I recently read an article in Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Journal, “Nurtured for Generations,” about the legacies of grandmothers who cooked, and the home chefs – and the family food culture – they spawned. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I grew up in one of these families, and recently lost my mother who held so many recipes, cooking tips, and family food memories. I fear that so many of those treasures are…

As much as I travel, I still find it very taxing to wade through all of the hotel reviews to really get a feel for the comfort of the accommodations. And the catalog of vacation rentals in Italy is overwhelming. On this last trip to Umbria, we decided to rent a private villa in Italy for the week since we were traveling with another family. Unlike most tourists who think “I won’t be in my room that…

Sonoma County, California is on the radar of every oenophile, but let’s be honest, sometimes it’s great to experience the region without so much of a focus on wine. I love everything California and spent a few days in downtown Healdsburg and discovered there are some great activities that don’t necessarily involve day drinking. Walking and Biking Tours in Healdsburg, CA Wine Country Walking Tours leads guided walks throughout downtown Healdsburg that will take you…

New Orleans’ iconic Pontchartrain Hotel is a top choice among travelers looking for garden district hotels. It sits on a quaint street corner , surrounded by 200-year-old oak trees, with Mardi Gras beads hanging on their branches from years past. It’s the prefect location, away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, but still within walking distance to Magazine Street and the central business district. The original streetcar route runs right in front…

I admit it. I have spoiled my kids. They’ve had their share of Barbie dollhouses, video games, skateboards and the latest teen fashions. And now that they’re in their twenties, I have no idea who is enjoying those hundreds, no thousands, of dollars worth of toys that were donated or sold for a dollar out of my garage. Believe me, packing up those expensive American Girl dolls with all of their furniture and accessories to…

Let’s face it. Cruising took a big hit during the pandemic and a lot of travelers are hesitant to book a cruise these days. On my last Carnival Cruise (pre-pandemic), I was really focused on wellness and trying to reset my mental and physical health after a very trying period as a caregiver. So I went into the trip with an agenda for focus on my health each day through a range of activities. Here…