tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42026334344628443912024-03-05T05:50:24.480+01:00 Happily Ever Italymrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-73838238133810018142016-08-24T15:51:00.001+02:002016-12-23T10:13:19.622+01:00Renovating a Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2J3iKtURK4WwYQWdP0sKpOlSnI-2a0PUU0Nbr-8Mgcu0Ecqp5S5d7QM35-5O-OXr-6gHiFpcsyQz94i7jEmgt5Dr4wGb2FDGZ2Pl5_Mrat6ShgUOokvUeg4oJmxRNLQaJ0xnWos61cD4/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2J3iKtURK4WwYQWdP0sKpOlSnI-2a0PUU0Nbr-8Mgcu0Ecqp5S5d7QM35-5O-OXr-6gHiFpcsyQz94i7jEmgt5Dr4wGb2FDGZ2Pl5_Mrat6ShgUOokvUeg4oJmxRNLQaJ0xnWos61cD4/s640/IMG_1256.jpg" width="640" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We</span> fell in love with the outside of the house first<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">which was a good thing because</span> from there </span>w<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e went</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> directly</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>into the kitchen.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I use th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">word</span> 'kitchen' lo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">osely<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span>because</span> there was nothing much in the room to indicate that it was a kitchen apart from a t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iny sink and drying rack </span>located <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the corner.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxb8xIdFQQYPzfx282tolMYq5PnZvBrRlKFothu5aeuwcHEuxs3uylAp2tR2DhmSjKO5PWhx5imDIenQG2LYYGnliOEwwAClknXIP9raKBp3FOd7KhSkPF6c1mFODLKqC-k8ETl5anV0/s1600/IMG_1255+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxb8xIdFQQYPzfx282tolMYq5PnZvBrRlKFothu5aeuwcHEuxs3uylAp2tR2DhmSjKO5PWhx5imDIenQG2LYYGnliOEwwAClknXIP9raKBp3FOd7KhSkPF6c1mFODLKqC-k8ETl5anV0/s640/IMG_1255+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">working</span> space<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was</span> a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n old</span> bureau located next to<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">small range with an even smaller oven below that</span> no longer worked. Neither did half of the burners!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQhQInn6bJkNatrx_HY7eg2z91QWd8e1JyGB7FRqNZwfJMJky3QBjEuhtdd4Dywuxh4EpRaEa6TmHTlm2DByQ18O_NK_QLvIyvJNYzcY3T-Wc-osTH43ki8sSuWrG99jB_ozEBZ1mbRs/s1600/IMG_1850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQhQInn6bJkNatrx_HY7eg2z91QWd8e1JyGB7FRqNZwfJMJky3QBjEuhtdd4Dywuxh4EpRaEa6TmHTlm2DByQ18O_NK_QLvIyvJNYzcY3T-Wc-osTH43ki8sSuWrG99jB_ozEBZ1mbRs/s640/IMG_1850.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On one wall w<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ere some shelves, </span></span>the top half <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">opened</span> to the next room. All very odd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q02uCxy5fWseoYXmz43Ryaz8635GEgJmqBOrnuk7SsWjYZdYMHI6Qd4tGT0oreyFiMnDjg__1na815djE3g-G98N-b1LxJrYo-JroqUKKRk776_yGlJ_K5Z04VGOVbf5Fbzjzj4ryLI/s1600/IMG_2099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q02uCxy5fWseoYXmz43Ryaz8635GEgJmqBOrnuk7SsWjYZdYMHI6Qd4tGT0oreyFiMnDjg__1na815djE3g-G98N-b1LxJrYo-JroqUKKRk776_yGlJ_K5Z04VGOVbf5Fbzjzj4ryLI/s640/IMG_2099.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had our work cut out for us, t</span>ransforming this space into a real working kitchen<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWkI2DaNNBxLtxTqczPwfal1hLPgH-q6zbTlI8WtoojQIoBuQu9kom1swm5O5FapX_j7GDql8GYCTqKUoS1E7pt3QyJIP85ay96IKckEwb4mTn3jCtTIbgUKtv1YT7PcJnhN-nsWXRyE/s1600/IMG_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWkI2DaNNBxLtxTqczPwfal1hLPgH-q6zbTlI8WtoojQIoBuQu9kom1swm5O5FapX_j7GDql8GYCTqKUoS1E7pt3QyJIP85ay96IKckEwb4mTn3jCtTIbgUKtv1YT7PcJnhN-nsWXRyE/s640/IMG_1920.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B</span>ut before we <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">got down to work</span>, we actually did have some fu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n picking out materials<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurNL5nxq0P7U11AVH_hU9MgH7y8XFUsu4VinAncGVobV0VodfQKkauclH7XkTkip_XIrqARp0rdx74q4RdP5dN7_v885zn9BdZpO0FQ3u4KWxVm13nj5h4nNQI1pt_CzcVBKyv1tPsXI/s1600/IMG_2164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurNL5nxq0P7U11AVH_hU9MgH7y8XFUsu4VinAncGVobV0VodfQKkauclH7XkTkip_XIrqARp0rdx74q4RdP5dN7_v885zn9BdZpO0FQ3u4KWxVm13nj5h4nNQI1pt_CzcVBKyv1tPsXI/s320/IMG_2164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KjW7nP4o8JFZAJX6eBmBIACOunY80T6td5WFGdddIRI05hNkGsW_vHAeWO1MqfyBHxCl1ChsKsYPZcSWNo9EWXW3KOwBaq0UYHOwwZ5xfCBCrhHKLrCofO0jfTHl1IxV7BaQEHS6Or0/s1600/IMG_2167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KjW7nP4o8JFZAJX6eBmBIACOunY80T6td5WFGdddIRI05hNkGsW_vHAeWO1MqfyBHxCl1ChsKsYPZcSWNo9EWXW3KOwBaq0UYHOwwZ5xfCBCrhHKLrCofO0jfTHl1IxV7BaQEHS6Or0/s320/IMG_2167.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">me difficulty, </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> becau<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">se the choices were amazing.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrc9ru_N7qxb_PvXW0VH33wrd3TAzk8KQH8SEbbETgAaMrJADPqFOGIqVFVYNOWIvkw2sQBAFzBjX23nomkVAbrvgIRr1Agw4h7ZUIE7ZgdTphaQyPFTqd8x2YasU-qxpSguNTzHWJJk/s1600/IMG_2097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrc9ru_N7qxb_PvXW0VH33wrd3TAzk8KQH8SEbbETgAaMrJADPqFOGIqVFVYNOWIvkw2sQBAFzBjX23nomkVAbrvgIRr1Agw4h7ZUIE7ZgdTphaQyPFTqd8x2YasU-qxpSguNTzHWJJk/s640/IMG_2097.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">W</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e began by demolishing the sink.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>S</span>adly the original stone sink, which was <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a few hundred years old,</span> was beneath<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the existing stone sink</span> but <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it had been cracked in two. Probably why they put another sink over it.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>We </span>relocated the sink position to under the window because for as much time as <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I</span> spend in front of the sink, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wanted a nice view</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVNIi-bkovEuXB2lWFSptDJY4F3Yy7x4XR6Andx0mzaqBzqpDZUr4gTE9GGY29Hisi3AQ4thg6Ub85KR1FgXpW4alUUba9YDQHVYcOvlMvvg_-Qs-XqOU7ymhX_Nv2d7R0wSMoMN7k4A/s1600/IMG_2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVNIi-bkovEuXB2lWFSptDJY4F3Yy7x4XR6Andx0mzaqBzqpDZUr4gTE9GGY29Hisi3AQ4thg6Ub85KR1FgXpW4alUUba9YDQHVYcOvlMvvg_-Qs-XqOU7ymhX_Nv2d7R0wSMoMN7k4A/s640/IMG_2277.jpg" width="640" /></a> On both si<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">des of</span> the relocated sink we put in counters made from chestnut <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">plank</span>s</span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the </span>trees<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> around </span>the house <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that </span></span></span></span>we found in one of the cantinas below the house<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. On the walls <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we put in 200<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> year old tiles.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMep6ZpSJMsPerflVIfBeqIHC7UNYFzutYNZJKIOoXfANUbfjMcBAO5hRu9c0In-PA99mVKJeccWR8VJfyXS9oPlxpSOwMjfAsylRxyuvl9Oh1ZEC1lhKZ8qeofduBmPl8fHoTeqhGqc/s1600/IMG_2452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMep6ZpSJMsPerflVIfBeqIHC7UNYFzutYNZJKIOoXfANUbfjMcBAO5hRu9c0In-PA99mVKJeccWR8VJfyXS9oPlxpSOwMjfAsylRxyuvl9Oh1ZEC1lhKZ8qeofduBmPl8fHoTeqhGqc/s640/IMG_2452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">meday</span> I will <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">replace this</span> photo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> with a photo of our working kitchen as it is now, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a photo that d<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oes not</span></span> inclu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">de</span> the reflection of the dry vac in the o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ven window<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpi0Jcp7fR3t3UVQjp_JCEUX0GGiud0CIZPypMX7aP05LJPLuPFq7d5dZLt7A94QfSbMLrwxtxkmr9YXa_EGkaEDqmGjjORE92ychiFAEUU-pPxBXxvH_jCgJBI1F4FpArtMJcCgJd24/s1600/IMG_2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-82973178261756664502015-12-03T17:53:00.001+01:002015-12-03T19:29:30.918+01:00Red Wine Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E4vdlnqWKHadSOXV-nsM4kBvt8ap0gaN2EtlaTW9d2ov5qEatVtqgal1U9uPgagFWMmhUvN_0ztZYoFf1ar9gMmapm0DnZUklqdahpVpj9yVK4THToGBGr2XeH8cArAvj9VJlILSIKo/s1600/DSCN0420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E4vdlnqWKHadSOXV-nsM4kBvt8ap0gaN2EtlaTW9d2ov5qEatVtqgal1U9uPgagFWMmhUvN_0ztZYoFf1ar9gMmapm0DnZUklqdahpVpj9yVK4THToGBGr2XeH8cArAvj9VJlILSIKo/s1600/DSCN0420.jpg" width="640" /> </a><span style="font-size: large;">These cookies are easy and delicious</span><span style="font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkxOoAr4FcWs4hnDEwwNrtNZUPLtjdP1mAiw5i22MeLjXsjvum-uhyI8PR_DWo-TBWUmHLwlq8pdOf7BdPpc3eygx0ELutlGy0vcOrp0XpA8E2BrAhvoArWhfSJkwJiOD8By7uN1lOBg/s1600/DSCN0416+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkxOoAr4FcWs4hnDEwwNrtNZUPLtjdP1mAiw5i22MeLjXsjvum-uhyI8PR_DWo-TBWUmHLwlq8pdOf7BdPpc3eygx0ELutlGy0vcOrp0XpA8E2BrAhvoArWhfSJkwJiOD8By7uN1lOBg/s1600/DSCN0416+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And they </span><span style="font-size: large;">make the prettiest pink batter!</span></span></div>
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<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Red Wine Cookies<br />
<i>Recipe from <a href="http://www.ciaochowlinda.blogspot.it/2013/12/milenas-red-wine-cookies.html" target="_blank">CiaoChow Linda</a></i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
1 cup dry red wine (the better the wine, the better the cookies)</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
1 cup sugar</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
1 cup vegetable oil </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
pinch of salt</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
1/2 tsp. of baking soda</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
1/2 tsp. of baking powder</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
4
1/2 c. flour - (start with one cup but keep adding as much as necessary
until you get a dough that has a thick consistency and can be easily
rolled.)</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
more sugar for dipping</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Place
the red wine, oil, and sugar in a bowl and whisk together. Add the
baking soda, baking powder, and the flour, sifting it into the bowl at
little at a time. Stir with a wooden spoon, continuing to add more flour
until it has a stiff consistency.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Gently
roll out small pieces of the dough on a wooden board into a narrow
"snake" shape - about 6 inches, the thickness of small finger. Then
carefully swirl the ends toward the center, into an "S" shape. Dip into
sugar and place on a cookie sheet.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Bake
at 350 degrees for about 20 to 25 minutes. The
cookies should be browned on the bottom and slightly on top.<br />
<span style="color: white;"> .</span></div>
mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-27685450177352808952015-11-19T18:47:00.000+01:002015-11-19T18:47:19.664+01:00Birthday Fish in Fano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmChkxKsPO6DyEeDEyv3rgGZwHDU7eytldfn2LizYNr4AN4XAU6Xd6MVFpwgppjOh-qLTphQyv9mds2badDIOpSzXz5PZ1FHBhf0B_CUacbJCGIx4BoDcddJiKvHbXQ_6Xrf7PepHdqNY/s1600/WP_20151118_14_12_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmChkxKsPO6DyEeDEyv3rgGZwHDU7eytldfn2LizYNr4AN4XAU6Xd6MVFpwgppjOh-qLTphQyv9mds2badDIOpSzXz5PZ1FHBhf0B_CUacbJCGIx4BoDcddJiKvHbXQ_6Xrf7PepHdqNY/s640/WP_20151118_14_12_12_Pro.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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I love dining in local Italian restaurants, they're so.... unassuming! The ambiance is modest, a bit kitschy, one might even say a little odd. Men often dress in button-down shirts and dress jackets and their wives or girlfriends in skirts or dresses. We dined on disposable, plastic tablecloths, but with proper ceramic
plates and solid eating utensils. The food was outstanding and the
prices affordable. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sp0LJUoXfFoiqd7a_4W8EUQLVEPTNxp1JAddtibpLrnDptJ8-jeCRLxb16lhXWM-G81McXEJFx8Tb7hBwqVsF7VGiiORV33vNtzf5wnbP4iZ6roKdXpBuPASg0o03Y-3wBwlJZ5HH9Y/s1600/WP_20151118_15_14_22_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sp0LJUoXfFoiqd7a_4W8EUQLVEPTNxp1JAddtibpLrnDptJ8-jeCRLxb16lhXWM-G81McXEJFx8Tb7hBwqVsF7VGiiORV33vNtzf5wnbP4iZ6roKdXpBuPASg0o03Y-3wBwlJZ5HH9Y/s640/WP_20151118_15_14_22_Pro.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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The entrance to this particular restaurant had an automatic glass door designed to appear like a fish bowl. To say we were utterly delighted to enter is an understatement. Finding a seaside seafood restaurant that was open in November was quite a challenge! We began asking friends for suggestions a few weeks ago. Italians love
to talk about the weather and food, so we acquired several
recommendations. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VR1JuENY_ae31YcGva3k2ggm5s9uop-cVi95PDWAU-dlLhU1Ubn8BjhqrJQqfsM_VpMQGhbBPo6ptgxYSAUoQmd8M8jH2towkgvlkcypyOUI9wQ_4h5q2h3f0_raekCgICGQ1fIh0nA/s1600/WP_20151118_14_12_06_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VR1JuENY_ae31YcGva3k2ggm5s9uop-cVi95PDWAU-dlLhU1Ubn8BjhqrJQqfsM_VpMQGhbBPo6ptgxYSAUoQmd8M8jH2towkgvlkcypyOUI9wQ_4h5q2h3f0_raekCgICGQ1fIh0nA/s640/WP_20151118_14_12_06_Pro.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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The day before my birthday we began calling to make a reservation since the car ride to the coast was two hours and we wanted the guaranty of a good meal awaiting us. After finding our first three choices closed for the season, I remembered a blog post from La Tavola Marche Agriturismo featuring their <a href="http://latavolamarche.blogspot.it/2014/03/5-favorite-places-to-eat-fish-in-fano.html" target="_blank">top five favorite restaurants in Fano</a>! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBDyHebOwu02kJycl_NJwQq468ZwF-pkLPfzOheSHG5_Mv_iGxn5grOJJDfgU13VuUiQbpzWdiIvPyJtueoIvZmDCTI2L75tW-xjlquXoq6e6j2FAkisEg9Tr-jkD_Lt2Xrbb4lBDcbY/s1600/WP_20151118_14_33_56_Pro+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBDyHebOwu02kJycl_NJwQq468ZwF-pkLPfzOheSHG5_Mv_iGxn5grOJJDfgU13VuUiQbpzWdiIvPyJtueoIvZmDCTI2L75tW-xjlquXoq6e6j2FAkisEg9Tr-jkD_Lt2Xrbb4lBDcbY/s640/WP_20151118_14_33_56_Pro+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed typical dishes such as octopus salad, steamed clams, fried shrimp, calamari and vegetables and a plate of grilled fresh fish -- oh, and french fries! No Italian restaurant meal is complete without a side order of french fries! They're oh-so-delizioso!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rm-L1ccPjufbk6TrD7_oJDpJtAWI3mRGhrXHFv92RbcMMLfD4LSb-dPlCzhwajRAlR2FRzFjuMQHgEqhPM30jZTfy2U-CJRPhjbonS6ON4klbU99rx7DUFdi6-45nDDRgXuB8ANU208/s1600/WP_20151118_15_25_18_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rm-L1ccPjufbk6TrD7_oJDpJtAWI3mRGhrXHFv92RbcMMLfD4LSb-dPlCzhwajRAlR2FRzFjuMQHgEqhPM30jZTfy2U-CJRPhjbonS6ON4klbU99rx7DUFdi6-45nDDRgXuB8ANU208/s640/WP_20151118_15_25_18_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The weather was quite gloomy and chilly, but the buildings were all so colorful and cheery! It was late by the time we finished lunch and as much as we would have loved to explore it was getting dark and colder by the minute. A good excuse to return though!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YJEdWc6Ff2muhpbYWcQGNT2bCGpJirF628vaooNUKy3vvfGn64CsfdiI72WYKQg-IbN8UtHhMInWO_sYxLXCzLqB7ZpYA4sbnj9ymagXHlZtk65ATwWhfw1V2N-DvDICnGhdtKiRCKQ/s1600/WP_20151118_15_22_45_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YJEdWc6Ff2muhpbYWcQGNT2bCGpJirF628vaooNUKy3vvfGn64CsfdiI72WYKQg-IbN8UtHhMInWO_sYxLXCzLqB7ZpYA4sbnj9ymagXHlZtk65ATwWhfw1V2N-DvDICnGhdtKiRCKQ/s640/WP_20151118_15_22_45_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
All in all, it was a very fine birthday celebration and if you ever get the chance, we highly recommend dining at <a href="http://www.trattorialaquinta.com/" target="_blank">Trattoria della Quinta</a> in Fano!<br />
<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-57574130848360077412015-11-10T16:38:00.000+01:002015-11-21T09:55:21.509+01:00Free Falling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6SK7Je4dD-FNI8wZqxHgsZFg9T3YQWZEm2JiJQ3pDpvfUK3nOqRY2cOfSvNkk6xonZ41bShvUcswN8YQxAIrg-sx5dUVjOgoOYpNHfb_4RA8vB5ohP23VhlINe_y0uSkq-oZMtSSLVo/s1600/DSCN1689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6SK7Je4dD-FNI8wZqxHgsZFg9T3YQWZEm2JiJQ3pDpvfUK3nOqRY2cOfSvNkk6xonZ41bShvUcswN8YQxAIrg-sx5dUVjOgoOYpNHfb_4RA8vB5ohP23VhlINe_y0uSkq-oZMtSSLVo/s640/DSCN1689.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I returned from California at the beginning of November just in time to
catch fall in full swing here in Italy! Mushrooms aren't necessarily
found solely in the fall, but it seems to be a prolific time for them
given the right conditions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVD0Hna2rUMUEO4AmOLVTa0110IlzQSpgMOsDqZSl4UKeXJ8B1tFMD6YiiQJFGbts5fxPjOtCHUjKlA4gYHIpeA6JOYXb1EnfQXaNJ0EIdY6Qr4xR5J-3n8qH3lwDIQowXm1qggPB93g/s1600/DSCN1659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVD0Hna2rUMUEO4AmOLVTa0110IlzQSpgMOsDqZSl4UKeXJ8B1tFMD6YiiQJFGbts5fxPjOtCHUjKlA4gYHIpeA6JOYXb1EnfQXaNJ0EIdY6Qr4xR5J-3n8qH3lwDIQowXm1qggPB93g/s640/DSCN1659.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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All around our house, the ground was blanketed in leaves. It was magical to watch them raining down from the trees whenever there was even the slightest breeze.</div>
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Now back to the mushrooms! Sometimes there are the 'same old, same old' mushrooms each year and sometimes there are varieties I have never seen before. In either case, they always manage to delight me with their shapes and colors and textures. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPA1qgyGY7U7Zs8pIBl1PKSzFTabmFYc0wmEQ1sHs1WQ5KJ0hb0F6ZkWAEtpsMttiH3wKsPEBeTY92LSk_BXJTOqv7_DA6-JlIVTz8al6ulZcVzi6BHF883iy6Ksron0tTEmTCRCNd3w/s1600/DSCN1644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPA1qgyGY7U7Zs8pIBl1PKSzFTabmFYc0wmEQ1sHs1WQ5KJ0hb0F6ZkWAEtpsMttiH3wKsPEBeTY92LSk_BXJTOqv7_DA6-JlIVTz8al6ulZcVzi6BHF883iy6Ksron0tTEmTCRCNd3w/s640/DSCN1644.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I mean, how amazing is this color!?? It's absolutely electric!</div>
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This mushroom is one of my favorites! They grow on giant old chestnut tree stumps. Don't they look like velvet!?<br />
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Now here's a surprise, with all the fall signs in the air and leaves falling everywhere around us there were still flowers managing to bloom! We're halfway through fall, winter is still ahead of us, but I can't seem to help being anxious for Spring.</div>
<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-82964261512477492672015-09-30T10:10:00.000+02:002015-09-30T10:10:44.448+02:00Good-bye Summer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiifZr9iPNV5kFMvC4CnOzHZ5TrvopEx64HBoq4W-DEHIb7gBA-jdO_QyuL3i3jrolWpW7-TVCEAvS4fqmbZf0AGblsWTWzWeKPI1C8QQuFujJsU6SxjtVxFgWKbdELprRNUMvSKVOGY0/s1600/DSCN1485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiifZr9iPNV5kFMvC4CnOzHZ5TrvopEx64HBoq4W-DEHIb7gBA-jdO_QyuL3i3jrolWpW7-TVCEAvS4fqmbZf0AGblsWTWzWeKPI1C8QQuFujJsU6SxjtVxFgWKbdELprRNUMvSKVOGY0/s640/DSCN1485.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Summer has ended, which also means that the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables at our house is ending. I had so many plans for all the beautiful figs we had, but unfortunately only time enough to make a small batch of jam -- which was incredibly delicious I would like to add. </div>
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We had our first successful year growing watermelons! This beauty weighed in at 42 pounds. We thought it would be mostly rind, but as you can see it's mostly pulp. And a delightfully sweet and tasty pulp it was; we enjoyed eating it sliced on many occasions, gave away a large piece, and also made two different cocktail recipes. We could have fed a village with this watermelon. Actually, that's pretty much what we did!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TncZbO3_O7J-UaQ5YIKSFCCoeSC9vCc7TmitcZoFezgAlUKcpRZFB99ELfOw35-NBMupzLU3Sk8rabi2S4NFmVZNjhmvGLInZ_hBVAzwh4-5mtg0XSkH7Qkrhak805Z6RPLxudrcfyI/s1600/DSCN1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TncZbO3_O7J-UaQ5YIKSFCCoeSC9vCc7TmitcZoFezgAlUKcpRZFB99ELfOw35-NBMupzLU3Sk8rabi2S4NFmVZNjhmvGLInZ_hBVAzwh4-5mtg0XSkH7Qkrhak805Z6RPLxudrcfyI/s640/DSCN1361.jpg" width="640" /></a>This ginormous tomato is another monster vegetable from Babbo's garden, not ours. But we did have a lot of NOT giant tomatoes this year of all varieties! We ate lots of sliced fresh tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, bruschetta with tomatoes and basil, pasta with tomatoes and yes, even a small batch of tomato jam!<br />
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And onions! Amore loves to grow onions every year. Next year we'll be planting garlic as well!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0-xvPyknFynoGktUZvTu2Fki1LIFjJh04Vf7XTyz3b6ZJqdLlw-zHixbL7dWpZyYYosEOEZXLB3jOxRjJO61k_VszGP20aIFO03-mXJHK7FZDpWzvJJR0ppwTVJDd02q643pdZAh15M/s1600/DSCN1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0-xvPyknFynoGktUZvTu2Fki1LIFjJh04Vf7XTyz3b6ZJqdLlw-zHixbL7dWpZyYYosEOEZXLB3jOxRjJO61k_VszGP20aIFO03-mXJHK7FZDpWzvJJR0ppwTVJDd02q643pdZAh15M/s640/DSCN1469.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Also leaving us with the season are the caterpillars. Amore told me this one glows in the dark. Unfortunately it didn't hang around long enough for me to verify his story. But speaking of glowing in the dark, we did have quite a few sightings of fireflies this summer! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tbEbDq-H2fmtlpi5zSAuGtXpdS_svjGH3gBChB4NtVBp0xJGYD2W63HrNRkt89y8isVPmMavfKa0_EgjMsiTrkFuxc8oDbZhIge4Ky-lpiZXLurjUn-xskONbdK_5MCu7C6cxG6SuJc/s1600/DSCN0753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tbEbDq-H2fmtlpi5zSAuGtXpdS_svjGH3gBChB4NtVBp0xJGYD2W63HrNRkt89y8isVPmMavfKa0_EgjMsiTrkFuxc8oDbZhIge4Ky-lpiZXLurjUn-xskONbdK_5MCu7C6cxG6SuJc/s640/DSCN0753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this guy. Who lives here. And is not afraid of anyone. We both leave each other alone.<br />
I wonder if we'll see him again next year. Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I know we sure did!<br />
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mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-4609490032690472272015-09-14T12:20:00.000+02:002015-09-16T12:52:22.955+02:00Roof Repair - or - Caveat Emptor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf_JbPNZACXxq9dE9DhYQ0u-_GAe9Tl-7uSyei_CvI5_59L1bG4mu5uM3uWLNQTEsgdW0z8r0-dv77HEnKeQWivqgw6xjf04o0tD5Ro4xd5XOVRWfBdcqE1yF6Bhnm32xxecid0C8WtQ/s1600/DSCN1319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf_JbPNZACXxq9dE9DhYQ0u-_GAe9Tl-7uSyei_CvI5_59L1bG4mu5uM3uWLNQTEsgdW0z8r0-dv77HEnKeQWivqgw6xjf04o0tD5Ro4xd5XOVRWfBdcqE1yF6Bhnm32xxecid0C8WtQ/s640/DSCN1319.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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This was the view from our upstairs window last month. We were having our roof repaired. It leaked. Saying the roof 'leaked' is being kind. We just celebrated our one year anniversary in the house and as Amore recalls, it rained more inside the house than it did outside the house that evening.</div>
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Having the roof repaired was a large expense, one we were not prepared to make right away, and one we were not happy about making since the owner had assured us there were no problems with the roof. <span class="_Tgc">Caveat Emptor as they say, let the buyer beware.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwMRNfE5fiqq5LTZoF2Mo5eNfj1nIDfdsu3ibbhEK4EuGMIpq80B_Tk_9qXKckdADbM-UY7JiXpgaG0fqmPkgm8sO3HuZMGhgrxo6siNarW4TAS45JuCgLsOGQinpD2wlmY4CfoCA_EM/s1600/DSCN1322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwMRNfE5fiqq5LTZoF2Mo5eNfj1nIDfdsu3ibbhEK4EuGMIpq80B_Tk_9qXKckdADbM-UY7JiXpgaG0fqmPkgm8sO3HuZMGhgrxo6siNarW4TAS45JuCgLsOGQinpD2wlmY4CfoCA_EM/s640/DSCN1322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This was our second experience with a large home project. I think it's probably a bit like childbirth. You forget the pain until the contractions begin with the next birth. The noise heard inside the house was much what I imagine Chinese water torture to be like. Pounding and banging and stomping, driving one slowly to the brink of insanity. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZEm-c45erWmLQ6TacJtf6lSdHAQf7Vah9p1-a4MU3HoFdmqFsPZlhO6Tg20jAGPpiUBCsUYbdZjosmt2aKjqL29WDKANQWrbwlu-i3potVr0rcwh6J23MqTWd5hqQkTkGPlzGl3uCe8/s1600/DSCN1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZEm-c45erWmLQ6TacJtf6lSdHAQf7Vah9p1-a4MU3HoFdmqFsPZlhO6Tg20jAGPpiUBCsUYbdZjosmt2aKjqL29WDKANQWrbwlu-i3potVr0rcwh6J23MqTWd5hqQkTkGPlzGl3uCe8/s640/DSCN1342.jpg" width="640" /></a>Outside the house the yard was filled with buckets and wheelbarrows, ropes and cement bags, and scaffolding blocking entrances and windows. Inside the house there was lots of dust, bits of wet cement, and leaves
and rubbish which came off the roof that the wind kindly blew into the house. These were three digit degree days and dirt be damned if I was staying inside a noisy house with the windows shut tight! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8PiYzDLSIXb-nt1pMDphESpML-cUEo3-quaBE6IL5SxRPGF1NyOI83Kscyf_7fCHYYKkKmlzT0tbBgXsFREwFv81AbLgkAYE8HSXd7RDNu3B9ILTd68LX3VRW2rv2ahsXMsHv0jFXEo/s1600/DSCN1381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8PiYzDLSIXb-nt1pMDphESpML-cUEo3-quaBE6IL5SxRPGF1NyOI83Kscyf_7fCHYYKkKmlzT0tbBgXsFREwFv81AbLgkAYE8HSXd7RDNu3B9ILTd68LX3VRW2rv2ahsXMsHv0jFXEo/s640/DSCN1381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the old insulation. Picture us panicking every time it rained, running around with bowls and pots trying to arrange them according to where the water was dripping which depended on the ever-changing direction of the wind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJujkG3u_y7hBsUdu6DqosSdnzi2KJwiyXsC0Qbr5285OXj-oJygfs9ykI-uCzC8zfo17V6HfBdRnFKlSXSJkPFJk4hzbjSQQn0QzWvkp88c7yt2z-r4aW_c3ywm-ILMcwj8RV161EWg/s1600/DSCN1385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJujkG3u_y7hBsUdu6DqosSdnzi2KJwiyXsC0Qbr5285OXj-oJygfs9ykI-uCzC8zfo17V6HfBdRnFKlSXSJkPFJk4hzbjSQQn0QzWvkp88c7yt2z-r4aW_c3ywm-ILMcwj8RV161EWg/s640/DSCN1385.jpg" width="640" /></a>This is the new insulation. Not only are we thrilled to no longer have to politely ask guests to place their belongings in areas we knew were safe from leaks, but what a difference it has made with the summer heat! We are also thrilled with how much cooler the house is inside now. A definite additional benefit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJtFwZyYUjXj1eztlzGPY8Ncp-fPjE-Sy5EqFspVFhsN5UFQEJjy99dIvm-oEQilDNEjvUlpSirV14BsY5s1DDGgerOYQreQJCtGJicO3ErRb9vP-rqeUg4zQQyY3E6ZJoAct8aP5fCQ/s1600/DSCN1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJtFwZyYUjXj1eztlzGPY8Ncp-fPjE-Sy5EqFspVFhsN5UFQEJjy99dIvm-oEQilDNEjvUlpSirV14BsY5s1DDGgerOYQreQJCtGJicO3ErRb9vP-rqeUg4zQQyY3E6ZJoAct8aP5fCQ/s640/DSCN1351.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
Well, the work has finished and we are slowly returning to normal life here on the hill. At least for now, for a few brief months before we begin our next large project. You see, we need a little time to forget about the pain.<br />
<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-90204055457743473542015-08-16T11:40:00.000+02:002015-08-19T13:22:37.415+02:00How Our Garden Grows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzrp-vyoBq4HtIvgZibX1AOBTFebYR6Vqf5Nw7ddmSbzzkuvX9KaBzBq5lolfd0hXxhPTir68H6gPW9_GWYuTB10hfKb7nE7EzWBnqGTDqe2MgdFvBV83_pEyOKFl93Wzqx0hTqAU76s/s1600/DSCN1428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzrp-vyoBq4HtIvgZibX1AOBTFebYR6Vqf5Nw7ddmSbzzkuvX9KaBzBq5lolfd0hXxhPTir68H6gPW9_GWYuTB10hfKb7nE7EzWBnqGTDqe2MgdFvBV83_pEyOKFl93Wzqx0hTqAU76s/s640/DSCN1428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well another month has passed again without a post! We just finished re-roofing the house, that's my one excuse and my next post. And my second excuse is that after a slow start our vegetable garden has begun producing like crazy! We will soon need to use a wheelbarrow to transport all the blessings being bestowed from our little patch of earth! Pictured above is my favorite vegetable, chard! I soak the giant leaves in water to clean away the dirt, slice them into strips, steam them, squeeze out the water, form them into palm size balls and freeze them. It's absolutely lovely to enjoy chard sauteed in olive oil and garlic long after the vegetable garden has give up the ghost!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP0pXu-bex3jkgRRf7fZknOmV1PuEFDIeBe_XFhA_ZobTdi60wYep4hmzhtD70B-_RE-bkZefPlicGQDofskyauOi2zTudediOGUnh_ZTk0IYNrNZO7_T45-neWbcMAWGjqsXNDL8kyA/s1600/DSCN1436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP0pXu-bex3jkgRRf7fZknOmV1PuEFDIeBe_XFhA_ZobTdi60wYep4hmzhtD70B-_RE-bkZefPlicGQDofskyauOi2zTudediOGUnh_ZTk0IYNrNZO7_T45-neWbcMAWGjqsXNDL8kyA/s640/DSCN1436.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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We purchased eight pepper plants, four yellow and four red. Of course we purchased far more than chard and peppers, but these are currently our biggest producers. The first peppers to mature were these red peppers, which we thought were bell peppers but obviously they're not. The skin is thinner, but thankfully the taste is similar. Oddly, this was not the only plant we purchased this year that produced something different than what we thought we had purchased. Hmm...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbDMXF88dOwKMAiNEc_6sEbpwEIxRdngPyBPocNOoXbuLEJW6E-dK4LBsLMIqyIcY02rYUqatlT-PQ9kh2kLC8huCxKp4kRZxozaZGW4sSmYai5DZ2TqcGbyE8nYpXSrxQVk5tPFjGAk/s1600/DSCN1438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbDMXF88dOwKMAiNEc_6sEbpwEIxRdngPyBPocNOoXbuLEJW6E-dK4LBsLMIqyIcY02rYUqatlT-PQ9kh2kLC8huCxKp4kRZxozaZGW4sSmYai5DZ2TqcGbyE8nYpXSrxQVk5tPFjGAk/s640/DSCN1438.jpg" width="640" /></a> We had a very hard rain a few days ago which left quite a few vegetables a little dirty. I suppose I could have and maybe should have cleaned them off first but this is real life, am I right? Sometimes it's not so pretty. We have two round eggplant plants (that sounds so redundant) and two long eggplant plants. So far, we've been enjoying them grilled and in pasta dishes but clearly I'm going to have to step up my game.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8exGin_zcmYnwvC7xAhv3qo2RYN4cYYwYBGnfHYMXIH97YoDTJgOjrFeWfCbwn5SlciaqA_X3xxrW5JpoR_bNYyLG47NGB9kxFjjGmoEg_FUZWR_ZGZOk8FPR9GOAG4IBDJouHMlUWGs/s1600/DSCN1444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8exGin_zcmYnwvC7xAhv3qo2RYN4cYYwYBGnfHYMXIH97YoDTJgOjrFeWfCbwn5SlciaqA_X3xxrW5JpoR_bNYyLG47NGB9kxFjjGmoEg_FUZWR_ZGZOk8FPR9GOAG4IBDJouHMlUWGs/s640/DSCN1444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a cucumber blossom. Directly behind it to the left, you can see the little cucumber starting. Everything here has been growing faster than we can eat it! Many vegetables get parboiled and then frozen, but not cucumbers. If we're not able to enjoy them fresh, they get pickled. One can only eat so many Greek salads in a week. Because the tomatoes are finally starting to produce, next will be cucumber, tomato and red onion over couscous! A slight change from Greek salads, but a change nonetheless. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pV_DeONhRTVTd6TRpC-PciGar9q6D9RAizvNyaEw4XKIuwYloqIkX1a1Ely6-VcDXoFUMGdVat7BtbKxewxj3ugifVendhtQV-hmPyEn0e_Lb17R-U8YQJDqZF2Rd-6wxY7IT-579w8/s1600/DSCN1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pV_DeONhRTVTd6TRpC-PciGar9q6D9RAizvNyaEw4XKIuwYloqIkX1a1Ely6-VcDXoFUMGdVat7BtbKxewxj3ugifVendhtQV-hmPyEn0e_Lb17R-U8YQJDqZF2Rd-6wxY7IT-579w8/s640/DSCN1432.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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These are called black tomatoes. But they're purple, right?</div>
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I am fairly certain that we exaggerated with the cherry tomato plants. This is a partial shot of only ONE plant. </div>
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We planted 12 of these plants. We will soon be swimming in cherry tomatoes.</div>
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Nice melons, wouldn't you say? This plant went crazy with its crawlers! I would have to say our watermelon plants became more invasive than any zucchini plant I have ever seen. Those of you who have ever grown zucchini, you know what I mean. This year was our first BIG success in growing watermelons. We planted two types, these little round ones and the standard large, and they are both so delicious and sweet that we serve them as dessert! I never thought I would see the day that I serve fruit as dessert, but it's happened. Figs are up next so stay tuned, there might even be a recipe for a baked good! Or I just might serve them fresh on a plate as dessert. (wink)<br />
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mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-28843535915100789612015-07-15T14:15:00.000+02:002015-08-15T11:16:47.998+02:00It's Already Mid-July???It's already mid-July and my last post was in May!?? Where does the time go?? I'll show you where it goes!<br />
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We finally started a vegetable garden! But this isn't it. </div>
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This is Babbo's beautiful garden, or as I like to refer to it, the land
of the giant produce. We got a late start on our garden this year
because of our higher elevation and colder temperatures, but I hope to post some lovely photos later in the summer! </div>
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The dogs and I have been taking walks around the property. So many lovely flowers! And some insects.</div>
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And lots and lots of wild primrose growing everywhere, even in our lawn!</div>
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Do we have this specific gorgeous wildflower in California?</div>
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And wild strawberries abound! They taste like tiny Sweet Tarts candy.</div>
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And we had cherries! I say "had" because they came and went very quickly. </div>
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And I've been planting flower seeds and bulbs. This was a success. Not all are.</div>
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We have three large lavender bushes filled with bees and butterflies. What to do with all these buds?</div>
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And we had visitors! This is my brother Dan and his wife Kathryn. He's mapping out their trip and she's putting together a wildflower bouquet outside on our porch.</div>
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It was a short visit, but really enjoyable! And I'm not just saying that because we got to do a blind wine tasting.</div>
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And my mother visited! She has been to visit me several times here in Italy, but it was her first time seeing our lost paradise found. A big thank you to my sister for delivering my mother safely!</div>
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And this is my dear sister. She has already seen the house more than once. In fact, she and her husband were with us when we first viewed the house! They'll be returning in the fall for their yearly pilgrimage and I can't wait! In the meantime, I hope to do some more posting. Hope? I promise!</div>
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And this, my friends, is the biggest reason why time got away from me. Her name is Sweetie and she's a <i>cinghiale</i> or wild boar. She was about a month old when she joined our brood and requires a lot of care and attention -- which we give her freely because she has the absolute longest eyelashes. Recall, I'm a sucker for a <a href="http://happilyeveritaly.blogspot.it/2012/06/picking-piggies.html" target="_blank">pretty-eyed pig</a>! </div>
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mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-58140440442969016902015-05-14T08:41:00.000+02:002015-05-31T08:55:22.304+02:00The New Pigs in Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a mamma pig. Behind her are lots of adorable, little piglets, but she didn't want you to see them and I wasn't going to insist. Sorry. She may not look it in this photo, but Amore estimated her weight at 500 pounds. </div>
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We went to pick out pigs from <a href="http://happilyeveritaly.blogspot.it/2014/07/pickin-out-piggy.html" target="_blank">our </a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">regular pig connection</a>, a Sardo who lives in Umbria. He has very <a href="http://happilyeveritaly.blogspot.it/2012/06/picking-piggies.html" target="_blank">pretty pigs with long eyelashes</a>. Reportedly, he has done prison time. But I'm not sure I believe the story because no one has any real details. Gossip is Italy's national pastime. Whoops, did I just say that out loud?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uunTLbdco1PwWyELfd5Zyh386Mo1Y2Isb0mvidNESOwLWlarxgzdewZZOFo9jm8tVnR2CCvu_Wd3b86EU02-Q9sNqTw-OgSiaT-z0NakeW6Ijc141HmExUu2fs4FlpP80p4moaByeAM/s1600/DSCN0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uunTLbdco1PwWyELfd5Zyh386Mo1Y2Isb0mvidNESOwLWlarxgzdewZZOFo9jm8tVnR2CCvu_Wd3b86EU02-Q9sNqTw-OgSiaT-z0NakeW6Ijc141HmExUu2fs4FlpP80p4moaByeAM/s640/DSCN0665.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here are the two lucky winners this year who will be well fed and well looked after for many, many months before becoming assorted and very much appreciated cured pork fare.<br />
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<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-89803064676847563702015-05-05T20:34:00.000+02:002015-05-05T20:40:52.532+02:00Tiny Daisies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjzt9ekcVOmmIkS_KwZCfzdAtTqIxcH9cSj9M68D_J10xRssCP5-emwSPF55Rvz9DfEsL00nYb22GnYp_G3-5BhrZ2Vo__a9xwC2oazynk7R5mGTf-P1nO1LYwRWnN9AB4ap6JrwZfew/s1600/DSCN0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjzt9ekcVOmmIkS_KwZCfzdAtTqIxcH9cSj9M68D_J10xRssCP5-emwSPF55Rvz9DfEsL00nYb22GnYp_G3-5BhrZ2Vo__a9xwC2oazynk7R5mGTf-P1nO1LYwRWnN9AB4ap6JrwZfew/s1600/DSCN0446.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
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Adorable with their pink new undersides I'm sure these are probably not called 'tiny daisies', but that's what they remind me of. Amore leaves patches of them everywhere when he cuts the grasses -- without my having to ask.</div>
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mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-83417545961388899442015-04-27T08:30:00.001+02:002015-04-27T08:30:49.042+02:00Animal Crossing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGLjRuifqbV89-mkMnqMbwaHe7orcok6klg1Am19VMOpmE5aso-l4C_HKH7rmDP7hwc5KnGc9NOiF8NHBdPPdoXXXUTLuGN9uHh6hBV1cr9xH2GJ71q5jZ09ox6iDlvatO9zbfxjDt8s/s1600/DSCN0546+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGLjRuifqbV89-mkMnqMbwaHe7orcok6klg1Am19VMOpmE5aso-l4C_HKH7rmDP7hwc5KnGc9NOiF8NHBdPPdoXXXUTLuGN9uHh6hBV1cr9xH2GJ71q5jZ09ox6iDlvatO9zbfxjDt8s/s1600/DSCN0546+(1).jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's not uncommon here to come upon unsupervised livestock alongside of the road, outside of their fenced area. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj476KpYOQkD0o7-bHh96MvDEadqIPyhh6VeV7kW3PdlQgXu34uMgh84A80qV5sarkA0eTE7y3-HdXJfNNNE4AkpihSlC6Uc45dfdf8Is7cFLhKxVvX6VSRX-qsPXV6NBA763ixvD4lga0/s1600/Cow+Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj476KpYOQkD0o7-bHh96MvDEadqIPyhh6VeV7kW3PdlQgXu34uMgh84A80qV5sarkA0eTE7y3-HdXJfNNNE4AkpihSlC6Uc45dfdf8Is7cFLhKxVvX6VSRX-qsPXV6NBA763ixvD4lga0/s1600/Cow+Crossing.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or crossing the road, perhaps headed towards a more verdant pasture when no one is watching. </div>
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Or visiting us from down the hill. Because as we all know, "The grass is always greener on the other side."</div>
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mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-54653520484051483362015-04-12T20:20:00.000+02:002015-04-20T13:58:20.699+02:00Fruit Fortunate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkiHmE0fdTu_68aCR_JBd2vZ9UYXv0UGbBwf4RyoRyxFMsQxPZ1iFI8Ui9X7-CSy1T8Ie8qcqXsyCHREI7aojV9I6DQVPxVDFw7VUM5UWq3DeWJ4mVCGCiivcdUv3YqIs-fkGrHrm7iw/s1600/DSCN0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkiHmE0fdTu_68aCR_JBd2vZ9UYXv0UGbBwf4RyoRyxFMsQxPZ1iFI8Ui9X7-CSy1T8Ie8qcqXsyCHREI7aojV9I6DQVPxVDFw7VUM5UWq3DeWJ4mVCGCiivcdUv3YqIs-fkGrHrm7iw/s1600/DSCN0489.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We are blessed with a variety of fruit trees here on the hill. Greatest in quantity are the cherry trees. Most are wild cherry trees, but there are also a few cherry trees intentionally planted. And as if we didn't already have enough cherry trees, we just bought another one! The cherry tree above is one of my favorites. It's a survivor. The old trunk, which has new growth on it as you can see, is completely hollow almost all the way down to the base. It sort of looks like a bonsai, don't you think?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PQi-EYp6MqxZuWh0ch5drnV7ztDZ6Qz0xf0JD8Yu3hzvcRnIuhMZe0cucfz1ZpbXeJAkMUvRhz6RNL414NOgbYaG_t0_SxFOl5nfb957T6H58zSVmSHbyf490EzMWlojRAS6G8OvvZE/s1600/DSCN0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PQi-EYp6MqxZuWh0ch5drnV7ztDZ6Qz0xf0JD8Yu3hzvcRnIuhMZe0cucfz1ZpbXeJAkMUvRhz6RNL414NOgbYaG_t0_SxFOl5nfb957T6H58zSVmSHbyf490EzMWlojRAS6G8OvvZE/s1600/DSCN0443.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
We also have lots of apple trees, both wild trees and again intentionally planted. They have the prettiest red buds.<br />
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This pear tree was the first fruit tree to bloom at our house this year. All the trees and the property surrounding the house had been sorely neglected for many years -- which translates into many, many months of clearing and cleaning and pruning so that going forward it will be easier to manage. Correction, this could take years! Amore's father is thankfully one of those people who has retired but isn't content to be idle so he loves to come over and help. Which I am immensely grateful for since he is an expert on all things farm related. </div>
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These are pear blossoms. I can't wait until they turn into fruit!</div>
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And oh my, FIGS! We have several mature figs trees and Amore's father has also given us lots of new cuttings that we've already planted. I am frantically searching for ways to make good use of all this fruit before we are inundated -- and jars, I am frantically searching for jars! </div>
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While I am always thrilled by the sight of the first fig, what I find really interesting is the grape vine. The first buds to arrive are the leaves, which actually look like a little, pink flower bud.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN56nfXUa5uWstS1nqu6d_HhTDDkalxusMp3V3UlfsKL6BoDVXsxt3JZGTJX1xk-HxKqaceusQlSd4PUTI8B3RHFej4XHg5FPCtesrCfBJMW1sLvCfeRGM_MPTlyImIPyKbBmE3e0OofA/s1600/DSCN0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN56nfXUa5uWstS1nqu6d_HhTDDkalxusMp3V3UlfsKL6BoDVXsxt3JZGTJX1xk-HxKqaceusQlSd4PUTI8B3RHFej4XHg5FPCtesrCfBJMW1sLvCfeRGM_MPTlyImIPyKbBmE3e0OofA/s1600/DSCN0497.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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As the bud opens it exposes tiny, green, pink-trimmed, furry leaves.</div>
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And those tiny, green, pink-trimmed, furry leaves turn into large, strong, vibrant green leaves for making <a href="http://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-dolmades-recipe-stuffed-vine-leaves/" target="_blank">Greek Dolmas</a> -- just kidding, but seriously dolmas are delicious. This particular plant will produce table grapes. As for the other fruit we are expecting, I think I'm going to stick with making jams and the occasional crostata. As they say, go with what you know!</div>
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mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-35103780219456855242015-04-02T10:39:00.000+02:002015-04-11T15:48:03.439+02:00Maltempo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK9-TzMsFBV1nrfv9gylrLdOtPeRn7wShZrj-SearVScycB6WIknL1fBD5bUoaBfz-4Tnc_QaWYMWsYbNxMYwtabxE1KUdOTzz73O6zGzePACXrxXFrEoRM5f8ckFW5sNd6xL995R2t0/s1600/waterfall+ditches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK9-TzMsFBV1nrfv9gylrLdOtPeRn7wShZrj-SearVScycB6WIknL1fBD5bUoaBfz-4Tnc_QaWYMWsYbNxMYwtabxE1KUdOTzz73O6zGzePACXrxXFrEoRM5f8ckFW5sNd6xL995R2t0/s1600/waterfall+ditches.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've had a quite a bit of rain for the past couple of years. Sorry California, but it's been too much rain. The ground is saturated and when it rains, the water just runs off. And downhill. This is not a waterfall, this is the ditch that runs along the road to our house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4YHjfpVUmk1nynVC1n6uUg20PvFXgL_lMW8yguaNlsICdjQXaD7VCfcP4i1dIgd4UUv2xyZcXoyetzxGOL-0k6pEAvLvehepuLFvaboHq4KAyZzA3_SMX92B5h3R60g3M5_V86uw9-w/s1600/digging+gravel+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4YHjfpVUmk1nynVC1n6uUg20PvFXgL_lMW8yguaNlsICdjQXaD7VCfcP4i1dIgd4UUv2xyZcXoyetzxGOL-0k6pEAvLvehepuLFvaboHq4KAyZzA3_SMX92B5h3R60g3M5_V86uw9-w/s1600/digging+gravel+out.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to a two hour, very intense downpour, much of the gravel from our road was swept into the side ditch which blocked the concrete pipe beaneath the road that carries the water away. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSi8P6jFCbMK7wF8IVufJpzZ_ABtw_iCYcKPwKcaYBjiszErBfXvhEN3rL_ek3wVLqJ8kkIZQOOOeB71pc9HP4fy0S3xahq158riCgoZpAGfDxY7elEOQsNBhCy5-RucgbK4GlkU7wzk/s1600/washed+out+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSi8P6jFCbMK7wF8IVufJpzZ_ABtw_iCYcKPwKcaYBjiszErBfXvhEN3rL_ek3wVLqJ8kkIZQOOOeB71pc9HP4fy0S3xahq158riCgoZpAGfDxY7elEOQsNBhCy5-RucgbK4GlkU7wzk/s1600/washed+out+road.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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So we ended up with a small river running down the middle of the road causing some serious erosion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiSJv6meyb5yWYtY9s2wCrdL-Q9SH9mtSI2EdO_I0P7JSrbSym5Th9zNtQJXEreC86FjqYefSa_PjbFpkZQ1bBkuuh9C-Jpg7s1OWciHbPmZJgzNDZ-inAE6FkMZ7uu63qhy-pPaLUiE/s1600/waterlogged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiSJv6meyb5yWYtY9s2wCrdL-Q9SH9mtSI2EdO_I0P7JSrbSym5Th9zNtQJXEreC86FjqYefSa_PjbFpkZQ1bBkuuh9C-Jpg7s1OWciHbPmZJgzNDZ-inAE6FkMZ7uu63qhy-pPaLUiE/s1600/waterlogged.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a>Meanwhile back at the homestead there was more run-off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o0ut_ZeWTdAP4K4qZcVxD0wAdrjrRnkCl6y272L1ReNTPB7xUK0BMudzFUo9-RkZaV998i_U4FTO0_VwGV56H1kscgmfssEZDUNIaG6jxfQRpzzOn1iwy7k1bjqmQcgZbQFflG4E3XA/s1600/landslide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o0ut_ZeWTdAP4K4qZcVxD0wAdrjrRnkCl6y272L1ReNTPB7xUK0BMudzFUo9-RkZaV998i_U4FTO0_VwGV56H1kscgmfssEZDUNIaG6jxfQRpzzOn1iwy7k1bjqmQcgZbQFflG4E3XA/s1600/landslide.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Which resulted in a small landslide!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rQXLpmTMwyu-VJOWlzb-eWP8dQhTB_XC6-FKXVzUN7dZixuwYWoChtnzHYSepnpR7lj2262hrwVckQ-9NbK95QMCrIZU-E0LBPBA13-5nEMzDx22tp7S-0jX2o73sDlWC5_Z3_jsTEY/s1600/dainty+pici.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rQXLpmTMwyu-VJOWlzb-eWP8dQhTB_XC6-FKXVzUN7dZixuwYWoChtnzHYSepnpR7lj2262hrwVckQ-9NbK95QMCrIZU-E0LBPBA13-5nEMzDx22tp7S-0jX2o73sDlWC5_Z3_jsTEY/s1600/dainty+pici.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a very unhappy dog.<br />
Please excuse the photo shot of dear Pici's backside, but it was quite amusing to watch her wade through this mess, ears pinned back in displeasure.</div>
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It's no rainbow, but it's always nice to be able to find a little beauty in the middle of a small disaster. Keep smiling! <br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span></div>
<span style="color: white;">.</span>mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-39545139123103628802015-03-27T18:05:00.000+01:002015-04-01T19:37:56.287+02:00Belated Happy Spring 2015!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmhbrCOx_kJM-x6QknTRBDsvpz4H70eRVjvLV_fJz6-0CfaIFDJIZJOdF4WoGGvY7RSQDws32rnrQCJ-kp14Scv8jHbyVWGS_VoRWO2AmXZ_3dAd52MsQ0AzbsYVjn4HzuYqSOOYoxss/s1600/workhorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmhbrCOx_kJM-x6QknTRBDsvpz4H70eRVjvLV_fJz6-0CfaIFDJIZJOdF4WoGGvY7RSQDws32rnrQCJ-kp14Scv8jHbyVWGS_VoRWO2AmXZ_3dAd52MsQ0AzbsYVjn4HzuYqSOOYoxss/s1600/workhorse.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're past the first day of Spring and the weather has started getting warmer. I'm armed and ready for outdoor work with my secret gardening weapon, the dump cart! We got my little green wagon at our local <a href="http://www.bricocenter.it/" target="_blank">Brico Center</a>, but I saw they also have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Carts-GOR200B-Pneumatic-600-Pound/dp/B0026RGNJ2/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1427907510&sr=1-2&keywords=dump+cart" target="_blank">them</a> on Amazon.com if anyone is interested. I highly recommend getting one. It makes work a little more fun and a lot more easy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnd_NTwUEjQMiWx-a_rBcjBYefr7_14WXQTOgIjxmvt5nkhItsT3pnh07b4XVHHgtTMJAu2xc-HEqhjb9f1YiA_-22Rn27heAuDMbqX1shst6c0XmKKQNEAYFqk4Y96S9h1HMq8sprDg/s1600/Big+Bays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnd_NTwUEjQMiWx-a_rBcjBYefr7_14WXQTOgIjxmvt5nkhItsT3pnh07b4XVHHgtTMJAu2xc-HEqhjb9f1YiA_-22Rn27heAuDMbqX1shst6c0XmKKQNEAYFqk4Y96S9h1HMq8sprDg/s1600/Big+Bays.jpg" height="640" width="574" /></a></div>
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I don't think you can tell from this photo, but these bay trees are over 30 feet tall and there are about 20 of them all together in one group. Well, actually 17 now. You can see where a few are missing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKi2nn6g3TJEE0sU9-4hjW-EUA765HR-Gb-E3DLZbXRlDSkDjZI6C7y2cWDV5dI3Ii6KqSIXtvhDv-Rm0rCfWbmEkr_skRyHyLw4wuyJeG8W-_UOZEp5z8xzQ6-svVHbaE8NtZIzAmI0/s1600/tree+cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKi2nn6g3TJEE0sU9-4hjW-EUA765HR-Gb-E3DLZbXRlDSkDjZI6C7y2cWDV5dI3Ii6KqSIXtvhDv-Rm0rCfWbmEkr_skRyHyLw4wuyJeG8W-_UOZEp5z8xzQ6-svVHbaE8NtZIzAmI0/s1600/tree+cutting.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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They were too close together and too tall and Amore delighted in having to cut down a few, which will become firewood and also allow for the rest of the group to grow properly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLYc4ie7-sSN6NkKAlWnbYyRquQkrJYNltw7Va7Ov10q4fE1YQNE60CbYk23tOdZOIEW6c-xi6omnGbhIgR4Y_JV6C1TJ_Wyym7jxk1jlRHN1-h7iUj0rRXRhopkH3XodPHQ58jE7KBw/s1600/future+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLYc4ie7-sSN6NkKAlWnbYyRquQkrJYNltw7Va7Ov10q4fE1YQNE60CbYk23tOdZOIEW6c-xi6omnGbhIgR4Y_JV6C1TJ_Wyym7jxk1jlRHN1-h7iUj0rRXRhopkH3XodPHQ58jE7KBw/s1600/future+garden.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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Amore made the first pass at our new vegetable with the rototiller. The garden outline looks big in this photo, doesn't it. Gosh, I hope in reality it's not really that big!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmbFpwsnWHPUJm7PKarOhIgK6uXqXilPZ4VWBPZ46s3XhrPtbDCNuEh4Gmd2lhfTbm-qYOapnO8h2u1dUlI8_opGQ31qRrnTqmFKW8ybHJyhesVGQH6pZaMYlxGO3q3WUPxdfGDe05Dc/s1600/water+tanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmbFpwsnWHPUJm7PKarOhIgK6uXqXilPZ4VWBPZ46s3XhrPtbDCNuEh4Gmd2lhfTbm-qYOapnO8h2u1dUlI8_opGQ31qRrnTqmFKW8ybHJyhesVGQH6pZaMYlxGO3q3WUPxdfGDe05Dc/s1600/water+tanks.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have two large water tanks for watering the garden that will be filled from a natural spring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnYzH5tGgiyGQi0CXiJTNZLr7SnmH1PRUxZpM2C_iAo4eoVYrhdjqn4thjUvZHHn7XYcdmrpAiSSwrHsnhwVKMOE5FPUXgU9_hHGaYuDPLlSKtnAjeSm4F10DBcBwX6vCWby8wMk3Ylw/s1600/forget+me+nots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnYzH5tGgiyGQi0CXiJTNZLr7SnmH1PRUxZpM2C_iAo4eoVYrhdjqn4thjUvZHHn7XYcdmrpAiSSwrHsnhwVKMOE5FPUXgU9_hHGaYuDPLlSKtnAjeSm4F10DBcBwX6vCWby8wMk3Ylw/s1600/forget+me+nots.jpg" height="540" width="640" /></a></div>
One of the lovely things about moving to a new home is the little discoveries. You know, things you didn't notice at first but are delighted to discover along the way. A fine example are these Forget-Me-Nots growing everywhere around the house. Truly my own little paradise here. <br />
<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-67127151081117845072015-03-24T13:31:00.000+01:002015-04-01T19:37:42.049+02:00Crazy for Close-Ups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrN7Dux2X2SJvExFnLo-4BHvCb1JMjGSTXP1addEFy5mvkre7hxOnQ8EwX-Jky6mLCDASnzBrC7mxVWEXOjVb1ykhX2w1wkPH_kzflaEmAIYPs3QxyqqXB0eAiPFRyWvqyRe_CDf_Ljo/s1600/daffodils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrN7Dux2X2SJvExFnLo-4BHvCb1JMjGSTXP1addEFy5mvkre7hxOnQ8EwX-Jky6mLCDASnzBrC7mxVWEXOjVb1ykhX2w1wkPH_kzflaEmAIYPs3QxyqqXB0eAiPFRyWvqyRe_CDf_Ljo/s1600/daffodils.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now that I've discovered the close-up function on my camera</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgRK-eV9CccPljj1dj7FYu6oVXGYR793lO6UFJCs5pmOCOY7-2QZl53oWUDBxAaPTzguY1ScArJQ-yDQ2SGyu4jJ5SfmQP-Bx-r7f8rPKLC8uPxILBZOrvzTb62syZaSWOChOcIY5EYw/s1600/walnut+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgRK-eV9CccPljj1dj7FYu6oVXGYR793lO6UFJCs5pmOCOY7-2QZl53oWUDBxAaPTzguY1ScArJQ-yDQ2SGyu4jJ5SfmQP-Bx-r7f8rPKLC8uPxILBZOrvzTb62syZaSWOChOcIY5EYw/s1600/walnut+hole.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am obsessed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKoXnl1_kSKAh94r2jsCH4XX5F5saYq1daT1HzZr2TmOE1SgVo77oaKqaqdImYDsuZj_X32GN-ypHujsSJ1h6mMRpnhGgOTdChmVvOac3iaJWTkSYb9Nx4xi0Qax5mklsecQaILDWcU0/s1600/babbos+plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKoXnl1_kSKAh94r2jsCH4XX5F5saYq1daT1HzZr2TmOE1SgVo77oaKqaqdImYDsuZj_X32GN-ypHujsSJ1h6mMRpnhGgOTdChmVvOac3iaJWTkSYb9Nx4xi0Qax5mklsecQaILDWcU0/s1600/babbos+plant.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I can't stop wondering what everything looks like close-up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dtn3ciwELUi9cxx21S6lIbwcAn9dBUCjkpUgDusXsJPRtw7gxfcC07ORjud5FnKVkSH7DK4_zC3UWxxKRA_STE8T_BqX-fPcsJKHWNrVn1O_sQfcF6mNksM2fGrBylzjD_W_QjN38ZU/s1600/orange+butterflyl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dtn3ciwELUi9cxx21S6lIbwcAn9dBUCjkpUgDusXsJPRtw7gxfcC07ORjud5FnKVkSH7DK4_zC3UWxxKRA_STE8T_BqX-fPcsJKHWNrVn1O_sQfcF6mNksM2fGrBylzjD_W_QjN38ZU/s1600/orange+butterflyl.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></div>
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A tiny world</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz6sMviFblB2zBEv-JjSPPrVZC-sFWCUzg_SjQSfADgQXH0ZbuXb4Ulu_c9HR-HW2JseIo_Q1xndJUMdfcPobAyjC7rmWTmbPQWohA1Zl9yePQM5e69OEeWDTTO4OjvYQ2WVDRaNkFLg/s1600/almond+blossom+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz6sMviFblB2zBEv-JjSPPrVZC-sFWCUzg_SjQSfADgQXH0ZbuXb4Ulu_c9HR-HW2JseIo_Q1xndJUMdfcPobAyjC7rmWTmbPQWohA1Zl9yePQM5e69OEeWDTTO4OjvYQ2WVDRaNkFLg/s1600/almond+blossom+outside.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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of immense beauty.<br />
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAfjyCI01EjpKvQoMqXjHXrJL8CgBUcbuFKXMvLnbckkYICqqLZbQs0pNK_rfoSsoCvXr2Jhszx_dsbw_GqNll89Qwmo4lIU9E3ZB8NYAv05Aswj20KVC_uLjTlVRPWth9B0zZu83JvI/s1600/violets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAfjyCI01EjpKvQoMqXjHXrJL8CgBUcbuFKXMvLnbckkYICqqLZbQs0pNK_rfoSsoCvXr2Jhszx_dsbw_GqNll89Qwmo4lIU9E3ZB8NYAv05Aswj20KVC_uLjTlVRPWth9B0zZu83JvI/s1600/violets.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look out macro, you're next!</div>
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<span style="color: white;">.</span></div>
mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-26258412309127376522015-03-20T18:22:00.000+01:002015-03-20T18:22:09.779+01:00Nikon Coolpix L830<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sgHl62GiNIKYo7zZWHZuqVON0NheoWAJHn8HWWLG_3OUtFQJI6MXXg4h4FuIxiV1m6G77IW9OYmjpktBzzXdD7kSrDmswXWK9qZgID20pUNGDLwyftZpIw36-aUhoWr4JYWki3bcZWo/s1600/almond+blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sgHl62GiNIKYo7zZWHZuqVON0NheoWAJHn8HWWLG_3OUtFQJI6MXXg4h4FuIxiV1m6G77IW9OYmjpktBzzXdD7kSrDmswXWK9qZgID20pUNGDLwyftZpIw36-aUhoWr4JYWki3bcZWo/s1600/almond+blossom.jpg" height="540" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is my first close-up shot taken with my new Nikon Coolpix L830 camera and I'm impressed. These are almond blossoms from our newly planted almond tree. Amore's father was over at our house last Sunday helping with Spring pruning and these branches were too lovely not to be enjoyed inside the house.</div>
<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-90411325884308869142015-03-08T19:21:00.000+01:002015-04-26T12:32:23.549+02:00Lost Paradise Found<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2fLUBkJHO5sspOKvYgaX5CVDGqUzHXTrOq91en22k7Dk0-COOCSLtTFuRmFhUspyqxgSeeTDXIgVoFyqEW6XepuspHIQiBs40xH-EwcFquTYkGWwnIQD3NCZ1oWf-QA8fHaKiI3Xp5A/s1600/Front+Driveway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2fLUBkJHO5sspOKvYgaX5CVDGqUzHXTrOq91en22k7Dk0-COOCSLtTFuRmFhUspyqxgSeeTDXIgVoFyqEW6XepuspHIQiBs40xH-EwcFquTYkGWwnIQD3NCZ1oWf-QA8fHaKiI3Xp5A/s1600/Front+Driveway.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
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This
begins the tale of our move from Umbria, just across the border from
where we were, to Tuscany where we discovered our Lost Paradise Found.
An old, stone farmhouse that sits in the middle of 11 acres of trees and
tranquility. Pictured above is our driveway with some olive trees and
fruit trees in view.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_4ryLHGxaogRXKim14duk6Cn8iWQbCVgww-Sn5wrK7Kdc8GZy8Tg6es_lcZ2lrNQovOLvrAYxxBs4cE95p7uAXQSMo9rvAkGVkIOz2tDZy1uvjizcgwj9lyx4Ins4PHYgaBsDGzrPIo/s1600/front+yard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_4ryLHGxaogRXKim14duk6Cn8iWQbCVgww-Sn5wrK7Kdc8GZy8Tg6es_lcZ2lrNQovOLvrAYxxBs4cE95p7uAXQSMo9rvAkGVkIOz2tDZy1uvjizcgwj9lyx4Ins4PHYgaBsDGzrPIo/s1600/front+yard.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At
the top of the driveway is an old ruin that sits in front of the
house. Because the foundation of this structure remains, permits are not required
to rebuild on it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6RrPcxdHjrsQr5bkUguSEJCGUeQohyphenhyphenxt9uX-wWcjfS9xYnMjOi7SQwqRGfK9VN762vxq6AMtgsVH1_wovl4JvVOk0N2WC2nbEuHOhkqnrUIfrmZcMmAtnD-1ssfvKJNlPo0FMH25nm0/s1600/approach+to+house.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6RrPcxdHjrsQr5bkUguSEJCGUeQohyphenhyphenxt9uX-wWcjfS9xYnMjOi7SQwqRGfK9VN762vxq6AMtgsVH1_wovl4JvVOk0N2WC2nbEuHOhkqnrUIfrmZcMmAtnD-1ssfvKJNlPo0FMH25nm0/s1600/approach+to+house.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There
are lots of olive trees, fruit trees, nut trees and a large variety of
flowers including this gorgeous lavender bush. And there behind,
you can see the house!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D61K44_hvYdeoOhzyTXb1Bx47KnVNPMwbqXmpf8bQ5-RU4qA4q4zrdFQOqKC1Zlt6Kj-0vlzh6rnmESOixRjkTDR7ZMmXZPjC6rszZpZUqVbDti1S7C1dwZDjue8WS1tsPm_JxEzbiY/s1600/Side+House.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D61K44_hvYdeoOhzyTXb1Bx47KnVNPMwbqXmpf8bQ5-RU4qA4q4zrdFQOqKC1Zlt6Kj-0vlzh6rnmESOixRjkTDR7ZMmXZPjC6rszZpZUqVbDti1S7C1dwZDjue8WS1tsPm_JxEzbiY/s1600/Side+House.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is an unfinished apartment on the ground floor with beautiful lead, colored-glass windows on two sides. Keep in mind, these photos are the "before" shots. It may take a few <strike>months</strike> years for the "after" shots to become available.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gr7ZpiHMES691lm_lQuzdXsXwD8WUc03r8aNDkWj-mqMceW91RsnGXOprG41fi6CAUnEU3ceFquvbY0y9x2RIgr8uVBqXls-jXgr2F_0ZOdiN7c2hLfwuw5eOuhHOnBEuq_VCferEnc/s1600/Paradise+Found.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gr7ZpiHMES691lm_lQuzdXsXwD8WUc03r8aNDkWj-mqMceW91RsnGXOprG41fi6CAUnEU3ceFquvbY0y9x2RIgr8uVBqXls-jXgr2F_0ZOdiN7c2hLfwuw5eOuhHOnBEuq_VCferEnc/s1600/Paradise+Found.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In addition to the apartment on the ground floor there are also four
separate cellars, two of which you can see above slightly hidden behind
the <i>pergola</i> or arbor covered with grape vines. The stairs on the
left side of the photo lead up to the porch and the entrance of the
house into the kitchen. There was literally no kitchen when we bought
the house, only a tiny stone sink in the corner -- but that's another post entirely. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98E2ZLV9Bf40sDtoyccrMilTN_9qti7IAOtOc11aAFZqHCjuLARaA3VGrxYRy5cFnV2TpHj0qqdrL66ltcFYrotfunIywQdN8B3afnSYwsbpF1WF-xsZ5Gq2NOI9mpxMiZ115LZWMUG0/s1600/Front+Fields.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98E2ZLV9Bf40sDtoyccrMilTN_9qti7IAOtOc11aAFZqHCjuLARaA3VGrxYRy5cFnV2TpHj0qqdrL66ltcFYrotfunIywQdN8B3afnSYwsbpF1WF-xsZ5Gq2NOI9mpxMiZ115LZWMUG0/s1600/Front+Fields.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are
cleared fields in the front of the house as well as in the back. To the
left you can see a solar panel which gives us heated water in the warm
months of the year. In the cold months, we have a large, wood-burning
stove in one of the cellars which heats our water and also the radiators
in the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhSY_6GxD-P1O_yNTpFmzgrDmGRZZ2AZk_DJddy-fnbUlme8JkN8jWuRzcjPxmbWqM3RCPFKlBWkb3UkNc12S9smfDx-_An5CGfSkzzt4vEnpI-aLdOunyhMye0hS-tgML0_1AjVEEzo/s1600/Stall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhSY_6GxD-P1O_yNTpFmzgrDmGRZZ2AZk_DJddy-fnbUlme8JkN8jWuRzcjPxmbWqM3RCPFKlBWkb3UkNc12S9smfDx-_An5CGfSkzzt4vEnpI-aLdOunyhMye0hS-tgML0_1AjVEEzo/s1600/Stall.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There
is a stall on the property which we would like to fix up and welcome a
few chickens, or maybe a couple of dwarf goats, or a miniature donkey!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHCw6PkiPmaZc5qYXWFuA4h5gfWR07NGfAHQ8tAoJyuYlAaTWEnh8RPAGpY2KEhfzK3Jh9_IFE35sGOykhHd8XzwXzmZBMJIfOdaf967VbGWSTJkFm6RI65qxRyXpiX4FbwsZoz4RUJU/s1600/Backside+of+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHCw6PkiPmaZc5qYXWFuA4h5gfWR07NGfAHQ8tAoJyuYlAaTWEnh8RPAGpY2KEhfzK3Jh9_IFE35sGOykhHd8XzwXzmZBMJIfOdaf967VbGWSTJkFm6RI65qxRyXpiX4FbwsZoz4RUJU/s1600/Backside+of+House.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here's how it went. We saw a house we liked when my sister and her
husband were visiting us in September 2013. In October we made an
offer. In November we put down a deposit. In May 2014 we signed
papers. In September 2014 we moved in after putting in a kitchen. And
that, my friends, is how things are done in Italy. <i>Piano, piano</i>. Very slowly!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-85214506467373259622015-02-21T11:27:00.003+01:002015-02-21T16:00:18.021+01:00Staying Warm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK4ygkTMuzmwNsXBJ_Un7bgfDWbjDWzNogiBK03L_U6B6EHOhsvH5vXnOIkl0nM-9-TbCFKLZwdAK1lMQvoyWgsO5bKteqstI3BOvMNKamJfz4E9rdBCoIJJK7qVNmDtw9vJz4VFupAU/s1600/Pinecones+&+Prosecco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK4ygkTMuzmwNsXBJ_Un7bgfDWbjDWzNogiBK03L_U6B6EHOhsvH5vXnOIkl0nM-9-TbCFKLZwdAK1lMQvoyWgsO5bKteqstI3BOvMNKamJfz4E9rdBCoIJJK7qVNmDtw9vJz4VFupAU/s1600/Pinecones+&+Prosecco.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I haven't gone away, I've just been absent. Shame on me for not having posted anything in a while. We moved into a new house in September of 2014 and have been busy ever since. We relocated across the border from Umbria into Tuscany. More or less a half an hour drive from where we were before, but it seems like so much farther because we now live on the top of a hill, up a steep and windy road, surrounded by 11 acres of trees. New house and new life. Loving it. Miss you.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-70354739740008326002014-07-23T17:41:00.001+02:002015-03-11T17:35:55.613+01:00Pickin' Out a Piggy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We're late this year in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4202633434462844391#editor/target=post;postID=4664739978966583789;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=49;src=postname" target="_blank">picking out a piggy</a> to raise. We did actually travel to the pig farm a few months ago, trailer in tow, but Amore's father and the pig farm owner couldn't agree on a price. It's the same as when you're bargaining at an open market and the time comes to walk away when your final offer is not accepted. And so we left, pigless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxrGifNx4i4XbbfrOYCq2OqdoEwgBCJLySGYvtBfsb6wFUC3EQYBXCjPzQecyzU1LugoiissQwogEFSVELiIA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This
particular pig farmer sells his pigs by weight. The pigs have grown
since we last saw them and now cost more. Amore and I made the trip
without his father and paid the price </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the pig farmer</span> asked. It was getting too late in the year to haggle.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h6wz2x5VYHY0DXAtftTDHZCcOmo1svtZEzLGHWTNwyT8lcbfruIQ50df-8WMz8NA7pV2_uC3sB00zZDk73vIayhlkFm6g_Aabw5vnKXIuE9rQnQrViFexelZ2veh6KxkGy9zBkmJ2z4/s1600/Pig+Farm+Drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h6wz2x5VYHY0DXAtftTDHZCcOmo1svtZEzLGHWTNwyT8lcbfruIQ50df-8WMz8NA7pV2_uC3sB00zZDk73vIayhlkFm6g_Aabw5vnKXIuE9rQnQrViFexelZ2veh6KxkGy9zBkmJ2z4/s1600/Pig+Farm+Drive.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a long trip to make twice, but at least it's a pretty drive. Right now the fields are golden.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pQwSCuH-Rsv0eQFGPBCTFhGUoBRoofTKKwWH_zYZKQinVdQmDO7OQHwpHRc2qnzuj7CPunImGwrZmmOMQnOTZuR3FRKZ6wXZ3cbfazzwbRl7a4wFXpKHdLoki_QGMxYPHwvIRiS6b6k/s1600/Cornflower+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pQwSCuH-Rsv0eQFGPBCTFhGUoBRoofTKKwWH_zYZKQinVdQmDO7OQHwpHRc2qnzuj7CPunImGwrZmmOMQnOTZuR3FRKZ6wXZ3cbfazzwbRl7a4wFXpKHdLoki_QGMxYPHwvIRiS6b6k/s1600/Cornflower+Blue.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">And cornflower blue. </span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqrjL2g4cQ2aruzIC4pTGPx92giHAS8TeO3H8VcstnxcY1Nx2SmJcVqDfU0VAuhZUZlWW_sz_C6dAqiMGdTAY4xg-p7T9eI4uJUNiRkmx3M79cRpwmh4OriAl6ugxFfypJexR3uQIsf4/s1600/Sunflower+Field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqrjL2g4cQ2aruzIC4pTGPx92giHAS8TeO3H8VcstnxcY1Nx2SmJcVqDfU0VAuhZUZlWW_sz_C6dAqiMGdTAY4xg-p7T9eI4uJUNiRkmx3M79cRpwmh4OriAl6ugxFfypJexR3uQIsf4/s1600/Sunflower+Field.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And sunflower yellow!</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> .</span></span></div>
mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-43629990462641561282014-04-09T17:59:00.000+02:002015-03-11T17:38:27.782+01:00Corn Flake Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXCpLrdQ2bMfRFmMiEdaZDFcR07pd2oDBesEfHSYR6beC7WJMFJ028VK4l87ggP5O220btGF65UdVR5rBtzrvPxrgXvZ5RZI8VlygUi4zpHx7HRkOxhPgNWxNZmp5Glp-PUV6Fn17rUA/s1600/Cookies+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXCpLrdQ2bMfRFmMiEdaZDFcR07pd2oDBesEfHSYR6beC7WJMFJ028VK4l87ggP5O220btGF65UdVR5rBtzrvPxrgXvZ5RZI8VlygUi4zpHx7HRkOxhPgNWxNZmp5Glp-PUV6Fn17rUA/s1600/Cookies+2.jpg" height="578" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a word, these cookies are amazing! Or would that be four words, "these.cookies.are.amazing"? Anyway.... light and buttery, crunchy and chocolatey, a little bit of heaven in each bite. This recipe comes from Ashley at the blog <a href="http://notwithoutsalt.com/" target="_blank">Not Without Salt</a> passed down from her grandmother. I wholeheartedly recommend them!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">INGREDIENTS </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 1/2 cups All-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 tsp. Baking Soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 tsp. Salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup granulated sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 egg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 tablespoon milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup vegetable oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup corn flakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup quick oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 (12 oz) pkg. chocolate chips</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sift the flour, salt and soda onto wax paper. Beat butter and sugars
until well creamed. Combine egg, vanilla, milk and oil in a small bowl.
Alternately add the oil mixture and the flour mixture to the creamed
sugars. Mix until just combined. Stir in the corn flakes, oats and
chocolate. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bake at 350* for 12 minutes until golden.</span></div>
<a href="http://i1.wp.com/artisansweets.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/cookiethief1.jpg"></a><br />
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<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-37894164373931533192014-03-16T17:28:00.001+01:002015-03-11T17:38:51.167+01:00Auto Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7z0HiYLrXVHOloA8O8nDq7ZSjT9gRyJb0oheVZhZYiARQ7xunalDauwDVAsQ8o-rXebZB16xrh0VZL0SlufRZ6dew6LNi6LL76wlmlo7UtVNmHDaKfAYGZbkFfMvewVxDo7bVKXkv6k/s1600/Red+&+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7z0HiYLrXVHOloA8O8nDq7ZSjT9gRyJb0oheVZhZYiARQ7xunalDauwDVAsQ8o-rXebZB16xrh0VZL0SlufRZ6dew6LNi6LL76wlmlo7UtVNmHDaKfAYGZbkFfMvewVxDo7bVKXkv6k/s1600/Red+&+White.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPyGzdFnuOtE6MfGFFrz_lr4OfwXV8tkmd2_5mHMy8EjN2qvbMfKFl5nqri69QlwYKU350spqbFCP_YR73xUX5ug3-uCPk0c0fq0NabYP6F8HKvt60VXJHUJH0WMYaRBmlE4Lf3KFqLE/s1600/Ragtop+Fiat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPyGzdFnuOtE6MfGFFrz_lr4OfwXV8tkmd2_5mHMy8EjN2qvbMfKFl5nqri69QlwYKU350spqbFCP_YR73xUX5ug3-uCPk0c0fq0NabYP6F8HKvt60VXJHUJH0WMYaRBmlE4Lf3KFqLE/s1600/Ragtop+Fiat.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis07YuCffn_Js4gAnmshgSp8DVVMvsgn3RZm8GWXOZnaJWIWSu8Q85YZiqgFP0w3FWglIkSpM8-Q3hQTlwIGmOmOyph0YmuGhnrrF5KB_kyNCTA79kN8acaYe2X2y2ZUwYaeyV33cVJqo/s1600/The+Blues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis07YuCffn_Js4gAnmshgSp8DVVMvsgn3RZm8GWXOZnaJWIWSu8Q85YZiqgFP0w3FWglIkSpM8-Q3hQTlwIGmOmOyph0YmuGhnrrF5KB_kyNCTA79kN8acaYe2X2y2ZUwYaeyV33cVJqo/s1600/The+Blues.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We went auto shopping last week in search of a 4-wheel drive truck for our new house. My bad, I don't think I've posted photos of the new house yet! For that matter, have I even posted that we have a new house? Sometimes life can get overwhelming. I promise I'll tell you all about it in the not too distant future. Anyway, the road leading to the new house is dirt and rocks and we really need a vehicle that is built for challenging road conditions -- especially when it snows! Amore was off viewing actual trucks while I found myself wandering around admiring old European cars. Cool beans.</span></div>
<span style="color: white;">. </span><br />
<br />mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-31016150604949167002014-03-02T18:34:00.001+01:002015-02-26T16:30:02.100+01:00The Fishing Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BPqXvpsMPtle3PCZH2mdP1m-MbBfTdbTlNCmtXddMa4jAHMZVrjFmJiT_TMk-3GUt4UCnhYi46mzWfQaXT2rCl90lxpWNhgP6yQJI8VUjmKtOWiF_ETjqRaJi4acLefTUgkE2ZuAP4DN/s1600/Fishing+Club.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BPqXvpsMPtle3PCZH2mdP1m-MbBfTdbTlNCmtXddMa4jAHMZVrjFmJiT_TMk-3GUt4UCnhYi46mzWfQaXT2rCl90lxpWNhgP6yQJI8VUjmKtOWiF_ETjqRaJi4acLefTUgkE2ZuAP4DN/s1600/Fishing+Club.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's fishing time! Or is it called fishing season? Whatever. It's an excuse for men to gather. <br />
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfBOMVvUmdCn_3sAZpgl4qP5JR4vRGufemRRYLPlcnSirDVvOFf-GKPs3_rQcbEH2_6Jiu8MRVG1CTBGzRXMBqRJyVGM0CQXNAgIvovxTXrAA1PIUKHb6K6plxgLO3C7F3iDXOHYcwg4/s1600/Serious+Fisherman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfBOMVvUmdCn_3sAZpgl4qP5JR4vRGufemRRYLPlcnSirDVvOFf-GKPs3_rQcbEH2_6Jiu8MRVG1CTBGzRXMBqRJyVGM0CQXNAgIvovxTXrAA1PIUKHb6K6plxgLO3C7F3iDXOHYcwg4/s1600/Serious+Fisherman.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a serious fisherman. Very serious.<br />
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2_PWaZrVpgrRXno3WGBDFY211jzGKCJ2LWHBhAqcLPdz6XLcNi69b3Mjiks5xPa-_95dIhdOT1QQQhmVKt44fG4jk67V8wCHTC1UQ59PFIpUfwe5N_3t7zRluJAtUAoO1EsrOZyaBLE/s1600/Fishing+Hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2_PWaZrVpgrRXno3WGBDFY211jzGKCJ2LWHBhAqcLPdz6XLcNi69b3Mjiks5xPa-_95dIhdOT1QQQhmVKt44fG4jk67V8wCHTC1UQ59PFIpUfwe5N_3t7zRluJAtUAoO1EsrOZyaBLE/s1600/Fishing+Hole.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are not serious fishermen. These are spectators. (That's Amore on the right.)<br />
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlz7IB4AhXVh4W_znjtk47FUt19Z6mBdSK_I6RrMOZJ7yVLuz62qoF0MQllQRNh6xcehwhw2tLMOjp9WFEQF4Hn8xYTifxrmBNP1rN98CVGXg5QklcEzpnO6Q7VhBdaytX0ouxnizhhQ/s1600/Grilled+Pork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlz7IB4AhXVh4W_znjtk47FUt19Z6mBdSK_I6RrMOZJ7yVLuz62qoF0MQllQRNh6xcehwhw2tLMOjp9WFEQF4Hn8xYTifxrmBNP1rN98CVGXg5QklcEzpnO6Q7VhBdaytX0ouxnizhhQ/s1600/Grilled+Pork.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is breakfast. Grilled sausages and grilled pancetta. Served with bread.<br />
And wine, of course. For breakfast. Of champions. And serious
fishermen. And spectators.<br />
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b2Nj9pH2by3Mboi2D1S18zn5kryuq-wDdWvvaOFRIVAfk49PsxIEY1oDImG2EkONLhDihV4MMiZRDEQj_zEQKzA9mLgJEdnDM7oe8AK8bHXtnQDA4YPMaWnZdp0ttZEtvQ9p4faS5oU/s1600/Wall+of+Fame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b2Nj9pH2by3Mboi2D1S18zn5kryuq-wDdWvvaOFRIVAfk49PsxIEY1oDImG2EkONLhDihV4MMiZRDEQj_zEQKzA9mLgJEdnDM7oe8AK8bHXtnQDA4YPMaWnZdp0ttZEtvQ9p4faS5oU/s1600/Wall+of+Fame.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Wall of Fishing Fame. <br />
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKxgB2jFDbVQnSPfdRJ18vWkn5Hf1zZq27zXWkpcxohkbbJC9_16T1A-5pqNuExjfuB33jP-EE4z6GZIXbmujhKtK32ZKUEc9GbKNXjTV9UvFXvPnPXg27LNwsHTl2cDbPYGGo5loUag/s1600/Farm+Goods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKxgB2jFDbVQnSPfdRJ18vWkn5Hf1zZq27zXWkpcxohkbbJC9_16T1A-5pqNuExjfuB33jP-EE4z6GZIXbmujhKtK32ZKUEc9GbKNXjTV9UvFXvPnPXg27LNwsHTl2cDbPYGGo5loUag/s1600/Farm+Goods.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
A farmer who lives not too far away
comes every Sunday to the fishing hole with seasoned pork products, fresh pecorino cheese
and his red wine for sale. His wife accompanies him. She and I were the only
women. It's not unusual. I am soooo excited to visit their farm when my sister and her husband come to visit this summer!!! </div>
<span style="color: white;">. </span></div>
mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-90850974238412062612014-02-27T19:39:00.002+01:002015-02-26T16:31:04.805+01:00Spring Indoors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aDO5QV_GmSiw-6z4qrefE5UqYN0PCipEHrbpQyBbnC5kXLz_AGeAnFeFfl0FLouJiv5XWt27aAanPoKljTuBREDux8iioipFSdBlhJACPJ-T7NERtTdiuHmu_zs5FLIsGz3whwRZWVg/s1600/Hyacinth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aDO5QV_GmSiw-6z4qrefE5UqYN0PCipEHrbpQyBbnC5kXLz_AGeAnFeFfl0FLouJiv5XWt27aAanPoKljTuBREDux8iioipFSdBlhJACPJ-T7NERtTdiuHmu_zs5FLIsGz3whwRZWVg/s1600/Hyacinth.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Outside my kitchen window there is dreary weather and bare trees, but inside I have Spring! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm counting down the minutes until I have Spring outside too. Tick, tick, tick.....</div>
<span style="color: white;">.</span>mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-18519878027941173392014-01-28T17:23:00.002+01:002015-03-11T17:40:12.821+01:00Cheater's Cassoulet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChc1DYG4qTJxK-ms0LZ93ti5Mzo6M-uZ157Qz6bV_usm-uBY804_2e847ZNJ5jgAX8EQm1Std5tdlWW2_nPO-taXJq1Wj5iCSnM0s9Z1JI0EJZ7ASCHyR1D-X-UoxsjoG8RcPGqhq4LI/s1600/Cassoulet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChc1DYG4qTJxK-ms0LZ93ti5Mzo6M-uZ157Qz6bV_usm-uBY804_2e847ZNJ5jgAX8EQm1Std5tdlWW2_nPO-taXJq1Wj5iCSnM0s9Z1JI0EJZ7ASCHyR1D-X-UoxsjoG8RcPGqhq4LI/s1600/Cassoulet.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me begin by apologizing for not having a nicely propped photo, but it is what it is. And what it is is an amazingly delicious <i>cassoulet</i>. Yes, I realize this is mainly a blog about Italy but France is our dear neighbor. And technically this dish isn't called a <i>cassoulet</i>, it's <a href="http://www.blue-kitchen.com/2010/11/10/duck-breasts-with-white-beans-and-sausage-the-comfort-of-cassoulet-only-quicker/" target="_blank">Duck Breast with White Bean and Sausage</a> -- to which I added some diced homemade pancetta to kick it up a notch. Although I have never eaten an authentic <i>cassoule</i>t, I would put this recipe up against a <i>cassoulet</i> any day of the week. Any wagers?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Duck Breasts with White Beans and Sausage</b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Recipe from <a href="http://www.clydecommon.com/" target="_blank">Clyde Common</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Serves 4</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup bread crumbs<br />
1 tablespoon olive oil<br />
2 boneless duck breasts (1 to 1-1/2 pounds total)<br />
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste<br />2 sausages, about 1/2 pound </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 small shallots, chopped, about 1/2 cup (you can substitute yellow onion)<br />
1 medium carrot, diced<br />
2 large cloves garlic, minced<br />
1 cup white wine<br />
1 cup chicken broth<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1 teaspoon dried thyme<br />
2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Toast bread crumbs. Heat a large nonstick
skillet over medium-low flame. Add olive oil to pan, swirl to coat. Add bread crumbs and toss to coat with oil. Toast until golden brown, stirring
frequently, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate and
allow to cool completely. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 400ºF. Pat duck breasts dry
with paper towels and trim off any excess fat. Score skin in a
crosshatch pattern at 1/2-inch intervals with a sharp knife, being
careful not to slice through the flesh. Season with salt and black
pepper on both sides. Heat a 12-inch ovenproof lidded sauté pan over
medium-low heat. Place duck breasts, skin side down, in the hot, dry
skillet. Cook the breasts until the skin is crispy and most of the fat
has rendered, about 10 to 12 minutes. Turn duck breasts and cook the
non-skin side for 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pour off all but one tablespoon of the duck
fat in the skillet and reserve for another use. (Roast chicken and roast potatoes are both good uses of leftover duck fat!) Sauté shallots and
carrot in duck fat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent
burning. This is where I added a small amount of diced pancetta to the pan. Add sausages to the pan and continue cooking another 5 minutes,
turning sausages once. Add garlic and thyme to pan and cook until
fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add wine and broth to pan, stirring to
scrape up any browned bits. Add bay leaves and cannellini beans and
bring to a boil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Return duck breasts to skillet, along with
any accumulated juices. Cover pan and transfer to oven. Cook for 8 to 10
minutes (or longer, if needed), until an instant-read thermometer
inserted diagonally into center registers 125°F for medium rare (unlike
chicken, this is perfectly safe—and delicious). I left the dish in the oven to cook for 20 minutes because our oven isn't very accurate. Remove from the oven.
Transfer breasts and sausages to cutting board, tent with foil and allow
to rest for about 5 minutes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, place uncovered pan over medium
flame to slightly reduce liquid and concentrate flavors. Taste and
adjust seasonings (use a light hand—the duck and the sausage will
provide some saltiness). Sprinkle each
plate with a generous amount of bread crumbs (you will have some left over, and
that’s fine). Don't skip the bread crumbs, it really adds to the dish! Enjoy.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202633434462844391.post-76330212358321937182014-01-16T18:25:00.000+01:002015-04-27T10:39:36.807+02:00Holidays 2014, Bring 'em on!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgRRIlp8DRzyVv53VhctQiSKiY2DBsFKJ_MQonmtmppJ9HvpvbyEMPuER72NvgNSunoj-mFXHniXnSPRl52CAjvPU3As5nCunUmwVLDeV7N4rO7oPEulyYTuHPFbU1O99I5pZ1n2P4gg/s1600/Dried+Orange+Slices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgRRIlp8DRzyVv53VhctQiSKiY2DBsFKJ_MQonmtmppJ9HvpvbyEMPuER72NvgNSunoj-mFXHniXnSPRl52CAjvPU3As5nCunUmwVLDeV7N4rO7oPEulyYTuHPFbU1O99I5pZ1n2P4gg/s1600/Dried+Orange+Slices.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was a little late this year in drying my orange slices sufficiently in time for the holidays. Rather than dry them in the oven and use precious (and expensive!) electricity I opted for the slow drying method using the top of the radiator. Since I had never attempted to dry fruit in this manner, I started off by sacrificing (slicing) only one orange to see whether or not this process was effective. It took days. And days. And then more days. In fact, it took so long let's just say that I will be one step closer to making the beautiful garland below for the new house for the holidays in 2014! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK1Qv8B1fCE2YOANDwat_Gpvu3CjjxD2HpnuqvRc8j_pGPwZbvZT1_T6Qkcnpw3CXzQOaGFFPgAEQ7R5sjbJjBhZEuensCSjgEYbA8wPGDJG8y8xqEzDaDtdYkj1tB8xDPAPM-5e1r6I/s1600/dried-fruit-garland-13-erin-boyle-gardenista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK1Qv8B1fCE2YOANDwat_Gpvu3CjjxD2HpnuqvRc8j_pGPwZbvZT1_T6Qkcnpw3CXzQOaGFFPgAEQ7R5sjbJjBhZEuensCSjgEYbA8wPGDJG8y8xqEzDaDtdYkj1tB8xDPAPM-5e1r6I/s1600/dried-fruit-garland-13-erin-boyle-gardenista.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(via <a href="http://www.gardenista.com/posts/diy-a-dried-fruit-garland-for-the-holidays" target="_blank">Gardenista</a>)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Or one of these two below. Or all three!!! I better get started now drying more oranges!</span><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMQsV-KtmozPKyItrBVEtErVjhBIw995rrzAJCYRT0J4HkKNELYmxCRWNFFyXhb9T_Y4__b01UOxH8FJoJ5BE_epraNCMmkZBhHh-5rltAWTbrjA3jP-kgLGJKC4EL1ggAW5bNzDj5Qw/s1600/51bcf7d7dbd0cb1e63001161._w.540_s.fit_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMQsV-KtmozPKyItrBVEtErVjhBIw995rrzAJCYRT0J4HkKNELYmxCRWNFFyXhb9T_Y4__b01UOxH8FJoJ5BE_epraNCMmkZBhHh-5rltAWTbrjA3jP-kgLGJKC4EL1ggAW5bNzDj5Qw/s1600/51bcf7d7dbd0cb1e63001161._w.540_s.fit_.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(via <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/naturally-festive-holiday-decorating-with-oranges-181102" target="_blank">theKitchn</a>)</span></span></div>
mrs. cuglianihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382329761912068494noreply@blogger.com1