Florence Part I

The Arno River

Bikes waiting for their tour participants - not us!  We were off to a wonderful and inspiring cooking class!

Ready, set, cook!  We attended The Food & Wine Academy of Florence - definitely a thumbs up!!!!

We made EVERYTHING by hand (did I mention it was terribly HOT and HUMID during our entire trip?)  I'm whisking up some egg whites for tiramisu

My tiramisu

There were over 20 people in our class - we made a whole mess of ravioli and noodles

Very proud!  My ravioli!

Ravioli with a sage butter sauce

Bruschetta

We also made a bolognese sauce from ingredients we found at the market earlier in the day

Florence

The Basilica in Florence

Florence

View across the Arno River from our hotel

Big soccer game when we were in Florence - such country pride in their team - there were big screen TV's all over town

Florence at night

LOVED, loved, loved gelato in San Gimignano (BTW, the gelato wasn't the only thing I loved about San Gimignano - it was a fabulous, go back to town)

When gelato is this beautiful you just can't settle for one

Ahhhh, yes strawberry gelato

The San Gimignano Piazza

Tuscan countryside taken from the parking lot at San Gimignano

I love architecture!

Back in Florence

 

Ahhhhh, Venice

Venice was one of the highlights of our trip.  The bascillca was so beautiful inside, I wish we could have taken pictures of the floor to soaring ceiling mosaics.

On our way to Murano to see some glass.

 View from the hotel's rooftop terrace

 The gondola ride was a favorite...

 Grand Canal

 More Grand Canal

I LOVED the glass!

I want at least one of these...

Venetian masks adorned many, many shops - they were so elaborate. 

Italy Treasures & Unexpected Finds

Things felt more special in Italy - the colorful stick adorned our gelato one day.  The smaller stick came in a drink - if you look closely, threads are woven between beads.  After all, it's the little things....

My diploma from The Food & Wine Academy of Florence. Such a special day.  Now, to whip up some pasta...

I couldn't resist these butterfly earrings - I think I can recreate them.

Murano Glass - I had to get a necklace and earrings and the ornament to adorn my Christmas tree this year.

Street vendors were everywhere making these necklaces.  They even had intricate wire guitars that they personalized - one is now in my guitar loving nephew's bedroom.

I had to get this silk tie for my dad, the airplane lover.

Doodles

My VERY talented graphic artist friend who stayed at my house while I was gone left these behind for me.  Thanks E!  I've never seen a rock look so lovely.

I had to have this olive wood ladle - it even smells like olives!  Luggage space was limited so I brought back very small things like this 3" diameter olive dish - the quality is fabulous!  I have painted olives on a plate before so I can truly appreciate the painter's skill on this bowl.

Bandanna Bonanza!

So cute and so simple!  The bandannas are adhered to the table with fusible web - just heat it up with an iron and you're 'set'.  Since this is from the Aleene's Craft Club archives, the Aleene's Hot Stitch Fusible Web and Aleene's Acrylics are no longer available - just substitute a fusible web and a good quality acrylic paint.

Make Your Own Baby Keepsake

Here's the perfect box for a baby shower gift or as a handy place to keep all those little mementos...

From the Aleene's Craft Club archives.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Summer Time Flip Flops

Here's a little trip down Memory Lane from the good ol' days of Aleene's Craft Club.  Enjoy!

Butterfly Sandollar

Check it out - just when I said I was going to 'cut back' on butterfly things, look what I found on the beach!!!  Is it a sign????  Wonder what I can creative with it...

Kalanchoe 'Pink Butterflies' Succulent

A friend and I recently attended a succulent show in San Luis Obispo, CA and I fell in love with this amazing plant.  I loved the look, decided to purchase it and then looked at the name.  What are the chances???  It's called Kalanchoe 'Pink Butterflies'. The Butterfly Girl has struck again!  I swear I'm cutting back on butterfly things...

Great thing about this plant is, I can make more plants just by placing one of the leaves in some soil.  Can't wait to share with friends!

Creating a Monarch Waystation

In case you hadn't noticed, I LOVE butterflies.  I can trace my fascination back as far as a drawing assignment in college. The assignment was to draw a self portrait and add something to it that represented me.  I remember kind of fighting the assignment because I didn't want to 'foul-up' my self portrait by adding something. I don't remember consciously picking a butterfly but none-the-less there it was. Well, these many, many years later, beautiful butterflies are very much present in my life.  So, when I recently saw an article about creating a Monarch waystation, I immediately ordered the kit filled with seeds to grow different milkweeds, sages, Mexican Sunflower, etc., etc.  The website where I purchased the kit www.MonarchWatch.org has so much information about Monarchs.  I can even certify my Monarch waystation but until then, pardon me while I go find the perfect place to plant my seeds.

Joan