frolics.

Because occasionally I venture off the farm.

Frolics include but are not limited to: traveling the globe, visiting local farms, searching for found objects, food-sponsored travel (Tuscany, Las Vegas, NYC, CA, Portland, etc.), my perpetual need to peek around ‘the next corner’, and by all means: bellying up to the bar.

Astoria.

02/19/2012 | 4 Comments | Topics: frolics., Travel Oregon

I recently spent a weekend in Astoria, Oregon—a tiny town cascading down toward the mouth of the Columbia River. The first settlement west of the Rockies (1811 by fur trader John Jacob Astor), this quaint town is worth visiting and revisiting. I collected countless photos, met pillars of the community, talked beer and tasted food. It isn’t shocking to meet someone from Astoria only to learn this: “I took… [more]

Top 6 things to do in Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon

02/07/2012 | 3 Comments | Topics: frolics., Travel Oregon

While there are a multitude of cool things to do, see and experience in this happening northwest corner of Oregon, I whittled it down to just 6—chosen on my last visit.* I recently spent a weekend in Astoria, Oregon, a VERY quaint coastal town at the mouth of the Columbia River. This tiny piece of land boasts 2 long bridges that stretch across the Columbia. The Astoria-Megler Bridge is… [more]

resolutions 2012.

02/03/2012 | Leave a comment! | Topics: just talk, reviews, Travel Oregon

I always like to wait until February of a given year, to finalize my New Year resolutions. A bonafide procrastination technique: my excuse is that I begin THINKING about resolutions at the beginning of January. Then let them marinate. Until I finally come up with my deliberately crafted list of things to do/change/see/be. Yes: I need to drink more water (and probably fewer Manhattans—certainly not this whole case of beer!).***… [more]

Las Vegas Food & Wine All-Star Event: Best Bites & Sips #giveaway

11/28/2011 | 7 Comments | Topics: Food & Wine Las Vegas, frolics.

About a month ago, I gushed my way through a few posts about the Food & Wine All-Star Tasting Event and my weekend at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas (Read about my Day 1, 2 and 3 or the low-down on Jean Georges Steakhouse). I cannot… [more]

Urban Farm Handbook. (giveaway)

11/11/2011 | 29 Comments | Topics: farm., places to go, reviews

I knew I wanted to get my hands on this book, just from the title: Urban Farm Handbook. I have carried it on the plane with me a few times recently, and am sure I get a few good looks what with goats, chickens and biochar pouring off the pages. No doubt someone saw me shaking my head and smiling when I realized that thanks to reading this book:… [more]

will fly for oil: California Olive Ranch

11/08/2011 | 3 Comments | Topics: frolics., reviews

California Olive Ranch has a new fan: me. A few days ago I flew to Sacramento to check out their digs in northern California. They have 3 ranches; we visited the Artois ranch. You may know my deep affection for green gold—just pressed olive oil—due in large part to living in Italy for a year. While in Italy, we tasted a lot of olive oil(s) from different… [more]

a week in Amsterdam.

11/05/2011 | 5 Comments | Topics: frolics., places to go

Amsterdam is deserving of more than one post, to be sure. But for now it will have to do! You can peek at more pictures from my week in Amsterdam in this flickr album (browse ALL of Talk of Tomatoes’ FROLIC albums). I was SO lucky that we had enough mileage for a free flight to Amsterdam. My husband had business in Holland which means there was… [more]

Urban Foraging

11/03/2011 | 5 Comments | Topics: food., frolics., things to do

I went on an urban foraging tour in the middle of September, and thought I would share with you some of my ‘field notes.’ My interest in foraging continues to grow, so when I noticed an informal tour/gathering for urban foraging in my neighborhood—I didn’t hesitate to sign up. It is true that some berries and leaves are poisonous… which means I aim to learn this with caution… [more]

Jean Georges Steakhouse Las Vegas

11/01/2011 | Leave a comment! | Topics: Food & Wine Las Vegas, frolics.

I was the girl who matched my homemade plastic bangle earrings to my layered neon socks. I wasn’t sure what fashion bar I was or was not setting, but at a young age I appreciated attention to detail: color coordination, accessory adaptation, trending neon and customized jewelry. Call me silly. In my adult years this attention to detail and appreciation for a thematic approach resonates on my plate (when… [more]

Las Vegas (Day 3): Aria Resort & Casino

10/30/2011 | 1 Comment | Topics: Food & Wine Las Vegas, frolics.

Day 3 of being spoiled. rotten. Thanks to Aria Resort & Casino. I rolled out of bed (as this is the only way to get out of bed after late nights in Vegas—just try not to hit the floor on your way out). I ambled onto the elevator and shimmied (forgetting it was early morning and I was no longer at HAZE nightclub) to the ARIA Spa &… [more]