Bleeding Espresso

It’s been a while since I’ve asked if you have any questions for me, so here’s your chance. I’ve done this before and really enjoyed writing the “answer” posts, so I do hope you’ll play along.

If you’re new here, just so you know, you can ask me about anything from my favorite color to my goals in life.

This time, though, I’d like to specifically request that those of you interested in freelance writing include questions you have on the topic; I will be doing posts about freelance writing in the future, and I’m interested to know which aspects you’d find most helpful and interesting.

So, if you have questions, leave them in a comment!

Buon weekend!

P.S. Hurry to enter the big anniversary giveaway at Ice Tea for Me–goodies from southwestern USA! Ends February 28!

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My neighbor Anna Maria is always bringing me something from oranges and lemons to (I’m not making this up) wood for the fireplace.

The prettiest things she’s brought me, though, have to be these:

They are called “ventagli” which means “fans” but you really can’t miss the love in them, can you?

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

What’s the last suprise gift you have given or received?

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In going through old photos, I came across one of this dish, variations of which we make quite often in our house. Apparently I never posted it (the photo is from March 2007) so now it’s finally time to share the recipe for What’s Cooking Wednesday.

The seafood we used was frozen, so you can use this basic recipe with any combination of frozen seafood you like.

This is yet another really quick meal; don’t you just love when you start the water for the pasta before you even start preparing the sauce?

Linguine with Shrimp and Mussels

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 small cloves garlic
• 5-6 cherry tomatoes
• 1 package of frozen shrimp and mussels (or seafood of your choice)
• 1 small glass of white wine (or water)
• Salt
• Bunch of parsley, chopped
• Linguine for two people

1. Put the water for the pasta on to boil, and prepare pasta when water is ready.

2. In a saucepan, heat oil and then add garlic, letting it cook for about a minute or so. Don’t brown.

3. Cut tomatoes in half and add to pan, sprinkling a little salt over them; let them cook for two to three mintues.

4. Add frozen seafood and half the parsley, and let cook for another 2-3 minutes.

5. Add wine (or water).

6. When the liquid is reduced by about half, adjust for salt.

7. Toss well with linguine and serve with a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Buon appetito!

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I was recently introduced to a fabulous new site about the Italian language called La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales.

Dianne has a book by the same name coming out in May, and you will see her here at Bleeding Espresso closer to that time, but for now, Dianne has inspired me to share one of my favorite/least favorite parts of the Italian language:

False Friends/Falsi Amici

What are false friends in Italian?

Also called “false cognates,” these are Italian words that sound a lot like English words but *so* do not correspond in meaning.

If you’re just starting to learn Italian, this is a great list to simply commit to memory. It is by no means exhaustive, but these are some that have always stuck in my mind:

Italian False Friends/Falsi Amici in Italiano

Attualmente: currently NOT actually (in realtà)
Camera: room NOT camera (la macchina fotografica)
Cocomero: watermelon NOT cucumber (cetriolo)
Comprensivo: understanding NOT comprehensive (completo)
Confetti: sugared almond NOT confetti (coriandoli)
Confrontare: to compare NOT to confront
Crudo: raw NOT crude (volgare)
Educato: polite NOT educated (istruito or colto)
Educazione: good manners NOT education (istruzione)
Eventuale: any NOT eventual (finale)
Fabbrica: factory NOT fabric (tessuto)
Fastidio: annoying NOT fastidious (pignolo)
Fattoria: farm NOT factory (fabbrica)
Firma: signature NOT firm, as in company (azienda) or firm, as in a mattress (rigido)
Gentile: nice NOT gentle (dolce or leggero)
Intendere: to understand NOT to intend
Libreria: bookstore NOT library (biblioteca)
Magazzino: warehouse NOT magazine (rivista)
Morbido: soft NOT morbid (morboso)
Noioso: boring NOT noisy (rumoroso)
Parente: relative NOT parent (genitore, madre, padre)
Patente: license NOT patent (richiesta di brevetto)
Peperoni: peppers NOT pepperoni, the spicy sausage (salame piccante)
Preservativo: condom NOT preservative (conservante)
Pretendere: to expect NOT to pretend (fare finta)
Rumore: sound NOT rumor (voce)
Sensibile: sensitive NOT sensible (ragionevole)
Simpatico: nice NOT sympathetic (comprensivo)
Stravagante: eccentric NOT extravagant (sprecone)

Have you made any false friend mistakes?

Do you have more to add to the list? Please share!

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I just couldn’t resist sharing this *gorgeous* video promoting the Region of Calabria featuring one of our favorite sons, Gennaro Gatuso:

Gah! I *love* this video!

Don’t you just love the distinctly Calabrese feel to Gennaro’s words…simu o no Calabrisi? Are we Calabrians or not?!

For non-Italian speakers, the last line before the video montage is “Calabria has everything,” and then the closing line, which so perfectly describes my bella Calabria:

We put our hearts into it.

Viva la Calabria!

So, when are *you* coming to visit us here in the toe of the boot?

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