Delizioso!

Last week we enjoyed a Christmas gift treat. Tim and Rae gave us cooking classes at Sur la Table for Italian Family Favorites with Chef Ben Witten (thanks again!). This was a wonderful gift idea. Now I would like to take more classes. It's a great gift idea for empty-nesters and would be fun to take with family or a group of friends.
We worked in groups of four on a full Italian menu that included: Saffron Risotto, Sicilian Fennel Salad with Oranges and Arugula, Chicken Cacciatore, and Tiramisu for dessert. We also enjoyed bread with dipping oil, wine and brushetta. It was amazing!
Not only were we instructed in how to make these recipes but we learned about kitchen tools, ingredients and a few new ways to work in the kitchen. The bonus was the end product ... we got to enjoy the meal we prepared. Every recipe turned out so delicious but I was quite surprised to discover that I probably liked the fennel salad most of all. It's something I've been hesitant to try and it tasted amazing!
You have an opportunity to shop between prep and dining. Sur la Table includes a 10% discount for a week following class. I had a gift card (thanks, Brian and Michelle) and picked up several kitchen tools and accessories. You leave class with all of the recipes, a list of equipment and products used to prepare them.
Sur la Table has a calendar of classes available each month. Check it out at surlatable.com and grab a friend or family member to join you. We'd love to go again some time!
We still have a date night for an Italian dinner @ Bugatti's and a movie to look forward to ... thanks to Matt and Kathy. Oh, how I love Christmas gifts that keep on giving : )

Bellissimo

Ahhhh ... Venice ... How I miss thee! The walls in our recently updated bedroom are screaming for some artwork and what better resource than the 2,400 photo choices from our trip to Italy. Here's one I "tweaked" in Photoshop. Can't think of a better view to wake up to each morning. Bellissimo!

Windows and Doors of Italy

Windows and Doors of Italy ... they are real eye-catchers. There are so many different sizes, shapes, colors, flowers and greenery, shutters, etc. We wanted to capture the beauty in film and found ourselves clicking away, filling our camera's memory card with photos we could treasure when we returned home.
Even though this photo was bright and very colorful I wanted a little subdued version to hang in our bedroom "photo gallery." While exploring Effects in Photoshop Elements I found the following combination very pleasing: Colorful Center, turning down the brightness and selecting Greenery in the Hue and Saturation setting. Walt likes the "before" photo better but this is much more interesting side by side with the Venice photo in the next post.
I wish I had more time to work on photos, put an album together and blog about our trip but that will have to wait for spring break ... working full-time pretty much wipes out my creative energy!

Sixteen Days

When I arrived home from work one evening last week I found a package on our front porch ... our "Best of Italy" itinerary and ticket information.
Only sixteen days to get ready ... most of the shopping and "gathering" has been done. Now we're down to buying lightweight luggage and getting everything in them -- and still getting them zipped -- I have to remember there's a weight limit : )
With this extremely wet NW spring we've experienced this year it is nice to see that Italy is in the 80's right now. Hoping to enjoy some warmth and sunshine while there!