Little Rock / Big Gem

Join us on a rip-roarin’ tour of Little Rock, Arkansas!

We visited the Clinton Presidential Library, hit the Big Dam Bridge, witnessed history at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and ate avocado popcycles at the River Market!  CONTINUE READING >> 

Join us on a rip-roarin’ tour of Little Rock, Arkansas!

We visited the Clinton Presidential Library, hit the Big Dam Bridge, witnessed history at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and ate avocado popcycles at the River Market!  CONTINUE READING >> 

Crowdsourcing the ULTIMATE College Care Package

With the scholars settling in after a couple months away at school, we offer these ideas for the best care package ever. Even though we have been through it three times, we still got by with a little help from our friends…

CONTINUE READING >> 

With the scholars settling in after a couple months away at school, we offer these ideas for the best care package ever. Even though we have been through it three times, we still got by with a little help from our friends…

CONTINUE READING >> 

Dreaming in a Tango Hotel in Buenos Aires

Late at night, when I’m in a particularly active R.E.M. cycle you can almost guarantee that you will find me dancing the tango in my soul, behind my eyelids. I must have a connection to the sultry dance from a past life. In these dreams I am as fluid as hot coffee and as alluring as the sweetest chocolate. Tango speaks to me.

I’d also never attempted it in real life. David, who calls himself a “circus bear attempting to balance on a ball” when it comes to dancing, was surely not going to indulge me in my fantasy of learning to tango during our stay in Buenos Aires. At least not as my partner.

But my circus bear can be full of surprises. He not only… CONTINUE READING >>

Late at night, when I’m in a particularly active R.E.M. cycle you can almost guarantee that you will find me dancing the tango in my soul, behind my eyelids. I must have a connection to the sultry dance from a past life. In these dreams I am as fluid as hot coffee and as alluring as the sweetest chocolate. Tango speaks to me.

I’d also never attempted it in real life. David, who calls himself a “circus bear attempting to balance on a ball” when it comes to dancing, was surely not going to indulge me in my fantasy of learning to tango during our stay in Buenos Aires. At least not as my partner.

But my circus bear can be full of surprises. He not only… CONTINUE READING >>

Follow Your Nose to Casale Monferrato, Italy

In many ways Casale is your typical medium-sized town of Italy. About thirty thousand souls reside around an ancient center with a wonderfully preserved medieval castle, several spectacular towers dot the skyline and at least one unique food item calls Casale home. Perhaps the biggest difference between Casale and other Italian towns is that the item is not a wine, olive oil or cheese, but a cookie.

A cookie that has remained unchanged for nearly a century and a… CONTINUE READING >>

In many ways Casale is your typical medium-sized town of Italy. About thirty thousand souls reside around an ancient center with a wonderfully preserved medieval castle, several spectacular towers dot the skyline and at least one unique food item calls Casale home. Perhaps the biggest difference between Casale and other Italian towns is that the item is not a wine, olive oil or cheese, but a cookie.

A cookie that has remained unchanged for nearly a century and a… CONTINUE READING >>

Video – Lunch with Claudia – A Real Italian Kitchen


enlarge video

With ingredients from her mother’s organic garden, Claudia invites us into her Italian home and shares her secrets to her light and easy Pesto Rosso with Ricotta and for dessert, delicious Bunet! Want more deliciousness? https://www.gypsynester.com/cmi.htm


enlarge video

With ingredients from her mother’s organic garden, Claudia invites us into her Italian home and shares her secrets to her light and easy Pesto Rosso with Ricotta and for dessert, delicious Bunet! Want more deliciousness? https://www.gypsynester.com/cmi.htm

French Quarter Pounder: Eating in New Orleans

Mention New Orleans and most folks conjure up visions of Mardi Gras, jazz bands, Bourbon Street or maybe even the world champion Saints, but we think of food. Crazy good food.

An incredibly diverse, yet unique style cooking has developed through the combination of several cultures down here at the bottom of The Mississippi River. Elements of French, Spanish, Caribbean, Cajun, German and Italian cuisine are all represented in what has come to be known as Creole.

Several of Creole’s signature dishes are very similar to typical Cajun recipes and can share the same names and ingredients. Most start with “the holy trinity” of Louisiana cooking, bell pepper, onion, and celery. The names jambalaya…  CONTINUE READING >>

Mention New Orleans and most folks conjure up visions of Mardi Gras, jazz bands, Bourbon Street or maybe even the world champion Saints, but we think of food. Crazy good food.

An incredibly diverse, yet unique style cooking has developed through the combination of several cultures down here at the bottom of The Mississippi River. Elements of French, Spanish, Caribbean, Cajun, German and Italian cuisine are all represented in what has come to be known as Creole.

Several of Creole’s signature dishes are very similar to typical Cajun recipes and can share the same names and ingredients. Most start with “the holy trinity” of Louisiana cooking, bell pepper, onion, and celery. The names jambalaya…  CONTINUE READING >>

Video – Bananas Foster – On Fire!


enlarge video
The waiter brought a cart up to the table under the hanging wisteria and began setting things aflame, always one of our favorite pastimes.  For more on New Orleans food: https://www.gypsynester.com/nola.htm


enlarge video
The waiter brought a cart up to the table under the hanging wisteria and began setting things aflame, always one of our favorite pastimes.  For more on New Orleans food: https://www.gypsynester.com/nola.htm