Favorite time of year

 One of my favorite times of year in Italy is when the wild poppies decide to "pop" up ~ 

What is yours? 

Wild sheep grazing in the Venetian countryside ~ 

And lastly a lone donkey eating his lunch ~ 

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Mother's Day

Yes, I bought this tiramisu for myself today as I am a mamma to be. It's not usually that in Italy they celebrate for Mamma's to be also, but I believe in it and thought I'd treat myself to a slice of tiramisu! 

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's to be as well as to the Mother's!!!

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Fill-er up, please. . .

Not only do we buy our produce and meats locally but also our vino! 

The quality is so much better than store bought wine and you can't beat the price either. 

Here is a local cantina in town where we buy our wine. 

I took a few photos to share with you. 

Why America doesn't have something like this is beyond me! 

If you would like to taste some of the wines before you purchase it feel free and have some fresh baked "pane" while you are at it :) 

Salami, Sopressa or Cotechino anyone?

Let the fun begin! How cool is this???! 

Choose which type of vino you would like and she will filler up! 

Pretty wine barrels with art designs on them ~ 

Just how much does wine cost in a local cantina? Glera which is a Prosecco is 1.10 euro per liter. So lets do the math. 3 L = a gallon right? 3.30 for a gallon of Prosecco! Did I mention its home made?!

If you are in a hurry or if you are buying some wine for a friend you can also buy it bottled and ready to go. 

Italian vineyards in April ~ 

Spring is just around the corner. . . Hopefully, it is Spring already but here in the North of Italy its more like a repeat of Winter. But seeing these flowers give me hope :) 

A retired bicycle put to good use ~ 

Xoxoxo

Simplicity

I've been living in Italy for almost two years now and one thing for certain I've learned is that the Italian Food is amazingly delicious and quite simple to make. . 

Fresh ingredients and nothing ever processed. There are of course processed foods but not nearly as many items to chose from as in America. 

And who wants processed anyways?? When you can have fresh from the ground! 

Down below is a photo of our dinner two nights ago. 

Homemade Salami that we always buy from a local farmer in the area with homemade polenta. 

( As most of my readers know, I am pregnant and so therefore am not able to eat Salami and don't worry, I didn't I chose the fresh cucumbers and tomatoes instead) 

Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes dressed with only three ingredients!! Olive oil, white vinegar and salt. 
So simple and refreshing!!! 

Surely using simple and fresh ingredients you too, can prepare and cook like the Italians do wherever you are in this beautiful world. 

Xoxoxoxo

Vintage ~

There are many antique or vintage shops around Veneto but none of them have particularly caught my attention except of course until I walked into this one. It was like walking into "Old America"

It's nice and humbling to see that Old and New American items are so popular here in Italy. There is quite a demand for things that maybe we take for granted. 

A pair of old, used Levi's? Sure, only will cost you 70 euros.. 

Are you in the market to purchase old American military items? Look no further! 

Love the display ~ 

Love the old tin goods 

Patriotic cookie cutters, anyone?? 

I remember my grandparents collection of silver spoons of every state.Brought back a lot of memories for me.

Vinyl Record player and oh Chicago! 

Duck decoys ~ Had to take this photo for my Dad who probably has a few duck decoys himself...

Only 10cents for a Tom's Delicious sandwhich or Tom's roasted peanuts!! 

An old rolex? Took this one for my brother who is an amazing photographer

http://www.randybphotography.com

And last but not least ~ Clippings from old newspapers or magazines. Only 50 euros for a large clipping and 35 euros for small ~ 

All in all it was a beautiful, old, vintage shop to look through and reminiscence  Maybe, even a couple of business ideas :) 

Xoxo

Motor Bike Expo - Verona 2013

For all of the motorcycle lovers out there ~ 

I went to the Verona Moto Bike Expo on  a cold, snowy day in January ~

Have you ever seen anything like this before? An engine serving beer? Too cool! 

Sunday stroll in Caorle ~

There's something about visiting the sea in the Winter. 

It seems so much more peaceful and relaxing. 

We decided to go for a early morning stroll in Caorle. Was a bit chilly but too beautiful to pass up. 

 Love the beach houses and apartments ~ Splashes of color everywhere ! 

 Panoramic view ~ Gorgeous Winter day for a walk along the beach

We decided to have lunch a little outside of Caorle as I am not much of a seafood fan and well we frankly don't like to eat "tourist" food. 

We went to a lovely ristorante that serves mainly bbq plates but also a little of everything. 

Have a look at the menu and see if you can understand it :) Italian lesson of the day! Haha

 Can you believe the prices for vino? Talk about affordable!! 

 Loved how the Prosecco was delivered to our table ~ 

 Italy never ceases to surprise me ~ Love the idea. 

 Fresh, cold Prosecco, anyone? 

 Marco had ribs and potatoes and I had Sausage and potatoes. Simple

and amazing in flavor. I devoured my plate before I could remember to take a photo~ 

Must be the pregnancy ehehehe. 

 Our view from our table ~ Such a charming ristorante ~ 

All in all we had a wonderful time in Caorle ~

If you haven't visited Caorle, you should definitely put it on your list of places to travel :) 

Xoxo