparkling beverage to brighten the occasion? more

Nearly 220 million American adults turn to their local newspapers regularly for news and information they need to stay informed, feel more connected to their neighbors and improve their lives and communities. more

I was getting ready to can homemade applesauce. Hair up, hands washed, kettle of water heating on the stove. I tied on the old apron I had picked up at Nostalgia Vintage and put my hand into the front pocket. more

Something very interesting has happened within the world of wines. The classical varieties of cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay have found two new champions. more

BEFORE more

Dear friends, I hope that you are well this day. This past month has been a difficult season for me. A routine surgery (hysterectomy) became something totally un-routine as complications ensued, which placed me in the hospital for several days. more

Once upon a time, during a moonlit night, an unsuspecting woman descended the steps of her backyard deck and stepped onto the stone patio. Her three rambunctious dogs raced past her, eager to hit the grass and sniff out the perfect place to pee before bedtime. more

It looks like the doom and gloom preachers are on their anti-wine crusade again, as I recently read several newspaper columns on the evils of wine – not alcohol, but wine. more

A cool day or two can have us thinking about autumn leaves and cups of hot chocolate. Sadly, the yellow leaves appearing on trees around us are due to extreme drought conditions rather than autumnal weather. Keep in mind that the past year of below-average rainfall will result in the loss of some trees and plants both in the short term and long term. more

I miss the writers. The Writers Guild of America went on strike in early May, and it has been a creative wasteland on television ever since. Most of the shows Tom and I used to watch won't be back with new episodes this fall. Lately, we've been flipping through over 100 channels, amazed that there are so many options yet so little we want to see. more