2022 was one hell of a roller coaster year. I started the year by getting a new-to-me car (yay!!). In March, my aunt passed away after a hellish battle with brain cancer (boo! F*ck cancer!). Over the summer, I got a significant raise (yay!!). Somewhere in the fall, I started working waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much. Like […]
In My Backyard
Five Takeaways from the Wine Media Conference

I just returned from a weekend at the always entertaining, yet still educational, Wine Media Conference. This conference was put on the backburner in 2020 because of Covid restrictions. This year, we saw a smaller conference, but it wasn’t scaled down in terms of quality content. I *loved* the slower pace of this conference. After […]
Invading the Southern Willamette Valley: Wine Media Conference 2021
*Disclaimer* In exchange for a discounted registration fee, I agreed to write a set number of posts in regards to WMC content. Hear ye, hear ye! Wine Media “Summer Camp” is back! This year, members of the wine trade and media will take over the Southern Willamette Valley and the city of Eugene, OR. I […]
Shutdown Diaries – AGAIN???
So if you haven’t been paying attention, parts of the US are shutting down again. Here in Washington, where this sites World HQ is, we are in a strict lockdown. Restaurants and bars (including wineries, distilleries, and breweries) are either to-go only or outdoor dining. Some places have chose to close completely, as it doesn’t […]
Takeaways from the Wine Media Conference
So I’ve had some time to fully digest what was presented at the Virtual Wine Media Conference. I had a few key takeaways that I’m going to summarize here. I need to up my photo game. From lighting to composition, I need to up my game. Period. I spent a fair amount of money on […]
Coming out of hiding.
Well, real life has certainly applied since I last posted. After a crazy summer, there’s a lot to report. But I’ll start with what I’ve been drinking … 2017 Shallow Seas Rosé This stunning rosé from Real Nice Winemakers is a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling blend. The nose is full of nectarine and wild […]
Dining Al Fresco: A Night at a Classic Steakhouse
**Disclaimer: I was invited to this dinner as a guest of Husum Riverside Bed and Breakfast. As always, my opinions are my own.** When you think steakhouse, what do you think? I often think of a formal atmosphere with blindingly white tablecloths, perfectly set tables, and a rich, dark interior. Well, take that thinking and […]
The Figure 8: Analemma Wines
According to Merriam Webster, an analemma is defined as, “a plot or graph of the position of the sun in the sky at a certain time of day (as noon) at one locale measured throughout the year that has the shape of a figure 8; also : a scale (as on a globe or sundial) […]
Keeping it Authentic, Storytelling and #goingrogue: A Recap of #IFBC15
I just got home from a fun-filled weekend in Seattle and the International Food Blogger Conference. To summarize the weekend into a blog post is, in all honesty, downright impossible. This weekend always serves as a way to meet new people, like Shadi from Unicorns in the Kitchen, Angela from The Full Tummy, and Paula […]
Summer of Rosé: 2014 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir
“Summer of what?” You ask. Rosé. Duh. My goal is to provide you, my dear readers, with a new rosé to seek out and try. Hence, the title…Summer of Rosé. I will forewarn you, some of the wines are only available through the tasting rooms. I will do my best to provide you with the […]