Escaping to Hood River for the Hopsfest

It’s been too long. It really has. It’s been too long since I’ve written. My writing is the lifeblood of me and I’ve been too caught up in my busy-ness that I’ve been neglecting it and thusly me.

We were in Hood River this past weekend, seeking a nice respite from the demands on our time and attention. Hubby had been in India for nearly two weeks, and when he came back last week, he immediately jumped into work. I’m not sure how he does … Read more ...

Tasty Tuesday: The local McMenamins restaurant is our new ‘Cheers’

                                                     “Sometimes you want to go 
                                              Where everybody knows your name,
                                                   And they’re always glad you came;
                                                You want to be where you can see,
                                                   Our troubles are all the same;
                                     You want to be where everybody knows your name.”

It’s the theme song to Cheers, the TV sitcom on lifelong bonds made in a Boston bar. Yet the words of the song ring true. My husband and I have always enjoyed a drink or three, especially at a local pub. When we lived in the … Read more ...

Tuscan Market and Wine Shop: Drink Wine and Be Merry

Tuscan Market and Wine Shop is a place where it’s not all about the wine. Really, it’s all about you.

It’s nestled in the middle of a block not far from the commuter rail line and it sits along a bricked sidewalk, looking like the other wine shops in town. But creak open the doors and slip into a welcoming watering hole.

The vibe here is “drink whatever you like, we just want you to have a good time,” says owner Amy Philpott, who opened … Read more ...