Enchanted April

It's Sunday & that means Mad Men but we watch it on Mondays via iTunes. So what to do? Especially if you're not feeling very well? Watch Enchanted April (1992) on Netflix Instant (or in a pinch, on YouTube). It's a rather leisurely film & there are complaints about that but it feels quite right today. Honestly, we aren't feeling well enough to write much but if you're not sold by Italy + 1920s + amazing cast, read this review.

If there's puff pastry in the freezer, you could make these, as GG's editor did. Serve with cold white wine & begin looking at flat rentals because that's what you'll want to do immediately after it ends. *sigh*

ciao-meow/GGCM

(film still crop via Beauty Dart)

Venetian Carnevale

Do forgive our absence. Under-the-weather + busy (+ some fun) = Oof

A quick mention of the last day of Carnival. Of course, this takes place all over the world but a favorite is Venice (or anywhere in Italy), so a few links for some fun. A visit to The official Venice site is well done, wonderful graphics, photographs, & ideas. (Venice Carnival 2012 has a nice site, as well.)

A visit to Juls' Kitchen takes you to the Tuscan countryside & the talented Giulia's house. Beautiful photographs, wonderful recipes. Here's one for cenci, a Carnival treat. You probably have all the ingredients on hand & they are so good.

A GG pal, Merisi travels to Venice often; she's there right now snapping wonderful photographs of mysterious masked people. Go & then hang around for her daily updates of life in Vienna.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Stewart D. Halperin)

Everyday Luxury - Chestnuts

Yes, we're pushing it, the season. It's close but not quite here. We know, we've searched. Dashing off to the farmers market near the White House & to check in on marchers downtown & see what's up. Reports back on Twitter.

Here is a favorite recipe, a how-to peel chestnuts, & a peek into castagne season in Italy. The best chestnuts we ever had were in Strasbourg & in Rome.

ciao-rush-meow/GGCM

(photograph uncredited - get in touch - via Pinterest)

Wednesday Wishes - Amalfi

It's nearly a word-less Wednesday, here. Andrew, a Kiwi, of the Cuba Gallery has taken some gorgeous photographs in Italy, including Amalfi, in Calabria, along the Mediterranean . Isn't it enchanting? Giulia would love Amalfi. Cats are well-loved in Italy & her love of la passeggiata would be indulged. Her editor loves the Amalfi coast, too. Since we can't be there today, we're swooning over Andrew's photographs.

Visit Italian Notebook to look up places you would like to visit in Italy.

ciao-meow/GG Travel Central

PS: Here's an eggplant Parmesan, Amalfi-style. It would be great for Meatless Mondays.

Wisteria Lane

Thanks to Barbara Goldfield & the Italian Notebook for a post on the gorgeous wisteria in Italy. Possibly this is why we're running so late today. Barbara owns Savour the Sannio, a travel consultancy for central and southern Italy. It's most definitely worth your while to visit her. French Film Fun just might be...on Saturday.

ciao-rush-meow/GG

(photograph by Cherry Blossom Girl from her chic Roman vacation)

Wednesday Wishes - Sott'er Celo de Roma

...or On an Evening in Roma. If you want a little blast into the past, play this song & dance about.

Click on the video & watch Audrey & Mr. Peck set to the song by DrSamoora. If you want to plan a trip to Roma, see Italian Notebook for some excellent tips from expats. For many laughs, visit that wacky Roman family at 2 Kids & a Dog. As always, Giampaolo Macorig's photographs are wonderful. Here's his Rome set for your viewing pleasure.

ciao-sigh-meow/GG

PS: Giulia is whipping up a classic Roman Insalata di Cipolle con le Sarde & making an absolute mess. (Well, what can you expect from a cat?)

Il Natale di Roma

Oh, how we wish we were in Rome today for the 2,764th birthday celebration. Tanti auguri, Roma. Read the mythological birth story here; the celebration schedule, here. If you have children, or are a teacher, visit BBC Primary History - Ancient Rome for Kids. It's a terrific & fun resource.

If you'd like to make a traditional Roman recipe, here's a slideshow & recipes. Easy-peasy but buy the best ingredients you can.

ciao-baci-meow/GG Italy Central

(Temple of Saturn photograph by Giampaolo Macorig; Romulus & Remus photograph via BBC City of Rome)

La Bella Lingua Lessons

I have a theory that there is something in the Italian landscape which inclines even the most stolid nature to romance. --Miss Lavish, A Room with a View

It's not just the landscape; listen to that language. Do you want to learn Italian (or brush up on your skills)? You should sign up for a course. GG's editor went to Casa Italiana in Washington, DC. But if funds are low or you want to do something at home first, check out the BBC Italian Language page. Test yourself first (on the website) if you know any Italian. Then move through the page links; it's an excellent site.

For a wonderful book on what it's like to "become Italian," definitely read Dianne Hales La Bella Lingua. We won it in a giveaway via Bleeding Espresso, a favorite stop every week. Dianne's book is absolutely superb & renewed our dedication to all things Italian. Check out her blog, too.

ciao-meow-a-tutti!

(photographs via Period Films)

Wednesday Wishes - Venice Edition

Along with the famous Japanese cherry blossoms, we have an Italian festival going on, too. One of the main events is the ongoing Canaletto exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. Bella.

Other things to do if you can't be Venice (or Washington):

Visit Canaletto, The Complete Works.

Visit the Guggenheim/Venice museum.

Visit Caffè Florian - plan your order for when you arrive:)

Check out Donna Leon's latest Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery. (He's so cool.)

Make risi bisi, a classic (& easy) Venetian dish

Check in with Carol of Paris Breakfasts; she's back in Paris via Venice.

ciao-meow/GG Travel-Staycation Central

Sunday Sojourns - Roma

So today Giulia & her editor are sort-of in beloved Roma. OK, well we're in Washington, DC. But we're looking at our photographs of the Villa Borghese & the website of the museum (bella!). Tonight's dinner is cacio e pepe with real pecorino from Lazio. (Try Lidia Bastianich's recipe - it's the real deal)

Buona notte, bambini!

(Giampaolo Macorig's bella photograph)

Carnevale in Venice

Love these black & white ensembles. Hop over to Venice via Michelle Fabio's article in Go Italy. There's even a little video. GG & her editor may have to go next year - this is the last of the lovely 2009 photographs by the mysterious (& generous) wax0r.

ciao-meow, amici!

Italian Holiday Notebook

Have you visited Italian Notebook yet? It's written by an amusing bunch of expats in Italy. These photographs are by GB (in Rome). The modern LED fairy lights are rather a clash of modernity & the ancient but Rome is trying to find a way. Here is a message from Caesar Santa Claus (!) via the website.

ciao-bella-meow/GGCM

November Afternoon in Venice

A happy little boy in Venice in another time. By our friend Bernd who took wonderful photographs in Venice. Here are two more on bricolage. (photograph by Bernd Krause/all rights reserved)

Here's a fun game called Europe Map Match via KidsGeo.com.

Have a good evening!

ciao-meow/GGCM

Bella Capri on Sunday

How GG & her editor would like to be in Capri (OK, perhaps Anacapri during tourist season) today. These lovely images were recently posted by the Library of Congress. Visit their Photochrom Travel Views set, here, & marvel at their ongoing Grand Tour. Also, we recommend a visit to Australia's Being Ruby & her lovely photographs from a trip to Anacapri.

ciao-meow/GG's travel agent

[To see all 6,500 pictures now, check out the Photochrom Print Collection at the Library of Congress, http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.pgz]

Sicilian Sunbrella - Week's End

Have a wonderful weekend. We'd hoped to have comprehensive news of Darfur Peace & Development Organization (DPDO) latest basket shipment & the 2009 Annual Report. But there is just too much to do; information will be posted next week. Meanwhile, have a relaxing weekend; we're jumping up & down in front of the World Cup action. GG is asleep now, content that South Africa & Mexico tied. (She hates for anyone to lose.) GG's editor is enjoying in L'odore della notte (The Smell of the Night) by Andrea Camillieri. Somehow, we'd missed this one. Excellent!

ciao-bella-meow/GGCM

[Sicilian beach umbrella by Giampaolo Macorig via flickr]

Villa Ada

This is one point of view, Giampaolo Macorig's, from one of Rome's largest parks. You can take a little visit, here. As for GG--she's sleeping in her little townhouse & she won't come out. Do we need to remind anyone that pouting is unattractive? Have a great evening.

ciao-meow/GG's put-upon editor

Carnevale di Venezia - Arancione

We're late! We have excuses! You don't care? OK, great. These brightly colored photographs are from last year's generous (& mysterious) waxOr. Hope you had a great time if you celebrated. We called friends in Louisiana & lived vicariously. Maybe next year we'll visit again. (And no, GG will definitely not be going to any Mardi Gras/Carnevale/Fasching festival. Never. Rome, si. London if they'd have her--fume. Strasbourg, oui. But not on a certain Tuesday in February. We must draw the line somewhere.) Buona sera, buona notte, bambini...

ciao-cheeky-meow/GGCM

There's No Place Like Rome

Giulia always gets the last word; she'll be by later. She's rearranging the Christmas tree ornaments to suit her questionable taste right now. Merry Christmas, Buon Natale, Joyeux Noël from GG's editor.

[photographs by Enzo D. & Giampaolo Macorig via flickr]

Malèna & Sicily - Week's End

Most viewers of Malèna don't seem to understand the melancholy & the real menace faced by Sicilian women. Worlds collide in Sicily...then & now. Though there is no denying the beauty of Monica Bellucci & the Sicilian land & seascapes, be careful what you romanticize. Our theory is that you can't really love a place if you willfully ignore the tragedies. Have a great weekend & once again....if you can find it in your heart to check out Darfur, Congo, Burma links on this site...well, that would be a gracious gift from you to the real Malènas of this world.

ciao-meow, GG Central

Theocritus - A Villanelle

O singer of Persephone!
In the dim meadows desolate
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee
Where Amaryllis lies in state;
O Singer of Persephone!

Simaetha calls on Hecate
And hears the wild dogs at the gate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea
Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate;
O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry
Young Daphnis challenges his mate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,
For thee the jocund shepherds wait;
O Singer of Persephone!
Dost thou remember Sicily?

by Oscar Wilde

[Malèna credits; At sea alone & Alone in the Sea by Giampaolo Macorig; LIFE archive, uncredited Sicilian scene]

When the day is over...

...you have an Italian sunset from lovely Giampaolo Macorig. So it was worth it then, yes? [taken in Terracina, Italy]