La Vacanza E Finita… The Vacation Is Over…

After a month long visit,  Vitangelo and Angela left yesterday.  I'm feeling a little lonely,  and a lot less busy.  We had a great time , sharing great food,  remembering times past,  planning for future visits…  next time in Italy…

Gnocchi…

I've been so busy with food preparations around here lately. Vitangelo and Angela had never had Grilled Pizzas before I made them one night…  ( they fell in love with them),   and have requested doing another night of them since they  have just about reached the end of their stay here with us. We will be doing that the night before they leave.  In the meantime,  we are preparing for one last get together with the family, which means all of the cousins will be here too.  There will be about 30 of us…  lots of food to prepare.

Ravioli E Cannelloni… Ravioli And Cannelloni…

Making use of all of the Arugula growing in the fountain garden by making some Ravioli and Cannelloni…  Homemade Ricotta with  Arugula for the filling,  and Arugula Garnish on the Pasta Dough.  They freeze well which will be handy while company is around, for a quick meal.

Buon San Valentino… Happy Valentine's Day…

Cuori E Fiori… Hearts And Flowers …

We have houseguests from Italy again… this time, Vitangelo and Angela,  they will be with us for a month.  Angela is like me,  no down time,  always doing something,  always wanting to make something pretty.  The crocheted tablecloths and doilies that she makes are exquisite…  she got that skill from her mom.  I am lucky enough to have several of her beautiful handmade pieces.  During some vacation down time,  we made some little decorative hearts… right for the moment… little pretties ,   just to hang here and there. 

Fiori Per Una Cena… Flowers For A Dinner…

Yuri asked me if I would cater a party for ten .The dinner was bid on at auction, a fund raiser for her church, and was  held at Yuri's house.  It was a five course Italian Meal, plus wine and a special cocktail. Yuri set the table and I made the Flower Arrangements. Gorgeous Pink Roses,  Wax flower and Artichokes,  arranged in my garden planters , gave the table  a very Italian feel.  The dinner was very successful,  and apparently ,  everyone was raving about it at church on sunday and asking about another dinner next year.

Una Torta Per Edy… A Cake for Edy…

Somehow,  Edy's Birthday seems to go by without being celebrated the way  that it should be…being that it happens during a very busy time at the restaurant.  So…  better late than never…I decided to make the Birthday Cake that she didn't get on her special day, and surprised her with it when we went up to the restaurant .  A simple,   feminine cake seemed right for being so close to Valentine's Day.  Red Velvet,  Creamy White Frosting , and Delicate Dried Roses which had been hanging in my kitchen…Shades of Pale Pinks,  and Creamy Whites gave the cake a Vintage Look , which Edy loves…

Giardino Invernale… Winter Garden…

It always looks so bare in the "winter"… (I use that term loosely ) ,  Snow and cold practically everywhere else,  and we are gardening… still.   The Roses have been pruned .  The fountain garden is pretty happy, with some herbs and vegetables… still waiting on signs of Artichokes on the plants which are growing nicely.  Some flowers mixed in for extra color and to keep the bees happy.  Jim is just about ready to build my new raised beds … looking forward to that.  Springtime will be here before we know it…