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THE 12 WINES OF CHRISTMAS

12 bottles of christmas

As the holiday week nears, we prepare in our home to celebrate Christmas en masse, as only can be accomplished when the Cichello clan gathers.  Seven kids in ten years, all now with life partners, thirteen grandchildren, four dogs, and a bun in the oven.  We are massive numbers, and now that so many of the grandchildren are grown adults, we ... Read More »

LIVING IN A WHEAT-LESS WORLD

GF eggplant parm

So much talk of Grandma (click here) led to a major hankering for her eggplant parmigiana.  In my now wheat-defying life (click here), eggplant parmigiana has been absent since December of 2013.  Waaaaay too long! I did find a local restaurant that offers gluten free options for many traditional Italian dishes.  The problem is, you need to plan well in ... Read More »

OLD FAITHFUL

photo-14

One of the great things about going to a wine store is getting to pick something new. But sometimes, just sometimes, the selection is lacking or overwhelming or the salesperson is unhelpful (or MIA) or I’m too tired (or in too much of a hurry). And that’s when it’s wonderful to stumble across something you recognize and know will deliver ... Read More »

MY LAST MEAL ON THIS PLANET

top-chef-masters

Ending my series of blogs from Ireland, I wrap with the final thoughts from our return flight home.  We are a highly distractible family, admittedly.  Okay, not my siblings and all, but me and my husband and kids, yes. A favorite line from The Holy Grail that personifies us, at the Bridge of Death while facing the Gorge of Peril:  ... Read More »

BEST CITIES ON THE PLANET?

cupola2

What are your all time favorite cities? Boston and DC on the east coast rate highest for me.  San Fran knocked my socks off out west. But Madrid…  Madrid holds a special place in my heart. De Madrid al cielo!  From Madrid to heaven!  That was the marketing slogan in place the first time I went to live in Madrid. ... Read More »

EVERYONE WALKS THEIR OWN CAMINO…

Santiago sky

There are many roads to Santiago, and there are many reasons for walking there.  Equally, there are many circumstances for how we all, as individuals, choose to walk the Camino. Today we arrived in Santiago, around 1:45 pm.  We ran into people we knew in the plaza in front of the Cathedral, and snapped photos happily away, in a dry ... Read More »

CHURCHILL’S… MUCH MORE THAN A STODGY PORT WINE

porto riverfront

Pre-Camino mandatory stop:  Porto, Portugal, where you are greeted at the reception desk in your hotel with a glass of Port wine.  Not a bad way to start a vacation pilgrimage! After some 16 hours en route, Porto greeted us with sun, smiles and lovely tannins.  A quick nap at the elegant Hotel Park Atlantic, a shower, and we were ready ... Read More »

TREATISE ON YOGA PANTS

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Yes, the most comfortable pants in the world are yoga pants. But they were made to be worn to yoga class. Or at your own home, when guests are not coming over. Unless you run yoga classes at your home. Please, please, women!  Keep your yoga pants where they belong!  They are a small slice of heaven, regardless of your ... Read More »

2012’s FAVORITE MENTAL SNAPSHOT

yellow lab

I tend to forget to take pictures.  I’ve been known to show up at children’s recitals and graduations without a camera.  (Kindergarten graduation really isn’t graduation, right?)  The smartphone technology helps you feels less the lousy parent idiot, but even then, there are times when I prefer to kick back and enjoy a scene, never once thinking to record it ... Read More »

MATURANA IN DA HOOOOOUUUUSE!

vino

So the Mayans were wrong, and in considering the end of our planet, I discovered that this fantastic, rediscovered Maturana grape is now available in the United States, from the Barón de Ley vineyards in the Rioja Baja region. WOOT!  WOOT! I love the story behind the grape, too.  Traditionally, vineyards in the Rioja region intermingled their vines in the ... Read More »

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