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...

 

Tende Italiane... Italian Linens...

 I have lots of little curtains that my mom has given me , or that I have brought back from Italy.  I really love to have them casually covering a window,  allowing the sunshine in,  and the view to the outside to be visible , but still allowing a little privacy and shade.  All over Italy you can see similar little curtains, in windows,  gently blowing in the breeze,  allowing glimpses into homes where the sounds of family and cooking come wafting through.

In our bedroom,  I have used two long curtains as a canopy over our bed.  It's decorative and simple...

I like the way this one looks,  just covering the pillows...

 These pieces aren't expensive,  but they are precious to me...