Archive for January, 2009
Village Games: Part III
It’s been a while since P and I played “Dove cazzo è?” (Where the **** is it?), but last weekend’s photostroll with the dogs (while wearing my new official photostroll boots) gave me a perfect chance to round up some photos.
For past rounds of this game, see Village Games I and Village Games II.
The rules are:
(1) I roam the village taking random shots of things.
(2) P has to tell me where I’ve found them–all of them.
(3) Loser cooks dinner and cleans up afterwards.
I started with an easy one, just steps from our house:
Turned up the heat with the door of one of the village’s 13 churches:
Which P got immediately as this is the church nearest the house he grew up in.
Then some random ruins:
P struggled a bit but described the general area, so I gave it to him. But then, the toughest one of all:
He had no clue that it belonged to this house:
Hah! Victory was mine!
But then I remembered another photo I had and wanted to ask him about:
P solved the mystery for me as to what this was used for, so we agreed to call this third edition of Village Games a draw.
Do you know what that pointy object is/was for?
Buon weekend--any fun plans?
Love Thursday: Love Via Cappuccino Across the Miles
Last week we were hearting coffee, and now it’s cappuccino’s turn.
This gorgeous photo was sent to me by my friend Nicole, who wrote:
“I took this picture at the best Italian bakery in Northern California…and I took it with you in mind!”
How sweet is that?
Love via cappuccino across the miles!
The bakery in question, by the way, is Emporio Rulli in Larkspur, California. If you’re in the area, spread the love, drop in, and tell ‘em Bleeding Espresso sent you!
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
What’s Cooking Wednesday: Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce
This week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday recipe is one of my all-time favorites from childhood, i.e., comfort food at its finest. It’s so comforting that I made my mom make it while she was here in June, and this *so* isn’t a warm weather dish.
In fact, Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce is a great stick-to-your-ribs-meat-and-potatoes meal that you could even throw in a crock pot if you’re a crock pot user.
And if you’re not into the meat thing, I have a feeling this would still be pretty tasty without the pork and with more veggies thrown in.
If you can’t get fresh beans, you can use canned green beans or string beans as well but they won’t need to be cooked nearly as long.
I don’t know of a snappier name than “Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce” but since it so accurately represents the dish, I’m sticking with it.
Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound of pork ribs (or other cut on the bone)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large can and 1 small can of tomatoes
- 4 small potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 pound green beans, washed with ends snapped off
- A few basil leaves
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1. Parboil beans by bringing water to a boil in a large pot and then adding the beans, letting them cook for about four minutes. Remove and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a saucepan and brown meat on all sides, remove from pan, and set aside. For great tips on browning meat (including why we do it), see Miss Vickie’s How to Brown Meat.
3. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent.
4. Add tomatoes.
5. Put meat back in the pan and add potatoes and green beans.
6. Add basil and salt.
7. Let simmer for an hour to an hour and a half until meat is cooked and tender.
8. Just a few minutes before you take the pan off the heat, add parmesan cheese and mix through.
9. Serve hot with fresh Italian bread.
Buon appetito!
Inauguration Day and Birthday Wishes
Just two quick notes today:
Be sure to go to My Bella Vita and wish Cherrye a happy, happy birthday!
And to everyone excited for a new administration in America:
It’s finally here! Wheeeeeeeee!
Are you going? Will you be watching?
New Zealand Nature Company: In Praise of Excellent Customer Service
We all like to spread the word when a company does us wrong, as well we should so we can warn others, but today, I’m sharing some good news about New Zealand Nature Company because they done good–real good–and they deserve huge props, especially one customer service representative named Bettina.
Back at the end of October, I decided to treat myself to a warm, snuggly pair of boots for the winter since I generally have to wear two to three pair of socks *while inside the house* from November to March or so. These old houses in southern Italy get *cooooold*!
The previous winter, when I was lamenting that I had freezing feetsies, a friend from New Zealand recommended the New Zealand Nature Company, and since I was still in love with these Supertread Sheepskin Boots a year later, I went for it.
I normally don’t spend even half this much on shoes, but I knew these would last for years, they were something I sorely needed, and they would also serve as my birthday and Christmas presents to myself.
The order went smoothly, other than my indecision regarding what color to get (I settled on chocolate), and I loved that I could even pay via PayPal as I don’t use credit cards.
But their delivery estimate of 10-14 days to Italy came and went. I was patient since I’ve been around the Poste Italiane block, but when the end of November came and went with no boots, I got in touch with the company.
Bettina was also convinced that the boots weren’t coming, so she immediately claimed insurance on the first pair and send off a new pair as soon as the ones I had chosen were back in stock.
How awesome is that?
A few weeks later, I got my new boots in the mail, and I swear to you, I’ve only taken them off to sleep ever since. They are *so* warm and comfy, and I don’t know how I survived a Calabrian winter without them.
New Zealand Nature Company, established in 1996, sells boots, clothes, beauty and personal care items, bedware, jewelry, stationery, and more, so if you want great products at great prices with *excellent* customer service, do give New Zealand Nature Company a try.
I’m not getting anything in return for this glowing recommendation–just the satisfaction of passing along the word about a fabulous company.
AND they are running a sale now until January 31–
20% off Supertread Sheepskin Boots
and
40% off Selected Silk and Other Clearance Items!
Prices include airmail insured shipping (choose your currency), and if you’re getting boots, do pay special attention to their charts as they use NZ sizes.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, I am kind of considering getting another pair of boots now that they’re on sale, but I will be sure to warn Bettina first.
Please share your positive online shopping experiences
in the comments or on your own blog!
Michelle Fabio is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer living in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy and savoring simplicity one sip at a time.
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