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Image of the Week : La Fontana

© Robin Locker Lacey

During our first trip to Italy, I surprised Chris by wanting to visit the tiny walled city of Lucca.  Chris adores Puccini and it just so happens that Lucca does as well. Puccini was born in Lucca and is the celebrated son of the town.

While wandering the cobbeled streets of the town, we came across this fountain near our hotel.  There was just something so visually interesting about the marbled stone fountain against the backdrop of the old ocher colored building.

The little details like the royal blue sign, red geraniums in the window box, light blue shutters and bicycles scream Italy.

It remains one of my favorite photos from that first trip, and of Lucca in general. I’d like to think my fountain fetish began with this shot.

Click on the links to purchase the color version or the black and white version.

Enjoy.

New TSA Rules – Who are we kidding?

By now you have all heard about the attempted terrorist attack that occurred on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day. As a result the TSA, in typical knee-jerk fashion, implemented several “new rules” that according to them, will keep us safer. And by ‘new rules’ I think this whole debacle deserves an honorary mention in Bill Maher’s New Rules line up.

First, let’s review some of the new changes.

Keep in mind that these changes currently only apply to international flights coming into the US, which in the TSA’s infinite wisdom, makes no sense to me.  Does the TSA really operate under the guise that crazies are currently only grown outside the US and flown in on planes? Lest we forget that all of the flights involved in 9-11 were domestic flights?  Couple that with the fact that the TSA has no authority internationally and you have to wonder, what is the point of enacting rules that you really can’t enforce?

Here are the rules:

1.  Passengers are prohibited from accessing carry-on luggage in the last hour of  flight.

2.  Passengers are prohibited from having anything on their lap during the last hour of flight.  No pillows, blankets, jackets or toys.

3.  Passengers are prohibited from using any electronic devices or in-flight entertainment during the last hour of flight.  Some have said that all in- flight entertainment, announcements from the pilot on the flight plan or any updates on current location have been banned.

4.  Many airlines are only allowing one carry-on item.

While I strongly disagree with the implementation of all these rules, I also challenge anyone in the TSA to explain to me a) how these will keep any of us safer and b) how the rules would have prevented the incident from occurring in the first place.

Well, certainly keeping Mr. Terrorist in his seat for the last 60 minutes of Flight 253 would have affected the timing of the attack, but it would not have prevented it altogether.  The attack would have happened much sooner.  And is that really any better?

These rules will only make the well-intentioned travelling public suffer. We can’t use the bathroom for the last hour, can’t listen to music to keep us calm, and let’s not even think about the fact that small children need to be entertained or held on their parents lap during the last leg of their long flights.  But apparently the TSA feels that Johnny playing with his Mr. Potato Head 18 minutes before landing, might be the catalyst for sending a terrorist into a tizzy.

Last time I checked, terrorists  don’t really like to comply with rules. Do you really think that a terrorist who wants to bomb an airplane is going to sit politely in his seat and refrain from using the lavatory?  No, he is a terrorist.  By definition, he won’t follow rules.

And in case we haven’t noticed, the airline industry, which is still struggling to recover and is in danger economically, doesn’t exactly need more reasons to push it closer to bankruptcy.  The last thing we need are more reasons to encourage international travelers not to fly to the U.S.. Or for those who would normally travel by plane, to now reconsider in favor of a train, boat or car.

This is exactly what is going to happen if someone doesn’t wake up and buy a clue.

Why won’t the TSA step back, take a breath, do a thorough investigation and then act accordingly?  Wouldn’t it look better to find the cause and make appropriate corrections and wouldn’t it also just make more sense?  And wouldn’t the world look upon the TSA and the U.S. in a more favorable light, rather than as a joke, a label that they have deservedly earned.  The Internet buzz word of Security Theater didn’t surface because this all played out on Broadway, you know.

How can you not help but laugh at the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA which is headed up by a delusional woman who only hours after a terrorist set off a bomb on an airplane, stated with all fiber of conviction to the world that the TSA’s security efforts were successful in thwarting said attack.  She couldn’t seriously be speaking about the fact that said terrorist foiled airport security by getting through their system with explosives on his person, could she?  And let’s face it, foiled may be too strong a word, as it implies the terrorist had to be sneaky, conniving and intelligent to pull off this mission. Honestly, he just had to show up.  He might as well have been holding a sign.  Perhaps a luggage tag with a flashing neon alert like “BOMBER ON BOARD” would have helped the security efforts.  Yet something tells me he could have shown up with a passport made out of purple construction paper, littered with travel-themed scrapbook stickers and make-shift rubber stamps of countries while he  just sailed through.

Scary, isn’t it?

And then yesterday, Ms. Napolitano addressed the nation again, relinquishing her earlier position of how well the security measures worked. Really? Now, which statement are we to believe?  Well, I think the rest of the world knew the first statement just didn’t jive.  But after this back and forth, we are now left to wonder who is asking the tough questions?  Who is running the show? Who is trying to get to the bottom of how the system failed?

Instead of making wishy-washy statements to the media, enacting ridiculous rules that have a better chance of bankrupting the airline industry and having terrorists laughing hysterically while they skip to their local recruitment office than actually saving any lives, perhaps someone should be investigating the inner sanctum to find out how and why the real breakdown occurred.

Let’s start looking here:

1.  This Nigerian terrorist was on a watch list AND his father called to warn the U.S. Government about his son’s extreme religious views.  Why was this lead not followed-up on or taken seriously?  Why was this person even allowed to board a plane?

2.  He bought a one-way ticket, with cash and had no checked luggage.  Wouldn’t this seem suspicious?  One would think this should flag a person for additional screening and questioning.  Perhaps some additional training for red-flags is needed.

3.  Apparently, high-tech body scanning equipment is available at the Amsterdam airport.  These machines, when used, scan a person’s body and by all accounts would have detected the explosives that the Nigerian had concealed on his body. Why is it that the Amsterdam airport is not using them?  And why wouldn’t someone listed on a watch list not be made to pass through them?  Especially someone with the above two criteria.

And while this is a serious matter, one that I get rather heated about, I am always up for a good laugh.  If you are on Twitter, you can get some giggles by searching the #tsaslogans hash tags.  Or check out this list compiled by WorldHum. And the comments over on the TSA blog are also quite entertaining.

I will continue to update this post as changes regarding the TSA rules surface.

I’d love to know your thoughts on the matter.  Start a conversation in the comments.

Photo Credit : Lilit on Flickr

Stingray City on Grand Cayman

As you know, I was hosted by the Paradise by Marriott Resorts on Grand Cayman along with eight other bloggers in their various locations, for a Blog Paradise event. Which basically means that my hotel, food and attraction expenses were all covered, except where noted.

One of the activities that was covered was a trip to Stingray City.

Now, when one hears the term Stingray City, it conjures up images of an over-touristy Sea World type attraction.  And nothing could be further from the truth.  Stingray City is just a particular spot in the middle of the clearest blue ocean, off a sandbar, where stingrays are known to congregate.

My trip was 3 1/2 hours in length, taken on a luxury catamaran and included a short boat ride to the stingrays, time in the water experiencing them and another short ride to a nearby reef for some snorkeling. All snorkeling equipment was provided. The cost of this trip is normally a very reasonable $60 USD. And worth every penny in my opinion.  There were snacks on board and a cash bar.  Jeff, a crew member/bartender, made the best Rum Punch (his secret?  a splash of dark rum on top for the finish!).

First, a few words about Red Sail Sports.  Our entire crew (Doug, Donovan and Jeff) were wonderful!  There was a very intimate 11 of us on the tour, but their boat can hold up to 70 people.  They were very informative, patient, knowledgeable and above all, they kept us safe.

We all received very personalized tutorials on the proper way to put on and wear our snorkel gear.  I have snorkeled before and need to mention that because of the expert advice we received, I had absolutely no issues with my equipment.  No foggy or water-laden mask and very little choking on salt water.

It became apparent toward the end of our stingray experience that Red Sail are the guys you want to go out with.  Boats from other tour companies that arrived later in the game, were loaded with drunk, loud and disrespectful cruise-ship passengers.  Their guides were in the water yelling and screaming at their folks who were flailing about and just acting very unprofessionally and not treating the rays with as much care and respect as our guides.  These boats were overloaded with too many people. Later as a result of my questioning, I found out that Red Sail tries to time their tours to arrive well before these more touristy boats, in order to offer their guests a more positive experience.  Thank goodness.

Stingray City

This was the coolest.  Basically the entire boat ride out to Stingray City takes place in water only about ten foot deep.  When we disembarked, the water was between waist and chest level.  Sans flippers, we walked out into the water and the stingrays, sensing it might be feeding time, flocked around us. You can don your snorkel mask and tube if you’d like to go under to get a better look, but it is not necessary.

Our crew got in the water with us and did their best to hold and pick up the stingrays so that everyone could pet them.  The rays can be picked up and floated atop the water, but cannot be lifted out of the water. Their skin in not slimy, but sort of spongy.  The top of the ray is a bit rough and bumpy in spots and underneath they feel like a wet mushroom.

The stingrays are friendly, but occasionally bump you accidentally and knock you a bit off kilter. Their eyes are located on opposites sides of the top of their body, while their mouths are located on the underside.  Not exactly the best set up for seeing humans or for hand-feeding.

The females are much larger than the males and are much more welcoming when it comes being held and petted.

It used to be that anyone could feed them squid, but since the rays were getting a bit chubby, feeding is now restricted in quantity and to just the crew of the tour boats.  We did get to witness our guides feeding them.  This must have been where the term ‘feeding frenzy’ came from as it was a perfect description of the behavior.

My finger, which to a ray probably does resemble a piece of squid, fell victim to a ray during feeding time.  I felt a little pinch and some suction, but quickly just pulled it away to break the seal and all was fine.  Apparently little skin hickeys are often the result of a ray getting a little too anxious during feeding time.  But really, it was nothing to worry about.

Our crew pointed out the ‘stinger’, which is located toward the back of the ray’s tail.  Contrary to what you may have heard, the rays do not have the ability to move this stinger and willfully stab you with it.  We were all just cautious to avoid getting too close to their tails and just focused on petting their sides.

I swam with dolphins in the Florida Keys, which will always rank number one on my up-close-and-personal-with-sea-life list, but this one comes in at a very strong second!

Snorkeling

After about 45 minutes with the rays, we hoisted the anchor and sailed for the reef.  Again, the crew instructed us on avoiding getting cut on the coral, which will make your life miserable due to the bacteria.  They also encouraged some of us to don vests, especially helpful for those of us with an underwater camera, who want to stay still long enough to take photos or just want to float and observe a bit longer.  I highly recommend a vest!

Here we found the water a bit more choppy, but we saw the most beautiful fish and natural coral.  The water is crystal clear, straight down to the ocean floor, which makes Grand Cayman an ideal spot for snorkeling.  I saw large angel fish adorned with zebra stripes, big bright royal-blue fish and schools of tiny yellow ones. I was so focused on trying to get some great underwater photos (to follow when I get them developed!) that the time flew by in an instant.  I could have spent an entire day out in the middle of the ocean.  I just hope the few pictures I was able to snap underwater will do the trip justice.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

Addendum: I realized that I left out the type of Stingrays that were in the Grand Cayman.  They are Southern Stingrays.

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman

In the efforts of full disclosure, for each upcoming post about my Blog Paradise trip to the Grand Cayman (and there will be many), I’ll be reminding you that this was a trip that was hosted by Marriott Resorts.  Which means that all my expenses, except where noted, were covered.  However, you can still expect the same honest reviews and opinionated writing that you have come to read here. Along with some fab photos of course!

That being said, I wanted the introduction to my Caribbean trip to focus on one of the (many) reasons people choose Grand Cayman and the Marriott.

Seven Mile Beach!

Grand Cayman boasts a beautiful beach, that really is seven miles long.

Its gorgeous, tan-colored, sandy beach is located on the West side of the island. You can see turquoise water as far as the eye will take you. Being a West facing beach, you can just image how beautiful the sunsets (more pics to follow!) are every night.  Simply amazing.

The beach is lined with private homes, resorts, condos and rentals and I walked a good part of it, though not the entire seven miles.  In my opinion, Marriott has one of the nicest properties on the beach.

Their portion is visually appealing and loaded with plenty of both lounge chairs for reading, snoozing or just reclining, as well as low chairs for enjoying the sunset near the water’s edge while the warm surf washes over you.

Red umbrellas also dot the landscape to shade folks from the strong Caribbean sun.

I spoke with some guests who have previously stayed on other parts of the Island, and heard over and over that Seven Mile Beach is the place to stay.  I was told that other areas on Grand Cayman can be rocky with no beach and no view to speak of.  I can only take their word, as I didn’t explore any other properties during my stay.

Walks along the beach revealed interesting sights and a boatload of white coral that washes up on the sand.

And while the first few days the sea was calm and crystal clear, the last two brought rain, clouds, wind and lots of waves.  It didn’t stop a New Yorker like me from swimming, but most everyone else was content to just lie like lounge-lizards on their chairs or walk along in the surf.

The photographer in me rather enjoyed the turbulent weather as it made for some very interesting and picturesque shots, so very different from the calm, sunny scenes of the previous days.

And though I prefer a beach that is a bit more lush and tropical, with grasses and palm trees, the Marriott has done a good job in keeping a few clusters of palms on the beach.  When it was tropical shade that I craved, I set out for the resort’s courtyard and surrounding property which is lush, green and inviting.

You can see more of my pictures of Seven Mile Beach in my Flickr account as I continue to upload them over the coming days.  And stay tuned for more reports on my Blog Paradise on Grand Cayman Island.

This article was featured in the Sharing Travel Experiences travel monthly roundup.

Q & A with Divina Cucina and Cookbook Giveaway

Many of  you may know Judy Witts, otherwise known as the Divina Cucina.  But, do you really know her?

Judy lives in Tuscany and her live revolves around food.  Cooking food, teaching classes about food, shopping for food, etc. In fact, she has just written her first cookbook, Secrets from My Tuscan Kitchen!  And if you stay tuned, after the interview, Judy has graciously agreed to give one away to a lucky reader.  But more on that later.

Here is our interview.

MM:  Can you tell us a little about how you came to love and live in Italy?

DC: I was a Francophile for most of my life, my grandfather was born in Paris ( English mom and Turkish dad) and I studied French for 13 years-  travelled to Europe as soon as I got out of high school and spent most of the trip in France.

After 5 trips, I got a job in a 5 star hotel and was trained as a Pastry chef.

I was finally ready to leave the hotel and start my own business and wanted one last trip to Europe. My roommate at the time had just come back from  a year in Paris and one in Rome. She told me to go to Italy, that I would love Italy and Italy would love me.

It was true!

MM: Of all the places to settle in Italy, why Tuscany?

DC: When choosing a place to stay for a month in Italy to study Italian so I could learn more about food, I was told that there were three places to study Italian, Perugia, Siena and Florence- where they spoke perfect Italian and not dialect.

Siena and Perugia were hill towns and I wanted to live in a city.

MM: Can you share one little secret about Tuscany with us?  One that you might not find in any guidebook?

DC:  I think people do not really realize what Tuscany is- many of my clients say, I am going to Florence and then to Tuscany- meaning Siena usually or south. Tuscany is HUGE and has mountains to go skiing just outside Florence ( Abetone) or a huge coast from just below the Cinque Terre all the way down to Maremma.

I think Maremma is waiting to be discovered by Americans. The British have been going for years. Some of Tuscany’s best wines come from there, the area has cowboys , incredible food both from the mountains and the sea. I adore Niki Saint Phalle’s Tarocchi garden, an incredible sculpture garden in the hills.

MM: What is your favorite Tuscan village and why?

DC: My local village Certaldo is rather untouched by tourism, and is a perfect example of a Medieval village. Located between Florence and Siena it is an easy day trip from both on the train or by bus.

MM: Who is your food hero?  Who inspires you?

I have learned the most from Italian mamma’s. All Italians will tell you the best place to eat in Italy is at home.

I adore Fabio Picchi of Cibreo, as he has recreated the food his mom prepared, perfecting it for the restaurant.

I also was lucky enough to work with Master Butcher Dario Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti, he is another very passionate culinary professional and I have learned a lot working with him.

MM:  How did you come up with the name Divina Cucina?

DC: Originally my cooking school was called Mangia Firenze- but no one knew that Firenze was Italian for Florence.

I did a play on words of the Divina Commedia, Dante’s famous writings to create Divina Cucina.

MM:  We know your livelihood is based on food.  Can you share the one Italian ingredient you couldn’t live without?

DC: Extra virgin olive oil and great sea salt.

MM:  What is your favorite food market in the area?

DC: I was very lucky to live in front of the Central Market in Florence for 20 years, and before that near the San Ambrogio market.

Now in the countryside I can attend a weekly market in a different town almost any day I like.

MM: Your favorite wine bar?

DC: In Florence, I usually go to Gianni Migliorini’s Casa Del Vino, as it was near my house. Across the Arno I go to Le Volpe e L’Uva, just across the Ponte Vecchio, a tiny place with an incredible wine list and great small plates.

MM: What is the one local dish that you must order if you see it on a trattoria menu?

DC: Suckling pig- something I usually don’t prepare often at home and is cooked mostly for special parties.

MM: And your favorite recipe to prepare for friends and family?

DC: Ragu with fresh pasta, can be pici, the flour and water hand rolled spaghetti or lasagna

MM: Speaking of recipes, you just launched your first cookbook – what inspired you to write it, how long did it take you, and what surprised you most about the process?

DC: The cookbook is called Secrets From My Tuscan Kitchen- I share the secrets I learned living here and gathered from Mamma’s, chefs and at the market shopping. Usually one has to speak the language to gather these sorts of tips. So I wanted to share what I have learned over the years.

I started gathering the recipes when I moved here in 1984 and in 1988 I began teaching cooking classes to the local study abroad American college kids from Syracuse University. Eventually I hand-wrote the recipes and had them photocopied and spiral bound.

I had always dreamed of having it published and could not find a publisher in the states. So I decided to print it myself. Most Italian cookbooks in Italy are imported and so expensive here. So I have an Italian published cookbook in English.

I closed the school and took about a year for the whole project to happen. I created my own handwriting font, had my friends do artwork for the cover and I worked with the printing-house on how I wanted the book to “feel”. I chose Fabiano watercolor paper for the cover and a more rustic paper for the inside. The book is stitched and then glued, so made to be used. Every other page is lined for notes from the chef- I really wanted this to be a cookbook that would be used and passed on.

Thank you Judy, for taking the time out to chat!

Travel Tip Tuesday : 10 Things to Pack for your Caribbean Vacation

My passions are France and Italy.  Which means when I get to travel – those are usually the places I go.  I’ll also try to look for places that have that European feel or vibe – like Montreal and Quebec City.

But I love travel.  I love discovering new places.

One place you have never seen me is the Caribbean.

I am not your typical beach bum.

I am white as a ghost, burn like a lobster and can’t remember the last time ‘bikini-body’ was a term uttered in my presence.

But that is all about to change!

Marriott is hosting myself and 8 other bloggers – each of us are headed to one of their Paradise by Marriott Resorts, and we all leave tomorrow!

So, this Travel Tip Tuesday, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share a few things to pack for a Caribbean vacation.

And this is as much for me as it is for you, as I can’t remember the last time I took a beach vacation.

Actually, I do remember the one and only time I have been to the Caribbean – Club Med Martinique in the early 1990′s.  But I was younger and crazier then, and what happens in Martinique…well you know the rest!

So here is my packing list:

1.  Sunscreen. Obvious, yet many still don’t take good care in this department.  Don’t forget it!  I am fair, so I bring an SPF 50. Apply it often, and especially after swimming.  And make sure to get the little nooks and crannies-behind the ears and knees and between the toes. That Caribbean sun is strong!

2.  Hat and Sunglasses.   Both go a long way to shading your eyes from the bright Caribbean sun, but the hat (the wider the brim, the better!) I use to protect my scalp from sunburn.

3.  Camera. Azure water, palm trees, white sandy beach and spectacular sunsets.  A perfect recipe for stunning photo memories that must be captured!

4.  Underwater Camera.  Chances are if you go to the Caribbean, there will be some water activity involved.  If you will be diving or snorkeling, there are lovely colored reefs and fish that you should capture.  A cheap disposable underwater camera is light and easy to use.

5.  Scarf/Pareo. You know I love items that do double-duty.  Take a scarf or pareo- use it as a blanket on the plane, an accessory for an outfit and as a sarong with your bathing suit.

6.  Book(s).  Part of a beach vacay should be lying around relaxing.  And catching up on your reading.  Bring a few juicy books along to enjoy while lounging on your beach chair in the surf, while the warm sea water laps over your toes.

7.  iPod. If reading isn’t your thing – and you just don’t want to listen to the sound of the ocean, load your iPod with your favorite playlists, close your eyes and enjoy your favorite tunes while lounging.

8.  Swimsuit cover-up.  Remember that less-than-perfect bikini body I spoke of?  I really do love lounging around on the beach, but not necessarily traipsing around in just my bathing suit.  I throw on a cute cover-up that makes me feel more comfortable roaming around or going to the bar for cocktails.  Some resorts may even allow you to eat this way.

9.  Beach bag.  You’ll need something cute and functional to tote all your goodies around while treking back and forth from your room to the beach.  If you do your homework – you can find a beach bag that will double as your ‘personal item’ for the plane.

10.  Flip-flops. Might as well take advantage of the hot weather and casual vibe.  I’m bringing two pair – a flat pair with arch-support and a pair of thick, squishy ones for the extra aaaaahhhh-factor.

Ordinarily I’d say to bring a towel for the beach, but most resorts, Marriott included, provide beach towels so that is one thing I can leave home without.

—

So, now that you know what I’ll be taking…it’s time you find out where I am going!

I’ll be headed to the Grand Cayman, courtesy of Marriott!  I’ll be blogging from the road- well, the beach really.

Not only will I be posting here on the blog, I’ll be tweeting like a madwoman.

On Twitter you can follow me @MyMelange, and you can also follow along under the #blogparadise hashtag to see updates from all 9 bloggers.

And if you are interested, here is the complete list of all 9 bloggers that are participating, along with their blogs and Twitter handles.

Cancun - Nancy Brown @nancydbrown

Aruba - Lisa Overman @IslandStyle29

Aruba - Aaron Hotfelder @aaronhotfelder

Cancun - Pam Mandel @nerdseyeview

Curacao- Barbara Weibel @holeinthedonut

St. Kitts - Chris Gray @caroundtheworld

St. Thomas - Julie Schwietert - @collzaoprojects

Puerto Vallarta- Charyn Pfeuffer @global_gourmet

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And now it’s time to sail on over to My Bella Vita to see what Travel Tips Cherrye has for us today!

photo credit flickr

No, Vegetarians! – You will not take my French Onion Soup!

I have been accommodating my pseudo-husband’s vegetarian lifestyle for the better part of 13 years.  It hasn’t always been a pleasure, but I do it because it is the right thing to do.  Just like he doesn’t blink an eye or give me grief if I want to devour a steak.

Many a risotto has been adjusted. I have substituted my fair share of fish (he became a pescetarian 5 years ago) for chicken in a recipe, without complaint.  Family and friends always shift plans to include a ‘special’ dish just for him.  My mother spends time doting on him like he is starving and undernourished.

But some things have gotta give.

Perfection should not be messed with.  There are some recipes that just won’t carry over well if deviated from.

And French Onion Soup happens to be one of them.

Last week, I found the holy grail of French Onion Soup recipes.  And being the dutiful, accommodating psuedo-wife that I am, my brain immediately went to work – converting the recipe to something HE could enjoy as well.  After all, who wants to go to the trouble of making an entire batch of French Onion Soup  just to eat it alone?

And as I slaved over the stove, gaining layer after layer of flavor – caramelizing, stirring, deglazing the pot 2, 5, 50 times- as soon as I added the vegetable stock, I just knew it was all over.

That soup would never live up to what it was meant to be.  What it should be.  And all because that veggie stock is just too weak.  It doesn’t have the deep, hearty flavor that French Onion Soup begs for.

So, next time I’m not budging.  It is my right after all, as a carnivore.  I don’t suggest you add beef broth to your tofu cubes, do I?  No, of course not. So, don’t expect me to vegetarianize my French Onion Soup.

And while I realize that I did this completely to myself because I was being thoughtful, next time thoughtful takes a back seat to authentic and delicious!  In fact, thoughtful won’t even make it in the car next time we are driving to the land of French Onion Soupness.

Rant over.

So, while we certainly ate the soup and it was better than I expected, it just wasn’t up to my standards of a proper French Onion Soup.

But I think it’s fair to say Chris enjoyed it immensely.  Probably because he knew it would be his one and only opportunity.  At least in this house.

—

The recipe I used can be found at Cookography.  For the best flavor, I prepared the soup and followed the recommendation of refrigerating for a day or two before reheating and serving.  It really did impact the flavor.

What are you favorite recipes that will remain unaltered for vegetarians?

Indie Travel Podcast Mag Winner!

Thank you all for reading my interview with Craig Martin of the Indie Travel Podcast!  And thanks to those of you who left a comment to win a FREE year’s subscription of the magazine.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again..I so wish everyone could win.

But then I suppose it wouldn’t be much of a contest, would it?!

So, we have a winner!  According to the Random Number Generator, that winner is commenter #4…..

Jen Laceda.

Congratulations Jen!

—

And stay tuned for yet another giveaway on the blog next week…as well as a little announcement about a surprise trip I’ll be going on!

Have a great weekend all!

More Favorite Italian Words

It has been awhile since we have had an installment on favorite Italian words.

Favorite is such a subjective concept, really. Some words can be favorites because of a hidden meaning.  Others due to the way they feel or sound in your mouth.  And favorites can also be phrases, food or slang Italian words.

And as my learning (and Italian memoir reading) continues, there will no doubt be tons more words to add to my list.

You can read previous posts about Italian words here

Here are some additional favorites, in no particular order:

abbastanza (or basta!) –  enough

formaggio – cheese

finestrino – small window

correggere – to correct

squisito – exquisite

bacio – kiss

soggiorno - stay

dolcetto –  type of wine

abbracci – hugs, embrace

orecchiette – ear-shaped pasta

domattina – tomorrow morning

pagliacci – clowns

affogato – technically means drowned, but it’s also a fab dessert of gelato drowned in espresso.

cameriere – waiter

ti amo – i love you

chiacchiericcio – chit-chat, gossip

dolorosamente – painfully

carabinieri - National police of Italy

poggibonsi – a Tuscan town

torta – cake, tart

brava - good (feminine form)

Wow.  That’s alotta words.

Now it’s your turn to wax poetic about some of your favorites!  You know what to do in the comments…

Image of the Week : Positano

Some pictures are really worth a thousand words.

But in this case, I don’t even think a thousand words is enough.

After seeing the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, and those delicious scenes in Positano, I knew I just had to go.

The picture hardly captures the stunning beauty that is Positano.

Steep rocky cliffs with pastel multi-colored cubes set into the side.

Rocky beachs and cool aquamarine water.

There are two sides to the town and each side has a beach.

Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo.  Piaggia Grande is the larger, main beach and Fornilla is clamer, quieter.

This photo was taken along the path that connects the two, looking back toward the Spiaggia Grande.

And yes, it really is that beautiful there.  Pinch-youself-you-are-dreaming, beautiful.

For the next week, I’ll offer free shipping on all sizes of this photo only in my online store. The photo is also available as a 5×7 greeting card.