Buon Natale... Merry Christmas...

Another year as past... wonder where it went.  Time does seem to fly.  Traditions come to mind this time of year.  It can be a bit melancholy.  Memories of past Christmases,  and new ones in the making Keeping traditions alive for future generations... some will be kept,  others may evolve into new ones. Health and family are the hope for the future.  Making Merry for sharing and spending time with loved ones... That's what it's all about...Buon Natale a tutti... Merry Christmas to all...

Preparando Per Natale... Getting Ready For Christmas...

I always feel like we are supposed to be getting ready for a Holiday before the previous Holiday is here.  I don't like that.  I take them one at a time.... that said... Bring on Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Following our yearly traditions,  Anna will make a lovely Turkey Dinner, and I will make Pies and the cranberry sauce,   and decorate the tables.  The meal is pretty much the same... the pies too.  If we haven't yet celebrated Edy's Birthday together,  I make a cake for her.... And of course,  there will be a special cocktail... inspired by the season.   The tables are a bit different every year,  but similar in that I always use Pumpkins and Natural decor,  using Fall colors along with whatever might inspire me that particular year... and always a bit of sparkle.  This year we will be a large group of family and a few friends. It will be a special day spent together ,  thankful for all that we have,  and thankful for another year with Mom... the matriarch of the family...

Una Torta Per Giulietta...A Cake For Giulietta ...

Helping with Giu Giu's Birthday party was so fun.  Unicorns and rainbows seem to be popular with little girls,  and that is what this sweet little girl wanted.  When Giu Giu asked me to make her cake,  of course I couldn't resist... I made her exactly what she asked for...

Una Torta Per Priscilla... A Cake For Priscilla...

November is such a busy month full of birthdays... starting with Priscilla.  As requested,  I made her a Baked Alaska... A sweet treat for my sweet girl.

Pensando a Franca... Thinking of Frances...

I am thinking of my lovely sister Frances today,  so far away in Italy,  yet just a phone call away.  We had a little conversation about her Birthday celebration today,  and she told me about what she was cooking. We share a love for cooking and she is always making something wonderful.  I told her that we would be calling her again later,  when Mom is awake,  so that hopefully Mom can wish her a Happy Birthday.  I wish we could be all together today... I would make her a cake,  which I have only been able to do once,  when she was here a few years ago...  She will be in my thoughts today ,  and certainly while I am cooking dinner...

Piaceri Autunnali... Autumn Pleasures..

It's that time of year... everyone thinking of Pumpkins and Squashes,  Colorful Leaves,   and cool breezes.  Here we can only dream of cool breezes and brightly hued trees... it has been a very hot early Fall,  but happily,  it cooled of just in time for Halloween. I'm in full Autumn mode in the kitchen,  making old favorites,  and thinking up new seasonal recipes...