Pasta...

I've been making lots of homemade pasta lately.  So easy,  but,  a labor of love for sure... the outcome is always worth the effort.  A favorite way to spend a few hours...   Ravioli filled with Fresh Ricotta and  and Roasted Butternut Squash...  Mushroom,  Fresh Arugula,  Mascarpone and Fontina filled Manicotti.  And of course,  a big batch of Gnocchi.

Piaceri Invernali... Winter Pleasures...

No mater how happy I may be to start fresh in the New Year... there is always that little bit of wondering... what to do now.  Now,  during this time of not much going on.  We have had an amazing amount of rain,  which is fantastic,  but in between storms,  it feels a little  like springtime.  A little gardening is always in order and just a little crafting too... and always ,  cooking and baking.  I loved my little Christmas Wreaths on my mirrors so much that I decided to keep them,  but take the Christmas look away... so,  I ended up with little green wreaths,  with a  little bit  of purple,  as that is my color of choice this "winter" ( using that term lightly).  Sparkly Succulents in favorite tea cups add a little garden to my kitchen window.  Priscilla's favorite  Double Chocolate Bark turned into a tart,  a  Lovely Strawberry,  Mascarpone Tart with Chocolate Ganache Drizzle and a Buttery Cookie Crust,  and some adorable Teeny-Weenie sugar cookies... Focaccia,  a regular part of my cooking repertoire along with a Marinated Eggplant and Mozzarella Salad with a fresh Baguette...That should keep the winter doldrums away...

 

A New Year... Anno Nuovo...

Well,  the Holidays have come and gone... it was fun, yet busy.  Keeping traditions alive and maybe creating new ones.  Making memories ... and cookies and lots of other sweets and savories.  Just starting to put the decorations away and giving the house a less cluttered look. As happens to me every year at this time,  I'm thinking of Springtime... it will be here before I know it.  Even though we are having lots of rain and cold weather ( for us) I know that spring will be popping up soon,   and it will be fun to do some gardening.  Can't wait!

Buon Natale... Merry Christmas...

A birthday cake is always on the Christmas List of desserts ... Happy Birthday Jim...

Dolci... Sweets...

Remembering Christmas seasons past... when Mom and Dad would spend a very long day at the restaurant making Cartellate for sharing with friends and family.  They got going early in the day ready to make tons of the very traditional treats ... it wouldn't have been Christmas without this tradition.  Anna and I decided a few years ago that the tradition,  which pretty much ended when Dad passed away,  should  continue.  We've only made them for three years,  and although we saw them being made for many years,  we are not quite as good at the process as Mom was.  Practice will make perfect,  if that is what we're after,  although simply making these lovely pastries,  and remembering Mom and Dad makes for a happy day,  and very special memories...

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

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. I can't quite understand what makes the season seem so hectic,  we really try to keep the whole gift giving thing to a minimum so as to not take part in all of the craziness.   I am hoping that by getting the house decorated,  and gifts bought,  I will have more time to just enjoy the season, gather with family and friends,   and do some traditional holiday baking.