I can't believe she's already nine!! My Maddalena, or Nena, or Pucci.. is growing up really fast! It seems yesterday when I had to hold her on her tummy...like a monkey on a branch... or else she would scream! I'm so happy to see that she grew up in a sweet little girl who likes everything pink and glittery, who loves to play with her brother and sister and takes care of her little baby brother (she's the second mommy!). I had fun cooking all morning to make this day even more special. These are the pictures of my pink... Continue reading

Last week we stopped by at some friends' house and they served us fresh, delicious smelling cupcakes, just came out of the oven! For the whole week I could never find the time to make some with my children...until today! And we had a lot of fun.. I don't like to use mixes for cakes, I consider them fake. A cake, or a cupcake, or anything else that I eat has to be made from scratch, with real ingredients. I'm not very familiar with cupcakes, so I went online and I found out that Martha Stewart has a big selection... Continue reading

I have to say I'm very proud of myself for having finally learned how to crochet Granny Squares!! I've always loved them, since I was little. They make me think of the nuns I used to visit every summer in the "Sacred Heart Convent" in Florence. My great-aunt Eleonora was the Mother Superior at the time. All the nuns were always so full of attentions, so lively and happy. Me and my little sister had the privilege to often sleep in the Convent, in the old infirmary. Every morning we would wake up with a little gift waiting for us... Continue reading

Today, on the Feast of the Archangels, I decided to translate a beautiful and touching article written by my little sister on her youngest child.. a beautiful angel. Enjoy!!♥ A marvellous gift from Heaven.. (to those who don't believe that Love always wins). When, after a travailed emergency delivery, the doctors told me that my child, my third child, was affected by Down Syndrome, I felt submerged for a second by a wave of astonishment and trepidation. Would I be able to take care of my baby? Then a smile pervaded my face just thinking about his smile. All of... Continue reading

Today is the first day of Fall and I decided to spend it cooking a delicious Marmellata di Fichi... which is simply a fig jam. I love figs. I grew up climbing on fig trees, in their beautifully contorted branches, among their big green leaves. The fruit is so sweet and perfect that I believe was the one that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden... I'm very blessed to have 3 trees in my garden; one of them is very big and old, it makes many many figs every year. Today was the first time I thought of making... Continue reading

I would go cook for her, clean her house and take care of her babies. :) Continue reading

Today I decided to cook one of my favorite type of pasta: Pasta e Cavoli, or Pasta with Cauliflowers. It's especially made in the South of Italy, where I come from. I will share my recipe with you! All you need is: a box of short cut italian pasta (Barilla is the best among the ones you can find in the States) 2 packages of frozen cauliflowers extra-virgin olive oil salt black pepper 1 clove of garlic parmigiano reggiano (italian parmesan cheese) In a big pasta pot full of warm water, put the 2 packages of still frozen cauliflowers. Add... Continue reading