Food is for sharing with friends!

It doesn't take much to get me motivated to have people over. Turning 50, finishing chemo and having enough energy to be in the kitchen all day was excuse enough. Add to that, my good friend Suzy arriving from Spain to celebrate with me and a party was born!
Not to mention, that the garden was at it's Summertime peak. All the Shasta daisies, lavender bushes, everything was blooming and fresh.
Always being one to create elaborate invitations, this time I fell under the spell of EVITE. I will admit it was easy and very organized. Keeping track of the guests was a piece of cake. Even though it didn't have the feel of my past invitations the summertime lemons were fun and appropriate.
Suzy and I hit all the best spots in Santa Barbara for our feast. The farmer's market, C'est Cheese, Our Daily Bread, Via Maestra and the new Whole Foods. Oh, and Tri-County produce for a case of vino
Feeling better is one thing, but I still wear out easily and decided that a very light, anti-pasto spread was the ticket. Someone broought fried chicken---I still don't know who---and Cindy made a wonderful mozzarella appetizer. I made peach puree from the huge harvest that was happening at the moment and there were Bellinis, Bellinis and more Bellinis!

Thanks to all who came, a wonderful time was had by all, even me!

Backyard July 2011

Suzy filling the platters

Tony, Terry, Suzy and Chris filling their plates, with Roberto's flowers blocking the view!

My mother and Joey at the table, good view of the garden

All the wonderful goodies, mmmmm

My birthday roses, grazie!

Venezia, Venezia!

Well first may I say that my technological skills aren't what I think they are. Trying to post from another computer just wasn't going happen, so here I am, finally back after 2 glorious weeks in my other home town. There really isn't anything better in life than relaxing, reading, eating, walking and doing the same for days on end. Whenever anyone asks what do I do there with all my time, I have to ask them, "How much time do you have?" I'm more than happy to share with them.

Where should I start. I guess the beginning. Thankfully, the wonderful folks at SWISSAIR got me there safely with hardly a bump.Even though the flight is a long one, I'm thoroughly entertained with the in-flight movie selection(watched 4), decent food, decent wines and comfortable seats---yes, I did say comfotable---in steerage!

Arriving during the day was a novel experience for me. Normally, by the time I land it's dark and Winter has arrived. Here it was July, hot and sweltering. A new experience for me. Roberto was there to meet me and we always start with a welcome Prosecco at the airport bar. The airport was packed, another novelty. Then it's off on the Alilaguna to the Fondamenta Nuove for a quick walk home. Every time I arrive I swear that my suitcase will be light as a feather. Personally, I believe that the humidity weighs things down. Roberto lugs my suitcase over the two small bridges and we arrive. Up 4 flights of stairs and then it's time to refresh and go out on the town.

We have a lot of "traditions" to uphold. Most importantly, my arrival whisky sour at Harry's Bar. After a 10 munute walk through the Rialto, the Merceria, across Piazza San Marco we arrive to find 2 seats at the bar just waiting. Even better, my beloved Claudia is tending bar. He went into retirement, only to reappear again, thankfully. It was wonderful to be remembered and to feel the familiar burn of the bitter cocktail. MMMM heaven couldn't be any better than this. Well, it can! Out came the Polpette and a dish of olives.

Fiesta with my favorite flower girl Isabel!!!!!

Fiesta 2011----never too old to be a flower girl!!!

 VIVA LA FIESTA!!!!
Nothing like kicking up my heels with good friends, food and a few margaritas.

Old Spanish Days--Fiesta week is coming to a close here in Santa Barbara and I am considering this one of the best ever. Thanks to my friends Bill and Christy Janka I went everywhere. Christy took me to the Marshall's party overlooking the city and the Board of Realtors party. We went to the Dignatarios at the Zoo. I walked in the parade as a flower girl chaperone. We all went to the hottest ticket in town---the Horseman's Rendevous after the parade and then I met friends for champagne and a lovely dinner at a private home.

All my life I've wanted to be in the parade and finally, this year it happened. I don't think I stopped grinning the entire way. I think I was more excited than some of the flower girls. Next year I want to be on a horse or at least in a carriage. We'll see!

Now I'm paying for it, but it was SO worth it. What fun. Lots of great Tri-tip BBQ, wonderful Tequilas and all the salsa I could eat. Now it's back to being healthy and focused.

Ok, so I'm not St. Babs. Nor will I be, but I couldn't resist climbing up on the float. This was post parade at the carriage museum party.




At the Marshalls Party! Christy and I having a wonderful time.



On our way to the Horseman's Rendevous Post Parade Party!

One of the parade carriages.

I didn't cook enough....

I really was lazy this trip. Most of the time was spent resting, reading, relaxing and drinking Prosecco. Sadly, I had promised Roberto that I would get up every morning, put on my walking clothes and trek off to the Rialto for the makings of extravagant salads. This was what I had aspired to. What really transpired was woke up late, made a coffee, read a while---I did finish Cutting for Stone---got dressed, called Roberto and headed off to Cafe Aurora in Piazza San Marco.
It didn't help that I was really sick, really. A nasty sore throat, stuffy head, fever thing hit me hard on day 2. There was one day that I walked though. I got up, dressed, stretched and ran out the door. Took the traghetto to the Rialto and walked all the way to the Carmini where my friend Christina lives to feed her cat Penelope. Problem was that once I arrived I couldn't get the door open. After many futile attempts and a long chat with Penelope through the door, I gave up and marched back home.
I did stop at the Rialto for some fresh veggie photos.


Love the colors!



Lunch on the island of Vignole

 On Friday there was a general transportation strike in Italy and the effects in Venice are devastating. It was estimated that 35,000 tourists had arrived for the weekend. Several large cruise ships, small ships and all the other flotsam and jetsam of travel had arrived. Roberto had a great sugestion. Take a vaporetto to the outlying islands in the lagoon. Inter-island vaporettos ran on a reduced schedule since it's the only way to get around. Regular vaporettos weren't going anywhere for 24 hours.

We took the vaporetto from the Fondamenta Nuove to the first island past Murano, Vignole. It's just a little island, a few houses and 2 small restaurants. The path takes you along a canal then through fields of flowers and vegetables ready to be picked. The Trattoria Vignole sits along the water. Private small boats were continually pulling up and diners finding there way to the casual garden tables. No table service, just platters of fish, vegetables, breads and wines available.

The main canal of Vignole



Our plate of grilled vegetables---and some fried croquettes

This spot was so tranquil. We sat for a long time, drinking wine looking out across the lagoon towards the city. It was so amazing to know that just a kilometer away the city was swarming with people. Here we sat under the trees in the quiet. Just relaxing and enjoy each other's company. Five stars for this place. It is very crowded on weekends in the Summer, but weekdays it's perfect!

My new Venetian favorite!

Fields of Queen Anne's Lace along the path to the restaurant



Qui si mangia bene!

Here's what I mean about a gorgeous view. The towers of the city in the distance seem light years away.