Archive for the ‘love’ Category
Love Thursday: Celebrating an Anniversary
Last week, P and I celebrated four years together.
Lots of people on both sides of the Atlantic ask us about marriage and when we’ll make it “official.”
We may get around to doing that (and I’ll be sure to let you know!) but for now, we’re just fine with the way things are, so no announcements are forthcoming–not today at least. Every day is an adventure, though, so who knows what tomorrow will bring?
In any event, I refer to P as my marito (husband) in conversations with others, and he calls me his moglie (wife)–or more often, his mugliere in Badolatese. And as far as everyone is concerned, his parents are already my suocera and suocero; I also have lots of cognati e cognate (brothers- and sisters-in-law).
Also, this is what my left hand looks like each and every day:
P gave me the white gold band when we had been together for about a month or so way back in 2005, and the diamond engagement ring is just that–but it was my grandmother’s, given to her by my grandfather in the early 1940s. She gave it to me several years before she passed away, making sure that I would be the one to have it.
No, the two rings don’t remotely match, but that seems rather perfect for P and me, who are, in many ways, polar opposites. We’re alike in some important ways too, and just like P and me, the two rings meet somewhere in the middle–I love how the silverish tones shine together–and somehow just work.
And that works for us, too.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
P.S. I have already contacted the 5 La Bella Lingua winners:
Paola of Always Italianissima
Kazbell
Peter Leonard
ann-marie
Syrahsuzie
Congratulations!
Patron Saint of Singles: San Faustino
Ah, Valentine’s Day. As if you could escape knowledge of *that* little celebration in the middle of February, thankyouverymuch Hallmark et al.
Am I bah humbugging the day of San Valentino?
Well, maybe just a bit.
You *know* I’m all about the love (and, by the way, if you want to know why the heart symbolizes love, go here), but the commercialization of the holiday really irks me. I’m part of a couple now, but except for the past three Valentine’s Days, I wasn’t, and I remember those other 20-some February 14ths very well.
Sure, I always made it a point to celebrate and appreciate *all* kinds of love in my life on Valentine’s Day (and I hope you do too!), but every now and again, some of the commercialism of the holiday would seep into my subconscious, and I’d just want someone to buy me chocolates dammit.
Ahem.
So I’m here to tell you what you singles can do this Valentine’s Day:
First of all, go buy your own chocolates. They really do taste just as good.
Then save up your partying for February 15th–the feast day of San Faustino.
Several years ago, a group of Italian singles decided it was time to celebrate singles–and also to address issues that adversely affect singles from paying higher taxes to difficulties adopting children.
So they chose the day after Saint Valentine’s Day, the feast day of San Faustino, to celebrate single life.
Indeed, if you happen to be in Italy, be sure to check out VitadaSingle.net for what’s happening on February 15th near you; and if you can read Italian, at SanFaustino.info, you can find books, movies, music, recipes, and more–all for singles!
As for P and me this Valentine’s Day?
We’ll be having a quiet evening at home making homemade pizza. Plenty romantic for me even though I know some onions are going to be on those pizzas….
Will you celebrate San Faustino’s Day?
Love Thursday: Almond Blossoms & Calabrian Proverbs on Love
As has become tradition, P brought me our first almond blossom of the year last Thursday (yes, on Love Thursday and everything!):
And now, since I’m in a loverly mood, a few Calabrian proverbs on relationships, love, and the like:
- A carni supra all’ossu mera.
Meat on the bones adorns.
The book I found these in expands (my translation): “The concept of traditional feminine beauty isn’t lean and long-limbed, which came from the style of America after World War II . . . . According to the Calabrese tradition, a beautiful woman must also be robust, with roundness and feminine features well-accentuated.”
Gotta love the Calabrese!
- Ama l’omu toi cu i vizii soi.
Love your man with all his faults.
I think this is a good one for everyone, don’t you? If you truly choose to love someone (I’m a big believer that love is a choice), you love everything about them even if some things frustrate the hell out of you sometimes. Ahem.
- A megghju palora esta chija chi no nesci.
The best words are those that never leave the mouth.
This last one isn’t specified for love, but I think this can be good advice in relationships. Yes, I believe in honesty and openness, but not every thought needs expression.
What do you think about these lovely proverbs?
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
love thursday: happy birthday to p and to bleeding espresso
It’s finally here! P is finally entering his 30s! Woohoo!
Sorry, but sometimes being a bit older than your mate wears on you, especially when the first digit of your ages don’t match. Now, finally, after two years of being the only one whose age started with a 3, P has joined me. Happy day, happy day!
And you know what else? Bleeding Espresso turns two years old today! So here are three gorgeous hearts courtesy of aussiegall on Flickr:
One for P, one for Bleeding Espresso, and one for all of you who visit, encourage, and inspire me to keep writing, taking photos, cooking, and smiling (not necessarily in that order). Mwaaaah!
And hey it’s also Santa Barbara‘s day, which I’ve written about here at Italy Magazine.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
*Remember to enter to win a copy of Who by Fire by Diana Spechler before 12/9!*
love thursday: bringing home the bacon
You know that saying about bringing home the bacon*?
Well, in Calabria that often happens quite literally.
Here is my amore holding the leg of a certain swine, parts of which were later marinated in red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, and then grilled. Yum!
Who could ask for more in a man?
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
Note that Love Thursday is now back at its original Chookooloonks home. Yay!
P.S. The history of this phrase from About.com Guide to Home Cooking: “In the twelfth century, a church in the English town of Dunmow promised a side of bacon to any married man who could swear before the congregation and God that he had not quarreled with his wife for a year and a day. A husband who could bring home the bacon was held in high esteem by the community for his forebearance.”
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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