Ma che bello! This photo was shot by Edoardo of Monza, whose photos can be seen on Flickr (ma ce l'hai un cognome, Edo?!). According to Flickr, he took this photo at Bar Doria, Palazzo Doria-Pamphili, which I think is in Rome. Edo, dov'e?
Godi!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Due cappucci
Ma che bello! This photo was shot by Edoardo of Monza, whose photos can be seen on Flickr (ma ce l'hai un cognome, Edo?!). According to Flickr, he took this photo at Bar Doria, Palazzo Doria-Pamphili, which I think is in Rome. Edo, dov'e?
Godi!
CAFFE LATTE, Part Deux
In my haste to show you, cari amici, my morning ritual, I left out a few details that I think make my caffe latte special.
First off, I usually use a Moka made by Bialetti. Secondly, and more importantly, I pack the coffee very, very tight. In fact, with the larger Moka, which makes enough coffee for two caffe latti or due cappuccini, I have a special tool that I use to pack the coffee even more.
I think I may be abusing the capabilities of this little tool, and I would love to hear from other home caffe latte/cappuccino makers, but I think part of what makes my coffee great is that it's so strong. So I pack it hard! The resulting coffee absolutely acts as jet fuel; once I have had my bel caffe latte, I am ready for the day! I only have a second cup on weekends.
I also put my sugar in the cups first, so that rush of hot espresso mixes instantly with the grains of sugar.
And I always make sure to get every last drop, or near to it, out of the Moka. Particularly since the first gocce d'espresso that surge up through the filter are quite intense, and almost syrupy.
Hope this helps. I think it's a recipe for a fantastic prima colazione: forte, bello, zuccheroso. Now if only I could get a ciambellina 'round these parts.
First off, I usually use a Moka made by Bialetti. Secondly, and more importantly, I pack the coffee very, very tight. In fact, with the larger Moka, which makes enough coffee for two caffe latti or due cappuccini, I have a special tool that I use to pack the coffee even more.
I think I may be abusing the capabilities of this little tool, and I would love to hear from other home caffe latte/cappuccino makers, but I think part of what makes my coffee great is that it's so strong. So I pack it hard! The resulting coffee absolutely acts as jet fuel; once I have had my bel caffe latte, I am ready for the day! I only have a second cup on weekends.
I also put my sugar in the cups first, so that rush of hot espresso mixes instantly with the grains of sugar.
And I always make sure to get every last drop, or near to it, out of the Moka. Particularly since the first gocce d'espresso that surge up through the filter are quite intense, and almost syrupy.
Hope this helps. I think it's a recipe for a fantastic prima colazione: forte, bello, zuccheroso. Now if only I could get a ciambellina 'round these parts.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Altre foto scattate da Stephanie Costa!
This woman, whose photos can be seen on Flickr, has visited many of the same places I have, but she had two things going for her that I didn't: a digital camera (most of my shots of Italy are, you know, the paper kind!) and an obvious talent for photography. E allora vediamo le sue foto.
This is one she took of Positano, secondo me, la città piu bella d'Italia (se non sei d'accordo, mandami un messaggio e ne possiamo discutere).
Monday, November 27, 2006
Belle foto d'Italia
How about some more photos of beautiful places in Italy? This photo comes to us from Stephanie Costa. Her photos are on Flickr. Bella, no? It's a shot of Cinque Terre. I am actually not sure which 'terra.' Which one is it, Stephanie? If I had to guess I might say Riomaggiore, but it's totally a guess.
"Cosa c'è per cena?"
That was Berlusconi's first question when he found out he would need to stay a bit longer in the hospital after collapsing at an event over the weekend. Here's how the Corriere Della Sera reported it:
"A metà pomeriggio il Cavaliere sa che passerà la notte in ospedale e chiede a un infermiere: «Cosa c'è per cena?». Risposta: «Quello che vuole, presidente»."
The Corriere also reports: "Scherza con i medici e sorride agli infermieri, Silvio Berlusconi, percorrendo i corridoi dell'ospedale San Raffaele di Milano. Chi gli sta accanto durante le visite, poco dopo, lo descrive «affabile, come al solito, e di buon umore». C'è però quell'elettrocardiogramma fuori norma."
The line in bold is special. Perchè scommetto che di infermieri maschi ce ne siano pochi dove sta lui.
"A metà pomeriggio il Cavaliere sa che passerà la notte in ospedale e chiede a un infermiere: «Cosa c'è per cena?». Risposta: «Quello che vuole, presidente»."
The Corriere also reports: "Scherza con i medici e sorride agli infermieri, Silvio Berlusconi, percorrendo i corridoi dell'ospedale San Raffaele di Milano. Chi gli sta accanto durante le visite, poco dopo, lo descrive «affabile, come al solito, e di buon umore». C'è però quell'elettrocardiogramma fuori norma."
The line in bold is special. Perchè scommetto che di infermieri maschi ce ne siano pochi dove sta lui.
CAFFE LATTE
Un bel caffe latte -- that's how I begin each morning. I use the classic Moka to brew the coffee, which is typically Lavazza Qualità Oro, and I heat up milk (use organic whole milk for best results), and combine the two to create a very pleasing hot beverage that jumpstarts the day.
Step 1: La Moka
Step 2: Load ground Lavazza coffee into the filter
Step 3: Put the macchinetta on the stove along with pot of milk
Step 4: When all is ready, pour into a beloved mug (this one is perfectly-sized for caffe latte or cappuccino) and enjoy!
It won't give you the frothy milk you'll find in a caffe latte ordered at an Italian bar, but it's how the Italian families I lived with prepared their morning coffee. Godi!
Step 1: La Moka
Step 2: Load ground Lavazza coffee into the filter
Step 3: Put the macchinetta on the stove along with pot of milk
Step 4: When all is ready, pour into a beloved mug (this one is perfectly-sized for caffe latte or cappuccino) and enjoy!
It won't give you the frothy milk you'll find in a caffe latte ordered at an Italian bar, but it's how the Italian families I lived with prepared their morning coffee. Godi!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Festival della Fotografia Digitale a Lucca
Photo exhibit in Lucca! How fun. If I were in Italy now, that's one thing I would do.
Acccording to the Web site Italica (www.italica.rai.it):
"...Dal 18 novembre al 10 dicembre 2006, l'Associazione Toscana Arti Fotografiche presenta la seconda edizione del "Festival della Fotografia Digitale - Lucca Digital Photo Fest".
"Dopo il successo dell'edizione 2005 "numero zero", quest'anno il programma del festival si arricchisce d'interessanti novità: il centro della città toscana ospita 9 personali, fra fotografi italiani e internazionali, e 2 mostre collettive.
"Nelle stanze di Villa Bottini - probabilmente la sede più suggestiva della manifestazione - sono esposte le fotografie premiate al World Press Photo '06, uno dei concorsi di fotogiornalismo più prestigiosi al mondo, che ha assegnato ad una foto a colori del canadese Finbarr O'Reilly il World Press Photo of the Year 2005."
Andiamo!
Acccording to the Web site Italica (www.italica.rai.it):
"...Dal 18 novembre al 10 dicembre 2006, l'Associazione Toscana Arti Fotografiche presenta la seconda edizione del "Festival della Fotografia Digitale - Lucca Digital Photo Fest".
"Dopo il successo dell'edizione 2005 "numero zero", quest'anno il programma del festival si arricchisce d'interessanti novità: il centro della città toscana ospita 9 personali, fra fotografi italiani e internazionali, e 2 mostre collettive.
"Nelle stanze di Villa Bottini - probabilmente la sede più suggestiva della manifestazione - sono esposte le fotografie premiate al World Press Photo '06, uno dei concorsi di fotogiornalismo più prestigiosi al mondo, che ha assegnato ad una foto a colori del canadese Finbarr O'Reilly il World Press Photo of the Year 2005."
Andiamo!
"Ma chi è, Bin Laden?"
That was Silvio Berlusconi's question to one of the doctors who ran to his aid Sunday after he collapsed at an event in Italy. The doctor does bear a passing resemblance to Bin Ladin. You can take a look for yourself, if you log onto the homepage of www.corriere.it, and click on the link for "Lei chi e', Bin Laden?"
Il Cavaliere -- what a joker! But it wasn't the first joke of the night. Anyone who knows much about Berlusconi's governing style will get a laugh, albeit bitter, from the following statement, which according to the Corriere Della Sera, he made at the event Sunday:
"La libertà è a rischio, la nostra più profonda preoccupazione è che vengano meno i margini di libertà."
It's nice of him to worry about our freedoms but it would be even better if he thought about what he's done to nibble away at them. Particularly freedom of the press!
I think his svenimento will be cause for another round of Berlusca jokes, and I will post any I receive from my friends in Italy.
Spero che il Cavaliere si riprenda presto, e che decida di andare in pensione. E' il momento, di sicuro.
Il Cavaliere -- what a joker! But it wasn't the first joke of the night. Anyone who knows much about Berlusconi's governing style will get a laugh, albeit bitter, from the following statement, which according to the Corriere Della Sera, he made at the event Sunday:
"La libertà è a rischio, la nostra più profonda preoccupazione è che vengano meno i margini di libertà."
It's nice of him to worry about our freedoms but it would be even better if he thought about what he's done to nibble away at them. Particularly freedom of the press!
I think his svenimento will be cause for another round of Berlusca jokes, and I will post any I receive from my friends in Italy.
Spero che il Cavaliere si riprenda presto, e che decida di andare in pensione. E' il momento, di sicuro.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
"Tuttavia capace di tener desta l'attenzione del lettore"
That's how reviewer Francesco Troiano rates Niccolo Ammaniti's new novel (which I have mentioned, cari lettori) "Come Dio Comanda." "Nonetheless capable of holding the reader's attention...." Troiano says 'tuttavia' because while the book is engrossing, it also includes some downright depressing scenes that are vintage Ammaniti.
The review also provides a glimpse of the cover of Ammaniti's new book. Perhaps others have seen it but it's a first for me. Quite arresting!
To read all of Troiano's review, visit www.italica.rai.it, a Web site run by the international arm of the Italian television network, RAI, that provides information and commentary on Italy's arts scene. (As an aside, I am a RAI International television subscriber and I can tell you: the channel sucks! Your only chance to enjoy it is if you catch Porta a Porta (what Larry King's show on CNN could be if he wanted to interview serious people), or the telegiornali (which, again, CNN would do well to emulate).
There is a link to the review on the home page under LIBRI.
The review also provides a glimpse of the cover of Ammaniti's new book. Perhaps others have seen it but it's a first for me. Quite arresting!
To read all of Troiano's review, visit www.italica.rai.it, a Web site run by the international arm of the Italian television network, RAI, that provides information and commentary on Italy's arts scene. (As an aside, I am a RAI International television subscriber and I can tell you: the channel sucks! Your only chance to enjoy it is if you catch Porta a Porta (what Larry King's show on CNN could be if he wanted to interview serious people), or the telegiornali (which, again, CNN would do well to emulate).
There is a link to the review on the home page under LIBRI.
Status delle donne, l'Italia è in ritardo
"....Siamo al 77° posto su 115 paesi. Solo Cipro è più indietro nell'Ue, ci superano anche molti paesi in via di sviluppo."
So says an article on the Corriere Della Sera's Web site today. Not something I want to read about my beloved Italy! The article is based on data released by the World Economic Forum.
To read the story, visit: www.corriere.it, and scroll down the home page. (I am truncating the full link because it creates distortion with my profile, sorry!)
So says an article on the Corriere Della Sera's Web site today. Not something I want to read about my beloved Italy! The article is based on data released by the World Economic Forum.
To read the story, visit: www.corriere.it, and scroll down the home page. (I am truncating the full link because it creates distortion with my profile, sorry!)
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
"Allora giunse una lettera di mio padre."
"Riconobbi la calligrafia sulla busta e non l'aprii subito, indugiai in quel riconoscimento, e riconobbi che ero stato bambino, avevo pur avuto, in qualche modo, un'infanzia. Aprii la lettera e la lettera diceva:
'Mio caro ragazzo,
tu sai e tutti voi sapete che sono stato sempre un buon padre, e per la mamma vostra un buon marito, insomma un buon uomo, ma ora mi e' successo una cosa, e sono partito, ma voi non dovete giudicarmi male, sono rimasto lo stesso buon uomo che ero, e per voi tutti lo stesso buon padre, un buon amico per la mamma vostra e per di piu' potro' essere un buon marito per questa, diciamo, mia moglie nuova con la quale sono partito. Figli miei, io vi parlo senza vergogna, da uomo a uomini, e non chiedo il vostro perdono. So di non far male a nessuno.'"
This is an excerpt from chapter two of "Conversazione in Sicilia," by Elio Vittorini, which I am currently reading. Or I should say re-reading, but frankly, the book I remember reading by this title is slightly different. For example, I don't remember this allucinante letter from the narrator's father. Cari lettori, what do you make of it? Il padre dice che sa di non aver fatto male a nessuno. Come?!
'Mio caro ragazzo,
tu sai e tutti voi sapete che sono stato sempre un buon padre, e per la mamma vostra un buon marito, insomma un buon uomo, ma ora mi e' successo una cosa, e sono partito, ma voi non dovete giudicarmi male, sono rimasto lo stesso buon uomo che ero, e per voi tutti lo stesso buon padre, un buon amico per la mamma vostra e per di piu' potro' essere un buon marito per questa, diciamo, mia moglie nuova con la quale sono partito. Figli miei, io vi parlo senza vergogna, da uomo a uomini, e non chiedo il vostro perdono. So di non far male a nessuno.'"
This is an excerpt from chapter two of "Conversazione in Sicilia," by Elio Vittorini, which I am currently reading. Or I should say re-reading, but frankly, the book I remember reading by this title is slightly different. For example, I don't remember this allucinante letter from the narrator's father. Cari lettori, what do you make of it? Il padre dice che sa di non aver fatto male a nessuno. Come?!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
"Era da una settimana...."
"...che a suo padre rodeva il culo. Qualche giorno se l'era presa con la porta del bagno che non si apriva. La serratura era rotta. Per un paio di minuti aveva provato ad armeggiare con un cacciavite. Se ne stava li', in ginocchio, a bestemmiare, a insultare Fratini, il ferramenta che gliel'aveva venduta, i fabbricanti cinesi che l'avevano costruita con la latta, i politici che permettevano d'importare quella merda, ed era come se fossero tutti li', proprio davanti a lui, e niente, quella porta non ne voleva sapere aprirsi.
"Un pugno. Uno piu forte. Un altro. La porta sussultava sui cardini, ma non si apriva. Rino era andato in camera, aveva preso la pistola e aveva sparato contro la serratura. Ma quella non si era aperta. Aveva solo prodotto un botto assordante che aveva rintronato Cristiano per mezzora.
"Una cosa buona c'era stata: Cristiano aveva imparato che e' una stronzata quella che si vede nei film, dove se spari alle serrature le porte si aprono."
That was your Italian literary moment of the day. It's an excerpt from an excerpt of Niccolo Ammaniti's new book, "Come Dio Comanda." I am still reading the excerpt, though it's just ten pages, because honestly, it's a bit depressing. But trust me: it's very engrossing. Lui e' un genio! For more information on where to get the excerpt, see my previous post on Ammaniti.
"Un pugno. Uno piu forte. Un altro. La porta sussultava sui cardini, ma non si apriva. Rino era andato in camera, aveva preso la pistola e aveva sparato contro la serratura. Ma quella non si era aperta. Aveva solo prodotto un botto assordante che aveva rintronato Cristiano per mezzora.
"Una cosa buona c'era stata: Cristiano aveva imparato che e' una stronzata quella che si vede nei film, dove se spari alle serrature le porte si aprono."
That was your Italian literary moment of the day. It's an excerpt from an excerpt of Niccolo Ammaniti's new book, "Come Dio Comanda." I am still reading the excerpt, though it's just ten pages, because honestly, it's a bit depressing. But trust me: it's very engrossing. Lui e' un genio! For more information on where to get the excerpt, see my previous post on Ammaniti.
Qualcosa blogga in pentola!
Now there's a phrase you don't hear every day -- even in Italy. It's a derivation of the phrase "Qualcosa bolle in pentola," which means "Something's up."
It's the title of a cool blog in Italiano that's all about food. The author, La Cuoca Rossa, is obsessed with cooking. Indeed, she writes: "Non c'è nulla che mi rilassi quanto cucinare, ed il non poterlo fare, aggiunto al super lavoro produce effetti decisamente deleteri sul il mio umore."
You can find her blog at: http://qualcosabloggainpentola.blogspot.com/
Food is a cool avenue for boning up on your Italian. Afterall, we all eat! Another good food blog that's maintained by an Italian but not in Italiano is: http://viaggiesapori.blogspot.com/. The author is an Italian who lives in Sweden. Although it's in English, all the recipe titles are in Italiano. Visit this blog if you want to find out the details on the dish, "Lumache in umido con polenta."
I mention this blog because it shares a name with my ABS0LUTE FAVORITE Italian magazine in the whole wide world: "Viaggi e Sapori." Every issue has "30 Weekend Golosi" with information on where you can visit food festivals around Italy. There are gorgeous photos, and dreamy seaside restaurants in cui dai del tu, all of course in the land dove suona il si.
Unfortunately, the publisher has decided to re-christen it "V&S," which I think saps the title of any of the excitement found in the magazine. But hey that's just me. I happen to love the words "viaggi" and "sapori." Cari lettori, with the exception of "amore," please tell me two words that are better?
Godi!
It's the title of a cool blog in Italiano that's all about food. The author, La Cuoca Rossa, is obsessed with cooking. Indeed, she writes: "Non c'è nulla che mi rilassi quanto cucinare, ed il non poterlo fare, aggiunto al super lavoro produce effetti decisamente deleteri sul il mio umore."
You can find her blog at: http://qualcosabloggainpentola.blogspot.com/
Food is a cool avenue for boning up on your Italian. Afterall, we all eat! Another good food blog that's maintained by an Italian but not in Italiano is: http://viaggiesapori.blogspot.com/. The author is an Italian who lives in Sweden. Although it's in English, all the recipe titles are in Italiano. Visit this blog if you want to find out the details on the dish, "Lumache in umido con polenta."
I mention this blog because it shares a name with my ABS0LUTE FAVORITE Italian magazine in the whole wide world: "Viaggi e Sapori." Every issue has "30 Weekend Golosi" with information on where you can visit food festivals around Italy. There are gorgeous photos, and dreamy seaside restaurants in cui dai del tu, all of course in the land dove suona il si.
Unfortunately, the publisher has decided to re-christen it "V&S," which I think saps the title of any of the excitement found in the magazine. But hey that's just me. I happen to love the words "viaggi" and "sapori." Cari lettori, with the exception of "amore," please tell me two words that are better?
Godi!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Go to the exhibit in Milan of Boccioni's sculptures
Please go, because I don't think I am going to make it. No plans to be in Milan anytime soon, I regret to say!
Umberto Boccioni was a key member of the early 20th Century Italian art (and social and political) movement known as Futurismo. Some of his most famous paintings are on display in Milan at the Pinacoteca di Brera, including my favorite "Rissa in Galleria."
There are also some key works at the MOMA in New York.
This exhibit, which runs through Jan. 7 at Milan's Palazzo Reale, focuses on his works of sculpture. One of his most famous sculptures is basically a figure moving quickly, with his brisk pace represented in the flapping of his clothes. The figure, called Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, underscores Futurismo's fascination with speed and movement. This work will be at the center of the exhibit.
For more information, visit http://www.mostraboccioni.it/
Umberto Boccioni was a key member of the early 20th Century Italian art (and social and political) movement known as Futurismo. Some of his most famous paintings are on display in Milan at the Pinacoteca di Brera, including my favorite "Rissa in Galleria."
There are also some key works at the MOMA in New York.
This exhibit, which runs through Jan. 7 at Milan's Palazzo Reale, focuses on his works of sculpture. One of his most famous sculptures is basically a figure moving quickly, with his brisk pace represented in the flapping of his clothes. The figure, called Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, underscores Futurismo's fascination with speed and movement. This work will be at the center of the exhibit.
For more information, visit http://www.mostraboccioni.it/
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Gli Uffizi gratis?
Yup.....it started last month and runs through December. I found this info on www.firenze.net but I need to give an avviso: the web site says it's for "fiorentini." And let's be honest, that's easy to verify. Just listen for the 'c' that never arrives. And it appears to refer to two specific areas of the museum, not the whole place.
But for all of you foreigners in Italy who have put off a visit to the Uffizi because of the sheer magnitude of such an undertaking or because of the line, it's worth a try to see if the free admission extends to everyone.
According to Firenze.net, i fiorentini "potranno visitare con la guida di esperti due parti assai significative degli Uffizi. Si tratta della ex chiesa di San Pier Scheraggio e della Collezione Contini Bonacossi." Wow that's pretty cool!
For more information, visit the Uffizi's Web site: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/uffizi/
Godi!
But for all of you foreigners in Italy who have put off a visit to the Uffizi because of the sheer magnitude of such an undertaking or because of the line, it's worth a try to see if the free admission extends to everyone.
According to Firenze.net, i fiorentini "potranno visitare con la guida di esperti due parti assai significative degli Uffizi. Si tratta della ex chiesa di San Pier Scheraggio e della Collezione Contini Bonacossi." Wow that's pretty cool!
For more information, visit the Uffizi's Web site: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/uffizi/
Godi!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
"Elezioni americane, Bush esce sconfitto"
That's the headline on the homepage of the Corriere Della Sera. Visit the site at www.corriere.it for pretty comprehensive coverage of OUR elections.
For commentary on the election from an Italian who knows something about America, read Beppe Severgnini's column, which also appears on the home page, under the main story.
For commentary on the election from an Italian who knows something about America, read Beppe Severgnini's column, which also appears on the home page, under the main story.
Cool blog based in MILANO!
http://miblog.splinder.com/
I don't know much about the creator of the blog, other than he lives in Milan and has extremely diverse interests. And he has a host of friends who also post to the blog.
His posts cover literature, cinema, the subway in Milan, the Milanese dialect, the Kamasutra, historic buildings in Milan, strikes (well I guess that goes without saying!) and Bob Marley -- and that's just a handful of the topics listed. In his profile, he lists his interests as: "attimi, immagini, stories, contraddizioni e proteste e proposte su Milano." Cavoli!
I don't know much about the creator of the blog, other than he lives in Milan and has extremely diverse interests. And he has a host of friends who also post to the blog.
His posts cover literature, cinema, the subway in Milan, the Milanese dialect, the Kamasutra, historic buildings in Milan, strikes (well I guess that goes without saying!) and Bob Marley -- and that's just a handful of the topics listed. In his profile, he lists his interests as: "attimi, immagini, stories, contraddizioni e proteste e proposte su Milano." Cavoli!
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