Cruces de España

In looking through the pictures from my recent trip to Spain, I noticed an inordinate amount of crosses. Of course there are churches everywhere - as in any European country. I visited Madrid, Toledo, Acala de Henares, Barcelona & Tarragona. The following is a sampleing from these beautiful cities and villages.

Pumpkin Cappucino with Porcini Air

Pumpkin Cappucino with Porcini Air makes the perfect fall appetizer! I am just back from a few nights at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, where we were treated to a fantastic time in the kitchen with Sergi Arola, the two Michelin star chef of the Hotel Arts. We ate and ate and ate! But the Pumpkin Cappucino with Porcini air was the clear standout for me! Absolutely amazing!! I boldly asked if I could feature his recipe here for you! And so, make, share, enjoy!

Pumpkin Soup

- 1 kg peeled and seedles pumpkin

- 50 gr finely chopped onion

- 1 minced garlic clove

- 4 tbsp Extra virgen olive oil

- 2 pieces cayenes “guindilla”

- 250 ml heavy cream

- ½ tsp Nutmeg

- 100 ml tangerine juice

- 100 ml carrot juice

- salt and pepper

Procedure:

• Sauté, onions, garlic, cayenes and pumpkin. Bring vegetables until golden brown.
• Deglaze the pan with carrot juice and targerine juice.
• Bring it to a boil and add heavy cream and seasoning. (Bay leaf) optional.
• Blend the soup and strain.
• You can adjust the consistency adding more vegetable stock.

Porcini Air

- ½ kg porcini mushroom

- 2 pieces minced shallots

- 1 mined garlic clove

- 250 ml vegetable stock

- thyme and rosemary

- salt and pepper

Procedure:

• Sauté the mushrooms with shallots and garlic. Deglaze with vegetable stock and add thyme and rosemary.
• Let infused the vegetable stock with the mushroom for 2 hours.
• Blend and strain.
• Put 10 grms of soy lecitine powder per 1 lt of stock. Use a small turmix to enhance the mix. Let it rest and take the air to put on top of the soup.

• 

Sergi with his staff. Fantastic chef with a vibrant kitchen. To reserve the chef's table and experience this first hand....give me a call!

A Room With a View

Usually, when going to Florence, the view is not really as important as the location. Most people just want to be in the middle of town so they are close to everything. Florence is NOT that big! You can comfortably stay on the South side of the river and enjoy a gorgeous view of the city from a tranquil villa on a hill.

Villa la Vedetta has 17 beautifully appointed rooms, GORGEOUS grounds, a fantastic pool, the perfect deck for watching the sun set on Florence and a top gastronomic restaurant. Basically, it has it all. Their Vista Suite (pictured) has massive windows looking on the city and can accommodate up to 4 people with a king bed downstairs and a convertible sofa upstairs.

The pool too is a fantastic way to unwind in the afternoons – following a full day of sites and shopping. Not many hotels in Florence have a pool, so this really is a treat – especially in those hot summer months!

Really, Villa la Vedetta was one of my favorite hotels of this past trip. I really loved everything about it.

Artisan Papers

Have you ever wondered how they got the cool designs on the binding of old books? I love finding a book in a flea market or something that has that marbling on it….books were so valued that even the binding of them was a work of art! The same technique is employed to dye paper for various other uses. Made throughout Europe even into the 19th century, marbled-paper making survives today almost exclusively in Florence with its old artisan economy grafted onto the airborne tourist trade of today. Nothing is lighter or easier to take home than a sheet of handmade carta marmorizzata, which sells in Florence's marbled paper shops for less than $8.

Basically, a resin or a glue is added to a specially designed basin. Then drops of pigment are flicked or drizzled into the basin. The artist creates his pattern in the pigments and then lightly dips the paper in the glue bath. After the colored paper is lifted gently from its bath, it is patted, sponged, combed or brushed into patterns. The three most popular are peacock's tail, combed or marbled. Of the 200 or so sheets usually obtained from one basin, no two are ever alike. Each is a work of art that can then be cut and glued to agendas, blotters, bookends and all the paraphernalia to enhance desks and the even more elusive art of writing.

There are a lot of paper shops in Florence. Let me know if you would like a demonstration with the artisan – and you can design your own marbled paper. I picked these up as gift for a friend who highly values the written word. It will be hard to part with them!!

SuperTub Tuesday!

SO, one of the super cool things about traveling is experiencing fantastic BATHTUBS! (NOTE: Faru Faru Tub) Sounds funny, but a super hot soak after a long day of sightseeing can be one of the best parts of the day….with the right elements of course.

Palazzo Sasso treated me right on my recent visit to Ravello! WOW, I NEEDED THAT! Sparkeling wine, a luscious plate of fruit, Chopin dancing through the air and a view to die for. Bliss! There were some seriosly fantastic tubs along the coast, but this one of course won me over!

I know this post IS about the bathtub, but the rest of the Infinito Suite is just so fantastic that I have to share! The appointments, the architecture, the terrace and the views all make for the perfect retreat on the Amalfi Coast!

Press shot:

A fairytale hotel in a beautiful medieval village on the coast of Italy. Life is good! Thanks Aaron!

When in Rome...

The right guide is crucial! Whatever you do, DON’T do a group tour of anything….always use a private guide. It is absolutely worth it, and the cost is usually not much more...if at all.

Who has seen the Sistine Chapel? How many people were in there with you? Could you really see it? Could you hear your guide? Were you squished in like sardines? Did you get to go into the’ cry room’? All reasons to have a private guide.

We met our guide at the gate of the Vatican Museum at 7:45 AM – it was our first day in Rome, so we were up early anyway as our internal clocks had not reset. Because we had a reservation and we were there early, we were the first in the doors. Our guide whisked us quickly to the Sistine Chapel. Jaw dropping. The lights were still on in the chapel for cleaning, so we got to see it all lit up. We were the ONLY people in there. The guards let us take pictures. WE were able to sit and soak in the splendor of this masterpiece without people pushing in on us or the ruckus of a thousand voices.

Our guide was also able to take us into the ‘Crying Room’ or ‘The Room of Tears’. It is not open to the public, but a well connected guide means super special access for you!

Besides starting the day off perfectly with this Sistine experience, our guide was able to whisk us down back hallways etc to avoid ANY lines or waiting as we took in The Vatican. Some people waited for upwards of 2 hours to get into St. Peter’s – we walked right in. ETC.

The right guide too is suited to your personality and pace and can read you well to know how to adjust.

So, when in Rome…make sure you have the right guide!

Glorious!

This is just one of those GLORIOUS work from home days!

It has been AWEsome to watch it snow ALL DAY while WRR (my radio station...) has been playing perfect music.

I love my job!
Zoe is quite enamored as well!

PS: For those of you who aren't from Dallas...this is very very rare...thus the wonder!

Sorting Out Laguna

I am not a surfer, but after spending the weekend in Laguna Niguel, I think it is worth trying! The waves are GORGEOUS and the surfers were out in droves. I think half the fun might just be sitting out on your boards, yacking with the other surfers and waiting for the perfect wave to take you in. Sounds like fun to me!

NOW, about the hotels….WOW! The Ritz Carlton has the best beach, best surf access and best sundowner terrace….spacious beautiful rooms, a great restaurant, amazing spa, and super cool ‘star’ gazing…just ask me.
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LagunaNiguel/Default.htm

This is the view from my balcony at the Ritz Carlton....sigh.

While it is sunny, January does get a little chilly at times so the plethora of fireplaces and firepits give a warmth that is really awesome. What is it about fire and water that we people love so much???

The Montage is my second favorite. I know I know – most people prefer the Montage. Don’t get me wrong – it IS fantastic. I do love how it sits on the cliffs and you really hear the ocean crashing in. I do love the bungalows with fireplaces and awesome decks with ocean views. I do love the beautiful mosaic pool – kept to 82 degrees year-round. I do love the restaurant and the staff is truly fantastic. OK, maybe it’s a tie between Montage and the Ritz Carlton. They are both great....I guess you just need to try both and decide for yourself.
http://www.montagelagunabeach.com/

A newcomer that really wowed me and surprised me is Pelican Hill. Brand spankin’ new and GORGEOUS! Bungalows and villas all have top top notch appointments, breathtaking views, generous space, etc. Since they are so new, they are offering some amazing rates that include golf and spa. Their kids program is over the top. This is a great choice for families!

The town of Laguna is fantastic too – great shops and restaurants. We had dinner at k’ya -http://www.kyarestaurant.com/laguna/index_laguna.html .

Fun people watching, great food, live piano, loads of fun.

It is such an easy weekend from Dallas - or even a great longer family vacation with tons to do nearby - San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, SURF, museums, Seaworld, golf, tennis, ETC.....Loads to do!