Quick lunch, Italian style

Thursday, July 22, 2010

There's a "bar" near our school - bar meaning coffee shop and pastry shop and bar combined. I had a fruit smoothie, and half a cheese sandwich. I love being able to buy half a sandwich, and then have a fruit smoothie made then and there out of fresh fruit I can see in the case.

Then I had a talk with the waiter about why we call a smoothie a smoothie, what is smooth, what is soft, what is the opposite of smooth (rough?), and how to say all those things in Italian.

I don't want to go home!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm having too much fun!!!!!!!!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IMAOFSEVEN 7/28/2010 11:48AM

Sounds great. Good for you for finishing your paper as well. All good things must come to an end. Hope you continue on your trek to a happy ending. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAPNA. 7/28/2010 7:33AM

I had not noticed you had blogged. Nice to hear from you. I have missed talking to you. Glad you are having such a good time. I had never thought of having half a sandwich with a smoothie. Very good idea. I will copy that in future. Thanks for the tip. Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUE97HARBOR 7/23/2010 1:05AM

Sending warm thoughts your way today... Report Inappropriate Comment

JLPNURSE 7/22/2010 8:19AM

That just sounds wonderful! Report Inappropriate Comment

Supermercato

Monday, July 12, 2010

Imagine going into a supermarket and you can't find Cheerios, but you can find about 200 shapes of pasta, and almost as many things to put on top of it.

Where you have to put on plastic gloves to pick up produce, but you have to pay extra for a plastic bag.

Where you can buy 200 different cheeses, but I haven't yet found chicken.

It's an adventure!!!!!!

Note to self: remember how to make swordish and fresh tomatoes over penne, with a little olive oil and fresh basil - YUM!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WATERMELLEN 7/22/2010 7:36AM

Just treated myself to a blitz reading of all your Italian blogs: you're having a great adventure. And of course when in Florence must check out Vivoli gelateria just south of Piazza Santa Croce . . . http://www.italylogue.com/f ood-drink/vivoli-in-florence-do es-famous-gelato-live-up-to-the -hype.html Lampone!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JLPNURSE 7/13/2010 7:14AM

Fun! I'm surprised about the chicken though. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROCKYCPA 7/12/2010 8:19AM

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and learning all kinds of new things that don't have to do with the classes you are taking. Report Inappropriate Comment

Mange' - mange' e piu!

Monday, July 05, 2010

There's a ristorante near my apartment, I've been having dinners there because it is good food, inexpensive, and close - by 8 PM I'm tired after being in class or walking all day (or a combo of those two things). But the plates are HUGE!!!!!!!!! One appetizer is enough for a meal!!!!! And when I told the waiter I couldn't finish the pasta dish, could I get it to go, he said eat slowly slowly, you can finish it.

Like my grandmother - "eat, eat"

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ILOVEROSES 7/6/2010 8:58PM

You sure getting your money's worth! Report Inappropriate Comment

JLPNURSE 7/6/2010 6:59AM

Ah, can I say it again, I love Italy. Report Inappropriate Comment

SECRETFUN 7/5/2010 6:46PM

I can hear it now! (and I am now hungry for Italian at al Sospiro) Report Inappropriate Comment

MSDESERTRODENT 7/5/2010 5:59PM

LOL Having tuscan at our house tonight! I have to stop my Mom constantly from trying to "force" our son to eat when he's not hungry anymore. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROCKYCPA 7/5/2010 5:10PM

Ah, good Italian food - nothing better. Hard to be good. Report Inappropriate Comment

IMAOFSEVEN 7/5/2010 2:34PM

Good luck dealing with the temptation. Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUE97HARBOR 7/5/2010 2:09PM

Wow.... Report Inappropriate Comment

AIDELADE27 7/5/2010 1:42PM

Cute! Report Inappropriate Comment

MILLISMA 7/5/2010 12:30PM

That is too funny! First time I've ever heard a waiter say that. Report Inappropriate Comment

Greetings from Venice

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Just a very quick hello, I have had a wonderful time in Venice, am walking everywhere and eating lovely vegs - and cheese and white wine, LOL. But having a fabulous time, and wish I could stay longer.

Wanted to say hello to all my Spark buddies - I hope everyone is well and feeling fit.

More later!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MSDESERTRODENT 7/5/2010 6:02PM

Ooh always wanted to visit there! Have fun!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ROCKYCPA 7/5/2010 5:09PM

Didn't realize you had posted - hope you trip is going well. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLPNURSE 7/5/2010 8:52AM

Love Venice. Enjoy. Report Inappropriate Comment

DJS-DEBBIE 7/2/2010 5:51AM

Enjoy yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHORTY20 6/28/2010 12:49PM

Have a wonderful time! Report Inappropriate Comment

ILOVEROSES 6/28/2010 7:15AM

Great to hear from you and enjoy yourself. Report Inappropriate Comment

AIDELADE27 6/27/2010 5:17PM

And hello to you to! Enjoy your time! Report Inappropriate Comment

IMAOFSEVEN 6/27/2010 4:33PM

Thanks for checking in. We're visiting Europe vicariously! I can taste the veggies- and the white wine and cheese! Cheers! Report Inappropriate Comment

I think I've over packed

Monday, June 21, 2010

Usually I have room in my bag - but I'll be gone just over 5 weeks, the weather will range from 50 to 85 or so, rainy to sunny - and I want to look nice since it's a city and museum trip.

Plus notebooks, pens, toiletries, medications - and a rain jacket - and some travel books - watercolor block and aquarelle sticks - it goes on and on.

So my small rolling duffel, which works as a carryon most of the time, weighs about 50 lbs. And I have a large purse for my carryon. Plus a purse. I was kind of hoping the purse would fit into the large purse, but I've ended up with too much stuff.

Problem is, I can't figure out what to take out. So I think I'll just end up checking the rolling bag, and carry the two purses. Then schlepping everything around.

I do have a third bag that I'll use to carry purchases home - like all the truffle sauce I can afford!!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

QUIKNIT10 6/23/2010 10:25AM

Have a wonderful and safe trip!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ROCKYCPA 6/22/2010 8:51PM

Of course you need to take a lot of different clothes since you don't know the weather but really just enjoy yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

ILOVEROSES 6/22/2010 8:35PM

I agree, your rolling bag will need to be checked in. I hope you won't be overweight if it's just 23kg/50lb. That's the usual weight allowance on airlines. Have a wonderful holiday! Report Inappropriate Comment

NOTBLUSHING 6/22/2010 11:54AM

Oh, you're GOOD. I'd carry FAR MORE! Report Inappropriate Comment

JLPNURSE 6/22/2010 11:24AM

You are gone for 5 weeks. You need all of that stuff. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAPNA. 6/22/2010 8:52AM

What is your weight allowance? Sounds like you are going to be overweight if you are not careful. Report Inappropriate Comment

DJS-DEBBIE 6/22/2010 5:35AM

I think a 5 week trip needs a checked bag! I just schlepped around several airports and those bags do get heavy after a while. Have a wonderful trip! Report Inappropriate Comment

PHEBESS 6/21/2010 10:29PM

I did manage to only have two pair of Birks - wear one, carry one. It's all the extras...... Report Inappropriate Comment

SECRETFUN 6/21/2010 10:20PM

I am rolling on the ground. Good luck and safe travel! Report Inappropriate Comment