The Island of Lampedusa: a Refuge

Current Events, Other Italy Favorites4 Comments

The island of Lampedusa, southern-most point in Europe, is where Africa meets Europe,  where the West picks up subtle influences of the Middle East.   Closer to Africa (just over one-hundred-fifty kilometers from Tunis) than to Sicily (two hundred kilometers to the north), Arab and Christian sailors crossed paths on this island for centuries, praying to their own gods in adjacent grottoes.   Near those grottoes today is the Santuario della Madonna del Porto Salvo (Sanctuary of the Madonna of Safe Haven) where the lampedusani often stop in to a whisper a prayer to their venerated Madonna,  after reverently touching her cloak.
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Floral Masterpieces for an October Papal Welcome

Festivals, Special Events, Unforgettable ItaliansLeave a comment

Excitement peaking in Assisi for Pope Francis’ arrival on October 4th for the Feast of St. Francis – and each day, the Umbrian newspapers leak news tidbits on the “surprises” under preparation for the Pope. One of the most splendid will be the floral petal carpet – infiorata – created by the floral artists of Spello and Cannara, two Umbrian medieval towns famed for the floral tapestries created each year for the Feast of Corpus Cristi (xosty days after Easter)
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Pope Francis, Anticipating His Assisi Visit

Special Events4 Comments

Assisi is in euphoria over the arrival here of Pope Francis on October 4th for la Festa di San Francesco.

Hotels have been sold out for months and the Assisians’ anticipation is palpable. We’re not yet sure about the day’s itinerary but Umbrian newspapers – and national ones – drop tidbits of enticing speculation now and then. We know that Papa Francesco has responded “si” to the invitation of all at the Istituto Serafico – housing over one hundred severely-handicapped children and youth – to drop in for a visit. read more…

Pig to Prosciutto

Rural Friends, Rural Life3 Comments

Few tomatoes remain in our garden, the grapes are in and as the days grow colder, we head towards olive-gathering time. The olives will be in and milled for oil before the coldest days arrive. The cold weather brings reminisces…like this one: This inordinately cold winter is perfect for pig slaughtering time: once the pig…

Zsa-zsa’s Story

Rural Friends, Rural LifeLeave a comment

Sorting through old photos recently and came across this one… which brought back so many memories of our years (late 70’s and early 80’s) working the land here on our farm outside of Assisi…. Zsa-zsa was turned into prosciutto, barbozza, capocollo, salami, sausages, bacon, coppa, lard … (do my eyes look red?) I was in the…

Truffle Reminisces

Food/Wine Lore, Rural Friends, Rural LifeLeave a comment

I was at Ristorante Da Giovannino down the road the other day, listening to appassionati truffle hunters, Severino and Italo, talking about when they’d finally find truffles this year. Deluging spring rains and unseasonal cold weather in May and June have set the season back. The truffle – an underground fungus – needs moisture but it also need warmth. Italo predicts that he’ll find summer black truffles after the moon changes on July 8th.
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