Ombrellini... Little Umbrellas...

I saw this idea somewhere and thought it would be a cute embellishment for a Mother's Day Cocktail or upcoming Friend's Birthday Lunch Cocktail.  It was easy to do and only required a few items to put together...  Purchased Crocheted Doilies,  Fabric Stiffener, Skewers or Popsicle Sticks,  Glue and a few Glass Beads.  I started by completely covering the Doilies with the Fabric Stiffener,  placed them on parchment to dry. Once dry,  I cut a slit from the edge to the center of the Doily,  shaped it to form an Umbrella,  then glued it .  I then glued  the stick onto the Doily and topped it with a Glass Bead.
Very easy... very cute...

Fare le Tagliatelle Con Mamma... Making Tagliatelle With Mom...

Mom's favorite meal these days is definitely Pasta... especially fresh,  Homemade Pasta.  She enjoys helping and I enjoy having her help,  and spending  time together... This time we made Traditional  Egg Dough, then rolled and cut it into Tagliatelle... It made her very happy...

Una Bella Torta Per Una Bella Sorella... A Pretty Cake For A Pretty Sister...

We celebrated Anna's Birthday with a family dinner.  The cake was pretty and sweet,  just like Anna. I decorated in soft colors that matched the cake,  and a sweet bird theme,  because Anna likes birds.  The cake was surrounded in  handmade decorations resembling  Ribbon Pinwheels  which I made  using Gum Paste,  and placed a White Chocolate Vintage  Button  in the center.   I lightly painted the Pinwheels and Buttons using  pastel Luster Dust and Edible Glitter We definitely like things to sparkle around here... Nicola's birthday was last week so we celebrated him too,  but the girls always get top billing,  because the boys don't care about their birthday's the way we girls do  : ) .  We had a great time ...

Un Viaggio A Seattle... Tulipani !!! A Trip To Seattle...Tulips!!!

Priscilla and I went to Seattle to visit Marilyn, John and Angie.  Priscilla got to visit friends from SPU , coach Johnny,  and a few other friends,  while Marilyn and I cooked,  shopped ,  and visited the Tulip Fields... So much fun.
The weather was pretty good for us all week,  and very good when we went to the Tulip Fields.  Rows and rows of  Tulips in spectacular color... I couldn't pick a favorite.  Marilyn and I also visited a fantastic Nursery called Christianson's... One of the best,  most beautiful nurseries I have been to...  Gorgeous greenhouses,  a huge selection of  plants,  and a charming store full of pretties...