Being…

Being calm in this busy world is a game changer. It allows you to think, feel, observe, and be present to those around you. Perhaps those are the very reasons people tend to stay so busy. Not everyone has a safe place to “be.” Let’s all try to be a kinder, gentler version of ourselves…

Perfection and Ravioli

Boy, what a year it’s been! We’ve all had things that challenged us, and if we’re lucky, we didn’t break. Cracked maybe, but like the Japanese art of kintsugi, our “gold-filled resin” will highlight our personal strengths, our forged bonds we’ve made with our neighbors. [Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. If a…

Un Pranzo Semplice

We took the opportunity to visit our dear cousins, Pietro and Lucia and Lucia’s sister Luisa up north near Trieste, and c.b.m (cousins-by-marriage) Roberta, her family, Fabrizia and her family near Aviano. If you’ve ever heard the stories of our time at Aviano, you’ll quickly know that these kind, generous folks are dear to us….

Very vanilla cupcakes 🧁

Have you been searching for that seemingly elusive, delicate, yet very delicious vanilla cupcake? I certainly have, until now! It’s my brother-in-law’s birthday tomorrow, and I decided to bake a few treats to celebrate how wonderful, kind and generous he is. Happy birthday, Tom! 1 3/4 c AP flour 1 c raw sugar 1/3 tsp…

The Necessary Work

Not all aspects of life in Sicily are easy. In the USA, a lot of people have a certain notion of being well-off. Here, a small plot of land (or 6) in the “country” carries a lot of significance. It used to be that families would work the land to sustain themselves and possibly others…

SSS Kind of Day

~worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy~ Leo Buscaglia

New Mexico Red Chile Sauce

You can take the girl out of New Mexico, but you will never take New Mexico out of the girl! Whether cooking for the holidays or a birthday, or just because it’s taco Tuesday (or Wednesday, Thursday, Friday…), one of my favorite cuisines is and will always be, New Mexico style Mexican food…and yes, there…

Cinnamon Roll Biscuits 

Yes, biscuits! If you’re looking for a good, flakey, layered with butter, cinnamon and raisins biscuit lightly kissed with creamy, silk-like glaze – look no further!  Crazy menopausal cravings are worse than the pregnancy ones for me- sweet one minute salty, the next… moist (sorry Tyler) one bite, then crunchy the next… wonderful woes of…

Happy Finger-Lickin’ Father’s Day!

So many great men to be honored this day – my Dad, my brother, my husband and son, and the numerous friends who have touched our lives, making a difference in one or all of our lives. This one is for you: Sweet- spiced rub 3/4 c dark brown sugar 1/2 t crushed red pepper…

Country living

Lazy days, filled with busy work- doing some old-fashioned, homey food stuff!  Bread baking with the slight vinegary scent of pickling… ahhh, simple life🌻

roasted corn & black bean salsa

this incredible salsa is so delicious and versatile – try it as is with warmed chips or change it up with black-eyed peas, pintos or other favorite legume, serve it along side grilled quesadilla! enjoy – v 2 cans black beans, rinsed 16 oz bag frozen sweet kernel corn 1/2-1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1…