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Exploring Naramata’s Best

Exploring Naramata’s Best

The Okanagan adventure starts now Or so we thought. Unfortunately, this long-awaited road trip started a little rough. Just as we were leaving, we noticed that our car had a flat. We quickly filled it and raced over to our mechanic, hoping he’d be able to perform a quick fix and get us back on…

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By Karen, August 17, 2020
La Bottega Del Buon Caffe: A Florentine Michelin restaurant to remember

La Bottega Del Buon Caffe: A Florentine Michelin restaurant to remember

What can I say about  La Bottega Del Buon Caffe? It was a fabulous dining experience.  This Florentine one-star Michelin restaurant is the sister establishment to Borgo Santo Pietro, which is close to Siena. And you better believe I am going there at some point.  Hello?! they have truffle hunting and a cooking school and…

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By Karen, September 4, 2019
Florence: A delectable balance of adventure and serenity

Florence: A delectable balance of adventure and serenity

During our whirlwind trip to Italy, my sister-in-law Linda and I arrived at the Florence train station in the late afternoon. Across the street, after a few lefts and rights, we found our home for the next 5 days: the hotel Sina Villa Medici Autograph Collection, a refurbished 19th-century palazzo.   The Sina Villa Medici Autograph…

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By Karen, August 8, 2019
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Traveling in Venice: Taking the scenic route, always

Traveling in Venice: Taking the scenic route, always

My trip to Venice started with a rather hasty departure from YVR. Our original flight was delayed and after a reschedule my sister in law Linda and I needed to be at the airport fast.  So we hustled our butts to leave 5 hours earlier than anticipated.  Arriving in Venice, it was overcast but warm…

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By Karen, July 3, 2019
Wine and Cheese or Wine and Control?: How a Party became a Lesson in Letting Go

Wine and Cheese or Wine and Control?: How a Party became a Lesson in Letting Go

We hosted a wine and cheese party just before Christmas. All the guests were asked to bring their favourite wine and cheese. But what they ended up bringing me was a lesson in what my own signs of anxiety look like– and how I can begin to move past them. Before the party, I found…

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By Karen, February 4, 2019
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A Birthday to Remember at Portugal’s Vila Joya

A Birthday to Remember at Portugal’s Vila Joya

What do you want to do when you turn 51? You could do worse than a lunch at Vila Joya, a small boutique resort that allows outsiders to dine in the restaurant as guests! That’s exactly what Russ and I did on my birthday this October 1st, since we were traveling in Portugal.   Vila…

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By Karen, November 27, 2018
12 Food & Wine Books That Are Actually Fun to Read

12 Food & Wine Books That Are Actually Fun to Read

    When food and wine is basically your religion (yes, I’m raising my hand), you want to keep learning about it. But isn’t it nice when your learning is accompanied by lots of fun, delight, fascination, and gratification?   I asked myself which of my food & wine books provide (almost) as much pleasure…

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By Karen, October 24, 2018
Why WSET? Because pairing, pairing, pairing!

Why WSET? Because pairing, pairing, pairing!

  I recently took the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 class. This course can be taken over 4 evenings or in one day, and it’s designed to develop your inner sommelier. You learn about tasting, pairing, grape varietals, grape growing, winemaking, serving, and cellaring.   In other words, out of all the…

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By Karen, October 9, 2018
The Meaning Of Thanksgiving Is Creating A Flow of Positivity

The Meaning Of Thanksgiving Is Creating A Flow of Positivity

My family and I have a Thanksgiving tradition. Everybody around the table takes a turn answering a question:   “What am I grateful for? And why?”   The “why”—as always—is so important. When you address that part of the question, you put your whole self into the answer. For example, if someone starts with, “I’m…

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By Karen, September 26, 2018
Okanagan Wine Tour for Two: 4 Days of Feasting, Tasting, and Crazy Fun

Okanagan Wine Tour for Two: 4 Days of Feasting, Tasting, and Crazy Fun

    If there’s one thing my friend Tania and I can agree on, it’s the necessity of occasionally immersing ourselves in the pleasures of the Okanagan wine country. That’s exactly what the two of us did to celebrate Tania’s 50th Birthday. Nature and wine: there’s no better combination. Plus, Okanagan wine tasting pairs really…

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By Karen, September 12, 2018
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