Happy Halloween…

Una Torta Autunnale… An Autumnal Cake…

We celebrated Jody's Birthday at Tami's.  The  theme was " An Autumn Affair ".  I was in charge of the cake.  It had to be delicious,  and beautiful so I came up with this Soft Gingerbread Cake… I made candied pecans,  salted caramel sauce,  and cream cheese frosting,  then put all three between the soft gingerbread layers .  I did a crumb coat on top of the entire cake,  then covered it with fondant.  The leaves and pumpkins were made of  gum paste,  and fondant,  then painted with food colors,  and luster dust.  Very Autumnal…and delicious,  perfect flavors for the Holiday Season.  I need to make this cake for other Holiday Gatherings…

Autunno… Autumn…

I came home from my very long trip to a new season… Autumn,  according to the calendar anyway … but it's been in the 80's and 90's here,  and hardly a falling leaf to be found.  I'm finding it difficult to get inspired to decorate for Fall,  but I will… Slowly but surely…

New York…

New York is amazing… but… I am not a big city girl.  Plenty of beautiful places,  and those who live there believe it to be the ONLY place to live.  Interesting, beautiful , and so different from San Diego…
One of the best and certainly the most fun dinner I had during my entire vacation , was had at "Patrizias of Brooklyn" on Staten Island.  The  food was unexpectedly delicious,  and the atmosphere was lively and so much fun.  Each baked dish was done in the wood fired oven…  Zia Lina,  Angelo,  and Pina had been  there before,  and know the owner … I had no idea what I was in for that night and didn't get shots of all of the great food.
A twelve course meal that was absolutely  delicious ….

Mola Di Bari…

Hometown charm… Tiny little streets leading to the sea… Streets illuminated for the "Festa Della Madonna"… Outdoor Markets…Antiquity…