It's that time of year again! Spring means the beginning of farmer's markets and wine festivals. I am lucky to be attending several of the upcoming wine festivals with the first one being the Colorado Wine Walk in Denver hosted by Blanchard Family Wines (I will discuss the other festivals and wine maker dinners I… Continue reading Thirsty Thursday: Colorado Wine Walk(s) 2024
Where has January gone? 2024 already seems to be moving even faster than 2023, maybe because I was so keen on checking off my steps for my Live Hard program for much of the month but even as I type this blog, it seems like everything is running at this incredible speed. Perhaps it is… Continue reading 24 Valentines Ideas Under $24!
Happy New Year! 2024 will be an exciting one for my family as our son will graduate with an associate degree in mathematics and then will graduate from high school! He has been accepted to the Colorado School of Mines and along with two other close friends, has also been awarded a school Presidential scholarship.… Continue reading Dry January: Phase 3
Cue the Andy Williams because for certain wine lovers out there, today (November 16th) is the official release day of the 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau! It is party time for this fun and spunky red wine, so let's celebrate...what? You didn't know about this official holiday? Curious what the carbonic maceration buzz is all about? Well,… Continue reading Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day!
Tis the season for tricks and treats (plus snow and bitter cold if you are in Colorado), so let's chat wine and candy pairings. I know you are wondering, wait...why would anyone like to pair wine with candy??? Well, if you have little ghouls or under four-foot tall firemen, or have packs of witches and… Continue reading Spooky Pairings: Perfect Wines for your Halloween Candy Haul
Last month, Mandy's news reporter, Haylee May, sent along a post about how Cheese Its pair with wine. Now, if you are new to the Thirsty Thursday or Foodie Friday segments, you may not have heard me discuss one of my secret favorite pairings...high end red wines with white cheddar Cheese Its. Naturally, this was… Continue reading Fun Football Food Pairings with Award Winning Wines
The Founding Fathers and Voting with Their Wallets As Mandy heads out to Boston (make sure to check out the Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe law offices in Cambridge) for a quick Mandy Connell listener trip, she has asked me to provide a little history on the beers the Founding Fathers enjoyed (and I couldn't resist… Continue reading Mr. Hare’s Porter and Madeira
Ever since Anthony Rodriguez became Mandy Connell's producer, I have tried to get him to join us in wine tastings...he turned his nose up every time, proudly proclaiming his disdain for wine. And then during his recent road trip, he and his wife pondered the wines they tried in Oregon and suggested that perhaps they… Continue reading UPDATE: The Great A-Rod Blind of 2023
We're talking side dishes for your holiday and summer BBQs I am thrilled to joining Mandy and the skeleton crew of folks left in the iHeart building the Friday before the Memorial Day observance and the official start to the summer season...which, if the weather cooperates, means grilling and outdoor gatherings with family and friends.… Continue reading A Side Hustle Worthy of Discussion…
From The Dairy Block It was gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Denver, the impending wintery mix now soaking my world as I type this a mere forecast that, while I soaked all the glory of that warm spring sun, I could pretend was going to be another blown weather prognostication. The music, the vibe, the wines,… Continue reading A Colorado Wine Walk
Join us as we chat about Colorado Wine Walk happening in Denver 22-23 Apr 23
My journey through 75 Hard
Ideas for Valentine's and Galentines Day
A Quick Guide to Bubbles for Your Holiday Festivities While a blanket of cold air and snow descends down upon the US in preparation for Santa's big night, it is a perfect time to discuss sparkling wine and options for both your Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, and snow shoveling celebrations. Since I am currently at… Continue reading Chill, Baby, Chill…
While I was with Mandy on air, we discussed how to pair wines with entrées and other foods. Here is a simple guide to start with as you plan your holiday menu. These are simply suggestions and are not hard rules...let your palate be your guide! iamthewineyogi.com If you are looking for a basic wine… Continue reading A Basic Wine and Protein Pairing Guide
Two Southern Dames Dishing on the BEST Parts of Thanksgiving... Where did 2022 go? Now, I for one am glad to see this crap fest of a year hit the curb (never thought I'd say that after 2020, but here we are. Elections, war, supply chain and economic woes...bleh, good riddance.) Here's hoping 2023 brings… Continue reading Thirsty Thanksgiving and Casserole Extravaganza!
A 30-Day Gratitude Challenge
A review of Trompeau Bakery
In yoga, especially when exploring the breath, we often invite the notion to "notice the pause," as we breathe, whether it is the natural pause between inhalation and exhalation or if it is a pause introduced on purpose. As a mindfulness exercise, noticing how we breathe normally and then perhaps choosing to breathe in a… Continue reading Embracing the Pause…
It is that time again when our local rivers are running fast (the recent two feet of snow last weekend only added to it!) and some of us (okay, it's me) begin to think about warm summer days floating down rivers or out hiking and camping with the fam...or maybe just a mid-week BBQ with… Continue reading Brews, Seltzers, and Ciders (Oh My!) to Kick Off Summer
Let's Chat Some Fun Options for Your St. Paddy's Day Celebrations Beyond Green Beer Yes...I am of Irish decent. My people, on my father's side, come from all over the British Isles, but predominantly from Ireland and Scotland (my maiden name is McMaster, originally McMasters.) They made their way through Canada (picking up some French… Continue reading Kiss Me…I AM Irish!
On a recent blog post, I mentioned a new habit I am trying to cultivate as part of my morning ritual...cold showers. Everyone seems to be talking about cold showers (okay, maybe not everyone but many of the people in my social circle are so I decided to give it a try.) What kind of… Continue reading Morning Rituals
Let's chat Valentine's Day wines, foods, and fun!
*UPDATE* Here are some links to the #Whole30 friendly foods and specifically, the coconut aminos Mandy and I discussed. Siete Jalapeno Shrimp recipe: here. Whole 30 sauces and spices: here. Whole 30 ABC Chicken recipe: I used two cans of shredded chicken from Trader Joe's, 1 bottle of Primal Buffalo Sauce, 1 container each of… Continue reading *UPDATE* Dry January and Whole 30…It’s a Healthy #ThirstyThursday!
As we venture into New Year's Eve festivities, let's take a moment and chat about different kinds of bubbles to help you ring in 2022. Chief among bubbles, most folks are familiar with Champagne, but perhaps don't realize that Champagne only hails from Champagne, France. Made traditionally from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and/or Pinot Meunier. The… Continue reading Let’s Talk Bubbles!
Building the Perfect Cheese and Shark Coochie...*cough*, I Mean, Charcuterie Board (and some fun family recipes to inspire you) Jump to Recipes If your holiday season includes serving as host to family and friends, or if you are like my family and simply like to graze while enjoying time together as a family, a well-constructed… Continue reading Shark Coochie and Holiday Party Wines
Where has this year gone? I can't believe I am already decorating for, yes, you guessed it, for Buddy the Elf (who I am pretty sure is a long lost brother of mine) to make his appearance. While I am all about SANTA! given my Elven heritage, I also decorate for Thanksgiving (picture proves it!)… Continue reading Thirsty Thanksgiving with Mandy Connell and Honoring All Those Who Serve…a Veteran’s Day Thirsty Thursday
During this month's segment with Mandy Connell, you can find her show on 850 KOA here, we will begin to shift our focus onto those wines for your consideration for your holiday tables. I can't believe the year has flown by so quickly and that next week I will have a 16 year old! We… Continue reading #WineWednesday with Mandy Connell: Italian Wines for your Holiday Table
I am frequently asked two questions this time of year: why is Oktoberfest in September and what is the difference between ales and lagers? While I am no cicerone (the beer equivalent of sommelier), I do know a few and have spent some time around master brewers. So, let's tackle the first question. Oktoberfest originally… Continue reading Oktoberfest to kick off October!
It is once again that time for #ThirstyThursday with The Mandy Connell show and boy, do we need this now more than ever. Variants, boosters, returning to school, Afghanistan...the world is coming at us like a fire hose on full blast so it is a good time to pause, reflect, spend time with our family,… Continue reading Vegan Wines and Foods plus Here’s a Toast to Becky Wasserman-Hone
How does one become a sommelier? Is a 2005 Beringer White Zin drinkable? Bastile Day wines.
Where has the year gone? I CANNOT believe that we are already discussing the Fourth of July holiday. I also never thought I would be one to go camping in a travel trailer, but here I am, rocking that lifestyle, too. After last year's muted celebrations that brought warnings and admonishments for large gatherings, it… Continue reading Red, White, and Brew: Let’s Chat Day Drinking
It is that time of year again and as things begin to open up, families are planning summer vacations, gathering for BBQs, and simply getting back out there. I am amongst those! (Well, we have been out there since my husband has been flying this whole time. But now I am doing it mask free!)… Continue reading We Remember: A Thirsty Thursday Dedicated to Those Who Gave Their Lives so That We May Be Free
I recently celebrated my wedding anniversary with this guy: We have been hitched for 20 years now, through two wars, multiple deployments, lots of geographically separations, tears, laughter, good wine, bad wine, wine gone bad, winning Bronco seasons and losing ones...but he has always had my back and I could not have chosen a better… Continue reading Thirsty Thursday with Mandy: Let’s Chat $20 Wines!
Okay, I am going to begin by stating: I don't observe Earth Day, even as a tree and animal loving yogi...I have serious qualms with the founder of this "day," which I am not going to delve into at this time. Suffice it to say, I have been recycling since I was a teen, using… Continue reading Natural Wines, Anniversaries, and Earth Day!
How I prep for work.
As part of my monthly segment on 850 KOA with The Mandy Connell Show, we are once again turning our attention to holiday wines and the foods that love them. This time, we are taking a look at options for your Passover or Easter holiday scene. Since both holidays were severely limited in 2020 due… Continue reading Thirsty Thursday Chats Passover and Easter: Wines and Foods to Delight and Grace Your Holiday Table
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