by Christina Waters | Oct 2, 2009 | Holidays, Home |
As a Celtic-American, I like to research my ancestral roots, passions and rituals.
What a terrific find! Samhain, aka Halloween, is actually a pre-Christian, distinctly pagan, AND Celtic celebration of the change of the seasons. During this astronomical moment between summer and winter, the spirits of the dead are most likely — according to the hyperactive imaginations of my wild Celtic predecessors – to walk the earth.
Not only ghosts, but all of those other fanciful spirits beloved of the Celts — demons, fairies, goblins, sprits and all the Little People. Whether the Druid priests who led the Samhain rites actually carved pumpkins is a matter of speculation, but they did build bonfires to ward off evil spirits, and worshipped trees as powerful spirits of the forest. Which of course they are.
Remember all those Celtic priestesses when you dress up as a witch and practice some “tricks†on October 31 – Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve.
by Christina Waters | Sep 30, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Like many inquiring wine-lovers, I found myself in the gorgeous back country of Corralitos last Saturday, tasting wine at a quartet of impossibly scenic wineries. Yes it was hot! At Pleasant Valley Vineyards, the grapes were within hours (HOURS) of being harvested, and at Alfaro Family Vineyards the grapes were coming in even during the afternoon festivities.
Seriously, you need to make sure you join next year’s Corralitos Wine Trail harvest taste-trek. Lots of music, good vibes, delightful finger food, and terrific new releases being poured. A delightful Syrah at Pleasant Valley, several notable Pinots at Alfaro, and a remarkable new release (more…)
by Christina Waters | Sep 23, 2009 | Food, Home |
Back by popular demand – the Westside’s largest block party will happen once again in the parking lot of Kelly’s (Swift & Ingalls). You know the deal. Local restaurants, farmers and purveyors will set up food stations. You bring all of your plates, stemware and table settings. Then you wander around, purchase your meal, add some wine, beer or whatever, and join everybody and her cousin sitting down at the long, long tables for a terrific early evening meal.
Details as they unfold.
by Christina Waters | Sep 23, 2009 | Food, Home |
Kawa Sushi – two words that spell instant oral gratification. Spacious interior, pristine, high-quality sushi and sashimi, friendly service, and a user-friendly sake happy hour for those who like to dine early and often.
Here’s our dinner last Tuesday – including our new favorite roll, the Santa Cruz roll. Mmmmm. Protein in the most gorgeous delivery packages human culture has yet devised.
Don’t complain about the awkward location – you can’t miss it. Corner of Bay & Mission. Kawa Sushi. Much more sophisticated than those places where you need headphones just to wade through the sonic konichiwas…..
by Christina Waters | Sep 22, 2009 | Home, Wine |
You bet I absolutely believe that $7.99 is a true deal for a better-than-decent bottle of refreshing, low-oak French Chardonnay.
So I loaded up at New Leaf last week on my new favorite easy-sippin’ late summer white – a 2007 Loire Chardonnay from Domaine Roc de Châteauvieux. Light – 12.5% – but still nuanced, this minerally beauty offers nose of white flowers (maybe some jasmine, perhaps alyssum) followed by salt and a lemony finish. Completely likeable, it works equally well with halibut and aged sheep cheese.
HOWEVER – I went out today and checked the wine racks at New Leaf and…the price is now $9.99 for this lovely white wine.
Yes, it IS still a very good deal. But I think there must be some sort of pre-emptive cliché for this situation….something like “carpe diem,” or “she who hesitates pays two dollars more.”
Worth a try, even at $9.99.
by Christina Waters | Sep 16, 2009 | Home |
