Mediterranean Bean Salad

After accepting a last minute invitation to a July 4th BBQ, and in need of grocery shopping; I scouted though my pantry and found ingredients for what turned out to be one of the favorite side dishes of the day! When my son tasted it he said, "It is very Mediterranean." Hence the name of my creation.

1 can of chick peas
1 can of Northerner beans
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 medium green pepper, diced
1/2 medium Vadalia onion, diced
3 full sprigs of fresh parsley, minced
4 tbl. red wine vinegar
4 tbl. balsamic vinegar
2 tbl. olive oil

Mix all ingredients; allow to chill and marinate for several hours before serving.

Some of the Food I Grow

I have already harvested to heads of broccoli and am anxious to harvest zucchini, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers. I have never had such a healthy crop of mint before!

'Tis the Season for Golf and Weddings

It was a two cake Saturday today. I made a golf theme cake for a friend's 28th birthday and a small wedding cake for a friend of my daughter who is getting married tomorrow,on the Summer Solstice. I thought sunflowers would be fitting. The cake is a surprise so I hope the bride likes it.

Knitter's Delight

Just a little break from cakes. This truffle is made with leftover cake from the Blue's cake, Cool Whip, chocolate mousse and raspberries that were picked from my daughter's yard in the fall and frozen.

Two cakes to make for this weekend!

Miss A is One Today!

When Ava was born our son gave out little boxes of crayons with Ava's stats on them instead of cigars or candies, so today I decided it would be appropriate for her to have a crayon cake.

This should be the last cake I bake for a little while. Now, back to cooking!

Castle Cake

Completed cake....................

Close-up of top layer's detail..................


Close-up of the middle section's detail...........


Close-up of the bottom layer's detail.



There has been more baking than cooking going on in Nonna's kitchen lately. This confection creation is for Miss A.'s first birthday, which we will celebrate tomorrow. The cake took five cake recipes, and an enormous amount of frosting. All total I would venture to say I invested ten hours into baking and decorating this castle. The decorating portion took five hours, but I enjoyed it and I would make this cake again!

She Likes It................

Camryn liked the Blue's Clues cake I made for her. It was total happiness watching her two year old self enjoy her birthday cake!