Venetian Carnevale

Do forgive our absence. Under-the-weather + busy (+ some fun) = Oof

A quick mention of the last day of Carnival. Of course, this takes place all over the world but a favorite is Venice (or anywhere in Italy), so a few links for some fun. A visit to The official Venice site is well done, wonderful graphics, photographs, & ideas. (Venice Carnival 2012 has a nice site, as well.)

A visit to Juls' Kitchen takes you to the Tuscan countryside & the talented Giulia's house. Beautiful photographs, wonderful recipes. Here's one for cenci, a Carnival treat. You probably have all the ingredients on hand & they are so good.

A GG pal, Merisi travels to Venice often; she's there right now snapping wonderful photographs of mysterious masked people. Go & then hang around for her daily updates of life in Vienna.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Stewart D. Halperin)

Swedish Semla

Carnival (pre-Lenten goings-on) is ongoing in many places where it's not much part of the culture - except for treats. One such place is Sweden, where we have yet to visit for real. But trips to IKEA, Swedish blogs, & House of Sweden will have to do for now.

But enough non-productive swooning at photographs of semlor (the plural of semla). We finally found a recipe that looks simple, straightforward & authentic. Here's a good post about semlor (& fika) via the official Sweden site (it has several wonderful blogs, too). Better than making semlor, though? Being able to pop into a bakery where most Swedes buy their treats.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photographs by Le Portillon)