My mother used to marvel over how fertile Italian soil is. She would say that everything grows here. And what’s true for the plant kingdom is doubly true in the realm of human relationships. In Italy friendships find fertile soil and grow quick and strong. Continue reading Fertile Ground
The Magnificent Terre Read more
My mother used to marvel over how fertile Italian soil is. She would say that everything grows here. And what’s true for ...
We often talk about Cannara and our Umbrian villa as our new home. And after only a little more than four years here with every visit it really does feel like home. Yesterday was an excellent example of why. Continue reading Homemade Gelato
What flavors do you want? Read more
We often talk about Cannara and our Umbrian villa as our new home. And after only a little more than four years ...
Linda Frey came to our birthday celebration last year and ended up getting more than a lousy t-shirt. Below is what our grand prize winner had to say about her week at our Umbrian villa. After reading, make sure to RSVP for Bella Italia’s 9th Birthday Bash on Facebook or by calling the store at (301) 654-2667.
(And Can't Wait To Go Back!) Read more
Linda Frey came to our birthday celebration last year and ended up getting more than a lousy t-shirt. Below is what our ...
How to beat the heat on a blistering Sunday in Umbria? How about chilling out and cooling down with our buddy Simone? That’s how we spent our Sunday. A little eating and drinking was thrown in for good measure. Continue reading Sunday with Simone
Such a Beautiful Day! Read more
How to beat the heat on a blistering Sunday in Umbria? How about chilling out and cooling down with our buddy Simone? ...
Over the past several days Suzy and Erin have been taking Italian lessons with our friend Augusta Pardi, the “poet” of the Pardi family but also a distinguished teacher who spent a number of years teaching in Toronto and other places around the world. This week and next her classroom has been la Fattoria del Gelso and her students two eager American women. I was not invited to join the class. For whatever reason or reasons. Continue reading Language Lessons
Over the past several days Suzy and Erin have been taking Italian lessons with our friend Augusta Pardi, the “poet” of the ...
Massimo Fichera died on Thursday. He was 83 years old. Continue reading Riposare in Pace
Massimo Fichera died on Thursday. He was 83 years old. On Friday the Italian newspapers were running the story of Massimo's death. He ...
For our penultimate day in Sicily our plans called for a drive toward Palermo to the town of Monreale, a community that could be described as a Palermo suburb perched on a mountain. The purpose of our visit was to meet with Maria Grazia, the owner of Elisa Messina Ceramics, a Sicilian ceramics studio that we were introduced to by the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) back in December. The day would also give us the opportunity to spend a little time in and around Palermo. Continue reading Unreal Monreale
For our penultimate day in Sicily our plans called for a drive toward Palermo to the town of Monreale, a community that ...
Today’s story could be titled Two Gentlemen from Verona. Except they aren’t from Verona. One is from Costa Rica, the other from Sicily. Two citizens of the world. Nonetheless, it is the story of two gentlemen. Continue reading Che Syrah
The Story of Two Gentlemen Read more
Today’s story could be titled Two Gentlemen from Verona. Except they aren’t from Verona. One is from Costa Rica, the other from ...
Why is it that we tend to make friends in Italy so often with chefs and winemakers? It must have something to do with the question posed to Willie Sutton about why he robbed banks. “Because that’s where the money is.” Continue reading Home Cooking
Of course with Ernesto! Read more
Why is it that we tend to make friends in Italy so often with chefs and winemakers? It must have something to ...
Let’s get ready to rumble! Continue reading Throwdown!
Two Cookoffs Coming Up! Read more
Let’s get ready to rumble! Our return to Umbria from Rome, on the heels of our “getaway day” successes and excesses, was punctuated ...
