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My Favorite holiday movie

Posted by Tracey | Dec 1, 2021 | Movie Reviews | 0 |

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About The Author

Tracey

Tracey

Join me on my journey as I taste and drink in all that life has to offer!

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Join me on my journey as I take one big gulp out of life one small sip at a time #lifefoodwine
Wine Wednesday - 🍷 Confessions of a Wine Lover Wine Wednesday - 🍷 Confessions of a Wine Lover is LIVE! 🍷 Episode 2 - The Gewürztraminer Gamble. Ever tried to open a screwcap with a corkscrew? Or paired fish sticks with Premier Cru Chablis? 🙈 This 5-part series is all about those hilarious (and sometimes cringe-worthy) wine moments. If you’ve ever butchered the pronunciation of Gewürztraminer, this is for you! 😂 Check out the full confessions and laugh (or cringe) with me. 🎉 check out lifefoodwine.com for the full story on #winewesnesday #gewurztraminer #confessionsofawinelover
Book Review: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent Book Review: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent - full review on lifefoodwine.com ✨ Book Club Pick + Wine Pairing ✨ Meet Strange Sally Diamond—one of the most unsettling, heart-wrenching, and with unexpected moments of humor, reads I’ve picked up in a while. And yes, I was hooked from the moment Sally tried to cremate her dad with the trash. (It’s not what you think. Okay, it kind of is. But also so much more.) This beautifully twisted story by Liz Nugent has all the makings of a book club classic: mystery, trauma, healing, dark humor, and a main character you’ll never forget. Naturally, I paired it with something equally complex: the Styring Signature Pinot Noir from Oregon. Smooth, layered, and just a little wild—kind of like Sally herself. 📖: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent 🍷: Styring Signature Pinot Noir 👯‍♀️: Best discussed over wine with friends who also enjoy emotionally intense fiction and darkly funny moments #Bookstagram #StrangeSallyDiamond #LizNugent #WineAndBooks #BookClubReads #PinotNoir #OregonWine #CozyReads #DarkFiction #BookPairing #BookLover #WineLover #ReadWithWine #StyringVineyards @styringvineyards
Restaurant Review: Pizz’Amici, West Town, Chicag Restaurant Review: Pizz’Amici, West Town, Chicago - The vibe inside is pure joy: a constant rotation of friends, families, and pizza pilgrims, all grinning mid-bite. It’s the kind of place where conversation is loud, tables are coveted, and everyone’s just happy to be there—like the Cheers of pizza, if you will. Read more on lifefoodwine.com #pizzachicago #bestpizzachicago #westtownchicago @pizz.amici
Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Foll Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Following in the footsteps of The Martian, Andy Weir delivers another science-heavy adventure, this time featuring a lone astronaut on a mission to save Earth, plus a snarky, brilliant alien named Rocky. It’s brainy, heartwarming, hilarious, and, at times, so filled with technical jargon that I had to Google my way through it. But the emotional payoff? Stellar. Pun entirely intended. Full review on lifefoodwine.com #projecthailmary #andyweir #bookreview #scifibutmakeitfunny #bookstagram
30daysinwinecountry 2025 - Day 30 – A Few of My 30daysinwinecountry 2025 - Day 30 – A Few of My Favorite Things 🍷I cannot believe how quickly 30 days have flown by. So, my favorite list is everything, my friends, our amazing dinners and so much more. But this list is my favorite things I like to do most visits ❤️🍷 Let’s start with almond croissants. I only let myself eat them here—for fear of turning into a 900-pound version of myself if they ever became a staple. Barbara and I savored Rustic Bakery croissants with our morning coffee in the yard, and…I can’t believe I’m saying this… they might be better than Bouchon. WHAT?! I know. But wow. A perfect, slow morning. Once Barbara left, I took one last favorite short walk through Yountville to admire the sculptures. With the weather creeping toward 100, it was brief—but beautiful. Lunch was solo at R+D, and yes, I got the salad: PAN-ASIAN NOODLE SALAD with mango, avocado, chopped peanuts, basil, mint, and chicken. My favorite salad in all of Napa. Paired it with a chilled glass of Azur Rosé while sitting in the shade of their outside bar. Perfection. Then off to say farewell to my Hill Family Winery fam. Thank you to Eric, Jim, and Heather for taking such great care of me (and my many drop-ins). You’re the absolute best. Next stop? Meeting up with Napa friends Shannon and Shane at The Restaurant at North Block. We shared the MUSHROOM PIZZA—mushroom purée, mozzarella, arugula, parmesan, garlic oil—and shared stories. In Napa, there’s always just one degree of separation. Kevin Bacon wishes. And then it was time to face…the packing. With a chaise lounge session, a glass of wine, and my tradition: watching Wine Country while in wine country. Creature of habit? Absolutely. And that’s a wrap on 30 magic days 🥲 #NapaFavorites #FoodieLife #RusticBakery #RAndDKitchen #AzurRose #NorthBlockNapa #MushroomPizzaMagic #HillFamilyWinery #WineCountryTheMovie #NapaLife @hillfamilyestate
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 29 – Bubbles and #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 29 – Bubbles and Charlie’s 🍷 My final visitor, Barbara, arrived just in time for late-afternoon bubbles at Chandon followed by dinner at the local favorite: Charlie’s in St. Helena. Given the heat, we opted for the cool, shaded comfort of the indoor Club Lounge at Chandon. With a charcuterie board that could make a cheesemonger weep, we sipped our way through sparkling dreams—highlights included the Étoile Rosé and the delightfully zingy 50th Anniversary Winemaker’s Blend, created to celebrate Chandon’s first five decades. It was fresh, bright, and both of our top pick. From there, we Ubered to Charlie’s, which I’d been dying to return to after my last visit. This time, we sat at the bar in the airy front room. I ordered a Bordeaux Blanc (again—no regrets), and Barbara went with the Massican Charlie’s Bianco, which she loved. The menu at Charlie’s is small but mighty, and I made a valiant attempt to branch out. Did I succeed? Sort of. We started with the shrimp cocktail—fried saltines, aji dulce peppers, and horseradish, with just the right kick. Then I caved and re-ordered the Crispy Watsonville Artichokes because Barbara had to try them (and okay, I wanted them again). No regrets—they’re still insanely crispy and totally addictive. And then came the wildcard: Chicken Nuggets with aioli and Regiis Ova caviar. Yes, you read that right. Caviar. With. Nuggets. And it worked! Paired with blistered snap peas in a stracciatella and garlic chili crunch, it was weirdly wonderful and utterly unforgettable. What a fun, fabulous night. I can’t believe I only have one day left in this magical 30-day Wine Country adventure. What will Day 30 bring? #WineCountryLife #BubblesAndBites #ChandonMoments #NapaValleyEats #CharliesStHelena #FoodieAdventures #SparklingWineVibes #WineTastingFun #NapaNights @charlies_nv @chandonusa
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 28 – The Wine Wid #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 28 – The Wine Widow’s Peak and Other Napa Superstitions 🍷🔮. In a region known for sunshine, soil, and science, you’d be surprised how many Napa vintners still whisper about superstitions passed down through generations. Let’s uncork a few: 🕯️ The Wine Widow’s Peak. Legend has it that if a winemaker builds their home uphill from the vineyard, tragedy may follow—their vines wither, their barrels leak, and the wine turns flat. Locals call this the Wine Widow’s Peak—a play on the Gothic hairline and the idea that the vineyard “mourns” being beneath its master. Moral: Respect the land. Stay humble. And don’t build your mansion above the Merlot. 🌕 Harvest by the Moonlight. Some vintners swear grapes harvested by a full moon yield more balanced, expressive wines. Biodynamic growers follow lunar calendars religiously—literally scheduling harvest and racking based on moon phases and planetary alignment. 🐍 Snakes Mean Good Luck. It’s not uncommon for vineyard workers to see a rattlesnake slithering through the vines. Oddly enough, in some Napa folklore, snakes are a sign of fertility and healthy soil. If you spot one during harvest, it means a strong vintage is coming. Just don’t try to pet it. 👻 Barrels That Knock Back. A few old wineries swear their barrel rooms are haunted. Some say you can hear tapping on barrels late at night. Is it fermentation gases? Or a ghostly winemaker from the 1800s checking in on the aging Cab? Either way, the wine still tastes great. Want to test your luck? Next time you’re in Napa, listen for whispers in the cellar, toast under the full moon, and never underestimate a struggling vine. 🍷 #NapaWineLore #WineWidowsPeak #MoonHarvest #WineSuperstitions #NapaValleyMysteries #BarrelRoomGhosts #ConfessionsOfAWineLover
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 27 – The Judgment #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 27 – The Judgment of Paris🍷 in lieu of my day of lack of adventure unless you want to talk work and walking? No… ok. I have another little story for you. The Day Napa Shocked the Wine World: The 1976 Judgment of Paris Back in 1976, Napa was known more for fruit stands than fine wine—until one legendary blind tasting changed everything. British wine merchant Steven Spurrier hosted a now-iconic competition in Paris: France vs. California, reds and whites, all judged blindly by top French experts. The shock? California won. 1973 Château Montelena Chardonnay beat out Burgundy’s best. 1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed over Bordeaux royalty. Cue stunned silence, pearl clutching, and a few muttered sacres bleus. That moment launched Napa Valley onto the world wine stage and proved once and for all that world-class wine wasn’t just a European affair. Bonus sips: The tasting inspired the film Bottle Shock (with the beloved Alan Rickman and a gorgeous, young Chris Pine). A bottle of that Montelena Chardonnay now lives in the Smithsonian. Spurrier himself admitted he never saw it coming. Lesson? Never underestimate the power of California sunshine and a little rebellious spirit. #JudgmentOfParis #NapaWineHistory #ChateauMontelena #StagsLeap #BottleShock #WineThatWonItAll #NapaPride #ConfessionsOfAWineLover #WineUnderdog #CaliforniaCrushedIt
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 26 – Exercise, Ce #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 26 – Exercise, Celadon & The Tom 🍷🎬 After Jen’s late morning departure (cue tiny violin), I threw myself into something productive: Fitbit flexing. 18,000 steps, thank you very much. 💪 In the early evening, I headed to Celadon in downtown Napa to meet my lovely friend Traci for dinner before our big cinematic event: Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning (aka “Final Reckoning” in my heart and also… is it really the final? We’ll see, Tom). But first—dinner. Celadon has been holding it down in Napa for nearly 30 years, and there’s a reason. The vibe is cozy, the patio is magical, and the menu is seasonal, fresh, and just downright delicious. The Calamari with hot honey sauce = game-changer. The Crab & Artichoke Ravioli = next level, maybe spiritual. And now... let’s talk Tom Cruise. I love him. There, I said it. He’s a true movie star who consistently delivers edge-of-your-seat, adrenaline-pumping, popcorn-flinging fun. Final Reckoning was a full-on rollercoaster ride—I held my breath more than I should admit, and yes, I may have applauded. It’s a must-see in theaters. Run. Get tickets. Tom insists. 🕶️💥#CeladonNapa #MissionImpossible #DeadReckoning #TomCruiseForever #confessionsofawinelover
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