Celebrating Love

Ideas for Valentine's and Galentines Day

Chill, Baby, Chill…

A Quick Guide to Bubbles for Your Holiday Festivities While a blanket of cold air and snow descends down upon the US in preparation for Santa's big night, it is a perfect time to discuss sparkling wine and options for both your Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, and snow shoveling celebrations. Since I am currently at…

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A Basic Wine and Protein Pairing Guide

While I was with Mandy on air, we discussed how to pair wines with entrées and other foods. Here is a simple guide to start with as you plan your holiday menu. These are simply suggestions and are not hard rules...let your palate be your guide! iamthewineyogi.com If you are looking for a basic wine…

Thirsty Thanksgiving and Casserole Extravaganza!

Two Southern Dames Dishing on the BEST Parts of Thanksgiving... Where did 2022 go? Now, I for one am glad to see this crap fest of a year hit the curb (never thought I'd say that after 2020, but here we are. Elections, war, supply chain and economic woes...bleh, good riddance.) Here's hoping 2023 brings…

Now, more than ever, we need to focus on gratitude

A 30-Day Gratitude Challenge

I’m Back! And Mandy and I Want to Be Foodie Critics

A review of Trompeau Bakery

Embracing the Pause…

In yoga, especially when exploring the breath, we often invite the notion to "notice the pause," as we breathe, whether it is the natural pause between inhalation and exhalation or if it is a pause introduced on purpose. As a mindfulness exercise, noticing how we breathe normally and then perhaps choosing to breathe in a…

Brews, Seltzers, and Ciders (Oh My!) to Kick Off Summer

It is that time again when our local rivers are running fast (the recent two feet of snow last weekend only added to it!) and some of us (okay, it's me) begin to think about warm summer days floating down rivers or out hiking and camping with the fam...or maybe just a mid-week BBQ with…

Kiss Me…I AM Irish!

Let's Chat Some Fun Options for Your St. Paddy's Day Celebrations Beyond Green Beer Yes...I am of Irish decent. My people, on my father's side, come from all over the British Isles, but predominantly from Ireland and Scotland (my maiden name is McMaster, originally McMasters.) They made their way through Canada (picking up some French…

Morning Rituals

On a recent blog post, I mentioned a new habit I am trying to cultivate as part of my morning ritual...cold showers. Everyone seems to be talking about cold showers (okay, maybe not everyone but many of the people in my social circle are so I decided to give it a try.) What kind of…

Dear Wine, Be my Valentine

Let's chat Valentine's Day wines, foods, and fun!

*UPDATE* Dry January and Whole 30…It’s a Healthy #ThirstyThursday!

*UPDATE* Here are some links to the #Whole30 friendly foods and specifically, the coconut aminos Mandy and I discussed. Siete Jalapeno Shrimp recipe: here. Whole 30 sauces and spices: here. Whole 30 ABC Chicken recipe: I used two cans of shredded chicken from Trader Joe's, 1 bottle of Primal Buffalo Sauce, 1 container each of…

Let’s Talk Bubbles!

As we venture into New Year's Eve festivities, let's take a moment and chat about different kinds of bubbles to help you ring in 2022. Chief among bubbles, most folks are familiar with Champagne, but perhaps don't realize that Champagne only hails from Champagne, France. Made traditionally from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and/or Pinot Meunier. The…

Shark Coochie and Holiday Party Wines

Building the Perfect Cheese and Shark Coochie...*cough*, I Mean, Charcuterie Board (and some fun family recipes to inspire you) Jump to Recipes If your holiday season includes serving as host to family and friends, or if you are like my family and simply like to graze while enjoying time together as a family, a well-constructed…

Thirsty Thanksgiving with Mandy Connell and Honoring All Those Who Serve…a Veteran’s Day Thirsty Thursday

Where has this year gone? I can't believe I am already decorating for, yes, you guessed it, for Buddy the Elf (who I am pretty sure is a long lost brother of mine) to make his appearance. While I am all about SANTA! given my Elven heritage, I also decorate for Thanksgiving (picture proves it!)…

#WineWednesday with Mandy Connell: Italian Wines for your Holiday Table

During this month's segment with Mandy Connell, you can find her show on 850 KOA here, we will begin to shift our focus onto those wines for your consideration for your holiday tables. I can't believe the year has flown by so quickly and that next week I will have a 16 year old! We…

Oktoberfest to kick off October!

I am frequently asked two questions this time of year: why is Oktoberfest in September and what is the difference between ales and lagers? While I am no cicerone (the beer equivalent of sommelier), I do know a few and have spent some time around master brewers. So, let's tackle the first question. Oktoberfest originally…

Vegan Wines and Foods plus Here’s a Toast to Becky Wasserman-Hone

It is once again that time for #ThirstyThursday with The Mandy Connell show and boy, do we need this now more than ever. Variants, boosters, returning to school, Afghanistan...the world is coming at us like a fire hose on full blast so it is a good time to pause, reflect, spend time with our family,…

French Wines in Honor of Bastille Day and How Does One Become a Sommelier?

How does one become a sommelier? Is a 2005 Beringer White Zin drinkable? Bastile Day wines.

Red, White, and Brew: Let’s Chat Day Drinking

Where has the year gone? I CANNOT believe that we are already discussing the Fourth of July holiday. I also never thought I would be one to go camping in a travel trailer, but here I am, rocking that lifestyle, too. After last year's muted celebrations that brought warnings and admonishments for large gatherings, it…

We Remember: A Thirsty Thursday Dedicated to Those Who Gave Their Lives so That We May Be Free

It is that time of year again and as things begin to open up, families are planning summer vacations, gathering for BBQs, and simply getting back out there. I am amongst those! (Well, we have been out there since my husband has been flying this whole time. But now I am doing it mask free!)…

Thirsty Thursday with Mandy: Let’s Chat $20 Wines!

I recently celebrated my wedding anniversary with this guy: We have been hitched for 20 years now, through two wars, multiple deployments, lots of geographically separations, tears, laughter, good wine, bad wine, wine gone bad, winning Bronco seasons and losing ones...but he has always had my back and I could not have chosen a better…

Natural Wines, Anniversaries, and Earth Day!

Okay, I am going to begin by stating: I don't observe Earth Day, even as a tree and animal loving yogi...I have serious qualms with the founder of this "day," which I am not going to delve into at this time. Suffice it to say, I have been recycling since I was a teen, using…

Wine, Carboy, and Happiness with Grant Smith, host of the Taking it for Granted podcast

How I prep for work.

Thirsty Thursday Chats Passover and Easter: Wines and Foods to Delight and Grace Your Holiday Table

As part of my monthly segment on 850 KOA with The Mandy Connell Show, we are once again turning our attention to holiday wines and the foods that love them. This time, we are taking a look at options for your Passover or Easter holiday scene. Since both holidays were severely limited in 2020 due…