Ciaotraveler

Brush and Pencil Products I'm taking a few minutes to post a review of this art product I recently purchased.  I read about it on the internet and couldn't wait to try it out.  I purchased the Colored Pencil Blender (from $7-$9.95) and the Titanium White product.  Much to my surprise the company also sent along a bottle of Touch Up Texture to mix with the Titanium White and a couple of colored pencils free of charge (who does that these days?).  I use Prismacolor Colored Pencils but will try the new pencils, so my thanks to them.

Easy Enchiladas My husband loves this easy peasy enchilada casserole and it really is one of the easiest things I cook.  You can use red or green enchilada sauce.

I was honored to be notified that the 2019 Italy Magazine Photo Contest selected two of my photos for their Annual Contest.  The first photo selected for the "romantic" category depicts a lovely evening sunset and view from the Mercenate Hotel rooftar bar in Rome.  The Santa Maggiore Church is the largest church in Rome (the Vatican is its own sovereign state). 

Time for spring again!  We're ready in California are you?  Theres so much to do and see all over the world.  Late winter is always a great time to plan for the fall. Please visit some of my posts on France, London, Italy, Ireland....

Ciao's Meatball Soup

If you've ever been to Italy and experienced the wonderful cappuccino then you know just how special it is to visitors. It's a ritual that we can really identify with as Americans. Italians love their precious resource so its not unusual to serve it in special cups.  These cups can be light and graceful or chunky and covered with regional designs.

Welcome to Favigny-Sur-Ozerain, one of the prettiest small villages in France.   I first heard of this medieval location through the movie "Chocolat" starring Johnny Depp.  Several scenes were filmed here including the Chocolat shoppe and church. I thought the movie was very romantic and the location scenery just made it "pop" even more. Hope you enjoy this very picturesque town as much as I loved the romantic movie.    See my older post on the movie  here Street to one of the churches. This guy is always in the village... The Church from in the movie The main Piazza by the church used in the movie. This looks like the Chocolat signage. Most residents display the lovely flowers outside their homes.                    Original photos by Google    ...

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Rustic Chili-Lime Olive Chicken Enchilada Casserole I've been experimenting with "rustic" dishes that remind me of farm living.  Rustic to me means simple, quick, flavorful meals usually created in one pan or dish.  The ingredients are fresh from the farm fields.  This dish makes two layers in a baking dish.  This is an easy chicken recipe and the ingredients can be adjusted to your taste, especially the spices. So here's the ingredients and portions: Chili powder or taco seasoning (About 1/4 cup; I have bulk seasonings on hand) Garlic powder (about 1 tbs.) Cumin (about 1 tbs.) Chicken (6 cutlets or 4 regular breasts) Yellow or white cheese (package, grated) Green Enchilada Sauce (I used Las Palmas 28 oz. "Hot Picante" but there's also "Medium") Uncooked corn tortillas (1 package of 24) Yellow Onion (1/2 chopped) Jalapeno black olives and green olives (1 can each, sliced) Lime (1 fresh squeezed lime or about 1 tbsp. bottle...

Rochefort en Terre, Morbihan, Brittany, France A  beautiful medieval town in the Morbihan department of Brittany, France with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and stunning walks. Rochefort en Terre It's been said it's the most beautiful village in France...do you agree?                        Morbihan lies on the south coast of Brittany with fine sandy beaches, rugged coastline, rivers, islands and estuaries. The clear waters and natural beauty of this coast draws surfers, climbers,  divers and fishermen which is also renowned for its oyster production.   B rittany is situated in the North West of France.  The region has a welcoming warmth.  Its buildings most constructed from local granite, many medieval half timbered buildings and beautiful Chateaux are set in a green countryside, interspersed with rivers.   Paris book at "Stories" at Etsy With its ...

Hope you enjoy some beautiful flowers from around the US and Europe.  I try to include flowers in all of my posts in case you didn't notice! More Flowers: Florals Ireland here Florals UK here The Gardens in Lugano, Sw. here The Best of Ciao's flowers here Lavendar   here Chocolates and flowers here

Artist Patrick Commecy is transforming buildings into works of art. See more here .

Story of two guys traveling round to gorgeous regions of Italy in their Mini Cooper while tasting food.  Now that's a job I want!  But since they have the job, take a peek at some of the places they visited... The men start their journey in the Tuscany region. Cinque Terre region I still think I'd be great at this job. See my Cinque Terre and Tuscany posts by using the search bar on this page above.

Giada, of Food Network fame, has a new cooking and travel newsletter called Giadzy .   Here is one of the location photos in Capri that inspired her lemon spaghetti recipe. I love Capri on a non-touristy day- which is never. Its a beautiful island and there's really a lot to do other than shopping and eating (wink). Hope you visit my photos of Capri here .  

While in Venice, Italy, take a break to visit the original Harry's Bar.  The staff is warmly hospitable and will make your visit seem very personal.  They'll share the history of their delicious invention, the Bellini cocktail. You'll see photos of the many classic movie stars who've frequented the bar since 1931.     Harry's has a very unassuming entrance just off the main St. Mark's piazza and nearby marina.  It's worth entering this very famous classic bar for an original Bellini and a bit of culinary history... The shelves are stocked just as they were in 1931 according to the staff, same order and volume as Harry desired.   Now that's consistency!   The  wood bar reminds me of being on a very exclusive, old yacht.   T he only thing missing are the Captain's hats. The Bellini Cocktail: This Bellini drink was created 1943 at Harry's Bar in Venice in honor of the pa...