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My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.

Winston Churchill
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Cook for a Cause at Mockingbird Station featuring Smallcakes

Two of my favorite things at once, all while raising money for a local charity?  Don’t mind if I do!  Join me at Mockingbird Station‘s evening of gourmet cupcakes and champagne from its soon-to-open new cupcakery, Smallcakes.

The evening will feature a five-course mini-cupcake tasting paired with champagnes for 30 guests. There will be fabulous gift bags for attendees and all proceeds will go to the chef’s favorite charity, You Can. We invite you to enjoy a night of decadent holiday treats in support of a wonderful cause!

Buy your $20 ticket here and join me for the deliciousness!  

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We are back in the US!

DAY 9: PORTOFINO & SANTA MARGHERITA
Portofino is amazingly picturesque. We climbed the big hill to the Castello Brown and the lighthouse (phew) for some amazing pictures. Then, we took a ferry to Santa Margherita for some light walking, crepes, and the best focaccia bread we’ve ever tasted.
Tonight, we’re doing happy hour, an art reception, dinner in the Grand Dining Room, a chance to win some diamonds (all mine!), and a chance to win some of our money back in the casino. Send us your luck!

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DAY 8: FLORENCE AND PISA
Another early morning took us to the Field of Miracles. Who knew how many other beautiful buildings were around the Leaning Tower of Pisa!?

Another hour and a half on a bus later, we arrived in Florence and surprisingly had time to explore on our own. I led our team on a tour and hit the highlights, a delicious lunch, way too much gelato, and some serious shopping.

One of the best parts of our days is breakfast on the terrace watching our boat arrive at our destinations and dinner watching the dock fade into the blue. (I miss breakfast most mornings … but when I’ve made it, it has been worth losing a bit of sleep.)

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Meals on the ship don’t suck. This was last night’s meal at Polo Grill: Vino, escargot, lobster bisque with brandy, the biggest cut of prime rib I’ve seen in long time, and a quartet of desserts.

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DAY 7: ROME

What an amazing day in Roma!  After an early departure, we headed to Rome for a day “on our own”.  Alice and Jeff ventured across Rome and say just about everything there was to see, while Mom and I met Barbi and Fred (in for the weekend from Florence) for a long Italian lunch, complete with limoncello and macchiati.

Florence and Pisa tomorrow for an 11-hour tour.  Wish us luck.