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Chicago Air and Water Show

Every year since 1959, the Air and Water show has been held on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. For some, it is a noisy annoyance, but for many, including yours truly, it is quite a spectacle to behold. The show has delighted millions of spectators over the years – always admission free and usually always a blimp.

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Friday was practice day, the least crowded of the days, and Len and I walked along the lakefront taking in the sights and sounds. The event showcases daredevil pilots, some of whom we watched yesterday. This is Sean, in the red plane, first flying along the beach…

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before climbing and then stalling out his plane for what seemed an eternity.

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While the best total viewing is along the lake, it’s easy to see some of the jets from blocks away. Today, we enjoyed them from the comfort of our deck, which actually faces west – away from the lake. The flight pattern is large and the jets often roar right over our heads.

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It’s hard to imagine just how skilled these pilots are – their precision such an incredible sight.

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Another beautiful summer day, albeit quite noisy, bathed in sunlight, blue skies, and lots and lots of smiles.

Ciao,

Judy

Tags: Chicago Air and Water Show, Chicago Waterfront, Lake Michigan

Comments 14 Comments
Categories Chicago, My Blog about Italy

Chicago Blues

11 Aug

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry, sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.

Thanks John Denver.

Ciao,

Judy

Tags: Chicago lakefront, Chicago summers, Lake Michigan

Comments 6 Comments
Categories Chicago, My Blog about Italy

Chicago Riverwalk

23 Jul

After seven long weeks of scaffolding and plastic, our house is finally ours again free of dust and workers and with most of the furniture back in place. Finally, I can return to my writing. With perfect weather beckoning us outdoors, we decided to visit the newly expanded Chicago Riverwalk. Spanning from Lake Shore Drive to Franklin Street, the areas is an incredible pedestrian walkway located along the Chicago River.

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As a walking venue, it is the perfect location to marvel at some of Chicago’s most beautiful architecture, with the sun dancing off the reflections in the glass buildings.

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The River is open to commercial and private boats. You can take a water taxi or an architectural tour, or just watch as they glide past.

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Should you feel a bit adventurous, and have strong arms, rent a kayak.

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Restaurants dot the shore, most offering al fresco dining…

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or order take out which can be enjoyed in a variety of seating venues.

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No shortage of interesting landscaping here, with trees even planted in the cement stairs to eventually provide more shaded areas.

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There is a Vietnam Memorial along the River at State and Wabash, which was built in 2005. The Vietnam Memorial Plaza, consisting of a terraced lawn, a waterfall and a central pool, is one of the nation’s largest Vietnam memorials outside of D.C.

The most interesting thing to me was the marriage of old and new. When the city first announced they would develop walkways along the river, I wondered how, as each section was bordered by enormous bridge structures.

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Well, leave it to the clever architects to design walkways that expand out into the river and under and around the impediments.

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Not only are there walkways, but they have mirrored arched canopies that reflect the glistening water.

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Here we are doing a selfie looking up at the mirrored canopy.

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So whether you have lived in Chicago forever, or are visiting for a few days, you just might want to add the Chicago Riverwalk to your TO DO list. You won’t be disappointed!

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Ciao,

Judy

Tags: Chicago River, Chicago Riverwalk, Things to do in Chicago

Comments 6 Comments
Categories Chicago, My Blog about Italy

Celebrating My Birthday Locally

23 May

For the past several years, we have celebrated my birthday at a trattoria in Cortona with Italians and views like this:

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This year, we also celebrated my birthday at an Italian trattoria

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also with “Italians” and views like this:

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Jersey Boys, as you probably know, is the musical story of four Italian dropouts from New Jersey who loved to sing and had a dream. Their road to success wasn’t easy, but in the 60’s, when rock and roll came of age, they ranked 5th as the top recording artists behind The Beatles, The Supremes, Elvis and The Rolling Stones.

For those of you who share my enthusiasm for all things Italian, my posts from Italy will not commence until the fall. With Len moving on from his teaching position (he says he’ll never actually retire!), we now have the opportunity to trade in Italian summer festivals and crowds for the fall harvests and fewer tourists. We are so looking forward to experiencing and sharing our ever unfolding adventure.

In the meantime, we plan to experience much of what Chicago has to offer this summer.

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We’ll sip some SHERRY at MARIANNE’S, but definitely not wear SHORT SHORTS or dress like a RAG DOLL; watch the sun rise at DAWN knowing we CAN’T TAKE OUR EYES OFF [IT]; study the SILHOUETTES at the art museum; remember during sad movies that BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY – they just HANG ON or WALK LIKE A MAN; and finally, toast the summer farewell with a rousing BYE, BYE, BABY, BABY GOODBYE as we are WORKING OUR WAY BACK TO YOU, Cortona!

Thanks, Len and Benita for a most memorable evening – OH, WHAT A NIGHT! I think you know WHO LOVES YOU! And many thanks to all who filled my day with birthday wishes.

Ciao,

Judy

Comments 24 Comments
Categories Chicago, Cortona, Cortona Trattoria, Family, Italian History, Italy, My Blog about Italy

Buona Festa di San Giuseppe!

19 Mar

March 19 is the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the family, and it is a feast day celebrated by Italians everywhere. Growing up in a neighborhood filled with many Irish and Italian families, I was always happy that the Italians also had their day in March to celebrate.

Joseph the Carpenter, 1642, Louvre, by Georges de La Tour

Of course, not quite as loud or rowdy as St. Patrick’s Day, we nonetheless celebrated the feast of St. Joseph with a food fest. And while the Irish had their green beer and accessories, the Italians, often sporting something red, had their zeppole, a cream filled fried pastry that originated in Napoli.

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According to my fellow blogger, MariaGiovanna, (Sharing My Italy) the “Zeppole di SanGiuseppe” originated in Naples, Italy, “where the first recipe was put on paper, in 1837, by the famous Neapolitan gastronome Ippolito Cavalcanti, Duke of Buonvicino.”

Fortunately, you don’t have to be in Italy to enjoy a zeppole. In Chicago, they can be found in authentic Italian bakeries such as Ferrara Bakery on Taylor Street. Light, airy and filled with cream, it is fun to see the smiles they generate on those wiping the cream from their lips.

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At this time of year, Ferrara’s and Italian bakeries everywhere are busy filling and selling hundreds of dozens of the cream filled gems.

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So, to those looking to get beyond the grey days of winter, here’s an idea – participate in a St. Joseph’s Day custom by sharing some food with the needy and with some friends, and, of course, be sure to bring some zeppole!

Ciao,

Judy

Tags: Feast of St. Joseph, Ferrara Bakery Chicago, Festa di San Giuseppe, Italian cuisine, Zeppole

Comments 11 Comments
Categories Chicago, Food, Italian Festival, Italian Food, Italian History, Italian Hospitality, Italy, My Blog about Italy, Naples

From Grape to Glass

3 Mar

While we continue to meet Chicagoans who visit Cortona, it is less often that the Cortonese visit us. But Saturday was an exception. Meet Denis Zeni.

Denis is the “titolare” – or owner – of Leuta, a boutique winery in the Cortona area. He is visiting several cities in the States and conducting wine tastings in his hosts’ homes.

Denis in center with hosts ©Blogginginitaly.com

Denis’ story, like so many other entrepreneurs we meet in Italy, is a love story based on deep-rooted traditions. His grandfather cultivated grapes on his land in Trentino, in northern Italy, and shared his passion with his young grandson. Constantly at his grandfather’s side, Denis soon grew to love the land and over time, the possibilities.

Denis’ father, however, hoping for a different life for his son, eventually sold the family land, and encouraged Denis to seek a career in Finance. Denis obliged, but after a successful career and several finance degrees, he awoke one day and decided, “I don’t want to die as a banker!” Not that there is anything wrong with banking, he notes, it just didn’t mesh with the passion that had been ignited in his blood as a child.

With his grandfather’s land no longer available, Denis searched and found land in Tuscany to launch his dream. What began as The Tuscany Project, a small initiative with his friend and then partner Enzo, is now the Leuta Estate, approximately 62 acres at 31o meters above sea level near Cortona.

But back to the wine tasting. As we enjoyed delicious Tuscan antipasti prepared by our amazing hosts,

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Denis shared some of his personal history as well as that of Leuta. He then began pouring the first of five wines we would taste.

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Wine tastings are a fun and interesting way to sample various wines and learn something about each. They usually include a 5 step process: see, swirl, sniff, sip, savor. As I listened attentively to Denis, it occurred to me that this tasting was quite different from most others we have attended. And I quickly realized why.

Denis not only knew about these wines, he was personally connected to all aspects, from grape to glass. He described the vines, how they were planted, how they behaved as they grew, the choice to avoid/limit chemicals, the grape selection, the harvesting process, the aging, the bottling, the mistakes and the successes. It became clear to me that the bottles held not only his wines but also his dreams and life’s work.

Similar to the eye of the beholder, I believe that wine preference is in the senses of the taster. Expensive or not doesn’t necessarily mean great or not. But a really nice wine seems to taste even better when I know its history and understand its traditions.

Grazie, Denis, for sharing your wonderful story and wines with us! We look forward to spending time with you at Leuta.

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In the meantime, as we enjoy our new purchases, we will toast to you and recall the history you shared with us. Your grandfather is surely smiling.

Ciao,

Judy

For more information:
http://www.leuta.it

Tags: Denis Zeni, Leuta Wine, Wine Tasting, www.leuta.it

Comments 9 Comments
Categories Chicago, Cortona, Food, Italian Food, Italian History, Italian Hospitality, Italian WIne, Italian Wine Tasting, Italy, My Blog about Italy, Tuscany

The Flâneur

19 Jan

Great posts are worth sharing, so I’d like to share this one with you. Although I had studied French for many years, I had never heard of the term The Flâneur. According to the post’s author,

“A Flâneur is a term for a person who goes about daily life really seeing what is going on around him. He doesn’t so much interact with the world, but instead quietly observes and notices what many other people may miss.”

For me, this is an especially relevant reminder in the Chicago winters when the sky’s favorite “color of choice” is grey and the temperatures bounce around freezing. As an amateur photographer, my eyes are usually on the lookout for interesting things, especially in the phases of sunlight/sunset or when I travel. But in these winter months, as I bundle up against the elements and focus on staying warm, I must remember to still observe so many interesting things that I might otherwise miss.

Click on the link below for Benita’s article, and like me, don’t be surprised if you find some inspiration to become a bit of a Flâneur yourself.

Ciao,

Judy

http://benitanoelle.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-belated-new-years-resolution-become.html

Tags: Benita Noelle, The Flâneur

Comments 1 Comment
Categories benitanoelle.blogspot.com, Chicago, My Blog about Italy

Merry Christmas!

25 Dec

From our home to yours,

we wish you a

Merry Christmas

filled with love, family and friends!

Buon Natale!

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and Happy Birthday to Benita!

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Ciao,

Judy

Tags: Lincoln Park Zoo Lights 2014

Comments 6 Comments
Categories Chicago, Family, My Blog about Italy

The Dough Boys

14 Nov

What to do on a cold Saturday afternoon? Attend a pizza/ciabatta/focaccia class in my own home!

When I introduced Giovanni from my Italian class to my husband Leonardo, it was the beginning of a beautiful culinary relationship. Leonardo has long sought to perfect his pizza dough, ever since our trip to Napoli, and Giovanni is ever in search of the perfect ciabatta and focaccia. Hence, a joining of forces and a great learning and eating treat for those of us in the gallery.

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As dough rising is a many hour event, we were fortunate that Leonardo had made a few pizzas for us to enjoy during the lessons.

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Giovanni began with focaccia.

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He loved my apron, so I let him borrow it for the day.

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His recipe includes bread flour, yeast, salt, sugar and a potato;

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and then a lot of patience waiting for the dough to rise before gently pressing it in his well worn pan.

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He then tops it with tomatoes and oregano and a bit of oil.

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After more rising and then cooking it in a hot oven for 30-40 minutes, the result is a focaccia with a crunchy, tasty crust and a fluffy chewy inside. Delicious!

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While the focaccia was rising, Giovanni started the next lesson: how to make ciabatta.

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Unlike the focaccia, this starts with a BIGA or starter (yeast, water and flour) that is made well in advance.

Flour is added to the starter, and after a few hours wait, it doubles in size.

While waiting for Giovanni’s focaccia to rise, Leonardo began teaching us how to make pizza dough.

Getting the yeast right is all important. Not too hot and not too cold or it won’t proof.

He uses a blender to mix the 00 flour, yeast, salt and water.

Like the other doughs, it then begins the slow rising ritual. When it has risen, Leonardo divides the dough and begins making pizzas.

He tops them with a variety of things his “customers” request…this one had anchovies (yikes) onions and capers.

My favorite is sautéed onions and peppers. Soooo good and cooked to perfection!

With the pizzas gone, (yes, we ate them all!), time to return to finishing the ciabattas. We learned from Giovanni not to handle the dough much and unlike pizza, not to fold it. Giovanni cut the dough gently in the right shape and “gingerly” placed each one on parchment paper.

After a bit more rising, they were baked in a hot oven until golden brown.

We filled these with cheeses and meats, and yes, we ate them too! Warm and wonderful with the coveted holes in the bread.

Italian language class in the morning. Bread making in the afternoon. All in a day’s work – filled with friends, food, fun, and lots of vino! (Giovanna, sorry you missed the photo op.)

Thanks Leonardo and Giovanni for a wonderful class. We learned a lot, but mostly we learned that we love to eat whatever you cook!

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Hmmm…I think there’s a business here!

Ciao,

Judy

Tags: ciabatta, Focaccia, Making Dough, Pizza

Comments 5 Comments
Categories Chicago, Food, Italian Food, Italian Hospitality, My Blog about Italy

The Birth of a Cannoli

5 Nov

I stopped by the Ferrara Bakery in Chicago, originally founded and operated by my maternal grandparents, Salvatore and Serafina Ferrara

and now by my cousin Nella and her husband Bill.

Although I had stuffed hundreds of cannolis in my teenage years, a requirement of all granddaughters during the holidays, I don’t remember ever seeing the cannoli shells being made. I was in for a treat.

Once the dough is mixed, it is put on the long work table – picture huge amounts of pizza-like dough, but brown from the spices and much, much heavier.

After the bakers get the dough into a log shape, they cut it into large pieces

which are then flattened by hand, folded in half, and dusted with flour.

The dough is then fed through a press, creating long, thin sheets which are dusted heavily to prevent sticking.

A form is used to cut the shapes

which are then stacked and refrigerated overnight.

The next day, the dough is rolled on metal tubes to create the cannoli shape

and then fried to perfection!

Eventually, the cannoli shell is stuffed with homemade cannoli cream

and there you have it – an authentic Italian cannoli, made just like they still do in Italy.

Delicious – before or after you order your lunch!

2210 W Taylor St, Chicago, ©Blogginginitaly.com

While some things have changed since my grandparents’ days, most notably the addition of a full menu lunch, the handmade pastries and cookies look, smell and taste the same. After all, why mess with a good thing!

Ciao,

Judy

Tags: Ferrara Cannolis, Italian Cannolis, Original Ferrara Pastries, Taylor Street Chicago

Comments 13 Comments
Categories Chicago, Food, Italian Food, Italian Hospitality, My Blog about Italy

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