Spoken Like A True Italian

One of the most important lessons I learned in an Italian kitchen:

"Never Underestimate the Power of Salt!"

First Request!

The first cooking request has been made by my darling father. Gnocchi al pesto is the first item on the menu! Any other takers?

My Dear Friend's Wedding

Stephie Mae got hitched today! She was the most stunning bride.

It was a perfect day- filled with lots of love and laughter.

Shout Wipes Save the Day!

Before I left on my European trip, I made the impulse buy of purchasing Shout stain remover wipes in bulk. I typically don't have the tendency to spill all over my clothes, but better safe than sorry, right?

Have I mentioned that Italians have a strange fascination with Shout Wipes?

Here are two scenarios in which my Shout Wipes saved an Italian's day:

#1: I was sitting at the Italian Opera, and an Italian man in a Gucci suit sat on bird poop. As he and his wife frantically attempted to clean the pants, I sneakily slid them a Shout Wipe. They went from extremely perplexed (they clearly don't have them in Italy), to grateful, as my little Shout Wipe was a lifesaver to his overly priced suit pants.

#2: Did I tell you that a fellow wine taster spilled red wine on an Italian princess? Yeah... It really happened. We were eating lunch at the personal villa of the most successful wine producers in all of Italy, and someone elbowed her red wine onto the owner's skirt and WHITE jacket. Let's just say that Shout saved us all from Italian exile!

Home Sweet Home

I am back in America and can't even express how good it feels! I woke up this morning, stumbled down the stairs (as I am feeling the lovely effects of jet lag), and went straight to the coffee pot and coffee mate creamer. How I've missed you, coffee mate!!!

As happy as I am to be home, I already miss the lovely land of Italy and its smell, romantic views, gelato, and wonderful people.

Nothing is as sweet as home, but I love that I will always have a second home in Italia.

Happiness Is...

My first French crepe in France- banana and nutella!

With my favorite person in all of Europe!

The Tower Really DOES Lean!!!

Gelato Mission Accomplished

Hello Friends and Family and Other Blog Readers,

As many of you know, 4 weeks ago I set out on my exciting adventure to Florence. One of my goals before I left was to try as many flavors of gelato as possible during my time here. Now, as I approach my last 3 days of living in Firenze, I am proud to post that I have ordered 40 flavors of gelato. Yes, this does not include little taste tests (posso po= "may I try"? I think I've used that phrase over 100 times). I have eaten 40 whole scoopfuls of different flavored gelato without repeats. To reward myself for my successes, for 3 whole days I will allow myself to try whatever flavor of gelato I desire, even if I have tried it before.

Top 3 Favorite Flavors:

Biscotta (also referred to as "cookies")

Cafe e Stracciatella (coffee with chocolate chunks)

Yogurt (like our plain tart flavor)

Sincerely,

The Gelato Legend

Baking Queen

Apparently during the last month I've turned into an Italian baking fiend!

Flour "fountain", as they call it here!

Traditional Tuscan almond-orange biscotti.

Crust for our torta pasquillina.

I love baking!!

3 C's of Cappuccinos in Italy

In Italy, the saying goes that your cappuccino must meet the three C's standards:

It must be...

Caldo: hot

Carico: strong

Comodo: comfortable (please sit and enjoy- no standing&gulping like a "horse", as my teacher says)

When Mary Poppins Meets Enchanted

Once upon a time, I sang like the princess from Enchanted to charm little chipmunks into my hand. Let's just say I wasn't as lucky during my attempt with pigeons in Venice, Italy.

One Thing I Miss About America

The free and easy use of all public restrooms! In Venice, we had to pay 1,50 euro, which equals about 3 bucks!

Pasta Making in Action