ITALY FEVER ™

EPICOPIA: Join Harold in Italy in 2012

2012-01-19T17:01:00.002-06:00

My dear friend, Harold Partain, has a great travel menu for Italy this year! "Authentic Puglia: A Culinary Cultural Experience" (September 20-29, 2012); Puglia (or Apulia) is the sunny heel of the "boot" that's wrapped by the Adriatic Sea (hint: lots of seafood!). And what's not to love about pasta via "Italian Maremma & Umbria: A Pasta Lover's Culinary Tour in October, or Tuscany for "Taste the Land of the Renaissance" (November 7-18, 2012). See EPICOPIA for details and say ciao to Harold for me!

STUDIO UPDATE

2012-01-19T16:36:00.000-06:00

Cleaning out my studio so I can start painting in January . . .

EPICOPIA: Harold in Italy 2011

2010-09-16T11:13:00.006-05:00

My good friend, Harold Partain, is at it again, going to Italy without me! Only a few spots are left on his upcoming Tuscan experience: A Taste of the Land of the Renaissance (November 10-21, 2010). Trip includes a visit to a cheesemaker and a personal "truffle hunt" and cooking lesson, plus a visit to Lucca (one of my favorite destinations). He's selected an amazing agriturismo stay near Vinci and a delightful hotel in Florence---best of country and city with food and wine experiences along the way. Harold and EPICOPIA pair the best of Italia!

Saying Goodbye to Rome

2010-08-07T11:47:00.001-05:00

Colosseo

2010-08-06T11:35:00.001-05:00

Time for Lanna to jump again. I told her that her shadow looked like a bull, hooves and all.

Rome at Night

2010-08-06T11:13:00.003-05:00

Rome in Black and White

2010-08-05T10:47:00.017-05:00

Vatican Flooring

2010-08-04T10:51:00.008-05:00

Please tread on me.

Where we walk is important.

Floor mosaics celebrate functional beauty.

Great Lighting in Rome

2010-08-04T10:38:00.003-05:00

First Day in Rome

2010-08-04T10:15:00.002-05:00

Soon Departing Orvieto

2010-08-03T23:39:00.004-05:00

I write.

Lanna jumps.

Special Purpose Lighting in Orvieto

2010-08-03T23:20:00.003-05:00

This is one of the more unusual wrought iron light fixtures that I documented. It's designed to illuminate an enormous display frame. I never confirmed if it was electrified or gas since I never walked by it at night to know if it worked or not. I've also seen candle holders like this before, so not sure what this one really is.

Orvieto's Duomo with Golden Mosaic Facade

2010-08-03T23:13:00.006-05:00

A Simple LIght Fixture In Orvieto

2010-08-03T23:06:00.003-05:00

One of my research tasks this trip was to document light fixtures along the way. This one reminds me of "lusters" from Murano.

Taking Time to Write

2010-08-02T23:01:00.003-05:00

Living the Dream via Sagraincasa

2010-08-02T22:50:00.005-05:00

Our gracious hosts and my niece, Lanna; www.sagraincasa.com.

As charming as it looks. Delightfully Umbrian in the midst of rolling hills.

Fiori di Zucca alla Romana per Sagraincasa.com

2010-08-02T16:45:00.003-05:00

Inserting a tiny "cherry" (ciliegia) ball of mozzarella inside after removing the pollen head.

Adding a sliver of anchovy inside before dipping in batter.

Frying in sunflower oil until golden.

Cooking Class near Orvieto

2010-08-02T16:00:00.005-05:00

The highlight of my summer trip proved to be a cooking class in the Umbrian countryside near Orvieto. The experience was first amazing because I totally managed to surprise my niece with the pre-arranged class; I didn't "spill the beans" so to speak until the morning we were to be picked up in Orvieto. Secondly, I have a new Italian friend in Simona Fabrizio, owner of www.sagraincasa.com; she and her husband, Nick, were gracious and welcoming with open arms.

Simona and Lanna.

Zucchini Flowers

2010-08-02T15:00:00.005-05:00

When Simona of www.sagraincasa.com said she had gone to a neighbor's garden at 7:30 in the morning to pick fresh zucchini flowers (blossoms) for our cooking class (because she didn't have enough blossoms in her own garden), I was smitten. I was totally impressed that my neice, Lanna, and I would be getting a "local" food experiences---as promised!

The zucchini blossoms shown here are from Monterosso. When I took this photo, I had to bite my lip not to tell my niece, Lanna, about her upcoming "surprise" cooking class in Orvieto because I knew zucchini blossoms were on the class menu!

Teatro Mancinelli in Orvieto

2010-08-01T23:29:00.006-05:00

A beatiful discovery to find this. I can't believe I never visited
this interior before on previous trips .

Center chandelier.

Sconces with gilt finish.

Riomaggiore to Manarola

2010-07-31T16:45:00.003-05:00

This path is easy and beautiful, perfect evening passeggiata (the evening stroll).
It's known locally as the "Via dell' Amore" (the way of love).

"Lovers locks" are plentiful with keys tossed to the sea.

Seafood pasta in Manarola.

Riomaggiore to Manarola

2010-07-31T16:25:00.002-05:00

Riomaggiore's Mosaic Tunnel

2010-07-31T16:15:00.001-05:00

Flavors of Riomaggiore

2010-07-31T16:01:00.002-05:00

Colors of Riomaggiore

2010-07-30T15:54:00.014-05:00

Great place to watcher fishermen come and go.

Blue, ever so blue, is the water here!

Monterosso Again

2010-07-30T15:38:00.021-05:00

Monterosso Seafood

2010-07-30T15:28:00.014-05:00

I'm sure I saw the fishing boat that caught this today!

More of Monterosso

2010-07-30T15:09:00.006-05:00

Fat lemons are everywhere.

Food at every corner.

Short cut to the beach.

Monterosso Beach

2010-07-29T14:23:00.040-05:00

I had dreaded going to the Cinque Terra in July, but it was even more beautiful than the last time I was there. It also wasn't as crowded as I'd feared. Of the five fishing villages, it is Monterosso that has this amazing beach, my favorite place to book a hotel.

Layover in Madrid

2010-07-28T14:31:00.000-05:00

Lanna visiting the Prada.

Nice airport.

Hanna Girl

2010-07-23T11:37:00.004-05:00

Will you miss me when I'm in Italy? I promise to send a photos along
the way!

Palladio Exhibit

2010-06-20T18:05:00.003-05:00

Palladio exhibit in NYC at the Morgan Library is awesome in every way.
The models are spectactular!

MOVIE: Letters to Juliet

2010-03-22T09:57:00.009-05:00

In a world of texting, Tweets, and e-mail, can a hand-written letter still change your life? It seems so in the upcoming movie, LETTERS TO JULIET, starring Amanda Seyfried as Sophie (opening nationwide May 14th). Viewing the trailer is awe-inspiring with killer views---the setting in and around Verona is favoloso! (FOLLOW UP: Oh my gosh, the scenery is drop-dead gorgeous in this movie! Yes, I saw it on opening day!)

BOOK: Every Day in Tuscany

2010-03-10T16:18:00.006-06:00

I hear the brakes and glance out the window beyond my desk to see the brown delivery truck as it stops on the street below. "It's here!" I announce to Hanna, curled on the floor in afternoon slumber. "What? No bark this time?" Not to worry, for I'm already down the stairs in search of my next read, an immediate dip into Frances Mayes' lastest volume, pre-ordered from Amazon and arriving this moment. "Ciao, gotta' run!"

BOOK: Brava Valentine

2010-02-16T13:50:00.000-06:00

Adriana Trigiani is back with a second installment in the life of shoemaker Valentine Roncalli in BRAVA, VALENTINE. More delicious romance, perfect "escapism" reading, a joy to read following a long day of work.

Palladian Exhibit in NYC

2010-02-03T13:59:00.001-06:00

Not to be missed! Think "Jet Blue" (from Texas) and make plans for the upcoming Palladian exhibit at New York's Pierpont Morgan Library and Museum, April 2-July 31. On display will be a selection of 31 drawings by Andrea Palladio---from a collection at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London. The exhibit will chronicle how Palladio's publications influenced 18th C. American architecture, especially once English editions became available. The exhibit will also include models as a part of its interpretation.

MOVIE: When In Rome

2010-01-18T10:03:00.001-06:00

Premiering nationwide January 29 is the movie, WHEN IN ROME---not to be confused with the silly 2002 children's movie of the same name. Why do they do this? Give movies the same name! I'm not hopeful that this new movie will live up to being the comedy it's played up to be, but still, I'll be watching just the same---if only to catch a glimpse of the city, a few savory moments in Rome.

COOKBOOK: Thirty Minute Pasta

2010-01-10T23:23:00.002-06:00

It's soup season, so how about Pasta e Fagioli? Tune in to catch the TODAY show on January 14 for Giuliana Hazan's kitchen wizardry again, recipes from his latest cookbook, Giuliana Hazan's Thirty Minute Pasta. It's sure to be a winner, already on the list as a Top 10 Cookbook on GOOD MORNING AMERICA. Check upcoming class schedules for Giuliana's cooking school in Italy at Villa Giona near Verona!

"Felice Anno Nuovo" from Pienza

2009-12-19T10:25:00.005-06:00

So fun to receive an annual holiday greeting from Marco and Giuliana, owners of the bicycle touring company, CICLOPOSSE, in Pienza. A few years ago in Italy, I surprised my husband, David, on his birthday with a custom-guided bicycle tour with Marco. Still to this day, David frequently repeats the story of his adventures riding in Tuscany with CICLOPOSSE. Self-guided tours also available with lots of destinations combining walking and cooking classes, whatever your energetic heart desires!

MOVIE: The Bicycle Thief

2009-11-15T11:16:00.002-06:00

It's time to see The Bicycle Thief again, Vittorio De Sica's classic film from 1949---making 2009 the movie's 60th anniversary. The movie won an Academy Award for Outstanding Foreign Language Film in 1949. Powerful, emotional, bare bones black and white cinema.

MOVIE: Golden Door

2009-10-15T23:12:00.003-05:00

There's a touch of fantasy in Golden Door, but the overall story of a Sicilian peasant family immigrating to America captivates. The ship's journey and its arrival in America makes me want to visit the Ellis Island Museum. I'm placing Sicily on my "to do" list too, what rough and rugged countryside---these Italians had to be tough to live on such land. I even watched the "making of the movie" showing director Emanuele Crialese's vision for the movie and how it was filmed in Argentina (largely comprised of Sicilian immigrant "extras"). Martin Scorsese also does an introduction about his Sicilian roots. And, did I mention it's a love story? Italian language with sub-titles.

BOOK: A Sea of Troubles

2009-10-14T10:03:00.001-05:00

I recently picked up Donna Leon's latest mystery (since About Face) in the Albuquerque airport, thinking, "How had I missed reading this one?" It appears that A Sea of Troubles was first released in the UK in 2001, but now is out in paperback from Penguin Group (USA). The setting is on the island of Pellestrina, south of the Lido, making me wish I'd made a day trip to Chioggia on my last trip to Venice. Commissario Brunetti is charming and clever as always. Oh how I'd love to sit down to a fine meal with him!

Italian Accordion

2009-10-04T22:08:00.028-05:00

Hoping to surprise my husband with a good "used" accordion for his birthday, I naturally searched for instruments made in Italy. I finally found this black and white Titano (Titan) model and it was a big hit today. So, now I'm thinking a 2010 trip to Castelfidardo (in the Marche region) is in our future---the birthplace of the accordion! It's also time to re-read Annie Proulx's Accordion Crimes.

The first time I convinced David to go with me to Italy was also by bribe (he hates to travel). I had coaxed him by asking, "Wouldn't you like go to Italy to see where your Tommasini bicycle was made?" And, yes, it worked. We visited the TOMMASINI factory in Grossetto that trip.

Our Pedernales River View

2009-09-15T09:10:00.006-05:00

Enjoyed a day of simple pleasures with my mother today. Painted this (16 x 20 canvas) from a photo of our VILLA TEXAS river place south of Fredericksburg. My first attempt in acrylics---pretty different from watercolor or oils. Can't wait to build my art studio with this view! Anxious to plant a few olive trees to replace some of our lost lavender plants!

Viva Italia Speaking Event

2009-09-10T14:55:00.000-05:00

I just returned from speaking to Viva Italia, a group of Italy lovers in the Austin area. We gathered at Asti Trattoria for a delightful lunch---the "polenta bowl with mushrooms and eggplant" for me! Then, I got to tell my "story"---how I was smitten with Italy fever while in graduate architecture school, long ago. How I fell in love with Italy amid Roman ruins and Palladian villas and the rolling hills of Tuscany, plus the food, the people, the lifestyle.

COOKBOOK: 50 Great Appetizers

2009-09-02T18:12:00.002-05:00

Love a book title that says it all! Pamela Sheldon Johns' numerous cookbooks always delight and inspire, but this one is well-versed the way I like to eat---in small bites, a sampling of this and that---makes me happy every time. Her Food Artisans site will carry you to her family's villa property in Tuscany near Montepulciano, Agriturismo Poggio Etrusco. Find lodging, food and wine workshops, and olive oil.

Olympian Swimmer Garrett Weber-Gale in Italy

2009-09-01T16:59:00.007-05:00

A friend of a friend of mine is gold medal olympian swimmer, Garrett Weber-Gale, and what's not to love about seeing Garrett swim, cook and eat like the self-described "athletic foodie" that he is---while in Italy.

BOOK: August Heat

2009-08-20T15:39:00.004-05:00

Good mysteries keep me reading even when I'm sleepy at bedtime and this month is perfect for Andrea Camilleri's AUGUST HEAT. Inspector Salvo Mantalbano is funny and shocking as always. Anyone else a "Salvo" fan with a favorite title in the series?

BOOK: Sacred Hearts

2009-07-29T11:43:00.006-05:00

Currently on my iPOD---via www.audible.com---is Sarah Dunant's new book, SACRED HEARTS. Her website (www.sarahdunant.com) has podcasts and more. Anyone read this already? What do you think?

Maiya's: Taste of Italy in Marfa,TX

2009-06-27T22:44:00.004-05:00

Taste Italy in Marfa, TX with local tomatoes for Caprese salad, Pecos canteloupe with proscuitto, and arrugula salad with Texas ruby grapefruit. Local and Italian at its best in Texas!

La Cucina Italiana

2009-06-24T22:42:00.007-05:00

If you're only going to subscribe to one "foodie" magazine then make it La Cucina Italiana. The July issue is filled with fare from the sea and the cover flaunts another summer favorite, zucchini blossoms. Anyone else love zucchini blossoms the way I do?

Venice Biennale and Palazzo Grazzi

2009-06-09T09:04:00.004-05:00

The Venice Biennale is underway, but instead of being drawn to the eclectic and bazaar entries that define the Biennale's "art in the park" setting, I'm instead longing to see the recently installed "Frog in Hand" sculpture by American artist, Charles Ray. The 8-foot sculpture is the new beacon for Palazzo Grazzi, Venice's newest art venue created by Christie's owner, Francois Pinault. Contemporary art lovers have a new reason to re-visit the Grand Canal.

MOVIE: Shadows in the Sun

2009-06-07T21:56:00.004-05:00

In search of a quick "trip" to Italy this weekend, I rented SHADOWS IN THE SUN (2006) to enable the escape. My movie visit was simple and uncomplicated with stunning Tuscan countryside settings, including Rocca d'Orcia. It was a simple, no-surprises movie (except for the scenery!) with good music and blatant mushy romance, but I loved it.

Lucca and the Garfagnana

2009-06-05T22:02:00.020-05:00

One of the lesser known areas of Tuscany is its northern edge near Lucca and the Garfagnana where my friend, Heather Jarman, epitomizes the best there is in local experiences via Gastronomic Adventures, Sapori + Saperi. Who's out there that loves Lucca? Heather is also buddies with a good friend of mine, Harold Partain and Epicopia. Those two together top the chart with local and hands-on food experiences---"Pork and Porcini" anyone?

Helping L'Aquila Earthquake Survivors

2009-05-31T22:56:00.016-05:00

The lingering impact of the L'Aquila earthquake remains on my mind. If you're interested in helping the people of L'Aquila and in the surrounding small hill villages where many elderly live, then here's a good resource to learn ways to help affected L'Aquila's earthquake victims. www.lifeinabruzzo.com/donate-help-laquila-earthquake-victims/

The SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT also established a dedicated appeal so that farmers in these villages receive needed food in the mountain areas surrounding L'Aquila. Their form is in Italian, so for non-Italian speakers you can donate via Global Giving with a form in English; funds go directly to Slow Food Movement.

Harold in Italy at Priello

2009-05-31T21:28:00.011-05:00

My dear friend, Harold Partain, is on his way to Italy as I write this. After a few days in Rome, he's headed to Priello near Anghiari, a hilltop Tuscan farmstay that he will share with a few adventure-goers destined for great times; I know, I've been there! One morning at Priello, Harold and I scrambled eggs and shaved a truffle on top to start the day! Brent, one of the owners of this unusual agritourismo, makes cheese at his nearby goat farm, so that's surely on the "to do" list too. Harold is a delight to travel with and he's a champion at finding charming, off-the-beaten-track destinations filled with local food and wines via local artisans.

BOOK: La Bella Lingua

2009-05-30T18:16:00.010-05:00

Travel memoirs are my favorites reads, so Dianne Hale's LA BELLA LINGUA (www.becomingitalian.com) is personal enough to fit the bill with flying colors (of the Italian flag of course). I can't help but admire a woman that has dedicated so much time, so many years, learning the most beautiful language in the world. Miserably so, my own attempts learning Italian have failed; I simply "get by". This book inspires me to embraced a renewed challenge with this declaration: Some day I will speak Italian beyond noun to noun and verb to verb! Some day I will conquer real sentences!

BOOK: Very Valentine

2009-05-29T17:26:00.013-05:00

Adriana Trigiani has done it again with a story that inspires, gives room to dream, then takes you to Italy. Very Valentine follows the love-laced career of a young shoe designer and her energetic endeavors in carrying on the artisan traditions of her Italian-American shoemaking family in Greenwich Village. Valentine's eventual eye-opening visit to Capri charms and seduces in a way that is armchair travel at its best. "Please keep your promise, Adriana, on making Very Valentine the first installment of another of your "trilogies"!"

Amaracord: Marcella (Hazan) Remembers

2009-04-16T17:32:00.007-05:00

Speaking of Hazan. Reading Marcella Hazan's autobiography, AMARCORD: MARCELLA REMEMBERS, is delightful for anyone who loves "chef-memoirs," my self-appointed genre for such books. Marcella's son, Giuliano (talented per his own cookbooks and cooking classes), kindly wrote a blurb for my ITALY FEVER book jacket, making the book doubly fun for me to read the Hazan family story.

What's Cooking at Villa Giona

2009-04-16T16:55:00.018-05:00

Each year, my friend Giuliano Hazan, offers cooking classes at Villa Giona, a fabulous villa near Verona. Oh how I miss my own days at villa (with an attic room to die for!), sketching and taking photos and cooking too. I've also attended classes when Giuliano traveled to Texas from his base in Florida. Cooking with Giuliano is great fun, and his cookbooks are easy to use, including the more recent, HOW TO COOK ITALIAN.

My Water Taxi to Marco Polo

2007-10-15T23:13:00.003-05:00

View Toward St. Mark's Square

2007-10-15T14:51:00.002-05:00

San Giorgio Maggiore (by A. Palladio)

2007-10-15T12:22:00.003-05:00

This is the last stop on my Palladian pilgrimage and the day is as gloriously stunning as Palladio's temple front design.

Departing Murano

2007-10-15T12:15:00.000-05:00

More Colorful Glass

2007-10-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

A Walk in Murano

2007-10-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

Puff Pastry Pear Strudel with Hot Chocolate Sauce

2007-10-13T16:35:00.001-05:00

Risotta with Pumpkin Puree and Amarone Wine Reduction

2007-10-13T16:27:00.001-05:00

Another Wine Tasting

2007-10-13T16:10:00.000-05:00

Grande Slicing "Toy" for Dream Kitchen

2007-10-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

Another Kitchen Equipment Store

2007-10-13T15:55:00.000-05:00

This shop specializes in cutting blades, mostly knives and scissors, but it's the big red slicer that catches my eye.

Loggia Ceiling at Castle in Trento

2007-10-13T15:47:00.000-05:00

Room of Mirrors at Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento

2007-10-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

Touring Trento Today

2007-10-13T09:02:00.000-05:00

Window Shopping for Kitchen "Toys"

2007-10-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

I want a meat slicer; I've seen several!

Interior of Arena Seats 25,000 People for Opera and Concerts

2007-10-12T15:33:00.001-05:00

From Darlene's iPhone:

Verona's Roman Arena

2007-10-12T15:26:00.001-05:00

Palladian Building in Verona

2007-10-12T15:18:00.002-05:00

Next on Menu is Ravioli with Ricotta and Spinach

2007-10-11T16:10:00.002-05:00

Back in the Kitchen Again

2007-10-11T15:58:00.001-05:00

Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena

2007-10-11T15:17:00.001-05:00

Balsamic vinegar does more than taste good. Luciano Pavorotti had his own special production that seasoned his food AND voice. He was known to take a few drops of his special vinegar before singing, a "balm" for soothing his throat.

Nineteen "Wheels" Tall

2007-10-11T15:11:00.001-05:00

These cheese "columns" left me speechless like a work of art.

Parmigiano Reggiano

2007-10-11T14:59:00.001-05:00

About 158 gallons of milk is needed to produce each wheel and it has one of the lowest cholestral levels of any cheese.

Quick Doses of Caffeine Keep Me Happy

2007-10-10T16:11:00.000-05:00

Beef "Tagliata" with Arugula and Parmesan

2007-10-10T15:50:00.001-05:00

Cooking with Chef Luisa Zecchinato

2007-10-10T15:45:00.001-05:00

Lake Garda Trout for Lunch

2007-10-10T15:21:00.001-05:00

Lazise Waterfront on Lake Garda

2007-10-10T15:17:00.000-05:00

Day Trip to Lazise

2007-10-10T15:09:00.002-05:00

Region of Grana Padano Cheese

2007-10-09T14:17:00.000-05:00

Love this nutty cheese and it's perfectly paired with Ricioto Classico, the sweeter sibling of Amarone Classico.

Evening Wine Tasting

2007-10-09T11:05:00.000-05:00

Upon climbing stone steps to the top of a tiny farmhouse that's been filled with barrels and converted for wine making, six wines are tasted. The pace is slow and easy in the dim light. The Amarone Classico is magical, my favorite.

Perfect Timing for Grape Harvest

2007-10-08T10:26:00.000-05:00

We've arrived during harvest and each evening I walk the rows in search of deep purple "leftover" bunches. My lips are raw from all the juice and seed spitting.

Grape Pergola

2007-10-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

Molinara grape vines for this pergola date to 1875. The grapes were harvested today, reserved for making a special wine for the Serego Alighieri family.

Chocolate "Salami"

2007-10-08T08:46:00.000-05:00

Gnocchi Ragu alla Bolognese

2007-10-08T08:38:00.000-05:00

Fig and Scamorza Bundles with Insalata Greens

2007-10-08T08:33:00.000-05:00

I want one of these giant rolling pins.

2007-10-08T08:09:00.001-05:00

Harold During Group Cooking Class

2007-10-08T08:02:00.000-05:00

Wine and Roses

2007-10-08T07:55:00.000-05:00

Elegant Reception

2007-10-08T07:39:00.000-05:00