We have made it to the end of another year, or rather the beginning of a new one.  Welcome to 2018!  the last year has gone by in a flash, and the last couple of weeks even more so.  The holidays always seem to be a mad rush.  We have actually taken our winter break … Continue reading Presepe…Nativity Scenes

Today is Halloween...a day that reminds me of my childhood.  The fun of planning a costume and roving the neighborhood with my friends on what was often a blustery evening as it grew dark.  As a rule we were home by 8 pm since we had school the next day.  A week or so before Halloween … Continue reading Happy Halloween…No Translation

  September has begun, and my fall tour season has started. I have to admit I find it difficult to write my blog while I'm on tour, but I am trying!  At this moment I am in Padova starting a Village Italy tour for Rick Steve's Europe. If you didn't already know, I have spent … Continue reading Pausa Pasticceria…Petite Fours in Padova

It is that time of year again when the garden is full of tomatoes and it is time to make la conserva, the base for most of our tomato sauces that we learned from Mauro’s parents. It is truly a labor of love.  We enjoy good food, knowing what is in our food, and in … Continue reading La Conserva…

Fresh green shoots climbing up last year's dried vines... Our Sunday excursion didn't begin as a quest for food...well it did, but not wild food.  We wanted to take a walk and the sun had finally come out after some heavy rain.  We also wanted to pick up a smoked trout from an agriturismo we … Continue reading Livertin…Foraging for Food

Sunday is the only day of the week that is completely free since the kids are in school Monday through Saturday and even then, there is usually homework to be done.  Needless to say, weekend escapes are pretty much impossible during the school year.  Fortunately we have some great places to escape close to home, … Continue reading Sunday Escapes

Wednesday, the middle of the week, used to be my least favorite day for reasons I will get to.  It is now my favorite because it is mine, all mine!  Okay, no day is really all mine because I have a family and I love them dearly.  I still get them up and out of … Continue reading Buon Mercoledì…I Love Wednesday!

The last time I sat down to write was before the holidays, ending the year with a recipe that I hope some of you have tried your hand at or plan to in the future. So where have I been taking my time out? Home in Seattle! While this is my twentieth year of life … Continue reading Taking time out…

Before I moved to Italy, I had never bought a mattress.  My mom chose and bought me one before I moved away for university and either I liked the same type of mattress she did or my young back did not care as much. I could sleep just about anywhere.  How I wish that were … Continue reading Buona Notte…

The last two weeks have been busy as my fall tour season kicked off on a tour of South Italy with Rick Steves Europe, the company that has kept me happily employed for the last 17 years.  Until mid November I will be living out of a suitcase  with a few quick trips home.  Tour … Continue reading Un Giorno di Riposo…A Day Off