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]]> Santa Rosa's Alicia Hodenfield has been forced to tighten her belt in these tough economic times. But she, like many in Sonoma County, says she still has a lot to be thankful for. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:06:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/lifestyle/911209952 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/lifestyle/911209968
]]> This year, as we prepare to gather once more at the Thanksgiving table, we asked our readers to share their memories, both fond and funny, of this iconic holiday. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:15:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/lifestyle/911209968 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/lifestyle/911199894
]]> Cross over the river at Monte Rio, then make your way through the woods. On a remote shore road between Villa Grande and Duncans Mills hides the ultimate grandma’s house, illuminating the darkened November day like an ornate little night light. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:45:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/lifestyle/911199894 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/news/911209964
]]> Pork: The other white meat Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:21:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/news/911209964 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/lifestyle/911189872
]]> Oh, la la, it’s time for Beaujolais Nouveau: The year’s first wine has arrived and the Alliance Francaise de Santa Rosa is hosting its annual celebration tonight. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:37:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/lifestyle/911189872 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/lifestyle/911199954
]]> PETALUMA Find something special at holiday crafts fairs For a gift you know won’t be a duplicate and can’t be returned, look for something homemade at one of the many crafts fairs that crop up during Christmas. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:33:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/lifestyle/911199954 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/lifestyle/911199998
]]> The greatest gift in my life has been being a mother to my two kids. I never would have thought I could love anyone as much as I love my kids. And being a mother has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:33:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/lifestyle/911199998 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091118/lifestyle/911179934
]]> The flavor of spaghetti squash is similar to other winter squashes but its texture reflects its name. The best recipes, according to Michele Anna Jordan, play to that texture, the squash's greatest asset. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:22:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091118/lifestyle/911179934 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091118/lifestyle/911189972
]]> [Celebrating seasonal holidays usually pulls us away from routine garden maintenance, often happily so, but as it happens winter holidays happen to coincide with a spray schedule for dormant fruit and nut trees. Their dates are a convenient reminder to stay on track in the garden. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:38:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091118/lifestyle/911189972 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091117/lifestyle/911169876
]]> Last year, Dominic Orsini was tapped to become Silver Oak Cellars’ first winery chef and given everything he needed to invent and create great tastes to go with the legendary winery’s wines. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:23:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091117/lifestyle/911169876 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911139917
]]> Press Democrat wine writer Peg Melnik scopes out wine lists around the North Bay, looking for good value and the occasional splurge. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:04:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911139917 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911169899
]]> Petite sirah is a grape variety that usually isn’t so petite and has little to do with syrah (other than being its offspring). But it is a grape that more and more producers are making into a varietal wine, and more and more are using it to add depth, color and character to their red wine blends. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:25:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911169899 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911169906
]]> Can one really make inexpensive wine in Napa Valley? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:21:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911169906 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911169911
]]> If there were just one Thanksgiving side dish that you could serve alongside the turkey, what would it be? For many, the pièce de la résistance is the stuffing, an earthy accompaniment that marries the deep, fatty flavor of butter and onions with the crisp, crunchy textures of wild rice, pine nuts and porcini mushrooms. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:14:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/lifestyle/911169911 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/lifestyle/911151054
]]> Put down the canned mushroom soup and jellied cranberry sauce. While your family recipes may be adequate, there are trained professionals throughout Wine Country ready and willing to turn over their tried-and-true Turkey Day tips to you. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:15:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/lifestyle/911151054 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/lifestyle/911139923
]]> Should all men be screened for prostate cancer, just like all women should be screened for cervical cancer? The answer to this question is not as easy or as clear as you may think. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:49:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/lifestyle/911139923 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091114/lifestyle05/911141001
]]> From buying antiques to decorating with fabrics to using Energy Star appliances, there are easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:02:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091114/lifestyle05/911141001 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091114/lifestyle/911139928
]]> Entrepreneur Darlene Walley has used her business smarts and love of dance to keep the annual production of ‘The Nutcracker’ thriving Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:21:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091114/lifestyle/911139928 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091113/lifestyle/911129920
]]> The Wine Country is so full of beautiful homes in beautiful settings, it’s not unusual to see them featured in high-end catalogs. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:08:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091113/lifestyle/911129920 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091113/lifestyle/911099969
]]> Jerry H. writes, I am doing my information gathering early since bare-root season will be here before too long. I would like to purchase a bare-root pomegranate tree that can be successfully grown in a good-sized container. Here are my questions: Do you have any favorites that are suitable for growing in a container and remain a reasonable height?... Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:32:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091113/lifestyle/911099969 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/lifestyle/911119881
]]> Celebrate Christmas on Angel Island or taste tempting treats in Sebastopol at upcoming food happenings. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:40:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/lifestyle/911119881 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/lifestyle/911129956
]]> Ceramics tour: Heath Ceramics, one of the last remaining companies from the golden age of California pottery, will hold an open studio as well as annual sample sale this month. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:01:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/lifestyle/911129956 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/lifestyle/911089968
]]> If you are one of the many faced with cleaning up piles of acorns this year, have you harbored the wish that oak trees would take a rest and just drop leaves? I’ll confess I have, but at the same time am grateful for seedlings and young trees that acorns from past seasons have produced. Sun, 8 Nov 2009 21:19:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/lifestyle/911089968 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/lifestyle/911109949
]]> A winter squash can be intimidating, especially to a home cook who is not completely confident in the kitchen. But not to worry. Once cooked, winter squash can be frozen and used throughout the winter. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:13:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/lifestyle/911109949 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/lifestyle/911099954
]]> Napa author Maria Helm Sinskey knows about getting kids comfy in the kitchen. Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:54:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/lifestyle/911099954 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/lifestyle/911069922
]]> “It is a shy and decidedly youthful looking member of an old Scotch family who is the owner of the broad acres of Dunfillan, one of the finest vineyards in America.” Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:50:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/lifestyle/911069922 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/lifestyle/911069934
]]> Our wine of the week winner - the Novy, 2006 Sonoma County Syrah - was produced in a no-frills warehouse. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:06:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/lifestyle/911069934 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091109/lifestyle/911069908
]]> Press Democrat wine writer Peg Melnik scopes out wine lists around the North Bay, looking for good value and the occasional splurge. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:49:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091109/lifestyle/911069908 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091108/lifestyle/911059896
]]> As the World War II generation grows ever smaller, younger people must help to plan and organize the Veterans Day parade and other events. Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:50:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091108/lifestyle/911059896 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091107/lifestyle/911059901
]]> Brilliant fare at Mosaic Restaurant and Wine Lounge gives Forestville options aside from burgers, pizza, shots-and-beers ambience Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:35:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091107/lifestyle/911059901