Peonie Da Mia Sorella... Peonies From My Sister...

Anna brought me some Peonies... just because...  because,  She knows that I LOVE them and that I CAN'T grow them.  They are absolutely gorgeous,  two colors,  one a deep magenta,  the other a two toned pink.  I can only  imagine how beautiful these would be actually growing in my garden. 

Dal Giardino Alla Tavola... From The Garden To The Table...

The Pumpkins have been planted and i'm excited to see how that will go this year.  If only they were as easy to grow as the herbs...  Basil,  Arugula,  Italian Parsley,  Italian Oregano,  Chives,  Borage, Thyme,  Sage, Rosemary, Lavender , Lemon Verbena, and different types of Mint,  all doing well,  and looking so pretty . I made an Italian Parsley and Oregano Pesto with Walnuts as a change from Traditional Pesto and used it on Grilled Flatbread with Kalamata Olives.  Grilled Salmon,  simply topped,  with a variety of chopped Herbs...  Herb Blossoms to garnish Fresh Ricotta.  Anna has lots of beautiful Apricots on her tree and gave me some to make a Tart.   Puff Pastry, topped with Vanilla Bean Sugar Mascarpone ,  and  Apricots,  with Lemon Verbena.

Una Torta Per Una Amica Speciale... A Cake For A Special Friend...

We celebrated Tami's Birthday,  and I was in charge of the cake. The party was a Beach Theme .  For the decoration on the cake,  I made Gelatin  Bubbles , which is a decorating technique that I had never used before.  I also made Gum Paste Seashells,   White Chocolate "Coral" and  sprinkled on a little Sanding Sugar and Gold Glitter for "Sand".   It was fun to make,  and I really love how it turned out.  The cake itself was a White Cake with a layer of Almond Paste and Apricot Jam thinned with a bit of White Rum,  topped with Cream Cheese Frosting.  Pretty delicious !

   

Un Po ' Di Uncinetto... A Little Bit Of Crochet...

I've been enjoying a little Crochet time lately. Making these cute little embellishments is quick and fun,  done my way,  no pattern,  just a "Rustic" little  handmade flower to place on top of a gift... I think they're cute...

Happy Mother's Day...

Le Mie Rose Inglesi... My English Roses...

The Roses are so happy right now and so am I... When I ordered my David Austin Roses several years ago, I didn't realize how small and " young" they would be.  Some bloomed the first year,  but just very few blooms.  This year,  all of them are blooming,  a few for the first time... The colors are amazing,  some so soft ,  others incredibly vibrant... and the layers and layers of petals.. stunning...  Some of them resemble Peonies,  which I have no luck growing so far but am still hoping that the Peony bulbs that Virginia gave me will grow... the bulbs that Marilyn dug out of her Seattle Garden and brought to me did not grow.  All of the Roses have really exceptional fragrance and they are all different... love that!