My work area is at the end of the bar where the laptop is. From this position, I can see into the living area and into the kitchen.

We would like to extend a welcome to our newest contributor, Joanna Smith. To learn more about Joanna or any of our other contributors please visit our authors page.

A wine tasting took place at my home in Queens recently. Eleven tasters unscientifically sampled and rated five bottles of Sauvignon Blanc over brunch. Also known as Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre and Fume Blanc, a lower alcohol helps soften a hangover and presents a more refreshing taste at a generally less expensive cost. After years of sagging popularity, Sauvignon Blanc is experiencing a renaissance in consumption and vintners who produce it. Following are the results listed from most preferred (top of list) to least (bottom of list).

Here is my space. All fancy and stuff. Enjoy. (Couple of other picts after the jump.)

The best thing about my workspace is that I have a big white wall above my desk where I post things that catch my eye.

Monday night I sat with 5,000 other moviegoers in the cool grass of Bryant Park to watch the 1963 film Charade. It was the second time I've seen this movie which Internet Movie Database classifies as: Comedy / Crime / Mystery / Romance / Thriller (more).

On the release day of the major motion picture World Trade Center by Oliver Stone, I can confidently say I will never see it. I'm even going so far as to avoid watching the movie's trailer and any of its television advertising. The only in-depth information about this movie that I have experienced are a handful of reviews that I read in preparation for this article. Why have I gone to such lengths?

I took my two kids shopping today at Target for a few things: diapers, a blow-up kiddie pool, and a few other small items. As I was heading down the aisle where the pools were, my 2-yr old son yelled out "crackers!" (Or his word for crackers, that is) I was thinking...is there some toy that looks like crackers? Then, of course, I saw that Target had conveniently placed a corner display of goldfish crackers at the front of the toy aisle. I could have, and should have, just told my son that we would get crackers later, but I gave in and gave him a box. (I don't always give in to these requests, but I did today.) Although it is my fault for giving in, I felt really suckered by Target...if I want crackers, I go to the freaking cracker aisle! But in this case, Target didn't care what "I" wanted. The display was almost empty, so I'm obviously not the only victim.

For my birthday this past week, I worked late and didn't get home 'til after 8PM. My husband had prepared a feast for me, including homemade gazpacho (not pictured), a delicious fish dish of his own creation, steamed green chard and pine nut cous cous. All of this, lovingly prepared in a 90+ degree kitchen with no A/C.