BOO !!!

A few friendly little ghosts sitting atop Carrot Cupcakes... the only thing scary about this is the calories...

Happy Halloween...

Halloween is almost here... Getting ready for a fun time and dinner with friends...

Halloween, A L'Italiana... Halloween, Italian Style...

During a trip to Venice,  Italy,  I fell in love with all the masks.  There are so many,  and they are all so beautiful.  It was so hard to decide which one to buy... it must have taken me  3 hours in a particular shop near Piazza San Marco to decide.  After agonizing  over which one to choose,  I decided on this one.  It's very classic... but sometimes it looks a little spooky and eerie... Perfect for Halloween?

Cheesecake Di Zucca... Pumpkin Cheesecake...

I don't typically like Spiders in my food,  but these spiders,  made from sugar,  caramelized to a lovely shade of amber,  are just the right  color for a Halloween Dessert table...

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Sugar Spiders is a perfect Halloween Dessert.... delicious and fun...

Un Letto nel Giardino.... A Bed in The Garden...

There isn't much going on in the way of gardening around here... it's been so hot I have no desire to be out in the heat to do any gardening...

I think this little Fairy Garden Bed is the last little planting that i've done...

Looking forward to cooler weather this weekend , some new plantings,  and some new raised garden beds.... can't wait for that...

Partita di Calcio , Cupcakes e Spaghetti... Soccer Game, Cupcakes and Spaghetti...

I have been making meals or treats  for Priscilla and her various  Soccer or Volleyball  teams for 15 years.  It's cute how the college girls appreciate the treats as much as the little ones did in the early years. This, is the last year of College Sports for her.  Makes us a little sad... it has been so fun traveling around to watch her play,  we will miss that...

After a 2 hour drive back  from the Soccer game,  it's  good to be home and whip up a quick pasta dish we affectionately call " Midnight Pasta"...  It is what you eat when you want " real food" ,  (no junk) and it's late ,  maybe as late as midnight....

A few fresh ingredients and a quick saute ...

When did Halloween get scary???

I have loved Halloween for as long as I can remember... As a young girl,  I remember rushing home from school on Halloween to carve the pumpkins.  I did most of the decorating ( this was  not an Italian holiday)  my mom was not that interested,  even though the decor that I liked was happy "friendly" Halloween pumpkins and ghosts with smiling faces.   I continue to love decorating for holidays ( and non-holidays).  This year,  as I began putting out my Halloween Decorations I noticed something... My decorations seem to be a little scary.... just a little...

Ciccio e Pasta e Fagioli... Flatbread and Pasta e Fagioli...

 Finally... it's cooler,  there are clouds in the sky,  and that nice breeze that makes the leaves rustle... feels like Fall... Time for soups and stews,  and anything else that is delicious for that matter...
Pasta e Fagioli,  a hearty Italian soup,  simple and satisfying.  Practically every family in Italy makes it,  and everyone seems to have their favorite version... Ours is very easy and can be made in just a few minutes.

Pasta e Fagioli

2 cloves minced Fresh Garlic

1Tomato (fresh, chopped or canned peeled, chopped)

Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 cans good Cannellini Beans (or dried beans , soaked if you prefer and have time)

Cooked small Pasta ( any shape)

2 Bay Leaves

Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat olive oil ( enough to lightly cover bottom of pan ) in small saucepan til hot,  add garlic, saute just til barely golden,  add  tomato , saute a few minutes, add bay leaves,  then add beans, and 2 cups of water. More water may be added for a thinner consistancy if you like.  Simmer soup  for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile,  cook pasta til Al Dente, drain, set aside.  Taste soup after about 30 minutes, check for seasoning.  Add cooked pasta just before serving.  Serve with good quality (preferably imported) grated Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Ciccio is an Italian Flatbread... Sometimes served in restaurants before a meal.  Often,  they have nothing more that a little cheese on top of the dough which is baked very quickly in a wood fired oven.
Sometimes ,  just  olive oil , rosemary and sea salt...  This one I made with Sauteed Mushrooms, Fontina Cheese and Oil Cured Olives,  sprinkled with Fresh Thyme.

Benvenuti e Dolcetti alla Zucca... Welcome and Pumpkin Muffins...

I love seeing a wreath on a front door. It tells me there is hospitality inside.  I always have one on my door,  no matter the season...  It just says "Welcome"...

The scent of Pumpkin Muffins baking says Welcome Autumn...

 These i've sprinkled with Candied Walnuts...

 Muffins baking and coffee brewing ...cozy autumn morning...

 I packaged a few to take to a friend who's  husband is very ill...