Home At Last! with Patty Gironda

This has to be one of the most expensive luxury items in America today! A moist bite of cake encased in a thick icing! Not sure that it made the grade!

What a fun weekend! With more Americans staying home to celebrate the Fourth-celebrations across America were downhome, family celebrations with loads of kids, dogs, motorcycle Mamas and high school bands. Newnan, Georgia was no exception! The festivities started up this Friday night with a special July 4th party at Octane Coffee and Cocktails. Fabulous music, good food, icey beer and a great selection of wines pleased locals and kept the energy lively through-out the night! Mainstreet Newnan celebrated the Fourth in a big way with Market Days and our fabulous July 4th Parade through downtown Newnan- and a big finale tonight with fabulous fireworks display at Drake Stadium in Newnan. Casa Bella Bed and Breakfast celebrated our third month with it's first full house and guests will extend their holiday celebration enjoying plenty of sun by our pretty pool, dinner on the square and leisurely breakfasts celebrating the July 4 weekend!

My beautiful poor strawberry plants! As soon as the young fruit ripens I am there to pop the succulent berries into my mouth!  SWEET! This is my first attempt at growing strawberries and these raised gardens seem to provide the ideal conditions for a busy innkeeper-editor! I also photographed my first two heirloom tomatoes. (Brightwells) Ron and I have planted way too many plants but I am hoping this year to can what we don't eat or share.  Another garden note-I tried drying my hothouse Campari seeds-suspending them in water until the seeds fermented and loosed from the gel that surrounds and protects the seeds. Some have questioned the success I might enjoy from drying my own seeds-but the seeds have sprouted in abundance and I am anxious to see my first flowers.