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French Flowers

The French have that certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to flowers and floral arranging.  C’est vrai!!  Fleuriste shops are always stocked with blooms…

They love greenery and urns.  Ferns, moss, ivy, baby’s tears and grasses.  I would love to just run my fingers through all of these in the window display…

Speaking of urns, check out this grand stone urn with the geraniums spilling over the side…

French roses compare to no other.  Such wonderful sorbet colors and creative displays just spill right onto the sidewalk…

You can always find every color of pink and red.  They smell as good as they look, and I am in love with the zinc buckets they are arranged in…

I imagine myself, sitting at this cafe, enjoying my cafe au lait and croissant, wrapped in these trailing roses.  I would have a hard time deciding if I was more attracted to the smell of the roses, or the smell of my coffee!

I hope these Parisian posies brighten your day and bring a smile to your face in the midst of this dreary winter.  One can only pray for Spring.

Angels and Oscars

photo courtesy of Reuters

We sat on the couch, glued to the TV, watching the Oscars last night.  When the Best Actress nominees were being read, we closed our eyes, entwined our hands and chanted Ma-ri-on, Ma-ri-on.  We sent all of our positive energy to her….and when her name was announced, we screamed and jumped up and down.  Her last words as she accepted, " It is true, there are angels in this city tonight!"   

Congratulations Marion!!!!  You are the Best Actress of the year.  Edith Piaf would be proud.

And if you haven’t seen La Vie En Rose and her stunning performance, you don’t know what you are missing.  It was as if Edith channeled herself through Marion.  Run right out and rent it! 

Il Continori

                                                                                                                         courtesy of Il Continori website

Last night we had our monthly girls night out.  I have been to Il Continori before, and they have wonderful, authentic Italian food.  But a little birdie told me that they have a Wednesday night special.  You get 3 courses for $18.95.  Which is an insanely good value, considering most of the entrees on the menu are around $17.  Needless to say, we couldn’t resist.

I really love the inside.  The atmosphere reminds me of rustic Italy.  Brick and stucco walls, dark wood tables, candles, white tablecloths and pictures of Italy.  A mix of Andrea Bocelli and classical music accompanies your meal, though a bit too loud for our liking.  I also must say that Pachelbel’s Canon is one of my favorite classical pieces, but not every version known to man, playing for half an hour straight.  It was a bit much.  We did have a good laugh about it though.

                                                                                                           photos courtesy of Il Continori website

First, they brought out delicious fresh bread and olive oil with loads of sliced fresh garlic and sun dried tomatoes.  It was so good, but I had to remind myself not to fill up.

The first course was a choice of antipasti or salad.  The antipasti, which could feed two, consisted of chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, olives, prosciutto, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, portabello mushrooms and eggplant.  It was more than delicious.  The green salad was tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette and mixed with red onion and pear tomatoes.

For the main course, you could choose from any pasta or meat dish on the menu under $17 or any of the 4 specials of the evening.   I chose a special, pork in a port wine au jus, severed with garlic mashed potatoes with a squash and onion side dish.  Another friend chose the fresh papparadelle with duck in a red sauce and the remaining 2 ladies chose the fresh fettuccine with peas and pancetta in a tomato cream sauce.  Not only were they all delicious…but we each had enough for leftovers.  As you can see, the portions are more than generous!

Dessert was a choice of about 5 homemade sweets.  We chose tiramisu, orange creme brulee and chocolate gelato.  Again, all equally good, though the chocolate gelato was reeeeeeally chocolaty!!!

Their wine list had many reasonably priced reds and whites by the bottle. It is so hard for all of us to agree on a wine, but this time we agreed on a bottle of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a nice fruity red, with a little bit of spice.  It was a steal at $25!   Just $6 a person..and we all got more than a glass out of it.  They even had an $18 Chianti on the list.  I can’t remember the last time I saw a bottle of red wine on a wine list for less than $20. 

The vote at the end of dinner….thumbs up!  We all agreed to come back again.  We would certainly go anytime, but with all that delicious homemade Italian food setting us back a mere $19, I think Wednesday will now be our favorite night to return!

Il Continori
2648 East Main Street
Wappingers Falls, NY  12590
845.297.9222

What’s in your Vocab Bank?

Last week in Italian class, our professore announced a little contest.  A contest involving words.  She actually says that vocab, aka, vocabulary is like a savings account.  Every word you put in is equal to one Euro, or Dollar here in the US (actually, at this point, I’d rather it be Euro.)  And every word you use, or withdraw from the bank is worth the same.  I like her little stories and rationalizations.  It keeps us having fun in class!!

So, she told us to start keeping track of every word in Italian that we know.  Really know! We have to write them all down on a sheet of paper. She will quiz us at the end of our 10 weeks when we hand it in, to make sure we really know them.  The student that knows the most vocab will win!  Win what?  Well, we don’t know yet..but I for one am hoping it is either the amount of cash in our Vocab Bank…or at the very least, a trip to Italia!  (A perfect example of why Sognatrice, aka..dreamer, is a fitting name for me)

When I first thought about it, I was reluctant to play.  I kept thinking how sad my short little list would be.  But as I kept thinking and thinking, listing and listing…my list kept growing and growing.  And I did not cheat and write down every number I know, every type of coffee drink I know, every pasta dish or noddle name or tiny words like he, it, the, or, and the like. I used actual words.  So far I am up to over 150 words….and counting.  I think traveling to Italy, watching movies about Italy, and reading every Italian travel guide and memoir known to man, has helped me immensely in my quest for Vocab Victory!!!  It is amazing to see how many words you really do know…. it excites you, pushes you to learn more and makes you believe in your abilities!! 

So, now I am passing the torch along to you, dear readers.  I thought it would be fun for you to play along.  Why not come up with your own list of words you know in a foreign language..even English…if that happens to not be your native tongue?  You never know….you may know more than you thought…and it just may motivate you to continue learning a new language.

For anyone who does their Vocab homework, if you post a comment telling  us your non-native language and the total number of words that you know in that language, I will enter you in a little drawing.  And no cheating!!!  We are all on the honor system here, folks.  Your homework is due by midnight, Friday, EST.   A little language themed prize will be awarded to the random winner of the drawing. 

Photo:  Water flows from a fountain in Lucca, Italy.   Both fontana and acqua are words in my Vocab Bank.

Our Newest Addition

For the last seven years, I have been looking for the perfect piece to provide stylish storage in my kitchen.  Problem is, the space.  It is a small space.  The piece couldn’t be too long, or too wide.  It would also need to be relatively short, because it will be placed in front of 2 big windows…and there is no way I would completely block the natural light.  So, while I would have loved a full fledged hutch, it would not work. *sigh*  And I am fussy.  I know what I like and I can’t see spending the money on something I will grow unhappy with in a few short weeks.  I’d rather wait and find it.  Now you can see why this has been so difficult. 

But magic happened last weekend…

We were wandering up and down the aisles of Hoffman’s Barn, not looking for anything in particular.  Placed in the corner, on top of another dresser…there it was.  A dresser.  A small one. With a wonderful, shabby, chippy, uneven, worn looking cream finish.

With some even lovelier detailing.  Turned legs.  A scalloped design on the bottom front facade.  Old painted hardware.  Carved wooden accents on the sides and front of a drawer.

Lots of storage for glasses, silver, candles, table linens, napkins, over-sized platters, and whatever else we want to hide from view.  And enough room underneath to stack some cooking magazines. The top can serve as extra space for drinks and appetizers when we decide to entertain.  I was in heaven.   

There it sits, filling in the empty space in my kitchen.  It is a perfect fit, exactly what I wanted.  It is no longer a dresser, but a sideboard.  We may even buy a piece of marble for the top of it, to add a cutting surface.

This just proves two of  my rules when looking for antiques or flea market treasures.

1.  Always think outside the box. Just because a piece was originally used for one thing, doesn’t mean you can’t transform into something else. Use your imagination.  Be creative.  Make it work.

2.  Don’t settle.  Be patient.  If you are like me, and you know what you want and love….only spend the money on what you love.  It may take time, but you will find it.  Have faith…it will come.  And when it does, it feels soooo good.  Like the perfect mate, you will know when it is the one. 

Do you have a story about a piece?  Something that took you forever to find, but when you finally found it, angels sang?  Or maybe a treasure that you turned into something other than its original purpose?  I would love it if you shared….

Be My Valentine…

Cupid looks lovingly at his Valentine.  A blush pink silk bow in his chubby little hands.  But what is the bow for?  Perhaps he has just unwrapped a gift, or is going to wrap a present for the one he loves.  Or maybe a little treasure hunt is in order..and the ribbon serves as a blindfold?  I know a good matchmaker, if you need one.   

A young boy serenades his young love, swinging away on her seat, braids tossing ’round in the breeze.  Young and innocent, they celebrate each other.  I wonder how sweet the song can be…on a bagpipe? 

Whose love will you be celebrating today?  Where will you aim cupids arrow?  What romantic notions are you planning for your Valentine?   A treasure hunt, a special dinner, maybe your concocting some love potion?  Do kiss and tell. 

However and whomever you celebrate… Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photos:  Cupid detail on an old antique Italian gilt mirror and scene on a French tapestry in my home

So, what’s in a name?

This week in Italian class we got to pick our own names.  We each had to pick an Italian pseudonym to call each other during class.  Down the line we went, Antonia picked Antonia, Mary chose Maria, Joe went with Giuseppe, Chris translates to Cristoforo (careful, if you pronounce it wrong it means Christopher Columbus).  And then there was me. 

I consider myself lucky in this respect, because there is no Italian translation for Robin.  I was hoping Professore wouldn’t say Roberta, as I really don’t care for that name.  Instead, I got to pick whatever I wanted.  Oh, the possibilities. 

And then it dawned on me.  I asked her if it had to be a Proper name.  She said it could be whatever I wanted.  Well, I wanted Sognatrice, which means dreamer…because I dream of Italy and in honor of my dear friend Michelle over at Bleeding Espresso.  My pronunciation must have been a little off, because when I asked her, she said.." oh, one who prays, a prayer?"  Uh, well, no, not exactly, at least I don’t think so.  So, I tried again, this time emphasizing the ya in Son-ya-tree-chey.  That must have done it because she smiled and said, "Ah, dreamer, veddy nice-a!" 

Meanwhile, the rest of the class were busy sounding out my new name.  They were all moaning and groaning, while realizing that they will have to now address the former easy-breezy named Robin, as the now more complicated…Sognatrice.  I think a saw a few dirty looks and perhaps heard an "oh, brother" from the far corner of the room.   

Boh.

Photo:  A trattoria in San Gimignano named Chiribiri…which really doesn’t translate to anything.  It’s just a happy sounding name, obviously chosen from the heart.

Blimey Limey Olive Oil

When we were in Paris this past September, we happened upon Oliviers & Company, or O & Co as some know it, on the rue Cler.  We happen to sample a delicious citrus olive oil, called Citron Vert.  My limited French translation skills told me that it would mean *Green Lemon*.  Ah, but there are no green lemons, so it must be lime oil.  We made a mental note of it and figured we would buy it back here, in the US, because it would be less expensive and we wouldn’t have to worry about a possible olive oil explosion at 10,000 feet.  Eewww.  Not pretty.

We finally got our hands on some, and as luck would have it….it is indeed made from green lemons. They press the olives and lemons when the fruit is still green.  Who knew?  I didn’t think that was possible.

The flavor of this oil is unlike any other I have ever tasted.  I have had grassy, peppery and lemony, but this is almost indescribable!  You must try it for yourself!!

We drizzled it on toasted bread topped with a dash of fleur de sel, but it would also make a wonderful oil to use in a citrus salad dressing.  The flavor is so intense and fresh! 

You can buy on line here, request a catalog, or visit a store near you.  I highly recommend eating, and tasting your way through all of their wonderful Mediterranean products!

Italian Language Links

I was thinking I might share a few links with you…just in case you would like to join me in my attempt to learn the Italian language.

• You can learn a word a day and hear it spoken by a native Italian, at Transparent Language .  You also get an example spoken in a sentence.
• About.com offers Italian Word a Day.  You can also get it delivered in a newsletter.  I like browsing the archives there.
• Rosetta Stone is touted by companies like NASA, IKEA and the US Army for being the  best way to learn a language.  Learn on your computer by associating words and phrases with corresponding pictures!
• Learn some of the basics, for free.  Including some popular phrases..one or two naughty ones too.
• Another set of short, basic lessons on the Internet.  A good reference, with some quizzes to test your knowledge at the end.
• Talk about tech savvy.  Why not learn Italian through podcasts?  ItalianPod101.com – The Fastest Way to Learn Italian Guaranteed
• looks like the coolest.  And I am totally signing up!!
• Call your cable company and ask to get the Italian channel as an add on to your package.  This way you can practice, translate and hear Italian…anytime you wish!
• Do you have a Google page?  You can add this gadget to it…another Audio Word a Day.
• Ever heard of Mango?  Not the fruit, the Mango Language program!  It’s just as sweet.  And if you have a membership to the New York Publc Library, you can get 100 lessons for free.
• Or, you could live the true dream and go to school in Italia!!

—

So tell me, what languages do you know?  Which ones would you like to learn?  What are your secrets for mastering a new language?

Photo Credit Flickr

Italiano Imparante

Loosely translated…Learning Italian.  We had taken some classes in 2004, right before our trip to Italy.  You know, just to learn a little bit to travel with.  Typical stuff, like "I would like a coffee.", "We have a reservation", or the ever popular "Can I live here, with you for the rest of my life and can you find me work?"  We learned the months, telling time, how to count, pronunciation.  Basic Italian.  Very basic.

But, we are loosing it.  Well, yes our minds, of course, but I meant the Italian language.  Anyone who takes a language will tell you that unless you practice it, often, your chances of retaining it are slim.  And so, we have no Italian speaking friends or family.  Little by little we forget.

So, I started perusing continuing education classes in our area.  Low and behold, we found a class that was beginning in a week.  Ahh, perfeto!!  And the best part is, it is an ongoing program..so we can keep going.  Italian I thru Italian V.  10 weeks each.  We are it in for the long haul.

Monday night was our first class.  Italian I.  And lets just say, it is not your basic, fun, just for kicks and giggles class.  It is like a college course.  Gulp.  *hard swallow*  I haven’t been in a college class for, well, um, lets see, the better part of 20 years.  I am scared.  I buy notebooks, I bring pens.  I hope there is no final exam.

Our teacher is adorable.  She is about 70, short wavy gray hair, glasses and about 4′ 2".  She is from Sicily and has taught Italian here for about 40 years.  She gave us a fascinating little lesson on the history of the Italian language and dialects.  Then we got down to the nitty gritty.  Let me just show you some of things we learned and what I have to look forward too…

• As far as pronunciation, in Italian you say what you see.   Already easier than French.
• The Italian alphabet only has 21 letters.  They don’t use j, k, w, x, y.  Even better, less letters to memorize.
• In Italian, nouns are both masculine and feminine.  Huh, words with a gender?  Basically, if it ends in e or o, it is masculine.  If a word ends in a, it is feminine.  Generally.  Uh, but there are always exceptions. We don’t have this in English.  A word just is what it is, there are no body parts involved, no sexuality, no sexual tension.  Oh, that’s right, Italian is a romance language.
   
• The stress on the word happens in the 2nd syllable, counted from the end of the word to the beginning.  Like in Italia…e-taaal-ya.  You carry the vowel a little longer.  But..not all the time.  Take Medici.  You would think it would be meh-deee-chee.  Nope, it is mehhh-di-chee.  Stress on the 1st syllable.  We asked our teacher how you would know.  She shrugs her shoulders in true Italian fashion and said " You won’t know, till you hear it spoken and you remember it".  Great. Clear as mud.
• We learned that there are not a lot of character or accents marks in Italian.  The accent mark in Italian is usually misrepresented by an accent grave (è ), but it is truly more like a half moon sign above the letter (ĕ). The text books are lying to us- not a good sign.   
• Last, but not least, we learned how to construct a sentence.  I give you my first written sentence in Italian…

Compro il vino, il pane e la farina per la famiglia di Maria.   Which translates to I am buying wine, bread and flour for Maria’s family. 

Fascinating, I know. 

We already have homework for next week.  I have my own goal.  How to say ‘Oh My God, what have I gotten myself into?‘…in Italian.