Ghiaccioli... Popsicles ...

A little Lemon Verbena simple syrup,  a little pureed fruit, 

 a little freezer time ...

A simple little treat for a hot summer day...

La Frutta D'estate.... Summertime Fruit...

Growing up,  we always ended a meal with fruit.  Different fruits,  but always what was in season and perfect.  In the summer, when peaches are so sweet and delicious,    my father would always slice a peach or two from the bowl and add it to his wine glass enjoying the subtle peach flavor that would infuse his wine.   At the end of his meal,  he would pick  out the slices one by one and share them with us.  We still do this, and  I can't do it without thinking  of my father and how he enjoyed it.

Another refreshing treat,  muddled peaches with  fresh mint,  a shot of Vodka... topped off with a little  San Pellegrino Water ,  on the rocks... Perfect summertime cocktail...

Amore nel giardino ... Love in the garden...

I was doing a typical morning walk in the garden and came upon these little guys enjoying themselves... ( I couldn't resist,  I hope that nobody will be offended by this,  ha ha )...

Speaking of love in the garden,  I am really loving my Pumpkin Plants.  I've  always had so much trouble trying to grow Pumpkins,  but this year i'm having more success.  I'm growing them up fences and trellises ... I love how that looks...

This one needs a little extra support so I made a "sling" that I crocheted using a heavy twine...

Una Bella Sorpresa... A Beautiful Surprise...

While  vacationing in Italy several years ago,  Jim wanted to bring something special home to remember the trip.  We visited lots of wonderful places including my home town.  One of our favorite places was Positano on the Amalfi Coast.  The handmade pottery there is spectacular and that is where we found that special item.  This gorgeous urn.  It is a large piece so we had it shipped.  We were assured that it would packaged very carefully,  so as to arrive in one piece,  guaranteed...  Well it did not arrive in  one piece.  Both handles had broken.  We sent  pictures of the broken handles,  and,  as promised,  they promptly refunded our money.  Jim glued the handles back together,   and now we have this lovely piece,  which was rather expensive,  for free.  I call that a beautiful surprise!

Cose strane ma belle nel giardino... Strange but beautiful happenings in the garden...

The Zucchini are enormous ,  and the pumpkins think it's Fall...

 Funny how you can look right into the garden and not see something...  So I guess that's how a few Zucchini grew into monstrous proportions... One is 20" long and weighs 12 pounds!

                            My  91 year old Mother with a giant Cabbage...

Beautiful, almost black Hollyhock...  always fun to find lovely surprises in the garden...

Happy 4Th of July...

Hope you all have a fun 4th... Can't believe it's already July...  Enjoy the Fireworks...

Peonie e Panna Cotta... Peonies & Panna Cotta...

A friend was over the other day and brought me some gorgeous ,  delicately colored Peonies.  The petals look so fragile and the soft color is amazing... I joked that I might move away from sunny San Diego just so I could grow Peonies....  Well,  maybe not , but I would love to be able to grow them here...

Speaking of beautiful things,  Panna Cotta,  soft, delicate, creamy,  possibly the food equivalent of Peonies... Maybe?  Topped with Balsamic Strawberries....  Pretty delicious...