Archive for the ‘blogging’ Category
La Befana: The Italian Epiphany Witch
Today marks the end of the holidays in Italy as La Befana arrived last night. You don’t know La Befana? Read more about her here in my post from last year at this time.
As always, I’m sad to have to take down all the Christmas decorations; the house just feels a bit more empty, a bit more somber.
I suppose that’s not such a bad thing as it’s time to get down to the business of starting this new year and focus is always a good thing.
Friends, I *have* been focusing. Although it is the Italian tradition to return to work tomorrow, I’ve been quite busy the past few days–and perhaps that’s making you feel a bit neglected here.
One of the main things I’ve been working on, though, is a brand new look and home for this here blog, and I think you’re going to like what I’ve come up with.
But you’ll have to wait just a bit longer.
In the meantime I’ve had tons of positive energy from the blogosphere to keep me going, and I’ll tell you all about it soon.
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
a day of celebrations
Oh December 4, how quickly you came upon me once again!
Just one year ago at this time I was fiddling with something I learned was called a template, trying desperately to link to some of the blogs that had inspired me to jump into the big bad blogosphere, and figuring out what I could possibly write about.
And here we are, one year later.
It’s Bleeding Espresso’s 1 year blogiversary!
And it’s also P’s 29th birthday!
Woohoo!
Perhaps you were expecting balloons and a fun contest, but I have even bigger plans in store to be unveiled soon. You’ll just have to keep reading. And I know where you can start.
Although a lot of bloggers don’t care much for their early posts, I’m actually going to encourage you to go back to December 2006 and have a look at what was going on around here. I remember writing those early posts every day with such excitement and enthusiasm.
Every now and again, it’s good to remind ourselves of the beginning of any experience, isn’t it? To bring us back to what it *used* to feel like, whether it was nervousness, excitement, anxiety, or just plain fun?
In the case of Bleeding Espresso, from Italian wedding soup to owls to what I miss from the United States to childhood Christmas memories to Calabrian stuffed lasagna to Paris Hilton (now you *know* you’re curious), there was a lot happening during our first month in the blogosphere, and I hope you’ll have a look.
Feel free to load up the entire month and start from the bottom. Comments always welcome!
Oh, and of course I’ve made espresso.
Cappuccino if you prefer.
What’s that? You don’t drink cappuccino either?
Hmm… well what if I told you this:
Now if that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.
*EDITED TO ADD: As I’m getting some comments on this post, it occurred to me that I should’ve written something else:I’d really love to hear about your favorite posts, what you like to read here, what you’d like to see more of, etc. You all make this blogging adventure so fulfilling and fun, and your input is always appreciated.
And thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to read and comment!
So please let me know what you think, and if you’ve already commented and are seeing this through a feedreader, don’t be shy. Come back and tell me!
Tanti auguri Bleeding Espresso and P!
P.S. Be sure to stop by Ilva’s Lucullian Delights for today’s Dolce Italiano recipe–a cake that’s *almost* too pretty to eat, Cassata alla Siciliana–and comment for a chance to win a personalized, signed copy of Dolce Italiano by Gina DePalma. See full contest rules here.
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[tags]blog anniversaries, espresso, cappuccino[/tags]
Dolce Italiano Contest with Gina DePalma
If you also read Shelley’s At Home in Rome (and if you don’t, why don’t you?!), you probably already know this, but just in case, I’m letting you in on the big news:
We’re having a contest! And it involves desserts! And books!
Brainstormed and organized by Shelley, the Dolce Italiano Contest centers on the book by the same name by Gina DePalma, Executive Pastry Chef at Mario Batali’s famous New York City restaurant Babbo.
And this is no ordinary cookbook. It’s getting rave reviews all over the place and has been named the 3rd best Cooking, Food, & Wine book of 2007 on Amazon.com and one of Publishers Weekly’s best books of the year (Lifestyle).
So now, Shelley, three other bloggers that you know and love, and I are getting together to help one of you win your very own signed copy!
Starting today and for the next two weeks (Monday-Friday), one of us will feature a recipe from Dolce Italiano. If you leave a comment on a post, you’re entered to win the book. Only one comment per post counts toward the drawing, but if you comment on each of the 10 posts, that gives you 10 chances to win.
Comments on all 10 posts will be accepted for the drawing up until 11:59 PST on Friday, December 7.
And you and your family can have a very lovely holiday season with all these delicious Italian desserts.
So where do you need to go? Here’s the schedule:
Mondays: Sara’s Ms Adventures in Italy
Tuesdays: Ilva’s Lucullian Delights
Wednesdays: Right here baby!
Thursdays: Shelley’s At Home in Rome
Fridays: Jenn’s The Leftover Queen
Since it’s Monday, you need to head on over to Ms Adventures in Italy and see what Sara has made just for you today. And comment! Don’t forget to comment!
Please note that comments on this post (that you’re reading right now), although sincerely appreciated, do not count as entries in the contest; only comments on recipe posts will be entered into the drawing.
Also check out Shelley’s three-part interview with Ms DePalma here, here, and here.
Today I’m thankful for:
The opportunity to be a part of the Dolce Italiano Contest. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Yes, there are recipes for cookies, cakes, spoon desserts, tarts, ice creams, sorbets, semifreddos, fried treats, dishes with fruit, celebratory desserts, and savory goodies–but there’s also a whole lot of information on Italian baking in general, techniques, equipment, ingredients, and more.
Goodness my grandmother would’ve loved this. She *loved* Molto Mario.
If you’re a foodie, this is a book you’ll want to get all floury and sugary during the day and then curl up with at night. It’s an awesome gift for anyone who loves baking, so whether you win one or not, I highly recommend picking up a copy.
not that i’m encouraging slacking off at work but…
I don’t work in an office anymore, but I do remember what Fridays used to feel like. I always had the best intentions of finishing off projects, and sometimes I did–if there wasn’t a whole lot left to do on them anyway.
The internet was my best friend that last work day of the week more than any other day and that’s why here on some Fridays, I like to provide links to other places you should go.
After all I wouldn’t want you to get lost in the internet. Remember to always carry a flashlight!
For those of you like me who work at home (including stay-at-home moms!), feel free to utilize this list of goodies whenever you feel like it. These links aren’t going anywhere.
Shameless Self-Promotion in Two Parts:
(1) Over at She Who Blogs, I’ve written about The Top Five Things I’ve Learned From Having a Blog.
Be sure to check out more member posts while you’re there–She Who Blogs is doing NaBloPoMo too, so there’s something new every day.
Our fearless leader Frances, by the way, is not only taking care of NaBloPoMo for She Who Blogs but she’s also posting every day this month on her own blog, Blogjem (check out her fabulous family memories!) *and* she’s doing NaNoWriMo.
Be amazed. I am.
(2) For some light Friday fun, why not have a Fred and Ginger moment by watching the classic “You Say Tomayto, I Say Tomahto” scene? I wrote about it over at Tomato CasualTomato Casual and discovered lots of interesting tidbits about that song.
Of course if you’re at work, turn the speakers way down. And if you can’t have them on at all, well, Fred and Ginger knew how to dance a little too so enjoy the footwork.
Feel free to look around Tomato Casual while you’re there. I won’t mind.
Semi Shameless Self-Promotion in Two Parts:
I am honored to have been one of the entries in a wonderful blogging event:
You can read my entry here.
Run by two of my very favorite bloggers, this event captured the hearts and memories of many fabulous bloggers and you can find the round-up of entries in two places (half are listed at each blog):
No Self-Promotion, Just Some Damn Good Reading
Blogging friend -R- of And You Know What Else came up with a fantastic idea–an anonymous blog swap. It gave participants a chance to blog about things they normally wouldn’t at their own blogs (for whatever reason) and the results were phenomenal.
Below is a list of the participants, and believe me, there’s not a bad post in the bunch. (I may or may not have spend most of yesterday evening reading these.)
After you read the guest post, please take time and look around the host blogs–all fabulous standing on their own.
Alyndabear
And You Know What Else
Bright Yellow World
Confessions of a Novice
Everything I Like Causes Cancer
Face Down
Liz Land
Muse On Vacation
Nabbalicious
Nancy Pearl Wannabe
Not What You Think It Should Be
Operation Pink Herring
Red Red Whine
Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills
Sass Attack
Stefanie Says
Thinking Some More
Happy reading and buon weekend!
Today I’m thankful for:
The opportunity to work at home. I know some people would hate it, working alone in the same place they eat and sleep, but I just love it and don’t think I could go back to working in an office. Sure it takes a lot of discipline, but I’ve always been good at getting things done when they need to be done, and the transition from many years of higher education to this really wasn’t too difficult.
Read: I always have homework.
I love the freedom of being able to choose when I work, read, cook, walk and play with the dogs, watch an old episode of E.R. or Gilmore Girls, do laundry, run errands, etc., pretty much when I want to. For me, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to force things when they just aren’t coming, so working at home really benefits me both professionally and emotionally.
There are downsides, of course, like others’ not taking my time seriously or assuming I don’t have a “real” job, but it’s all about making boundaries–something I didn’t use to be good at, but I’m getting better.
Part of it is my own fault, I know, as I don’t often outwardly show stress in front of people I don’t know well. I’ve been told I make things look easy, but I think that’s only because I’ve always had the idea of the Italian bella figura (making a good impression/looking good) in my head.
Or maybe it’s just that old Dry Idea deodorant commercial: “Never Let Them See You Sweat.”
Either way, I don’t see how it helps to get others worked up about whatever is going on in my life–except for those closest to me of course. Everyone needs a sounding board or five (I’m grateful to have those people too!).
Anyway, I know I’m extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work at home, and I’m very, very grateful for it.
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[tags]working at home, nablopomo, 30 days of thanks[/tags]
Apples & Thyme: Celebrating Time in the Kitchen with Mothers & Grandmothers
When I first read that fellow bloggers at African Vanielje and The Passionate Palate were hosting a tribute to mothers and grandmothers in the kitchen, I knew I’d have to participate.
Like many women who love to cook and bake, I’ve been taught, guided, and inspired by the women who have come before me, namely my mother and paternal grandmother.
I’m not sure how closely I’m playing by the rules, but here is my entry for:
Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go: Everything I’ve learned about cooking and baking, I’ve learned from my mother and grandmother.
First and foremost, I’m talking about recipes, of course. I’ve already featured plenty of the best handed down to me from my mother and/or grandmother (click on the photo to go to the recipe):
Italian Wedding Soup:
The World’s Moistest Chocolate Cake:
Breaded Veal Cutlets:
Ham and Cabbage Soup:
Louise’s Banana Cake:
But as anyone who has ever dabbled in the kitchen knows, cooking and baking are about more than just recipes. I credit my grandmother and mother with teaching me the basics–what heat to use, how often I need to stir, why garlic should be added after onion. These things came from watching the pros at work.
And truth be told, I never really cooked or baked alongside either of them with any regularity; like many masters, they worked best alone, but every now and again, I helped make gnocchi (forked ‘em to make the grooves), mixed meatballs (loved getting my hands gooey), and measured out ingredients for baking (I always was anal).
But what I did most was watch and learn. It may surprise you to know that I never did much cooking or baking at home; I really only started experimenting and getting a feel for the kitchen after I moved out on my own. But when I needed information, experience, and guidance, some things that had been instilled in me from an early age rose to the surface.
And what really sticks with me, each and every time I step into the kitchen, are two major things that I apparently learned by osmosis as they were never stated.
The first is that you need to have confidence in what you’re doing. If you’re constantly second-guessing, you’ll be too nervous to really get into a groove and to let your tastebuds take over, and that lack of confidence will show in the dish.
I learned to cook by trial and error–and many phone calls to my grandmother and mother even with the recipe in hand, but I always had in my mind the mental picture of the women in my life ruling, absolutely commanding, their kitchens. Somehow that seeped in, and gave me confidence as well.
No, things don’t always come out perfectly, but practice definitely helps, and you can’t be afraid to get in the kitchen, get to work, and get comfortable. It gets easier.
And the second lesson? Make it with love. Everything tastes better when you put your passion, your emotions, your love into whatever you’re making, and this transcends food. No matter what you’re doing, if you do it with enthusiasm, it’ll come out better. No going through the motions here–believe me, you’ll taste it.
Both my grandmother and mother always prepared food the same way no matter who was eating the food–whether it was just themselves or upwards of thirty people. And I could always taste the love.
I am so thankful for the lessons I learned in the kitchen from my grandmother and mother as they have most certainly made me the cook and baker I am today–not the best, not the worst, but definitely someone with a sense of confidence, adventure, and joy in my favorite room of the house. And while we’re talking about thankful:
Today I’m thankful for:
The wonderful women in my family, particularly my mother and grandmother, although there are many others. My mother is without a doubt my best friend, and I still go to pick up the phone and call my grandmother every now and again even though she passed away six years ago last month.
The bonds we share with other women are always special, but I’ve been so lucky to have such precious relationships within my own family; I know not everyone has that, and I am extremely thankful that I have been so blessed.
Reminder:
You still have time to write up your Apples & Thyme tribute (deadline is tomorrow!), so go to African Vanielje or The Passionate Palate for details.
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[tags]apples & thyme, mothers, grandmothers, cooking, nablopomo, 30 days of thanks, recipes[/tags]
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
