by Michelle McDermott Each morning, as my sons wriggle to escape their goodbye kiss from me, I have my pink Noodle bottle waiting and ready for action. Conditioning hair polish, initially formulated to smooth children’s bed head, is in my secret cache of products used to send them to school looking halfway presentable. A quick…
by Michelle McDermott Moving into my newly re-modelled house, a persistent but delightful smell would swirl around my nostrils. I was so intrigued by this aroma, that I called the previous owner’s realtor to figure out its identity. Sadly, to no avail. Yes! smell is powerful and emotional and this played a major part in…
OK — so it may not be the most exotic destination in the world, but it sure is one of the most beautiful, and my mom and sister have never been there, and for food & wine lovers like us, participating in the 22nd ANNUAL LAKE TAHOE AUTUMN FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL, SEPT. 13-16,…
My Mommy (and best friend) is having a Big Birthday, September 17th. The only hint I’ll give you is that she’s still holding firm in the double-digits, and she did not want to stay at home where her other not-so-young friends would throw her a not-so-surprising birthday party. Ugh. So my East coast sis and…
We were somewhat on the fence about visiting Ascona, in the Ticino Region of Switzerland. For starters, we weren’t thrilled with the long schlep to get there– a train then a bus ride to yet another train to a taxi, sounded exhausting. Plus, I had never heard a peep before about this area. However, once…
Seated on the banquette next to a stylish woman of a certain age, I asked: “How long have you been coming to the “Kulm?” “Oh, my dear,” she replied with a twinkle in her eye, “Why, we’ve been visiting here for the past 45 years.” Mingling with other (mostly veteran) guests at the champagne cocktail…
I just returned from the Family Winemakers of California Wine Tasting event.. so I have a good excuse for any typos/mispellings that follow. the Family Winemakers of California may be an “organization that reflects the ‘little guy’s’ point of view” but with over 400 wineries represented (and at least 1000 different wines), it offers one…