"Billy-bob" Jennings' debut novel Peckerwood Hill had me laughing and crying at the same time. It is written in the spirit of the author's philosophy - "Once one realizes how very little is required to survive in this life... That individual will gain far more than is ever needed."
William (Billy-Bob's) newest novel is Grayson Field Red Clay. For anyone who has ever played baseball, watched baseball or ever was even a kid - Grayson Field Red Clay is a book you will want to read again and again. Click on the link to the left and be immediately immersed in baseball memorabilia and this wondeful novel. Also check out his Players with Paws link to see his and Jeanne's Adopted Paws and the link back to this website. Thanks Bill!
SummerWood Winery and Inn are located on the Westside of Paso Robles. CA. SummerWood Winery produces small lots of ultra-premium wine. My favorites are the 2004 Diosa (84% Syrah, 12% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre,) the 2004 Sentio (67% Cab, 22% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, 5% Malbec) and the 2006 Viognier (79% Viognier, 21% Roussanne.) Carolyn is a gracious hostess of their wine club, and Chris, the winemaker, taught me quite alot about winemaking - I can't wait to go back to learn more. To find out more about the SummerWood winery, wine and Inn (the latter is a beautiful place to stay,) please click the link on the left.
Chumeia (Greek for Alchemy) Winery is located in Paso Robles, CA offers great Cabs (Boudeaux Style), Zins, Petite Sirahs and other varietals and blends from grapes sources in Paso, Argentina and Chile. In addition to great wines they have teamed up with the Woods Humane Society so that a portion of the proceeds from wines you purchase from their Whiskers and Paws Chumeia Wine Club goes to help the animals. Please click the link on the left for more information.
Tobin James Cellars, 8 miles east of Paso Robles, were built from the ground up on the site of an old stagecoach stop. You really do feel like you are walking into a Western Saloon, until you drink the wines. Fantastic. I thank them for the great tasing, their appreciation of animals, their reference to Chumeia and the fantastic wines. Check them out on the list to the left.
Hooked on Books, located ocean-side a mile marker 81.9 on the Overseas Highway, offers a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles, maps and guide books with a particular focus on the Florida Keys and Keys' authors. Hooked on Books takes particular interest in local talent, frequently offering books signings, and is a delightful place for both locals and vistors to pick-up a delightful read. Thank you, Penny and Cathy for carrying Adopted Paws and for all of your advice.
Micah goes beyond the standard Keys' muscian by creating, playing and recording his own lyrics and music. Indeed, if while building this website I wasn't listening to his debut CD Days go By , I probably would be jumping off a bridge. For anyone that lives in the Keys, loves to visit the Keys and has never been here but wants to come (and what are you waiting for?) - Micah's CD's are worth a listen. Even better, check-out Micah's website to find his venues so you can enjoy his performances.
Micah recorded some of his music at Dave Feder's studio. Right now I am listening to songs from Dave's CD The Reason Why . Dave's new CD Saranade promises to even better - I can't wait for Christmas. For more information on Dave's CDs and performances, check out his website.
Monte Azul promotes the rich diversity and talent of the contemporary arts in Costa Rica by representing artists, collecting their work and placing it in private and public collections. Their objective is to promote sustainability through environmentally friendly and sociably responsible business practices, while collaborating with the community in educational and economic enterprises. Please click on the link at the left to view examples of the art at gallery and photos of the hotel and nature preserve. Truly beautiful.
A delightful gallery in Lauderdale by the Sea in South Florida, New Light Gallery features the paintings of Wendy White and Roland Ruocco. I am fortunate that Wendy is not only a wonderful artist and friend, but a helpful editor as well.
The mission of the Upper Keys Tasters Guild is to educate we lucky inhabitants and vistors to the Upper Keys about Fine Wine and food. And so it does, with weekly tastings at local restaurants, appearances at charity events and for those of us more adventurous, the Monthly Connoissuers Tastings.This month we sampled a Poyferre and a Lafite Rothschild- yum (A very complicated wine term.) Even if you are just visiting it is worthwhile checking out the website for the calendar of events.
A beautifully appointed oasis off to the ocean side of US1 in Islamorada, Kaiyo serves fresh seafood, meats and vegetables prepared in delicious and original Florida-Asian styles. Please feel free to thumb through their copy of Adopted Paws that sits on the sushi bar.
By land or by sea, (my favorite after a hard morning of fishing,) you can't go wrong at Island Grill. Personally my favorite dishes are the whole snapper, tuna nachos, seafood tacos, nicoise salad and when I feel really decadent - the graham cracker crusted calamari. Check out the entertainment and the whole menu at the website and look for the mermaid among the mangroves and Stir-fry the cat under your table.