what else have i been writing?

By now, you all know I’m doing NaNoWriMo this year, right? Writing a 50,000 word novel in a month? You can keep up with my word count over there on the sidebar; so far, I’m keeping up a good pace even though the election threw me off just a bit. No worries, though, since I plan to make up for it over the weekend.

[Have you seen President-Elect Obama’s website, Change.gov? There’s even a blog!]

But what about other writing? It’s been a while since I shared links of other things I’ve written around the Interwebs, so here is a short list for your Friday reading pleasure (and please remember that your “stumbles” through StumbleUpon, comments, and other spreading through social media are *very much appreciated*):

  • Craziest Name Changes at LegalZoom.com: “In July 2008, a New Zealand court stepped in to change the name of 9-year-old “Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii” because her name “makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap.” This case was unique because the name was changed from the unusual to the more conventional. Usually, it’s the other way around.” Read more…

Thanks so much for reading!

Remember to check out Mary’s recipe for apple butter (one of my favorite substances on the planet) at The Flavors of Abruzzo for this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana!

Buon weekend!


love thursday: the wandering chopsticks edition

Last week when I put out the call for heart photos for Love Thursday, one of my favorite food bloggers, Wandering Chopsticks, who specializes in Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, responded in a big way. Below is a collage of some of the best Wandering Chopsticks heart photos with links to the corresponding posts (including recipes!) at the bottom.

Does this make up for no What’s Cooking Wednesday this week or what?! Please *do* check out the recipes and the rest of this fabulous blog!

And now, food is love:

1. Vietnamese Wedding Prepartions and Ceremony 2. Chicken Pot Pie with Cilantro Biscuits 3. Chicken Pot Pie with Cilantro Biscuits 4. Sinh To Dam (Vietnamese Aloe Vera Shake) 5. A Not-So-Romantic Fondue Dinner, Although It Can Be If You Want 6. Vietnamese Wedding Prepartions and Ceremony 7. Chicken Pot Pie with Cilantro Biscuits 8. Shogun Japanese Restaurant – Pasadena 9. Lavender Biscuits

Happy Love Thursday everyone,
and if you have any heart photos to share, send them over!


the votes are in…
yes we did!

For those who don’t speak Italian, this sign means the Way of Hope:

And now, after eight LONG years, it feels like America is on it again.

Congratulations President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden.

Do us proud.


i’m not going to tell you who to vote for…

But my Obama dogs will.

A message from Lol-Luna:

And Lol-Stella:

BARACK THE VOTE!


1st of the month featured blogger: november

Yes I know it’s already November 3, but it’s never too late for the 1st of the Month Featured Blogger, is it? Besides, I’ve been busily working on my NaNoWriMo novel–you can keep up with my word count in the sidebar (and if you’re wondering, I decided to go with something brand new and left last year’s novel for another month…but that’s all I’m saying for now!).

This month I’d like you to introduce you (or re-introduce you as the case may be) to Diana Strinati Baur of the blog Creative Structures and of the Baur B & B in Piemonte, northern Italy.

Diane is a wonderful potter and writer who I’ve gotten to know better through an online friend of mine and a real life friend of hers–Gina DePalma, who you’ve already heard a great deal about here through the Dolce Italiano and O Foods for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Contests.

Diana’s attitude toward life is so inspiring and refreshing, but if you’ve caught any of her comments here, you probably already know that. She recently wrote a great post about life after 40 entitled “Sister Girl Tales,” inspired by another of my favorite bloggers, NYC/Caribbean Ragazza.

Here is a snippet of Diana’s post:

I look at myself now and realized it took all of that to become the kind of person who can be content sitting on a hill and creating. I am content with the person I am today. I also wish for myself less work and more joy.

Over the years, [my sister] and I both have started untying the knots of our complicated selves. We both do truly see that getting the most out of these days we have now is of utmost importance. This knowledge forges us together in the strongest of ways.

Staying healthy and happy in mid life is easier with a sister to lean on. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

Here are some of Diana’s gorgeous creations, Japanese drinking bowls:

And a glimpse of her life in Piemonte:

Now go visit Diana and tell her I sent you!


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