Sorrento on the Square

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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  This week, I want to share with you some more highlights of our time in Sorrento, Italy.  I'll be keeping it short and sweet.

 Our hotel, the gorgeous Hotel Bellevue Syrene, was only a five minute walk from the central square in Sorrento....time to explore! 

The entire walk was filled with local eye candy....

Can you imagine coming home each evening and passing through this door?  I'm fascinated by unique doorways....are you?

I kept thinking of these passages as alleys, but they're really some of those quaint and narrow streets that I told you about in my post on Florence.  There was a wedding just ending as we passed.  The guests were chatting and sipping wine, standing in the lane as we passed.  There was only room for what I'm guessing was the get-away car.

Tablescape.....sort of...this was the seating for a local gelato shop.  They'd be fun for our grandkids.

I'm enchanted by the gorgeous Italian yellows found on so many buildings.

Just your everyday, centuries old loggia, where the older men of the community gather to visit....how gorgeous is this!

I can only imagine the joy of shopping for my produce everyday at open-air markets like these.  Wow!

The central square....a dynamic, energy-filled location.  Busy, but not hectic....I loved it!

 Not exactly your average Bed Bath 'n Beyond.  I've had dreams about this shop since returning from our trip....oh my....linen heaven!  Martha @ Lines from Linderhof, this glorious treat is right on the corner of the square.  Don't miss it when you get to Sorrento!

We heard music playing, so naturally we turned the corner and headed down the alley/lane to seek out the sound.  That's how we found this wonderful restaurant, tucked into the alley space.

It was a perfect evening...

 The strolling musician loved that KC speaks Italian, and from her conversation, he figured out that she was a singer/songwriter.

The restaurant staff persuaded her to "sing for her supper."

I even managed to capture a blue hour shot.  It was a delightful evening.....

...and after a delicious gelato at the best gelato shop in Sorrento...

...We strolled back to the square across the street from our hotel....

 ...and headed for bed.  Tomorrow we'll be driven to Naples once more to catch the train for Rome.  Night, night!

I think that any season is the right time to ponder magical moments spent during long dreamed of visits to foreign lands.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her meme Oh, the Places I've Been..  Don't miss out on this marvelous blog party.  See you there!  

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!  

The Oklahoma Standard...a Memorial Day Tribute

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.



Normally, when I write about home in my blog, I refer to 'out here on the prairie'. Tonight I want to be more specific...

Oklahoma is a unique place on God's green earth.  I was born here, educated here, married and gave birth here.  When Sweet Mister and I lived in assorted spots while he was in the service, it didn't take us long to know that when all was said and done with his obligation to Uncle Sam, we wanted to come home to Oklahoma.  As my sweet KC sings in one of her songs, "And you've never seen a sunset 'til you've seen one from a red dirt road."  I absolutely love this special land and its magnificent people.  

This week many of you are highly aware of the devastating tornado that blasted through Moore, Oklahoma.  Oklahoma is no stranger to tragedy, and it is during these hard times that Oklahomans exhibit the very nature of their character.  When disaster strikes, Oklahomans run toward the disaster, not away from it.  After the 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, this response from the people of Oklahoma came to be known as The Oklahoma Standard.  The Oklahoma Standard is in action once again. 

 The media covering the aftermath of the tornado have reported that officials have almost been overwhelmed because of too many volunteers showing up to assist the people of Moore.  At times like this, the Oklahoma Blood Bank always has to ask the citizens of Oklahoma to not donate any more blood.  They have more than they can possibly use.  If officials put out a request for work gloves, Gatorade, diapers...you name it...truck loads of the requested items will show up the next day. And on and on it goes.  Oklahoma will come up underneath the citizens of Moore; we will hold them up and be there to lend them a hand as they travel the long, hard road to restoration.  And, yes, Moore will recover.   My heart is about to burst with love for the hard working, humble, beyond generous people of Oklahoma.  These are my people.  Oklahoma is my beloved home.  My Memorial Day table this week is in honor of Oklahoma and its people.

In Oklahoma, we are known for the red clay of our earth and startling blue skies with billowing white clouds that stretch as far as the eye can see.  I've always referred to Oklahomans as "Sky Watchers".  Tidbit:  Did you know that our Grand Lake in the far northeast part of our state is known to be one of the best places in the world to study the Milky Way?  Sitting on a boat in the middle of the lake, late at night, is absolutely spectacular.

Amber wheat fields dot the countryside...

beneath glorious blue skies ...

...represented in the blue of our state flag.

The pair of metal containers stand strong, side by side...just like Oklahomans stand along side each other in times of joy and in times of trial.  I chose the mixture of herbs to represent my fellow Okies...modest people...yet, always able to add just the right flavor.

Hearts that beat true....a people worth more than gold...

...strong and true...American Eagles...

...That's my Oklahoma.

If you've never had an opportunity to visit Oklahoma, I encourage you to come...get to know us.  You'll be welcome to pull up a chair at the table.  Let me know if you pass our way.

Wednesday is the 63nd edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "Let's Dish".  This week she has issued a Memorial Day Challenge.  I'm excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!  

                                                                

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme,  "Tablescape Thursday."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

May...the time of year when we keep a watchful eye on our skies.  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme  Seasonal Sunday.  Hope to see you there! 
  

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!  

More Sorrento + The Amalfi Coast

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.



The Garden Friends BIble study gathered again today at our house to end our year of study and fellowship.  I prepared a table to welcome them back, and we had a joyful time.  I have tons of pictures to share with you.  I'm going to wait until next week to post them because I want to take the proper time with them.  Tonight, we''re headed back to Sorrento, Italy to see the sights of the Amalfi Coast and some more of the tables of Sorrento.  After a busy day of entertaining, I think that I'll keep it somewhat short and sweet.  Post Script:  Well, it's short on verbage...but photo intense...I just couldn't help myself...fair warning.

We started bright and early, when our driver picked us up to head over the mountain to the magnificent Amalfi Coast.  Our first stop was Positano...

Dropping down into the lovely town of Positano, we stopped at a parking garage.  KC and I immediately wanted to make a pit stop  (TMI)...

The powder room and this were tucked under the parking garage.  See the kitty cat sipping water? 

Back up in the streets, the floral displays were gorgeous.

Leaving Positano ...

 ...to continue along the Amalfi Coast...

...and through the town of Amallfi, the oldest of the costal communities.  

We continued on to Ravello, one of the marvelous old walled cities....

...We explored a magnificent old villa... 

...My idea of the perfect fixer-upper....

...Can't you just see a massive, long table set for dinner al fresco?  This is where I told Sweet Mister.... 

 ...that he could buy it for me any time.  He passed.

After a delicious lunch, overlooking the sea, we retraced our steps to Sorrento, a nap, and...

 ...an idyllic, enchanted evening....

...at a beautiful table with a view of Mt. Vesuvius... 

a magical blue hour...

 ...and the love of my life, Sweet Mister...If I had to choose all over again, I'd still choose him!

It just kept getting better... 

...Amazing food and impeccable service... 

at the terrace dining room.... 

...of our wonderful hotel, The Hotel Bellevue Syrene.  We will return. If you have the opportunity, don't miss it!

I think that any season is the right time to ponder magical moments spent during long dreamed of visits to foreign lands.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her meme Oh, the Places I've Been..  Don't miss out on this marvelous blog party.  See you there!  

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!