Bleeding Espresso

Well you can’t say Silvio Berlusconi, who turns 72 next month, isn’t entertaining.

No seriously. He entertains.

This former cruise ship singer, media mogul, and–oh yeah–Prime Minister of Italy is currently producing a CD of canzoni d’amore (love songs) with Neapolitan** singer Mariano Apicella.

Actually, this will be Berlu’s second set of compositions released by Apicella; the first was out during Berlusconi’s second time around as Prime Minister in 2003 and reached Italy’s Top 50.

The duo hope that the CD will be released in December (just in time for Christmas shopping!), but Apicella admits “it won’t be easy given all the (prime minister’s) responsibilities.”

Oh yeah…THOSE! Glad someone’s thinking about that.

Will you be buying the Berlusconi-produced CD?

And my *real* question:

When are we going to see Obama or McCain’s greatest hits?!

*Cena (CHAY-nah) in Italian means dinner/supper.

**Why isn’t it “Napolitan?” It’s not Neapoli, it’s Napoli! If anyone has answers, please share. This has always bothered me.

20 Comments »

I don’t know if you’ve seen this, but several people have sent me this article in the past few days, so I just have to share it:

Confused sea turtles march into restaurant

That’s right! Right here in Calabria, in the province of Cosenza, about 60 newly hatched sea turtles took a wrong turn and instead of ending up in the sea, showed up for dinner at a restaurant instead, startling diners, of course, because who expects to see a baby turtle crawling over your shoe while you’re digging into your primo piatto?

Wildlife officials think that the turtles were confused by the bright, artificial lights of the restaurant and simply turned in the wrong direction in their quest to dive into the sea.

Turtle vertigo?

Hmmm….

And although Calabrians are known to eat some weird stuff, don’t worry–they (we!) have a special fondness for the baby turtles. Lots of mommy turtles make their nests on Calabrian beaches, and here is one little tartaruga that even made our village blog!

And so, the turtles in Cosenza were rescued and escorted back to the beach.

No word on whether they were given anything to eat first.

Buon weekend!

And check out my Guarda! column this week at Italy Magazine:
La Festa del Redentore in Nuoro, Sardinia.

22 Comments »

Ever have one of those evenings when all you want for dinner is ice cream?

Well today there will be no cooking (i.e., no What’s Cooking Wednesday for me, but do check out the others!) because we’re going out for gelato!

Those of you who have been around the Italian expat blogosphere for a while know that Sara of Ms Adventures in Italy runs a fabulous Tour del Gelato–a virtual tour of the best places you can enjoy gelato in Italy and elsewhere, or as Sara writes “discovering the world’s best gelato, one lick at a time!”

I’m not the only one getting gelato today, though. Be sure to head over to my Calabrian blogging buddy Cherrye’s My Bella Vita to check out her Tour del Gelato stop at Marrons Glacés in Catanzaro!

Last summer I featured Golosia in Gioiosa Ionica Marina, which is just down the SS106 from me. But today we’re staying right here in Badolato, in the Marina at least, and we’re going to:

I love sitting here on a late morning in the summer and enjoying a gelato.

First, your choices:

Oh, just in case you aren’t in the mood for gelato, how about a pastry?

I often go with pistacchio and some other flavor–today nocciola. Grazie Barbara!

Too pretty to eat?

Nah. Now hurry before it drips!

And just *look* at those hazelnuts.

So, if you’re in Badolato Marina in Calabria, stop in:

€uro Bar 2000
Pasticceria Gelateria
V. Nazionale, 180
88060 Badolato Marina CZ
Italia
338/545.2807

What’s your favorite flavor of gelato or ice cream?

40 Comments »

I know I said I’d answer more of your questions today (will do so next Monday!), but I couldn’t let another August pass without talking about La Notte di San Lorenzo, the Night of St. Lawrence.

Also called La Notte dei Desideri (the Night of Wishes), August 10 is a special, magical day for Italians, and it can be for you too.

Each year on this night, Italians turn their eyes skyward in the hopes of seeing a shooting star, one of the many that will fall during the Perseid Meteor Shower. Seen near the constellation of Perseus, the numerous stelle cadenti (falling stars) are actually remains of the comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered in 1862.

The falling stars are believed to represent tears shed for San Lorenzo during his August 10 burial after he died a martyr’s death in 258 A.D. As deacon of Pope Sixtus II, San Lorenzo had been ordered by one of tyrant Valerian’s judges to offer up the church’s treasures; San Lorenzo presented the poorest of his congregation, and the judge ordered San Lorenzo to be burned alive on a gridiron.

San Lorenzo bravely faced his death and famously said, “I am roasted enough on this side; turn me over and eat.”

And so, on this night, Italians believe that wishes will come true for those who stop to remember the pain suffered by San Lorenzo and with every falling star they say, “Stella, mia bella Stella, desidero che…”

“Star, my beautiful star, I wish that…”

The most popular wish among Italians is for lasting love (49%), followed by wealth (32%) and then success (27%).

Yes, I know this information seems to be a day late for you to look up and make a wish, but the experts say that San Lorenzo is late this year and that tonight or even tomorrow night is more promising for your wish.

So get as far away from city lights as you can, keep those eyes toward the sky and tell those shooting stars what you most desire.

I won’t ask you what you’ll wish for, but tell me,
have you ever wished upon a falling star?

28 Comments »

You all know that I love espresso (duh), but the way I love it most is actually in cappuccino.

I haven’t been enjoying *too* many of these lately because of the hot weather, but for me, anytime is a great time for a capp’, so here’s how I make mine at home–without a fancy machine. And here’s another way if you’re into those new fangled blenders and whatnot: At-Home Cappuccino.

So, I brew a pot of espresso, and in the meantime add sugar to the cup:

I put a small pot of milk on the stove to heat, and when it’s steaming hot, I whisk the milk to make foam.

Then I pour some espresso into the cup (as much as I need/can handle!), stir well to mix in the sugar and then pour in the foam:

Then I give it another stir for good measure, remove the spoon and marvel at just how much I love cappuccino.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

What food or drink says LOVE to you?

32 Comments »