Home At Last! with Patty Gironda

Flying over NYC, recently, I decided that when the occasion called for it - I was only going to order Chocolate Martinis. With plans for an upcoming episode on the history of cocktails I wanted do a little research. I know how that must sound . . . but, wait . . . listen! I was dedicating myself to the research [for ya'll] and quite frankly, I came back pretty well informed! For the life of me, though, I don't know what I did with my notes. My research began at the lounge at the Renaissance Hotel in White Plains, New York. You know . . . now that I'm thinking about it, my research actually began with two Bloody Marys on the plane trip up! And even though this blog isn't about tomatoes this might be a good time to share news about another new blog, Tomato Patty. . . http://www.tomatopatty.blogspot.com/ . Do ya'll mind if I take a break here? I'm going to go mix up a batch of Chocolate Martinis. Ok, I'm back. . . anyway, as we sat there in the glow of the can...

Home At Last! travels this week to Thomasville, Georgia, home of Sweet Grass Dairy. Award-winning artisan cheese-makers, Jeremy and Jessica Little share their passion for the most delectable cow and goat cheeses available in America today! Available in specialty markets and wine shops across the America, Sweet Grass Dairy has recently added convenient online ordering. Your artisan cheeses arrive beautifully packaged and carefully packed to ensure freshness! Aah . . .life's simple pleasures! A lovely plate filled with fresh fruit, Majool Dates and a simple Toffee Pear Galette. Try this simple galette with a simple cheese board from Sweet Grass Dairy, add a sparkling rose Cava and you’ve got a party! Toffee Pear Galette Cut Puff Pastry into 3" rounds. Spread Dulce De Leche Caramel within 1/2 inch of outer perimeter. Slice a halved, cored pear into slices about 1/8 inch thick Slice pear thinly-allowing for gentle fanning of pear. Place pear half on top of caramel. Create a simpl...

In June of 1999, I was invited to review a Bed and Breakfast at Villa San Pietro in Montichiari, Italy, in the Lombardy Region of Northern Italy. Fueled by memories of exotic family travels I was anxious to create the same kind of romantic memories with my husband, Ron. We marveled at our good fortune and eagerly agreed. From Frankfurt, Germany we made our way south towards Switzerland. With a heightened sense of excitement, we were eager for adventure. We giggled every time we saw another sign pointing the way to Italy. One sign, in particular, stood out! Gotthard Pass With my rusty German, I offered my interpretation to Ron. “I think if we turn here-we will totally pass around the Swiss Alps!" And so began our slow, arduous climb over the Swiss Alps. The narrow pass was jammed with holiday travelers and tour buses. Traffic slowed to a crawl, dangling us over ravines covered in snow. Climbing over 6900 feet at a snail’s pace I witnessed every glorious waterfall and chiseled snow...

Earlier this month my new website for Home At Last! With Patty Gironda went live. ( www.HomeAtLast.net ) There was a flurry of emails from friends and associates congratulating me on the new look, the exciting line of products and general well wishes! Happily for me, there were also a lot questions about the slideshow of Tuscany. Is this your village? Do you know the people in the pictures? Is it as romantic as you hear? Yes, yes, and yes!! Tuscans are generous, passionate people. Their love of good food, fabulous cheeses and fine wines is apparent in every village, market and social gathering! Open-air markets through-out Tuscany offer the freshest produce and seafood, regional cheeses, smoky-cured meats and sausages, porchetta (roasted pig) and fried polenta and olive oils. Restaurants through-out the region specialize in seasonal dishes that include truffles, wild boar, pears, and super-Tuscan wines. It's a feast for the senses! The anticipation of entering a town square filled ...