From Chile comes the southern hemisphere's version of the oenological mighty handful: a cabernet sauvignon, a pinot noir, a sauvignon blanc and, for added color, a rosé, all of which have been organically grown and are also vegan. more

The irises are blooming in April, which has never happened at my place in more than 20 years. Everything is a couple of weeks early this year which means gardeners need to be very observant. If you trim back your spring-blooming shrubs, such as lilac and wiegela, those tasks will happen sooner than in years past. Other late spring and early summer tasks will also need to be adjusted. more

Chocolate chip cookies, the Slinky, Play-Doh, Post-It notes, and potato chips. The one thing they all have in common is this: They’re losers. more

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 22 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, April 30. It is a holiday that celebrates a time when, at the last of the 10 plagues that struck Egypt in Biblical times, the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Israelites. more

I worked outside this past weekend, clearing last year’s plant debris from my native beds, and as I raked, I found myself dreaming of summer foods. more

As losses go, this isn't a big one. I shouldn't even care. Still, I'm sad about it. It's hard to accept that the best jeans in my closet – and possibly the world – are on their last threads. more

It’s that time of the year again. The time when all traces of winter begin to dissipate and the fresh new palette of spring begins to unfold. more

Did you know that Wednesday, April 17 is officially National Malbec Day? It is a day devoted to celebrating one of the most underrated red wines in the whole of Windom. more

I'm lucky that my first professional writing job was in a newsroom because it taught me something important: You don't need a perfect environment to get work done. You don't need silence, an organized room, a particular candle, or a big chunk of time. more

I’ve been married just shy of 12 years. That’s (barely) long enough for me to feel qualified to give the young’uns some advice as we head into the 2024 wedding season. So here it is, ladies and gentlemen, brides and grooms: more

"You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness." James 1:19-20 more

Two days ago, while sitting at my desk attempting to be a productive human, a noise broke my focus and nearly broke my window, too. more

I was always a fan of Rev. Doyle Sager. He once said something profound I can’t forget: He prayed, “God help us through this time when relationships are so confused.” I also liked this: My friend Lisa told me, “When he’s going to talk about something controversial, he says, ‘I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me. I’m going to say this three times.’” And then he did. more

Among the more popular white wine varieties throughout Europe is the riesling, a wine that for centuries had been presented in various levels of sweetness in an attempt to mitigate its often high acidity but rarely, if ever, as a totally dry wine. When the most famous riesling in Germany called Berncasteler Doctor was sold in 1882, the final price was a whopping 17 gold marks per vine, which indicated the popularity of the variety. more

It’s very likely that you’ve already heard people talking about Easter being over — and maybe even said so yourself. While I’ll agree that Easter Sunday is past, Easter is a season of 40 days that Christians have observed for centuries — reminding us of this reality of the Risen Jesus that St. Luke wrote in The Acts of the Apostles: “He [Jesus] presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (1:3). more

I’m concerned about my eyes. Oh, not my vision. It’s still bad. No, I’m concerned because the “German” is coming and coming quickly. more

Chardonnay is a name that indicates the height of excellence and, at times, the pit of mediocrity. more

For months now, I've been eating breakfast with a goose. more

I have a long to-do list waiting for me after I write this column. So long, in fact, that I might be able to get through the day without thinking too much about what day it actually is. Today is March 15. The Ides of March. The day before my son’s birthday. Diagnosis day. more

Wines, like clothing fashions, have their distinct seasons. Now, it is the season that we move away from the heavier red wines of winter and move toward the lighter white and rose wines that are popular during the warmer seasons. more