I remember my first visit to a Trader Joe’s, in Seattle years ago. I was not overly impressed. They had some nice cheese, some good snacks, the famous 2-buck (at the time it was 2 bucks) Chuck—apart from that, I didn’t see much of anything I couldn’t find at my grocery store or co-op. “Why [...]
For me, chain restaurants are usually chosen only out of desperation. I’m not a food snob—but I do prefer to support the local food growers and the restaurants that keep them in business. And, I’m just lucky to live in an area teeming with amazing food and restaurant choices. But I recently needed a safe [...]
A post about dogs, the power of online networking, the effect of a well-written plea, and the desire of good people to do a good deed now and again.
Editor’s note: these are not my dogs. In fact, I do not know them or the family. But I know the heartache the family must be feeling. I can’t imagine separating my animals (or giving them away, for that matter). They’re trying hard to find a good home before they move overseas. So I’m giving [...]
A freelance writer reflects on the events of 9/11, and how she and her husband made a commitment to change their lives in the aftermath.
You know how when you have money in your pocket, you can’t find anything to buy? Well, last week, I decided it was time to spend a $50 Sur La Table gift card that had been hanging around in our “stuff to keep” basket for, oh, about two years. I kept putting off the buying [...]
How did you do? Of course, you smiled, looked in their eyes, called them by name, shook their hand firmly, did the “nice to meet you” thing. They were impressed with you and all was right in the universe. Or not. Maybe you met someone today and completely blew them off—not intentionally, for sure, but [...]
I’m a long-time fan of Chateau Ste. Michelle, a winery not too far down the road in Woodinville, WA. It’s my go-to brand for their really nice dry Riesling (dry being the operative term here), a Rosé that nearly takes me back to Bandol in southern France, and a big, plummy, robust Syrah that we [...]
One of my favorite restaurants is the Old Town Café. It provides all the usual enticements of a locally-owned, funky, homemade-everything joint: fantastic food, a relaxing atmosphere, live musicians on weekends, and a friendly staff. But what makes OTC the go-to place for my friends and me is something a little more elusive: consistency. I’ve [...]
The other day, my friend Richard asked me what twitter could possibly offer him. He sees it as another update-requiring, time-sucking obligation. “I just got on Facebook. I thought I was covered, and now this? I can’t keep up!” Naturally I followed by asking if he has a blog, just so I could see his reaction. [...]