The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

At this time of year I, as many people do, think back to the Christmases of my youth and the dishes that my mother spent days preparing. Mind you, my dear mum couldn't make you an edible scrambled egg or hamburger that you'd want to do anything with... Full story

Last year I had fun writing about the surprisingly good Pasek Cellars Cranberry wine, which brought about some awesome and somewhat funny responses from some of you. I know it was a big leap of faith but wasn't it great to surprise your family and...

I n sticking with this Thanksgiving theme, I'm talking gravy - real homemade from scratch gravy. Please, I beg of you - don't buy that stuff in a can or in that packet! That's not gravy - it's salty paste with fake chicken flavor- ing for goodness...

In keeping with this month's autumn theme, this time of year has me looking forward to the release of one of the great relatively new trends of the wine world. In France the production of Beaujolais Nouveau (made exclusively from the Gamay Noir...

Leaves are changing colors and fluttering down off the trees; the smell of wood smoke is in the air, sweaters and boots are being pulled out of storage at record pace. These first cold snaps of autumn make me yearn for comfort food; longings for the... Full story

It's hot, it's humid, you've been working out in the back 40 all day, you're tired, thirsty and if you're anything like me, somewhat cranky too. The worst part is you're also out of ideas. You've had more lemonade than humanly possible over the...

It's Sunday morning and before I even open my eyes thoughts drift downstairs, hoping the kitchen fairy is putting a package of bacon in the oven. That magi­cal smell wafts up like a Bugs Bunny cartoon smoke swirl, tickling taste buds with a waving,...

Sometimes I miss the days of my youth out at the ballpark when you would hear that siren call of the beer vendor plying a tray of ice-cold beer up and down the aisles, while the thwack of the ball into the catcher's mitt or the crack of the bat lent... Full story

It is now officially summertime! Thought I'd clue you in just in case you've been living in a cave and hadn't noticed the sweltering temperatures outside. With summer in full swing, the BBQ's are firing up everywhere and the smell of burgers,... Full story

I did not know Mike Dunham well, but he made a lasting impression on me from the first day I met him a long time ago. I knew that I had met one of the good guys. There is something both exhilarating and terrifying for those who are amid the first... Full story

Hlaf - that's a word that hasn't been used since around c1200. No, it is not a typo - it's the Old English word for "loaf". This is what our forebears called bread. Since the switch there's been no other name for it in the Eng- lish language.... Full story

We've all been there at one point or another. You're out with friends having a good time and there's always that person who doesn't know when to stop talking, when the internal filter needs to be turned to 11. Sometimes this happens after work on a...

When I started this column about 8 month ago I wanted to showcase, from time to time, something extraordinary, something special, that is the result of the passion of our regional chefs. I wanted my first offer- ing to showcase the amazing dishes I...

Welcome back to the second part of the Spring "what to drink now" wine column continuing the saga of "what do I drink now in this post-winter freeze period" where the easy choice is heavy reds. As promised in last month's install­ment where I...

I love chicken. I just want that understood right from the get-go. Chicken is the most versatile meat on the planet, and while I know that point could be argued through time eternal please don't bother - my mind's made up on this point. You...

Officially, spring doesn't start until March 20. But when I find myself humming "Mr. Blue Sky" by the Electric Light Orchestra every morning, I think it's safe to say spring is on its way. Spring brings new blooms and, emerging from hiberna­tion, the...

As the buds start to swell on just about everything and we're all putting away our heaviest winter clothes, my thoughts always turn tohellip;what to drink with all those "pack-away-the-winter-bins-and-blues" chores. It's no longer cold enough to...