Piaceri Invernali... Winter Pleasures...

No mater how happy I may be to start fresh in the New Year... there is always that little bit of wondering... what to do now.  Now,  during this time of not much going on.  We have had an amazing amount of rain,  which is fantastic,  but in between storms,  it feels a little  like springtime.  A little gardening is always in order and just a little crafting too... and always ,  cooking and baking.  I loved my little Christmas Wreaths on my mirrors so much that I decided to keep them,  but take the Christmas look away... so,  I ended up with little green wreaths,  with a  little bit  of purple,  as that is my color of choice this "winter" ( using that term lightly).  Sparkly Succulents in favorite tea cups add a little garden to my kitchen window.  Priscilla's favorite  Double Chocolate Bark turned into a tart,  a  Lovely Strawberry,  Mascarpone Tart with Chocolate Ganache Drizzle and a Buttery Cookie Crust,  and some adorable Teeny-Weenie sugar cookies... Focaccia,  a regular part of my cooking repertoire along with a Marinated Eggplant and Mozzarella Salad with a fresh Baguette...That should keep the winter doldrums away...

 

A New Year... Anno Nuovo...

Well,  the Holidays have come and gone... it was fun, yet busy.  Keeping traditions alive and maybe creating new ones.  Making memories ... and cookies and lots of other sweets and savories.  Just starting to put the decorations away and giving the house a less cluttered look. As happens to me every year at this time,  I'm thinking of Springtime... it will be here before I know it.  Even though we are having lots of rain and cold weather ( for us) I know that spring will be popping up soon,   and it will be fun to do some gardening.  Can't wait!