Happiness

That's one of my secrets for a happy life!
Trying to see things throught pink lenses, enjoy every day like kids do.

And I still do 'silly, childish' things every now and then.

 

Life is good, and it's better if you smile!

 

 

 

 

Summer vacations anyone?

Life is busy. I am running errands everyday.
I had a promotion, I am travelling (not much but still), we are house hunting and have a couple of amazing 'secret' projects we are working at.

That said, a few days ago we realised Summer it's just around the corner. Like most Italians, our Summer break will be August (just 1 month away!).

This mean we will not be able to plan any exotic, tropical, paradise escape: over priced, packed or difficult to organise with such short time.

It's a pity. But this is how life goes. And to be honest, we do need any special place to have fun and wnjoy ourself. Even the small lake around the corner can be the most beautiful and relaxed place if taken with the right attitude and look at with different eyes.

Being able to take 3 weeks off and travel (despite the destination) is still a luxury to me.

Honestly I need to admit that we are not stuck at home.....since the New Year Break we have been to Barcellona, L'Aquila, San Remo, Oxford and many other places.

Therefore, I should not complain...

handwritten words

 

I miss written letters

I miss postcards

I miss the excitement over that white, crumpled envelop with stamps.

But this is how things develop; technology is changing our way to communicate, talking is easy and cheap with Whatsapp, saying “happy birthday” via Facebook takes only 30 seconds and you do not have to bother to remember your friend’s birthday as FB will tell you that.

Although owning 2 laptops and two smartphones, I still love handwriting.

In fact, I have an agenda where I wrote all my appointments and notes. I have a little notebook where I scribble my thoughts, my dreams and my ideas.  I write love notes to husband very frequently.

And from time to time I draw and paint. I cannot imagine my life with no pens and colours.

A friend who live in France had a baby boy recently and I’ve sent her a little present and a written a letter. Yes, an hand written letter.

When she received it, she call me back saying that despite the beautiful present, she appreciated more (and found a bit weird as well), my handletter!

Funny enough. These new techologies are still new. I mean, it’s not that we stop write like 100 years ago!  And it is difficult for me to have a world with not the combination of both the 'old and new' way of communication.

For sure you’ll always find the latest piece of technology in my house but you’ll also find notebooks, pens, colours, papers. It is something I still love doing so much.

What do you think about handwritten messages, letters and postcards?

Do you miss it?

 

 

Happy birthday to him

 

My beloved turned 40 this weekend.
we book a weekend escape by the seaside.

We cycled, wine, dine and enjoy each other company so much.
I cannot have enough of him.
He is the joy of my life: my best friend, my lover, my light, my soul.

 

 

Peanut Butter, the unknow

(recipe below)

Oh, yes. Peanut butter is almost unknow in Italy. But nowadays the variaty of food from all over the world is more easy to get. In fact, I got a little vase of peanut batter at the local supermarket.

Not that I am new to it (tought I’ve tried for the first time while living in the UK 10 years ago. But as an Italian, I prefer (and are very proud of) of our Nutella (the halzenut chocolate spread).

Anyway.....I had some friends with teens kids coming over last evening and I wanted to make an efford for the youngest guests. I’ve browser pinterest and Martha Steward’s web site and somehow found this recipe somewhere...on the net.....

I made truffles! Not because I am lazy or lack in coking skills! Just had no time as a I am full time worker and had been informed about the guests just the previous day.

I wanted to do something quick but impressive. And the good thing about truffles is that you can cover them with many different flavours like coconut, cocoa powder, almonds, and halzenut. In the recipe I’ve tried, I gave a try with Peanut Butter! But let me tell you that as we also were 4 adults, I made a few with Grappa and Grand Marnier filling :-)


Here is the recipe that makes about 12-15 truffles, but can easily be multiplied if you’re cooking for a large group.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

Ingredients
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup crushed pretzels + extra for topping
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
sea salt (optional)

How-to
In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, 1 cup crushed pretzels, butter and powdered sugar. Stir with a spoon until well combined.

Keep half the mixture aside divide it in two portions. Add some Grappa in one, and some Grand Marnier in the other [because adults needs some treats too!].

Form balls from two teaspoons of peanut butter/pretzel mixture and place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or non-sticky paper. Pop it in the fridge to chill for 30-45 minutes.

Place your chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted and smooth. Roll each peanut butter ball in chocolate until covered, shake off any excess and place back on the non-sticky paper. Sprinkle with pretzel crumbs while the chocolate is still wet. If you really like salty treats, you can sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top of the truffles too.

When all the truffles have been covered in chocolate, place the baking sheet back in the freezer until the chocolate is set.

Let me just tell you that there were no left overs!

His comment

Never underestimate a comment from a man on the way you dress.
He may not be most stilish person you know but he may be telling you some horrible truth or at least speak for that multitude of men out there.

Do you care anyway?

I accept any input and feedback as no comment is stupid...
But I have to admit that I would better accept it if the source, or better, the man making this statement should at least have some good taste, a basic knowledges of style (or at least colour and style matching) and not be a kind of freak.

What do you think about it?


Picture credit: The devil wears Prada