Archive for the ‘friends’ Category
Love Thursday: Love Via Cappuccino Across the Miles
Last week we were hearting coffee, and now it’s cappuccino’s turn.
This gorgeous photo was sent to me by my friend Nicole, who wrote:
“I took this picture at the best Italian bakery in Northern California…and I took it with you in mind!”
How sweet is that?
Love via cappuccino across the miles!
The bakery in question, by the way, is Emporio Rulli in Larkspur, California. If you’re in the area, spread the love, drop in, and tell ’em Bleeding Espresso sent you!
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
Inauguration Day and Birthday Wishes
Just two quick notes today:
Be sure to go to My Bella Vita and wish Cherrye a happy, happy birthday!
And to everyone excited for a new administration in America:
It’s finally here! Wheeeeeeeee!
Are you going? Will you be watching?
Holiday Gift Ideas: From Soap to Books
If you’re still looking for special, unique holiday gift ideas, here are some suggestions, sold by some of my uber-talented blogging buddies:
*NATURAL HANDMADE SOAPS*
Saponissimo by Charlie of Figs and Lemons has gorgeous handmade natural soaps from the Amalfi Coast for sale at ridiculously affordable prices. You’ll find ingredients like olive oil, honey and beeswax blended with the plants, fruits, and flowers of Positano. Pictured at left is Arancia e Limone (orange and lemon) soap. Can’t you just smell that gorgeous citrus?
*JEWELRY*
Sara of Moving Right Along has some really gorgeous handmade pieces of jewelry at her Sara Arts Etsy shop. You may remember Sara from when I featured her here? One of my favorites in her collection is the one pictured at right, The Romantic Wrist, Hand-Knotted Bracelet of Peach Aventurine, Garnet, and Sterling on Silk. Too bad P doesn’t read my blog….
*JEWELRY, BAGS, AND MORE*
Diana of Adventuring through Life also runs an Etsy shop, hers with her sister, called Sorelle (sisters in Italian). They have a great collection of unique gifts from pendants to earrings to cute purses like the one here on the left, the Pretty in Pink Fairy Godmother Purse. And sales! Be sure to check out the store for discounts on earrings and pendants.
*BOOKS*
I just finished My Cousin the Saint: A Search for Faith, Family and Miracles by Justin Catanoso. Yes, you’ve heard about this book before here, but now that I’ve read it, I can tell you how much I *love* this book. I could relate to so many of Justin’s experiences (not the saint in the family part though); I hope to write a fuller book review soon, but for now, just know that I highly, highly recommend it.
And staying in southern Italy, a book that I haven’t yet seen in person but can’t wait to read is In Etna’s Shadow: Culinary Adventures from Eastern Sicily by Karen Landes, who also authors South of Rome. Eastern Sicily is just a ferry ride away from me, so I’ll be interested to see how our cuisine compares and contrasts. Plus I love Italian culinary books in general, don’t you?
Anyone else out there selling their creations online this year?
Do share links in the comments!
***Be sure to check out Cherrye’s Texas Mud at My Bella Vita for this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana recipe. I promise it tastes *much* better than it sounds! And remember you can still enter to win a copy of The Feast of the Seven Fishes!
best holiday gift ever: painting holiday in italy
I’ve raved about Julian and Amanda‘s blog A Tuscan View – From Umbria here, but that was before they had a fabulous video to show you exactly why you should reserve your (or your loved one’s) spot on one of their painting holidays or art workshops “in the inspiring Tuscan and Umbrian countryside.”
Seriously, watch this four and a half minute video, drink in the gorgeous views and words of Julian, and then tell me you don’t have the urge to get on a plane or train with a pencil and drawing pad in hand:
“Artist in Italy is offering painting holidays and art workshops for people who love art, Italy, good food and wine. The week-long painting and drawing courses include photography and some basic printmaking.”
Now booking courses for April and May 2009.
Feel free to spread the word to all your artistic friends!
Now excuse me while I watch that video over and over and wonder why I haven’t made it to Tuscany or Umbria yet. And also why I haven’t picked up a drawing pencil in years and haven’t taken any formal painting lessons either. Hmm….
Have you been to or lived in Tuscany or Umbria?
What are your *must-sees*?
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 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
