Father’s Day didn’t become a national holiday until 1972 when President Nixon made it so. 1972! Most of the readers of this blog were probably alive then. The writer certainly was. That’s fascinating, considering Mother’s Day became official in 1914. History of Father’s Day There are two stories regarding when […]

Who doesn’t love pistachios? They are a tasty treat that are good for snacking and in many recipes. Plus, they are so full of healthy stuff that they really are good for you. Think you want to try growing your own? Let’s see if you have what it takes… Climate: […]

There is always some confusion about Veteran’s Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Just to set the record straight, Memorial Day commemorates those that have fallen in the line of duty serving the United States military. They gave it all to help protect our freedom and it is a […]

We keep hearing about sulfites. What are they and what’s their connection to wine? Why do some people avoid wine because of sulfites? Let’s find out. What are sulfites? The term sulfites is a term for sulfur dioxide (SO2), a preservative that’s widely used in winemaking (and most food industries) […]

Enjoying a glass of wine while cooking is always a good idea. Adding some wine to your dishes, might even be a better one. Recipes are often vague only calling for a dry white or dry red wine. So, anything goes, right? NO! The rule of thumb is, if you […]

Pistachios are one of the world’s healthiest and maybe tastiest nuts. Their distinctive green fruits crop up in everything from salads to entrees and desserts. They may be most popular on their own, as a midday snack: dry-roasted and lightly salted to perfection. Cracking the nuts out of their shells […]

You love wine, but it doesn’t always love you. Why do you sometimes get a headache from drinking wine, especially red? Here is the lowdown. Dehydration: The number one reason people get headaches from wine is because they overindulged and didn’t drink enough water, causing dehydration. Tannins: If dehydration or […]

Easter, Easter, Easter…like many holidays, Easter is a blend of Christian and Pagan traditions, but there is no clear path of where each element came from. What is known for sure: Easter occurs on the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. That is why it moves around and falls […]

Looking for a simple St. Patrick’s Day dessert that is sure to please? Try out these soft, springy cupcakes. Beware: The frosting is so good you may want to eat it all before putting it on the cupcakes. These need to be consumed within 48 hours as they don’t hold […]

You always hear about wine and cheese pairings and wine and chocolate pairings, which are both delicious of course, but what about nuts? Many bars have nuts on them, usually peanuts, because they do pair nicely with beer. But what about wine? There are lots of types of nuts out […]