Preparando Per Pasqua… Getting Ready For Easter…

There is something so sweet about Easter… The bunnies, the flowers,  the pastel colors… adorable,    they all inspire me to make something sweet and lovely.  I haven't been decorating for holidays as much as I used to like to,  but,  definitely enough to be in the spirit of things.  Egg decorating,  always a must for Easter,   and  always a little different each year.  Making cookies with Giu Giu has been fun… This year I am enjoying garden shades for my eggs,  and decor…along with some pastels… of course…

Pensieri Di Primavera…Thinking Springtime…

Springtime is here,  and as usual,  I am behind… such a procrastinator,   maybe one of these days I will stop putting things off… In the meantime,  I will try to catch up.  Starting some flowers from seeds,  and hoping to be more successful with that than I usually am… having the sprinklers redone and removing some old plants, replanting to make the borders more permanent,  and a little less labor intensive.  Enjoying dinners outside again,  and loving the long days,  and gorgeous sunsets.

Una Torta Primaverile… A Springtime Cake…

In addition to the all of the savory cooking that goes on around here,  it seems that I have been making lots of sweets… especially cakes.  I made this Springtime Cake for Linda's Birthday celebration at Tami's… Loved the Tiramisu Cake that I had made for Frances,  so I made it again…

Una Torta Per Franca… A Cake For Frances…

It's amazing how quickly time passes… Frances and Mimmo's stay with us has ended,  but before they left ,  I wanted to make a cake for Frances,   because we are never together for her Birthday.  This year, I made a Tiramisu Cake… Four thin layers infused with all of the traditional flavors of Tiramisu…  Coffee ,  rum,  mascarpone,  and cream.  Adorned with one of my favorite David Austin's,  "Scepter'D Isle",  Lavender,  White Sage,  Nutmeg Scented Geranium,  and Scabiosa.  The cake was delicious and it looked like Springtime…

Buon Compleanno Mamma… Happy Birthday 94th Mom…

Mom's 94th Birthday Celebration was so much fun. The party was a joint effort,  with Paul and Edy making the Eggplant,  Anna made Sausage,  Isa made the Antipasto,  and I made  Lasagna Bolognese. Frances and Mimmo came from Italy to celebrate this special day with us.  Frances and I each made a Cake.  Hers was a Pan Di Spagna filled with Chantilly Cream and topped with Fondant Flowers,  mine was a Coconut Pecan filled with Buttercream and topped with  Fondant and Fresh Flowers.  Representing the fashionista that Mom always was,  and still is,  Moss Purses,  filled with White Roses,  Blue Sea Holly,  and Silver Dollar Eucalyptus,  seemed perfect.  Mom was very happy,  and enjoyed herself.  Surrounded by lots of Family and Friends… It was a very special day…