Category: italian

Grazing date night

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, italian, restaurants

For our wedding anniversary this year we had some big plans to eat out at a nice Italian restaurant near our home. We had been talking about it for several days, but when the time came to get ready to go, we hesitated. "I'm not that hungry", my husband said. "We don't have to eat … Continue reading Grazing date night

The best birthday cake ever

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, italian

So, why am I still talking about (and eating!) birthday cake in July when my birthday was in May? Because my brother and I are Irish (and Italian!) twins, born just 13 months apart...and where there are birthdays, there must be cake! Besides having our birthdays at the end of warm weather months, another thing … Continue reading The best birthday cake ever

At long last, a cupola

by Karen, posted in family, italian, raising chickens

My husband has been wanting a cupola for years. He even pointed out that cupola is an ITALIAN, hoping to persuade me that we need one, since I am enamoured with all things Italian. (Please note: man in the picture is the installer, not the husband). And of course, what is a cupola without a weathervane? I … Continue reading At long last, a cupola

Spelt Right Bagels at Hannaford

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, baking, family, health, italian, tweens

I was shopping at the new Hannaford's in Kennebunk (at the site of the old Stop'n Shop). There were several of those tables set up throughout the store where a person is handing out samples of food items that are sold there, along with a coupon to further entice you to buy. I am a … Continue reading Spelt Right Bagels at Hannaford

the 80/20 rule

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, health, italian

who invented this? well, one source credits an italian with is inception. being of italian descent myself, i am of course predisposed to be enamoured with this idea.  ( see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle fmi). i have always heard of this rule in regard to food and dieting: follow your diet plan 80% of the time and then eat what you want (within … Continue reading the 80/20 rule

spring ritual

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, gardening, italian

my italian grandmother always said her birthday was on the first day of spring. actually, every so often she was right; her birthday was march 21st, and spring is usually on march 20th, but not always:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox).  one sure sign that spring had come when i was little was The Making of the Dandelion Salad. my grandmother … Continue reading spring ritual

grieving my dead relatives, part 3

by Karen, posted in good grief, italian

my paternal grandmother's birthday is today. her name was originally 'maria', anglicized to 'mary'  (as so many were so many others) when she arrived here from italy around 1924 (http://www.ellisisland.org/). she died at the age of 93, about 6 years ago. she had sort of reconciled herself to the reality of her cognitive decline, as … Continue reading grieving my dead relatives, part 3