There are still boxes and bags cluttering the new apartment, I haven't really unpacked yet. worked until it reached a livable state, and then I paused, settled in a little. went to the farmer's market, I cooked dinner. love the vegetables at the market this time of year. The younger one stood and stared at the whole sea bass. What's not to like? MORE >>

Is it true the postman always rings twice? Have you.,,, er, gone postal lately? Just what is it about the postal service that creates the potential for such drama? This is especially true in today's wine world, where brand creation and recognition is key. So Kim cleverly tied the story of the wine around the life of a long ago postman named Henry. MORE >>

I got a catalogue in the mail the other day from something called Napa Style. don’t know if it’s 100% from Napa or just sort of a Fred Franzia Napa style. But they had the item shown above listed as “big bottle wine hurricanes.&# Yes, empty bottles, albeit big bottles, priced $99 – $249! Not hard, it turns out. Voila. MORE >>

I grew up in New York City and have always loved visiting to its outer reaches, to neighborhoods where you can feel like a foreigner. It's best to go with someone who can act as a guide, but it's also fun to explore with a friend when neither of you really have any idea what you're doing. Don't go for the hospitality - that's not the vibe. MORE >>

Last night the Obamas played host to Angela Merkel for a “State Dinner&# (even though she is the head of government, not state–gasp!) in the Rose Garden. The meal included a salad from the White House vegetable garden; the full menu follows below. Oddly, the wine pairings were not announced! first-generation one is Hermann J. Fine Herbs. MORE >>