Frogs legs

 

Maybe not the best picture, but I finally tried frog legs and I can check that off of my bucket list now. I went to a restaurant in Portland called Le Bistro Montage, last night with some friends, and their Cajun inspired menu allowed me the opportunity to try these. Of course, it did take me a few minutes, going back and forth, deciding if I really wanted to order them, because you have that picture in your head of slimy green frogs, but I eventually decided to, and I am glad that I did. The legs tasted amazing, with a crisp breaded layer on the outside and a meaty chicken/fishy taste on the inside. I will definitely be ordering these again, and I can't wait to visit this restaurant again.

Afterwards, we of course had to make a trip to Voodoo Doughnuts for a dozen of their amazing doughnuts, including a Bacon Maple Bar for me.

 

 

I have to say, I love how unique Portland is, and I am definitely looking forward to my next trip up there.

 

Until next time.

 

~Hannah ♥

Italian Baking Secrets

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If anyone is looking for a great recipe book for Italian breads and desserts, I highly recommend Italian Baking Secrets by Father Giuseppe Orsini! The recipes are easy to follow and every recipe I've tried so far from there have turned out fantastic! I am definitely looking forward to trying more recipes from this book, but here are a few of the ones I'v tried so far...




Raspberry 'Crostata di Frutta'

 

 



'Biscotti con Mandorle' and 'Pane Pugliese'

 

Does anyone else have a favorite recipe book that you'd like to share? Post a comment if you'd like.

 

Enjoy your baking!

 

~Hannah ♥



21

Yesterday was my 21st birthday.

 

 

 

To some people 21 is the age that they can't wait to be, and they look forward to it for months, sometimes maybe even years. Then, for their birthdays, friends take them out clubbing, or to a bar, and they end up getting wasted, not remembering half of the night, then waking up the next morning with a banging headache, feeling like crap.

 

But this is what you're supposed to do, right? It's what our culture teaches us, isn't it? How many movies come out each year that depict a scene like this?

 

Personally though, I don't understand the allure. What is the point of going out drinking, for the sole purpose of getting drunk? This part of American culture has never made sense to me. I prefer the way that many Europeans, such as the French or Italian, seem to treat alcohol. As an accompaniment.

Good wine accompanies good food and good company, and you aren't trying to drink each other under the table for sport. This way of thinking (and drinking) makes so much more sense to me.

 

 I would much rather have a good time and remember everything that happened, then waking up the next morning with a pounding head, worried that I might have done something the night before that I might regret.

 

Saying that, I believe that how you act is up to you and that you shouldn't act a certain way just because you're afraid that you won't fit in or someone will judge you. Everyone is different and has different beliefs, and you should be true to yourself, no matter what. 

 

Anyways, I have to say that I am definitely glad to be 21 now, for several reasons. Now I can buy alcohol for certain recipes that I've been wanting to try, I can go wine tasting at one of the MANY wineries that surround where I live, and now I can go out for a night with friends, without having to worry about not being old enough.

 

 I think being 21 is fantastic and I have to agree with a quote on the inside of a birthday card i was sent:

 "Don't think of this as just another birthday, think of it as an all-access, V.I.P., backstage ticket to the world."

 

A ticket to the world, that is definitely how I see it, and I won't be wasting it either. I'm planning on making the rest of my life the best of my life, and I know there will be many adventures to come!

 

♥ Hannah

 

Flowers

 

There's nothing like getting a suprise early birthday present from a friend halfway across the world! ♥

What's on My Bookshelf

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Just a little note...

I've added a list of books that I am currently, or shortly will be, reading to the side of my blog. I love to read and I have somewhat of an ecclectic reading style so there there will probably be an extremely varied list of books there, that will be constantly changing.

I have made sure that I have included links to an Amazon page for each book, in case you'd like to read more about them or buy any of them. I'd like to note though that I don't make any money off of these links and that they are purely for your own information and enjoyment.

Ciao!
Hannah ♥

Hello!

Hello!

I don't know how you got here, whether a random google search, or heard about this blog through a friend, but welcome.

Now that you are here, let me tell you my plans for this blog.

I love the big wide world, everything about it, and I always try to find the beauty in everything.
I love to cook, read, write, eat, travel, learn, sing, and explore, and I'd like to share my adventures.

I have big plans for my life, and I am definitely a dreamer. The name of my blog, Bel Sogno, means "beautiful dream" in Italian, and I actually have a tattoo that says this on my ankle. I eventually want to have a farm named this, and to me it represents the way I see my life and dreams.

I'd like to show that no matter what your circumstances are, that you can do anything you put your mind to and accomplish great things. I, for example, have twin toddlers and was a young mother. Some people may look at my situation and consider this a hindrance, but I don't see it like that at all. Everyone comes from a different background and has different circumstances that surround their lives, but everyone and anyone can accomplish their dreams. 

So join me on my journey. On the way I'll be sharing things like pictures, recipes, stories, poetry, and anything else that accompanies my adventures.

Hope you enjoy the ride!

~ Hannah ♥