Back from Sicily

Two weeks in Sicily with Bob and Cathy!
Heaven.
The history, the ruins, the scenery (the wildflowers were in bloom...carpets of red poppies as well as yellow and orange...what-ever-they-weres?!?!?!), the food and the shopping (including CERAMICS)!
Here's part of my new clutter:


back from sicily <

Very few antiques so most of it is just decorative or utilitarian but it is bright, happy and beautiful (though some certainly border on gaudy).

Also, we stayed at the most wonderful hotel I have ever been in...the San Domenico Palace in Taormina. It is in an old Domenican monastery perched on the cliffs of Taormina with a cloister, fantastic views onto their garden (with palm trees, evergreens and multiple flowers), the Mediterranean and Mt Etna. Comfort beyond all reason (even the sheets are linen...oooooooooooohmigosh...pricey, especially with the trounced dollar, but worth it and more).

For lunch at the hotel one day, we had a dessert drink that would knock your socks off (and exceeds even the linen sheets for sheer luxurious pleasure). I have forgotten the name of it...but I have not forgotten its taste...Cathy will have pictures on her blog...
We ordered it for 3.
-The waiter came to the table with a large glass bowl in which there was lemon sherbet (how much?...too much, there ended up being enough for us to have seconds...we did not complain...AT ALL)...
-He zested a lemon into the sherbet (the lemon fragrance was fantastic and washed over the table).
-He took a whisk and softened the sherbet, mixing in the lemon zest.
-Then he poured champagne (actually I think it was Proseco but I won't swear to it) into the bowl...how much? enough to make it slightly liquid-y without being watery...he whisked some more.
-Then he added Vodka (I'd say a splash...Cathy said it was about a tablespoon)...then the headwaiter came by and splashed some more vodka in...clearly a matter of taste...more whisking.
-This went into champagne flutes...he filled them in a most ingenious way. He took a cloth napkin and wrapped it tightly around the flute...ladled/spooned the mixture into the flute filling it, then slowly advanced the napkin up the sides wiping the sides clean.
-I can't tell you...cold, tart and with a slight effervescence...again HEAVEN!!