Author Archive
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.
A Fresco Painter’s Love Letter to Calabria
The other day I got a wonderful comment on an old post about my village, Badolato, and was introduced to what is sure to be a new friend.
Liana Sofia Tumino is an Italian-Canadian fresco painter who not only has amazing southern Italian scenes in her repertoire, she also has the video below, which I’m calling “A Fresco Painter’s Love Letter to Calabria.”
Because it very much is.
You see Liana Sofia also has deep roots in Calabria, and she has been painting scenes from this gorgeous land for nearly 20 years.
As Liana Sofia wrote in her comment:
My mother and grandmother are from Ferruzzano…I think it must be close in proximity to Badolato and so beautiful as all of Calabria is! I look forward to following this blog and admire your ability to move back…perhaps reversing in a small way the exodus you spoke about that has left so many villages in various stages of abandonment. For this reason I have been painting Calabria for over 17 years in fresco with love and passion for a place that I hold very dear…this summer I created a short video called “My Italy” . . . that showcases the beauty of this place so many love but as you mentioned, perhaps they only return to once a year in August…please watch it as I know you will enjoy it and share it with those that would like another “taste” of Calabria and its beauty!
I will warn you, the beauty of this video made me cry, and I live here and see very similar sights every day. Just a gorgeous work of art, this film . . . I know you will enjoy.
Please do visit Liana Sofia at her website, LianaSofia.com, check out her frescoes, and say hello (she also has a blog there).
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
Michelle 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.
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