I wrote this in the last days of our time living in Italy. The whole experience was a bit too raw to share until now. Please understand that these are merely my reflections on my unique experiences, and in no way do I claim to be an authority on Italy's culture or people. There are countless definitions...
Life in Italy
Crispy Thin Crust Pizza
Our first meal when we arrived in Italy was pizza. Exhausted and jet-lagged, we were feeling hungry and groggy. We walked the route from our apartment along the main street of our little town to explore our new surroundings, and then picked up two pizzas to bring back with us for lunch (or dinner to...
Foodie Field Trip: Mercato Centrale in Florence, Italy
First, I must apologize for my silence lately. My lack of posting has been intentional, as I was giving my undivided attention to enjoying the time that my parents spent visiting us in Italy. Now I am getting back on track just in time to pack up and go back home next week, and then...
Homemade Gnocchi with Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce
If there's one thing I thought would be easier to get used to while living here, it would be the lack of conversation. In two months, I have only spoken to my husband of course, and my family a few times via Skype. Everything else is patchy Italian for survival. While I'm definitely not lacking...
Nutella Tartlets with Banana
There's this rumor going around the Internet that there is a threat of a Nutella shortage looming...Well, I guess I owe you all an apology then. My Nutella comsumption has increased sevenfold since we arrived in Italy. Why? I'm not sure. It could be that it's so delicious, and the Italian version seems somehow creamier...
Homemade Focaccia
I love bakeries. I wish I could live in one. Seriously. The next best thing to living in a bakery is baking where you live, I suppose. Baking bread, especially Italian bread, can be tricky in a home oven. It's tough to get the temperature hot enough for it to turn out with the correct...
Bolognese (Ragù alla Bolognese)
All meat sauces are not created equal. While there's nothing wrong with tossing some ground beef into your favorite tomato sauce, there happens to be a much better, more authentic way to prepare a meat sauce that will sort of take your breath away. Believe me-- this is coming from the person who likes ground...
Foodie Field Trip: Rialto Market
One of our favorite things to do when we visit other cities is to check out the markets. Vancouver's Granville Island Public Market, Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market, Los Angeles' The Original Farmer's Market, etc. We love them all. It will come as no surprise then that the Rialto Market was at the top of my...
When Little Things are Everything {Life in Italy}
I can't even begin to count the ways that my life here is different than it is at home. The language is different. The money is different. The people are different. They don't have Target. Netflix and Hulu don't work here. And so on and so forth... Everyday tasks and errands have taken on a much larger...
Hiking in the Dolomites and Staying in a Rifugio
We've gotten to see and do a lot of things in the month since we landed here in Italy, but the one place that has monopolized our conversations and has us plotting our return would definitely have to be our visit to Rifugio Dolomites- Monte Rite. Back home in Michigan we do a lot of backpacking,...
Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Last week I told you about our visit to the Acetaia Villa San Donnino to see how traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is made. While I would argue that the authentic, traditional version of Balsamic Vinegar is best if you can get your hands on it, I also think it's important to be able to...
Pasta with Zucchini and Ricotta
There are a lot of things Italy does really well. For one, they really respect their ingredients. You don't have to speak their language to see that it is deeply ingrained in their heritage. You only really eat what you grow yourself, or what is grown in your immediate vicinity. You're buying from the person...
Music, Food & Wine Festival at Bastianich Winery
Last weekend, Michael and I took advantage of our location and made the 1 ½ hour drive so we could attend the Music, Food & Wine Festival at Bastianich Winery in celebration of the 1st birthday of Orsone Ristorante and B&B in Cividale del Friuli, Italy. Let me tell you, it was by far the highlight of our...
Italian Meatball Sandwiches
While pizza and pasta are perfectly wonderful, Hubby and I have been craving some meat. And by meat, I don't mean prosciutto, because we have definitely been consuming that at an alarming rate. We needed something a little more hearty and homestyle to fill us up after several days in a row of rainy weather...
Bussola Buranello Cookies
Bussola Buranello Cookies are a traditional cookie from the island of Burano in Venice, Italy. Burano is widely recognized for its brightly colored houses and its hand-crafted lace. It doesn't take long to figure out that they've got quite a good thing going with their Bussola cookies also. There seem to be a few different...
Tour of Murano and Burano {Life in Italy}
Earlier this week the rainy skies parted for just long enough that I was able to enjoy my day trip to Murano and Burano in dry weather...mostly. I booked my tour online a few days before, and just needed to take the bus to Venice again to meet up with the tour guide. I was...
How an American Shops for Groceries in Italy {Life in Italy}
Yesterday I spent the day sightseeing...a very welcome change from grocery shopping. A lot of people probably think that we're over here on a 3 month vacation soaking up the sun, the sights, and the food. Not quite. We are definitely enjoying all that living in Italy has to offer, but that's the big difference: living...
Peach Hand Pies
Breaking news! I got a bicycle! If you read my recent post about Settling In, you already know I was on mission to get my hands (and feet) on one. Hubby made it easy. He just showed up with one the other night. Now I just need to practice not bumping the bell when I...
Settling In {Life in Italy}
Buongiorno! Welcome to my first post in my {Life in Italy} series about our adventures here in Italy. Here I will share my raw and truthful account of adjusting to a different culture and a few lessons learned so far. Disclaimer: I am merely sharing what has proven to be true for me in the area of...
Have Blog, Will Travel
Today is the day! 3 checked bags plus 2 carry-ons plus 2 laptop cases plus one eager couple equals a fun adventure over the next few months. I've got lots of ideas and dreams for what all I would like to see/do/learn/accomplish during this time, but nothing is set in stone so only time will tell what we might...