La CUCINA VIGNETO ....... MEDITERRANEAN

After weeks of hotels and dining out I'm finally able to get back in the kitchen. Simple meals in the Mediterranean style are the ones we love best. Lamb Chops coated with fresh herbs from the garden and grilled over oak, roasted red potatoes with garlic and rosemary. A side of Tzatziki, made with Greek Yogurt, cucumbers and a squeeze of lemon, served over a tomato slice. Crusty French bread - hot from the oven..........................................................
One of my favorite cookbooks......................................love the cover..............

Paired with a bottle of Malbec.................................. Salute!

Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Sotto Il Monte Vineyards

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Today is the last day of Dia de los Muertos. The primary focus is to honor loved ones who have passed on. It truly is a beautiful celebration. The cemeteries are cleaned and thousands of flowers are brought in to decorate the graves. I took these photos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

I would have missed Halloween altogether this year - had my friends Kristina and Gina not invited me to spend the day with them, Gina's Mom, Ginger and their two little ones, Asher and Ellie at the local Pumpkin Patch.

The kids had a ball with pumpkins to play on and paint.....................................
There was a petting zoo.......................................................
Asher and Ellie were a little apprehensive about holding the poultry................
Ellie warmed up to the little chick......................................................
This little girl could not figure out what these two creatures were.................
Hay bales to play in.........................................
Got a kick out of this shirt - WILL TRADE SISTER FOR CANDY
The kids had snow cones.............................

Ellie's was blue.........................................
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!



Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Sotto Il Monte Vineyards

IN TRANSITION

Sadly, our time in Houston is up and we have to bid "Adieu" to our little Pied-á-Terre overlooking the water. For the last three weeks, we have been at our new location, staying at the Marriott during the week and spending the weekends at Sotto Il Monte. I miss checking in on my favorite blog sites! As of yet - I've not mastered the art of blogging from my Black Berry.

Hotel living? - Not so much fun - that is unless of course - I was staying at La Villa Gallici!
I could order room service or dine out on the tranquil terrace.....................................

Located in Aix en Provence, La Villa Gallici offers up a quintessential Provencal experience. This cozy room would make me feel pampered................................................

As long as it was attached to this bathroom....................................Ooh la la...........
This one would work as well....................................

I can always dream...................................................Adieu!

Photograhy: La Gallici Villa

MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATION

The Monarch Butterflies are on their way to the Transvolcanic Range in Mexico. Monarchs are like birds in that they migrate to a warmer climate in the winter. They are the only insects that can fly 2500 miles and they follow the same migration patterns every year. The Latitude of my house is 28.30N - more or less - so I'm expecting them any day now. They usually stop by and spend the night. Thousands of them flutter down and settle on my crepe myrtle tree. The first time I experienced this, I was out in the garden, towards dusk, and they floated down all around me. It was magical - there is just no other word for it.
Due to recent rains - the crepe myrtle is in full bloom and awaits their arrival.

TRAVELING SHOES.....SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

September has been a month of travel for Moi. No sooner do my feet touch the ground in one location then I'm off to another. This past week I found myself in Santa Fe covering the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta. A perfect pairing for me - Wine & Photography. Can't show those images though - as they await publication. I always look forward to this event and the opportunity to spend time with some of my dear friends. I lived and worked in Santa Fe for 18 years and have taken thousands of photographs there. These images are just a scratch on the surface.
Above - Cover image I shot for this years Wine & Chile magazine published by The Santa Fe New Mexican. I always have a great time at the SF Wine and Chile Fiesta. Not only do I get to sample some great wines, but the food is phenomenal! Santa Fe has some of the best restaurants in the country and some of the most talented chefs. The 3,000 tickets to the event sold out in the first week they were available. Vintner's Dinners and numerous other wine and food events take place in the days before the Grand Tasting.
Gate & lilacs on Camino del Monte Sol. The weather was perfect for this time of year. Warm days and cool crisp nights. The foliage up on the mountains is just starting to turn.
Creating a beautiful tapestry against the deep blue sky.
New Mexico is a land of mesas,mountains, and rivers that cut through the valley floors.

Summer time invites alfresco dining..................................
Even the Hotel food is amazing - Wild Boar - from The Inn of the Anasazi
The architecture in New Mexico is like none other. Unique in design and always a fireplace to burn pinon in on chilly nights.

The people there are proud of their heritage - and tradition takes precedence.................

And of course the art - Santa Fe is all about art.............................

Fashion is whatever you feel like wearing. No one ever blinks an eye.................



So wear anything you want - and don't forget to take your boots.............................
Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Sotto Il Monte Vineyards