Hot Off the Press...

Some fun stories I've written lately:

• Columbus Monthly readers, check out my article in the December issue about local candlemaker-turned-YouTube star Paul Robinett. If you're looking for great holiday party host/hostess gifts, I highly recommend showing up with one of his holiday-esque creations in hand in lieu of a bottle of wine. My seasonal faves are evergreen, cinnamon, spiced cranberry and mango--the latter to mentally evoke scenes of tropical warmth and sun! (I'll save the grapefuit-scented one for the health-conscious month of January.)
• Just in time for holiday baking season, you can order blanched (that means shelled and peeled) hazelnuts from Oregon, then make them into a nifty bar snack. Read all about it here. (Anyone who has hunted all over town for blanched hazelnuts, then unsuccessfully tried to shell their own knows what a find this is. This article stemmed from my frustration last year with finding the right variety for my hazelnut toffee.)

Our Chicago flight got canceled today due to inclement weather--what a bummer! Fortunately there are plenty of great things to do in Columbus this weekend, like the Short North Holiday Hop. See you there!