Cucina Cara Mia

I've met a new blogging friend and I wanted to introduce her to all of you. Here is her bio in her own words:

Originally from Long Island, New York, I have been blessed for the last 28 years to live in a beautiful San Diego beach town with two teenage daughters, 19 and 16, my wonderful husband of 21 years and two spoiled cats. I love all things Italian, enjoy cooking, cookbooks, great red wine and traveling as much as possible. I have an obsession with the Food Network, especially Barefoot Contessa ( she has spent time with her - plus Martha Stewart sent her a signed 8x10 glossy!) and Everyday Italian. I love a good deal at my favorite stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods. I am a magazine collector and have a very hard time throwing them away. I just discovered "blogging" a few months ago, and it is very addicting, entertaining and inspiring. - Linda Lou

Now. I knew I'd adore this blogger immediately because of the favorite quotes (below) she has on her left sidebar. (And she's half Sicilian - a budding Italian Lifestyle Star) She even has a fun Brady Bunch story to share with you to kick off 2009!

I hope that Cucina Cara Mia continues to ooze with Italian decor, recipes, fashion, style, history, travel....well, you know...all things Italian!

I only have one question: Does Cucina Cara Mia mean 'My Dear Kitchen' in Italian?

Here are her favorite quotes:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We must ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that otherpeople will not feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not in just some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously givepeople permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others - Nelson Mandela

God only gives you what you can handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”- Mother Theresa

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Howard Thurman

If you are walking down the right path, and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you will make progress. - Barack Obama

Photo: Guybamboe