Carciofi Grigliata

I am a grilling fool. One with a marked propensity or fondness for something, not a simpleton. Anyway, I love my grill pan and researched a bit about how to grill baby artichokes. Cut them in half and boil them in water along with rosemary and garlic cloves for about 5 minutes. Drain and brush them with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill them about 5 minutes a side. When they're done give them a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the cut side and enjoy!

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Che Pizza!

Remember The Great Snowfall of 2012? Well, something really good came out of being snowed in, something really yummy good.  Since we weren't able to make it into town for our Saturday night pizza pick-up, Amore made us pizza.  And he's been doing it every Saturday night since!  Don't tell him, but I sort of miss the wood oven pizza from downtown.  But only sort of.  However, I must say it's great to be able to control the amount of toppings and their placement on the pizza.  Not that I'm a control freak or anything.  Here's a list of our favorites:

Sausage, Potato and Rosemary
Sausage, Onion and Cannellini Bean
Tuna and Onion
Four Cheese
Hotdog and Onion (Try it!)
Ham and Mushroom
Ham, Artichoke and Sliced Boiled Egg
Sausage, Mushroom and Onion
Sausage, Black Olive and Onion
Roast Veggies, Onions and Sausage
Fresh Arugula with Bresaula and Shaved Parmesan

If you need any details, please don't hesitate to ask.  That's what I'm here for.  In Italy.  Someone's gotta do it.
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My Friend Agata

I want to share this letter with you.  It's from my dear friend Agata who after living in Italy for a few years returned to Poland.  She's a lovely person, both inside and out.  It made me happy to read this.  I hope you enjoy it too and wish her well!

My dear Friends!!!  Into the forest when the spring is coming... after the rain... when the wind comes with the smell of my memory from years ago... remind you something... something what is hard to call.   Like childhood happiness and fascination of walking trough the dark woods even on rainy days when the musk is green and the steps make no noise on the watersoaked ground of brown needles.  I'm dreaming a lot with open eyes and they coming... they coming to me one by one....  some of  the dreams become memories. Not only pictures but also memories of feelings and sometimes of smell.

A lot of good rides, lay down on the border of the woods with a picnic in the sack, watch the clouds I feel really like in the past, when I am riding is coming this impression that I have 16 again... I spoke with Agata what I see looking at my country now... and you know what?  I start to believe that the forest smell like that only in Poland... is a smell of my childhood... and my  happy time here... is funny... because when Zorro is running through the forest I am proud to show him all this... and he is just a horse can not understand a difference... so I am happy but veeeeeery busy... no time now for drawings... I have a car and I love it... I will send you a picture... Is just made for me... first because is black... and second when you will see you will know why.... I had already offer from very important stable for a job but I will stay with my friends because I promised... and also because i wanna try and also because I feel happy with them... for a course is possible that will be very near to my town... if not I have to go to Warsow... I miss you and our time together... sometime is like a dream for me... but my life is like this... and my dreams are beautiful.  It is warm during the day, some flowers will grow.  I feel like at home riding through the woods as I did long time ago.  Did the circle close?

LOVE...Agata

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No More Skippy

This is a sad, sad sight.  And a big hint. . . . (wink).

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Tartuffo Cheese

Tartuffo cheese, 2.65 euro for this lovely!  
You gotta love that -- but only if you love both tartuffo and cheese.  And I do.

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Blast from the Past

Who else remembers Milton the Monster!??

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Abbazia di Farneta

For years now I've been driving past a sign for Abbazia di Farneta, Farneta Abbey on my way to Florence.  I've always been curious to stop by and take a look and I finally did!  Before visiting, I did some research on the internet and most every site had a picture of the Abbey only from the outside similar to the one above.  I was surprised and thrilled to find that it was even more impressive inside! 

I am particularly fascinated (that's a nice way of saying 'obsessed') with religious statues, especially those of the Madonna and Child.  To the left of the alter was a statue of the Madonna and Child decorated with rosary beads and ribbons. In her outstretched right hand was a basket filled with hand-written prayers on various scraps of paper.  There was even one written on the back of an electric bill!  The Abbey was built by Benedictine Monks before the year 1000 and it wasn't until 1940 that the Crypt below was discovered.  The Crypt contains columns and capitals of Roman origin with granite from Egypt and the Orient as well as marble columns also from the Orient.  If you find yourself near Cortona, it's worth a visit!

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