Stories
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AUGUST IS A UNIQUE MONTH!
Absolutely! August is indeed a unique month with a rich history and various celebrations. Here are some more details about the significance and events associated with August: August was named in honor of Emperor Augustus in 8 BC. It was originally called “Sextilis” because it was the sixth month in the Roman calendar. The ancient Continue reading
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THANKSGIVING IN ITALY
Although Thanksgiving is uniquely an American holiday nearly every continent has some version in their own culture though not celebrated necessarily in November. Those Thanksgiving events usually are a celebration of harvest. Italy, with its American transplants ‘ influence finds itself in many areas awkwardly scrambling to celebrate Thanksgiving. Finding a turkey, “tacchino” in Italy is, Continue reading
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!
On a beautiful September day, September 30, 1986, to be exact, with very little fanfare but lots of palpitations, anticipation and excitement, our family unlocked the door to the E. 48th Street Market for the very first time. Little did we know what the future would bring. That was 38 years ago, and we haven’t regretted a minute of Continue reading
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It is August Already!
UNBELIEVABLY WE ARE MORE THAN HALFWAY THRU THE YEAR! August is the 8th month of the year in our calendar and is named after the Roman emperor Augustus. Leo and Virgo are the zodiac signs. It is also National Sandwich Month as it was invented in 1762 by the Earl of Sandwich, hence the name. Summer Continue reading
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Pici and the Sienese Hills
PICI AND THE SIENESE HILLS If you could take a leisurely trip into the enchanted land of the Tuscan Sienesi hills you would find yourself in the midst of some incredible wine country rolling from San Gimignano thru Poggibonsi and all the way to Monterpulciano, Pienza and Chiusa. Not only would you be able to Continue reading
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Chocolate Fig Cake
CHOCOLATE FIG CAKE And the story of a fig tree. We have a fig tree at our house that keeps us supplied with figs all summer long. This is a very special tree because it is more than 50 years old and has moved with us several times. It started as a root/seedling brought in Continue reading
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Basil Pesto History
Basil pesto is actually a relatively modern pasta sauce compared to others. It was invented in Genova, Liguria in the 1800s. In fact, it’s usually referred to as pesto Genovese. Before they invented pesto, the Genovese often ate their pasta either cooked in broth and sprinkled with cheese or seasoned with condiments such as prescinsêua Continue reading
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Happy 4th of July
Yay! We are all here for our annual family beach vacation. As I’ve mentioned before because there are 21 of us, we never ever make plans to go out to eat. That would be too much of a hassle and most chaotic. As an alternative we’ve had a plan that has worked for us for many Continue reading
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THE MAGNIFICENT ANGEL OAK
I had read a few stories about this famous tree and so while we are now on vacation on Isle of Palms, our daughter offered to take us to see it. It certainly was a treasure to see and one not to be missed. On Johns Island in Charleston is where you will find what Continue reading
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Crumb Buns at the Beach
IT’S SUNDAY AT THE BEACH and somethings never change! Sunday morning breakfasts were always a big deal when our children were growing up. After church there was usually a trip to the bakery and there they would buy Italian bread for dinner and crusty rolls and some sweet buns for dessert. Once home Charlie would Continue reading
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