Dreaming of Capri

On this cold winter's day it seems like the thing to do.

This summer I had an amazing vacation in 

Italy with daughter Kim and my granddaughter

 Kristina. We were celebrating Kristina's 

graduation from Texas A&M. They flew

 here to Ft. Lauderdale from Dallas a day

 ahead so that we could all fly to Italy 

together. Our first stop CAPRI. Actually
Rome airport, then a driver to Naples
then a ferry to Capri, then the shuttle
to the hotel. So a long day. 

But this made it worth it! 

This is the view from our room.

Yes! Amazing!

The trip was magical! Everything about it.

The views, the food, the sights, and best of

all was the people we met that made the trip

 such a memorable experience.

 It all just clicked.

Capri is a beautiful island off the 

coast of Italy. It's part of the Amalfi coast.

 Breathtaking. 

 We would walk the small alleyways into 

town. Good steep hillside exercise that 

helped to offset

all the good food and wine. Of course

there was pizza for lunch.

 The weather was cool enough for 

walking everywhere.

Every turn and step 

(and there were plenty of steps)

was filled with flowers and fruit trees.

This is a real lemon tree trellis. I 

tried to think of a way to bring one home.

The lemon trees were everywhere. 

 Every home had a yard that was put to good 

use. Each one had a beautiful garden filled 

with vegetable, herbs, and fruit. 

I loved looking at them all.

 Just one of the many beautiful garden doors.

We always chose our restaurants with a view.

While siting at an outdoor cafe we were

able to enjoy this Catholic Church celebration.

Wonderful to see and hear the splendor.

Back in our room each evening to enjoy the 

sunsets and freshen up and change for dinner.

Then it's back into town for more adventures.

The nights in Capri were just that! 

Our fabulous evenings in Capri...next post.

Cheers!

Links: Between Naps on The Porch

A Lovely Family Tradition

My good friend and tennis partner today was

 telling me about her plans for celebrating 

Rosh Hashanah with her family tonight:

her menu, her large family that would be
there, and all her preparations. It sounded
wonderful so I stopped by her house after
tennis to get a look. Iphone pics for you.

 Her table was set with family heirlooms.

The best part, I think, was the tradition 

started by her mother of gifting every 

new member in their family with a 

silver wine chalice. A Kiddush cup.

 New babies, and new brides or grooms

were all presented with their own.

And here's the best part II. At each family 

celebration they would use their goblets. 

They would be dropped off ahead of time.

Each one was different.

Some were monogramed.

There were 19 here for 

tonight's dinner .

Two tables were set up.

 Her mother's silver tea and coffee set.

 One with her mother's silverware and gold
rimmed china.

The other with her mother's

Spode china.

 This is Spode Copeland in the
 'Patricia' pattern.

Handled soup bowls ready to be filled

waited in the kitchen. Both sets

had matching soup bowls. So pretty.

 White roses in the center of the tables. 

 One of the items on the menu was 

my Fabulous Fall Salad. I had given her 

the recipe and she hadn't tried it yet. 

It will be served without the chicken 

because it will not be an entree salad.

 I hope it was a hit.

L'shanah tovah!

Cheers to Traditions!

update: The salad was a hit and everyone
 went home with a copy of the recipe. :)

Links: Facebook,
Savvy Southern Style,
Between Naps on The Porch

March Review

Last month I went green.....
decoratively speaking.

Starting with March mug shots at the 

coffee station 

and an Irish blessing printable.  

 A change of dishes and paper in the
March kitchen cabinet.

More green on the sofa table vignette.

 Kitchen counter and a
Happy St. Patrick's Day sign.

I shared a few of my Rules For Life.

I shared my idea of a perfect dinner.

 The cornice shelf in the breakfast area.

 Spring blue and yellow in the dining room.

 I put oyster shells in the apothecary jar

 on the ever-changing counter tray.

Easter arrived early this year so I did an

 end of the month dish change in the cabinet.

Lastly the sofa table was given it's

Spring look with lots of tea pots.

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 here to continue.

Spring Cheer!

Links: Savvy Southern Style
Somewhat Simple
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Between Naps On The Porch
My Romantic Home

Snacks From My Childhood

I remember cream cheese on toast

 with hot cocoa.

My mother would make this for me.

It was the perfect 'after-school snack'

or 'come-in-from-the-cold' snack,

and 'before bedtime' snack.

I would make this for my daughter, 

and she would make it for her daughter.

 So, this afternoon when I wanted a little 

something, but couldn't put my finger on it

 I remembered this.

 Cream cheese on toast....

so simple and yet so satisfying.

My favorite cocoa mix made with hot milk.

I sat and remembered.

Cheers to all the Great Grandmothers, 

 Grandmothers, Daughters, Mothers

 and Great Granddaughters!

Links: The Charm Of Home