Living in Italy, wine is a part of everyday life and especially now that we live in the countryside, even more so. Not only do we drink wine, but can watch the vines growing and ripening during the season. Many of our neighbors produce wine for themselves as well as selling to the local cooperative…
How can you miss me if I don’t go away?
ready for the grape harvest My summer was not a happy one, I spent most of August in California with my brother and sister, closing down my mom’s house. We had the burial while I was home, sold everything at an estate sale.It drained me emotionally and physically. I came home empty inside. While I…
Pie for Mikey
Why is it that bad things come in bunches? Most of the time blogging is about food and fun and friends and enjoying life, but then reality sticks in it’s ugly head. News travels fast and sometimes it is just a couple of words on twitter that set off the antenna that all is not right…
Grazie Mille- Kitchen Blessings
Thanks so much for all your feedback on my last post. When writing, I often feel like no one is reading, since there are not many comments on the blog.I do see I have a great list of followers. Mille Grazie to you all for letting me know I am not just talking to myself…
Sharing My Tuscany
What I love about teaching is the surprise element. Since we shop together to plan the recipes for our one day classes- it is always a surprise to me what we will cook. Often it is a clients dream to make fresh pasta or gnocchi or perhaps learning to recreate something they ate and loved. the…
Sharing the Food Love
When you love food and those who produce it- you life is filled with many lovely special moments. caper blossom with capers at bottom left- they are where the blossoms come from Such as stopping to smell the flowers or in this case, point out a beautiful caper blossom and explain what it is. The…
Summer is HERE-
Sunflowers are a sure sign that summer has arrived in Tuscany. Fields and fields of bright yellow heads brighten up my drive to work daily. But summer also means eating light, cook dishes which require little time in the kitchen. Today is Bresaola, a cured beef dish from nothern Italy, which we serve like a…
Addio to La Contessa
My mom, La Contessa, as she was known in Italy, passed away Friday night.She will be missed.Services will be held Sat June 18th at 11am St John Vianney ChurchWalnut Creek, California Drink a limoncello in her honor! Celebrate life– and live it to the fullest everyday. I adore making limoncello and all the variations. My mom…