In the beginning of May, I traveled to Tuscany where Emanuela, Nadia and I held a food and lifestyle photography workshop at Emanuela’s family’s agriturismo in Vinci.
Such beauty.
I feel we arrived at the peak of spring with wildflowers growing everywhere, the fields lush and green, the sun shining but with enough morning fog and coolness to remind us that it was still May.
Quinoa salad with peas, favas, feta mint and lemon
I returned from Tuscany last Saturday night where I had spent ten amazing days teaching a food and lifestyle photography workshop.
My head jet-lagged and full of beautiful scenery. The rolling hills, the wildflowers everywhere, the faces, the food. I miss it.
I miss our students who enthusiastically joined us in every trip and every exercise.
I returned home to some beautiful handmade Mother’s Day presents that Jon and Miren had made for me while I was away. A birdhouse, a clay basket for my rings, drawings and paintings. And yesterday, we spent Mother’s Day at the farmer’s market where I procured so many vegetables for the week.
Poppies in Tuscany
I arrived in Tuscany a few days ago and I keep pinching myself. I am here teaching a workshop surrounded by tall green grass and fields covered in wildflowers. Green, yellow, purple and red.
Red poppies on every corner make me happy.
I cannot wait to tell you all about what we are doing here. Yesterday we met the most generous people and ate the most amazing food. Will share more soon.
Will be back soon with photos and recipes from our trip.
West Seattle
A few days ago, we took a ferry ride to Vashon island to see our friends, Shauna, Danny and Lu. Yes, you know them – Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef. It was a cloudy Saturday morning. A peaceful one where the fog rolled in through the Sound. It was our first time in Vashon. An island the size of Manhattan with a population of 10,000. Most of them probably operate family farms and just enjoy a very laid back lifestyle.
We had a casual lunch at Shauna and Danny’s house while the children ran around in the garden and jumped on the trampoline.
The most bucolic picture.
I even got a sneak peek into their new book “Gluten-Free Girl Every Day”. A beautiful book with approachable and family friendly recipes, beautifully photographed by our friend Penny. I am so excited for them as this is the third book and they keep evolving, teaching and learning.
The conversation flowed that day. As we flipped through the pages, the dilemma of family meals came up. “How is family dinner at your house?” Shauna asked. C and I looked at each other. “Probably not as glamorous as it might seem” we shared.
Gluten and dairy free spring vegetable tart
Per usual, I went to the Ballard farmer’s market last Sunday and I got a bit carried away. My shopping basket was full of green, orange and pink.
Pea shoots, asparagus, radishes, rhubarb, beets, different lettuces, sprouting purple broccolini, pink apples, carrots, kale…
… a rainbow. I came home excited for all the recipes I was going to make. So far lots of salads, because honestly, when vegetables are this good, I love to eat them as they are.
There was also this spring vegetable tart – a freeform medley of spring goodness that I tossed together. I used cashew cheese for the base, but you can use goat cheese or sour cream instead.
Oh and I am really excited to announce that I will be teaching a one-day food styling and photography workshop in Seattle this July. Want to join me?