Monthly Archives: August 2011

Before and After

Posted on August 30, 2011 by

On my way home from work everyday I pass this house.  It has been one of my favorite houses since I first moved here.  The simple elegance of the lavender shutters against the cool gray stone makes me smile. Or … Continue reading →

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Books I’m Reading: Chocolate and Vicodin

Posted on August 28, 2011 by

Today is  a perfect day to write about Jennette Fulda’s book, Chocolate and Vicodin, because today I have a massive headache. Most of my headaches are triggered by changes in the weather and barometric pressure and they can last for … Continue reading →

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The Venice Regatta (Regatta Storico)

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

Have you ever heard of the Venice Historic Regatta (Regatta Storico)?  It is a race held the first Sunday in September on the Grand Canal of Venice.  The 2011 Regatta Storico is Sunday, September 4th. The race participants usually wear … Continue reading →

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The Last Gasp of Summer

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

This has been a great summer, my best summer in recent memory, but I am ready for it to be over.  I am ready for a new season. It is still brutally hot here, but I can tell summer is … Continue reading →

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What Italians Drink: Amarone

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

Amarone is one of my all time favorite wines.  It is a red wine made in the Valpolicella region, which is near Verona (one of my favorite Italian cities).  The taste of Amarone is robust with just a little sweetness.  Actually, … Continue reading →

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Wasps: Making a Mess All Over My Figs

Posted on August 17, 2011 by

My figs are getting ripe too fast, and the battalion of wasps that have invaded my yard are getting to them faster than me.  For every wonderful, delicious fig I am able to grab off my tree, the wasps have … Continue reading →

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Ca Bruzzo Winery

Posted on August 16, 2011 by

This weekend I went to visit the Ca’ Bruzzo vineyard, which sits along the Colli Berici wine route.  Ca’ Bruzzo is an organic winery which grows and bottles five varieties of wine grapes: Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Carmenere, and Toccai Rosso, … Continue reading →

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Books I’m Reading: A Thousand Days in Tuscany

Posted on August 14, 2011 by

While I was living in southern California, I used take trips to Julian, a wonderful little mining town nestled in the mountains.  During one of those trips I stumbled on a great little bookstore full of works by local authors … Continue reading →

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La Rotonda (Villa Capri)

Posted on August 12, 2011 by

One of my favorite sights in the Veneto region (where I live) is the Rotonda building, officially called Villa Capri. The Rotonda, designed by Palladio in 1566, is a large villa with four equal sections, topped by a dome.  It … Continue reading →

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What Italians Drink: Grappa

Posted on August 10, 2011 by

For every great batch of wine made here in Italy there is a whole crap load of stuff leftover.  Stuff like grape skins, seeds, and stems.  Instead of throwing all the leftovers into a compost pile, industrious Italians turn them … Continue reading →

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