Food

Our “new normal” has really begun to set in as we continue to weather through the COVID-19 pandemic. What we thought was a three week shutdown has turned into many, many months of concern, confusion and even hesitance to shop and support local businesses that would normally be frequented. From clothing stores to restaurants, wineries and breweries, everyone has suffered massive challenges with how to operate in these trying times, while maintaining the most important standard… a clean, ...

People ask you why you fish for crappies. I mean, what’s the deal? They don’t yank down your scales like a big yellow cat. They don’t strip your reel like a striped bass. They don’t explode the surface like a lunker largemouth. And I’ll bet you haven’t read any Hemingway novels about The Old Man and the Crappie.

The American spirit is difficult to break. Heck, some might say it’s downright impossible! The past many months have no doubt been a trying time for not just us Americans, but for the entire world with the Covid 19 Pandemic. Despite our lives being so deeply affected in many ways, we have persisted.

Staying closer to home these past few months may have you wondering what to do next. Work from home, teleconferences, home schooling, tv watching, video games and reading may be wearing thin. Have you tried herb gardening? It’s a creative, calming outdoor activity with functional, satisfying results. The following ideas and info may help you get started, whether you’re a novice, average or aspiring herb gardener. While the Hill Country is full of green and beautiful areas, chances are t ...

Envision saying “I do” surrounded by your loved ones while overlooking 32 acres of vines. With beauty that transcends the seasons, The Vineyard at Florence offers the perfect setting for your fairytale wedding. Celebrate your love with an Italian feast and dance the night away in Ella Amore, a Tuscan-inspired celebration villa.

Times have never looked brighter for the Texas Wine Industry, and the Hill Country is without a doubt the hub of the state’s wine tourism. From wineries to tasting rooms, retail wine shops to Texas wine centered restaurants… now is exactly the right time to be proud, to be pumped about the current state of the industry.

ar·ti·san • a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand. (of food or drink) made in a traditional or non-mechanized way using high-quality ingredients. What’s more artisan than winemaking? Human beings using their hands to take an agricultural product (grapes) and turning them into a consumable item that is not only enjoyable but one that brings people together to create stories and memories.

Can you keep a secret? Here’s the deal — I found this great place in Ingram where you can get hand-crafted old-fashioned cakes and cookies. Now you see, I’m not really supposed to eat sweets, but . . . well . . . you know how a schnauzer reacts when he sniffs a sirloin.

When Daniel and Adriana Omo moved their family from city living in San Antonio to Blanco County, they were seeking a more wholesome, rural lifestyle, where they could all slow down and have a closer connection to the land and the sense of a small community. But they probably did not foresee goat herds and cheese-making in their future. Their oldest child, Chrissy, was a teenager and it was a big change for her.

Ahh, summer is upon us again. Aromas of sunscreen, swimming pool chlorine and ocean breezes bring a certain calmness that is difficult to explain. Summer is my favorite season and the warmth is ultimately healing, not just for the body but for the soul. When it comes to Texas wine most are seeking something cold, no doubt refreshing.