My Melange

Clafoutis

Two weeks ago, I shared a recipe for Cherry Crostata.  I can't forget my inner French girl, so I had to find an equally good French cherry dessert.

I have succeeded. 

Just as good and a tad easier to prepare.

It is called....Clafoutis.  (Kla-foo-tee)

Clafoutis is a French comfort food that originated in the Limousin region of France. It has a cakey, custardy, puddingish consistency.  It is traditionally made with cherries.  Purists do not believe in pitting the cherries, thinking that the pits impart a nutty-flavor and that keeping the fruit whole results in the juices staying inside the cherries.

What?  No pittin' the cherries? Sign me up!! That's so much less work for me.

While cherries are traditional, this can be adapted to work with almost any fruit.  Berries would be my second favorite (no peeling or pitting) and since blackberries are just starting to ripen in Chris's Mom's backyard, you can almost bet I'll be whipping up a Blackberry Clafoutis real soon.

This recipe is taken from a little gem called French Desserts.

Cherry Clafoutis

1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 vanilla bean, split (optional)
1 lb. cherries
confectioners' sugar

Generously butter and sugar a large, 10 inch diameter baking dish.

Put milk, cream, eggs and sugar in a bowl and mix until thoroughly blended.  Add the flour and beat well.  If using a vanilla bean, scrape the seeds with the tip of a small knife and stir into batter.

Preheat over to 400 degrees F. Arrange cherries in a single layer in a prepared dish.

Set the dish on the oven rack pulled out half-way, then pour over the batter.  Gently push the oven shelf back in and bake until puffed and golden, 35-45 minutes.  Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Bon Appetit!

Travel Tip Tuesday- Free Paris Museums

With the price of airfare getting such that one has to take out a loan, now, more than ever, it is important to try and find other ways to save money, without sacrificing the experience in our intended destination.

Paris is one of those places that you can find plenty of things to do for free, even visiting great museums.

I have complied a list of five free museums in Paris.

5. Maison de Victor Hugo.  Located on the southwest corner of the picturesque Place des Vosges, this beautifully decorated home, an homage to Hugo, is a story of his life told by pictures, drawings, books and mementos collected by the writer himself.  The sumptuous interior includes furnishings he initially picked out for his mistress Juliette Drouet.  The Chinoiserie room really stands out. 

4.  Musée Galliera.  How fitting that the Fashion capital of the world would have a museum dedicated to fashion?  A bit further out, in the 16th arrondissement,the museum, which has been open since 1977, is home to over 70,000 items from great couturiers and designers and covers three centuries of fashion.  Divas and Fashionistas, you don't want to miss this one!

3.  Musée de la Vie Romantique.  This little country town house is nestled in a little park on the edge on Montmartre.  A collection of souvenirs and artwork mingle in the home of the eccentric writer George Sand and painter Ary Scheffer.  The space is designed to highlight these romantic talents while getting a true feel for their daily lives.  What makes it extra special is the cobblestone walkway, the gardens and a little cafe, which used to be the greenhouse, serving tea and cakes.

2.  Musée Cognacq-Jay.  The owners of the now defunct La Samaritiane department store were gracious enough to donate their collection accumulated from around the world to the City of Paris.  Some of the most valuable pieces from the 18th century, including, paintings, sculptures, jewels and ceramics are on offer here.  Take your time here, there are lots of hidden treasures. Don't miss the royal bed à la Polonaise located on the third floor! 

1.  Musée Carnavalet.  Spend some time wandering the courtyard of the beautifully designed grounds while drooling over the outside of the grand building, which used to be a Renaissance palace, that houses the collection.  Whether you are a tried and true history buff, or you tend to get a little bored, you will love this museum. 

Don't forget that some of the more famous museums like the Louvre, also offer discounted admission after 4pm. The National Museums even have free days, usually the first Sunday of every month.  You can check here for a list.

Make sure you visit Cherrye's today for tips on how to reduce jet lag!

Bon Voyage!!

We have progress...

Finally.  Progress.  Garden Progress.

Another little peak at the porch.  Mon petit jardin.

Slowly, but surely we are plugging along.

I found an old rusted wrought iron plant stand at local junk shop, which is a perfect home for my Boston Fern.  We are still sans Frenchbistro table and chairs, as well as a shabby cream chandelier that I imagine hanging from the porch ceiling.

But, we now have shutters!  This is to block the view from the other side of the porch, which belongs to our neighbors. 

Let's just say their side leaves something to be desired. 

Chris worked hard this weekend hinging both shutters together.  Now he just needs to add decorative cast iron feet, so that the wind doesn't blow them over.

I think I may try to find a little old distressed french sign to hang from the shutters. Maybe some ivy dripping down the front in a hanging wall pocket.

What do you think?  Do you see possibilities?  Please share.

Zucchini Blossoms

Before I went to Italy, I had no idea what a fried zucchini blossom was.

I was raised by a mother who grew, sliced, breaded and fried zucchini so much, it seemed like she was making a living from it and getting paid by the slice.  It seemed like her full-time job.  As a result, I grew up hating zucchini.

The thought of anything zucchini related really turned my stomach. Except zucchini bread, which if made properly, tastes of sweet cake with not even a hint of zucchini flavor.

But as they say....when in Rome. 

And it was in Rome where we sat al fresco at a little neighborhood trattoria on the Piazza Farnese, enjoying a glass of ice cold Frascati, that our cameriere informed us that fried zucchini blossoms were a special delicacy on the menu that evening.

Not wanting to disappoint Chris or the adorable waiter, we decided to indulge.

And though I can't remember if they were stuffed or plain, I do remember one thing....I was hooked.

As luck would have it, I was able to score a dozen blossoms at my local farmer's market today.

Though for the life of me I can't understand why they sell them sealed up tight in a plastic zip-loc bag, with the heat and humidity taking its toll and wilting them beyond repair, is beyond my comprehension.

Subsequently, I have the impossible task of trying to clean, stuff and fry them, without shredding them into a pile of slimy orange mush.

But, beggars can't be choosers.  I decided to give it my best shot!

There are thousands of variations on the recipe.  Some batters have egg, some do not.  Some stuff the insides, others fry them as-is.

Here is my quick and easy recipe for Fried Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms. 

Filling

ricotta cheese
minced chives
finely chopped parsley
salt
freshly ground black pepper
nutmeg

Batter

3/4 cup flour
1 cup cold club soda
pinch of salt

Prepare the flowers.  Clean out any dirt or insects from the inside of flowers.  I leave the stamen in, but it is personal preference.  I suppose if my flowers were just hand picked and I could easily retrieve them, I would take them out.  Gently rinse in a colander and pat dry on towels.  Cut stems to 1 inch.

Fill a heavy bottom cast iron frying pan with vegetable oil, about 1 inch deep. Heat to 360-365 degrees on a candy thermometer.

Put a good amount of ricotta in a bowl.  Add remainder of filling ingredients to taste.  Mix well.  Fill a zip-lock back with mixture.  Snip off a small piece of the corner.  Slowly and gently, squeeze a small amount of filling into each flower (don't overfill) and twist ends of flower to close.  Place each on a plate.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, club soda and salt until combined.  Add more club soda to thin if needed and form a thin crepe batter.

When oil is at the desired temperature, dip each flower into the batter. Coat completely.  Let excess batter drain off and place gently into the hot oil.  Repeat with each flower.  Work in small batches of 3-4 at a time.  No more than that in the pan, or the oil temp will drop too much.

Let each flower fry 30- 60 seconds and then turn with a wire spider.  Fry on the other side until golden.  Remove with the wire spider to a plate lined with paper towels. 

Season each with additional salt.  Continue until all flowers have been fried.  Serve immediately.

Another interesting variation for the filling that I have tried is to stuff them with a slice of mozzarella and a whole basil leaf.  That is wonderful, especially when served with some marinara for dipping.

Boun Appetito!

Newport- Cliff Walk

Lets go for a little walk.  A Cliff Walk.

We begin on a cloudy, hazy, day with the clouds sprinkling now and then.

We start out at the intersection of Narragansett Avenue, where the path is paved.  We walk South.

We come upon the Forty Steps.  This is where the servants of the mansions that line the coast would gather after work for parties into the wee hours of the morning.  Some met an untimely death at the cliffs edge.

We curve around and we see a view to the North.  You can barely see the Harbor and downtown Newport in the background.

We come to this cool stone tunnel.  Up above is the property of one of the mansions.

And of course, a peak back the other way.

The coast is lined with jagged rocks.  We see unidentified birds hanging out on the rocks.

The backyards of the mansions meld into the path and the rocks below.  What a view to have from your window.

 

This gorgeous gem is part of the Salve Regina University.  Not a bad campus, eh?

All of the grounds are beautifully landscaped and manicured.

Again, looking back too see how far we have come.

The drop is much higher than it looks.

A shady spot on the walk complete with a lovely combination of brick and stone, red and gray, curves and
angles.

The giant moss covered tree trunk here is a reminder of how old this area really is.  I love its position right next to the equally old and weathered stone wall.

And finally we get close enough to see that the birds are Cormorants.  They seem to be enjoying the spray from the surf, or looking for food.

Join me next time when our walk continues down to the famous Vanderbilt summer home, The Breakers.

Love Thursday : Ladybug Love

I normally don't participate in Love Thursday, which is a pretty big event in the blogosphere.  I don't know why that is.  Maybe it's because I am always so busy, I don't have time to see the love all around me. 

Yeah, sad, I know.

But that has all changed.

A few weeks ago I saw a honeybee, flitting around my lavender plant in my petit jardin.  That made me so happy, especially considering the recent plight of the honeybee.  Now I see him all the time and can only hope he brings his other buzzy buddies.

Then last week, I noticed another little visitor tucked within the viola leaves that has adopted my garden as its home.

A sweet little ladybug.  I named her Dot. Isn't she a cutie?

So, I am delighted to see that even though I can't enjoy my garden as much as I would like, I have at least two new friends that love it there.

If that is not garden love, I don't know what is?

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

Travel Tip Tuesday - Destination Newport

What better what way to kick off my series on Newport, Rhode Island than to feature it as a destination for this weeks Travel Tip Tuesday!?

Newport is a port city, surrounded on three sides by water.  Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean to be specific.  It is full of craggy coastlines, mansions, history, hauntings, shopping, galleries, restaurants, fishing and maritime fun.

   

There is so much to do there, one can certainly get overwhelmed.  I spent four days, but one could easily fill up a week with all the wonderful activities available.

Here is an overview of the Best of Newport.

Cliff Walk. A stunning 3 1/2 mile walk along the eastern coastline, where you can enjoy wildflowers, birds, ocean views and a look at some of the famous mansions on the water.  Most of the trail is a pleasant walk, but at some point it becomes more of a rock-climbing adventure.

Ten Mile Drive.  A breathtaking drive around the entire Newport coastline.  Enjoy passing ocean views, Fort Adams State Park, resorts, country clubs, golf courses, fisherme

n and huge summer homes overlooking the ocean.  There are even a few up for auction, so you may be able to acquire some oceanfront property.

Mansions.  Drive along Bellevue Avenue and drool at the site of the gilded gold wrought iron gates and ornate finials the size of your car.  It you want a closer look, drive in the gates and wander around the grounds.  You can have tours of the inside, but you'll pay admission.  A few of the best include The Elms, Marblehouse and The Breakers (Vanderbilt summer home).  Visit the Newport Mansions website for more info. 

Bed & Breakfasts.  There are over 300 B&B's located in Newport. With that many to choose from, there is certainly one that will fit your needs.  The downtown area as well as the historic architecture lend itself well to Bed and Breakfast accommodations.  Tons of historic old houses.  Our Inn was built in 1857 and had huge rooms with fireplaces and a large wrap-around porch.  There is no other way to stay, in my opinion.

Fresh Seafood.  Head downtown to the wharf area and see lobster-men hauling in their fresh catch of  the day.  Many will let you buy lobster right from the boat. The Aquidnick Lobster Company on Bowen's Wharf is another great option for lobster, crab, mussels and oysters.  The area is also know for Quahog's, the largest in the clam family. Don't want the hassle of cooking on vacation?  The Wharf area is loaded with seafood restaurants. The Landing and The Mooring are two great options, both with excellent harbor views.

Ghost Tours.  Take a 90 minute lantern-led stroll through historic Newport in the evening and hear tales of the haunted city by the sea.  Or why not check out the haunted chairs during a ghost tour of the beautiful Belcourt Castle. Bwahahahahaaa.

Local Events.  Golf and Tennis tournaments, Polo matches, regattas, jazz festivals,   Newport has it all.  And it is not just a summer destination.  There are tons of things to do all year long.  Check here, here and here for more information on upcoming events.

Boating.  Newport has every kind of boat tour imaginable.  Try the Adirondack II Schooner for a sailboat ride in the harbor.  Gansett Cruises offers a more relaxing experience.  Try a sunset cruise or my favorite- a sunrise breakfast cruise. Or just head down to Bowen's Wharf for more cruising options. 

The Beaches.  Easton's Beach, also known as First Beach is the only beach with a concession area, carousel and aquarium, making it the best for families.  The Atlantic Beach Club on First Beach has live music on the weekend. Baily's Beach and Gooseberry Beach are located on Ocean Drive.   Second and Third Beach are both located further out in Middletown.  Surfers can be found at Second Beach. Parking rates are astronomical though, ranging from $10-$25. 

Vineyards.  The Newport area boasts two wineries, both give tours and tastings. Newport Vineyards is the closest to downtown and has a very large selection of wines.  All grapes are grown locally.  Greenvale Vineyards is 5 miles from Newport in nearby Portsmouth. Tour the beautiful vineyard and views of the Sakkonet River.  Visit on a Saturday in the Summer to hear jazz.

Stay tuned for more in depth posts and pictures about Newport.

And don't forget to head over to My Bella Vita.  Geggie is minding the store while Cherrye is away and she is reviewing 7 US hotels.

Till next time....Happy Travels!

Panzanella

If you are like me, you love bread.  I mean reeeeally love bread.  And I don't mean soggy old Wonder Bread either.  I am talking about homemade artisan breads like Ciabatta, Peasant Bread, Boules and French Baguettes. 

A loaf of these delicious breads runs about four bucks and since there is only two of us, it is no surprise that is turns stale before we can use it up and there are only so many batches of bread crumbs a girl can make!

I hate wasting food, so I turn to the Italians, specifically the Tuscans, who wrote the book on how to make use of everything you have.  You know, stretch that almighty Euro.  Even stale bread. 

In the winter, the best way to use up stale bread is to make a ribollita.  But since I can't even think about making a hot, heavy soup in the heat of the summer, I'll turn to the best summer recipe I know.

Panzanella.

This one is so simple, but yet I have seen many different recipes for it.  I do not put cucumbers in mine, but you can if you like.  I also prefer large chunks of bread and tomatoes, even though the traditional recipe states to cube the bread and tomatoes into small 1 inch pieces.  But it is all about personal preference.

No exact measurements for this one, as I think it is one of those throw it all together and season to your taste recipes.  Which is another reason I love it!

Panzanella

stale unsalted artisan bread, cut into chunks
tomatoes
red onion
fresh basil
extra virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
salt and pepper

Soak the bread in some water for about 10 minutes-longer if the bread is really stale.  Squeeze out excess water.  Put into a bowl.  Chop tomatoes and onion and add to the bread.  Liberally drizzle with oil.  Splash in a few dashes of the vinegar.  Add the roughly chopped basil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Gently toss and let the flavors mingle a while before serving.

Buon Appetito!

Hooray Le Creuset!

Martha has one.  So does Ina, Giada, Emeril and pretty much any chef that is worth his sea salt in the foodie community.

What I am talking about?

The Le Creuset Dutch Oven, of course!

You can spot the ubiquitous cast iron jack-of-all-trades pot in all the colors of the rainbow in magazines, cookbooks and cooking shows the world over.

Ever since I started watching the Food Network I got hooked on the versatility of this quality piece and have dreamed of one day having my very own multi-tasking French Dutch Oven.

Yeah, sure some of the popular celeb chefs like Rachel Ray, Mario Batali and even Queen Martha have created knock-offs of their own, for about half the price, but there was always one thing missing.

It was not a Le Creuset!

Sorry folks, but in this cooks opinion, nothing can compare to that classic French quality and reputation of  Le Creuset. 

Nope, not even Queen Martha or Molto Mario.

Le Creuset is a French brand that has been around since 1925 and is the world's leading manufacturer of quality Enameled Cast Iron cookware. They are the mainstay of French chefs.

The crème de la crème of cookware.  They have that je ne sais quoi.

This particular Dutch Oven is made from a cast iron mold.  The inside is coated in the highest quality vitreous enamel, the lid has a perfectly tight fit which ensures the moisture and flavor are retained in the cooking.  The knob is made from a heat resistant material which is oven-proof to 375*, so you won't get third degree burns stirring your soup.  Yep, we have all been there!

They are very versatile pieces as well.  You can cook on the stove-top, bake in the oven or store leftovers in the fridge...all in the same pot! 

Can you say easy-peazy clean up!

So, why I am I blathering on about all this you might ask?

Well, after 5 years of wishing and hoping, dreaming and drooling, today with a gift certificate in hand, I hauled ass over to Warren Cutlery this morning to be first in line for their 20% off sale. Needless to say, I am now the proud very proud owner of a new Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Cherry Red.

 
courtesy of Warren Cutlery

Isn't she a beauty?  I feel like a teenage boy with his first new shiny red Camero.  Can't wait for a test drive!

My only dilemma now? What recipe I should use to christen my new cookware?

My options are endless.  Risotto, soup, stew, Italian tomato sauce?  Or perhaps something I have never attempted before, like a Beef Bourguignon or Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic?

Oh, the possibilities...

Tell me, do you have a Dutch Oven?  Do you love it? 

What is your favorite recipe to make with it?  What do you think my first dish should be?

Cherry Almond Crostata

I love making a crostata.  I love eating them even more.  They are Italian baked dessert tarts, much less fussy and perfect looking than a tart or a pie.  The rustic, rough shaped finished product looks homemade with human hands, rather than the perfect, glossy tart and that in and of itself warms my heart. 

And as a bonus, you don't have any extra pan to clean.

So last week, when I spotted fresh cherries at the farmers market, I knew what I had to do.

This recipe is adapted from several different recipes from Barefoot Contessa, Victoria Magazine and Taste of Italy Magazine, with my own little touches thrown in.

Cherry Almond Crostata

For the pastry (makes 2):

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 pound very cold unsalted butter, diced
dash of almond extract

For the Almond Frangipane:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg

For the filling, topping

4 to 5 cups fresh cherries, pitted, halved
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 egg
1/4 sliced almonds
sugar for sprinkling

For the pastry, place flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of the food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse to combine.  And butter and hand toss to coat with flour mixture. 

Pulse 12-15 times until the butter is pea-sized.  With the processor running, add 1/4 cup ice water mixed with the almond extract, all at once from the feed tube.  Keep pulsing to combine, stop the machine before the dough comes together. 

Turn the tough out onto a floured board and form 2 disks.  Wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate one for at least 1 hour.  The other goes in the freezer (unless you are feeling hungry and want to make 2).

While the dough is chilling, make the frangipane.  Blend the almonds and sugar in the food processor.  Cut the butter into cubes add to the nut mixture and pulse to combine.

Add egg and pulse until completed combined, about 30 seconds.  Transfer to a sealed container and freeze for 1 hour.

Now prep the cherries; pit and cut them in half and place them into a large bowl.  Add the cornstarch and gently fold to combine.  Set aside.

When the hour is up, preheat the oven to 425*, take the dough from the fridge and roll out onto a piece of parchment paper placed on a board into an 11 inch round.  Transfer dough on the parchment paper to a baking sheet.

Remove frangipane from the freezer.  Scoop 1/4 cup of the almond frangipane into the center of the dough.  Top with cherries, spreading them evenly over the dough, leaving about a 2 inch border.

Fold up edges up over the sides and pinch to keep in place.  Lightly beat the egg and brush over crust top.  Sprinkle the almonds over the cherries, then sprinkle the entire surface with sugar.

 

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  Cool for about 20 minutes. 

Cut and serve alone or with whipped cream, marscapone cheese or your favorite ice cream!

Of course you can substitite any fruit or nut combination, depending on what is in season. Apple & Walnut, Peach & Pecan, Raspberry & Pistachio. 

What is your favorite to make?

Just back from.....

 
                                                photo courtesy of gonewport.com

Newport! 

That's right.

It was Newport, Rhode Island. 

Janie was the clever girl who guessed it first.  Your little gift will be on it's way amica mia!

Thanks to all of you for your participation!!

Since there is so much more than one posts worth to tell about Newport (and only about 200 photos), I think I will have several Newport features over the next few weeks.

Stay tuned!

Travel Tip Tuesday - Top 5 Traveler Review Sites

Most travelers practice due diligence when planning a vacation.  They knuckle down, hit the guide books and the Internet to plan all the details of their trip. 

Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and Zagat are just a few of the big go-to names for travelers to research their intended destinations.  These are great places to start- to get info on attractions, hotels and restaurants, but I don't totally rely on these.

Think about it. If you are a paid reviewer that works for one of these publications and arrive to announce yourself as such, you are probably going to get the royal treatment.  Staff and owners will pull out all the stops and roll out the red carpet to ensure that reviewer has a very positive experience.

But what about the little guy?  The average Joe, like you and me?  How will we know what our experience will be?

I recommend that you check out sites with reviews from real travelers.  Here are my Top 5.

5.  I Go You Go.  They have been around since 2000.  Over 350,000 travelers contribute here on over 5,500 destinations.  That's alot of possibilities!! The site has won several travel awards and as a bonus, travelers are encouraged to give reviews in return for GO points, which can be redeemed for gift certificates.

4.  Real Travel.  This site claims to help more than half a million travelers plan their trips every month.  It has more of a community feel to it, as travelers share stories about their experiences.  Frommer's guide adds to the content for the 3,500 destinations worldwide on the site.  You can also create your own free travel blog.

3.  Yelp.  I have to be honest, my sister turned me onto this one, and I love it!  This one just covers the US.  Here you can find locals reviews on everything from restaurants to nightlife to shopping.  Since July of 2004 it has been real people, writing real reviews.  It is a fun site!

2.  Virtual Tourist.  Boasting 1 million registered members from more than 220 countries, this site has been around since 1998.  The over 1.5 million travel tips in 58,000 destinations are organized by category- there is even a Tourist Trap category (I love that). You can use the forum or click on a review to find out more about a member; even email them if you need to. I've done that and gotten some great help here! 

1.  Trip Advisor.  Real advice from real travelers is the motto. The most well known of all the sites, the ticker on it's main page announces over 23,000,000 travelers planned trips this week alone.  With over 7 million registered members and 15 million reviews, it's popular and chock full of information!  Worldwide traveler reviews, a forum, free newsletter and traveler photos abound.  I never book a hotel or B&B without consulting the reviews here.  And I have met some very nice folks through the forums, many of whom are still my friends.

So tell me readers, what are your favorite real traveler review sites?  I love finding new ones that I don't know about.  Please share!

Now, head over to Cherrye's to find out what 5 things not to wear on the plane! 

Happy Travels!

Gone Fishin'

Well, maybe not actually fishing.  But, I am celebrating the Fourth with a four day weekend away.

Whoohoo!!   Lord knows, I need it!

The picture above was taken a few years back in Booth Bay Harbour, Maine.

It is not where I am, but it is quite similar. And you know how I love a good guessing game. 

So, I thought we might have a little Fourth of July fun (yes, I know it's the fifth), but bear with me. 

Here are some clues to my whereabouts.... 

• 22 other cities in the US share it's name
• There are multiple lighthouses
• The first US circus was held here
• A famous icon lived and was married here
• I'll be able to stroll along the street where the first gas illuminated streetlamp stood
• Lobsta and chowda grace almost every menu
• Tennis, Polo and Golf have been enjoyed here by the wealthy
• Home to one of the oldest surviving taverns in the US
• My America's Cup will runneth over

So, there you have it. I hope I have given you enough info, but haven't given it away!  

Think you know where I am? 

Leave your answer in the comments. The first person with the correct answer wins a little prize. Maybe it will be a little souvenir from my trip.

And of course, I will give you a full report on my weekend destination when I get back.

Have a great Holiday weekend and good luck!!

Travel Photo Friday

Welcome to our third edition of Travel Photo Friday!

This month Linda of Milanese Masala, submitted photos involving three of my favorite things. 

Italy, Wine and Nutella.  How did I get so lucky?

Linda lives in Milan, Italy and blogs about food, life, travel, music and my favorite of late...calcio, Italian soccer. She has the sexiest photos of the players on her blog.  Sweaty, sexy, photos.  Ahhhh.  Yes. 

Oh, scusi.  Mi dispiace.  Lost my mind there for a minute.

Ok, back to these photos.  Read Linda's description of the photos below.

"These were taken last fall in the gorgeous Monferrato area of Piedmont. It's an area famous for wines like Barbera and Grignolino but hazelnuts also reign supreme. Yummy Nutella is a regional product.

We had lunch at a great B&B called La Quercia Rossa and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the owner's vineyard's and chestnut groves. Their dog was even our impromptu guide, showing us around and playing with the kids. As you can see, the vineyard was at its most beautiful. The colours were breathtaking, as if the hills were on fire. We had a wonderful day and I just wanted to share it with you and your readers."

 

Linda, your photos are stunning and beautiful.  The orange, yellow, amber and green are so strikingly different from what I am used to in Italy.  I am familiar with beautiful pictures of Tuscany and the Chianti area with lush green foliage.  It is so nice to finally see where one of my favorite wines (Barbera) and Nutella are created.

 

Thanks for participating!! And for sharing your photos, your story and the info on the lovely B&B with us!

 

Calling all photos!!  Do you have a favorite travel photo to submitt for Travel Photo Friday?  Just email your photo over with a short description. I'd love to inlcude you!!

 

Join me for our next Travel Photo Friday, Friday August 1^st.

 

Inside the Actors Studio Meme

This week my amica Italiana Michelle, over at Bleeding Espresso, unwittingly created this little meme based on the questions that James Lipton asks all of his actor guests on Inside the Actors Studio.

I thought it would be fun to play along..so here goes.                            

1. What is your favorite word?  Facetious
2. What is your least favorite word?  Mucous
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, emotionally? Surrounding myself with like-minded creative   people and appreciating their work. 
4. What turns you off? Arrogance
5. What is your favorite curse word? Sons-a-bitches, be-otch is 2nd runner up.
6. What sound or noise do you love? The Italian Language being spoken
7. What sound or noise do you hate? Nails on a chalkboard
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Comedienne
9. What profession would you not like to do? Coal Miner
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Hurry up!!Your Grandfather has tickets for you to see a Yankees game together (again).

Feel free to play along by answering in the comments or do the meme on your own blog!   If you play on your blog, make sure you leave me a comment....I'd love to pop on over and check out your answers!

 

Travel Tip Tuesday - Avoiding Digital Disasters

I am certainly not a photographer.  I have more than enough pictures to prove that.  But the invention of digital cameras has certainly made it easier for the photographically challanged. 

Present company included! 

But, like anything, there are pitfalls, if you're not careful.

I have comprised a list of a six ways you can avoid a digital disaster by making sure your equipment is ready to capture those once in a lifetime vacation pictures, like a pro. 

As far as chopping off heads, not centering your target or always getting your finger in the shot...well, those little faux-pas, I can't help you with my friends.  For that, you'll have to consult a professional.

1.  Familiarize yourself with your camera.  Many people buy a new digital camera for an upcoming trip, and it doesn't see the light of day until they are packing it in their luggage.  As a result they become frustrated and disappointed when their pictures come back, looking dark and out of focus, simply because they didn't know how to use the correct settings.  If you do buy a new camera- open it, read the manual and experiment with the camera, take different shots in varied situations until you become comfortable with what settings take the best shots. Be an expert in your camera- you'll be much happier with the outcome!

2.  Give new memory cards a trial run.  Same concept as the new camera.  Open any new memory cards that you plan to bring along.  Pop them in your camera,take a few shots and have them developed, just to make sure the card is working properly.  I would hate to get to my destination and take hundreds of shots, just to realize that they were not being stored properly, or not printing up at all.

3.  Don't forget the tripod.  Tripods are a must, especially for those night shots and low-light close ups.  You don't want photos of the Eiffel Tower or Trevi Fountain in all their evening splendor to look more like a bad fireworks display do you?  Of course not.  So you will need a tripod to avoid those blurry shots.   My favorite is the tiny and flexible Gorillapod.  It folds up neatly to pack and can adapt to any situation.  It stands tall or because of its bendable legs it can twist around a railing or a tree branch!

4. Always have charged batteries.   Some cameras like Canon, generally use regular alkaline batteries, which comes in handy.  If your batteries die, you can simply run to the nearest store and buy an emergency set. Problem solved.  However, if your camera is like mine, it has a lithium-ion battery, specifically designed to fit my camera, which makes it tricky when your battery dies.  My solution is to cough up the extra dough to buy a second battery and bring both batteries and the charger (with correct voltage converter, if needed) on your trip.  Rotate the batteries when they are low. Always have one battery charging at all times and a fully charged battery in the camera. This way you never miss a shot and never run out of juice.

5.  Bring several memory cards.  Don't just rely on one huge capacity gigabyte card- if you lose that, you lose all your photos.  Bring several smaller 256^_mb or 128^_mb capacity cards.  This way if you lose a card or one malfunctions - all your pictures are not lost.  The other bonus with bringing many cards is that you won't waste time or money uploading or printing the pictures because the card is full and you still have 3 days left on your vacation!

6.  Click and delete....later.  The beauty of digital is that you can't waste film.  Take loads of pictures, even of the same thing with different settings, different angles- then go back to your room and at night, go through the days shots and delete the ones you don't want.  Only keep the best ones. This helps you save card space, battery life and time, by not flipping back and forth, looking at each shot after you take it to decide if you want it. 

And what will you do with all of those wonderful vacation photos when you get them home? 

Why, you will submitt your favorite to me for Travel Photo Fridays...that's what you should do!!

Just email them to me, with your description.

I know, I know, shameless plug, but hey, it's for the greater good, right?

Cherrye is travelling, so guest blogger Andrea is filling in, talking about things to do in her hometown of Beaumont, Texas. 

Y'all head on over there, ya hear!!   

A Sunday Apéritif

The French call it apéritif, the Italians call it aperitivo.  Whatever it's called, I'm a huge fan and I 'm always on board!

Derived from the Latin verb, apirire, it literally means to *open the palate*.  It refers to the hour or two before dinner, where you can enjoy a small nosh or nibble of finger food, with alcohol, prior to the big meal. 

On occassion, depending what is on offer, apéritif can replace the large meal. Like in the heat of summer, when just the thought of cooking a big meal in my postage-stamp size kitchen, makes beads of sweat appear upon my forehead.

No thanks!

Today happened to be one of those days.  Plus, it's a lazy Sunday.  An apéritif was in order.

I am pretty familiar with the types of foods both cultures typically serve for apéritif,