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...

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...

Autunno... Autumn...

As Fall rapidly approaches,  I find myself with  thoughts of Autumn favorites coming from my kitchen... and Autumn colors warming our home.  I am easing in  touches of orange and gold to bring in the season and adding pumpkins all around.  If my pumpkin plants let me down ( again) I will just have to buy them...or get them from Paul and Edy's gorgeous garden,  Quail Rock Farms... fine by me...

Un Compleanno Per Mamma...A Birthday For Mom...

At 96 years she is still amazing!  A sweet and gentle Lady,  always wanting to keep herself looking lovely... nails done,  hair too... and jewelry of course.  We are so lucky to have her,  and Anna,  with her unwavering commitment to taking good care of Mom.  Seeing to Mom's needs and overseeing the care by her sweet caregivers  takes a lot of time and effort,  yet she wouldn't have it any other way.  I am so grateful,  and I know that Frances and Paul are as well.  We had a good celebration for her birthday... Anna and Nicola hard at work making Wood Fired Pizza's.  Paul and Edy brought Meatballs from the restaurant.  Giulietta and I both made a cake.  Hers was Triple Chocolate,  which she made completely by herself ( at 8 years of age... (WOW) and it was delicious,  she is following in the footsteps of an entire family of Chef's, Cooks,  and Foodies.  Mine was a Vanilla Cake  filled with Vanilla Pastry Cream and Fresh Blueberry Compote.  I Painted the cake with little blue (Mom's favorite color)  rosebuds which matched the plate that I served it on.  Surrounded by immediate family and loved ones,  once again we celebrated our wonderful Mother.