Author Archive
Too Much Tuscan Wine by Dario Castagno
Too Much Tuscan Wine is Dario Castagno’s wildly entertaining book about his experiences with, not surprisingly, too much Tuscan wine.
Read on...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!
The New Kid on the Block: Margherita
Since goats really don’t enjoy being alone–and since I can’t possibly stay by Pasqualina‘s side every minute of the day even though I would love to–we went ahead and got her a playmate.
Meet Margherita:
Yes there was some headbutting the first day, but since then, the girls have been getting along quite well; I even peeked in on them one night to find them sleeping with Pasqualina’s head resting on Margherita’ bum.
They often sleep together in this little “cuccia” in the wall of their new pen:
Yes, P built them a brand new pen in our new garden area, so now they have their own outdoor space; I think Pasqualina especially appreciates the fresh air since before she was inside most of the day. Here she is ruminating:
Margherita has really taken to us rather quickly, which surprised me since she’s already three months old and wasn’t used to getting petties all the time (she comes from a herd of 100 or so goats). Oh but she *loves* petties now!
And indeed, our little ‘Rita and little ‘Lina have been getting along quite well:
We’re all looking forward to many fun, faaaabulous times together.
That’s all from the kids today!
Mwaaaaaaaaaah!
P.S. I will announce the winners of La Bella Lingua on Thursday, May 21 (contest still ends the 19th though); there’s still time to enter!
Going Green: 4-Step DIY Home Energy Audit
One of the easiest ways to go green, cut back on the energy you use, and save money all at the same time is by performing a DIY home energy audit.
And spring just happens to be a great time to do a home energy audit, especially if you’ll be using air conditioning throughout the summer and don’t want to lose your cool air through leaks.
As someone who lives in a centuries-old house, I can assure you that following the DIY steps below can make both your energy bills more pleasing and your house temperature more comfortable year-round without spending any extra money on heating or cooling.
Indeed, the US Department of Energy recommends doing a periodic home energy audit to make sure you’re not paying for and then losing valuable energy—and shares how to do it in four easy steps:
4-Step DIY Home Energy Audit
1. Check for leaks.
Plugging up energy-sucking drafts can save you up to 30% annually, so have a look around your house to see where air might be escaping.
Any gaps along the baseboard, in the foundation, at junctures of walls and ceilings or around pipes, wires, electrical outlets, mail slots, door and windows need to be sealed.
Caulking or weather stripping will usually do the trick.
2. Check insulation.
Be sure that the insulation levels in your home are at least at the recommended minimums; this is especially important to monitor if you have an older home as recommended levels may have changed since the insulation was first installed.
3. Check lighting sources.
As 10% of your electric bill comes from lighting, you should be sure that you aren’t using higher wattage than necessary; you should consider compact fluorescent light bulbs especially for areas that are lit for hours at a time.
4. Check heating/cooling equipment.
Make sure filters are clean and in working order and that ductwork is clear of dirt streaks, which mean that air is leaking out.
Moreover, if you’ve had your unit for more than 15 years, it may be time to consider replacing it with a new, more energy efficient model.
For more detailed instructions on how to perform a do-it-yourself home energy audit and for more energy (and money!) saving tips, visit the Department of Energy’s Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Have you done an energy audit of your home? Will you?
Buon weekend!
La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales
For anyone who has been enchanted by the always beautiful, often frustrating Italian language and tried to grasp its basics as well as its intricacies, Dianne’s tales will not only ring true but also comfort you.
Read on...
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.
Calabria Guidebook
Recipes
