Hello! By the time you are reading this I will have been in Italy a few days…..though we had planned it some time ago, it was very much up in the air literally down to the last hour. As Teddy has gotten weaker, I was really torn about going but we made it a short trip (it is centered around a wedding in Lake Como). Teddy is in the best of hands so I know he is being well taken care of until I return.
Hope this posts on time while I am away. As stated on my last post I am only going to have 3 posts appear while I am gone. So here is my seven things this Sunday that have got my attention-
_____________
1 ONE BEAUTIFUL WEDDING The idea of a destination wedding sounds so dreamy. No doubt the logistics behind making it happen are more challenging but what a special way to get married. I thought this wedding in Lake Como was off the charts beautiful and considering that by the time you are reading this, that is where I will be, thought it was an appropriate wedding to feature today.
2 FAVORITE NEW RECIPE I shared a post on an alfresco dinner I hosted here and as you might know, love to experiment with new dishes. This one is AMAZINGLY good, it is lighter than most pastas and is excellent served either hot or cold. Originally from one of my favorite chefs, Ina Garten.
It is ever so slightly tweaked. Fresh peas are a must and the pesto I often double (and freeze half) for a future meal. I recommend using fresh pasta which you can buy in. most specialty stores and think even Whole Foods might have it now. It really does make the difference, do not be stingy with the Parmesan!
pasta of your choice I used fresh
only used half a package
Did not add this and did not miss it
I used a bit more
(I used fresh)
I only used 1/4 cups as sometimes think the taste can be overpowering
PESTO-
n
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Only at the end did I cook the pasta, fresh pasta cooks very fast and is best to cook right before serving.
Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature. This is an also an ideal dish for a picnic and amazingly good the next day, once its been refrigerated .
Pesto:
Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days
3 FLOWER POWER I was “in charge” of making the floral arrangements for my dear nieces bridal shower last week who is getting married next month. She wanted colorful and summery so I went to town and actually kind of went out of my comfort zone and boy was it fun!
I love the way they turned out, so summery and happy, they really were perfect for the waterside setting at my sister in laws beautiful home (who hosted), it really takes a village:) Here is a look from the very messy state of my kitchen aka makeshift florist to the finished product and even a video!
When I realized I need more flowers headed to my local Whole Foods who always helps me out in a pinch!
And I made one really big one in this gorgeous blue and white bowl for the food table-
And here is a little video clip of me in action (see, it isn’t always pretty)!
4 INSTAGRAMS OF INTEREST Such a beautiful round up this week. The inspiration on Instagram is spellbinding and can be highly addictive. Consider this the finalists for all my faves this past week.
5 GORGEOUS NEW PLANTERS AND HOLIDAY GIFTWRAP! So so many asked about these gorgeous antique planters I have owned for a while that I ended up having them made. It took months of a lot of back and forth and tweaking until we got it just right but we did! And thy are done. Will be here in about 4 weeks:)
And after much tweaking, the final holiday giftwrap designs are now complete….so thrilled with how they have come out. Here is a sneak peek-
6 TWO FABULOUS NEW DESIGN BOOKS! I love and collect design books of all kinds, one look around my home and you will find them pretty much in every room. Two new good ones worth getting if you don’t have them already. Chock full of eye candy from cover to cover.
7 SUNDAY’S SURVEY So have finally put the finishing touches on my holiday paper and am going for it! I love it and totally believe in it, I have done my “investigative research” and really do not think there is anything like it out in the marketplace and thanks to your feedback I feel confident that it will do really well. Sometimes in life you just have to go for it! What I really love about them is not only are the designs unique but love how they all mix and match so well:)
As the holiday wrap is for a limited window, I do not want to go too crazy so your input is as always very much appreciated. So I am going to ask you for your opinion in two polls…as always your input is most appreciated.
__________
There you have my wrap up this week. Hope you enjoyed it and really hope you enjoy your Sunday. If you want to follow along with me please visit my Instagram by clicking here. Thanks for stopping by, until next time….
I absolutely love the wrapping paper but didn’t see a place to vote for the ginger jar with the red bow, which is my favorite. I am still not receiving your blog in my email. HELP!
As long time lab owners, every time a beloved senior dog has gotten to about 12-12 1/2 years, we have gotten a new puppy. The idea started with the thought that the older one could teach the puppy how to behave and some of its good traits would rub off on the new one. What has happened is that the older dog suddenly gets a new lease on life and we’ve gotten several more years to love them! Just a thought! It has worked for us.
Actually, my favorite paper was the jars with RED bow, it that wasn’t a choice. There wasn’t paper both blue bows shown but I voted for it anyway, hoping that was really a typo for red bows ? Looking forward to seeing the planters soon.
Have you ever tried using the Trader Joe’s frozen spinach? It is freeze dried to you don’t need to wring out the water. It is also loose, not a block, so you can pull out a handful at a time to add to soup, sauces, omelets, pasta, etc.
I voted for ginger jar with blue bow, did you mean red? All beautiful choices. The above comment about getting a younger dog is interesting. Unless Teddy is ill, it may be a good idea. In any case, enjoy your trip and best wishes to your sweet dog.
Please check description. Ginger jar with red bow is not mentioned as option. There is an error should be red now not blue bow. I would vote for ginger jar with red bow. Also I think the wreath with green bow doesn’t show up. Maybe a red bow would be good. Already preordered Can’t wait for holiday.
Great job!!
Sending good vibes of healing prayers and a hug for Teddy. I really enjoyed visiting today, and looking forward to next time. Keep safe in Italy and be sure to post lots of pictures.
As far as wrapping paper…love the ginger jar with red bow and the red birds. Teddy with a red bow would be super-cute – Maybe next year! We all know how much people love their pets.
Thank you for the recipe, I voted but I think that the Ginger Jar with the blue bow is intended to be a red bow, which will be my wrapping paper this Christmas, all of them are so pretty that it is hard to narrow it down to one!
Enjoy Italy!!!
I love the ginger jars with the red bows and would love the wreaths with a red bow as you can’t see the green against the green.
The pictures of Italy are gorgeous! Enjoy your trip.
The book, “Monogramming for the Home” is very nice.
The papers are beautiful, but I like the idea of using the red & gold for all occasions, not just at holidays. At the end of the season i purchase multi-use wrapping paper, thereby always having something appropriate on hand. The red and gold is so versatile, as is the green and gold.
My favorite was actually ginger jar with RED bow which wasn’t mentioned! The pasta dish looks delicious. I wouldn’t have added the mayo either – not a fan! Sending positive thoughts for Teddy!
Shelley
Thinking of dear Teddy. We recently lost our 15-year-old retriever. It’s so hard to see them getting older and slowing down. Sending best wishes to you.
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Hello! By the time you are reading this I will have been in Italy a few days…..though we had planned it some time ago, it was very much up in the air literally down to the last hour. As Teddy has gotten weaker, I was really torn about going but we made it a short trip (it is centered around a wedding in Lake Como). Teddy is in the best of hands so I know he is being well taken care of until I return.
Hope this posts on time while I am away. As stated on my last post I am only going to have 3 posts appear while I am gone. So here is my seven things this Sunday that have got my attention-
_____________
1 ONE BEAUTIFUL WEDDING The idea of a destination wedding sounds so dreamy. No doubt the logistics behind making it happen are more challenging but what a special way to get married. I thought this wedding in Lake Como was off the charts beautiful and considering that by the time you are reading this, that is where I will be, thought it was an appropriate wedding to feature today.
2 FAVORITE NEW RECIPE I shared a post on an alfresco dinner I hosted here and as you might know, love to experiment with new dishes. This one is AMAZINGLY good, it is lighter than most pastas and is excellent served either hot or cold. Originally from one of my favorite chefs, Ina Garten.
It is ever so slightly tweaked. Fresh peas are a must and the pesto I often double (and freeze half) for a future meal. I recommend using fresh pasta which you can buy in. most specialty stores and think even Whole Foods might have it now. It really does make the difference, do not be stingy with the Parmesan!
PESTO-
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Only at the end did I cook the pasta, fresh pasta cooks very fast and is best to cook right before serving.
Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature. This is an also an ideal dish for a picnic and amazingly good the next day, once its been refrigerated .
Pesto:
Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days
3 FLOWER POWER I was “in charge” of making the floral arrangements for my dear nieces bridal shower last week who is getting married next month. She wanted colorful and summery so I went to town and actually kind of went out of my comfort zone and boy was it fun!
I love the way they turned out, so summery and happy, they really were perfect for the waterside setting at my sister in laws beautiful home (who hosted), it really takes a village:) Here is a look from the very messy state of my kitchen aka makeshift florist to the finished product and even a video!
When I realized I need more flowers headed to my local Whole Foods who always helps me out in a pinch!
And I made one really big one in this gorgeous blue and white bowl for the food table-
And here is a little video clip of me in action (see, it isn’t always pretty)!
4 INSTAGRAMS OF INTEREST Such a beautiful round up this week. The inspiration on Instagram is spellbinding and can be highly addictive. Consider this the finalists for all my faves this past week.
5 GORGEOUS NEW PLANTERS AND HOLIDAY GIFTWRAP! So so many asked about these gorgeous antique planters I have owned for a while that I ended up having them made. It took months of a lot of back and forth and tweaking until we got it just right but we did! And thy are done. Will be here in about 4 weeks:)
And after much tweaking, the final holiday giftwrap designs are now complete….so thrilled with how they have come out. Here is a sneak peek-
6 TWO FABULOUS NEW DESIGN BOOKS! I love and collect design books of all kinds, one look around my home and you will find them pretty much in every room. Two new good ones worth getting if you don’t have them already. Chock full of eye candy from cover to cover.
Click here to order
Click here to order
7 SUNDAY’S SURVEY So have finally put the finishing touches on my holiday paper and am going for it! I love it and totally believe in it, I have done my “investigative research” and really do not think there is anything like it out in the marketplace and thanks to your feedback I feel confident that it will do really well. Sometimes in life you just have to go for it! What I really love about them is not only are the designs unique but love how they all mix and match so well:)
As the holiday wrap is for a limited window, I do not want to go too crazy so your input is as always very much appreciated. So I am going to ask you for your opinion in two polls…as always your input is most appreciated.
__________
There you have my wrap up this week. Hope you enjoyed it and really hope you enjoy your Sunday. If you want to follow along with me please visit my Instagram by clicking here. Thanks for stopping by, until next time….
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I absolutely love the wrapping paper but didn’t see a place to vote for the ginger jar with the red bow, which is my favorite. I am still not receiving your blog in my email. HELP!
Love and good wishes for Teddy .
I love all your recipes, is there away for you to link them to Pinterest? Thanks so much.
Have a great time Tina! I am sure Teddy is well taken care of. Love the 7 on Sunday posts, always so much eye candy!
As long time lab owners, every time a beloved senior dog has gotten to about 12-12 1/2 years, we have gotten a new puppy. The idea started with the thought that the older one could teach the puppy how to behave and some of its good traits would rub off on the new one. What has happened is that the older dog suddenly gets a new lease on life and we’ve gotten several more years to love them! Just a thought! It has worked for us.
Oh, poor dear Teddy. Bless his heart. I know you would only leave him in kind, loving hands. Enjoy your time in Lake Como. It is so beautiful!
Actually, my favorite paper was the jars with RED bow, it that wasn’t a choice. There wasn’t paper both blue bows shown but I voted for it anyway, hoping that was really a typo for red bows ? Looking forward to seeing the planters soon.
Poor Teddy; hope he feels better.. He’s such a sweetheart…
I’m going to try that new dish this week for a picnic.. Looks like a great recipe. The fact you used cavatelli made my mouth water. Good combination
the pix on my email shows ginger jar with red bow which would have been my first choice but that is not listed on the voting options )says blue bow)
Have you ever tried using the Trader Joe’s frozen spinach? It is freeze dried to you don’t need to wring out the water. It is also loose, not a block, so you can pull out a handful at a time to add to soup, sauces, omelets, pasta, etc.
Sending positive vibes your way that Teddy is going to be ok! Our hearts hurt when our fur babies are not well! The gift wrap is gorgeous!! Well done!
I LOVE the ginger jar with the red bow but it was not listed!
I voted for ginger jar with blue bow, did you mean red? All beautiful choices. The above comment about getting a younger dog is interesting. Unless Teddy is ill, it may be a good idea. In any case, enjoy your trip and best wishes to your sweet dog.
I hope you will give all of your readers sufficient ttime to order the wrap for Christmas! ?
GINGER JAR WITH THE RED BOW IS MY CHOICE. IT WAS NOT LISTED.
My favorite was the ginger jars with red bows but didn’t see that as a choice in the voting.
Please check description. Ginger jar with red bow is not mentioned as option. There is an error should be red now not blue bow. I would vote for ginger jar with red bow. Also I think the wreath with green bow doesn’t show up. Maybe a red bow would be good. Already preordered Can’t wait for holiday.
Great job!!
Sending good vibes of healing prayers and a hug for Teddy. I really enjoyed visiting today, and looking forward to next time. Keep safe in Italy and be sure to post lots of pictures.
Loved the ginger jars with the RED bows, but there wasn’t a choice for that one…can’t wait to see them out on your site!!!
My heart flipped when you mentioned poor Teddy. Hope all will be well when you return home.
The wedding in Como is simply breathtaking! Do you know where the details of the wedding can be found? Thanks
As far as wrapping paper…love the ginger jar with red bow and the red birds. Teddy with a red bow would be super-cute – Maybe next year! We all know how much people love their pets.
Praying for your baby,Teddy
The ginger jar with red bow is my favorite too. I voted for the “blue” box assuming it was suppose to be for the red bow.
Xoxo to Teddy!
Thank you for the recipe, I voted but I think that the Ginger Jar with the blue bow is intended to be a red bow, which will be my wrapping paper this Christmas, all of them are so pretty that it is hard to narrow it down to one!
Enjoy Italy!!!
The recipe would be wonderful to try if there had been a PRINT BUTTON in place so that it could be shared with us.
I love the ginger jars with the red bows and would love the wreaths with a red bow as you can’t see the green against the green.
The pictures of Italy are gorgeous! Enjoy your trip.
The book, “Monogramming for the Home” is very nice.
The papers are beautiful, but I like the idea of using the red & gold for all occasions, not just at holidays. At the end of the season i purchase multi-use wrapping paper, thereby always having something appropriate on hand. The red and gold is so versatile, as is the green and gold.
Ginger jar with ‘Red’ bow is your best
My favorite was actually ginger jar with RED bow which wasn’t mentioned! The pasta dish looks delicious. I wouldn’t have added the mayo either – not a fan! Sending positive thoughts for Teddy!
Shelley
Thinking of dear Teddy. We recently lost our 15-year-old retriever. It’s so hard to see them getting older and slowing down. Sending best wishes to you.
Love to Teddy.He is in my prayers.
Debbie
I like the Ginger jar with the red bow but didn’t see a place to vote for that. I voted for Blue – assuming that was to be red.
Agreed..No place to vote for Ginger Jar with Red Bow..My Fav as well.
Your floral arrangements are perfecto!!! franki