tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51740312265182827782024-03-05T12:24:03.476-08:00Princess AUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-46596073835852187172010-02-08T14:34:00.000-08:002010-02-08T14:39:11.849-08:00Packed up and moved<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbYTMN48KQG6jsWeezNQWepEss1igfXiMx1YP_F0uN_Nc5x6aqxVrSVorSy3Gq0zhSMcyBEF441I2TFUvVj3AErAnJv_W3fyMIqnNLsMJ_Ru1MXrE5pfj0fMd5pR3mpNOJUq8i4zOue8/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbYTMN48KQG6jsWeezNQWepEss1igfXiMx1YP_F0uN_Nc5x6aqxVrSVorSy3Gq0zhSMcyBEF441I2TFUvVj3AErAnJv_W3fyMIqnNLsMJ_Ru1MXrE5pfj0fMd5pR3mpNOJUq8i4zOue8/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436005752826498818" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>on over to<a href="http://www.findyourwingsocial.com/"> Social</a>. I needed some more capabilities for my business.<div><br /></div><div>Please visit me there. Thanks for your visit and hope to "see" you at my new location.<div><br /></div><div>Xoxo,</div><div><br /></div><div>Adriene</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-18425699124372042522009-11-22T14:30:00.000-08:002009-11-22T23:11:19.485-08:00Italia - day four afternoon<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW1XPiQDv8UowRgTi54ohQJLtCZ7LoNr0MjD2jzx0syzfuQnZNQyBm592-NpgqBwwGPn8nyn9Eae6WnRbTP3XXFxSVhWhgqy1T0u1y1nvSEkSazr0VmzG-5gpr6_KBwJNax-rJKmAODE/s1600/perugia_lushfountain.jpg"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48eroF6_MVynezKkKtNBEmZ0i0mxqBQK8D41lcQLyDkMFN3lM1_E98jLoWioMdtTAPIEdSw7MJirjRMT3nVkK4FLf23pdUM76z-P0CN82TqBQSukNbrJGLtk8aZ5JN4_b19xTucNg_6I/s1600/perugia_fountain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48eroF6_MVynezKkKtNBEmZ0i0mxqBQK8D41lcQLyDkMFN3lM1_E98jLoWioMdtTAPIEdSw7MJirjRMT3nVkK4FLf23pdUM76z-P0CN82TqBQSukNbrJGLtk8aZ5JN4_b19xTucNg_6I/s320/perugia_fountain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407172903590707714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perugia was a lovely town in Umbria that was full of history, charm and Baci (a Perugian chocolate that means "kisses" in Italian). Our tour group only spent an afternoon there, but when we return to Italy someday, I will spend several days there to really take time to soak it all in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW1XPiQDv8UowRgTi54ohQJLtCZ7LoNr0MjD2jzx0syzfuQnZNQyBm592-NpgqBwwGPn8nyn9Eae6WnRbTP3XXFxSVhWhgqy1T0u1y1nvSEkSazr0VmzG-5gpr6_KBwJNax-rJKmAODE/s1600/perugia_lushfountain.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW1XPiQDv8UowRgTi54ohQJLtCZ7LoNr0MjD2jzx0syzfuQnZNQyBm592-NpgqBwwGPn8nyn9Eae6WnRbTP3XXFxSVhWhgqy1T0u1y1nvSEkSazr0VmzG-5gpr6_KBwJNax-rJKmAODE/s320/perugia_lushfountain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407174206131979874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A lush, green fountain. Could it be reproduced in my backyard please?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfiNhp5ILG8JKPQ5JRlC8nE7L_HF0QLAHJjju3nR3NCTuRBYloCRUAsQyFC3wSYwSbyBVKHqezK_yTWtEzi3myaDOiYBJyObkvduTS7MyyYU-zYZcExUXswfym1UpmE6XiRnRHk3RpRQ/s1600/perugia_underground.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfiNhp5ILG8JKPQ5JRlC8nE7L_HF0QLAHJjju3nR3NCTuRBYloCRUAsQyFC3wSYwSbyBVKHqezK_yTWtEzi3myaDOiYBJyObkvduTS7MyyYU-zYZcExUXswfym1UpmE6XiRnRHk3RpRQ/s320/perugia_underground.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407175027159253986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking through the Rocca Paolina, a historic underground fortress built in 1373, was an incredibly surreal experience. All of the architecture and buildings were so incredibly mind boggling considering the lack of technology 700 years ago. It made me think of all the life that had been lived on those streets and I wished that the walls could talk to tell me the tales (although if they could, they'd probably speak Italian and not English). :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRJ1Ru0b5ug6ZEqEJTsGXtWHGqwVQPbyZRQt3wtDPED3M6ZCe57ErMMPnpLQvAWpxgDfc5GvOIGryDbfPuw4pU1fpQDRWUSM8umMSpTXxVGKAdVXqevvbff2qolOUvMigVWGcmJnK3eE/s1600/perugia_street.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRJ1Ru0b5ug6ZEqEJTsGXtWHGqwVQPbyZRQt3wtDPED3M6ZCe57ErMMPnpLQvAWpxgDfc5GvOIGryDbfPuw4pU1fpQDRWUSM8umMSpTXxVGKAdVXqevvbff2qolOUvMigVWGcmJnK3eE/s320/perugia_street.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407175005657187906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, the beautiful streets of Perugia. It allures you in and makes you want to do crazy things like sell your home and start a life there. (If I only spoke Italian. Minor detail.)</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrnLDe6SEDbam_vP4JTmU8CkccrsAnOfU31RuV8QeHo2jv-DcoWq9hkbE72h2GI1LnoHDgnnrnXlxVX2y3XBqzDmPN9nTuczcKnqfrn9Zh22FWmDaefvZZqEyh7q4DoW2k7rdiWsRSuQ/s1600/perugia_door.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrnLDe6SEDbam_vP4JTmU8CkccrsAnOfU31RuV8QeHo2jv-DcoWq9hkbE72h2GI1LnoHDgnnrnXlxVX2y3XBqzDmPN9nTuczcKnqfrn9Zh22FWmDaefvZZqEyh7q4DoW2k7rdiWsRSuQ/s320/perugia_door.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407172897530005634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lovely buildings everywhere.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYes67rcjEJyVEthSseRzjP_AFpLB9t-Z48oANIPxNFsshMOTZbt7Yh9AiRUziRJSw_vl23sGEv3DOW8BpOvplhHIItwH8SjP99z3OzR-NbjfnaapnbWiF-BMqqStG1FYVhK3dDEwsTk/s1600/perugia_detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYes67rcjEJyVEthSseRzjP_AFpLB9t-Z48oANIPxNFsshMOTZbt7Yh9AiRUziRJSw_vl23sGEv3DOW8BpOvplhHIItwH8SjP99z3OzR-NbjfnaapnbWiF-BMqqStG1FYVhK3dDEwsTk/s320/perugia_detail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407172888863923410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous architectural details everywhere you look.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcO7p8VRwBCWUb7Hy-xjL8pkuIeJJAFOpa4yIF-Qez_pDZMqZxDi5k07Dmubof5Fy2RCb87bTmaPivE-AVPKVq45fUPzMRWAPoKTEfenqJ8NRZgB6UUVZKEyFRauBqEpi86W9_RwJNcs/s1600/perugia_bldg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcO7p8VRwBCWUb7Hy-xjL8pkuIeJJAFOpa4yIF-Qez_pDZMqZxDi5k07Dmubof5Fy2RCb87bTmaPivE-AVPKVq45fUPzMRWAPoKTEfenqJ8NRZgB6UUVZKEyFRauBqEpi86W9_RwJNcs/s320/perugia_bldg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407172887563463586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCgz9wXdwtKYOB0QX_KfTDGWWrJgSfvIXb4xTDKkG_NOng8O2cssTZ-N9XMGE5T9sYg6K5AGwx7FhAz11yr4ZXJ-q3qIK8Fgf1Ov4BahHFxtlSbwPZZxkY4DLZwXTvKQP4R0W1fJLwGI/s1600/zuchinniblossoms.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCgz9wXdwtKYOB0QX_KfTDGWWrJgSfvIXb4xTDKkG_NOng8O2cssTZ-N9XMGE5T9sYg6K5AGwx7FhAz11yr4ZXJ-q3qIK8Fgf1Ov4BahHFxtlSbwPZZxkY4DLZwXTvKQP4R0W1fJLwGI/s320/zuchinniblossoms.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407175427648146850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Zucchini blossoms. One of the absolutely mouth-watering, day-dream worthy delicacies we enjoyed. These were at the grocer, but we ate them several times lightly breaded and fried at the lovely restaurant we ate at during our trip. They're one of those things you can't get enough of, can't stop thinking of and promise yourself you will master when you get home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgwdZ_33Wico-uu9HXy9hZeSljD7BtVucgTAp7jZLHZld-TF19oaWP5tdfvzMRmxRm_DWc2bCjEe8-142YAntgdbMSZ5KnThIrwgtcLPXMT-Jci-eCoOIXGDdmxhufb3TH5ASSKzwpyo/s1600/perugia_sweets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgwdZ_33Wico-uu9HXy9hZeSljD7BtVucgTAp7jZLHZld-TF19oaWP5tdfvzMRmxRm_DWc2bCjEe8-142YAntgdbMSZ5KnThIrwgtcLPXMT-Jci-eCoOIXGDdmxhufb3TH5ASSKzwpyo/s320/perugia_sweets.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407175021913873186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">No caption needed. Just yum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqKTuHYxPPS8b0ePY2Z1eaFUYUGh3DCxnYsQrQl8VzrsiXaOUoyWiFfDQZDkW2HgjhMa9VE2y-STw8gVBodoUw584W_wsNWib_da5qrPDM3Tnsug4aIsZsHblIuQzUkTZ5ouk15Yj_Nk/s1600/perugia_street2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqKTuHYxPPS8b0ePY2Z1eaFUYUGh3DCxnYsQrQl8VzrsiXaOUoyWiFfDQZDkW2HgjhMa9VE2y-STw8gVBodoUw584W_wsNWib_da5qrPDM3Tnsug4aIsZsHblIuQzUkTZ5ouk15Yj_Nk/s320/perugia_street2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407175011745016194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlu0a8Lwq1a7rEOK5oIht1hm6E_Ec7TKfRp3jX840oetZ4a-8M8AOWdPlaPkkFjmbBxSsK1sbH0MTeDhLghW-iHzIbUdDqtIpais3CX-fM1__nYwNTDbkuCqAuWphGd9p3D9zJCQZ49c/s1600/perugia_rcraig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlu0a8Lwq1a7rEOK5oIht1hm6E_Ec7TKfRp3jX840oetZ4a-8M8AOWdPlaPkkFjmbBxSsK1sbH0MTeDhLghW-iHzIbUdDqtIpais3CX-fM1__nYwNTDbkuCqAuWphGd9p3D9zJCQZ49c/s320/perugia_rcraig.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407174218261036578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Craig and Randy solving the world's problems one beer and cigar at a time. Meanwhile the wives were shoe and purse shopping.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNL8qMllpKuw0CTSntv__MQk4omztXApQNb0Prf94tvTLQLXipE6NgcZQQTtIUa51uhSm5x3VhvriQMw2Y-KpzdpmScXsReyvIvj_pfnZeGA4gJo4Z8j23d8sIEh0OhFzJOh-EIOP-Bg/s1600/perugia_piazza.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNL8qMllpKuw0CTSntv__MQk4omztXApQNb0Prf94tvTLQLXipE6NgcZQQTtIUa51uhSm5x3VhvriQMw2Y-KpzdpmScXsReyvIvj_pfnZeGA4gJo4Z8j23d8sIEh0OhFzJOh-EIOP-Bg/s320/perugia_piazza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407174215183747026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpoaIIErX70ctTviFZA5xkBGbDwzUx5Qx5PZ5Vse_mxBbaohWEOhbwZu9VLJdK2ldxdDS4rDDEXbabR33uz1k6L07kLbG7w8pvmZTg5ERVx9Lj7EQc3JbpuSoIhRFXGWvS46djh5lx4Q/s1600/perugia_jancraig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpoaIIErX70ctTviFZA5xkBGbDwzUx5Qx5PZ5Vse_mxBbaohWEOhbwZu9VLJdK2ldxdDS4rDDEXbabR33uz1k6L07kLbG7w8pvmZTg5ERVx9Lj7EQc3JbpuSoIhRFXGWvS46djh5lx4Q/s320/perugia_jancraig.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407174197051492418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jan and Craig viewing her photos. (She's a real photographer. Thank goodness we had a pro on the trip. Jan was very helpful as I stumbled with my new camera.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitumsYK3bftNeVHljhTXWAxQ_7P6ap-y5ZWF4uDkVeJX5DzmdqgIgUlNdS2fl74ewFDNppRd19FuLAWc01COpUsVCic3iSBbJ7DYGBxwQDqmoMNBcZzAkbt92YWf-lhnhB3ydMI5wAzts/s1600/perugia_fountain2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitumsYK3bftNeVHljhTXWAxQ_7P6ap-y5ZWF4uDkVeJX5DzmdqgIgUlNdS2fl74ewFDNppRd19FuLAWc01COpUsVCic3iSBbJ7DYGBxwQDqmoMNBcZzAkbt92YWf-lhnhB3ydMI5wAzts/s320/perugia_fountain2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407172910601214770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyy0SAgZphsJtyNWqvwFjrpbuN5QVeFDVFHxD-kYSxYOVFnSSSyvoX7KpcxFDfKrApn-4y8bDBfxx-BIroXTiF5sdw5zCK2LgJGcicWRjnhalOqdgcynqFVUjAKUZcrW6zq5UpjSkIOA/s1600/perugia_shoes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyy0SAgZphsJtyNWqvwFjrpbuN5QVeFDVFHxD-kYSxYOVFnSSSyvoX7KpcxFDfKrApn-4y8bDBfxx-BIroXTiF5sdw5zCK2LgJGcicWRjnhalOqdgcynqFVUjAKUZcrW6zq5UpjSkIOA/s320/perugia_shoes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407174227541678770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Oh the shoes in Italy. They're enough to make this shoe-lovin' lady swoon. Absolutely amazing that this was the only pair I came home with - however - I had to tote MANY edible gifts home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iGNsRqDkyvLufXPIm_4Fsb1lGiPGDSwDOTrS-9aLWASxl6VY8Bjcocv6s4SWuSmI6KCdwRFzm1jOH8IDRE-XJhcao7fp324O1uHz7xFmKwoH53YIszLQNYOtSKSPog3QNHWQRvBX4aU/s1600/perugia_shoeupclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iGNsRqDkyvLufXPIm_4Fsb1lGiPGDSwDOTrS-9aLWASxl6VY8Bjcocv6s4SWuSmI6KCdwRFzm1jOH8IDRE-XJhcao7fp324O1uHz7xFmKwoH53YIszLQNYOtSKSPog3QNHWQRvBX4aU/s320/perugia_shoeupclose.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407175000650701906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Close up of my new shoes. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Perugia for a charming afternoon and a divine new pair of shoes. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-25288406767425025822009-10-14T13:58:00.000-07:002009-10-14T14:23:15.411-07:00Italia - day four lunchLunch in Italy is my kind of eats. Several courses, usually finished off with a lovely dessert. <div><br /></div><div>After visiting the charming walled city of Assisi, we took a 15-minute bus ride and stopped at this lovely restaurant for lunch with the group.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wGPO6dZxMH9qacBrU7XxZMGNWpR7or1X0h-FKsL6VOv97iVfgYt7DMGf_wT6ea-v3YaD4Yy_fjeMqkF6WooQxRSu3QcWTZVHaHDe9IM4uWurFo3YzycJAdrih0fs0UDLItyQND2mL6g/s1600-h/Stranglers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wGPO6dZxMH9qacBrU7XxZMGNWpR7or1X0h-FKsL6VOv97iVfgYt7DMGf_wT6ea-v3YaD4Yy_fjeMqkF6WooQxRSu3QcWTZVHaHDe9IM4uWurFo3YzycJAdrih0fs0UDLItyQND2mL6g/s320/Stranglers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392564231414671058" /></a> This particular type of pasta is called "Stranglers" because people choke on them. The Bolganese sauce was divine. I will find a recipe to recreate it in the very near future.</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR1obLjESXtkNcFNmwwRLm2CP0vizsWcPnrBpdKoyA4LZlyC2AYi_4xLKCIVEXSrx6ABS6YdT0jiSmyxB_mBWJcGScPeiFX1NruGfoCO06C1-7ZTIJMxfER3AXv67LiG0JYggihoctic/s1600-h/salad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR1obLjESXtkNcFNmwwRLm2CP0vizsWcPnrBpdKoyA4LZlyC2AYi_4xLKCIVEXSrx6ABS6YdT0jiSmyxB_mBWJcGScPeiFX1NruGfoCO06C1-7ZTIJMxfER3AXv67LiG0JYggihoctic/s320/salad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392564237020485778" /></a> A lovely little salad with tuna on top. The dressing was a light lemon/olive oil combo. Very refreshing and light.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNgoa0erELuZx-BsM4x3U344GFz_rSBUkQZVhQtx21Wtgx9ythCTCQKCHG4_RZPNAukRsmikNtEu2VSnigzx5FU_VY80G9Y4gmLGqvdRQPYih2MEHF5FEz5yPUqyQQp5WiDFmAig1okQ/s1600-h/espresso.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNgoa0erELuZx-BsM4x3U344GFz_rSBUkQZVhQtx21Wtgx9ythCTCQKCHG4_RZPNAukRsmikNtEu2VSnigzx5FU_VY80G9Y4gmLGqvdRQPYih2MEHF5FEz5yPUqyQQp5WiDFmAig1okQ/s320/espresso.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392564248827661026" /></a> Unfortunately this lunch did not end with a dessert, but with a cup of espresso instead. Oh well, there's always dinner!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-22925108666122989612009-08-16T11:30:00.001-07:002009-08-19T22:27:37.517-07:00The Doors of Assisi<div>I found while in Italia my common themes were beautiful doors - which are everywhere - and dogs. The dogs of Italia to come soon. For now, enjoy these rustic, if-doors-could-talk, pictures. All were taken in Assisi. That city was pure eye candy. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo95AXlJFg04mvyDevBP6-oS5BZViyJbRK0Nvz2aikBLhMx-W0G105LKVpOZ3D8SLzeV_5c1vcucrUnkMBwsnA_qZfQK7g_jQ3MyFV_IpKFxZz3-g2-JNSBe0qbLr6ojW4isIQp90bvE/s1600-h/assisi+door3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo95AXlJFg04mvyDevBP6-oS5BZViyJbRK0Nvz2aikBLhMx-W0G105LKVpOZ3D8SLzeV_5c1vcucrUnkMBwsnA_qZfQK7g_jQ3MyFV_IpKFxZz3-g2-JNSBe0qbLr6ojW4isIQp90bvE/s320/assisi+door3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629595756492066" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUMkvY8GfwVvZcPNKraiX6kuDes1ReFFeugsdsLfnfCroPjviTVGltcJpX93KVFjnwCsVMDRbaRrH8Bb8xGAB_3vr0SmbBbUmVUTWEfJrHIXuNrlcqxb6OvCVr85nxuzLqtSiPOH4SvU/s1600-h/assisi+door+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUMkvY8GfwVvZcPNKraiX6kuDes1ReFFeugsdsLfnfCroPjviTVGltcJpX93KVFjnwCsVMDRbaRrH8Bb8xGAB_3vr0SmbBbUmVUTWEfJrHIXuNrlcqxb6OvCVr85nxuzLqtSiPOH4SvU/s320/assisi+door+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629585322738082" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_vZrDbUmyUBb7LKxPX9SGKovl4VtNOlDEBrhuPokrakGSzdT97k9GLeFwT2DsFgLEIDyHGARBC8kd7KP450AldNhyQVo5BF1M40RALuC2SusM8et6yXoFMkafjsu0fO4UW1WxvJ8NyE/s1600-h/assisi+door+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_vZrDbUmyUBb7LKxPX9SGKovl4VtNOlDEBrhuPokrakGSzdT97k9GLeFwT2DsFgLEIDyHGARBC8kd7KP450AldNhyQVo5BF1M40RALuC2SusM8et6yXoFMkafjsu0fO4UW1WxvJ8NyE/s320/assisi+door+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629579763267442" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-77311926635307932762009-07-30T21:58:00.000-07:002009-08-19T22:20:27.012-07:00Italia - day four<div style="text-align: center;">Assisi. Who knew what an enchanting place this walled city would be. It's most famous for St. Francis and the Basilica named in honor of him. It's so difficult to put into words the feeling you have when you're there, so I'll let the photos do the talking. I spent lots of time editing these photos, hence the long overdue post.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcDT8anqKUh2JnsRUj5izTIrQo4jwNU7hXebWHXrgx3dwmC_KqKo_sR3m_gD0Nq6ik0F0vRVc6d8Y0i4-jIeqekFq_Rf8Cgpt7fNzW69yGnciBlfZTlgMzZnKRuC2SzRDHALbxtwZy7E/s1600-h/assisi+wall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370632883080415314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcDT8anqKUh2JnsRUj5izTIrQo4jwNU7hXebWHXrgx3dwmC_KqKo_sR3m_gD0Nq6ik0F0vRVc6d8Y0i4-jIeqekFq_Rf8Cgpt7fNzW69yGnciBlfZTlgMzZnKRuC2SzRDHALbxtwZy7E/s320/assisi+wall.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The wall around Assisi as we approached.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DqNsCp9C98iki2zg1M12x0wXRNdL3Gi2bisbs5RZz0V0UgHdEIlfA9mRKOw96Y_UGaQUjMhVe2vGD8Sn2D9Lqm1gs1wJfnFadv_DGh7tTz41IgJD5DQ2yuOCTGrjHptSZfYM2CBgUX0/s1600-h/assisi+arch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370627985727038946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DqNsCp9C98iki2zg1M12x0wXRNdL3Gi2bisbs5RZz0V0UgHdEIlfA9mRKOw96Y_UGaQUjMhVe2vGD8Sn2D9Lqm1gs1wJfnFadv_DGh7tTz41IgJD5DQ2yuOCTGrjHptSZfYM2CBgUX0/s320/assisi+arch.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Just outside the city wall.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZgeWskQZcuWC1G3VODFJtkBl1DNN3u8vh3rSAT_-7uMJ-8TnmliDIXkqt4xqAy5YAQR8loADnyilC-vGhmPJyFdQzf6qQ9Evvh8FfDOPEOAhif8-w9in2-dw2T_2a2mM62EZcIKLrso/s1600-h/assisi+gate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629597655530770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZgeWskQZcuWC1G3VODFJtkBl1DNN3u8vh3rSAT_-7uMJ-8TnmliDIXkqt4xqAy5YAQR8loADnyilC-vGhmPJyFdQzf6qQ9Evvh8FfDOPEOAhif8-w9in2-dw2T_2a2mM62EZcIKLrso/s320/assisi+gate.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Another outside the wall.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYWtffOtFIDyeEr-U3PZwoZ2jubiST4G_8vv09SEytgtl6Qkw7JMVIQ_IOUnXa8CnAB5s2VbmghD_IktJr61YPaxMXTrGMhwrLkPnRwt1atXBeEe8eVkwIC7C0VKcGHW1BQK1gcFS_fU/s1600-h/assisi+inside+gate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629606975400562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYWtffOtFIDyeEr-U3PZwoZ2jubiST4G_8vv09SEytgtl6Qkw7JMVIQ_IOUnXa8CnAB5s2VbmghD_IktJr61YPaxMXTrGMhwrLkPnRwt1atXBeEe8eVkwIC7C0VKcGHW1BQK1gcFS_fU/s320/assisi+inside+gate.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Inside the city wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLt_KVg2QB5N8F3uXMnmI_LqzC0-MGykMXRn9Y5qXmMxQQnFANmGhmKcsaDuJjE9qtj_MeGh-c7yTW_c5boI_B8vpDv2XjLZIcS2dQsUziHWoq3vqLsZjPfwx5nsOcZvPFOPlVcWqA5g/s1600-h/assisi+windows.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370634172061490194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLt_KVg2QB5N8F3uXMnmI_LqzC0-MGykMXRn9Y5qXmMxQQnFANmGhmKcsaDuJjE9qtj_MeGh-c7yTW_c5boI_B8vpDv2XjLZIcS2dQsUziHWoq3vqLsZjPfwx5nsOcZvPFOPlVcWqA5g/s320/assisi+windows.jpg" border="0" /></a> The beautiful sights of Assisi. I could have stayed there a week, or two, or really never come home as long as Randy would stay and my dogs could come.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tJsSQaSMGQmts_F0Na0akj0t4e2zy765SGEM6PRprlGiasWvBOUeMUa5eFrZkbZqeu1DgLvFffYBxULctu8AvY0aspImLCyzZw7HRUoQoXaoLCjaz7O9GZTxD1OJ0g_eF5Z1WVgRgAk/s1600-h/santa+maria+arches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370635160982848914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tJsSQaSMGQmts_F0Na0akj0t4e2zy765SGEM6PRprlGiasWvBOUeMUa5eFrZkbZqeu1DgLvFffYBxULctu8AvY0aspImLCyzZw7HRUoQoXaoLCjaz7O9GZTxD1OJ0g_eF5Z1WVgRgAk/s320/santa+maria+arches.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Santa Maria degli Angeli. Absolutely breathtaking basilica made of marble. It took over 100 years to build: 1569 - 1679. The arches pictured here were added later to support the structure.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMGSFzQ2vtpp9r3yClI5aS00GZNVeZwm1b9Far_i6zP57cDGiLiND5qANwjydNGwReohrb2FWnMZqFQTVFXEpp-XEz1GsyPnjyJAP5UbaOAf-VLgMYPM8YdgkJcIjun72vF706FH6r48/s1600-h/santa+maria.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370634199717597554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMGSFzQ2vtpp9r3yClI5aS00GZNVeZwm1b9Far_i6zP57cDGiLiND5qANwjydNGwReohrb2FWnMZqFQTVFXEpp-XEz1GsyPnjyJAP5UbaOAf-VLgMYPM8YdgkJcIjun72vF706FH6r48/s320/santa+maria.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Front view of Santa Maria degli Angeli. <br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcSj5Fm-cvxDMgy7j3KjQi6HFOHFzBBJLF6dlRvQ-Non5HFj_a6zfQ2-EG1BWa_DbobuE0Fi5PCztZgANlY6DgSvJqWiYY0LbTo9VHRVJJmtGghiNJcFZRB-GvCYxgyrp3f6uxvKTHxs/s1600-h/assisi+santamaria.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370632850476345890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcSj5Fm-cvxDMgy7j3KjQi6HFOHFzBBJLF6dlRvQ-Non5HFj_a6zfQ2-EG1BWa_DbobuE0Fi5PCztZgANlY6DgSvJqWiYY0LbTo9VHRVJJmtGghiNJcFZRB-GvCYxgyrp3f6uxvKTHxs/s320/assisi+santamaria.jpg" border="0" /></a> Detail shot of Santa Maria.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOuYhVa9cEfaptqz_0vS22S6CuonkgYKrHbrfxGsaYSCu1YYDTx6HEXLPe9mV7jFSpxs7PoJpmiJQqtj1WL5CsaA9Vw0IGGGXiCCqUNLP8hctScdSDhtmCfIDlL1JfvN3imTHRfUr0xU/s1600-h/a+betsy+assisi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOuYhVa9cEfaptqz_0vS22S6CuonkgYKrHbrfxGsaYSCu1YYDTx6HEXLPe9mV7jFSpxs7PoJpmiJQqtj1WL5CsaA9Vw0IGGGXiCCqUNLP8hctScdSDhtmCfIDlL1JfvN3imTHRfUr0xU/s320/a+betsy+assisi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371906990474420162" /></a> My friend Betsi and me at the fountain in front of Santa Maria. Yes, we look like tourists with our "Whispers" around our necks. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3D5Hg-xCwpl0B_Qv9Q5w0goQ3wQT2jBabe4hTKBcfjGKFB7CXDWWByVpBoKEH8cLYwumIET9guhPxUuuFPt3iiIT6Qk_vuE2hlpQYhNnzk1XkSMDgJoV8UnKQ4R2yk9j13Znmt8pMcE/s1600-h/a+assisi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370634176229122034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3D5Hg-xCwpl0B_Qv9Q5w0goQ3wQT2jBabe4hTKBcfjGKFB7CXDWWByVpBoKEH8cLYwumIET9guhPxUuuFPt3iiIT6Qk_vuE2hlpQYhNnzk1XkSMDgJoV8UnKQ4R2yk9j13Znmt8pMcE/s320/a+assisi.jpg" border="0" /></a> Randy snapped this shot of me in front of Santa Maria.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U-DVUh4J9VvGqgWdk0PtxOMja8kI8UN52MKbKOcFp9s00aooFjjeyBHLfzJSXsiF7pLeFthcypqMH0qcXRmavTuEfwIiOq4TcIBtRHF4ezcFQnSrgsBaXzIUr-c56Q6VUywTeuNqxs8/s1600-h/assisi+pastries.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370632844398765458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U-DVUh4J9VvGqgWdk0PtxOMja8kI8UN52MKbKOcFp9s00aooFjjeyBHLfzJSXsiF7pLeFthcypqMH0qcXRmavTuEfwIiOq4TcIBtRHF4ezcFQnSrgsBaXzIUr-c56Q6VUywTeuNqxs8/s320/assisi+pastries.jpg" border="0" /></a>Had to snap a few food pics. Actually there are many more to come, just didn't eat in Assisi. (But I couldn't resist snapping this shot of beautiful confections.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooNAWCK_MMAaT58Jml9RgFuzfTX-OPKn5_4TMNN3KEV8pkqXXL9gp4I2_zT5Xtv7Ow7K-ReCVbs3EhPYyiLG-sX7pFNnmgWD3EiKqFHwmpsLjLuY0_h8jBzMhBTPxq0IBIE37m11vMRo/s1600-h/assisi+charcuterie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370628016406235890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooNAWCK_MMAaT58Jml9RgFuzfTX-OPKn5_4TMNN3KEV8pkqXXL9gp4I2_zT5Xtv7Ow7K-ReCVbs3EhPYyiLG-sX7pFNnmgWD3EiKqFHwmpsLjLuY0_h8jBzMhBTPxq0IBIE37m11vMRo/s320/assisi+charcuterie.jpg" border="0" /></a>Charcuterie hanging from the store front doorway. Love it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkDHze2Z-cmGuo20qiklzf0v2iOiNFITiqXAG3es6MNLvAZfFr6JJFkDOfb7_U4_y1KPKKGY1XPDF-55Jf68Bjj3MKHbF2a2CFYxiQ_ZeLkq7WYo4VGsx8va116V2t-2h0cY0AGOIZ6E/s1600-h/assisi+stairs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370632860994925826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkDHze2Z-cmGuo20qiklzf0v2iOiNFITiqXAG3es6MNLvAZfFr6JJFkDOfb7_U4_y1KPKKGY1XPDF-55Jf68Bjj3MKHbF2a2CFYxiQ_ZeLkq7WYo4VGsx8va116V2t-2h0cY0AGOIZ6E/s320/assisi+stairs.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of the many enchanting stairways along the street. Everything looks so inviting. Wish I could have climbed these stairs, but alas, we were on a schedule.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBgdTjYOUX3eMagWnw5YRENaM9hhDqBYQI2URAtSeWUsIEje4_854N7HlmUK0C7zsqXSlj7JGK9-Kfk1vPcQ4OCaB-NiemqZfhWHA31H1DEWiCWLsBGvS7c1EiPoEuQgKHeFQRU0r7S8/s1600-h/ra+assisi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370634187146747954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBgdTjYOUX3eMagWnw5YRENaM9hhDqBYQI2URAtSeWUsIEje4_854N7HlmUK0C7zsqXSlj7JGK9-Kfk1vPcQ4OCaB-NiemqZfhWHA31H1DEWiCWLsBGvS7c1EiPoEuQgKHeFQRU0r7S8/s320/ra+assisi.jpg" border="0" /></a> A staged portrait. (Thanks so much Jan Wilson for your fab photography skills!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DvanTy0UxAip6uXfgUOSMIT2UKASVmy4CIeDGNJy-xxsax3pP8VHfbUunMRwegCFOiVgIo-3dDELzOWSkJTDGtll07NzBM_K5Ebppo97yRoJT8WjB7cC4dGjQDDFPgQ44O_1wdLABkM/s1600-h/assisi+basilica.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370628003686664130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DvanTy0UxAip6uXfgUOSMIT2UKASVmy4CIeDGNJy-xxsax3pP8VHfbUunMRwegCFOiVgIo-3dDELzOWSkJTDGtll07NzBM_K5Ebppo97yRoJT8WjB7cC4dGjQDDFPgQ44O_1wdLABkM/s320/assisi+basilica.jpg" border="0" /></a> Inside the Basilica di San Francisco (St. Francis). This is actually two bascilicas - the old one down below. We were waiting to get into the downstairs one. The lower bascilica was finished in 1230. The the upper basilica was finished in 1280. (Kicking myself that I didn't get a good shot of the grounds in front, it was quite lovely.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECF17NOsRsDLpEFImemLKwGMA2ihyH_lGC_q78rsP6y9jswYzsTgd9JJS1FLTfYlk3SWv9dpyD-ZdK09RdZVjWW8dZ_uvrMuaJRPXN_chwGe5TK87OS6EwjyoXBLaPAIqFzBUGhNjBGI/s1600-h/assisi+bride.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370628004872088306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECF17NOsRsDLpEFImemLKwGMA2ihyH_lGC_q78rsP6y9jswYzsTgd9JJS1FLTfYlk3SWv9dpyD-ZdK09RdZVjWW8dZ_uvrMuaJRPXN_chwGe5TK87OS6EwjyoXBLaPAIqFzBUGhNjBGI/s320/assisi+bride.jpg" border="0" /></a> This gorgeous bride was outside when we walked along the outer walkway. I had to snap a picture of her. She's so beautiful and looks so incredibly happy. I love weddings and brides - I must be a romantic at heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxoxJ9-YQ4pK8fSybwdb5HwZjlIuBtv_F5kSBWRewVdeINc84Dc_u_yK6hQKGXTAwfMiX_DtrteyJGtSm8rFNBqoneB3EdTmek7_5Kqp7IC1xk6VAzvh6RMxVJ-mUxacgPte3CHgOexA/s1600-h/assisi+basilica+outside.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370627992766221986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxoxJ9-YQ4pK8fSybwdb5HwZjlIuBtv_F5kSBWRewVdeINc84Dc_u_yK6hQKGXTAwfMiX_DtrteyJGtSm8rFNBqoneB3EdTmek7_5Kqp7IC1xk6VAzvh6RMxVJ-mUxacgPte3CHgOexA/s320/assisi+basilica+outside.jpg" border="0" /></a> Inside the outer walkway. Leaving Assisi for this trip, but I shall return.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-76721520149047238352009-07-20T20:42:00.000-07:002009-07-21T22:22:54.595-07:00Italia - day three<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPVgZlLyT2eBwWw-qPGnT9UhA_eqL8Bi04taU4OxDQn36NbgyIlLxnrmVDWDXj-u8ND7lonazJgGncdjAJvNUNbhtK7uamHeNkU-z1692nMGga4rIOYxtetuaKsxkLDlZuH03jY9ti5s/s1600-h/RA+tuscan+hillside7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPVgZlLyT2eBwWw-qPGnT9UhA_eqL8Bi04taU4OxDQn36NbgyIlLxnrmVDWDXj-u8ND7lonazJgGncdjAJvNUNbhtK7uamHeNkU-z1692nMGga4rIOYxtetuaKsxkLDlZuH03jY9ti5s/s320/RA+tuscan+hillside7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361150676572704562" /></a><br /><br />This was our first day to actually wake up <span style="font-style:italic;">in</span> Italy. Randy and I both woke up at 5 a.m. that morning. It's no oddity for Randy to wake up that early, but I don't think I've ever woken up AWAKE at that time before. We both managed to sleep a bit longer, thank goodness.<br /><br />Our "Campus Director," Ines (pronounced En-nes) was fabulous. Every step of the way, she was there to help us with questions, and her warm hospitality. Ines gave us a lecture about Tuscan history and treated us to all kinds of "tid bits" of information throughout the trip. It was wonderful.<br /><br />We went on a walking tour of Cortona where our guide, (oops forgot her name) took us to the City Hall and to an Etruscan museum filled with incredible religious art including <span style="font-style:italic;">The Annunciation </span>by Beato Angelico.<br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1BWxBAxibVu-yc_K3-CSoyrymewUIuCG4QbsW1KKm5wO-AMRBuhAI1mhW8BayfJdMnC9eTzHsid3T2zyyPxP7bF08b1d9rg48Ave6chfVzt3p-o81nUsliHSXCN7ZD20qOmFAh2VAs8/s1600-h/cortona+alley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1BWxBAxibVu-yc_K3-CSoyrymewUIuCG4QbsW1KKm5wO-AMRBuhAI1mhW8BayfJdMnC9eTzHsid3T2zyyPxP7bF08b1d9rg48Ave6chfVzt3p-o81nUsliHSXCN7ZD20qOmFAh2VAs8/s320/cortona+alley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361142933923022386" /></a></span> All these beautiful little alleys adorned the streets of Cortona.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FGI9_ly4fjQgmJzwaseR3B0COpAaPT1ZDvZNH50MUoxrL9M8oRQo8dAsmQ0vm5h_aKC-MOLdbRF9q_6zrFrWNFWKejJCDyrRHUUqMnOlD_wcNaeXzktaYjxQ9EbuP1PRsl9tMmNgEeo/s1600-h/cortona+city+chairs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FGI9_ly4fjQgmJzwaseR3B0COpAaPT1ZDvZNH50MUoxrL9M8oRQo8dAsmQ0vm5h_aKC-MOLdbRF9q_6zrFrWNFWKejJCDyrRHUUqMnOlD_wcNaeXzktaYjxQ9EbuP1PRsl9tMmNgEeo/s320/cortona+city+chairs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361142942545068258" /></a> Inside City Hall. Gorgeous room in there. Lots of people marry here. I wanted to pack 4 of those chairs in my suitcase for my breakfast nook. On the hunt now though and I will find some!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZakNXoY5QOYm0H_IqQYvo9PAs_VTEN55KWIoiCNacSeK9M8xA8Gka4SX0YmMYQUIZY0HjxBuoVKj3fiK1TR2KAU2eg8W2hzMh6Q1sGFjhJ8fuc1NMZKw8tZ3SN9F5oRaJbM-NdL6h-_Y/s1600-h/cortona+piazza.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZakNXoY5QOYm0H_IqQYvo9PAs_VTEN55KWIoiCNacSeK9M8xA8Gka4SX0YmMYQUIZY0HjxBuoVKj3fiK1TR2KAU2eg8W2hzMh6Q1sGFjhJ8fuc1NMZKw8tZ3SN9F5oRaJbM-NdL6h-_Y/s320/cortona+piazza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361142948395704850" /></a> One of the piazzas in Cortona (in front of the gorgeous historic City Hall).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMqFk66TlQcBuNZpatUSwDx2r3DGSGrpoPgEc9NUFneRoofJsFK0NNti6ic4akNMMOL9DCfuvS8Er28UmlSI07mODRBNflUF5NmF7wvgkcFKDvXT9L_XgF7UfSGtu-L2QIhmtm4zUbr0/s1600-h/st+marg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMqFk66TlQcBuNZpatUSwDx2r3DGSGrpoPgEc9NUFneRoofJsFK0NNti6ic4akNMMOL9DCfuvS8Er28UmlSI07mODRBNflUF5NmF7wvgkcFKDvXT9L_XgF7UfSGtu-L2QIhmtm4zUbr0/s320/st+marg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361146958534857122" /></a> The Robinsons and us by the shrine of St. Marguerite in Cortona.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwFRjwz1glKrtTVuU9s8tntyU-mhFg2XDMQ6BGqeaLk6AXf_w03-9O9TtzeMtxj_L5MVAokppMG8XfhuEvLM_i5rZIVmOCaYgSzVHsO0QOERyB1esI3Lcq_97pS2xPlBEGtR895JzGHc/s1600-h/cortona+rain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwFRjwz1glKrtTVuU9s8tntyU-mhFg2XDMQ6BGqeaLk6AXf_w03-9O9TtzeMtxj_L5MVAokppMG8XfhuEvLM_i5rZIVmOCaYgSzVHsO0QOERyB1esI3Lcq_97pS2xPlBEGtR895JzGHc/s320/cortona+rain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361142960773132498" /></a> A little rain in Tuscany never dampened the mood. We had lunch on this beautiful patio and right after dessert (yes you heard me, we ate dessert at every lunch!), it started to rain.<div><br /><br />After lunch, we were off on the bus to Montalcino to a wonderful winery called Altisimo. The scenery to and from, at the winery, the wine and the hospitality there did not disappoint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAzzxJ2zYCC4t68Z9unvKeqBQRixeBQBggpazYCN62rLnKDKoC6kjY6Q_fr-Ufq0Zp41nkjP60_YLKETZFZTebVwcCnwx_BIDMc-x7G-8XLezeTF5cUDEF9AzyqOWjmyy92V-UhuJwvo/s1600-h/wine+barrels.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAzzxJ2zYCC4t68Z9unvKeqBQRixeBQBggpazYCN62rLnKDKoC6kjY6Q_fr-Ufq0Zp41nkjP60_YLKETZFZTebVwcCnwx_BIDMc-x7G-8XLezeTF5cUDEF9AzyqOWjmyy92V-UhuJwvo/s320/wine+barrels.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361146985275045938" /></a> The beautiful wine barrels. I swear I drank a whole barrel while in Italy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICLM86fSW0CCe4kK2zNM5E42iPzGqPqMRT2U6V0mN0764TTBcRv5P6y8CxqT7uj5frOvrUq3ExezgGQPrT6BaRIJ_CG55xqSsXljmvZjbWneCnNQUV7v0VinCxRJNpEnIVNAGqkl3J9Q/s1600-h/R+important+decisions.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICLM86fSW0CCe4kK2zNM5E42iPzGqPqMRT2U6V0mN0764TTBcRv5P6y8CxqT7uj5frOvrUq3ExezgGQPrT6BaRIJ_CG55xqSsXljmvZjbWneCnNQUV7v0VinCxRJNpEnIVNAGqkl3J9Q/s320/R+important+decisions.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361146949186163602" /></a> Randy trying to decide what to buy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjBHtD2aDFGQ_CJoHhcbP6l8bnuQ0Kb5GP8xacy4bwGMgtTbKyZhLUow369inxhkbddW5zhMVi9WUEDkH8Et_Z84I6MiFYPYMJQXTNj1vOYtGakprsDnJ5mmImAcuIakRsXeX7n-C94Q/s1600-h/VINO.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjBHtD2aDFGQ_CJoHhcbP6l8bnuQ0Kb5GP8xacy4bwGMgtTbKyZhLUow369inxhkbddW5zhMVi9WUEDkH8Et_Z84I6MiFYPYMJQXTNj1vOYtGakprsDnJ5mmImAcuIakRsXeX7n-C94Q/s320/VINO.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361146971488563170" /></a> We bought 4 bottles of the fabulous white wine, all of which is gone. But I did find out that we can purchase it right here in Wichita. (A win-win!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-nx3AibfTHcbyNjBadyqB5Zovecs871hpfpZ_Uvhw3fgXGkO72Wxtw3MfxPxP0OztRJ-4owcpqQ9FLOYfSA56qQqtS9567F1Q77N35iV0qZY6UGcSUEcSrxYqDKdZbC9DWXkLv0LfNA/s1600-h/proscuitto+pecorino.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-nx3AibfTHcbyNjBadyqB5Zovecs871hpfpZ_Uvhw3fgXGkO72Wxtw3MfxPxP0OztRJ-4owcpqQ9FLOYfSA56qQqtS9567F1Q77N35iV0qZY6UGcSUEcSrxYqDKdZbC9DWXkLv0LfNA/s320/proscuitto+pecorino.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361142972242892658" /></a> The unbelievably delicious, mouth-watering proscuitto and pecorino cheese. I brought home some cheese, but didn't bring proscuitto. I get my wonderful charcuterie from La Quercia and it tastes exactly the same as it does in Italy (hence the owners lived there for many years).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBVs-aBoplU6cRee5hWPyyzQyA_ecy6K5U8jMcYCGuuUIC0IzBxbhwW0HZbaK5M9C8vCH7km_o1FU9aQixkgsKvhOlkPl4LoOettvCLU6Rn7xuWSm94-ryRGxHcRZ4ew-BR6GuXhWysY/s1600-h/winery+dinner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBVs-aBoplU6cRee5hWPyyzQyA_ecy6K5U8jMcYCGuuUIC0IzBxbhwW0HZbaK5M9C8vCH7km_o1FU9aQixkgsKvhOlkPl4LoOettvCLU6Rn7xuWSm94-ryRGxHcRZ4ew-BR6GuXhWysY/s320/winery+dinner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361149708575105042" /></a> What a fabulous way to end our day - dinner in the winery at our hotel. The food was magnificent every day. And how cozy is this little winery?<br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-29588019439093967512009-07-18T20:21:00.001-07:002009-07-21T09:57:57.626-07:00Italia - day two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZYTYddOrdjQkJOBT3ScuYoILB2xxMy1lOS7QGfHDjm63zhuOcrOdLCIoZYpmQ6qlS_mFJ4huO4qRYpmAjBUi2DlOygMdUxn1-Ecb1-0opPV9otiZoCwkdhrx2e-Dcs1FdloGbzF3xDE/s1600-h/IMG_0038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZYTYddOrdjQkJOBT3ScuYoILB2xxMy1lOS7QGfHDjm63zhuOcrOdLCIoZYpmQ6qlS_mFJ4huO4qRYpmAjBUi2DlOygMdUxn1-Ecb1-0opPV9otiZoCwkdhrx2e-Dcs1FdloGbzF3xDE/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360022669794516994" /></a> Still on the plane. Randy's all happy even though he didn't sleep.<br /><br />We landed in Frankfurt, Germany early morning of day two. We had a several hour layover in the airport, but luckily it wasn't a bad airport to be stuck in. Many shops to walk through and by this time, we'd met all of the KState travelers (except Jan from Salina who flew over by herself).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09lRG92JI6t1y4J9lDxK9UOtRflzpIIIOJoZGrUWdzn6V-2pS3mJVxRd4yIChrAFl_jqtmbryscBDcS7b9FD47hEKJrGJheiNouwnhHP_jbZkhxqQPihuZJsliSlZ9MEJPGqB83HvoqY/s1600-h/IMG_0052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09lRG92JI6t1y4J9lDxK9UOtRflzpIIIOJoZGrUWdzn6V-2pS3mJVxRd4yIChrAFl_jqtmbryscBDcS7b9FD47hEKJrGJheiNouwnhHP_jbZkhxqQPihuZJsliSlZ9MEJPGqB83HvoqY/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360022681004732834" /></a> Had a coffee in Frankfurt and a water (but forgot that I needed to order still water, so it had bubbles). I only like bubbles in my sparkling wine, not water. We spent a couple of hours in the airport, and I didn't buy a thing. I wanted to buy some Korres skin care products, but we had to go through security there so the same 3 oz. rules applied to carry-ons.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHkIe54ynx6weeAaA7BlCIneGL3GxsjbYfzuYWXuSOTjDjK5Yk1cn3GHIGgLZyyGycJov9-mU4RsrwBk5pxKI7GzCVqQZsX5DNEFMk6hBRtlQ19CrZot31GgP-swrHpgCTWiRlMlCDYc/s1600-h/IMG_0058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHkIe54ynx6weeAaA7BlCIneGL3GxsjbYfzuYWXuSOTjDjK5Yk1cn3GHIGgLZyyGycJov9-mU4RsrwBk5pxKI7GzCVqQZsX5DNEFMk6hBRtlQ19CrZot31GgP-swrHpgCTWiRlMlCDYc/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360022691459775938" /></a> After landing in Florence, getting our luggage on the bus and then an hour and a half trip through beautiful Tuscany (which I could hardly hold my eyelids open), we'd arrived in Cortona. Our home away from home for the trip. What an incredibly enchanting sleepy hilltop town that became famous because of the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. The photo is the view of the Tuscan valley from Hotel San Luca where we stayed. Completely overwhelmingly picturesque and forever sketched in my mind.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMP4h_uXVnqooSl_rudk-ilCD8JEb5OsCCtpeHtLrEgk49kfrwb05op_Bf_t3FIKK0NDssgIwStYpVOrCxulHgU6RqHYQY_QElRxVpwb2gtHwYKAQGgmq4-Zu6BoXa5tphpi6Pq-pyZ8/s1600-h/A+pic+by+Rachel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMP4h_uXVnqooSl_rudk-ilCD8JEb5OsCCtpeHtLrEgk49kfrwb05op_Bf_t3FIKK0NDssgIwStYpVOrCxulHgU6RqHYQY_QElRxVpwb2gtHwYKAQGgmq4-Zu6BoXa5tphpi6Pq-pyZ8/s320/A+pic+by+Rachel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360958636167649938" /></a> We had just a tiny bit of time to wonder around the corner to the main streets of Cortona. This is a little slice of the City Hall steps where lots of people sit and conversate. The couple there was on our trip, how ironic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsBW6KZXtZs2RbqLq2BWKWO2U5FyEsrnGWiDbwFSYvWr_dz8yVdOxvubBHH3efGXJCf-ln6NexC2j1uuXMIFQTivOVD_G2Iwpi_Z9rRB5m6KnUq0P-yiVmmVQ8lVSyn0_sIdBaYuy4T0/s1600-h/IMG_0056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsBW6KZXtZs2RbqLq2BWKWO2U5FyEsrnGWiDbwFSYvWr_dz8yVdOxvubBHH3efGXJCf-ln6NexC2j1uuXMIFQTivOVD_G2Iwpi_Z9rRB5m6KnUq0P-yiVmmVQ8lVSyn0_sIdBaYuy4T0/s320/IMG_005%206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360024809928193874" /></a> Craig and Dena are from Wichita, too. Randy and Craig grew up 30 miles from each other, both in small towns, competed in high school track, went to KSU together and then to Washburn for law school together. Then we figured out that Dena was in my uncle's high school class. What a small, small world.<br /><br />We met in one of the beautiful terraces that evening for appetizers (including these delectable lightly battered and fried squash flowers). We had a lovely dinner in the wine cellar (pics to come of that) and CRASHED.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-60169768986282962392009-07-17T11:44:00.000-07:002009-07-17T21:41:57.844-07:00Italia - day oneWe've been back a bit longer than we were gone to Italy. To say it's beautiful and a trip that EVERYONE should take would be an immense understatement. If you've been there, you know. And if you haven't gone yet, I want to share a slice of Tuscany with you each day, one day of our trip at a time. <div><br /><div>Day One</div>We left Wichita mid-morning which made this night owl happy. Flew to Chicago, and had a 4-hour layover. But not much can dampen your mood when you're headed to one of the most beautiful scenic places in the world. We almost didn't make our flight (we were supposed to go get our boarding passes at the gate and forgot - ooops). But the travel agent with AHI was there and took care of us. We were bumped up to Business Class and I was lovin' it. Randy wasn't letting himself enjoy it (he felt guilty we were the ones who were upgraded and the other people in our group didn't get upgraded). Silly boy. It was fabulous! </div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3Nk0tdTpJ5v6mBw5XXYyFdSTmCY0Gd9hdzqG2nfezM_lJLlJE6EmclGxcMbGndULcFZX9r250osjc_Ghg7taVxvdWG9_Ve9i6-9PYPDN4M5_AtZ88J9FII0SChmLdaSjpZRtvL0XJ1I/s1600-h/IMG_0039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3Nk0tdTpJ5v6mBw5XXYyFdSTmCY0Gd9hdzqG2nfezM_lJLlJE6EmclGxcMbGndULcFZX9r250osjc_Ghg7taVxvdWG9_Ve9i6-9PYPDN4M5_AtZ88J9FII0SChmLdaSjpZRtvL0XJ1I/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359652059128819778" /></a> Gettin' comfy in our seats. (Damn, I could get used to this!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgtSXElEQkDFqeS4J4Yz_p8yDCqadQDioeY6Co6WlBu-MgKOrwFz4U1C86MYFkv7Q7k1b7dRxqdbNBnqwAgCUmt9U5y7DMXUk1Vw-Fkj-9j1AJqUoipkRcsyvA2a-RAJgRAvfA3JOyn8/s1600-h/IMG_0041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgtSXElEQkDFqeS4J4Yz_p8yDCqadQDioeY6Co6WlBu-MgKOrwFz4U1C86MYFkv7Q7k1b7dRxqdbNBnqwAgCUmt9U5y7DMXUk1Vw-Fkj-9j1AJqUoipkRcsyvA2a-RAJgRAvfA3JOyn8/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359652048874422514" /></a> A glass of bubbly before we take off? Absolutely!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZnZjTUC2m4cVZiEyU6RacGoYaXTbWkhmaWeHEqAkBVscC4CA-fTksoTOAoCbCClxbeJxkhXI3Wr0m8L0hz3AzAbRmjbp5mamBLt1BhYmqhjibb_cyFGcZJm5bQa7-zvWfPZjJSvWtXI/s1600-h/IMG_0046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZnZjTUC2m4cVZiEyU6RacGoYaXTbWkhmaWeHEqAkBVscC4CA-fTksoTOAoCbCClxbeJxkhXI3Wr0m8L0hz3AzAbRmjbp5mamBLt1BhYmqhjibb_cyFGcZJm5bQa7-zvWfPZjJSvWtXI/s320/IMG_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359653631291434514" /></a> Menu choices - decisions, decisions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcsgWxbTsqPdnKiAmeaALHyv7sHkOtQHCKuvXk7_3bsgR7Qu0zNNcz1PEmYYxsIw86M-H5JrT6hflzEw4NRE0HVhrHl4s0ebUWyx1izX4uqrWTzH6B6SQqQmKtWa0bVXglNKO8R18v4g/s1600-h/IMG_0047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcsgWxbTsqPdnKiAmeaALHyv7sHkOtQHCKuvXk7_3bsgR7Qu0zNNcz1PEmYYxsIw86M-H5JrT6hflzEw4NRE0HVhrHl4s0ebUWyx1izX4uqrWTzH6B6SQqQmKtWa0bVXglNKO8R18v4g/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359653635106231986" /></a> I went with the mixed green salad with a small dollup of a fancy potato salad as first course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrjGHh7roNZVjvIeA5EG92Qz0hxGUEgDBMZj7PSaUeu3FEXYcar2M_L12BUiznVmoBCAeHpR_RxQ_cN2WPIp2fPUxBcU8Y1aTJzBGJqrZbcLdCD3D4jbMtRLy9vvd47UwerXL3xUqxoY/s1600-h/IMG_0050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrjGHh7roNZVjvIeA5EG92Qz0hxGUEgDBMZj7PSaUeu3FEXYcar2M_L12BUiznVmoBCAeHpR_RxQ_cN2WPIp2fPUxBcU8Y1aTJzBGJqrZbcLdCD3D4jbMtRLy9vvd47UwerXL3xUqxoY/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359652066086770370" /></a> Baked cod over fingerling potatoes and artichoke hearts (they had me at artichoke hearts) with a wonderfully light white wine butter sauce.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW3xwFwPYjrOP_f5qLEh1YfaoDpYPvG7X7mM1jbL3NSrUbUu9zxm0KrliCi7PNSXFIFCFhT5zi8FvnrvqEvF_RC9sA5C2KMme0-BJvpB898-KzUFKOWD9JMdkXlBW2JPNRiss3Vo7T40/s1600-h/IMG_0049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW3xwFwPYjrOP_f5qLEh1YfaoDpYPvG7X7mM1jbL3NSrUbUu9zxm0KrliCi7PNSXFIFCFhT5zi8FvnrvqEvF_RC9sA5C2KMme0-BJvpB898-KzUFKOWD9JMdkXlBW2JPNRiss3Vo7T40/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359652047307092754" /></a> Randy had Gnocci as his second course. It was good, but nothing as fabulous as what we were about to experience in Italy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLjB9PDfqMcXvWJsRIvcwW8XaS8up44uAX4HweonTFS2xjJ_vbmHos1UEpJHv_JkZa7ub_doemo28crWD_E924jJ7TlJC9LssQGpGvDFw2c0OMgk3Yb6xAsGWbqdTGp6ctlhWNYDjv5A/s1600-h/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLjB9PDfqMcXvWJsRIvcwW8XaS8up44uAX4HweonTFS2xjJ_vbmHos1UEpJHv_JkZa7ub_doemo28crWD_E924jJ7TlJC9LssQGpGvDFw2c0OMgk3Yb6xAsGWbqdTGp6ctlhWNYDjv5A/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359652063460018274" /></a> A nice refreshing third course. <br /><br />Watching chick flicks like "He's Just Not that Into You" and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" while sitting right next to Randy was pretty much heaven. He watched what he wanted (and ended up watching five movies instead of sleeping on the way over). Naughty boy. I slept about 3.5 hours and was woken up by yet another delicious meal. I knew we were off to a magnificent start on this vacation!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-33270518437934401352009-06-21T18:46:00.000-07:002009-06-21T19:09:19.069-07:00Veggie GardenAfter months of wanting one, I have invested in a nicer camera. Expect much, much better photos from here on out. I'm very excited. A couple days ago, I decided to break the new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-10-1MP-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B001CBKJGG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245635328&sr=8-1">Canon</a> and take some pics of the garden. Here's a quick taste of what's growing in our garden this year:<div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aLMs8vks_N4Awhcq1ImvxWT6qTLrz5yFLxF3vOmFJTiXGNkafz-TuFoNZAcMIqyTLRH_lAf3m1DDf5pJyAZzSyT7mvcZ86jSLM7vd8iVZa8NjL__K3viZPmUczuD1Je5U3Xe4nRXJSc/s1600-h/IMG_0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aLMs8vks_N4Awhcq1ImvxWT6qTLrz5yFLxF3vOmFJTiXGNkafz-TuFoNZAcMIqyTLRH_lAf3m1DDf5pJyAZzSyT7mvcZ86jSLM7vd8iVZa8NjL__K3viZPmUczuD1Je5U3Xe4nRXJSc/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349965307793696290" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yellow squash<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB1e70svR5c8YloNiFIgwVq6ViaS0Ztr9tgarQNjkmHgfPQAH9g2wRw_sA44hAtowOtffRb5PD9EZholUYBFFnk8jmcLEoRAuhQdBWYFYxMbeZ6JxDeaF9NL6R3DdxoiGp_M7ebHao4I/s1600-h/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB1e70svR5c8YloNiFIgwVq6ViaS0Ztr9tgarQNjkmHgfPQAH9g2wRw_sA44hAtowOtffRb5PD9EZholUYBFFnk8jmcLEoRAuhQdBWYFYxMbeZ6JxDeaF9NL6R3DdxoiGp_M7ebHao4I/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349965327909212034" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes - there's nothing better than a fresh, homegrown tomato!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFXCD7ECJCce5-kwl5o7N6dNDClXIbFtWKbd4Eh1Hizz2cpOPXzA3Ed9rrewSU3fMvNZDcif1fvHVfHgPOmdukAKRm1g0na5nL4r17_3ozuKh7J8hNE_GE2Qfh37ks1T-WykTwpojkkY/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFXCD7ECJCce5-kwl5o7N6dNDClXIbFtWKbd4Eh1Hizz2cpOPXzA3Ed9rrewSU3fMvNZDcif1fvHVfHgPOmdukAKRm1g0na5nL4r17_3ozuKh7J8hNE_GE2Qfh37ks1T-WykTwpojkkY/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349965318948072258" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Basil, so I can make jars and jars of pesto and Caprese salad - yum!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCohCAvjaSlIOulP05xBgLKG3vtMyN_wcbfsa-i859UBVwOp-UZ_C4LjccnyP2p_t9KauY_zxD0YU0OKhVQcMiU7Z-Q9vGi36kvRQVDYGVRHWjx17cUJaI-y4SzbgiVWnUszfk5e9U-JE/s1600-h/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCohCAvjaSlIOulP05xBgLKG3vtMyN_wcbfsa-i859UBVwOp-UZ_C4LjccnyP2p_t9KauY_zxD0YU0OKhVQcMiU7Z-Q9vGi36kvRQVDYGVRHWjx17cUJaI-y4SzbgiVWnUszfk5e9U-JE/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349965313689983522" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">GARLIC!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxFx5CbvWtnskkt7D2LlfgQHinb4Bx3m8QdgJuvVae_ivRIQNuM78ufjFd2u66vsov2jpAsqbW8EFhDOS1hbWvJdz42wkbcBQWV_kHWEsCvb4XCMyx-71xaeqWhaK_rAC1Kz4Zzi5Spo/s1600-h/IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxFx5CbvWtnskkt7D2LlfgQHinb4Bx3m8QdgJuvVae_ivRIQNuM78ufjFd2u66vsov2jpAsqbW8EFhDOS1hbWvJdz42wkbcBQWV_kHWEsCvb4XCMyx-71xaeqWhaK_rAC1Kz4Zzi5Spo/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349967377135267634" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Onions<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP88CMVZrp0SyH1ryu_awhQTMLH_dAt958vavKGMjPW8wQPPwygHvdbjV5qNXvf8RWmXW4PJo8SqCX3iFyXUYdaQi6S3afi6xovPHHmT59PLvBc41gf-bWdrUI_JvlpSZ214_9B8gwzkk/s1600-h/IMG_0022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP88CMVZrp0SyH1ryu_awhQTMLH_dAt958vavKGMjPW8wQPPwygHvdbjV5qNXvf8RWmXW4PJo8SqCX3iFyXUYdaQi6S3afi6xovPHHmT59PLvBc41gf-bWdrUI_JvlpSZ214_9B8gwzkk/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349965332124480098" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Cauliflower (hoping some pesky bugs go away - I refuse to use pesticide on plants I eat.)<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-71092561448355407462009-06-17T22:19:00.000-07:002009-06-17T22:53:08.914-07:00Celebrations Galore and Magnolia Vanilla Cupcakes<span style="font-style:italic;">In the past month, we've celebrated my in-laws 60th wedding anniversary, my nephews were baptized, had a family picnic on the farm, had two family meals at our house, baked cupcakes for 60 - not once but twice, surprised my dad by flying my brother in from LA for his 60th birthday party and last but not least, hosted a four-course charity dinner at our home. To say I've been busy would be an understatement. But what fun it's been. <div><br /></div><div>A few pics to prove it all.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy5S-FcAVKiEc1ZIn7P53dKtlKdYiQMS68vTXr0yF5fMCcdB799ElyixfwTIQzPUqPwfnam2sNDpxU4XM8Lgu3FVyXfcjYLmqTZKWACZmCk7GLCVZ2SLFQh7pH3sdZvcPLOvpyia2QQ0/s1600-h/DSC05147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy5S-FcAVKiEc1ZIn7P53dKtlKdYiQMS68vTXr0yF5fMCcdB799ElyixfwTIQzPUqPwfnam2sNDpxU4XM8Lgu3FVyXfcjYLmqTZKWACZmCk7GLCVZ2SLFQh7pH3sdZvcPLOvpyia2QQ0/s320/DSC05147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348535873016632290" /></a><br /><br />Dan and Brad getting baptized.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO0ApCXmN0fvKadvViJI_rPqJC0IL64guoMPWxPt1SL3iFKBsWjvl1VL5ZQNw9cTLWboDjHEJEhyphenhyphentprjLCoKcoUm_ndH5D3DXX5SCEuvj67JcKzh6hr0we80Z92u71bMjwlETzqjDx5U/s1600-h/DSC05165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO0ApCXmN0fvKadvViJI_rPqJC0IL64guoMPWxPt1SL3iFKBsWjvl1VL5ZQNw9cTLWboDjHEJEhyphenhyphentprjLCoKcoUm_ndH5D3DXX5SCEuvj67JcKzh6hr0we80Z92u71bMjwlETzqjDx5U/s320/DSC05165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348535861498790306" /></a><br /><br />Randy's Aunt Marsha getting the boys to pose with "Flat Stanley."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2Fouji9MhJOqsAoK87xPLtX1Jzq05u96RB3wBEr-4gJnYpLf21gkEjgyCLnCI6OTP7BoUcRT30HJ4CQ4IZkBbjbiw88MADWAi-v8ck1OjNX25JBgQN0L0drC44E87OXl9AMBRKPAg9Q/s1600-h/DSC05181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2Fouji9MhJOqsAoK87xPLtX1Jzq05u96RB3wBEr-4gJnYpLf21gkEjgyCLnCI6OTP7BoUcRT30HJ4CQ4IZkBbjbiw88MADWAi-v8ck1OjNX25JBgQN0L0drC44E87OXl9AMBRKPAg9Q/s320/DSC05181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348535855820420578" /></a><br /><br />My father-in-law, Ronnie and his sister, Aunt Marsha on the farm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDKfiIjz9sGIfgOqgMcO1LyCMPjrxNcyfGCCl63dSO98rZrMuuFkgx59oO6mjjTWXBIbST7uu74e8_55NrQSRBvIb5CkYWiqD82hi3QpygePG_kzGO2HMGddvpoQJmE-3L8VghV37TyM/s1600-h/DSC05218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDKfiIjz9sGIfgOqgMcO1LyCMPjrxNcyfGCCl63dSO98rZrMuuFkgx59oO6mjjTWXBIbST7uu74e8_55NrQSRBvIb5CkYWiqD82hi3QpygePG_kzGO2HMGddvpoQJmE-3L8VghV37TyM/s320/DSC05218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348535850399897746" /></a><br /><br />Surprising Dad with my brother Blaine. Dad cried he was so happy! We were at my uncle's bar (my grandpa started it over 50 years ago).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogsSLz5gWb0j2rWjlHPEjsdX25AuaLz9IEf4G0H4TlXgl21L1KE-uMCwq5mDOqPjpQDm6jvedUv7KFIGPetAwk4QPxZam4ye7eC9MkM2O945FMnSfUZgVLIPCw5BE_NK2aHuqtucG0Zo/s1600-h/DSC05219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogsSLz5gWb0j2rWjlHPEjsdX25AuaLz9IEf4G0H4TlXgl21L1KE-uMCwq5mDOqPjpQDm6jvedUv7KFIGPetAwk4QPxZam4ye7eC9MkM2O945FMnSfUZgVLIPCw5BE_NK2aHuqtucG0Zo/s320/DSC05219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348535841036915602" /></a></div><br /><br />This was the sweetest moment!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13C_oBmvc5SrwIyInaQZ910ZPBl22Q3EMiWBPqAeSkkdc_Vy7mUH-qO4vaI9R7qMUXU_K9iAxr9uB3_XGS6UDlqRHRP4diV84K5RS0YRhxlUmMKUGMojeg8ZF8X2VpN75u6UdqsFkaAw/s1600-h/DSC05236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13C_oBmvc5SrwIyInaQZ910ZPBl22Q3EMiWBPqAeSkkdc_Vy7mUH-qO4vaI9R7qMUXU_K9iAxr9uB3_XGS6UDlqRHRP4diV84K5RS0YRhxlUmMKUGMojeg8ZF8X2VpN75u6UdqsFkaAw/s320/DSC05236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348538446503156226" /></a><br /><br />GG helped me make the cupcakes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2acPpOEtPMBGc_gV_63cEk99zSgHFeKJ4anDQPj562lKYhlsnW_YD1mr3DWVd83zcJG6CgXhXy8kNi48vnqTHM0Q4I4Dn2NzvqAJABQQUt-pWzco6cesYHTfCFHuydC7nGELEeYhS10/s1600-h/DSC05233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2acPpOEtPMBGc_gV_63cEk99zSgHFeKJ4anDQPj562lKYhlsnW_YD1mr3DWVd83zcJG6CgXhXy8kNi48vnqTHM0Q4I4Dn2NzvqAJABQQUt-pWzco6cesYHTfCFHuydC7nGELEeYhS10/s320/DSC05233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348538438171256738" /></a><br /><br />This was the first time I'd tried the Magnolia Vanilla Cupcake recipe - very yummy (recipe below).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pWd0OvcXqk1gblTqzSbCeO1VV_a41fENOsm0poOeh5r88f9mdfo-0EzJc4Pv-gZucei5oFJyjJJbhCT47TpCpk7kdLiUi9KCpU5eEdcGnzqjxPyJ-g3bCK1KwFPqhsOqQWo2nogEzJA/s1600-h/DSC05261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pWd0OvcXqk1gblTqzSbCeO1VV_a41fENOsm0poOeh5r88f9mdfo-0EzJc4Pv-gZucei5oFJyjJJbhCT47TpCpk7kdLiUi9KCpU5eEdcGnzqjxPyJ-g3bCK1KwFPqhsOqQWo2nogEzJA/s320/DSC05261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348538452758999154" /></a><br /><br />Dad with some of his good friends!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua4GoPL7Xf3E5lwK6nGoQ-fyZG7oYL1ov83JEN2eolZAChUkOu0sqy1mTNDq39osmUNM3vsi1tI8Av6nzA9U_RhFt3REG9sB1sc4VP0P2_wNQUpN9akVpP9QFg0mnrSUM3GU2dbrwauU/s1600-h/DSC05259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua4GoPL7Xf3E5lwK6nGoQ-fyZG7oYL1ov83JEN2eolZAChUkOu0sqy1mTNDq39osmUNM3vsi1tI8Av6nzA9U_RhFt3REG9sB1sc4VP0P2_wNQUpN9akVpP9QFg0mnrSUM3GU2dbrwauU/s320/DSC05259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348539073104928978" /></a><br /><br />GG and the grandkids. She wanted to be SURE and get a pic of her and the grandkids. It's not often we are all together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizTIEl5DHrnWAZ_y-YUIjf-PjcZYsiLWNd11LgqJDVZajanGywqXQizW4DC2YGkVSnSLPJ8Dolt42LoKrrFNIgg8bBnEzJ4mZViQihUruOeb4ET-jaD5xYDGE0uW0YCm6_TbMzzNhezw/s1600-h/DSC05252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizTIEl5DHrnWAZ_y-YUIjf-PjcZYsiLWNd11LgqJDVZajanGywqXQizW4DC2YGkVSnSLPJ8Dolt42LoKrrFNIgg8bBnEzJ4mZViQihUruOeb4ET-jaD5xYDGE0uW0YCm6_TbMzzNhezw/s320/DSC05252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348538436002316706" /></a><br /><br />It's impossible to have a bad time at Lefty's!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And finally for the food portion of this forever long post. Surely you've heard of Magnolia Bakery in NYC, and if not, next time you go - stop by. Or just make these. They're heavenly. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes<br /><br />Ingredients<br />Cupcakes:<br />1 1/2 cups self-rising flour<br />1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened<br />2 cups sugar<br />4 large eggs, at room temperature<br />1 cup milk<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />Icing:<br />Vanilla Buttercream, recipe follows<br />Directions<br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<br /><br />Line 2 (1/2 cup-12 capacity) muffin tins with cupcake papers.<br /><br />In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.<br /><br />In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.<br /><br />Cool the cupcakes in tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.<br /><br />Vanilla Buttercream:<br />The vanilla buttercream we use at the bakery is technically not a buttercream but actually an old-fashioned confectioners' sugar and butter frosting. Be sure to beat the icing for the amount of time called for in the recipe to achieve the desired creamy texture.<br /><br />1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened<br /><br />6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar<br /><br />1/2 cup milk<br /><br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br /><br />Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.<br /><br />Yield: enough for 2 dozen cupcakes or 1 (9-inch) layer cake</span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-8018986132336275572009-05-26T13:00:00.000-07:002009-06-07T21:17:59.031-07:00Summer Salad Trio<span style="font-style:italic;">Summer time at our house means less time in the kitchen, lots of time in the garden and salads for dinner. There's a couple new summer salads we've really enjoyed so far this year. All three of these are new additions to our repertoire.<br /><br />The Lima Bean Artichoke Salad came from my lovely cousin Rachel. A couple years ago at Christmas the girl cousins did a recipe swap and purchased one kitchen gadget. It was loads of fun. She gave me a meat tenderizer and several great recipes. When I made this salad, I looked forward to leftovers for the next day's lunch. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiPEFajz9KxSgY5MnKPsu6waiQDDOlOlbXLYO4Hqef-HKIudAeWEg5PFVut4m625Dg8apg2C4SNrqSd_apjM8Bzy1jiRvjD98pqF_cyl3ZAQAjQEW8t3iz2yjnQJf6gAufAtS8Prtw3w/s1600-h/DSC05130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiPEFajz9KxSgY5MnKPsu6waiQDDOlOlbXLYO4Hqef-HKIudAeWEg5PFVut4m625Dg8apg2C4SNrqSd_apjM8Bzy1jiRvjD98pqF_cyl3ZAQAjQEW8t3iz2yjnQJf6gAufAtS8Prtw3w/s320/DSC05130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344659901219071522" /></a><br /><br />Lima Bean Artichoke Salad<br /><br />3 cups frozen lima beans (calls for fava, but I used lima)<br />32 kalamata olives (this number made me laugh, but I did stand at the olive bar at the store and count out 32)<br />2 jars marinated quartered artichokes, drained<br />4 tbsp olive oil<br />2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice<br />1 clove garlic, minced<br />1 tsp salt<br />4 tsp parsley, finely chopped<br />Black pepper<br /><br />Cook lima beans for 4 minutes in boiling H20. Rinse under cold water. Mix beans, olives, artichoke hearts with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Chill and enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A friend of mine, Leah, recommended this cookbook called Celebrating the Seasons at Westerbeke Ranch, and it has not disappointed. I've made this Caesar Salad (a bit modified from the cookbook) about a dozen times now in the past 2 months. Randy asks for it at least once a week. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZJn-_Ly-ZlyjNUM0uyiYq24uII2EN8NkHZFosYebKdkUYa7S7AjmD4wyU435842PMCCGV4szcxSDeVk5p_Vpfe55g26-tYb-HY7w3TM6f5LFv9zM3kmmuReVLED4rcoY1-Cdb9isoro/s1600-h/DSC05039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZJn-_Ly-ZlyjNUM0uyiYq24uII2EN8NkHZFosYebKdkUYa7S7AjmD4wyU435842PMCCGV4szcxSDeVk5p_Vpfe55g26-tYb-HY7w3TM6f5LFv9zM3kmmuReVLED4rcoY1-Cdb9isoro/s320/DSC05039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344805114418009714" /></a><br /><br />Classic Caesar Salad<br /><br />2 tbsp garlic, minced<br />1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided use<br />1 tbsp Worchestershire sauce<br />1/4 cup red wine vinegar<br />2 tbsp lemon juice<br />1 egg yolk<br />1 teaspoon kosher salt<br />1 teaspoon black pepper<br />1 cup good olive oil<br />Romaine lettuce<br /><br />Place garlic, 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese, the Worchestershire sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, egg yolk, salt and pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth, about 10 seconds. With the motor running, add oil in a thin stream until it is fully incorporated. Cut romaine lettuce, toss with dressing and remaining 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XC1_FJFmTNrGd7ko5Y-JfgtkuLdltPmpQ1OBGkb2BKCWBjrG-Ab-oJA8aUi1ZV9CJokwjRfFYMdQBnHApbf_klNobHCMxJbG1TJT-Q5bfcVOd2iY4p_jybagokOx9pyWFQpvjLzBkiY/s1600-h/DSC05208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XC1_FJFmTNrGd7ko5Y-JfgtkuLdltPmpQ1OBGkb2BKCWBjrG-Ab-oJA8aUi1ZV9CJokwjRfFYMdQBnHApbf_klNobHCMxJbG1TJT-Q5bfcVOd2iY4p_jybagokOx9pyWFQpvjLzBkiY/s320/DSC05208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344689417565033570" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Randy's cousin, Valerie was in from Puerto Vallarta and my brother and his lovely Aussie girlfriend, Alice, were staying at our home too. Naturally, we made a feast. Had to celebrate having everyone here.<br /><br />Randy picked this recipe out of the latest Food and Wine magazine. I love that he finds recipes for me to make. At first, I thought - how silly, it's TOO simple. But that's the beauty of this salad. It's incredibly simple, yet delicious.</span><br /><br />Avocado Onion Salad<br /><br />4 ripe avocados, sliced<br />1/2 red onion, sliced thinly<br />Olive oil<br />Salt<br />Pepper<br /><br />Arrange sliced avocados on a platter topped with red onion slices, drizzle lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-41442778644219874852009-05-12T22:12:00.000-07:002009-05-19T13:59:58.757-07:00Sand Plum Jelly Makes Friends<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaKh19UpsNqmrqD21FFRj6VL2c2iJDwlOcbhvVSCpwTWn01_vVB15u_CjeS4-cmB-E8D6uxoNw9gTPhEdpoBM-i-1OADoCTkHuas5DP8XO6jVyX3QdIFgNsdi3L_0RtSVkTNCSU_6AHs/s1600-h/DSC01433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335172871522206818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaKh19UpsNqmrqD21FFRj6VL2c2iJDwlOcbhvVSCpwTWn01_vVB15u_CjeS4-cmB-E8D6uxoNw9gTPhEdpoBM-i-1OADoCTkHuas5DP8XO6jVyX3QdIFgNsdi3L_0RtSVkTNCSU_6AHs/s320/DSC01433.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em>Prior to late last year, I'd heard of sand plum jelly, but never had the delightful experience of tasting it. Rememeber when I posted back in November about Joe Stumpe writing a story about my cooking? Well, between that article, a few emails and a couple jars of sand plum jelly - I've made a new friend named Brent Patty.<br /><br />Brent sent me an email and said he wanted me to try his jelly, and give him my honest opinion. Being right around the holidays, I didn't get back to him really quickly. He thought I didn't like it - but he was definetely wrong. It's divine. Even though my GG (dad's mom) makes amazing strawberry jam, I've never tried making it myself. The greatest part of sand plum jelly is the sweet to tart ratio is just perfect to my taste buds. I normally don't eat a lot of jellies or jams because of all the sugar. Brent's sand plum jelly I make an exception for, just like with my GG's. </em><br /><br />Brent and I exchanged several emails back in December to discuss how he got into the sand plum jelly business (it's really just a hobby, but he does it on a large scale). He lives outside of<br />El Dorado on the family "farm". Growing up he always looked forward to his grandmother's sand plum jelly.<br /><br />Below are a couple excerpts in Brent's words about his delictable jelly:<br /><br />The wild plums were getting hard to find, so I planted a few trees. I ended up planting 400 sand plum, 200 american plum and 200 beach plum trees. Last year was good and I picked a couple hundred pounds. I make jelly for friends and family and actually sold some at a local business.<br /><br />My grandmother made the jelly from plums on her farm and what she picked along the road. The plums grow wild and are native to Kansas. The trees did not produce fruit every year so it was always a treat.<br /><br />It had been several years (probably twenty plus) since I had eaten any sand plum jelly when my wife Sharlene started going to the local farmer's market, and purchased a jar. The memories of picking plums with my grandparents, and the great taste of the jelly made me yearn for more. The next year I put many-a-mile on the old Dodge pickup looking for wild plums. To my delight I found many. However they are hard to pick because of the thorns on the trees and their locations in overgrown ditches. I then decided I would plant my own orchard and grow them like trees instead of the thickets, which is how they are found in the wild. This work well, and by the third year I was picking plums morning and evenings without the usual hassles. In my research of the plums I discovered most of the wild plums around here are the American plum. The are not as tart as the sand plum so I decided to plant two hundred of each. The sand plums also seem to produce more fruit per tree. I also planted one hundred beach plums which grow wild on the east coast. That concluded the South orchard. The following year I planted two hundred more sand plum trees in what I call the North orchard.<br /><br />The seven hundred trees take a lot of time to prune and mow around,so I am considering letting them grow into rows. We usually start picking in June and continue as they ripen into September. I use the recipe I believe my Grandmother used from the Certo insert. The fruit is frozen whole after picking. I use a steam juicer when I am ready to make the jelly. I pretty much make it to order so it is fresh and clear. I need to do more monitoring of the fruit sugar because I can make a very tart jelly from slightly less ripe fruit or a sweeter blend from the fully ripened fruit. I would like for you to try the glaze I made for ham to see what you think.<br /><br />We mostly eat the jelly on toast, biscuits, french toast, pancakes and good old peanut butter sandwiches. I have also made jam, which is a lot of work, syrup and wine. As I previously mentioned I sell some locally at Hudson's Gardens. I have two freezers full of fruit so I need to either market the jelly, start a you-pick, or sell the fruit for winemaking. In any event, I should have all the sand plum jelly I want:).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aY9mQtXXiukaWD9VIAg4bM-GFdWdDoadDJyLoHlKJSCMRLfFzRqicdFLhXsqPwMCz7IrDN4N1ZzoAP8Rr_oR7fe0wscIdAguHcimn3fVNuuKHuhnLUoRiAcjW1gCkXI5tQ-KCvB3n6Y/s1600-h/DSC04137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335174693645795842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aY9mQtXXiukaWD9VIAg4bM-GFdWdDoadDJyLoHlKJSCMRLfFzRqicdFLhXsqPwMCz7IrDN4N1ZzoAP8Rr_oR7fe0wscIdAguHcimn3fVNuuKHuhnLUoRiAcjW1gCkXI5tQ-KCvB3n6Y/s320/DSC04137.JPG" border="0" /></a> The darling jar my sand plum jelly came in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1qneOy_AE3IoSJjV-aABevw3XecqkaRW4NIYkXCAkC-KWjgZhZwzY8zZ7n9AhMNhDzSkIqP4F29z2M7ruAnR_NtdM8cfALBm2WY4t3nhU_JHuUjd00d1eqf3yIfRqfUuR317M1UnYnY/s1600-h/DSC04140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335174694586018562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1qneOy_AE3IoSJjV-aABevw3XecqkaRW4NIYkXCAkC-KWjgZhZwzY8zZ7n9AhMNhDzSkIqP4F29z2M7ruAnR_NtdM8cfALBm2WY4t3nhU_JHuUjd00d1eqf3yIfRqfUuR317M1UnYnY/s320/DSC04140.JPG" border="0" /></a> On my biscuit, ready to be eaten!<br /><br />I've been hoarding my sand plum jelly, so I still have a bit left. And I've made a new friend named Brent. I really enjoy the connections my love of food make for me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-40650735898522865252009-05-12T21:33:00.000-07:002009-05-12T21:58:54.013-07:00George's At the Cove<span style="font-style:italic;">When I travel, often times, I want to go back to a place I've been before. It becomes nostalgic and I want to return. Just like restaurants. Don't get me wrong, I love trying new restaurants. But, why mess with perfection?<br /><br />This past weekend, my good friends and I went to San Diego for a girls trip. Unfortunately Amy didn't feel well, so she stayed at the hotel while Megan, Heather and I went up to La Jolla. If you've never been to La Jolla, please put it on your list of places to visit. It's beyond beautiful. And make sure you eat at <a href="http://www.georgesatthecove.com/"> George's At the Cove</a>.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVND8c8qtwTxN9Rf2JWWEzwq0tvoFA_vpiAuvftR1U1U7rGvM5ndr2V0dUl4F0ZEVtWD-oKwMLEJ5llMTGDHi81xDxhrbTuVXnE3WpKVnIk8Did9E-HEPEggQlsODNC-6-YV3qqVjVBM/s1600-h/DSC05047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVND8c8qtwTxN9Rf2JWWEzwq0tvoFA_vpiAuvftR1U1U7rGvM5ndr2V0dUl4F0ZEVtWD-oKwMLEJ5llMTGDHi81xDxhrbTuVXnE3WpKVnIk8Did9E-HEPEggQlsODNC-6-YV3qqVjVBM/s320/DSC05047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335164762974650146" /></a><br /><br />Smile ladies cause this is LIVIN'!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6XCAYMEHBMmild0muvhKLLvZ1ZIQFnLCCVOes0PH38m4AXo8QPq5Hj267it7SJKIJC9XAoVgiBDTR1sqsOsjQJwW9gSORfqxYWpAv1tiMBqXmI9ymrXhzNmZF7hkOIFlC5PXrZgyoBQ/s1600-h/DSC05048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6XCAYMEHBMmild0muvhKLLvZ1ZIQFnLCCVOes0PH38m4AXo8QPq5Hj267it7SJKIJC9XAoVgiBDTR1sqsOsjQJwW9gSORfqxYWpAv1tiMBqXmI9ymrXhzNmZF7hkOIFlC5PXrZgyoBQ/s320/DSC05048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335164766876317570" /></a><br /><br />Champagne cocktail in the afternoon - of course - it's vaca! (Sorry Megs, next trip you won't be prego!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTlNScFV-aE6-BJa0nWECsYmyuhVnQ76msNyFJW7Bbu7JuagkjYppvia13gKhiulnsYWsq245zljyac1NlreP1E_Cpp7sZSstcS7s0X7Ay1q3kMUV-FXilGCduh-RaVhPOL5YlasAs0w/s1600-h/DSC05049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTlNScFV-aE6-BJa0nWECsYmyuhVnQ76msNyFJW7Bbu7JuagkjYppvia13gKhiulnsYWsq245zljyac1NlreP1E_Cpp7sZSstcS7s0X7Ay1q3kMUV-FXilGCduh-RaVhPOL5YlasAs0w/s320/DSC05049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335164769238423282" /></a>Shrimp scampi app.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77kz6anE-aNga74QT4hdBgZ-zNxvrEyQmASfKxRUBAnudozaRetdmpjjDtyChUhHnw-wXxVBkt7-pgUVCQly-EqE16xLhJvO4OJvmKQOvEuITl9q7cSM9US0W6zUseb-OK_ReBDmNnow/s1600-h/DSC05052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77kz6anE-aNga74QT4hdBgZ-zNxvrEyQmASfKxRUBAnudozaRetdmpjjDtyChUhHnw-wXxVBkt7-pgUVCQly-EqE16xLhJvO4OJvmKQOvEuITl9q7cSM9US0W6zUseb-OK_ReBDmNnow/s320/DSC05052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335164774014510802" /></a><br /><div>To die for salmon on top of artichoke hearts and baby potatoes and topped with micro greens. My favorite meal of the trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqwl-8Nd9QocHOF_aNsEd3zL3947AlaRJuMWHCtyBeGr43Hp7VfdqzI6ATCm5ZNlFcmbVgfUNLsYQIPbOh963wUiGNjl6SYsTh4pMY7UoEV7WmdHUiMQW59bhNlxC9yVlCGbqCcxcocE/s1600-h/DSC05053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqwl-8Nd9QocHOF_aNsEd3zL3947AlaRJuMWHCtyBeGr43Hp7VfdqzI6ATCm5ZNlFcmbVgfUNLsYQIPbOh963wUiGNjl6SYsTh4pMY7UoEV7WmdHUiMQW59bhNlxC9yVlCGbqCcxcocE/s320/DSC05053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335167249933742450" /></a><br /></div><div>The magnificent view from the rooftop where we ate lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM84k5DUWM4JgmWvDyuJLPtunGepdHjog5RX8QoRmqjJUmVcslVAxQ_w96XOgA2we0UTtRoWDF_W8p89V5oVng1fk5y6ciAvQ5z4Orpypb604aC2BDx4U-6nH7iLGcbpvzZLBV1fHmt8/s1600-h/DSC05055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM84k5DUWM4JgmWvDyuJLPtunGepdHjog5RX8QoRmqjJUmVcslVAxQ_w96XOgA2we0UTtRoWDF_W8p89V5oVng1fk5y6ciAvQ5z4Orpypb604aC2BDx4U-6nH7iLGcbpvzZLBV1fHmt8/s320/DSC05055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335167252050835586" /></a><br />We got a kick out of the stylish guy with his sweater Zach Morris-style. So California.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-86435081116656217292009-05-12T21:14:00.000-07:002009-05-12T21:30:14.023-07:00Barefoot Contessa Baked Shrimp Scampi<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Yet another Barefoot Contessa recipe that doesn't fail. I've made this for several dinner parties and for weeknight dinners. The flavor is perfect, it's an easy recipe and consistently impresses whether it's friends coming over or I'm just feeding my husband. Once you make this recipe, I'm confident it will become part of your rotation. </span><br /><br />Barefoot Contessa Baked Shrimp Scampi<br />6 servings<br /><br />2 lbs. (12-15/pound) shrimp in the shell<br />3 tbsp olive oil<br />2 tbsp dry white wine<br />salt and pepper<br />1 1/2 stick butter, room temperature<br />4 cloves garlic, minced<br />1/4 cup minced shallots<br />3 tbsps minced fresh parsley<br />1 tsp minced fresh rosemary<br />1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes<br />1 tsp grated lemon zest<br />2 tbsps fresh lemon juice<br />1 egg yolk<br />2/3 cup panko<br /><br /><br />Preheat oven to 425º.<br /><br />Peel, devein and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Place in a mixing bowl and mix lightly with the olive oil, wine, 2 tsps salt and 1 tsp pepper. Let the bowl sit at room temperature, marinating, while mixing the butter/garlic/panko mixture.<br />In another bowl, mix the butter, garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper until well combined.<br /><br />Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the gratin dish, cut side down with the tails pointing up. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp and evenly sprinkle the topping over the shrimp.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYdnCyW88C8xY6rGMrwNVBpMR6EoGeXxXYrF68CxRBwIR6nqZEoa3oDeGJGXt7eaODcNHU2Ch68dGkeWxvfEl5mEuo4W99Vc7SZfseidnGaw7366zxa_GJ7WEgN1E1f0NwIum2AL28tM/s1600-h/DSC03776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYdnCyW88C8xY6rGMrwNVBpMR6EoGeXxXYrF68CxRBwIR6nqZEoa3oDeGJGXt7eaODcNHU2Ch68dGkeWxvfEl5mEuo4W99Vc7SZfseidnGaw7366zxa_GJ7WEgN1E1f0NwIum2AL28tM/s320/DSC03776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335160019417096594" /></a><br /><br />Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the shrimp are thoroughly cooked and pink.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rxoacOThnXBRRwGuDAmZxZcgHMz1bMr3TCKg9wv377If1a1M556Ku2dZ7d9SBojk9xopUTycYcGvSxTiNJYuadteuG_FOujm92yF8WpQl4oSFS-jHhbQD23UIWkxbA0z4wy0fmQH3LA/s1600-h/DSC03778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rxoacOThnXBRRwGuDAmZxZcgHMz1bMr3TCKg9wv377If1a1M556Ku2dZ7d9SBojk9xopUTycYcGvSxTiNJYuadteuG_FOujm92yF8WpQl4oSFS-jHhbQD23UIWkxbA0z4wy0fmQH3LA/s320/DSC03778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335160029012963138" /></a><br /><br />ENJOY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-36429274626913426152009-04-28T19:02:00.000-07:002009-04-28T19:48:31.951-07:00No Knead Bread<span style="font-style:italic;">I first discovered the joys of this incredibly perfect bread when I lived in Denver. My sweet neighbor, Mary would bake it, and I'd find a few slices in a cute little package on the handle to my apartment. I never bothered making this fabulous bread when I lived in Denver because Mary made it pretty frequently. She lived alone too, so she always shared. Also, if I'm being honest with myself, tasty bread is even more dangerous to me than cake. I can't stay out of it.<br /><br />It might seem like baking bread is a wintery baking item, but once you try this bread - you'll want to bake it year-round.</span><br /><br />Martha Stewart No Knead Bread<br /><br />3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more for work surface<br />1/4 teaspoon instant yeast<br />1 1/4 teaspoons salt<br />Olive oil, as needed<br />Cornmeal or wheat bran, as needed (optional)<br /><br />In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add 1 1/2 cups water and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Coat a second large bowl with olive oil. Transfer dough to oiled bowl and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, but preferably up to 18, in a room about 70 degrees in temperature. When surface is dotted with bubbles, dough is ready.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwo45Kh8302v0ZyaB5rdZmnlR9smxrHi-l1lRiEJwb2pffK9E3gYRxRYgeJ4u7DgzLv4XE1vnA0BmsbN7ho-blfuW2rlQ7AG9GI42vujohpM9-FGhu0eFTt5nxgMOsnJz59rHLGivwVU/s1600-h/DSC04737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwo45Kh8302v0ZyaB5rdZmnlR9smxrHi-l1lRiEJwb2pffK9E3gYRxRYgeJ4u7DgzLv4XE1vnA0BmsbN7ho-blfuW2rlQ7AG9GI42vujohpM9-FGhu0eFTt5nxgMOsnJz59rHLGivwVU/s320/DSC04737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938202445689986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHjbZ1RrFB8wQOxwfA872m8s-GPcjVsDa4FbMZuUk6TRysIoasMzDpMW3gj28N0Z-rMSnKnFwLzBt3dCCEH-0m9cVDkd420WfE2Ohszn-VQb6MXujctR7nlOd9wecbWdpfu7ib1wI1cE/s1600-h/DSC04738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHjbZ1RrFB8wQOxwfA872m8s-GPcjVsDa4FbMZuUk6TRysIoasMzDpMW3gj28N0Z-rMSnKnFwLzBt3dCCEH-0m9cVDkd420WfE2Ohszn-VQb6MXujctR7nlOd9wecbWdpfu7ib1wI1cE/s320/DSC04738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938197923237410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY3BV-ksttXmjIceXzsFun7Ou0GCxE-iLeM1dKJANfCpejkYlsu8ZnEifwVKWwurtAI6jtX2pM5MmzTqOz1SOm3-LmF9TU6bFC8BCbtC0ajG-fvYooDCVNHdsZtUmX981t_r537uLZAA/s1600-h/DSC04739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY3BV-ksttXmjIceXzsFun7Ou0GCxE-iLeM1dKJANfCpejkYlsu8ZnEifwVKWwurtAI6jtX2pM5MmzTqOz1SOm3-LmF9TU6bFC8BCbtC0ajG-fvYooDCVNHdsZtUmX981t_r537uLZAA/s320/DSC04739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938193838594306" /></a><br /><br />Lightly flour work surface. Place dough on work surface and sprinkle with more flour. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.<br /><br />Sprinkle just enough flour over work surface and your fingers to keep dough from sticking; quickly and gently shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, cornmeal, or wheat bran; place dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, cornmeal, or wheat bran. Cover with a second cotton towel and let rise until it has more than doubled in size and does not readily spring back when poked with a finger, about 2 hours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14LwCZScgF-mikNCiZP07l7j49d_qTmuWY_a46o6zJPRHYEETzGQopZ6-dy2MV7pcAh1Ir5LogdXcjyXObdvL2bVmCgGkCfzhF4S0iC1xlZUA0bDvLGKRYH6FZQglhNU4SGPQNTjN8Nc/s1600-h/DSC04740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14LwCZScgF-mikNCiZP07l7j49d_qTmuWY_a46o6zJPRHYEETzGQopZ6-dy2MV7pcAh1Ir5LogdXcjyXObdvL2bVmCgGkCfzhF4S0iC1xlZUA0bDvLGKRYH6FZQglhNU4SGPQNTjN8Nc/s320/DSC04740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938191153425170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckpzv2gIV8sFagH_vUGxwYzUYRy1i49ndwn_HfkCoIa2eOpejsyBrCRkGEe09dwf4uWO7yqlIPrR5cV64HWbnJUkL5daDRaagOqkdwE4exATpPbo-LYF6pFxsOnPZdT79Vqh6hSwt4cc/s1600-h/DSC04743.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckpzv2gIV8sFagH_vUGxwYzUYRy1i49ndwn_HfkCoIa2eOpejsyBrCRkGEe09dwf4uWO7yqlIPrR5cV64HWbnJUkL5daDRaagOqkdwE4exATpPbo-LYF6pFxsOnPZdT79Vqh6hSwt4cc/s320/DSC04743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938187814582210" /></a><br /><br />After about 1 1/2 hours, preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot, such as cast-iron or Pyrex, in oven as it heats. When dough has fully risen, carefully remove pot from oven. Remove top towel from dough and slide your hand under the bottom towel; turn dough over into pot, seam side up. Shake pan once or twice if dough looks unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover, and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking until browned, 15 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjecB22IoP3zgMTUS8szBG6R70Mm3hhU2H-gi9_5GOvolyHFlkZNQow4ik6BP8C1aiwTMvhnb9xYRoujtldrpF1rnHXYPNexecoKhF65-YVGdxZYRXa3I0__LsoG34-RNR-qLQ1misiVU/s1600-h/DSC04744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjecB22IoP3zgMTUS8szBG6R70Mm3hhU2H-gi9_5GOvolyHFlkZNQow4ik6BP8C1aiwTMvhnb9xYRoujtldrpF1rnHXYPNexecoKhF65-YVGdxZYRXa3I0__LsoG34-RNR-qLQ1misiVU/s320/DSC04744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329935902020086530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7PCK4faDO4tyoOjloazRJvGHv7X8XV5wzaLrnEyDjeClfPICU_ZhyphenhyphenloEtBZrw_q0VgZgAMJR2LMl3_DggZext1bBg-FTsXE1G6VF5EwtHoE_YmkwSLW5Fb4n7VMKDf_FskF6sC_zaXU/s1600-h/DSC04745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7PCK4faDO4tyoOjloazRJvGHv7X8XV5wzaLrnEyDjeClfPICU_ZhyphenhyphenloEtBZrw_q0VgZgAMJR2LMl3_DggZext1bBg-FTsXE1G6VF5EwtHoE_YmkwSLW5Fb4n7VMKDf_FskF6sC_zaXU/s320/DSC04745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329935898221054674" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5YxXOHs0zLhv7mXP0sea1xj7SsStFUpmVps9BOXt6PiRspMTckJgcGEz1GT36mNSxybXxYRA6VPV3RfL6TGEuLSjFdsydoIUXc9y0fNV8_f6VOk4-1u4ZfkQiip0Yvpq4zXkmXr-iMw/s1600-h/DSC04746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5YxXOHs0zLhv7mXP0sea1xj7SsStFUpmVps9BOXt6PiRspMTckJgcGEz1GT36mNSxybXxYRA6VPV3RfL6TGEuLSjFdsydoIUXc9y0fNV8_f6VOk4-1u4ZfkQiip0Yvpq4zXkmXr-iMw/s320/DSC04746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329935894441457682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v2O4beeQu9L618HMhoVzZB8quyZF_8Jk-bFiUSAWnjbdbNqbTxhtK1lCgpWJfxF7n2h-SbSbHHRYx1Ml3hrwVku13pG_qP5-W5Ck7Hd6XwJZFZ-1MHCqjSPc-6YiU8bNmiQES-3bw6U/s1600-h/DSC04748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v2O4beeQu9L618HMhoVzZB8quyZF_8Jk-bFiUSAWnjbdbNqbTxhtK1lCgpWJfxF7n2h-SbSbHHRYx1Ml3hrwVku13pG_qP5-W5Ck7Hd6XwJZFZ-1MHCqjSPc-6YiU8bNmiQES-3bw6U/s320/DSC04748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329935887406174066" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqayVzOUpdDSKc2lHEGQrcBdpobXyxCWsCHkIc8G4k6hphHjU5IEBR0ZERsyynmR9ieJA-FpVTLeHDt0UCITnolUPXKYp4OqMupbO7raYP2PA_9QtdlrzRYyQ_oh6hUQD8XbLHWNoRCtA/s1600-h/DSC04752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqayVzOUpdDSKc2lHEGQrcBdpobXyxCWsCHkIc8G4k6hphHjU5IEBR0ZERsyynmR9ieJA-FpVTLeHDt0UCITnolUPXKYp4OqMupbO7raYP2PA_9QtdlrzRYyQ_oh6hUQD8XbLHWNoRCtA/s320/DSC04752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329935883734966514" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-12122620226473985192009-04-26T18:44:00.000-07:002009-04-26T19:26:46.010-07:00The Greatest Gift of All<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinXmyEhHI0wRm3KAcmkHXjNNPF9laQTlLEH5jE4slTFsOS4MckgYZAhuPOgng14GYp02IZZpsdN9X1kI_cNn67NaLvh_HTKOAPPIUzMvOxZHhoXnq_sXGLzTYIkcZAqG5f-R5wIIKiB8/s1600-h/DSC04820.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinXmyEhHI0wRm3KAcmkHXjNNPF9laQTlLEH5jE4slTFsOS4MckgYZAhuPOgng14GYp02IZZpsdN9X1kI_cNn67NaLvh_HTKOAPPIUzMvOxZHhoXnq_sXGLzTYIkcZAqG5f-R5wIIKiB8/s320/DSC04820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329182415828467698" /></a><br /><br />My grandma was diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Eve of last year. We were given the grim news a bit-by-bit, and learned in January that its terminal. Her wonderful oncologist put her on an oral chemo to hopefully keep the cancer from growing. We found out a little over a month ago that the chemo is not only keeping the cancer from growing - the cancer is actually shrinking! Many, many prayers have been answered and miracles DO happen. It's such a blessing to our entire family. Grandma is, afterall, the glue that makes us all stick.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-68203507302836873322009-04-26T18:30:00.000-07:002009-04-26T18:43:53.909-07:00Bacon SamplingLet me just say you know you have a true friend when she not only drives to every edge of town to pick up bacon for a tasting, but then flies to Ann Arbor, Michigan to get some more. My dear friend RoxAnn - you have to love her. Or at least I do! (It was probably a good thing my husband was out-of-town that night, or I have a feeling he would have taken bites of my strips.)<br /><br />Here's a couple pics of our sampling. What fun. This was for our bacon class - which was back in March. I'm a bit behind, but I think it's entertaining to see the photos of sampling 13 bacons all at once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo_Ls-CY6VIgiASqyUdp7wHpCZ21CXyqUJgJYP1risgLqmhUjEK6ZBVyrZD2VXHaTt3HnF04T0jKb0e51nSQD9UHzrcA3roz9KQZQHdmySurJY8SQT5aUCYUek1lQyt2hgNMan3owzOo/s1600-h/DSC04802.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo_Ls-CY6VIgiASqyUdp7wHpCZ21CXyqUJgJYP1risgLqmhUjEK6ZBVyrZD2VXHaTt3HnF04T0jKb0e51nSQD9UHzrcA3roz9KQZQHdmySurJY8SQT5aUCYUek1lQyt2hgNMan3owzOo/s320/DSC04802.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329180464235455554" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CZ6M7CEGLRMfayEpbVx-8e1CjhwKMNMCVnPMdtYE8_eeB23gDpkQWz9dUHXNv6hks4au6HzN1_jwd2jr5DRGNwUEJ2IOTFQ7N0cuBYPhojAPWTLAQivDG4C-8sugnwKeCsSru47PBXE/s1600-h/DSC04806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CZ6M7CEGLRMfayEpbVx-8e1CjhwKMNMCVnPMdtYE8_eeB23gDpkQWz9dUHXNv6hks4au6HzN1_jwd2jr5DRGNwUEJ2IOTFQ7N0cuBYPhojAPWTLAQivDG4C-8sugnwKeCsSru47PBXE/s320/DSC04806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329179372202147282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_vfR_bpEJ29wI_wByOR4rbtIGngIWxoI-Cj28LEvcOdcdY3TiZJWtHdVaAMR5GgsAX8YNTRLK2tKCRIFeLO47kDDuFOCU9p6LZKdJ2exA8ZRs3GgxtPLpGkhCXE907lZscflkIu7h0g/s1600-h/DSC04809.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_vfR_bpEJ29wI_wByOR4rbtIGngIWxoI-Cj28LEvcOdcdY3TiZJWtHdVaAMR5GgsAX8YNTRLK2tKCRIFeLO47kDDuFOCU9p6LZKdJ2exA8ZRs3GgxtPLpGkhCXE907lZscflkIu7h0g/s320/DSC04809.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329180467020225906" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-28085626702397095872009-04-05T18:50:00.000-07:002009-04-05T19:01:01.850-07:00Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFyUoTJ4o9YrlkDxaKZ-wxryDQJWK7gPvX7x9U3C9CQYkbdj8_ENvGrVVOUl6VRs6zN5FrcPapOP3Fk5hm-bGNQ2f5eDFa0RZDjGeiqJ6NlnVMURrEWIyBNrq_1s9MATQwDIQSBmtVMw/s1600-h/DSC04014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFyUoTJ4o9YrlkDxaKZ-wxryDQJWK7gPvX7x9U3C9CQYkbdj8_ENvGrVVOUl6VRs6zN5FrcPapOP3Fk5hm-bGNQ2f5eDFa0RZDjGeiqJ6NlnVMURrEWIyBNrq_1s9MATQwDIQSBmtVMw/s320/DSC04014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321390957648920594" /></a><br /><br />Ina Garten is a personal favorite of the celebrity chefs. She's really the only one I pay attention to. I actually had the opportunity to meet her at the 2007 Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. She's every bit as genuine in person as she comes across on television. <br /><br />On to the recipe, it's in the Barefoot Contessa's Back to Basics cookbook (which if you don't have - it's a great one). I've made these twice, both times for dinner parties. Can't make them when it's just the two of us because they are THAT good that I'd probably eat three small ones and my husband would eat the other three. <br /><br />Barefoot Contessa's Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts<br /><br />Makes 4 Large Tarts, or 6 Appetizer-sized Tarts (with 1 sheet of puff pastry)<br /><br />3 tablespoons good olive oil,plus more for brushing<br />4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions)<br />3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers<br />Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper<br />3 tablespoons white wine<br />2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme plus sprigs for garnish<br />1 package (17.3 ounces) puff pastry sheets, thawed overnight in the refrigerator. Use cold.<br />4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese<br />4 ounces garlic & herb Montrachet goat cheese<br />1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices<br />3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves<br />2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler<br /><br />1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.<br /><br />2. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the onions and garlic. Sauté for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly<br /><br />3. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11-by-11-inch square. Using a six-inch-wide saucer or other circular object as a guide, cut 2 (six-inch) circles from each sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry.<br /><br />4. Using the tip of a sharp paring knife, score a circle 1/2 inch inside the edge of each pastry. Prick the pastries all over with the tines of a fork and place them on the sheet pan. Sprinkle a tablespoon of the grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.<br /><br />5. Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edges. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart. If the pastry is warm, chill for 15 minutes.<br /><br />6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Garnish each with a sprig of thyme and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve warm.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-44317743818015782722009-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:002009-04-05T18:45:28.208-07:00Hummus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfi13VORq3nPfEC0-KV1tyfWUBD1MamELL6sGQvcjKvmrPIdUuBE8EfwPe6UWpdc-qMydzSINkIYBgUmIyVNCyBE3hsLs73XQ-woC-K94-7RJN6PmDx4BnhM9H24Dc1teGkjZeHCWoZ8/s1600-h/DSC03960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfi13VORq3nPfEC0-KV1tyfWUBD1MamELL6sGQvcjKvmrPIdUuBE8EfwPe6UWpdc-qMydzSINkIYBgUmIyVNCyBE3hsLs73XQ-woC-K94-7RJN6PmDx4BnhM9H24Dc1teGkjZeHCWoZ8/s320/DSC03960.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321387783395077378" /></a><br /><br />I've taken a blog vacation for quite some time. Life's been busy and other things have taken priority. But I'm back and excited to share more recipes and slices of life. Most people would never guess, but, yes I am a redheaded Lebanese woman. It sounds like an oxymoron but it is true. Here's my tried and true traditional hummus recipe. <br /><br />1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, reserve liquid <br />2 -3 cloves garlic<br />1 teaspoon salt <br />1/2 cup tahini <br />1/4 cup fresh lemon juice<br /> <br />To garnish:<br />Olive oil<br />1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted<br />Paprika<br /> <br />Microwave garbanzo beans with liquid on high fro 5 mins. Pour off liquid and reserve. Mince garlic in food processor, add salt and beans and pulse 10 times. Add tahini, lemon juice and reserved liquid and process until mixture is consistency of a creamy paste. Spoon inot a serving bowl and drizzle with a thin film of olive oil. Garnish with pine nuts and paprika. Serve with pita bread and/or pita chips.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-62129689056521685942009-03-08T21:35:00.000-07:002009-03-08T22:06:12.764-07:00An edible work of art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZYnsFH2GUeqptK77z8DeS5yyLx3W3kfIFjI7u1f9Be-vbYNH6lQUJEC4NJFfmOGLu4foaRMFlLVCOdXU7lvBsWi11aZSXPYYnDTTMXnogrK3r85BDwYqObETYUXe_FQV6JBBSmbmsUc/s1600-h/rasp+tart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZYnsFH2GUeqptK77z8DeS5yyLx3W3kfIFjI7u1f9Be-vbYNH6lQUJEC4NJFfmOGLu4foaRMFlLVCOdXU7lvBsWi11aZSXPYYnDTTMXnogrK3r85BDwYqObETYUXe_FQV6JBBSmbmsUc/s320/rasp+tart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311044798783846930" /></a><br /><br />Our friends Carrie and Steve graciously invited us for dinner last night. And like usual, Carrie worked her tail-end off creating a lovely dinner party for 8, and impressing us all with her mouth-watering food and warm, inviting hospitality. <br /><br />Here was the dinner menu:<br />Bruschetta & Bocconcini with chili flakes and mint<br /><br />Mixed baby greens with goat cheese, carmelized walnuts, strawberries and raspberry dressing<br /><br />Cannelloni with Balsamella Sauce<br /><br />Sauteed Baby Green Beans with red and yellow peppers and onions<br /><br />Baby Yukon Potatoes<br /><br />Various breads with dipping sauce<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Raspberry Ganache Tart </span><br /><br />The entire meal from start to finish was just lovely and wonderful. But, man, oh, man. That Raspberry Ganache Tarte. Wow. Talk about a mouth-watering, can't-wait-to-put-the-next-bite-in your-mouth-treat. <br /><br />Raspberry Ganache Tarte<br /><br />Crust:<br />1/2 cup butter, softened<br />1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />1 egg yolk<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />1/2 teaspoon almond extract<br />1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />3/4 cup sliced almonds<br />1 cup semisweet chocolate chips<br />1/2 cup heavy cream<br /><br />Filling:<br />1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened<br />2 tablespoons granulated sugar<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract<br />3 cups fresh raspberries<br /><br />Glaze:<br />1/4 cup red currant jelly<br />1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted<br /><br />Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 11-inch tart pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, vanilla and almond extract. Stir in flour and almonds. Press dough into prepared pan. Prick with fork and bake until golden brown, 10 minutes. In a saucepan heath chocolate and cream just to a boil. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Spread over crust and chill until firm.<br /><br />Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Sir in vanilla and amaretto. Spoon over chocolate layer and top with raspberries.<br /><br />Glaze: Stir jelly over medium heat until melted. Boil for 30 seconds. Cool glaze slightly and brush over fruit. Sprinkle with almonds and chill.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-67151174595163109372009-03-03T09:33:00.000-08:002009-03-03T09:49:41.902-08:00An Artful Bacon Class<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3CMmqUsM1oE4JE741ecd8jfOThjG8yBNl-3C7jpNOzh7ewn_9KN2QUeR_oc5jpsPzr7raLroRvQNbH4l3bToBd6TxolV1V7Tb3ko6ftzojgNV1RJ1uuk61ctUak2nWT4gaJcEI2NH9c/s1600-h/dates-bacon-su-1203622-l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309019364693003826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3CMmqUsM1oE4JE741ecd8jfOThjG8yBNl-3C7jpNOzh7ewn_9KN2QUeR_oc5jpsPzr7raLroRvQNbH4l3bToBd6TxolV1V7Tb3ko6ftzojgNV1RJ1uuk61ctUak2nWT4gaJcEI2NH9c/s320/dates-bacon-su-1203622-l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Those of you who have read my blog for a while know that I'm involved with the Artfully Done Cookbook that benefits the Wichita Art Museum. Serving on the Friends Board has been a great joy, meeting very talented, lovely people and giving back to one of my favorite philanthropic causes, the arts.<br /><br />Over the past year, I've become quite close friends with RoxAnn Dicker, who is the editor of the cookbook, and the daughter of the lovely woman that it was written in memory of. RoxAnn and I have shared many, many bottles of wine in my kitchen brainstorming up crazy ideas of how to market the book, and talking about our love of bacon. RoxAnn is friends with a woman by the name of Bonnie Aeschliman<strong>, </strong>who has a lovely cooking school here in town (which I never knew!).<br /><br />Well, my good friend RoxAnn came up with the fabulous idea of asking Bonnie if she was brave enough to let she and I teach a class all about bacon, and promoting the Artfully Done Cookbook. Bonnie "bit" on the idea, and we're scheduled to teach a class on March 17th.<br /><br />For information on how to sign up, click on <a href="http://www.cookingatbonniesplace.com/classes.asp">Cooking at Bonnie's Place</a>. Bonnie's is located at 9747 East 21st Street North – Suite 139 in Wichita, Kansas 67206. Call 316-425-5224 to make your reservation.<br /><br />Hope to see you on St. Patty's Day for a delightfully bacon-filled cooking class!<br /><br /><em>Bacon wrapped dates image courtesy of Sunset magazine.</em> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-72831589878366921202009-03-01T20:03:00.000-08:002009-03-02T21:32:05.854-08:00Valentine Brownies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9nOfoxxQM4ZGbKbo7Ik6DFk2GF7vbq1Ek-iJW18eY4lqTiUsX57Uo7gWLovtFWCbSN4iu9QA7WWf8c1b9UQMeSEsXYK8jSeznD8sw_hnEqygC3zlHhWIzeRWZHhdJrfsHLxj-7W4pJs/s1600-h/DSC04465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9nOfoxxQM4ZGbKbo7Ik6DFk2GF7vbq1Ek-iJW18eY4lqTiUsX57Uo7gWLovtFWCbSN4iu9QA7WWf8c1b9UQMeSEsXYK8jSeznD8sw_hnEqygC3zlHhWIzeRWZHhdJrfsHLxj-7W4pJs/s320/DSC04465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308438058423510882" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />I go through spurts of baking a lot, then I don't bake for a while. A few nights before Valentine's Day, I had a bake-a-thon and made three fabulous desserts. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">My good friend Julie, that lives in the Bay area, shared this incredibly decadent brownie recipe. These are rich, dense and in my opinion the perfect brownie.<br /><br />Here's her recipe, in her words - just copy and pasted. Enjoy, and be sure to share. </span><br /><br />Melt 6 oz. chocolate. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup chocolate syrup and stir. Then mix in 1/2 cup softened butter. Mix in 2 softly beaten eggs and 1 t. vanilla. Then add a pinch salt, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup flour. Pour into 8x8" square pan that has been buttered and cocoa-ed ( as in "floured"). Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool completely and cut into 64, 1" squares.<br /><br />They are great with ghetto chocolate, but the better the chocolate, the better the brownie.<br /><br />These brownies are good enough to woo men!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-12820113176733381082009-02-08T08:05:00.000-08:002009-02-08T08:58:48.849-08:00Artichokes pleaseGrowing up, my neighbor that lived directly behind me, Paige, introduced me to the joys of steamed artichokes and melted butter. I knew the joys of melted butter before her, of course. But artichokes. My FAVORITE vegetable of all time, by far. I relished the dinners when we ate them growing up.<br /><br />It's the simple things in life, right? Like eating an artichoke for dinner. (And no, Randy didn't eat one. He got home late that night. He's a steak and potatoes kinda guy, although I've broadened his food horizons a lot over the past 5 years.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazDCsy3YCsE7NMZm0Nw-SLPexRNGThklhaKOHj-XLJDbZzJ_s4S7e0YR0MBg2Ex3iG7FHJWKx3NpUG5_MHonfSS1q6e-T6SEQnnYEkS1AiWyEgDwPcWU5LwPLWKg6uuWmSWo2MRmpyMA/s1600-h/DSC03982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazDCsy3YCsE7NMZm0Nw-SLPexRNGThklhaKOHj-XLJDbZzJ_s4S7e0YR0MBg2Ex3iG7FHJWKx3NpUG5_MHonfSS1q6e-T6SEQnnYEkS1AiWyEgDwPcWU5LwPLWKg6uuWmSWo2MRmpyMA/s320/DSC03982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300461316954149138" /></a> After you wash your artichoke, cut the top off to get the artichoke because there are prickly needles on the top of each leaf. Steam it for 45 minutes, or until the heart can easily pierced with a knife.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTokj9MZnGwVmwZYdoKqTNsLZOC0q0dZpCzUwkBBIW0RsWFNDGSxDrRNnVsFTxZsgsobGnPWhYkJ9659zkvBqa0e-fVbIhLVPmFxX1M2G5eipkiu9NLS0Rb0_vTug2OYsBhEnyHwEsnPE/s1600-h/DSC03983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTokj9MZnGwVmwZYdoKqTNsLZOC0q0dZpCzUwkBBIW0RsWFNDGSxDrRNnVsFTxZsgsobGnPWhYkJ9659zkvBqa0e-fVbIhLVPmFxX1M2G5eipkiu9NLS0Rb0_vTug2OYsBhEnyHwEsnPE/s320/DSC03983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300461325400979746" /></a> Steamed with melted butter. Time to eat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXyatrkzqQiYgA5UHLQSuhElMDqfrRhq0LMxeppHZZ1lfCLOXudzicZ6YocM9nx2uEcx4ejMfMkFFFUxTLZbNP9a_3ouilEsGflX7qVP3EKiIOe90uR3V8Cxem2T0zI-4tDiyU-8ioz4/s1600-h/DSC03985.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXyatrkzqQiYgA5UHLQSuhElMDqfrRhq0LMxeppHZZ1lfCLOXudzicZ6YocM9nx2uEcx4ejMfMkFFFUxTLZbNP9a_3ouilEsGflX7qVP3EKiIOe90uR3V8Cxem2T0zI-4tDiyU-8ioz4/s320/DSC03985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300461327450628914" /></a> Pull off each leaf, dip in butter and scrape with your teeth. Mmm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcv3TCWi36C1hywGY0YM26luVEJAv4Qh4WakyJ0Q_shWTUFZzEkHFGQUu-7vPQkkrodTDSsFBdvSxdOpjSivWCLLEy5vQ3a7y7V26_-mqWxvDnCA6QvfKgFMpnFn4qXWWm40pX74eWmQ/s1600-h/DSC03986.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcv3TCWi36C1hywGY0YM26luVEJAv4Qh4WakyJ0Q_shWTUFZzEkHFGQUu-7vPQkkrodTDSsFBdvSxdOpjSivWCLLEy5vQ3a7y7V26_-mqWxvDnCA6QvfKgFMpnFn4qXWWm40pX74eWmQ/s320/DSC03986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300461329757778546" /></a> As you get closer to the heart, the leaves have more "meat" on them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPyGmITFWZcekNTYl-rV14SBTKONky_t8yeAeDNUrgOuYyJDgkhFol470Tb7sluehibwzXQp7bMPJMod6OpdFAyYpa5pj0leMC2RcH5rtLo64ZFzwOzGdb4AWRHgx9O_atBPSO5nyG2A/s1600-h/DSC03987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPyGmITFWZcekNTYl-rV14SBTKONky_t8yeAeDNUrgOuYyJDgkhFol470Tb7sluehibwzXQp7bMPJMod6OpdFAyYpa5pj0leMC2RcH5rtLo64ZFzwOzGdb4AWRHgx9O_atBPSO5nyG2A/s320/DSC03987.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300461341468234818" /></a> Once you get down to the choke, you scrape it out with a spoon. Throw the choke away, it's a little soft, but spiney inedible part of the artichoke.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOArURvQks7nIsprqff_Ywy3LXoUcpDegnKRnR6ejP89tH5EDMpWuPZ6rBweTeKsfwLA1vYc0MvDfxux-hNwR1BVi0CjF3lsnza1w9w-ooMHzKpwgPSV_xAXnubn1neC8T9pKrt_o2VdE/s1600-h/DSC03988.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOArURvQks7nIsprqff_Ywy3LXoUcpDegnKRnR6ejP89tH5EDMpWuPZ6rBweTeKsfwLA1vYc0MvDfxux-hNwR1BVi0CjF3lsnza1w9w-ooMHzKpwgPSV_xAXnubn1neC8T9pKrt_o2VdE/s320/DSC03988.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300466339684662754" /></a> The heart, the most delightful part. It's the same flavor, just more intense and more of it in larger quantities. Smothered in butter, it's one of my favorite simple pleasures. <div><br /></div><div>(One of these days very soon, I'm going to invest in a great camera. Need to get busy researching.)<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-79524433608735071322009-02-02T09:07:00.000-08:002009-02-02T10:48:41.374-08:00Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdL9nqX4AGplBsznseY3XWrpNH3BS_WfwZlkzCXe02y6DTFNmn1cso7tqCIlhPadGyqm0rqq6eWesCYlpZdNqrHSnVybgjmppY2GNQd1OmK79TZEK1kZXEkAIkinIRVdt624732zWEc64/s1600-h/DSC04274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdL9nqX4AGplBsznseY3XWrpNH3BS_WfwZlkzCXe02y6DTFNmn1cso7tqCIlhPadGyqm0rqq6eWesCYlpZdNqrHSnVybgjmppY2GNQd1OmK79TZEK1kZXEkAIkinIRVdt624732zWEc64/s320/DSC04274.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298272263254040354" /></a><br /><br />Since I was a kid, and we celebrated our birthdays at Kobe's Steakhouse every year, I've loved the ginger salad dressing. Never knew what was in this magical dressing until a friend on a message board gave me this recipe. It's quite simple and so tasty. Very healthy, too. The first time I made it, it was a single batch. The second time called for a double batch. Enjoy! <br /><br />2 large carrots (coarse shred)<br />1/2 medium onion<br />2 to 4 cloves garlic (to taste)<br />1/2 cake extra-silken tofu<br />2 tbsp mirin<br />4 tbsp rice wine vinegar<br />1 1/2 tbsp shiro miso<br />3 tbsp cider vinegar (I didn't have any, and it still tastes great)<br />1/4 cup tahini<br />2 tbsp soy sauce<br />1 tbsp toasted sesame oil<br />2 tsp grated fresh ginger<br /><br />Combine non-liquid ingredients in food processor, pulsing to check consistency. Whisk non-oil wet ingredients together, add to food processor. Add oil through feed tube while pulsing food processor. Adjust texture with oil or water through feed tube, a little at a time.<br /><br />This will keep about a week in the refrigerator.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174031226518282778.post-85998780761986013042009-01-22T20:38:00.001-08:002009-01-22T20:58:23.936-08:00Lemon Dill ChickenBack when I lived in Denver and all I had to feed was my sweet dog, Habibi, the occasional neighbor and myself, I made up this recipe. It's a favorite of Randy's even though he doesn't like chicken thighs. (Or he didn't used to.) It could be made with white meat, if you prefer. Or you can even do a whole chicken like this. I really like the individual pieces because the skin gets nice and crispy and the seasoning is easy to scrape off (not eating the skin right now - you know New Year's Resolutions and all). Enough of my rambling, on to the recipe.<br /><br />Lemon Dill Chicken<br /><br />1 package of chicken thighs (4 come in a package)<br />1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the crockpot<br />Few good squirts of lemon juice<br />Garlic Pepper Salt<br />Simply Organic Dash O Dill Seasoning (this is a bit hard to find, but I found it at Food for Thought)<br />Simply Organic Dill (just because it needs some more dill - mmmm)<br />Couple flakes of lemon salt on top of each piece<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP6r7HIGAT83yujsyLaTf3cnFihChqKbFiNDTQKafmGb0VMFhgfhewecJZ5wPGxzO7ZrMXT5SeOS7EUT6wngywA1RxQPI9Yo-9tDjHhNG0lRViCo1fUpWXFUs9RPEKDj7ZA-E_ktToVU/s1600-h/DSC04269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP6r7HIGAT83yujsyLaTf3cnFihChqKbFiNDTQKafmGb0VMFhgfhewecJZ5wPGxzO7ZrMXT5SeOS7EUT6wngywA1RxQPI9Yo-9tDjHhNG0lRViCo1fUpWXFUs9RPEKDj7ZA-E_ktToVU/s320/DSC04269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294346698852097554" /></a><br /><br />Assemble ingredients in the crockpot. Set on low for all day cooking, and high for half a day cooking. So simple, flavorful and the chicken falls off the bone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0gxRD4vD9P31FtZy5Gc1-AA62YqLjOFuCHvZ4lYtyroTLcCBRLqXjDDhIMmOivUiXjPrBjF46fPV7OJTZpyairZvGnca5fT6FxC_vPv1Joi871ZTu8T8-iI_-G9SqPWEwbBt_OJkWtU/s1600-h/DSC04270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0gxRD4vD9P31FtZy5Gc1-AA62YqLjOFuCHvZ4lYtyroTLcCBRLqXjDDhIMmOivUiXjPrBjF46fPV7OJTZpyairZvGnca5fT6FxC_vPv1Joi871ZTu8T8-iI_-G9SqPWEwbBt_OJkWtU/s320/DSC04270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294346703340242818" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4