ITALY FEVER

MOVIE: The Bicycle Thief

2009-11-15T11:16:00.000-06:00

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.

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!

Italian Accordion

2009-10-04T22:08:00.010-05:00

Hoping to surprise my husband with a good "used" accordion for his birthday, I naturally searched for instruments made in Italy. This black and white Titano (Titan) model 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 time to re-read Annie Proulx's Accordion Crimes too.

The first time I convinced David to go with me to Italy was by bribe (he hates to travel). I had bribed him by asking, "Would you like go to Italy to see where your Tommasini bicycle was made?" And, it worked; we visited the Tommasini factory in Grossetto that trip. Any accordion players out there? (David doesn't play a lick: encouragement and lessons needed!)

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

Seafood Antipasti

2007-10-03T16:53:00.000-05:00

Fabulous "Fortuny" Day

2007-10-03T16:15:00.000-05:00

Spaniard Mariano Fortuny's famous creative fabrics are ubiquitously Venetian and remain in production using the same methods for about a century. I have planned a visit to the Giudecca showroom to select fabrics for special clients. My purchase isn't for the faint of heart given the Euro exchange rate that has skyrocketed since my departure from Texas!

First Morning on Lido

2007-10-03T06:54:00.001-05:00

I stand on a chair to open one of the "attic" room skylights (the only windows in my room) to catch the early rays of dawn. My view across the lagoon is of Venice. Today is devoted to visiting the Fortuny fabric showroom on Giudecca and the Fortuny Museum in Palazzo Fortuny in Venice.

Finally, Officially in Venice

2007-10-04T06:47:00.001-05:00

Chocolate "Salami"

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

Lake Garda Trout for Lunch

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

Cooking with Chef Luisa Zecchinato

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

Beef "Tagliata" with Arugula and Parmesan

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

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.

Nineteen "Wheels" Tall

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

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