MEMORIES OF ITALY FOUND IN A COOKING CLASS

Sounds like something you would read in the headlines....

This just in....Memories of Italy Found in a Cooking Class.

But it's true! I recently took a cooking class with my Mom at Seasons Find Foods in Napanee. Our hostess/chef/teacher, Pat is a gold mine of kitchen tidbits and advice. 

Her shop holds a wide variety of products, local, organic, gourmet, gluten  free - whatever you need. 

I could have perused around in there for quite some time but there was cooking to be done in the back kitchen.

Our theme for the evening was Italian and when we arrived Pat had a number of stations set out for us 5 would-be chefs to try our hand at.

We paired up (except for my Momma who managed on her own)
and each prepared a dish.

Mom's was the appetizer: salad consisting of fresh arugula lightly dressed with the BEST olive oil you can get your hands on, a ball of bocconcini, paired with prosciutto and pancetta. 

A simple salad full of flavour!

Next up was a genoa salami and tomato dish. The salami was marinated in the BEST olive oil (Pat made it clear to us the importance of excellent olive oil) with garlic, flat Italian parsley, lemon zest and seasonings. 

This dish would be great to bring to summer get togethers when tomatoes are at their peak of freshness.

Finally, the main course, made by myself and partner Jean.

Meatballs with artichokes and fresh sage - Mama Mia!!

Pat ended our night with a nip of Limoncello and prettily wrapped individual Italian macaroons.

It was the Limoncello that sent me over the edge and back to Italy. Our family took a trip there about 6 years ago and one of our meals was in Sorrento. The meal, to be honest, was mediocre but the view was drop dead gorgeous.

Much like my daughter, Randi. In fact due to the messed up meal and my drop dead gorgeous daughter, we had nearly every male waiter in the restaurant fawning and plying us with LOTS of Limoncello!  We gave most of it to Sheldon and happily stumbled him out of there. 

The cooking class was a great experience and I learned quite a lot. I would recommend it for an evening out for sure. You can go check it out yourself at Seasons Fine Foods in Napanee or find them on Facebook. 

And thanks Pat! Not just for all the great tips but the great trip back to Italy!

THE BICYCLE, SEASON 47, EPISODE 1

I did a rough estimate. I've been riding a bike for about 47 years now. The one I presently own I bought 8-9 years ago from money earned in a wedding photo shoot. A good bike - but after nearly 10 years, in need of a little sprucing up!

The Bicycle, Season 47, Episode 1

I dropped my Raleigh off at The Brake Room earlier in the week for a spit and shine. 

Much needed new tires and brake pads, a number of rusted cables replaced and a new chain. She runs like a well tuned engine and stops on a dime!

I take a ride down by the waterfront. There are kids up on the hill flying a kite. Tired, happy dogs come sauntering out of the dog park  with their tongue lolling out to one side. 

I stop in at a Bakery I've been told about, The Crust and Crumb to pick up some dessert for later.

I zoom along and under the bridge I find signs of new love!

Heading home, I discover my "Bike-dar" (as in Bike radar) is a bit rusty. I can't read cars and their possibly fatal reactions to me as well as I should. As in Episodes past, I can expect a few close calls!

I've worked up an appetite so dinner is lemon chicken with a salad of warm roasted vegetables and goat cheese. Went well with the Bakery's Date Square and the Salted Caramel Bar!

I expect someday I will be too old to ride a bike. 

But not this year. I'm working on Season 47. 

Here's to the Episodes ahead on "The Bicycle"! 

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

I headed out the door early Easter Sunday morning to walk Lulu and noticed two things: it was not pitch black out and there was a gentle, summer breeze blowing. The same one that greeted me with a kiss when I walked off the plane in Dominican Republic. 

Finally, I've been waiting for you to show up! It seems we spend a lot of time waiting for something.

Teenagers waiting to be all grown up.
Wives waiting for husbands to come home.
Men waiting for the dream girl.
People waiting for life to begin, waiting for life to end.

And everyday, waiting for supper to be ready, the kettle to boil, the weekend to begin, the pain to be over. 

As I was walking Lulu, watching the colours change on Easter morning I was considering my faith. Here is a God who is so Gracious, Merciful and who loves me despite my short comings. 

How Good He is! Which got me thinking about all the Bad that is also part of our lives. The sadness, broken dreams and promises, blatant evil. Why do Good Friday things happen to Easter Sunday People? 

Sometimes it's hard to recognize the Goodness of God until we clearly see the opposite side of things. If nobody knew pain, how would they recognize joy?

So here is this patient God, waiting for you and me. He took all our pain and screw-ups and bore the punishment on Good Friday. It was underserved. Like the loss of your loved one or the chronic illness you deal with or that betrayal.

The same Easter Sunday God rose victorious and says "Come on! Let me carry those sins, give you rest, new mercies every morning and joy everlasting!" With Him there is forgiveness, new life and new hope!

So....what are you waiting for?

FOR THE HOMEBODIES

I'm just finishing a 7 day work-week. Now, with a glass of wine balancing on the bed cover, I'm tucked up in my bedroom, window open because the weather is finally feeling like spring and I'm typing up this blog.

I'm home. 

I can hear the crows, robins and a couple of doves. Sasha is sitting on my makeup box, observing the view. The occasional car drives by on our quiet suburban street. The house has a slightly dusty smell. 

It's what we homebodies live for. The smells, sights and sounds of home. Where I feel most comfortable.

This is a pen and ink drawing my Mom did of our house in Trenton where I lived as a teenager (I know, she's really good). On that big porch ridiculous amounts of teenagers hung out, smoking and making a racket. Supertramp, Thin Lizzy, or Led Zeppelin were usually cranked on the stereo. That little window on the top floor? It was my attic bedroom; freezing in the winter and deathly hot in the summer but I loved it. 

This is a watercolour I did of our house in Foxboro, the first house Sheldon and I bought. Not having my Mom's talent was why I switched to photography! Adrian was 1-year-old and Randi was 4 when we moved here. This old Victorian boasted hot water radiators that were great for sitting on or drying off wet mittens. It had the biggest dining room and once we sat down nearly 30 people for dinner. My homebody heart loved this house.

Once the kids reached high school it was time to move into town so we could accommodate all those after school activities and part time jobs we would be picking them up from. 

This is our house now. I asked Bonnie, a very talented young woman to draw it for me. She is also quite likely the sweetest human being on earth. This one called to my heart. The neighbourhood was a hot one and houses were snatched up as quick as they landed in the paper. But this one was waiting for our family. We have raised our two teenagers plus 9 other ballerinas who boarded with us over the years. 

It was not unusual to have a house full of kids in the living room!

We homebodies, love our homes and they love us back. That love permeates and welcomes others who enter in. 

I'm not sure where my next home will be, but I know it will be where I feel safe, comfortable and where a classic homebody belongs! 

BEHIND THE BIG TOP

I had a bit of a late night last night! Cinderella barely made it home before midnight. But it was for a good cause. I helped out as a volunteer for the "Under the Big Top" Gala to raise funds for our local Quinte Hospice. 

So, let me take you behind the scenes to what went on so our generous guests would all have a wonderful time!

The tables were set with great care

Down to the finest details

You gotta have Cotton Candy when you go to the circus!

Everyone looked fab!

The acrobats  limbered up

And lots of directions were given so everyone knew what they were doing!

I love that last moment of stillness before the whole scene changes..

Then the guests started to arrive!

The volunteers were in character

Kingston Circus Arts put on a Great Show!

And Everyone had a lot of fun!

Including the volunteers!

This Cinderella needed a nap on Sunday but I was thrilled to be a part of this event supporting Hospice Quinte!