I know where my dream came from.  Yesterday, as I was out shopping for a Christmas tree and ornaments, I had a quick caffè macchiato at my favorite bar, Gilli, on the Piazza della Repubblica. I felt like a child in toy land, surrounded by all manner of sweets and Christmas breads.  Let me show you:

How about some white or dark chocolates covered with candied violets and rose petals?

Or some cookies covered with milk chocolate and topped with a white chocolate snowflake?  Or, to the right, a chocolate decorated with the appearance of marbleized paper.  Perchè no?  We are in the land of the art of marbleized paper!

Or perhaps a cupcake? Or a sweet made to look like a snowman or a Christmas tree?

Those snowmen are cute!  Let’s have a closer look!

And did you see the Christmas tree cookies above?

But maybe to you Christmas means festive red or white poinsettias?  Fear not!  Gilli’s got you covered!

I think words are unnecessary when admiring the photos below.  I give you…a moment of quiet to savor the seasonal offerings of one of the world’s finest pastry shops.

Buon Natale!  

Auguri!

Season’s Greetings!