Our Pedernales River View

Enjoyed a day of simple pleasures with my mother today. Painted this (16 x 20 canvas) from a photo of our VILLA TEXAS river place south of Fredericksburg. My first attempt in acrylics---pretty different from watercolor or oils. Can't wait to build my art studio with this view! Anxious to plant a few olive trees to replace some of our lost lavender plants!

Viva Italia Speaking Event

I just returned from speaking to Viva Italia, a group of Italy lovers in the Austin area. We gathered at Asti Trattoria for a delightful lunch---the "polenta bowl with mushrooms and eggplant" for me! Then, I got to tell my "story"---how I was smitten with Italy fever while in graduate architecture school, long ago. How I fell in love with Italy amid Roman ruins and Palladian villas and the rolling hills of Tuscany, plus the food, the people, the lifestyle.

COOKBOOK: 50 Great Appetizers

Love a book title that says it all! Pamela Sheldon Johns' numerous cookbooks always delight and inspire, but this one is well-versed the way I like to eat---in small bites, a sampling of this and that---makes me happy every time. Her Food Artisans site will carry you to her family's villa property in Tuscany near Montepulciano, Agriturismo Poggio Etrusco. Find lodging, food and wine workshops, and olive oil.

Olympian Swimmer Garrett Weber-Gale in Italy

A friend of a friend of mine is gold medal olympian swimmer, Garrett Weber-Gale, and what's not to love about seeing Garrett swim, cook and eat like the self-described "athletic foodie" that he is---while in Italy.