Archive for November, 2010
Mushrooming-via Santa Rosa Interior Design
Posted by Irene Turner in Entertaining Sonoma Style, Nature on November 30, 2010
As prep for a photo shoot, and as an experience for my up coming book on Slow Home, I went with a community of friends this cloudy and chilly morning to forage for mushrooms at the ranch in Calistoga. Cold, wet and way to early we met outside of Willow Wood Market Cafe in Graton and watched the sunrise as we drove over the hill and into the woods. It was definitely worth the early morning wake up call!
Foraging for mushrooms is an art, and a topic one must study extensively before attempting to do on one’s own. Mushrooms, at best, are one of the most delicious foods around, and at worst, incredibly poisonous. I am lucky enough to live in a part of the country that has many mushroom aficionado’s! Today, for my first experience foraging, three mushroom experts came with me to introduce me to the local species. Continue reading “Mushrooming-via Santa Rosa Interior Design” »
Thanksgiving Decorating-with Gratitude!
Posted by Irene Turner in Holidays on November 23, 2010
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, my very favorite! I like that it isn’t about gifts, more, bigger, better etc… I like that the whole idea around Thanksgiving is…to give Thanks!
Gratitude is a divine state. To be grateful makes us feel good and gives us a sense of well being. We know that people who are more grateful are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Grateful people also have a greater sense of purpose in life and more self acceptance. Grateful people find it easier to cope with life transitions, they grow more from difficult experiences, and in general they sleep better.
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.~Cicero
Italy-Part 2-the Amalfi Coast
Posted by Irene Turner in Travel on November 18, 2010
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Rome, we zoomed down the highway for the the doorway to the south…the Amalfi Coast! We rented a car and Ron had the time of his life hugging the narrow and blind curves of the coastal road to Positano and our next home…a fisherman’s cottage, carved out of the side of the rock!
The string of small towns along the Amalfi coast seem to have grown organically, curving up the side of the rock, with roads, gardens and staircases that were carved out of the mountain during an ancient time with no trucks, jack hammers or cranes. The fisherman’s cottage I found for us to live in on line was in the town of Priano. Located between Positano and the town of Amalfi, this small fishing village was the real deal!
The rental agent assured me via phone, that it was easier to get to the house from the top road with only 10 stairs, then to climb up from the main street with 120 stairs. Luigi, the young man who took us there just shrugged, then drove us by vespa to the spot; or rather me and the luggage by vespa, while Ron walked behind. Well…I guess it was easier to get to from the top as we walked down rather then up stairs with our luggage. But anyway you look at it, it took us 160 stairs to reach our fabulous cottage going down; and 169 steps coming up from the main road…we counted! Continue reading “Italy-Part 2-the Amalfi Coast” »
Italy-Part 1-Rome
Posted by Irene Turner in Travel on November 16, 2010
A few years ago Ron and I went to Italy for the honeymoon of our lifetime. We spent two great weeks, the first in Rome and the second on the fabulous Amalfi coast. Every time I miss Europe, I visit our pictures for a quick fix. They never fail to renew my spirit and remind me of the wonders of travel and of Italy. And, I must admit that Italy always inspires me creatively!
I’ve been an Italophile since my first visit at 8. Since Ron had never been there before I wanted to make sure he had a great time, so planning was key. I wanted to stay someplace centrally located and in a home or apartment.
I’ve found over time and a lot of travel that living in a home really gives me the feel and flavor of the local way of life, vs waking up in a hotel that often feels as if it could be in any city. I found a one bedroom apartment in the historical Palazzo Massimo (still owned and occupied by the original Massimo family) located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an easy walk to the Vatican, and two steps from the Piazza Navona, Piazza Campo dei Fiori, the Pantheon, and Trastevere. Perfect location!
However, the vacation rental site that listed the Palazzo Massimo showed a photo of the bedroom with two beds, and I couldn’t tell from the photo if they were twin beds or two doubles/queens. So I called the agency and after being assured over and over again that they were indeed “big beds for two” and perfect for a honeymoon, I rented it! Needless to say, they were two twin beds. HA…but we didn’t care, we’d stay there again! Continue reading “Italy-Part 1-Rome” »
Sonoma County-Fall!
Posted by Irene Turner in Inspiration, Nature on November 11, 2010
I LOVE Fall! I think it’s my favorite season. Right now out my back door nature is putting on a show that makes my eyes happy, filling them with the beauty of fall here in Sonoma County.
Originally from New York I could have sworn there was no prettier place on earth then Fall on the east coast. But over the last 9 years of life here in Paradise I see more and more of the abundance of Mother Nature in so many forms, and I’ve got to say, our falls are magnificent. Continue reading “Sonoma County-Fall!” »
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