Archive for 2010

Spending Mother’s Day in Campagna

It’s not official yet, so I don’t want to *officially* announce that P and I have acquired a campagna (land in the countryside), but we did spend this afternoon up there, and I can’t possibly hold in my joy.

For La Festa della Mamma, P swept me away from all my four-legged babies and did this for me:

While I did this:

And then we both enjoyed this:

Una giornata perfetta.

(A perfect day.)

Happiest of Mother’s Days to all the moms out there, especially mine!

P.S. Yes, there are olive trees! Yay!


Love Thursday: Hearts Sprouting Up Everywhere

This week we have two reader submissions, but first let me direct you to a Love Thursday post I put up over at Goat Berries a few weeks ago: Pinta’s Heart-Shaped Stain:

I’m sure it *shocks* you to learn that one of our kids was born with a heart on her side…BUT there’s even more to the story, so do check it out!

Now, the first reader submission is from Funda in Connectict, whose mother happens to be from Puglia. Funda wrote:

I wanted to share a little love with you, that appeared among my seedlings. I recently planted some seeds indoors for my garden, and among the little tomato sprouts was such a sweet surprise.

Love it, Funda! Thanks so much for sharing!

And here are some wooden hearts from Austen in San Francisco:

Austen wonders if holding these hearts might be good luck…I’d be willing to try. They’re gorgeous! Love the lighting in the photo too.

I also want to take a moment to thank all of you who snap these wonderful photos and send them to my inbox; it’s always such a happy surprise to find them in there, on any given day, and to feel the love and warmth that comes through. Please do keep sending them in!

Have you seen or felt love sprouting up somewhere lately?

Has anything happened to make you more aware that love is all around? Do tell!

Happy Love Thursday everyone!


Three Red Poppies Swaying in the Wind

Have you heard about the She Who Blogs 3rd Anniversary Photo Contest in which you can win a $33 Amazon gift certificate?

The contest ends May 8th, so get moving! Post a photo on your blog of your take on the theme “THREE,” and head over to the contest page to enter it.

Here’s my Bleeding Espresso entry:

Tre papaveri rossi that happen to be located just behind the little house on the piece of land P and I are in the process of acquiring…yes, more details forthcoming on our new campagna assuming all goes well. Fingers crossed!

P.S. I also put up a “Three” photo over at Goat Berries…couldn’t resist!


Calabrese Proverbs by Month: April

Last month I shared Calabrese proverbs about the month of March, and now with April drawing to a close, here is one for this month:

Calabrese: Aprili ccu ru jure, maju ccu ru culure.
Italiano: Aprile con il fiore, maggio con il colore.
English: April with its flowers, May with its colors.

Hmm…looks like April did OK on the color thing too, no?

*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS*

(1) Check out the Bleeding Espresso Facebook fan page as there’s something new and exciting happening over there!

(2) She Who Blogs is starting a bunch of contests today in celebration of our third anniversary! Woohoo! There are Amazon gift certificates up for grabs, a photo contest, a writing contest, and more fun planned. Come join the fun!


Buona Festa della Liberazione!

Today is La Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day) in Italy, celebrating the country’s liberation from fascism thanks to Allied troops at the end of World War II.

Check out my previous Liberation Day post for more info on this uniquely Italian holiday, and remember today is the last day for the Bleeding Espresso Facebook fan contest…get those entries in!

I recently added a new incentive to spread the word about the contest, so do click over to Facebook and see what’s happening over there.


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