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What’s new and exciting at My Melange?

I have decided that we need to have some more fun around here…and I’d like your help with that!!  I am introducing two new categories, and the best part is…they are interactive!

Yep, that’s right.  It’s all about you!!

Let’s get right to it…

Numero Uno~

Since this is part travel blog, beginning next Tuesday…I will have a weekly feature called Travel Tip Tuesday.  I will post a new travel tip every Tuesday.  It can be anything.  Airfare, packing secrets, discounts, new hotels or museums opening.  Really.  Anything. 

Here is where you come in…..I want YOUR travel tips!!  You know you have ‘em, those certain little things you always do when you travel.  Something your friend taught you or something you read somewhere.  That little something that makes your life a little easier when you travel.  And what fun it is to learn from one another, right? 

So, send me your travel tips!!!! 

Email them over to me at mymelange (at) yahoo(dot) com, with Travel Tip Tuesday in the subject line. Please include your first name and city and/or country, so that when I post your tip, you get the credit.  If you happen to have a blog, please include that info as well, I will give you a little *linky love*

Travel Tip Tuesday will kick-off next Tuesday, so get your tips in by Monday!

Numero due~

I have also admired so many travel photos on other blogs.  I thought it would be a great to see photos and hear stories of other readers travels!  So sticking with the travel theme, I will also reveal….Travel Photo Fridays.  This will be a once a month event, on the 2nd Friday of the month.

I will post another readers picture and a short description (written by you of course) of why it is one of your favorite pic’s.  And of course, you have to tell us where the picture is!! 

Now, as you know this is a blog with a focus on Europe, so if you have pictures to submit that are from Europe..that would be spectacular…but it doesn’t have to be Europe.  It can be anywhere in the world…really!!  The more diverse, the better, right?

Won’t it be fun to see different parts of the world that you haven’t gotten a chance to visit yet?  Maybe we’ll be inspired to travel somewhere we had never even considered. 

So, I don’t know about you, but  I am pretty excited to see these photos start rolling in!!  If you have a friend or another blogger that has great photos on their blog, it might be a great opportunity to tell them about this event.  The more the merrier!!

Email your photos and descriptions over to mymelange (at) yahoo (dot)com and put Travel Photo Friday in the subject line.  Again, include your name, location and blog (if you have one).  May 9th is the official kick-off for this event!!

Fingers crossed, these events will be complete with blog badges.  Since I am graphically challenged, it is taking a little longer than I expected, but I am hoping to have it all worked out soon!

I need your help to make this successful.  So, get your entries in…I can’t wait to see all the good stuff rollin’ in!!! 

Stay tuned…..

Healthy Pasta

I really love sharing recipes that are flavorful, good for you and so easy to make.  This one fits the bill.  Pasta doesn’t always have to be heavy, with filling sauces.  This one only has only a few ingredients, many of which you may have on hand right now.  It is courtesy of Ellie Krieger of the Food Network.

Pasta with Parsley and Walnuts

12 oz (3/4 of a box) of whole-wheat fettuccine
2/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts. 2 tbsp reserved to garnish
1/4 cup olive oil
5 cloves minced garlic
1/2 low sodium chicken stock (I use veggie stock)
1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 cups gently packed arugula leaves

To make:

Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the instruction of the box, then drain.  Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in small dry skillet over med-high heat, stirring frequently, about 3-5 minutes.

In the pot that you boiled the pasta in, heat the olive oil over low heat, add the garlic and stir for 3-4 minutes (do not let it burn).  Return the pasta to the pot, add the broth, all but 2 tablespoons of the walnuts, the parsley, salt and pepper and toss to combine over low heat for 1 -2 minutes.  Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and toss.

Arrange 1/2 cup on arugula leaves on each of 4 serving bowls.  Top each with about 2 cups of the pasta.  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese, walnuts and  more parsley.

Whole-wheat pasta, in my opinion, has come along way in texture and taste.  Personally, I like to use both traditional white pasta and whole-wheat pasta, depending on the dish, though purists and Italiani veri (true Italians) like my blog buddy Joe over at Italyville are boycotting the whole-wheat stuff.

What are your thoughts?  Do you have a preference?

Italian Dialects

Italy is made up of 20 different regions.  Until the 1800′s each region had it’s own dialect that was spoken.  In Tuscany, the National language of Italy was created.  It is this Italian language that is taught and is now known by all of Italy.  This is the Italian that we are currently learning.  Well, attempting to learn.

So, all along, I have thought about these other dialects in the 20 regions.  I imagined it would be like someone from the US, hearing the same word spoken in Maine, Tennessee, West Virginia, New York and Boston.  Each word would have a little different sound, based on the area you were from, but that basically you would be able to understand one another. 

I further imagined what  different words might sound like traveling from region to region in Italy.  Hmm, would southern Italy have like a twang, like we do in the South of the US.  Would Northern Italy pronounce there words with more of  a German sound and perhaps.

So, I went out on a limb and asked our professoressa about it in our last class.  She stared at me like I was pazza.  Apparently, I didn’t quite *get* the whole dialect thing.  You see, I though dialects were kinda like an accent.  Oh, nay- nay.  The dialect of a region is a totally different language. And there are 20!  Yeah, missed the boat on that one.

Allora, basically, we are learning the national Italian language that everyone understands, yet there are 20 other completely different local languages, different in each region, that people speak.  The words are totally different.  Oh Caspita!

So, I took a few deep breaths and decided not to get overwhelmed….one thing at a time.  The National language is challenging enough without even thinking aboutadding a local dialect to the mix.

I guess I won’t be fittin’ in with the locals any time soon.

I leave you with a few more of my favorite Italian words.  And don’t worry, these are from the National language…not dialects.

francobollo
boh
professoressa
zanzara
spuntino
tee voo (tv)
abbigliamento
dappertutto
cinquantacinque
lungomare
parcheggio
certo

So, what are some of your favorite words or sayings in a foreign language and why? 

Earth Day 2008

A spectacular blooming Japanese Cherry Blossom in all it’s glory, bowing gracefully, reminding us of all the beauty we are surrounded with on this Earth Day.  This is what we are fighting to save and preserve.  Please do your part  more than your share to protect such wonders of nature for generations to come.

Need I say more?

Tell me, what changes are you making in the quest to Go Green on this Earth Day?

Antiquing in the Hudson Valley

A while back, one of my readers asked me to write about my favorite spots in the Hudson Valley to find antiques.  It has taken me awhile, (bet you thought I forgot, Rose) but I think I have been able to compile a list of  my favorites.  Of course, my absolute favorite markets are in France and Italy.  But I do need to be able to act on my obsession when I can’t get there, so I need my local places just to get me through.

I frequent a mix of flea markets, antiques stores and what I would call mish-mash, junk-a-tique barns or second hand shops.  You will find a hodge podge of very different things at each place, but I hardly ever leave empty handed.

Flea Markets

These are generally organized events that occur at regularly scheduled times throughout the season.  Since our winters are bad here, the season usually runs from April to October.  Each market is different in terms of hours and days of the week.  Some even charge admission.  Click on the links provided for more specific information.  Here are my local favorites.

Stormville Flea Market
Elephants Trunk
The Antiques Garage & Annex
Dutchess County Fairgrounds

Antique Stores

There are a few stores that I frequent during the off-season, when I can’t go scouring around the markets.  These are ones I find reasonably priced and able to score a good deal.

Vintage Studio
Hyde Park Antique Center
Beekman Arms Antique Barn
Attic Memories
The Annex Antique Center

Barn Sales

I often find barn, yard or garage sales listed on Craig’s List or in the local newspapers.  These are always great for a nice weekend drive, hopping from place to place to see what treasure you might uncover.  I have a few spots that are fixtures in the community that carry second hand stuff.  These are not for the faint of heart, or those who are germ-phobes.  You have to be comfortable around dust and dirt and getting on your hands and knees to dig through boxes.  If you learn how to bargain, you can get amazing deals at these places.

Hoffman Barn
Bottle Shop Antiques
The Barn
Stanz

Auctions

We have two reputable auction houses in my area.  Just like E-bay, make sure you come early and check over what you are buying.  Set a price in your mind and DO NOT go above it. It is easy to get sucked in, caught up in the hype and loose control.  If you do, you may win a piece that you love, but you may end up paying through the nose for it, if you are not careful.

George Cole Auctions
Absolute Auctions

Publications

Two well-known, reputable publications for more information are the Northeast Journal and the New England Antiques Journal.

And finally, there are some towns in my area that have an abundance of antique shops.  These cute villages make great day or weekend trips, and have much on offer to do.  Cozy B&B’s, great shopping and Zagat rated cafe’s and restaurants.  I have provided a link to websites with information on these towns, but if you would like additional information or are thinking about planning a trip to any of these areas, feel free to contact me with questions or advice.

Beacon, NY
Cold Spring, NY
Rhinebeck, NY
New Paltz,  NY
Millbrook, NY
Hudson, NY
Great Barrington, MA

In addition to my local haunts, I have 2 antiquing trips planned for the 2008 season.  In May I am going to the Queen Mother of all antique fairs in Brimfield, Massachusetts (que choirs of angels).  Sometime before fall I will be going to Chicago to visit my lil’ sis and will be attending one or two shows out there.  Stay tuned, I will of course give you full reports!!

And speaking of flea markets, the pictures in this post are of new items here in my flea market.  Contact me if you are interested in purchasing or want additional information.

Happy Antiquin’ Y’all !!   

Chatty Blog Award

Anne in Oxfordshire gave me a Chatty Blog Award.  Imagine that?  Me, a talkative person?  Sheesh, I guess she knows me all to well!!  Yeah, I guess I like to chat it up a bit!!  I also have chatted via email with many people I have met through my blog.  I really enjoy responding to all the comments left on my blog, getting to know new people from all walks of life and have made some great friends here just from chatting!!

So, my fellow chatters, I pass this Good Chat Blog Award onto….

Bleeding Espresso
Jessica in Rome
Rochambeau
Some Pink Flowers

Let’s all chat happy!!

French Arch-itecture

Click on each picture to open a larger one.

As promised, I have compiled another collection of some of my favorite arches in Paris.  I have my favorites, but really I am interested in what you think.  Which ones are your favorites? 

And now that you have both collections, the real choice is between the Italian Collection and the French Collection.  Which are you more drawn to?  Which do you think I am more drawn to?  What differences in design can you pick out?

Italian Arch-itecture

Click on the thumbnails to see a larger picture.

There is something about European Architecture.  All those curved lines are much prettier and softer than severe right angles.  We have curved archways here in the US, but certainly not of the same grandeur that Europe does.  Come to think of it, the word arch appears in architecture.  I wonder if there is a connection?

Oggi, I decided to share some of my favorite photos of arches in Italy.  Domani, I ‘ll give you a peek at some of my French favorites.

Which one is your favorite?

Hidden Kitchen Paris

Looking for something a little different in Paris?  Something…well, underground?  Can you keep a secret?  Well, have I got the perfect thing for you!  Next time you are planning a trip to Paris, consider something unconventional, consider the Hidden Kitchen in Paris.

Unbeknownst to me, there is quite a network of underground restaurants or supper clubs in some countries.  But this is a first for me.  These restaurants are not known to the general public, there is no sign over the door advertising its location.  They are usually set up in private homes with a limited number of people in attendance.  You have to be invited.  You have to be in the know.  And you have to be able to keep a secret.

Intrigued?  Yeah, so was I.

When I first read about the Hidden Kitchen, I thought it was cool, exciting, hip. Dare I say, it felt exclusive? A young American chef and his girlfriend, move from Seattle to Paris, buy an apartment, renovate it and start an underground restaurant serving 10 courses of American cuisine, with seasonal ingredients from Paris, with a different beverage at each course, for 6o€ per person, including wine.  I was totally sold!!

A few nay-sayers tried to quash my excitement.

“Well, if it is not an official restaurant, maybe the food will make you sick.“, “Why would you go to Paris and eat American food?” , “Oh, you might be taking a chance.” Bla, Bla, Bla.

But it fell on deaf ears.  I was hooked and frantically typed my email to inquire about reservations for a Sunday in September, when we would be in Paris.  I crossed my fingers, prayed to the foodie Gods and as luck would have it, they had room.  We were in!

The dinners are given each weekend and the menu changes often, based on season and what the chef thinks is fresh at the local market.  Twelve diners sit around a communal rectangular table in their lovely Paris apartment.  Eight of those guests have reserved on-line in advance through their website and the other four seats are held and given out in person at the last minute.  Makes for a fun food-lovin’ mix.

After you book your reservation, you wait for the email which comes the day before your dinner, which contains the address and directions to their apartment, which is conveniently located right in the heart of Paris and is easily accessible by Métro.

The apartment is just lovely.  I spun around and around realizing that I was in a real Paris Apartment.  Braden cooks and preps all ten dishes in their postage stamp-sized kitchen.  This is a feat in and of itself.  Laura, his girlfriend helps prep and serve.  And she makes the final course of petits fours. Their adorable Boston Terrier cries from the kitchen, because he really, really wants to play.  The dining room is graced with a spice jar chandelier and French doors which open to a little balcony and a great view of Paris.

Braden comes out before each course to give a little witty repartee about each dish.  Kinda like an Iron Chef explanation in which the guests are the judges.  Well, I guess in a way, we are.

I thought about giving you a play by play account of each dish and each drink, but I decided I would much rather add to the mystery and keep a few things to the imagination.  Besides, you can see sample menus on their website.

I will say this about our experience.  It was great fun!  We met some fabulous people that night.  I was not the only blogger in attendance, which isn’t surprising considering much of their popularity has come from bloggers that have dined there and later wrote about their experience. We met a couple from Ireland, a few natives of France and others visiting from Georgia, South Carolina and Seattle.

I am a very sociable person, so it worked very well for me.  Other foodies may be put off if they don’t like the idea of dining elbow to elbow with strangers.   But then again, I can’t think of a more perfect reason or occasion to jump in and get your feet wet….and get over it!

One note:  they don’t make substitutions for dietary restrictions or vegetarians, unless of course you plan an agreed upon menu and fill the table with 12 of your own crew.  But as reservations get harder and harder to come by, you might be hard pressed.   On our night, Chris was unable to eat about four of the courses because of the meat in them (he was able to eat two others that had fish), but at one point they were very gracious and brought him a fabulous cheese plate, so that he had something to nosh on while the carnivores went to town.

Truth be told, I was torn.  I hesitated about sharing this with you.  After all, part of the charm is the unknown, the secrecy, the mystery (though they have gotten so much press lately, that they are hardly a secret anymore).  But at the same time, word of mouth is truly what keeps these underground restaurants afloat.  Braden and Laura are such lovely, talented people and I so admire what they are doing here, that I could hardly hold back knowing that I may be able to help them in some small way.  So share I must!

So, if you will be traveling to Paris, alone or with friends, and you are looking for something a little different, enjoy meeting new people and want to experience contemporary, creative American cuisine with the freshest ingredients Paris has to offer, then hurry and make your reservations.  Braden and Laura will welcome you with open arms and ensure you will have a night to remember.

Oh yeah, don’t forget.    Shhhh….mums the word.

US Airlines in Trouble?

In the last few weeks several situations have occurred that frankly, makes me question the Airline industry here is the US.

It started a few weeks ago with Southwest Airlines.  Many of their planes had to be grounded for not performing required inspections.  Seems that they may have conspired with their buddies over at the FAA, who decided they didn’t need to inspect their planes for cracks in the fuselage.  Are these airlines and our government just a little too chummy?

Next up are American and Delta, who grounded planes and canceled hundreds of flights due to wiring concerns.

Not to be excluded is United.  Seems they may have missed some maintenance checks as well, so they grounded about 30 planes.

Newer discount carrier Skybus announced that they are closing up shop.  Oh, and passengers who have purchased tickets aren’t necessarily getting their money back.  They need to contact their credit card companies.  This one really hits home for me because Skybus was helping to fuel growth at my local airport, Stewart International.

Tonight I am watching CNN and they announce that yet again American Airlines is disrupting service.  AA is canceling hundreds of flights to inspect their MD-80 fleet. Again.

Oh come on already! 

Canceling flights for inspections?  I don’t understand this concept.  Shouldn’t someone be managing this inspection process?  Shouldn’t there be a way to schedule a plane for an inspection without disrupting service, without canceling flights that people have already paid for and have planned vacations or business trips around?

I know, it would take someone with a plan, someone with intelligence. A stroke of genius. A college degree. I know it is asking alot, but this isn’t rocket science or brain surgery.  Or is it?

What are your thoughts on this?  Does this affect which airline you fly with?  Does this scare you?  Are you considering not flying or taking a vacation because of this poor mismanagement?  Is the FAA doing all that they can to protect us in the air?

Ok, now it’s your turn to weigh in!