Una Torta Per Priscilla... A Cake For Priscilla...

November is such a busy month full of birthdays... starting with Priscilla.  As requested,  I made her a Baked Alaska... A sweet treat for my sweet girl.

Pensando a Franca... Thinking of Frances...

I am thinking of my lovely sister Frances today,  so far away in Italy,  yet just a phone call away.  We had a little conversation about her Birthday celebration today,  and she told me about what she was cooking. We share a love for cooking and she is always making something wonderful.  I told her that we would be calling her again later,  when Mom is awake,  so that hopefully Mom can wish her a Happy Birthday.  I wish we could be all together today... I would make her a cake,  which I have only been able to do once,  when she was here a few years ago...  She will be in my thoughts today ,  and certainly while I am cooking dinner...

Un Compleanno Per Mamma...A Birthday For Mom...

At 96 years she is still amazing!  A sweet and gentle Lady,  always wanting to keep herself looking lovely... nails done,  hair too... and jewelry of course.  We are so lucky to have her,  and Anna,  with her unwavering commitment to taking good care of Mom.  Seeing to Mom's needs and overseeing the care by her sweet caregivers  takes a lot of time and effort,  yet she wouldn't have it any other way.  I am so grateful,  and I know that Frances and Paul are as well.  We had a good celebration for her birthday... Anna and Nicola hard at work making Wood Fired Pizza's.  Paul and Edy brought Meatballs from the restaurant.  Giulietta and I both made a cake.  Hers was Triple Chocolate,  which she made completely by herself ( at 8 years of age... (WOW) and it was delicious,  she is following in the footsteps of an entire family of Chef's, Cooks,  and Foodies.  Mine was a Vanilla Cake  filled with Vanilla Pastry Cream and Fresh Blueberry Compote.  I Painted the cake with little blue (Mom's favorite color)  rosebuds which matched the plate that I served it on.  Surrounded by immediate family and loved ones,  once again we celebrated our wonderful Mother.

A Cake For A Dear Friend... Una Torta Per Una Cara Amica...

The Birthday gatherings with "the girls" continue... It's so fun to get together and celebrate our closest friends with food, cocktails, gifts and sometimes a craft.  Spending the better part of a day just having fun with the girls.  As I often do,  I made the cake... This one for Yuri... I decided on a "Naked Cake"... Pink Champagne Cake,  three layers, with Raspberries macerated in Chambord, topped with Chocolate Ganache and Buttercream.  I decorated with Sugared Roses and Homemade Vanilla Meringues,  to match the party theme that Jody did which was Champagne and Roses...

Buon Natale... Merry Christmas...

A birthday cake is always on the Christmas List of desserts ... Happy Birthday Jim...

Ciao Autunno... Hello Autumn...

Time flies when you're  having fun but this is crazy... September is close to being over and Fall is here.   Loving the cooler mornings and evenings and the smell of Fall in the air.  It smells different at this new place... more outdoorsy... Love that!  As I do each year on the first day of Autumn,  I made a pie... Pumpkin this time,   classic,   and with my usual embellishment of hand cut leaves.  This pie is the first Fall dessert of the season with many more to come.  We celebrated Jody's Birthday here,  with the girls... lots of fun.  I made lunch and the cake... Pumpkin Spice with Pecans.

Buon Compleanno Mamma … Happy Birthday Mom …

We finally celebrated Mom's Birthday… with lots of family and friends.  Unfortunately,  Frances was not able to come from Italy for the party, but  It was so much fun.   Mom enjoyed herself,  and seemed to understand that all the fuss was for her.  Lots of food… A Strawberry Limoncello Cake,  Happy Pinwheel Decorations,  and Roses and Flowers from my garden,  made for beautiful celebration.  So thankful to have Mom  healthy and happy at 95!