Wine Soaked Figs...

I was thinking about my Grandfather this morning...so I decided to make some wine soaked figs with the dried figs from Calabria that I had from the holidays...un dolce delizioso!
Buona Domenica a tutti!
Have a beautiful Sunday everyone!!
Love,
Joe

Click photo to enlarge

What an interesting, cathartic day-My "Gray"...Oil Painting & a visit from my Father....

What an interesting, cathartic day....My "Gray"...A wonderful gift by way of an oil painting & a visit from my Father....You know those days when you think for sure that it's going to go one way...and then ends up in another?:)lol Well that was today!Firstly...I woke up to find my Mom on the floor rummaging through an old box of stuff that was my Dad's...she had had a dream about him and felt the need to look through his things and decide what to do with some of them...My parents 50th anniversary would have been just a few days ago...maybe that's why....I was very reluctant to join her at first...wanting to just keep the things as is and leave them alone..even after being so long since he had passed on....but, after some coaxing... I did....Let's just say...I learned some things...heard some wonderful stories, laughed, and yes....shed a few tears...and I'm now sitting here writing this wearing my Father's favorite  New York Yankees Baseball cap...:)I thought I knew it all and had done this already and had all of his things...I have been wearing  his favorite T-shirt(and mine) for many years and have his Dogtags around my neck since he gave them to me and I have the paintings he did hanging on my walls...I even have his used Saxophone reeds taped to the back of my Gibson Les Paul Guitar for good luck and so he's with me every time I hit the stage...can you say superstitious...lol....or sentimental? lol....but, apparently I did not know or have everything... and there are always new things to learn and experience in life, each and every day...... As some may know...I loved my Father dearly and without even knowing the why, what or when of it.....I am so very like him...according to my family...more now so than ever....I guess it must be I'm getting older :)So after all that..I just sat down with my coffee....Then...a ring...the door bell...and a an unexpected mystery box...I opened it to find....A beautiful oil painting out of the blue of my best friend "Gray"....May she RIP....I miss her terribly....What wonderful work by such an awesome, talented, up and coming young artist...And though I thought it might be too soon and too painful to do so...I stared at it all day....I think the artist really captured "Gray" so well...and sometimes I found myself today catching a glimpse maybe walking by and thinking it is really her there...though I must admit I have been doing that a lot lately anyway...It's funny... I love animals...sometimes more than people, as so many say...but was always a Dog person...or so I thought...having 3 dogs over the years....and being allergic to cats....but...  My cat "Gray" was very special....she was a stray that just showed up one day...and never left my side till the day she left this earth....she walked up to me and I said "hey gray kitty"....and the rest is history...She was a very loving, noble and "Dog like" or almost "human like" kitty...A Cat Doctor/Specialist friend of mine said upon meeting "Gray"..."Oh...I see you have a talking Kitty"....and she thought that she was a spirit...and my guardian....based on what the ancient Egyptians believed....and what I know to be true...I have to concur.... I know there was a strange, close bond and connection like I've never had before...and it was known and seen by all that know us....and I always thought she was sent to me....Ti manca la mia Grigia...tuo padre ti ama così tantoWell....thank you for stopping by and reading this post...I hope you may have enjoyed my rambling in some way...I'm not one to typically share and ramble on about such personal things here...well, maybe...occasionally...lol...but isn't that what a Blog is really all about? and what it supposed to be? or at least what they started out being?By definition a Blog is...."a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer""a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences,  observations, insights, opinions, etc"... Please let me know if you like this kind of post...or not....Have an awesome rest of the week!!Love,Joe

Some photos of my beautiful best friend....

Please leave a comment...share your thoughts, experiences and ideas..."Like", "Tweet"  +1 and share, etc...etc...and remember to follow or subscribe to my blog  on Posterous or on Blogspot to keep in touch and to stay updated on happenings....thank you!:)

My Music...

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http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-godsend-sessions/id416008000

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Homemade Pizza! :)

Made a quick homemade pizza tonight...

Some San Marzano Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Garlic, a pinch of Oregano, Salt, Pepper, Fresh Mushrooms, Capocollo, Fresh Grated Asiago Cheese....Oh yeah!!:)
Buon Lunedi a Tutti!:)
Have an awesome new week everyone!!
Love,
Joe

Tons of different pizza recipes will be in my upcoming cookbook! :)

  

Thank you for stopping by and reading this post...
 Please leave a comment...share your thoughts and ideas..."Like", "Tweet"  +1 and share, etc...etc...
Remember to follow or subscribe to my blog to keep in touch and to stay updated on happenings...thank you!:)

 My Music...

 Show your support...Pick up a high quality digital download of my CD..."The Godsend Sessions"...

                           

 http://joegande.bandcamp.com

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-godsend-sessions/id416008000

http://www.joegande.com

Some Omega3s to start the Happy New Year!:) Salmon Cakes

Hi Everybody!:)
Watching Top Chef & cooked up some Salmon Cakes for a late dinner tonight!:)
Some Omega3s to start the New Year!!!:)
What do you think? 
Should I include these and other seafood dishes in my upcoming cookbook?

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2013!
It's gonna be an awesome New Year! I feel it!
Thank you all so much for being so wonderful to me & to my music...really...and for being there for me in good & bad times throughout 2012...with such real friendship & support!
I really appreciate you listening to and sharing and purchasing my music and taking the time to comment and email & share your thoughts and all of your kindness all over the web!...It means so much to me.
I certainly am very blessed and have THE BEST real friends, family and network from around the world!!!
Love,
Joe

I improvised this tonight...and a lot of times I do...depending on what I have in the kitchen...so the recipe may vary....
I will put this recipe with more detailed, full instructions in my new, upcoming cookbook!

Ingredients:
1 Can of Salmon...Wild Alaskan or Sockeye..or fresh Salmon if available, Remove bones & skin
1 Egg
Panko bread crumbs
Mayonaise
Lemon
Minced Onion-I grated it on a zester
Celery- remove strings...chopped very fine & sautéed to soften a bit
Dill
Cayenne Pepper...just a touch
Salt
Black Pepper

 

                                                               Click photo to enlarge...

 

                                                             Click photo to enlarge...

Thank you for reading...

Please leave a comment...share your thoughts and ideas..."Like", "Tweet"  +1 and share, etc...etc... Remember to follow or subscribe to my blog to keep in touch and to stay updated on happenings....thank you!:)

My Music...

Please show your support by picking up a high quality digital download of my CD..."The Godsend Sessions" for just $12.99 on Bandcamp...just click the pic..or visit the sites below....

                           

 http://joegande.bandcamp.com

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-godsend-sessions/id416008000

http://www.joegande.com