FOTO FRIDAY: SPINNING

FOTO FRIDAY: The entryway table is bedecked for the upcoming holiday of the festival of lights, Chanukah, with my dreidl collection and my family. 

FYI Chanuka starts on Christmas Day in 2024.

     May your season be filled with light and love. 

               It is up to us to provide both.

TBT: 2013 change in a decade plus?

TBT: Tell it like it is... Ho, ho, ho. My Dad used to dress up as Santa for a Head Start Center in Little Rock so I know Santa can also be Jewish.

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: EARLY GIFTING

 MIDWEEK MUSING this week deals with gift giving. You know 'Tis the season.' Some folks start freaking out as soon as the shopping commercials begin. Unfortunately, there is a lot of emphasis on giving in our society.

Our Moms taught us it's the thought that counts.  Who doesn't like to receive a gift?  Yet there's no diminishing the decision-making as to what the gift should be. 

I received an early gift that keeps giving and requires the receiver to work. You know like a puzzle- and one's satisfaction with its completion. 

Anyhoo' my kids gave me  'Remento.'  It is like a mini Life Scrapbook with photos, script and audio. Only it's the receiver who has to do the work. There are life questions which you record your oral answer and then those responses are incorporated into a narrative (AI).  Too bad I can't do my blog this way! 

Photos can be supplied and loved ones use their phone to activate the recordings of the relayed stories. 

Yesterday's question was "What is your first childhood memory?"  You can record it as many times as you want/ if you don't like the question, request a different one.

Whether others really do listen to this keepsake will be up to them...

Here's Remento 's promise: 

"Not tech savvy? No problem.

We designed Remento with grandparents in mind. Simply speak your story and your automated biographer takes it from there."

NO LOGINS

NO DOWNLOADS

NO PASSWORDS

RECORD FRO

TUESDAY TUNES: BLACK HORSE & THE CHERRY TREE

 TUESDAY TUNES is one of those songs which brings back memories. This song was a favorite request of a Jazzerciser who  exercised next my spot in the old hospital gym in La Crosse. Yes, old timers have 'their' spots and she let me share the front row with her. 

Linda taught Math at UWL and I had this 'dry' stereotype of Math teachers so this song gave me insight into her personality. Linda fell ill and was hospitalized and was back home on the road to recovery when she dropped in the shower and was gone just like that. She had had an aneurysm. 

It was my first funeral to attend in La Crosse and so this song will always remind me of her in addition to the cookbook of her favorite recipes her husband compiled and made sure we Jazzercisers received.

So this here's to this special tune KT Tunstall's

   BLACK HORSE & THE CHERRY TREE 

FOTO FRIDAY: KIDS GROW UP WAY TOO FAST

FOTO FRIDAY is a sign of the times re: kids growing up way too fast. 

Last night a phone call from my daughter had very important news, Ms H, her daughter, now has a beau and he had given her a ring. I didn't even know she had a boyfriend. 

Ms H told me his name is Eli. Since it wasn't a Facetime I asked her to describe how it happened and to tell me what it looked like. She told me it is gold. Oh... I exclaimed.

Then her Mom snapped a pic and sent it to me.

Now, before you congratulate me you need to know Ms H is only 7. Eli had just asked her to be his boyfriend and he had bought the ring at the school store. Now that's modern romance for you.

These kids nowadays just grow up way too fast. 

As her Bubbe my wish is "May she have many more boys in her life that will appreciate how special she is until she finds the right one. "

TBT: COMPETITION THIS YEAR BEWEEN CHANUKA HARRY AND LARRY AND THE ELF ON A SHELF

 TBT: Almost a decade ago Chanuka Harry and Larry came into my life at the same time as childhood buddy Kaye knew I had spoken of Little Rock artist Jane Hankins taking on the endeavor to create some special figures for this winter Jewish holiday. Unbeknownst to Kaye, I had ordered one for myself and she had decided to gift me one too.  They have been blessing my home with silly shenanigans ever since.

Usually they don't have to complete with the Christmas Elf on a Shelf but due to the holidays coinciding on dates this year, they will. 

If you have any ideas for the guys you can submit your suggestions and we will see if they are game...  

You know these two love new ideas.

                         We always look forward to Chanuka !

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: COLD PRESS

MIDWEEK MUSINGS find me in back to Bubbe status and intro-ducing my young grand to new foods. This week is carrots and pumpkin. 

In addition to the little being a guinea pig, I also made a couple new recipes. One, an olive oil almond cake reminded me that I wanted to share a unique possibility to enjoy Tuscan organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from the olives picked during my stay. 

 B&B owners were hit hard due to COVID so here's our chance to help one particular cottage industry.

Poggio Etrusco's price list is updated on the website.  Note they no longer have the 750ml bottles due to not being able to find a supplier, So... they are only selling ½ litre tins this year. 

Here is a lovely description of Poggio Etrusco from their website.

"Poggio Etrusco is Pamela and Johnny’s 15-acre organic olive farm near Montepulciano in the southern Tuscan province of Siena. We completed our organic certification with ICEA in 2005. Our small artisanal production with 800 trees has five varieties of traditional Tuscan olives: moraiolo, leccino, correggiolo, frantoiana, and pendolino.

In October, and sometimes into early November, nets are spread under the trees,  olives are quickly and carefully picked and taken to the frantoio (olive mill) within 24-48 hours. The olives are washed, leaves removed, then put into the continuous system that macerates, extracts, and centrifuges the sparkling fresh oil. The result is an oil with extremely low acidity and lots of polyphenols...super fresh and healthy! 

The label was designed by Johnny Johns and expresses our desire for a clean, sustainable, peaceful world.

We are very proud of our oil and pleased to offer you the opportunity to try it."

 If interested, here's the link to their Order Form. 

TUESDAY TUNES: OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES

 TUESDAY TUNES is inspired by my days sharing music with my 5 month old granddaughter. She loves to squeal and share her vocal cords in response with the most beautiful smiles. I don't know what she will end up doing with her life but I have a feeling music will be part of it.

Today's tune is composed by a 10 year old with a lovely story... Take a listen. Olive's Score. 

Or to hear it FB's :  ABC's NEWS Muir 

FOTO FRIDAY: Gettin' Rid of PORN

FOTO FRIDAY: Can't disappoint with my last Texan treat... 

Mighty artistic altho' Gauguin didn't paint it.

 

I was a magician, I made this ' food porn' disappear...

Lemon tart via Leonelli...

TBT: 2016 I TRUST YOU

 TBT: I wish things were better in today's world.

 May we all remember we are each other's keeper... 

Perhaps you'd like to grab a kleenex.

I TRUST YOU-  KARIM SULAYMAN

TUESDAY TUNES: DON'T SAY DON'T GO

TUESDAY TUNES:  Is one of the Swifter's ... At least that's what I have nicknamed her... 

Here's a new favorite tune for this Jazzerciser... 

DONT SAY DON'T GO

MONDAY MUSINGS: BYE BYE BIRDIE

MONDAY MUSINGS have me reflecting on the past holiday week which passed undocumented as both you and I were busy with the holiday of Thanksgiving.

My Georgia clan was headed to Florida, the California crew was entertaining their LA fam and I enjoyed a family dinner the Sunday before since my nephew and to-be niece were in early. 

One of my favorite Canadian couchsurfers was on his return trip north and stopped en route for a couple of nights. 

We did squeeze in an Old Mill visit amidst some unforeseen house projects. I was hoping he'd help me organize the workbench, but that will have to wait for another visit and it obviously can wait as it's been 3 years since it's been on my to-do list.

Wednesday we both headed to our respective Turkey dinners. Houston was my destination and the airports really were so much quieter than expected. Apparently many travellers chose to travel on Tuesday. Go figure and I was able to change a long Dallas layover to an earlier flight which had 50 open seats!

 Homemade pizza awaited me. YUM.

Thursday's holiday table was filled with much thankfulness for the bounty, those who helped prepare it and for all those seated around the two tables. All the traditional fare was in the kitchen buffet line including salmon for the nonmeat eaters and an Irish family recipe of stuffed tomatoes... See below.

Couldn't capture it all: Turkey, gravy, oven potatoes, bread stuffing, cranberry salad, casseroles of sweet potato, corn pudding and green beans in addition to a pomegranate salad and rolls. Apple pie, brownies and pumpkin bread for dessert. I'm sure I left something out... 

Leftovers would be plentiful to devour during the week... And as my holiday shirt stated: we gobbled til we wobbled.

May this holiday season continue to be filled with the important things in life: good food, good friends and family...  Best wishes to you all.

And to my nail art I say Bye, Bye Birdie...

 

FOTO FRIDAY: PERSPECTIVE

FOTO FRIDAY: This week I get to share  something my Opa (Grandfather) painted a lot of during his life, just not from this perspective.

Opa lived at the base of the Alps in Mittenwald but during tourist season he lived in Italy and made his living painting the Italian Alps. 

It was such a wonderful two weeks enjoying Tuscany.  So many wonderful memories for me to attempt painting...

  Arrivederci Italia. 

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was weak on volunteer titles but here was my favorite  I CAN FIT  .

TBT: COFFEE ANY ONE?

TBT: As I previously commented on my increased imbibing regional wines and also Negroni, the gin concoction, I also was privvy to a more caffeinated day. 

Seriously, how can one be in Italy and just be a teetotaler?

So I learned how strong Italian coffee can be, even a supposedly mild macchiato made me shaky. Whoa. But I couldn't refuse Johnny, our very own barista at Poggio Etrusco.

Recently this machine was added to the decor of the Johns' household and Johnny made sure our days weren't lacking caffeine.

What a beaut, no?

I'm sure if it could talk there would be oodles of stories...

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: MISHUGENAH -KRAAAAZZZY

 I am beginning to wonder if I will ever make it through all the hoops to change my previous phone number. You enter a site and indicate you want to change your phone number and the automated response is  that you are being texted using the old phone number. Seriously?

So, so aggravating. Now I am receiving collection agency calls on the new number for Sandra. I inform them this is my new number and AT&T is not going to be happy to see me again- so PLEASE take my new number off their list.

Two days later before 6am, you know I am up, but certainly not expecting a phone call at that hour and the phone rings, I answer it and there's silence at the other end. 

 "Good morning," I quip ... silence.  Bewildered I now add, who's calling?"  

A groggy voice  responds "this is Sandra. "silence.

 " Okay, can I help you?" 

She utters: "This used to be my phone number, " and proceeds to hang up. 

I write down the number she called me on and have decided if the collection agencies keep bugging me for Sandra, I'm giving them that number. 

The next day the phone rings and a voice asks if Sandra is here. 

Give me strength. "No, I thought this is my number now."

She hangs up. Now if she had waited 10 seconds, I would have asked her if she would like Sandra's new number... but she didn't.

For years on my 414 number, I received harmless calls for 'Rafael' if I wanted to sell my house/ vote for whomever. Fortunately, we were of the same political bend ... 

So,  now is the time to contemplate whether I want to keep the number. You just might be receiving this year's newsletter with a different phone number. Just saying...

TUESDAY TUNES: 'MEMBER DA- GODFATHER?

TUESDAY TUNES: Certain Italian songs seeped into our lives when we were a lot younger ... Here's a steamy one that resurfaced although not from Tuscany but farther south- Sicily. 

 The first link is subtitles in both Spanish and English.  I feel it's more powerful in Italian.

BRUCIA LA TERRA

or this version :

Brucia la terra

or where I saw it this week...

:FB: VERSION

MONDAY MUSINGS: PRESSING NEWS YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY..

 Monday Musings is about why the end product ends up so costly especially if you want it rated organic  So come with to see what happens with all those bins of picked olives. 

We actually had a morning field trip in between our lunch prep to  check out a local press in Chianciano. 

As we approached the building machine noise welcomed us as we witnessed leaves flying out of a PVC pipe into barrels.

Benvenuto a Frantoio where a sister and brother are now helping run their family's business... 

Electrical issues for this generation are not the same as those massive old wooden presses that greeted us before entering. (L)

Truthfully, we weren't sure if we would see the process as one of the new automated machines had broken down the day before. 

It seemed even if all weren't functioning, the noise level was nonetheless deafening 

Anyhoo, after the extra debris is detached ie: small branches/stems along with leaves, insects, etc...the olives are washed...

before heading to the main room where they are ground and kneaded...

water added, separated, husks discarded...

  

and the centrifuge goes to work separating the water and oil...

and one voila the finished product.

Isn't it beautiful?

We had a sampling of the newly produced extra virgen olive oil with baguette slices.

Delizioso.

We'll talk about organic and the different grades another day...

FOTO FRIDAY: A PICTURE SAYS A 1000 WORDS

This FOTO FRIDAY I am putting the title from my 1000+ Tuscany Kodak moments in your hands. 

Let's see your suggestions in the comments. 

I know you won't disappoint...

Last week's title didn't do the pic justice so: THINGS ARE GETTING OILY

TBT: A DECADE...WELL ALMOST!

TBT: Today my brother Marc and I will spend some time visiting our Mom and cleaning up a bit as today marks her 95th birthday and what we both thought was a decade. Okay forget both of thinking 2014 as we discovered after removing the rain-splattered mud from my parents's joint headstone. Fortunately, I had a water bottle in the car and wipees in my travel backback.

Mom was the epitome of a homemaker having received her masters in Home Economics and Child Development.  I interrupted her doctorate plan with my arrival and gave her the title of Mom instead of Ph.D.

Since she was such a good cook, our father rarely gave her a day off from being in the kitchen until we 3 kids had moved on.  She loved baking and always shared her culinary endeavors at dinner parties/ with friends.

Bridge was her constant, a master in duplicate bridge and a director at the Little Rock Bridge house. We called it her home away from home. She had more than one bridge group. It was a cruel joke that her loss of sight prevented her from continuing playing.

In later years she also enjoyed swimming laps at the Y/ the senior center in North Little Rock and participating in the senior program of LifeQuest.

As a German Jew she lived through the Holocaust and then the Civil Rights years in Arkansas.  After all she witnessed she warned us about any religious right.  Today's news would have proven her feelings once again...

 May her memory always be for a blessing...

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: B&B:BEAUTY & BOUNTY

Having lived off the land in the Coulee in southwestern Wisconsin (where contour plowing was introduced) and recently being an agritourist in the Tuscan countryside, I was fascinated by their agricultural practices. Of course, this Tuscan area near Montepulciano  is famous for its vineyards and olive groves. We even had an apple orchard at Poggio Etrusco's neighbors. But, the farmland can also be used for grains.

As one drives through the rolling hills between towns in some places the land appears almost like a moonscape and then upon closer inspection there are acres of big clodded upturned earth. 

Katharine, an ex-pat, introduced us to the surrounding farmland  explaining that tractors disc blade the land not once, not twice, but three times. I had seen the Amish in the land above our Wisconsin land whose plows are horsedrawn do this technique enabling earlier access to the fields but only disc plowed once.

Disc blades no matter what can be used for tilling, preparing farmland and mowing vegetation whether it's grass/hay. 

As far as this eye can see of this Tuscan vista

In tilling the discs cut, mix and turn over the soil, bringing nutrients up to the surface and helping crops's roots develop. Discing prepares the land for sowing seeds and also integrating leftover crop remains into the soil.

Okay, so there's aeration and more soil uniformity and discs can be adjusted for depth. Larger blades dig deeper.

Fascinating for this transplant suburbanite...

The world is very lucky UNESCO chose this area of Tuscany as a World Heritage site so future generations can continue to enjoy both the bounty and the beauty of this region.

TUESDAY TUNES A BLAST FROM THE PAST ...

TUESDAY TUNES this week makes the cut as it was in my favorite movie of the weekend FOCUS. What an entertaining premise and story line...especially at a time when we all feel we have been scammed. I think many of you will remember this tune. The image will give you a hint.

I haven't heard it in so long... by It's a Beautiful Day (1970)

WHITE BIRD

 

MONDAY MUSINGS: THE NOSE KNOWS

MONDAY MUSINGS is about sniffing; both the good and the bad.  Our schnazzes come in all sizes and maybe the bigger, the better for their olfactory jobs. You'll see what I mean...

 

Some folks make their living by sniffing: 

Sommeliers, wine smellers.

Cogno scenti, a person who smells perfumes

food scientist, a chocolatier ...

or in the case of my most recent outing out in a forest in Tuscany, a dog who has a very specific use for her sense of smell.  

Meet Milli, considered one of the best  trained dogs to sniff out the special mushroom called truffles which grow off tree roots underground.

 Her owner, Paolo is the presiding president of the Truffle Associaton of the entire province of Siena. He trained his dogs, Milli and 2 others to sniff out these very valuable seasonal truffles. In the fall there are white truffles. But we were warned that rains were scarce during the most crucial time for truffles to grow this past summer. We would be lucky to encounter any... 

And from the disturbed earth it is evident that wild pigs, boars, have
beaten us to the area. Their damaging tracks are everywhere.

As Milli picks up a scent and begins to dig to uncover her find, Paolo interrupts her gently, clearing the area with one hand and can tell by the smell of the earth if a truffle is there...

 

Then Paolo uses his spear-like tool to dig down to find the truffle.  Milli is allowed to eat her first find of the day and from then on she is satisfied with just normal doggie treats. 

Thanks to Milli and  Paolo's perseverance, we luck out with 2 white truffles. 

The nose knows. We also get a whiff of this earthy mushroom.

The restaurant we went to for lunch is kind enough to use our truffles in our meals with Crostina di Tartufo,  as well as atop a fried egg. Yum.

Lucky, indeed, accompanying local pici pasta and a nice glass of local wine and dessert, a deconstructed cannoli to be shared.  

What a day with the wonderful walk in the woods on Paolo's land experiencing a truffle hunt, hearing about his efforts to foster preserving truffles by planting the right kind of trees and a lunch al fresco to enjoy Milli and Paolo's find. Returning to spend the remainder of the day sketching/ painting. 

My sniffer is beyond content.