Category Archives: Seasons

The portal opened yesterday, but it will be in a few hours that the actual moment of the equinox will occur. Then it will be bye bye summer and hello autumn!

With amazing punctuality, socks weather is here: cooler temperatures and rainstorms began last night and will continue for several days; at least here in my current neck of the Northern Italian woods.
To me this would be the perfect time to teleport back to California and enjoy no-socks living for a bit longer.
I like no-socks weather. 😄

Spiky pods have started to fall, and I have already gathered the first chestnuts. It’s in competition with the squirrels, though - sneaky little fluffy, cute, adorable thieves that they are. 🐿️
The ones in this area are a rusty red color and really tiny. It takes 2 of these to make 1 from the oak-dwellers in California.

May your equinox and autumn season be ones of ease, joy and glory! And mine, too ☺️
xoxo
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#loob_nature #naturephotography #gardens #loropetalumchinensis #autumnequinox #fallequinox #equinox #rainyweather #autumnweather

Third and final recipe to wrap up fig season.
You cannot get more Italian than this, with the king of Italian primi piatti:
RISOTTO WITH FIGS, BRIE AND THYME

You can change up the brie for, say, fontina or taleggio, or even a little gorgonzola - the creamy kind. Recipe on the blog at the link in profile, or just comment RISOTTO and I will send you the link directly.

Happy Sunday!!
xoxo
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#loob_food #risotto #italianfood #recipe #dinnerrecipes #brie #thyme #cookingwithherbs #herbs #italianrecipes

Lunch at the Historic Grand Café al Porto in Lugano, Switzerland

One of my favorite restaurant/bakeries in Lugano (which is just over the border with Italy), and one I return to over and over, especially for the desserts and pastries, but also because of the stunning interiors. These are a few photos, but you can take a look at the rest on the blog.
The link to it is in my profile, @lifeoutofbounds - or you can comment PASTRIES and I will send it to you directly.

Enjoy and don’t drool too much! Or do 🤪
xoxo
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#loob_explore #diningout #lugano #ticino #switzerland #travelfood #bakery #patisserie #confiserie #architecture #historicarchitecture #interiordesign #historichomes #architecturelovers #cofferedceilings #cenacolo #monastery #travelfood #travelfoodguide #foodietravels #restaurants #cafe #europe

Easy, No-Bake Yogurt Cake with Maple Figs

Another fig recipe to continue to make the most of fig season. I made this in California, and as you can see, I used Mission figs.
It is really easy to make, fresh and light, and you can also make variations using other juicy fruits like berries, peaches, or mango.

Click on the link in profile to get the recipe, or comment YOGURT and I will be happy to send you the link directly.

Have a wonderful Sunday!
xoxo
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#loob_food #figs #yogurt #nobakecake #recipesforsummer #summerrecipes #foodphotography #foodstyling #bakingforthesoul #baking #easybaking #easyrecipes

Watching and waiting…. chestnut pods will start falling later this month. I have not been here for chestnut season in some years, so I am really looking forward to that. There’s about 5-6 old and huge chestnut trees on the property, plus one in the neighbor’s garden.

There would be so many chestnuts on the ground that, on weekends, locals walking the neighborhood, would ask if they could come in and gather some. Pleeeease!
My Dad would usually drop off the largest ones (Marroni) to the local patisserie, and his regular hang out for morning espresso & chat.

Chestnut anything is a favorite, including in sautées, salads, soups and most certainly desserts. But even just plain boiled, or roasted.
And how about Marrons Glacés… 😋
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#loob_food #chestnuts #marronsglaces #chestnutdesserts #foraging #fallfruits #autumn #latesummer #nature #forestbathing #foragedfruits