Positano ~ The jewel of the Amalfi Coast

I am going to try to keep up with traveling Tuesdays . . . by really traveling.

We are staying in Positano ~ the jewel of the Amalfi Coast.
From here we are able to easily hop from place to place. There is a ferry that runs to Capri and Amalfi.
This is the Most Beautiful Spot!

It has the feel of a small Italian costal town ~ a little overwhelming when the cruise ships unload. That is when you wander off the beaten path.

It is beautiful . . . no matter where you are!
Y'all enjoy the ride.
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Glass

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Glass'
I  remembered this group of pictures I took last year at Tenuta Santo Pietro

A collection of glass jars lying in the field . . .

abandoned . . .

waiting to be filled in the fall.

I will be there in another week ~ I wonder if the jars are still there?
I know I will be able to enjoy the wine and olive oils from their farm.

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Andiamo ~ I'm off to Italy

Andiamo ~
Finally the bags are packed and it's time to travel.
This time Friday, I will be in Rome.

I am looking forward to visiting the local neighborhood ~
The light and music of Italy. 

and to the first glass of wine ~

The first of MaNy ~
Sandi

I'm ready to Travel!

It's Traveling Tuesday
and I'm ready to travel!

and ~ I'm totally tempted to leave the laptop at home . . .

What do y'all think?
Is blogging worth the trouble ? ? ? ?

One way or the other . . . I am on the flight in 2 days.
I will be in Italy for 1 month . . .

I have just gotten my official HGTV Global Traveler bandana!
Now I am an HGTV traveler . . .

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Lazy

The PhotoHunt for today is LaZy.

This is the Lazy way to make a perfect apple-rhubarb crisp.

Available at your local market (hopefully!)

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Traveling Tuesday ~ eating in Italy

I am getting excited about the upcoming trip to Italy . . . Rome, Positano, Florence, and Tuscany. All a part of our Italian Great Escapes , remember we do this every May ~ we are booking already for 2014.
You can always join Gail and me!

So . . . recently, I have really be watching my carbs ~ trying to be a gluten free as I can be. So of course, I am a little worried about what will happen when I get to eat like an Italian. My gut is not used to it!!

But ~ I will be eating like an Italian in Italy... not at the olive garden.

As long as I chose appetizers like this and leave off the bread . . .
I think I can do it . . .
or maybe not . . .
What do y'all think?

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Under

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Under'

Which is the only way I can enjoy the beach.
From the shade under an umbrella ~
and enjoy it I do.

The View is still the same ~
I should have learned this lesson years ago!

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Cooking Light ~ Cooking with Rice

This month the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club is cooking with rice.
I love Risotto . . . so I knew right away that I would search for a nice risotto recipe. The good thing about Cooking Light, is that it is so easy to search.
I keyed in Risotto-Spinach-Mushrooms and wha~laa
This Recipe for Risotto came up.

Once I actually read through the whole recipe, I realized that this is actually a Gouda and Spinach risotto with saute'd mushrooms on top. Very Nice!

Smoked Gouda Risotto with Spinach and Mushrooms
Ingredients Risotto:
2 cups water
16-ounce chicken broth (I used a porcini mushroom broth)
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup chopped shallots
2 cups Arborio rice or other short-grain rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
5 cups chopped spinach (about 5 ounces)

Mushrooms:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 3 1/2 ounces)
2 cups sliced button mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups sliced oyster mushrooms (about 3 1/2 ounces)
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

To prepare risotto, combine water and broth; set aside. Melt butter in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup shallots; cover and cook 2 minutes. Add rice; cook 2 minutes, uncovered, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup wine; cook 30 seconds or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth mixture is absorbed before adding the next (about 20 minutes total). Stir in Gouda; cook just until melted. Stir in spinach; cook just until spinach is wilted.

To prepare mushrooms, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté 5 minutes or until beginning to brown. Add 1/3 cup shallots, 1/4 cup wine, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and minced garlic, and sauté 1 minute or until wine is absorbed. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Divide risotto evenly among 6 bowls; top with mushroom mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

 

Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our mushroom feast.
Jerry has made a recipe I am definitely going to try ~ Spelt with White Beans and Artichokes
Val is making Turkey Meatballs with Jasmine Rice
 Susan is bringing Barley Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Sara has made a loaf of Hearty Sour Rye Bread
Roz has also made a Risotto Milanese ~ you can never have to much Risotto.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

Cuties

Sally flung a craving on me with her post on the little blue stickers on these tangerines.

These 'cuties' are so good. The are easy to peel and just the right size for a 'pick me up' snack. I think we have gone through two bags.

Then I had a brilliant idea. . .

I am going to make a gluten free orange cake using this Citrus Olive Oil Cake recipe. I may have to tweek it a bit ~ I will let you know how it turns out.

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ ZOOM

The PhotoHunt for today is Zoom ~
I would like to be zooming around on this boat  . . .

But, 'Knot Today' . . .

I had to satisfy myself with zooming in for the photo.

Another beautiful sunset in Orange Beach.

Check for all the other Zoom Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Traveling Tuesday ~ Steppin'

It's Traveling Tuesday ~ and I am on the countdown to Italy and the Amalfi Coast.
 22 days before I leave for Positano.

I look forward to the beauty of this village built on the side of the coast.
The food, The people, The limoncello.
 I was there just last year and there is one thing that has me worried.
THE STEPS ~

Painful steps.
Everywhere you go there are hundreds of steps.

 

I am really going to have to get to the gym and on the oliptical . . . and pray my knees hold up.
Note to self: Pack the aleeve and BenGay.

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Wither

The PhotoHunt for today is 'wither'

Which is what happens as they age the pecorino cheese ~ these blocks of cheese have been packed with bay leaves or straw to give them a unique flavor.

I am ready for a plate of this local cheese.

And maybe a bottle of this as well . . .

In another month . . . I'll be back in Italy.

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

# Boston Strong

We have all been glued to the TV today ~
the last several days have been unbelievable.
The tragedy of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, and now this manhunt . . .

Our prayers for those affected.
and for Boston Strong!

PillowCase Dresses

I have jumped onto the PillowCase dress wagon . . .
 These little dresses are so fun to make and the possibilities are endless.

Seriously.
Once you start buying pillowcases, you can be making dresses for a while.

The instructions are simple . . .
Use the hem of the pillowcase as the hem of the dress. The top is cut to size and simple armholes are made. (measure from the neck to the length you want and add two inches)
The top edge is turned under making a casing for a ribbon or tie. The underarms are turned in a tiny hem stitch.

Then you can embelish with ruffles and trim . . .

The only thing cuter is Hope running around in her pillowcase dress ~ and for some reason, I can't find a single picture of that.
Not to worry . . . there will me more to follow.
LuLu is on a roll ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Scrumptious~

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Scrumptious'

The perfect opportunity to scrounge through my photos from London . . .

The local market in Sloane Square was a scrumptious place to do our Saturday morning shopping.

Little pies from 'Little Jack Horner'

Scrumptious locally grown tomatoes . . .
and fresh eggs.
I see a proper breakfast right around the corner.

Literally . . . just a walk around the corner.

Check for all the other  Scrumptious Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi