Another year has ended and as 2008 is quickly approaching I can’t help but think back on this year. A lot of things happened this year and there were times that were difficult, in addition to moments of joy. There are things I may have done differently, but it’s time to look forward, take stock [...]
Archive for December, 2007
Buon Anno!
Posted in Italy, cooking, friends, travel on December 31, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Old Favorites-Cookbooks Part 2
Posted in cookbooks, cooking, food on December 30, 2007 | 3 Comments »
My fourteen year old nephew has recently expressed an interest in cooking. He’s been taking a class in school and has been trying things in the kitchen at home. My sister has come to find him watching the Food Network and he’s hooked on Top Chef! I think that’s great and I’ve decided that I [...]
Devo Studiare L’Italiano!
Posted in Italy, travel on December 29, 2007 | 2 Comments »
It’s been about three weeks since my last Italian class and I’m already worrying about forgetting what I’ve learned! I feel the need to start studying again and know that I should do a little every day. It’s the “speaking ” that concerns me most (or should I say the lack of speaking) and I [...]
Cookbook Mania
Posted in cookbooks, cooking on December 28, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Being a cook, I have quite a collection of cookbooks. Whenever I’m in a bookstore some unexplainable force pulls me over to the cookbook area and I have to stop myself from buying something. Do I really need one more? No, not really, but do I want one, absolutely! I love to sit down [...]
Another Cookie Please
Posted in cooking, food, recipe on December 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
These cookies are a taste from Christmases past. My mother made this every year (only at the holidays) and without a doubt, these were my favorite. I have a real sweet tooth, so maybe it’s the frosting that won me over. On its own, this is a very plain cookie but the icing sets it [...]
Cowgirl Creamery
Posted in food, travel on December 26, 2007 | 3 Comments »
Want to know the way to my heart? Just take me to a cheese shop! This is one of my favorites-the Cowgirl Creamery located in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The staff is knowledgeable, the selection is great and I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a bottle of wine than with [...]
Buon Natale!
Posted in cooking, food, friends on December 25, 2007 | 3 Comments »
An Italian holiday greeting with a British inspired dessert. Have a very delicious Christmas!
Raspberry White Chocolate and Almond Trifle
3-1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
12 ounces, high quality white chocolate, chopped
1-1/4 teaspoons almond extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
7 ounces crisp lady fingers
1 cup raspberry jam, melted, divided
1-1/2 12 ounce packages frozen unsweetend raspberries, partially thawed
1-6 [...]
I Love A Good Bakery!
Posted in food, travel on December 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
When I was growing up we had two really good bakeries in our town. One was right down the street from our apartment. We would go there after Sunday mass and get to pick out what we wanted. The woman who worked there always recognized us and would come out from behind the counter to [...]
Cappuccino Anyone?
Posted in Italy, food on December 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I was never a coffee drinker until I went to Italy. Until then I had tea every morning and didn’t drink coffee as I found it too bitter. It wasn’t until I went to Italy that I discovered that coffee didn’t have to be bitter. I remember the first cappuccino that I had on my [...]
Christmas Cheer
Posted in travel on December 22, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Doesn’t this wreath just make you smile? I saw this wreath in the window of a store on Union Street in San Francisco and I just fell in love with it! Yes, it’s made of popcorn and deep down I wanted to run home and make one myself, but then I remembered the fresh cranberry [...]
