These Wisconsin women exuded that effortless effervescence of youth when I met them by chance at the Electric Owl in Los Angeles.

Thornton Winery bills itself as Temecula’s Original Champagne House, so of course we had to go there. We had a marvelous time enjoying the wines and our wide-ranging conversations.

A very expressive seagull at the Santa Monica pier deserves a caption.

Everything was eye candy on the Santa Monica Pier.

House-made pasta makes for a wonderful meal at this authentic Italian restaurant in Pasadena.

Memories of of a summer day in Laguna Beach, a town that’s more quirky than cool, colorful, artsy and fully embracing its California beachy character.

Today, we’re reminiscing about one of the wineries we visited on our ‘Wine for No Reason’ trip in to California’s Temecula Valley.

Random gorgeousness from the De Young Museum in San Francisco.

Reflections on a lovely meal with friends at Wilson Creek Winery, and how the people and the place are just as important as the food.

The Frangipani Winery view inspires a visual haiku, and a real one, too.

Anticipating a “Wine for No Reason” outing in Temeculas, CA.