Crostata Di Pesche...Peach Pie...

Couldn't let summer go away without making at least one Peach Pie.  This one is a Peaches and Cream version.  I whipped up a little cream cheese with a touch of brown sugar , some cinnamon and spread it on the bottom crust,  then topped it with the peaches.  Yellow and white peaches ,  so sweet , but I did add just a touch of brown sugar,  dotted it with just a little sweet butter,  and topped it with my decorative top crust ...

Un Pic-Nic Sulla Spiaggia... A Picnic On The Beach...

When we find ourselves alone for dinner,  we'll often take a picnic to the beach at sunset. This time I made my cauliflower, potato  soup garnished with freshly snipped chives,   baked a rustic loaf of bread and made sandwiches with sun dried tomato grilled chicken, mozzarella ,  and arugula .  A bottle of wine,  some chocolate,   a candle ,  and we're set.  It was a beautiful night with a gorgeous full moon,  and not too cool. In front of the spectacular Hotel Del Coronado, a  perfect way to spend a late summer evening.

Fine D 'Estate... End Of Summer...

I keep saying that it just hasn't felt like summer to me.  We haven't had extreme heat,  which will probably come later as usual,  when everyone else is enjoying turning leaves, and Fall weather.   But lately, since I love Fall so much,  and am keenly tuned in to the changes that the seasons bring ,  I am feeling that Fall is coming soon.  I'm not quite ready,  but happily looking forward.  Gardening has been great,  except for the stress of thinking that I may not get too many Pumpkins this year.  Nursery people have told me that the lack of heat may be the problem.  I am taking very good care of the plants and am determined !  Feeling the need to change some things,  I decided to paint the Iron Chandelier outside... Green... for a change... it will be nice with the colors of Fall  and the Garden.

Panna Cotta E Biscotti... Panna Cotta And Shortbread...

Lately i've enjoyed the flavor,  and fragrance of Orange, Vanilla, and  Rosemary...  simmering  those things together to make the house smell good.  I decided to put that flavor into Panna Cotta.
I simmered Orange slices with Vanilla Bean and freshly cut Rosemary in water and sugar to make a syrup,  reduced it ,  then added that to the cream,   to infuse as the cream heated.  Cooled it, strained it and proceeded with making the Panna Cotta.  The flavor was subtle,   but definitely there.  I topped it with grated Dark Chocolate.  Another favorite flavor right now is  Honey Vanilla Camomile Tea. Using a mortar and pestle I finely ground the tea,  scraped a vanilla pod,  and added both to the butter for my shortbread.  That worked well... I will try that with my other favorite tea,  Earl Grey.

Raccolto Da Un Piccolo Orto.... Gathered From A Small Kitchen Garden...

The newly planted Kitchen Garden  around the fountain is growing nicely.  Arugula, Chard, Lettuces, Herbs and Flowers.   So nice to go out and gather a fresh salad ...  Different shades of green, purple, red and yellow. Deep, dark , Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers.  A feast for the eyes as well as the palate...

Ghiaccioli... Popsicles...

Gummy bears,  soaked in Vodka...  Lemonade,  made into popsicles... A cool "big kid" treat... Priscilla was pretty happy,  and said that I was the "best mom"... haha, that was easy...