The daily musings of an incurable "Optimist"

Shrimpball braised in fish stock and tomato sauce served with pan fried potatoes. https://www.instagram.com/p/B1z-YrDhwO7/?igshid=11qu5b59rzglv

@cluckfarms and @marquettecastings thank you for breakfast this morning ! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eS8EpBtXV/?igshid=1r7e6m62r1xve

I want me some pesto. Tonight I got me what I wanted. The fact that it tasted so great was a huge advantage. Now.... the fact I am the one who made it this good..... well , that was a gift from God! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Xq4-qBuYI/?igshid=18iinrwoynbed

My wife drives me nuts with this :"Stop! LET ME TAKE A PICTURE!" thing. But it would be unwise to argue with these results. 😀😁😎😘 #Repost @nancistellino • • • • • #hatman @chefstellino https://www.instagram.com/p/B1U7p9sh4Hk/?igshid=1xm6uoljcgrch

Very happy with my first attempt. Got a long way to go, the way I see it the sky is the limit! Creating all sorts of culinary ,masterpieces in my mind. Wonder what happens next. As for now: " Viva Pho!" https://www.instagram.com/p/B1UiUXZhXIV/?igshid=k9xucykg3b5z

My favorite moment at the KTWU televised FUNDRAISER. Thank you all for a fantastic series of moments in Topeka https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OuFmbBshA/?igshid=1t4yyfnccvbbe

My cat Lugi wanted to make sure I was not lonely on the road! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Jn56ehvuD/?igshid=1hx69g4xuyq4

I got to this point , while walking in my garden and I stopped. My sixtygenarian brain must have have had some kind of a glitch ,and my awarness of the moment was shot back in time, to a instant like this, at this very spot in the garden, some 14 years ago. I had stetched my investments a bit to thin. Coupled with a series of unsuccessful initiatives, I was left me in a tender spot, fiancially speaking. I was in the middle of production and I had run out of money. In for a penny, in for a pound. Somehow I persevered, yet I was truly scared. There was nothing heroic about it. I was granted great fortune and I never had to fall to my knees. I came close. That was scary enough. In the midst of my walk in the garden, sipping on my rye whiskey, I was scheming in my head the sequence of bold moves I needed to make to get myself back on track. I stared at this view. Believe what you want, but I tell you this: " My house and my garden spoke to me!" I blocked the noise of the world around. I thanked God for the privilege of a moment like this. Took another sip of rye Staring at this view I left my worries melt away. A huge weight dropped off my shoulder and the inner recesses of my heart. Being armed with foolishness or unfounded optimism, I got myself out of a tight spot. It worked. It took a while I LOVE MY HOME. I said this before:" She is not a Home, she is family." https://www.instagram.com/p/B1C87Q2Btv-/?igshid=u1vpr4i6afb7

Shrimp Etouffee , a la Siciliana! Man I am gonna ask myself in marriage! This is an awesome dinner day for me! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1AtaZaB263/?igshid=ta0pogass5af

Panfried Halibut and roasted garlic Broccolini! Mamma mia , this is awesome! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1AtFJ7BNWz/?igshid=1v6unk2bwkcqp

Pan seared scallop with bacon and creamy skillet corn! Man I am on a roll! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1AsYjqhp5O/?igshid=ombr28z8cbml

Cooking at home. She took this shot while I was not looking. I surely am pretty intense in making just a simple burger. She caught me! https://www.instagram.com/p/B072jPKhDfT/?igshid=j7xl45n3z8n9

#repost @storytellerinthekitchen ・・・ Have questions about cooking with cast irons or grilling? Join me for a live Q&A all about cast irons and grilling. Drop your questions below in the comments 👇👇👇 https://www.instagram.com/p/B07Db2bhpU1/?igshid=15fk9rct8q2ew

My father always told us that in spite of the fact that we were born Sicilians our ancestry is from Tuscany. I took this picture over 20 years ago during a trip through the Tuscan Hills. I ran into the small town of Stellino. Wow thhose Tall Tales were true! https://www.instagram.com/p/B06-wq8hAuz/?igshid=v56qlatln3bz

Turn your home into your favorite restaurant! My favorite tag line from my old TV Series. @marquettecastings griddle makes my feel like a short order cook at my favorite fantasy breakfast joint. Welcome to Nick’s Diner! https://www.instagram.com/p/B06NUGLhO7m/?igshid=jjwjfzpgeiy0

Cabbage leaves stuffed with sausage and rice, double baked with fresh mozzarella and parmesan cream. Yet the real winner is the fried cabbage and zucchini which I served on the side. This was a fantastic cook! https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zkCoGBBAq/?igshid=itxv6dvb5wp7