Issue #6 "Italy Fever E-Notes" by Darlene Marwitz 04.30.01

==============================================
ITALYFEVER.COM: The Italy Lover's Pre- and Post-Travel Online Companion
==============================================

IN THIS ISSUE:

- - - LIVING LA DOLCE VITA
- - - FOOD AND DRINK
- - - HOME AND GARDEN
- - - BOOKS AND MOVIES
- - - MUSIC AND OPERA
- - - TRAVEL AND TIDBITS

****************************************************
LIVING LA DOLCE VITA: "Truffle Dog"

Every once in a while our Hanna Vicenza makes grunting and sucking sounds that could rival a pig. And every time she does it I think we've struck gold, discovered a patch of truffles beneath mighty oaks. Should I grab a shovel and dig? Or enter her in a contest, World's Funniest Dog Noises? I never know what to do. Mostly I just listen and laugh and dream of Italy: I picture nose-to-the-ground cani in action in Umbria and Piedmont searching for elusive tartufi, and then I fantasize about tartufo gelato, the chocolate concoction that looks like a truffle.

Recently, however, I've started worrying that Hanna's muzzle is less talented than I'd hoped it to be. Instead of "sniffing out" exotic delicacies (for which she could become famous!), I catch her rooting for ants, bugs, or snails-anything that moves. A few weekends ago in Fredericksburg, I heard Hanna's familiar nose music playing and then watched in amazement as our pup downed three June bugs in a matter of seconds. I couldn't have stopped her if I'd tried. I wanted to run to her and listen to her belly, convinced that she'd swallowed them whole, that the June bugs were still buzzing inside, but I didn't. Instead, I started wondering about a truffle-sniffing school, if one existed, preferably in Umbria, a potential training adventure for Hanna-and me.

Ciao,
Darlene

****************************************************

FOOD AND DRINK:

In lieu of a cookbook suggestion this month, I offer a dessert recommendation that is sure to please: Gorgonzola (the creamy blue cheese from Lombardy) served at room temperature paired with fat juicy grapes, a sweet pear, or ripe peach. Fruit and cheese, the quintessential Italian finale to a typical meal.

*****
There's a new magazine out about Italy! Check newsstands now for the premier issue of
Italian Cooking & Living (http://www.italiancookingandliving.com) to see what it's all about. The layout is pleasing to follow and I'm impressed by the contents page from the start, immediately drawn to the "food festivals" section; I hope it's a regular feature. There's also a nice selection of advertisers in the il mercato section offering Italian ceramics for sale, including a few companies that are new to me. I can't wait to check them out for myself.

HOME AND GARDEN:

Tip: Don't wait for the beautiful stone fountain of your dreams. Do something simple instead-right away. Recently, I created a backyard gurgling fountain using a tiny circulating pump and a copper wall-pocket that I hung on our fence. By installing the water container high on the fence, it was out of "dog reach!" This also allowed me to run the electrical cord along the top runner of the fence to a nearby outdoor outlet, keeping the cord secure and out of site. The entire installation took me less than an hour to set up and refine. I tweaked it to create the sound I wanted and then added a few found objects and a tiny glass bottle to fill with cut flowers. Already, my little fountain is an instant memory maker, taking me to Italy via a simple garden pleasure.

BOOKS AND MOVIES:

Non-Fiction: Tooting my own horn! Italy Fever:14 Ways to Satisfy Your Love Affair with Italy (2000) by Darlene Marwitz. I have a two-for-one special for my readers in the month of May. Barnes & Noble is celebrating Texas Writers' Month, so I'm celebrating too! If you purchase a copy of my book during the month of May from Barnes & Noble (online or through a bookstore), then I'll also send you a FREE autographed copy as a gift-for yourself or someone else.

Just send me an e-mail to tell me that you bought my book from B & N in May and include your name and shipping address. [I'd also appreciate it if you could forward my newsletter to at least one friend! And, be sure to let me know if you'd like a personalized inscription.]

Mille grazie to you for helping me in May to spread the word about Italy Fever and "Italy Fever E-Notes."

Non-Fiction: Garden-related books always catch my attention and the newest one I've discovered is presented as a monthly journal, Notes from an Italian Garden (2000) by Joan Marble, illustrated by Corinna Sargood. The setting for this book is near the small village of Canale, north of Rome in Lazio. I've only read the chapters, January through March, but by "year's end," I'll surely have a stronger perspective on the garden stories of this new-to-me journalist and writer. The writing is not as sensual as A Garden in Luca: Finding Paradise in Tuscany by Paul Gervais (2000), but still, I look forward to reading about gardening experiences in a new region, something other than in Tuscany.

Fiction: I also have a new book for which I know nothing about except that I read the jacket and first paragraph and was hooked. Lily Prior starts her first novel, La Cucina: A Novel of Rapture (2000), with this sentence: "Tip the flour in a heap on the table." Her description of pasta making is sensual and the story that follows appears to be equally steamy, both of human and culinary passion. The setting is Sicily and the key character is Rosa, a librarian in Palermo. My first thought was that this book "sounded" similar to Like Water for Chocolate, and indeed, one reviewer on the back jacket wrote the same thing.

MUSIC AND OPERA:

The mandolin "takes me to Italy" in a heartbeat and a welcomed new CD is titled Mandolins from Italy: 24 Most Popular Melodies (2001). It's perfect escape music for dreaming, but equally ideal as theme music for your next Italian festa!

TRAVEL AND TIDBITS:

Please join me for my first Windstar cruise (Rome around to Venice) this fall and then stay for a "week at a Villa" in the Veneto. (Only a couple of spaces left for the villa!)

Week one, October 20-27, I'll be discussing Palladian villas and providing watercolor demonstrations aboard Windstar Cruise's "Wind Star" sailing vessel. Then, upon landing in Venice, I'll participate in "a week at a villa" program (October 27-November 3)-the lovely Villa Sorga, south of Verona-where fellow Italy lovers will savor a slice of northern Italy via fine wine, cuisine, art and architecture.

For more information on either of these adventures, or for other package options, please contact Harold Partain at Voyagers in Dallas, 1-800-335-2339.

Tip: Never leave home without a phrase book or language cassette tape-in your pocket, purse, or car! When I'm planning a road trip, it's easy to prepare by stocking up on audio book rentals and by packing good reading material, but I'm always amazed at how much free time is available (and wasted!) during errands and appointments about town. Italian instruction cassettes/CDs make ideal car-pocket stuffers and tiny phrase books are perfect "friends" while waiting in line at the bank, post office, etc.

Studio Musings:

Many of you have asked when I'll have artwork to sell online. Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! Just to let you know, I finally have a few watercolors underway with a special theme in mind: Italian landscapes and "pieces" of architecture. I'll keep you posted.

****************************************************
Parting Words: Following one's passion IS possible, even at home, one tiny "Italianized" step every day.

Buon Viaggio,
Darlene Marwitz

P. S. If you're experiencing difficulty with the links in this newsletter, please check to see if your browser is set to receive HTML. About half of you are receiving activated links (in blue) and half of you are not-sorry about that!

=================================================
Questions, comments, suggestions, or corrections?
Please send e-mail to darlene@italyfever.com. I welcome ideas for making this a better newsletter for Italy lovers seeking la dolce vita all year long!

=================================================
ITALY FEVER E-NOTES
Copyright 2000-2001, Darlene Marwitz. All rights reserved worldwide.
Subscribe to "Italy Fever E-Notes" at http://www.italyfever.com
The Italy Lover's Pre-and Post-Travel Online Companion
=================================================

Home / About the Book / About Darlene Marwitz and Studio Portico / Table of Contents and Chapter Excerpts / Resources & Links / FREE Newsletter / View Newsletters / Contact Us

© 1999-2006 Villa Texas, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.