Lemon-Lime Squeezer

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Look, it's a spremi limone, a lemon-lime squeezer! It only cost 1 euro AND it works! Put in your orders now before we run out of stock. Supplies are limited.

Baby Bird

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Look what I found! A mass of down and pink parts. I discovered him hunkered down in the grass beside the house frightened to death. Too young to try flying yet, I think someone pushed him out of the nest. Okay, it could've been accidental. Either way, It's a good thing I didn't step on him or worse yet that one of my two cats didn't find him first! Everyone assured me that he wouldn't make it more than a few hours, but I put him in a cozy bed and covered him to make him comfortable. Every couple of hours I checked to see if he was still breathing and finally around 10pm I gave him some water mashed with canned dog food (I'd done some online research). We were sitting watching TV together, the bird cupped in my hand, when I heard the faintest 'peep'. At first, I thought it was something on the television, but I put him close to my ear and the little dear was actually periodically peeping. Hope! I went to sleep and woke the next morning, somewhat hesitant yet anxious to check on my patient. I slowly pulled back the cover and he was still alive! I already had an appointment by the vet at 4pm for my cat, but living here in Italy where animals serve a purpose -- you either eat them or they work for you -- I was sure they would snap his tiny little neck and throw him in the bin without a moment's hesitation. I had resigned myself to having to rear him myself, but not looking forward to trying to keep the cats away from him. I was soooooo pleased to learn that in fact there was a woman who lives in Magione who takes care of orphaned birds! Although I had already formed an attachment, I drove to Magione and handed him over. He's now in the good care of Ivania. God bless Ivania, and a shout-out to my peep!

Iced Coffee

...This is SO delicious! I know it's nothing new to you Starbuck's, Peet's, Deaf Dog and other coffee boutique frequenters, but it's a revelation to me. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I am a coffee drinker. In the morning I like my latte. By the way, if you want to order it in a cafe in Italy it's called a latte macchiato, which literally means stained coffee. If you order a latte you'll get a glass of milk. I've seen it happen. Anyway, the temperature here has been hovering around 100 degrees for over two weeks. Although the air is fresh outside in the morning, it's still warm inside the house. Almost too warm to drink my daily morning latte. I only make it halfway through. This is what I'm doing with the other half! YUM!!!

Blue Shutters

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.Just another random photo of something that caught my eye.

Outdoor Theaters

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This is the outdoor theater in Castiglione del Lago in Umbria.  It's inside the castle fortress which dates back to 1247!  I've been to three outdoor theaters here in Italy.  My first time was in Perugia in the Giardini del Frontone, Frontone Gardens.  I think that's the first time I saw fireflies in Italy.  We used to have them back in Kentucky.  It was so enchanting to watch them spark about -- but I digress.  The other outdoor theater I've frequented is in Cortona in the park just outside Piazza Garibaldi.   Of course these theaters are only open in the summertime when the weather permits.   Many theaters in Italy offer viewing of films in their original language especially during the summer months to accommodate travelers.  It's easy to find a program, usually in town at the information office.  All the outdoor theaters have a little kiosk selling sodas and popcorn as well as wine and panini.  How fun is that!?  Regardless of the length of the film, it is always stopped halfway and there is an intermission.  Time to refill your wine glasses, signore e signori, ladies and gentlemen!    

Flying Monkeys

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I was watching a very interesting show last weekend on one of the five Italian channels that gives me "viewable" reception.  The white beach with it's clear, crystal water caught my eye.  We quickly moved inland to watch elephants forage for food.  There was a fruit very similar to a coconut but with a harder shell that the elephants couldn't crack open with their mouths, so they stabbed it with a tusk and then stepped on it.  Interesting.  Then we went into the trees to watch monkeys eating leaves and learned that although the leaves are poisonous to eat, the monkeys have enzymes in their stomaches to easily digest them.  These enzymes would kill humans.  Interesting.  Then we zoom across to the trees to a huge bird taking off in flight.  Back to the monkey eating leaves.  Back to the bird.  Back to the monkey being carried off by the bird still clutching the leaves in his tiny fist.  I have never changed a channel so fast in all my life.  I didn't think I was going to find what happened next to be very "interesting".

Pasta Pomodorini (Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes)

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1/4 Pound Spaghetti
20-30 Cherry Tomatoes
1/4 Cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
2 Garlic Cloves
Red Pepper Flakes (according to taste)
Salt
Fresh Parmesan

Cut tomatoes in half, add a pinch of salt and toss together in a bowl. Let sit. Meanwhile, smash the garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife and sauté in heated olive oil. Add pepper flakes. Sauté until garlic is lightly browned. Add chopped tomatoes and any liquid from the tomatoes. Add ½ teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook on very low heat until the tomato halves begin to fall apart, usually about 45 minutes. I open the lid frequently to check that the liquid hasn’t all evaporated and give the toms a smash to squeeze out the juices once they’ve started softening. Once they’ve started softening, start your pasta. When the pasta is al dente, drain and add to the tomatoes in the sauté pan. Toss lightly to mix. Top individual servings with fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Serves 2

Note: If the tomato mixture gets too dry I sometimes add a little white wine while it's cooking or you can also add some of the cooked pasta water afterwards.