Eating In Rome

One does not go hungry in Rome! We were recently there for two days to give my sister and her family the speedy fast tour of the city before they headed back to the US. One of our favorite places to eat is Trattoria Valentino on Via Cavour within walking distance to the Forum. It is run by nice people and the food is very local and fresh. The night we were there we ate outside...a little chilly but WE ATE OUTSIDE!!! IN ROME!!!

Starters: meats, beans, mushrooms, artichokes

Canalloni right from the oven

Lunch the next day was fresh appetizers

Bruchette

Espresso

Rick, Olivia and Fredrick waiting for the food at Valentino's. We must have just sat down because the wine glasses are empty and the table is bare. But before we knew it the table was full and so were we!

Sue, Eileen and Nancy...we had a good time on our side of the table too!

Yes, we were serenaded by these two guys. It was a crack up! They played a Frank Sinatra song! It was the perfect way to top our crazy whirlwind tour of Roma.

Gargano Beach Hike

For the last few years we have gone up to the Gargano and hiked along this lovely wooded trail that hugs the coastline down to a white pebbled beach. It is a great hike. We decided to take a picnic down while Rachael was visiting. As you can see, it was a sunny day when we started....

Rachael, Olivia and Eileen at the start of our hike (Doesn't Eileen look good in my sweater!) Hey Eileen, I am still waiting for my sweater to be returned!!!

Entering the woods

Arrival and picnic preparation

Ms. Rachael and the white cliffs

Some sisterly consultations

Oops! Mom was taking our picture!

Olivia let me snap a candid shot just before she dozed off for a quick nap.

After our filling picnic we laid down for a little snooze and to soak up some vitamin D. When we opened our eyes we realized this dark cloud was sneaking around the tip of the peninsula and we still had a 30 minute hike ahead of us to get back to the car!

Up we popped and gathered our things to start the sprint to the car.

See the rustic fence we went through?

And the lovely olive orchards we passed. By now it was starting to sprinkle.

Here we are back at the same spot as the first picture. A little wetter than planned but still a great hike.

Tuesday is Market Day in Trani

A few weeks ago Rachael and I took a stroll through the Tuesday Market. It was full of color, sounds and smells. I love these markets and thought you would like to take a peek at one of the best shopping spots in town...

This is the salted cod I wrote about earlier.

Beautiful colors.

Fresh greens

Silvery fish

These are so beautiful!

The cheese and meat trucks

Artichokes

The red radishes pop out against the green basil and while celery root!

Really big thick beans.

Loved this old hunched guy selling some veggies.

Someone came to do their shopping on a bike...actually makes a lot of sense since they close the roads around the market to car traffic as there are so many people wandering around.

Great colors

This stall sells olives, pickled veggies, beans, etc.

Very typical...non refrigerated eggs.

And a fond farewell until next Tuesday!

A Little Nostalgia and Clams on the Cape

This post has nothing to do with Italy but it is what is on my mind as I sit in the sun by the Adriatic....When I was growing up we would spend time on Cape Cod. We loved it. You go to the beach, eat clams and while stuck in traffic with everyone else who is doing the same, you listen to the radio. One of the ads for a local seafood place was burned into my brain. My sister, Jenny, recently reminded me of the jingle and now I can't get it out of my mind. Enjoy the music and postcards of Thompson's Clam Bar.

Thompson's Clam Bar Jingle (if it doesn't load automatically google Thompson's clam bar jingle and pretty soon you will want to be going "where the tastiest clams are!") Unfortunately the restaurant closed in 1990 so we are left with great memories....

Doesn't it look like a swank place to go? Bring you boat right up to the restaurant! Wave to the crazy people inside!

"Hey, where ya goin'? I'm goin' to Thompson's clam bar 'cuz that's where the tastiest clams are. We've got lobster, swordfish, scallops too and steak and chicken for you. Take Route 28 to the clam bar sign. The happiest eating from noon 'til nine."

Spring Is In The Air

Yes, it is warm and sunny in southern Italy. The plants on the balcony are starting to flower. This is my lemon/lime tree (we are still trying to decide which it is).

Look at the beautiful blossoms! We will have a crop of fruit, I hope!

All the sun...brings flowers but also heat. The Adriatic sun is intense. By 10:30 this morning I had to close the green outter shutters to block the heat. Closing the windows will be the next defense against the unrelenting sun ...

And then the inner shutters will be closed! Yes, we spend most of the summer in a dark room trying to keep cool...Go to the beach and fry or stay at home in the cave? Hummmm?

Staring at the white shutters can be depressing. Maybe we need to add some flair like this wonderful ceiling painting from Casserta? Tre Ewing!

Making of Easter Painting 2010

Three years ago we started doing group paintings. Everyone would stake out a section of the canvas and then try to blend their design or design elements with the others. We do the paintings at Easter because we are all together and it has made for a fun family tradition.

Rachael mixing the base color

We applied the base with plastic bags to give texture

Anyone have any ideas? The start is always a challenge...

Rachael used a white design, Olivia started with slashes and Rick went for bold primary colors...

The circles are being defined..

Progress...

The girls working around the canvas following their circles...

Eileen doing some detail work...

The final painting! Love the colors! It is so fun to see the elements of the whole. From bottom left: small circle - Sue, large striped inner circle - Olivia, while laced circle - Rachael, psychedelic circle - Eileen and bold red and yellow circle - Rick.