On our way…Len, me and the Fitbit…
©Blogginginitaly.com
Many hours later…tired but happy…back with these wonderful friends at Cafe Tuscher, a bit of Prosecco and delicious appertivo in an Etruscan town. Incantevole. (Enchanting)
©Blogginginitaly.com
Much more to come.
Ciao,
Judy
This week, I won a prize called the Italy Badge. What is that, you might wonder…
For Christmas, Benita bought me a Fitbit Zip™, one those step counting devices. I had trouble with it at first, even trading in a few of them until we realized some came with a wrong battery. But a few months into 2015, I started keeping it with me on a pretty regular basis. Just pop it in my pocket, or hook it onto a piece of clothing, and it records my daily steps, also translated into miles.
©Blogginginitaly.com
10,000 steps is a suggested goal, and as you can see, I have logged over 13K today so far. Not really hard to do.
But then I got this motivational email from Fitbit:
Of all the countries I could have “walked”, they sure picked the right one to motivate me. In addition, I had no idea that mainland Italy is 763 miles in length, as the crow flies.
According to Nations Encyclopedia:
The boot-shaped Italian mainland extends into the Mediterranean Sea with a length of 1,185 km (736 mi) SE-NW and a width of 381 km (237 mi) NE-SW.
Photo by: cirex
And to think that this year’s Italy trip hasn’t even begun! With Fitbit in my pocket, it will be fun to see just how many times we walk Italy, while actually being in Italy, on our upcoming trip.
Until my next badge,
Ciao,
Judy
For the past several years, we have celebrated my birthday at a trattoria in Cortona with Italians and views like this:
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
This year, we also celebrated my birthday at an Italian trattoria
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
also with “Italians” and views like this:
©Blogginginitaly.com
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.
©Blogginginitaly.com
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
Festa della Liberazione – April 25th – a day dedicated to celebrating Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation during World War II.
If you happen to be in Italy and hear a great deal of noise overhead, it is probably the Frecce Tricolori or the Three Color Arrows. Or if you hear a lot of music and cheer, you may just find yourself in the middle of a parade! In either case, a great cause for celebration.
Rivolto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Italiano: Frecce Tricolori all’Air Show di Falconara Marittima, Ancona, Italy. (Wikipedia)
I migliori auguri – my very best wishes – to my Italian friends…we raise a toast to you and your freedom!
Ciao,
Judy
On April 15, 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born in a small Tuscan village called Anchiano. He was a true polymath, a person whose expertise spanned a significant number of subject areas. Today, we celebrate this genius’ life as a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, musician, inventor, mathematician, anatomist, botanist, geologist, cartographer and writer.
Presumed Self Portrait
Da Vinci was the illegitimate child of Caterina, a domestic servant, and Sir Piero da Vinci, owner of the house where da Vinci was born. Today, the house is a museum where visitors are welcomed by da Vinci himself, well almost, as his life-sized hologram greets visitors and shares information about his life. In nearby Vinci, one can visit the www.museoleonardiano.it, which, according it its website, “is one of the most extensive and most original collections, providing critical knowledge of Leonardo in his historical context and in that of late Middle Ages and Renaissance.”
Among Da Vinci’s most famous works is the Vitruvian Man.
Luc Viatour / http://www.Lucnix.be
This drawing, combining art and science, depicts a man in two superimposed positions. The picture represents da Vinci’s attempt to relate man to nature as he believed the human body was analogous to the workings of the universe. The drawing also contains notes based on the work of the architect Vitruvius. The original is kept in Venice in the Gallerie dell’ Accademia and made available to the public occasionally.
Another intriguing work of da Vinci is the Mona Lisa. On display at the Louvre in Paris, this painting is considered one of the most famous in the world.
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In 1503, Francesco del Giocondo commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint a portrait of his wife, Lisa, age 24. It is believed it took him about four years to complete due to other projects. Da Vinci, however, feeling the painting was unfinished, never delivered it to Francesco nor did he get paid for his work; it is undated and unsigned.
Another iconic painting of da Vinci’s is The Last Supper, in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.
The Last Supper
While many of Da Vinci’s works still exist, many more were lost over the years. Yet his notebooks containing sketches and scientific diagrams, as well as his thoughts on the nature of painting, provide continuing and immeasurable contributions to both art and science.
Happy Birthday #563 , Leonardo!
You graced this earth for 67 short years, but your brilliance will shine forever.
Ciao,
Judy
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.
©Blogginginitaly.com
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.
©Blogginginitaly.com
At this time of year, Ferrara’s and Italian bakeries everywhere are busy filling and selling hundreds of dozens of the cream filled gems.
©Blogginginitaly.com
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
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,
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
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.
©Blogginginitaly.com
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.
©Blogginginitaly.com
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
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Last night, while watching the Super Bowl, this town showed up in one of the commercials:
©Blogginginitaly.com
Perhaps unlike most of the millions watching, I recognized it immediately as Pitigliano, Italy. Truly a sight to behold, and once I saw it, a sight I’ll never forget.
The commercial that followed was so very typical of Italian commercials, creatively presenting a product in a subtle, or not so, sensual/sexual way. This is usually the case, whether the commercial is for gelato, a cleaning product, or a car.
I did a little research on the commercial, and not surprisingly, found that it had been panned by Adweek and other so called advertising experts. Perhaps these critics need to spend a bit more time in Italy, where the commercials are often as fun to watch as the shows.
In case you missed it, here’s the commercial.
Bigger, more powerful, and ready for action!
And if you are interested, here’s more on Pitigliano:
https://blogginginitaly.com/2013/07/29/pitigliano/
Ciao,
Judy
We often read of the demise of Italy as a major producer and exporter, so the following video was made to counter some of these less than favorable descriptions.
Per Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy,
The video “Italy the extraordinary commonplace” is designed to show Italy beyond stereotypes, a major producer of technological goods and the second European exporter in mechanical engineering and automation.
Since I love visiting Italy, I found this information to be great news. As for the format, well, leave it to the ever creative Italians. Thanks, Anna, for sharing.
Ciao,
Judy
Can you guess what they are? If you love real Italian food, made in Italy (natural and authentic), it’s pretty easy to guess what made the list. Take a minute before you read on to see how many you can name. I did this with my Italian class and they guessed all twelve, though not in this order.
Ready to find out?
The following article, written by Francine Segan, is reproduced from I Love Italian Food
http://www.italialiving.com/articles/food-wine/top-twelve-italian-foods-in-2014-the-votes-are-in/
Parmigiano Reggiano still reigns the “King of Cheese”
More than 700,000 foodies and 5,00 food professionals—including bloggers, chefs, restaurateurs and cooking schools —voted for the twelve most popular Italian foods. Parmigiano Reggiano won 1st with the “King of Cheese” receiving 20% of the votes. This international contest sponsored by the nonprofit group I Love Italian Food www.iloveitalianfood.org was conducted online in November 2014, with results released in mid-December.
“This contest made us understand which of our traditional foods are the real ambassadors outside of Italy, “ comments Alessandro Schiatti, founder of I Love Italian Food. Three of the winning foods—Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Aceto Balsamico, are all from the Emilia-Romagna region, which isn’t surprising as that region has more products that are DOP and IGP ( protected designation of origin) than any other region.
Using these twelve winners, I Love Italian Food will launch a project in January 2015 called 100per100, which will ask twelve of Italy’s top chefs including Heinz Beck, Cristina Bowerman, Moreno Cedroni and Antonella Ricci to create a unique recipe for each.
And the 2014 winners are:
#1 Parmigiano Reggiano
#2 Pasta
#3 Prosciutto di Parma
#4 Pizza
#5 Extra Virgin Olive Oil
#6 Tiramisu
#7 Gelato
#8 Espresso
#9 Mozzarella
#10 Aceto Balsamico
#11 Ravioli
#12 Risotto
My list would have included Italian red wine in lieu of the Tiramisu, but to each her own.
We are fortunate that many Italian products are available in restaurants and speciality stores around the world, so they can be enjoyed outside of Italy. But truly, food doesn’t get much better than when you enjoy it locally in towns and cities across Italy. The reason is simple – it is often locally grown, produced, prepared and served without chemicals and preservatives.
Mushrooms are “born” and thrive when the conditions are right; the roots of the grapes have been cared for by generations of families; the cows are pampered and some even listen to Mozart; the olives are often harvested by hand and with pride; and so on. Often food is served “zero kilometers” or very few kilometers from where it is grown.
Just look at the fresh mozzarella di bufala my daughter enjoyed in Campania:
Romeisalwaysagoodidea.wordpress.com
So, if you are lucky enough to travel to Italy, lessen the sightseeing a bit and take extra time to savor the richness yet simplicity of the local food. If not, look for these products and experiment yourself or find local authentic restaurants with Italians in the kitchen.
Happy eating!
Ciao,
Judy
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