Ricotta made, soon to work on the chestnut honey flan

I can still taste that glorious ricotta flan in the chestnut shell with chestnut honey and ricotta salata I had in Arezzo last Sunday; both of them actually. Hah! This morning, I made some fresh ricotta for my attempt to replicate that culinary masterpiece. I need to get more eggs and some ricotta salata, but everything else is at the ready.

This afternoon is a Friday babysitter one, and I'm psyched. I am so darn tired and am going to get a pedicure and noodle on the chestnut pastry shells before jumping in to making them. Will keep you posted on it all.

Pasta was SO good, brownies

Our playdate this afternoon was darling. Both my boys have a little crush on this cute girl, C, who, it seems, also has a little crush on both of them. So, it went well. Mid-way through, we decided to make brownies; the browned-butter ones. You cannot go wrong with this recipe. Fab! Then, because the children were heading towards nuts from fatigue, they went to bed early, and T and I worked in the yard. It desperately needed a mow, and I got my peas planted. Finally, it was time for this fabulous pasta. T thought it was the bomb.

Have I mentioned that I am gaga?

Jet lagging...

Ooh, jet lag is kicking my ass today. I am beyond tired, like so tired I'm nauseous, like I could maybe go to bed for the night right now and it's 3:34p. Alas, I will have to hold out. A dear friend is bringing me a coffee and her daughter for a playdate. Fantastic! Look at these great shots from the garden today.

It has turned into a beautiful day. I think I'll sweep the pollen off the deck and T and I can eat outside. Nice.