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I went to an event a few weeks ago. One of the giveaways was this little crocheted duck. He came with a tiny sign that says, Waddle with purpose. Success is just around the pond. Cute. I threw him in my bag. When I got home, I set him on my desk. And that's where things got weird. Because of the angle of his face... ...he's looking up at me. Not straight ahead. Not at my computer. At me. Every morning, I sit down at my desk and there he is. Just... Looking. Waiting. Like, "Okay...what are we accomplishing today?" At first I thought it was funny. Now I catch myself looking back at him. Like I somehow owe him progress. I swear I'm trying to make the little duck proud. ps. If you want your own duck, you can order one on cheer-space.com

I recently visited my parents in Phoenix to celebrate my dad’s birthday. He just turned 95. My mom is 88. So, as you can imagine, things are moving at a slightly different pace. We spent a few days having nice meals, visiting with their friends, and helping them get a little more organized. My sister and I were only there for four days, but we decided this would also double as a light decluttering initiative. That part did not go as planned. My parents moved into a retirement community about six years ago. They have a one-bedroom, one and a half bath apartment. It is actually perfect. Just enough space, easy to manage, everything they need. Except. As the years go on, the stuff continues to grow. More holiday décor. More books. More things. And now, a surprising amount of front door décor. Every resident takes their front door very seriously. It is how they show their personality. How they welcome friends. How they say, “This is me.” Without it, the hall would feel like a hall. With it...

There was a time when I took April Fools’ Day very seriously. Not in a “call in sick and pretend you’re on a beach in Cabo” kind of way—but in a very strategic, well-timed, just-believable-enough kind of way. Elli and Don were, for years, the primary recipients of this effort. They never saw it coming. Which, in my opinion, is exactly the point. So… Who Started This? Like many traditions we all just go along with, April Fools’ Day has slightly unclear origins—but one of the most widely accepted stories goes back to 16th century France. When the calendar shifted and New Year’s Day moved to January 1, not everyone got the message right away. Those who kept celebrating in late March or early April became the subject of jokes and small pranks—earning the title “April fools.” And somehow, that energy carried forward for a few hundred years. Which feels right. The Art of the Perfect Prank There’s a difference between a good prank and an annoying one. A good prank: Is quick Is harmless Create...

There’s a certain rhythm to Mother’s Day. Reservations are made weeks in advance. Restaurants are full. Menus are fixed. The day moves quickly. And while there’s something to be said for tradition, there’s also something even more memorable about doing it differently. This year, consider staying in. Setting the table. Opening a great bottle of wine. Creating a moment that feels intentional, relaxed, and entirely your own. For me, that starts with a bottle of Silver Oak. Silver Oak is not an everyday wine, and that’s exactly the point. It’s the kind of bottle you open when the occasion calls for something more considered. A Cabernet Sauvignon known for its structure, balance, and unmistakable smoothness, it brings a quiet confidence to the table. This is not a wine that competes for attention. It elevates everything around it. And on a day meant to celebrate someone special, that feels exactly right. THE CASE FOR STAYING IN Entertaining at home allows for something restaurants can’t qui...

When Don and I first moved to California in 2005, one of the first wine regions we explored was Healdsburg. It is about one hour north from Mill Valley where we lived. Its quaint charm and amazing wine and food have kept us going back ever since.  We love the varietals from this region, particularly the Zinfandel from the Dry Creek area, Pinot Noir from the Russian River, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley. Some of our favorite white wines are here too, like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. And don't forget Rose.  What makes Healdsburg so special is its balance of wine country charm and a true hometown feel. The town square sits right at the center, with a fountain and pavilion that naturally becomes the gathering place. On any given weekend, you'll find people lingering, drinking coffee, enjoying an ice cream cone, listening to music, and just enjoying the pace of it all. Most of our weekends follow a similar rhythm. We spend our days tasting wine, ta...

Since moving to Sacramento , Don and I have spent a lot of time exploring, finding those go-to spots for wine, food, and weekends that feel a little more special. One place that quickly made its way onto that list is Scribner Bend Vineyards . We were first introduced to it while house hunting, thanks to our realtor Kim, whose family just so happens to own it. It’s one of those connections that makes a place feel even more personal from the start. What makes Scribner Bend stand out isn’t just the setting (which is beautiful, tucked along the Sacramento River Delta), but the history behind it. The land dates all the way back to 1893, when George Washington Scribner settled there and began farming pears along what was then known as Silver Bend, a busy shipping point along the river. Over the years, that original farm stayed in the family, passed down through generations. In the early 1990s, the next chapter began when the family transitioned from farming pears to planting wine grapes,...