News & Notes

One Little Thing: Bling – With Ribbon

You know all those pretty ribbons and wrappings you save just in case? Make a necklace with one of those ribbons and a brooch or other bauble–a pretty ornament even–for a festive spin on your holiday adornment. If the ribbon is long, tie it in a bow and let the streamers float gracefully down your… Continue reading One Little Thing: Bling – With Ribbon

Getting Into a Stew – The Best You Ever Tasted

Here it is, that perfect one-dish wonderful meal for the holidays: Everyone loves it; you can make it in advance; it’s fool-proof. And, as my godmother Caroline says about almost everything: It freezes beautifully. Even those who have to ask directions to the kitchen invariably find themselves in it at some point over the holidays.… Continue reading Getting Into a Stew – The Best You Ever Tasted

Pretty Is as Pretty Does

You must be thinking about doing up your holiday table, if you haven’t already, and I just came across the prettiest, simplest centerpiece and table decorations by Carolyne Roehm in the November/December issue of Veranda. Of course everything Carolyne touches is pretty. Carolyne is pretty. And smart and funny and interesting and warm and genuine… Continue reading Pretty Is as Pretty Does

A Sweet Gift Idea – fun for kids, too

If you are like 99 per cent of the moms out there, you’ve promised your child(ren) you’d bake cookies together, and you swore you wouldn’t get the damn slice-and-bake because, like, how lame, but you probably will because baking from scratch is too much trouble and and and… but now it isn’t. (Second post this… Continue reading A Sweet Gift Idea – fun for kids, too

Housekeeping

Greetings all. Just letting you know that something technical to do with this blog is migrating somewhere – Palm Beach? St. Bart’s? I don’t know what it means except that Frances and the Belles are out of commission until Monday morning, but we’ll see you bright and early then. Hope you are having a good… Continue reading Housekeeping

One Little Thing: Keeping Greenery Fresh(er)

Where have I been not to know about Wilt-Pruf? Did all y’all know about it and not tell me? When I picked up the greenery for the ranch last week at Rolling HIlls Garden Center in Solvang, owner Rocky Marshall said I might want to spray them with Wilt. Well that’s like saying you might… Continue reading One Little Thing: Keeping Greenery Fresh(er)

A Barrel of Inspiration: Felipe Hernandez

Hey, want to start your Saturday off with a barrel of inspiration? Okay may I brag? Wine is beauty, harmony and joy, right? So it has a place in this blog, if only once in a while, and this is one of those whiles. A stupendous fellow named Felipe Hernandez manages the vineyard–and many other things–here at the ranch in Los Olivos where I am lucky to live part time. He also manages vineyards of some of our Santa Ynez Valley neighbors, including the well-known Koehler vineyard and winery just down the road.