A call to arms: my war with the local militia of Tiger Mosquitos (Zanzare Tigre)
Tips for how to combat these potentially dangerous (and certainly annoying) pests.
Sprouts! A fitting start to my quest to get fit in Italy (#fitaly)
While the chains of love will forever bind me to tortelli and Parmigiano-Reggiano, I feel that I must break free. I must rebel. I must grow sprouts.
“Pan, parsùt, figa, e lambrùsc.” – Reggiano dialect phrase for the recipe to health and a long life.
An analysis of the keys to a fulfilling life, according a Reggiano farmer.
I remember when eating was fun.
My daily life can no longer support the onslaught of carbohydrates and pork that this country is wielding at me. This is my call for help. (#fitaly)
When I was 10, I didn’t need a Daily Prompt to help me write.
Trying to break my silent streak with a reference to Silent Springs… (Did anyone get that? Anyone?)
Looking back on one year of marriage… to an Italian man.
In my vast one year of experience (but 6 years together, with 5 of them in Italy), I shall try to address and debunk some common myths about marrying an Italiano, with a concerted effort to artfully sidestep the stereotypes and generalizations that sometimes get me in trouble.
Italian marketing mistake #2: ‘Soffass’ toilet paper
The most interesting discoveries can come from lack of reading material while you’re on the toilet.
Italian marketing mistake #1: ‘Gis Baby’
An unfortunate selection of a company name for a baby supplies store… or is it?
6 reasons why Lambrusco of Emilia, Italy, will be the next trendy wine
I would like to put forth a prediction that this refreshing, fizzy, chilled red wine soon gets picked up as the go-to drink in trendy wine bars all over America. Here are my reasons:
How to porcini like a pro.
The title of this post may be misleading, in that it implies that I already know how to porcini like a pro… Which is not, in fact, the case. It is the quest! Join me…
That horrible moment when you realize you married a Speedo wearing European.
Exploring my thoughts on tight versus loose, regarding men’s lower body garments.
La Casa di Sand and Fog, Emilia edition… (less sand and more fog).
This is the Hollywood-like (only not really) dramatic retelling of our persistent loathing of the vista from our balcony: ‘La Casa di Sand and Fog’.
What do Chef Boyardee and Häagen-Dazs have in common?
am I the only one that is finding these two marketing campaigns hilarious?
If you’re going to live in Emilia, you need to know what “sisso” is.
What is sisso? Some would say it’s like gold. It’s the fuel of the regional agricultural industry. It’s the byproduct of the rich food culture of traditional Emilia. It’s a farmer’s most essential source of nourishment. It’s the smell that fills the air at dinner time in the summer. It’s the taste that lingers in your mouth after exhaling.
It’s pig poo.
Please, please, don’t name your baby something that translates to ‘butt hole’ in English.
How do you tactfully beg this of your fiance’s brother at their mother’s dinner table? This was the task I was charged with one memorable evening two years ago.
The orto sul my balcone: an agressive seed sowing strategy
My crazy cartoon depicting my lack of willpower when it comes to seed planting.
è così: Potty humor and pace of life in a small Italian town.
The second week after arriving in Italy, as I was knee deep in my attempt to nest in my boyfriend’s bachelor pad, our toilet broke… it was a Friday morning. This is the story of my naive attempt to have it fixed.
A handy guide to gender roles in European architectural standards.
The architectural standards guide that answers all questions, both about architecture… and life… let’s take a look, shall we?
Back off, Parma! The cheese is ours! (The fight for Parmigiano-Reggiano.)
This post provides photographic and definitive proof that Permigiano-Reggiano is Reggiano first and foremost.
The Latino Love Factor: how an Italian husband gets out of the doghouse.
The story of an Italian husband saving his own hide with none other than… food.
‘The Pointy Elbow Incident’ and my Market Day Game Plan response.
Wednesday is market day here in our little town. Yesterday, as I was sharpening my elbows in preparation, I started to reflect on the naïvety with which I approached my first market day almost five years ago.
From ‘cool’ to ‘c***’ : 50 shades of genitaliano slang.
What Valentine’s Day is complete without an extensive discussion of Italian slang derived from female private parts?
Somehow, between the chocolate covered strawberries and the bottle of passito wine, my husband and I ventured into this graphic subject late last night. It was actually kind of fascinating.
The annual Maialata, a traditional Italian pork fest.
It’s that time of year again here in rural Emilia… that time of year when La Famiglia gets together for a full day of literally pigging out. The Maialata (‘maiale’ means ‘pig’ and ‘-ata’ kind of makes it a ‘fest’) is a traditional meal that takes place in January, when farmers used to butcher their pigs for the coming year’s supply of prosciutto and salame.
The frustrations of a public health care supporter.
One of my favorite things about living in Italy is the public health care system… Then comes the day when I need to go to the doctor, and my faith falters.
Standing in the fog, cursing Italian public administration.
That’s what I’m doing right now.
Fantastically large and scrumptous pizza at Corchia, in the hills of Parma.
Looking for a fantastic gastro-destination in the province of Parma? We stumbled across this incredible restaurant (which we had heard stories about before) while we were on a weekend trip.
The Bank of La Famiglia discovers that I am worth nothing.
The following story has been one of my favorites to tell and retell over the course of my time here in Italy. It was one of my first culture shock experiences, and it took place the first month I was in Italy – about 4 years ago. It exemplifies the understatement that Italian do all business by word-of-mouth and personal recommendations.
Listen up, Italians. Air conditioning will NOT make you sick.
disclaimer: This is me just venting (ha!). I actually am not a big fan of air conditioning (ha again! I kill me.). Here’s what I really think helps indoor air quality: http://emuarchitects.com/2013/08/20/mold-and-condensation-problems/ ______________________ I am originally from a hot climate. My home state in the US regularly sees summer temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I remember…
Itanglish: “The fighettoness here is killing me.”
The word ‘fighetto’ has recently become somewhat of a staple in my ever evolving Itanglish vocabulary. Let’s dissect, shall me?
A note about the recent earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
I just started this blog last weekend, but I’ve already had a couple of people note that I’m located in the area where we’ve had multiple earthquakes recently… they’ve asked what it’s like, so I thought I would just write a quick note about our experience here.
Quite possibly the best burger in Italy. With real bacon!
Yes, that’s right… I may have found it. While I cannot claim to have tried EVERY burger in Italy… (someday perhaps)… I will say that I have been grossly disappointed multiple times by restaurants claiming to have the real deal and not following through. My disappointment does not just stem from the simple fact that…
