My last week in Italy has been wonderful. I will miss so much of this place and my family when I leave. But, I do miss the rest of my family in the U.S. Although, I don't want to leave, I do miss home.
Thursday, 12 February
2015
Today my daughter-in-law and I had a fabulous lunch at a Dai
Gelosi. Wonderful restaurant with awesome food. The Lasagna was, well, devine. So excited, I forgot to take a picture of it!
And our precious three-week old baby was the perfect well-behaved little boy!
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| The Daily Special menu. Our lunch today |
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| The Risotto Al Radicchio |
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| Cooked Spinach and fried potatoes. Salad. Beef, Pork, and turkey sausage |
http://www.daigelosi.it/eng/ristorante.php
Friday, 13 February
2015
Spent the day with my son in Verona.
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| Entering the gates. Verona, Italy |
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| Verona's Arena in Piazza Bra completed around 30 A.D. |
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| The Carnavale revelers gathered on the steps of the Palazzo Barbieri |
All dressed in historical garb for the Carnavale Parade through the streets of Verona, Italy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Barbieri,_Verona
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| Verona during the Valentine's Day celebrations |
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| A street in Verona--see the granite floor? |
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| Waling on granite-lined streets. Amazing Verona, Italy |
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| Scotty in Verona |
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| Piazza Erbe - Verona, Italy |
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| Verona, Italy |
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| Piazza Erbe in Verona, Italy |
CHOCOLATE EVERYWHERE!
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| My impression of Juliet. Or not. |
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| Street in Verona, Italy |
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| Adige river in Verona. |
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| One of the fountains in Verona. |
Of course, a visit to Verona would not be complete without stopping by
Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House)
The famous Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet was set in Verona.
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| Entry into the courtyard of Casa di Giulietta, Verona Italy |
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| Letters left for Juliet pinned to the entry walls |
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| Letters everywhere! |
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| The balcony of Casa di Giuletta, Verona, Italy |
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| Me with the bronze statue of Juliet. Didn't rub the right breast. I'm already lucky in love! |
http://www.zainoo.com/en/italy/veneto/verona/juliets-house
Lunch at Della Ragione in Piazza Erbe.
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| Scotty's pano of the restaurant |
So good. Tortellini.
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| Beautiful heart of flowers in one of the courtyards hosting amazing Chocolate-selling vendors |
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| Macaroons anyone? Light, tasty, melt-in-your mouth goodness! |
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| Statue of Dante |
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| Ponte di Pietra, (Stone Wall Bridge), Verona, Italy |
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| Pano view of the Adige river and the Ponte Pietra, Verona, Italy |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelvecchio_(Verona)
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| The stone "floor" of the Ponte di Castel Vecchio |
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| Crossing the Ponte di Castel Vecchio |
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| The moat around the Castel Vecchio (Old Castle) |
Also flour and eggs make an appearance also. Teenagers covered in flour are a common site along the parade route. Cracked eggs can also be seen on the ground. Couldn't find out if this is a tradition (flour & eggs = Pasta?) or not.
Saturday, 14
February 2015
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| Princess aka: Granddaughter enjoying her beignets! |
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| Scotty with the new grand baby |
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| Grandson poses for a Valentine's Day picture. |
Strolled through the market and returned to spend a quiet day at home.
Spent Valentine's Day evening with three very special kids!
Sunday, 15
February 2015
Today I decided to try making Lasagna using fresh ingredients from the local market. Lots of work but SOO worth it!
Thanks to our neighbor Lucia who gave me tips on how to handle the freshly-made pasta and her son, PG who translated her instructions.
Here's the finished product.
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| YUMMY Lasagna. Thanks to Lucas for the recipe. The recipe called for Seven but only used 5 different types of meat. Mama Mia! |
Monday, 16 February 2015
Today
we saw Venice! Venezia is so much like New Orleans. Love them both for different reasons!
For those of you enjoying lower gas prices and hated when they were higher--you were still better off than the Italians. Here's their prices per liter. Multiply by 4.55 to get price per gallon. Now you know why they drive those tiny cars!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Venice and am so happy I got to see her in the sunshine!
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| Bridge across from the bus stop and parking garage |
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| Yes, Venice in the sunshine! |
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| Great view of the grand canal at the top of the bridge |
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| Venice at Carnavale! |
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| See why the Gondoliers are so good at what they do |
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| Another door photo. Can't help myself. Love the doors of Italy! |
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| Flowers in the winter in Venice, Italy |
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| San Marcos Basilica, Venezia Italy |
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| San Marcos Piazza |
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| Costume in Venice |
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| Carnavale in Venice |
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| In Venice for Carnavale |
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| Scotty during boat ride to the island of Murano |
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| On Murano - Island off the coast of Venice |
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| Glass blowing tour on the island of Murano |
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| A glassblower doing his thing. |
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| From Murano |
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
My last day before flying home ended with the perfect bookend--the privilege of attending the PWOC (Protestant Women of the Church)'s Bible study–"Outrageous Olives". So fitting for my last day in Italy. Met several sweet Godly women. Wished I could have spent more time getting to know them.
Mailed flour and other groceries home. I'm excited to cook with fresher/unadulterated ingredients. I'll be making Lasagna again for hubby when I get back home. Will also try my hand at Pasta Fagioli-perfect for those cold, dreary Winter days.
Here's recipes if you'd like to try also:
Thanks to http://www.cookingwithlucas.com for the recipes!
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Flew out today. Flight from Venice to Frankfort was delayed. Stressed a bit because I only had one-hour layover in Frankfort. LONG walk from one gate to the next, but fortunately my connecting flight was delayed so I didn't miss it. One of the last to board. WHEW!
So glad to arrive in Denver, Colorado to clear blue skies and mild temperatures. So fun watching all the visitors who have come to the United States for the first time. Welcome to my home country!
And to my adopted country:
Arrivederci, Italia. I hope to see you again very soon.
I will miss your food, coffee, history, and hospitality!
Final note: Bought an Imperia pasta machine at Williams-Sonoma before leaving Denver. Ready to make home-made pasta with the flour I brought home from Italy!
While there I found this treasure:
White Balsamic Condiment. Awesome over salad with good olive oil.
Highly recommend.
I hope your days are filled with blessings. Thank you, readers for allowing me to share my trip with you.
Special day today, the release of my first Women's Fiction novel, THE VIGIL!
Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe.
I pray you find
"a little something extra"
in each of your days.
Marian
