interactive friday: blog my blog III

Guess what time it is…it’s time to blog my blog!

What’s that? You don’t remember how we play? As a reminder, here is the first edition, here is the second, and here are the official rules:

Taking direction from Kailani of An Island Life, here’s how it works for those who don’t remember:

1. I start with a question/phrase.

2. The first commenter answers that question and leaves a new question for the next visitor to answer. It could be a general question, fill in the blank sentence, a “tell me about a time when,” etc.

3. The next commenter answers the new question and provides a question for the following visitor (i.e., the third commenter).

4. And so forth until you’re all bored to tears. Yes, I expect actual tears before we stop (photographic evidence will do).

5. Note: I reserve the right to delete or modify any questions that, you know, rub me the wrong way. Ahem.

6. In a situation where two commenters have answered the same question and you’re next to answer, please either choose one of the questions or answer both; if you don’t answer both, you are free to pass along the question you didn’t use or come up with a new one.

The first question:

What is your favorite apparatus on a playground and why?

Remember to check out Cherrye’s My Bella Vita for this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana recipe: Mexican Tortilla Soup.

46 Beans of Wisdom to “interactive friday: blog my blog III”
  1. awedree
    11.14.2008

    The swing because I can go really fast and feel like I’m flying!

  2. For me it was a battle royale between the slide and the swing.

    Now a very deep question for the next commentor: Will you be seeing the new Bond movie?. Why or why not.

  3. Ha…..I know you will, Arlene!! No, I probably won’t (at least in the theater). I want to see Twilight 🙂

    For the next commenter:
    What are you going to cook this weekend?

  4. 11.14.2008

    Chicken & Butternut Squash Stew for 6… Let’s see if it can please a German, A Sri Lankan, a Hungarian, A Brit, A Canadian, and Me!

    If you could be anywhere right now *money no bar* where would that be?

    NewWrldYankee’s last blog post..I Am Drinking Mulled Mead as You Read…

  5. 11.14.2008

    I would be on a beach, roasting in the sun! Preferably in Mexico! But also have several other places on my list. Istanbul is on the top,as well as returning to Greece. I bet they have beaches too.

    What is your favorite junk food?

  6. 11.14.2008

    Junk food… I try to stay off processed food as much as possible, but I have a sweet tooth like no tomorrow! So, I will have to say Nutella- but not the “made abroad” kind- the original one they make in Italy, without peanut butter and vanilla… because, yes, I’m a snob! (and I also grew up on the stuff, I know my Nutella in blind tastings and I can prove it!)

    Let’s see, for the next poster I want to ask: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? If not, is there another holiday when you thank your loved ones for being, well, lovable?

    Vanessa’s last blog post..Bar Bambino, San Francisco

  7. 11.14.2008

    No, we don’t celebrate Thanks giving. Every day I thank the Universe for the beautiful children I have.

    Has anything life changing happened to you these past weeks?

    Scintilla’s last blog post..Phantom Neighbours.

  8. Ooh, I’ve actually had a really emotionally sad last three days. Let’s say yes and leave it at that. 🙂
    Next Q…
    What is your favorite season of the year and why?

    Cherrye at My Bella Vita’s last blog post..La Buona Cucina Americana: Mexican Tortilla Soup with Chicken

  9. 11.14.2008

    Summer is my favorite because of all the fresh fruit, especially figs!

    What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?

  10. A dog, no doubt about it. I never had a dog as a child we were a cat family. Now I have both dogs and cats and although I love the cats it’s the dog that really has my heart. I cannot believe that I lived for over 40 years without a dog in my life and if I live for another 40 I intend always to have one of these amazing, wonderful, loving creatures by my side. Yep, I think that says it!

    What was your favourite holiday destination as a child and why?

    amanda@A Tuscan View…’s last blog post..meme – the movie

  11. 11.14.2008

    The local park which had a fallen tree which had many guises, a fairy castle, a horse we could ride for hours, a fortress for a princess escaping from a dragon…. the other place was my father’s studio where we were always welcom and could make things with any scraps left over from his work, (he was a sculptor, potter, jeweller, and printmaker who also dabbled with painting)

    So in that vein what is your favourite work of art?

    dette’s last blog post..What next…

  12. 11.14.2008

    How could I choose just one? There are a number that I travel far to see. I can’t even bear to choose one artist!

    One I visited often was a huge reclining nude by Henry Moore at the entrance to the new wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Another was a Brancusi head that was almost a flame at the very top of the MOMA in NY. The corner where you can see both “Venus Rising” and “Primavera” at the Uffizzi was a big favorite art place but is too peopled nowadays. A ceramic owl my baby made me in school is modern and striking and loved.

    If you could live in a place where everyday was the same reliable weather, would you and why?

    Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Made in America: Tortilla Soup

  13. 11.14.2008

    I wouldn’t at all. I love the changing seasons.

    What makes you lose sleep?

    Mary’s last blog post..Made in America – Tortilla Soup

  14. ally bean
    11.14.2008

    Aches and pains make me lose sleep. My mind turns itself off quite easily, but if I’m not physically relaxed, there is no snoozing for me.

    What do you want for Christmas this year?

  15. Snow.

    If you could talk to anyone – anyone at all, living or dead – who would it be and what would you say?

    paul of the clue-by-four’s last blog post..Tech Thursday: What in the World is WiMAX?

  16. 11.14.2008

    This one’s easy for me…I would want to talk to my dad who passed away just under a year ago and I would tell him I love him and miss him! 🙂

    Now for my question…..hmmm……what was the last thing you ate that was just nasty?!?!

    LuLu’s last blog post..I want your Italian biscotti recipes…

  17. 11.14.2008

    Well, it was more something I drank — I had some milk last night and even though I had *just* bought it AND it was not due to expire for another 10 days, it was already soured. Fortunately I always save my receipts from the grocery store, just in case.

    Question from me: What are you most looking forward to about this weekend?

    City Girl’s last blog post..Comptoir Sud Pacifique Eau de Voyage

  18. 11.14.2008

    I am looking forward to doing nothing! The last 2 Saturdays were crazy. Plus we are going to continue with the rainy, dreary days!

    What was the last book you read?

    jmisgro’s last blog post..Classic Gingerbread

  19. 11.14.2008

    I’m in the middle of reading “Blue Like Jazz — Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality” by Donald Miller. I met Mr. Miller at the Obama headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mi. He was working with the campaign’s Director of Religious Affairs. A very interesting read so far.

    What did you/will you have for lunch today?

    Geggie’s last blog post..Post

  20. 11.14.2008

    I’m meeting a friend a a small Italian restaurant so I’m thinking it will be probably be pasta!

    Can you speak another language and if not, have you ever attempted to learn one?

  21. 11.14.2008

    I had 5 years of German in High School, but not having a chance to practice it, I lost most of it.

    As for my burning question, what is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

    Kate

    shiborigirl’s last blog post..One Week and Counting…

  22. 11.14.2008

    Shopping on a rainy day for me! Is anyone else excited for the holidays?

    Deb R’s last blog post..What is up with this?

  23. 11.14.2008

    Um, well, if the question is about having fun, time off, decorating and spending time with friends and family…well that answer is yes!!

    But if it is about figuring out how much money to spend in the current US economy than no. Times *are* tough*

    So, I guess a good question would be..

    Are you setting limits and spending less this Holiday than in years past?

    My Mélange’s last blog post..Travel Photo Friday : Greece is the Word

  24. 11.14.2008

    yup – way lower than normal, and with some people, we’ve agreed to exchange no gifts at all. but it has much less to do with the economy than with our own poor financial management skills.

    what should i have for dinner tonight? it’s dreary and drizzly.

    michelle @ TNS’s last blog post..We interrupt your regularly scheduled Smackdown

  25. 11.14.2008

    How about some spicy chili, served over a baked potato?

    What are you most looking forward to this weekend?

    Janet’s last blog post..Is it Friday already?

  26. 11.14.2008

    A local professional roller hockey game. The game is fast and exciting and the muscley young players aren’t bad to look at either!

    What’s your all-time favorite song and why?

    saretta’s last blog post..Lunch at Lino’s – First Course

  27. Carla
    11.14.2008

    This is fun, Michelle! 🙂

    I love music, but one of my all-time, absolute favorite songs is “Tra te e il mare” by Laura Pausini because it was what I lived for many years and the lyrics really hit home and touch my heart…

    hmmm, my question, what TV show are you addicted to right now and why?

  28. Trina
    11.14.2008

    Dirty Sexy Money, All of the CSI shows and The Office.

    Who was your high school sweetheart and why did you break up?

  29. anna l'americana
    11.14.2008

    Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America and I have no idea what the attraction is!

    What is the one food item you couldn’t live without?

  30. 11.14.2008

    Potatoes, they just go so damn well with everything, from steak to baked with broccoli and cheese…

    What’s the worst show on television? (in your opinion)

    Jeremy’s last blog post..Top 3 Reasons Why Heated Seats Are Evil

  31. Kate
    11.15.2008

    “Paris Hilton: My New BFF” (or something like that)…can she possibly need the money or the exposure that badly? Horror show!

    How many foreign countries have you visited and what was your favorite one?

  32. 11.15.2008

    Well since I have only visited one, Italy would would be the answer to both questions! My mom was born in Trieste, and my family and I went to visit relatives in 1981. It is a beautiful country and I hope to visit it again before I die!
    My question: If you could have superpowers for one day, what kind would they be and why?

    annie’s last blog post..Dipalicous Chocolate-Caramel Covered Apples

  33. Gil
    11.15.2008

    To stop production and sales of cigarettes and tobacco products.

    What was your biggest vice?

  34. 11.15.2008

    Smoking – so I’d have been happy for you to have superpowers, Gil.

    If your best friend had to choose one word to describe you, what would that word be?

    casalba’s last blog post..Mela Cotogna (Quince)

  35. Rebecca
    11.16.2008

    the word would be “unpredictable”
    and my question is
    If you were to choose a heart place that really was HOME…where is it and why??????

  36. 11.16.2008

    For now I say Chicago, since I just moved away two months ago. Before I said Columbus because that is where I grew up. Prior to that I said Ridgewood, New Jersey, since that’s where I was born. Tomorrow I’ll say Jersey City, since that’s where I currently reside. Always I say Lamezia Terme, since that’s where my family came from.

    Time travel is possible…where/when would you go?

    Weekend Anna’s last blog post..Looking Backwards

  37. 11.16.2008

    I would go hang out in the Promised Land at the time of Christ and follow him around to find out how he really thought and felt.

    What does your ideal bedroom look like? I want detail — colors, fabrics, flooring materials, views.

  38. Antonella
    11.17.2008

    Wood floors (dark), with colorful rugs for my tootsies to step on. A light blocking shade on the windows flanked by coordinating curtains. A closet with an organizer, with interesting doors to hide it all. Colors are gems: emerald, ruby, topaz. A headboard to lean against, night tables to hold all my books and great light for reading.

    Q: What book has influenced you most in your life?

  39. 11.17.2008

    That’s a tough one… and I might answer differently if asked again tomorrow, but when I was about 11-years-old, I wandered over into the adult section of the library (adult as in grown-up, y’know, not R-rated as it seems to have evolved into meaning.) I figured the adult books would all be boring, but I was in for a surprise…

    I found a book called “Yoga, Youth and Reincarnation,” and it had a huge impact on me. It was the first I’d ever heard of Yoga (the book had a bunch of poses to try.) It also talked in detail about the Transcendentalist movement on the east coast of the US (Emerson, Thoreau, etc.) And it was the first time I’d ever heard of Sanskrit, yogis, meditation and, as you might have guessed from the title, reincarnation. The book was the start of a life-long fascination with alternative viewpoints, philosophy, self-help, preventative medicine, other cultures, and other beliefs. And it was written in a way that was engaging even to a little kid such as myself at the time!

    OK… my question for the next person: What *movie* has influenced you the most in your life?

    mentalmosaic’s last blog post..A Dangerous Weakness

  40. 11.17.2008

    Bridges of Madison County!

    The grass isn’t always greener on the otherside!
    Loyalty is a great what’s the word…quality to have!
    You can’t always get what you want!

    The part that made me sob my heart out was when she’s sitting in the truck with her husband leaving the general store…that’s all I’ll say…see the movie.

    Who is your favourite actor and why?

    lucy’s last blog post..More Clouds

  41. 11.18.2008

    It’s a three way tie between Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins, and Liam Neeson. If they are in a film, chances are I will see it. I think that all 3 really embody the characters they play.

    What film do you watch when you have a bad day?

    Kalee’s last blog post..The Three C’s of Saturday

  42. 11.18.2008

    Okay… here are some. I almost never buy movies, but I do own these, just for those rainy day moments:

    A Room with a View
    Little Miss Sunshine
    The Princess Diaries
    Legally Blonde
    My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding

    Now for my question:

    What movie do you watch when you need a good cry?

    jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Wow! And thank yous…

  43. 11.20.2008

    Geez am I late or what?
    Michelle, I *LOVE* it when you put this game up, it’s so fun!

    Hmm… Jen.
    Here’s the list in no particular order:

    Steel Magnolias
    Ghost
    My Girl
    Fried Green Tomatoes
    The Color Purple
    Legends of the Fall

    And… in case anyone else wanders in here after me,

    If you had a month of free time to do whatever you wanted with no consequences… where would you go, and what would you do?

    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

    Wanderlust Scarlett’s last blog post..On Safari

  44. 11.20.2008

    Oh perfect … I would go back to Genova, Italy and live there, breathing in the city I love so well, photographing it too actually.

    Where you find the thing or things that inspire you?

  45. 11.21.2008

    I think that I find most inspiration in nature, but lately I’ve found quite a bit in blogs.

    Do you know how to snow ski? If so, what is your favorite destination for snow skiing? If not, what is your favorite sport?

  46. 11.23.2008

    No I don’t. I tried cross-country skiing once, but I really don’t like the cold. So snow really isn’t my thing.

    What were you doing right before you started reading this blog?

    Anali’s last blog post..Wollaston Theatre Update

Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake