Via dell'Amore

I confess I've procrastinated a bit posting the last batches of Italy photos, in part I think subconsciously because I didn't have any further travel planned and was trying to stretch out the fun.  In the past week, though, I've made arrangements for two trips in February, so it's time to go through the rest of the Italy memories.

These pictures are of the Via dell'Amore, the easiest walk of the Cinque Terre, which stretches between Manarola and the southernmost town, Riomaggiore.  Via dell'Amore--roughly translated as "walk of love" is basically a flat, paved path between the towns.  In some sections, chain link fences along the side have been decorated with padlocks, ribbons, twist-ties, and even some unmentionables, all by couples wishing to leave a sign of their love.

Creme Brulee

Among my favorite activities are baking, hanging out with friends, and trying new things, so experimenting with creme brulee as a girls' night in was a fabulous combination.  We made three different recipes, all from this book: pumpkin, white chocolate raspberry, and milk chocolate caramel.  All of them turned out delicious, despite an untimely malfunction of the creme brulee torch.  Fortunately we deigned to put them in the broiler, and found that, while perhaps less fun that torching the creme by hand, the oven still makes them tasty and crisped on top.

Pumpkin creme, ready to be refrigerated, then bruleed.

Amazing watermelon rum drinks expertly produced by Kenya 

(check out her own new photography blog here!)

The beginnings of white-chocolate raspberry pots.

Preparing to bake the milk chocolate creme in a hot water bath.

The finished white chocolate raspberry creme brulee, which disappeared into our mouths approximately eight seconds later.

Bicycle Lights

This well-lit bicycle, set out to attract attention to an otherwise nondescript Greek restaurant in New York, captures one of my favorite experiences that you seem to enjoy more in large cities---random, interesting objects set in the middle of "normal" streets.

Georgetown vs. St. John's

Three-day weekends are meant for fun adventures, so I was very happy to spend part of Martin Luther King weekend in New York, NY watching the Georgetown-St. John's basketball game at Madison Square Garden with a big group of loyal Hoyas.  The mini-reunion atmosphere was only made better by the fact that the Hoyas pulled ahead in the second half, going on to win decisively, with a final score of 69-49.  Considering I spent an excessive amount of time the previous week complaining about my teams' collective failure to perform, I was grateful to have my mini-losing streak broken.  

Inside the Garden.

Georgetown vs. Cincinnati

I finally made it to my first Hoyas game of the 2011-2012 season this week, for the Monday night game against Cincinnati.  I went hoping to cheer myself up after my beloved Steelers lost tragically to the Broncos (ugh!) Sunday night, but unfortunately, the Hoyas also lost, 68-64.  I blame the outrageous number of turnovers.  I'll have another chance to see them play this coming weekend, so here's hoping they pull it together by then--I need to see a win!

I came away firmly believing sports photography is even more challenging than I initially would have thought.  A fast shutter speed helps, though!

Apparently Porter's shot has been off ever since he hurt his wrist a few games back -- definitely a problem.

Fortunately, Jack the Bulldog is still adorable, whether the Hoyas win or lose.

Caramel Pecan Rolls

Twice over the glorious long holiday break, I made these homemade caramel pecan rolls: once for Christmas morning, and once again upon request just after New Year's.  You really do all the work the night before, and in the morning have the reward of just popping them in the oven and waiting for deliciousness.  Sweet, sticky, warm deliciousness.

This picture really doesn't do it justice: I want to make them again (and again..) both to eat and to try to take better photos.  The recipe is excellent.  To feed four, I did cut the amount of dough in half, but kept the original amount of caramel sauce, which I would recommend.  The only other change I made was to use a 9" round pan, which gives the rolls a nice round shape but admittedly does not leave quite enough room for them to rise before baking, so I'll try the called-for 9"x13" pan next time around.  This is one recipe I don't mind tackling over and over again to perfect, because even the first-time results were so incredible!

Sunrise at Home

One morning last week I woke up to this view of the sunrise just outside my window.  For as much as I love travel photos, occasions like this are a valuable reminder of how much beauty is close at hand.

Also a reminder of why I am glad I invested in a DSLR, to take advantage of these opportunities even while I'm bleary-eyed and pre-coffee.

Manarola

I would argue that the Cinque Terre town of Manarola, sandwiched between Corniglia and Riomaggiore, is the second most picturesque -- I'm partial to Vernazza, but looking back at these photos of Manarola I'm kind of awestruck by this town all over again.  It had charm, beautiful views, a fun walking path through the vineyards just inland, and excellent gelato.  All the staples.

Manarola enjoys this itsy-bitsy harbor, into which boats must be lowered by rope from the street above.

Nearly finished lowering the boat..

The street above the harbor, where the boats are stored, with the town of Manarola stretching up in the background.

Manarola, meet the ocean.  Ocean, meet Manarola.

Gorgeous, small-scale vineyards stretch away from the town into the hillside.  From most of the other Cinque Terre towns, a visit to the vineyards would require a serious hike or a car ride, but from Manarola you can easily walk through the nearest ones and be rewarded with an entirely different perspective on the town.

A view of the town church and adjacent apartments from the vineyards.