Today is Saturday morning and I am getting ready to go to brunch.. Yesterday We went To Brio Tuscan Grille a great Italian restaurant for lunch and early dinner after that I went shopping in Victoria's Secret. Tomorrow I have to decide if I want to stay in Vegas for another week or go back to La. I have a few castings back there, but i also feel like I need a break from La. the town is so hectic a
Author: Bob McCormack
Article:
Lying in a broad arch off Tuscany's coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea,the Tuscan Archipelago is Europe's largest protected marinepark. The archipelago encompasses seven main islands and severalsmaller islets stretching from Gorgona in the north (almost onthe same latitude as Florence) to Giannutri in the south vithCapraia, Elba, Pianosa, Montecristo, and Giglio in
This week Hippocrene has the distinct pleasure of following up on our previous entries on Tuscan cooking from authors Madeline Armillotta and Diane Nocentini with a video cooking demonstration. Here's what Diane has to say:For the first time in six years my family and I had the opportunity to return to my childhood home in Victoria for our summer vacation. We had a memorable holiday, which include
Middle East expatriates have long enjoyed summer months under the Tuscan sun. There is an enviable combination of sunshine, cool hill-tops and wonderful food and wine. This summer I investigated two apartment complexes offering near five-star apartment accommodation.
Only opened this Easter, the Poggio Al Casone near Pisa is already popular with expats from the Gulf, [...]
About This Painting:Title: Poppies in TuscanyArtist: Jan BlencoweMedia: acrylicSize: 40 in X 30 in (101.6 cm X 76.2 cm)Price: $2400, shipping and insurance includedHow to Purchase:send me an emailWell it's finally done! I will paint the sides of the gallery wrap canvas a neutral warm gray, put an isolation coat on it and then finish it with an archival varnish. It can be hung with or without a fra
Work in Progressalmost finishedAfter a few more hours of work this is almost done. I've added more poppies to the foreground, left side especially, along with poppy seed pods, stems and more distinguishable grasses and leaves. I've also done quite a bit of glazing in the trees, middle ground, and on the poppies themselves. I need to live with this for a few days and see if there is anything else t
About This Painting:Media: acrylicSize: 40 in X 30 in (101.6 cm X 76.2 cm)Whoops! Sorry this post went down the memory hole in to the cyber black hole...I'm going to see if I can recover it.
I haven't done this in a long time on the blog, show a work in progress, but here's one to share. This is a large painting 40x30, on gallery wrap canvas. While I do work rapidly and for large blocks of time, 40x30 is large enough that it will take me several days to get this done. Particularly since on Monday I teach and won't have much time to be in the studio painting. This painting is destined
When visiting Tuscany, it is important to spend lots and lots of time on the beach. This is because the Tuscan coastline is absolutely beautiful. The water is so clear and the water temperature is so perfect for swimming. With all of the small villages, bays, ports, and other attractions along the way, you’ll probably [...]
Lately I've been painting the interior of our house. You may recall that I've been building this house since before I even started this blog -- which is to say, before time began. The house is finally nearing completion, and I've been trying to get it painted so that we can move in our furniture and tiki dolls and whatnot.We painted most of the interior a light sage green color. When people see
We use our bbq all year round (even when we lived in Canada) and I'm always looking for recipes that enable us to cook outdoors. Fennel has an anise like flavor but is more aromatic, sweeter and less pungent and goes well with pork. The name comes from the Greek word for marathon because the famous battle at Marathon (490 BC) against the Persians was fought on a field of fennel.Serves 4-6recipe fr
Tuscan Kitchen Cabinets - 4 "Must Ask Questions"In a kitchen inspired by a Tuscan design, it's the Tuscan kitchen cabinets that manage to garner all the attention. Crafted to perfection from medium or dark stained woods in an array of dramatic shades, these cabinets steal the show almost instantly. No wonder, they have earned the sobriquet, 'objects of desire'.Questions In The Labyrinths Of Your M
Paradise Valley, AZ Architectural VarietyParadise Valley, AZ is not only Tuscan homes or older ranches. There is a rich and expanding inventory of contemporary homes through out the city from the flat areas to the hillsides of the surrounding mountains. (Above is a Tuscan type - Not too bad, right)The home above is an example of the architecture that will save Paradise Valley from the
Until 27th July at Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti in Venice, an exclusive exhibition is open to the public, and it’s dedicated to the artworks belonging to the great Macchiaioli of Tuscan 19th century: I MACCHIAIOLI CAPOLAVORI DELLA COLLEZIONE MARIO TARAGONI.
It seems to be nothing special, but the real peculiarity of this exhibition is that all [...]
Ferragamo will launch a new perfume in September 2008 called Tuscan Soul. Its name by the way is the exact English translation of Isabel Derroisné Ame Toscane, a bestseller of the brand. Tuscan Soul is designed to express the unique association between Tuscany and the Salvatore Ferragamo group. It will be a massive brand.Categorized as a refreshing, floral perfume, this cologne is sure to enhanc
By Matt Trostle
For a style that calls to mind la vita bella amongst the sun-kissed villas of Tuscany, turn to Tuscan decor to transform your home into a little slice of Mediterranean heaven.
The...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Made of 100-percent cotton, the set is fully quilted with patches in shades of peach, green, purple and white. Grape and grape leaf appliques are incorporated into the quilts pattern. Choose from twin, full/queen or king-size sets. For your convenience, these sets are machine washable.
Normally, I would think of Fennel as something to accompany fish - its delicate liquorice flavour marrying well with the subtle qualities of a perfectly cooked Bass or Bream. In this treatment, however, it takes on a more robust character, and would go well with roast Pork, say, or an old-fashioned flavoursome roast Chicken.Why 'Tuscan'? I have no idea. I first came across the recipe in the scribblings of an obscure french chef from the fifties, who was unlikely to have known 'Tuscan' from a bull's foot, I should think! The use of cloves is also suspect, and to me suggests a provenance nearer to the Veneto than Tuscany......although, as ever, the appearance of Cloves in the list of ingredients implies a pleasingly early provenance.This is a dish which can be cooked in advance to the final
Like the great loves of history this one could not be kept in the shadows for long.Rumors were blossoming in the Italian vineyards and whispers grew fast in Dutch coffee shops. Few even went as far as swearing they witnessed the alleged lovers hugging after dark.The great truths of life simply find a way to the sunshine on their own; this affection could not simply be overlooked any more by jealous colleagues and compatriots.It is finally in front of everyone's eyes: Tuscan wine (and olive oil) producers have a deep, intriguing, overwhelming passion for Pugliese farmers!I was just wondering what kept my compatriots from doing their part in the Financial Wines when I stumbled upon this piece of news. It is in Italian, so for those of you who don't speak Dante's language I will give a brief
Like the great loves of history this one could not be kept in the shadows for long.Rumors were blossoming in the Italian vineyards and whispers grew fast in Dutch coffee shops. Few even went as far as swearing they witnessed the alleged lovers hugging after dark.The great truths of life simply find a way to the sunshine on their own; this affection could not simply be overlooked any more by jealous colleagues and compatriots.It is finally in front of everyone's eyes: Tuscan wine (and olive oil) producers have a deep, intriguing, overwhelming passion for Pugliese farmers!I was just wondering what kept my compatriots from doing their part in the Financial Wines when I stumbled upon this piece of news. It is in Italian, so for those of you who don't speak Dante's language I will give a brief
Making a statement - Are you prepared to break away from current decorating trends that emphasize 'global' or 'universal' styles and which are intended to appeal to the broadest possible range of home buyers? If so, get ready to add character, personality, warmth and the Tuscan design feelings of security, comfort, and 'destination sanctuary' to your home.The Keys for Success- Functional furnishings with a sense of solidity; rustic finishes and textures- Balanced use of the elements - Stone, Earth, Wood, Water & Light- Warm, nature-inspired, color palette- Simple, uncluttered spaces without ostentatious or pretentious décor.Understanding the pieces of the puzzle - Designing "simplicity" can, paradoxically, be a complex undertaking. So, before diving in, let's review the components and
If you’re looking for a beautiful, old world garden style, then you should look into designing a Tuscan garden design. There are several different things that you can do with a Tuscan garden design, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind if you’re planning on a Tuscan garden design. First of all, if you’re aiming for a Tuscan garden design, then you’ll definitely want to aim for a Mediterranean feel.This is easy to do if you’re planning to design your own garden, and there are just a few important tips that you should try to follow if you want a Tuscan garden design. One thing that is very helpful is if you can design or add a wall fountain to the garden. The wall fountain (as opposed to a free-standing fountain) adds an air of older elegance, and definitely give
One of my favorite restaurants used to be Olive Garden. The main reason I loved the restaurant was for those big squooshy, salty, garlicky breadsticks they had......oh and yeah, the pasta was pretty good too! But I loved those breadsticks! (And actually just between you and me, I think I've come up with an incredible gluten free breadstick recipe that is very similar, but that's another post for another day!)Another thing I loved about Olive Garden was their soup. Occasionally several co-workers and I would go for the breadsticks, soup, and salad lunch at the restaurant. My favorite soup served was "Zuppa Toscana." I loved the zesty creamy soup with the big chunks of Italian sausage, potatoes, fresh kale, and spices. It was such a robust soup with amazing flavor and color!Several years ag
Tuscan PoppiesAbout This Painting:Media: acrylicSize: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)Price: $100,unframed, + $5.00 s/h in the USAPurchase safely and easily with a credit card through PayPalHow to Purchase:send me an email
It is one of the most expensive areas to buy in Italy, but Tuscany, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, has always been popular with foreign buyers and quality property is becoming increasingly difficult to find.What's so special about it? During the mid 19th Century, Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Tuscany is said to be the birthplace of the Renaissance movement and the region is now famous the world over for its architecture and art. There are six main protected UNESCO sites, from the historical centres of Florence and Siena, the square of the Cathedral of Pisa with its leaning tower and also the centres of San Gimignano, Pienza and Val d'Orcia.
Why is this woman smiling? Satisfied from an incredible meal, meeting groovy people AND having her photo taken by the fabulous Miami Fever!Last Sunday, Gus and Michelle from Miami Beach 411 generously a hosted a dinner for 18 local bloggers, as well as contributors, staff members, forum participants and business associates of 411. The soiree was held at the Tuscan Steak on Washington Avenue just South of 5th. I wanted to write some comments about the food being orgasmic, but charming Verticus, whom I had the pleasure of meeting that night, beat me to it! Let me delight you with some choice quotes here."The food will make an athiest cry and thank God for the opportunity to eat such food as this.""Then comes the three mushroom risotto (yes, we're gluttons and it will only get worse). It's finished with white truffle oil and shaved parmesan reggiano and it's like having sex in public without getting arrested."Oh, it did get worse for us gluttons, but Verticus' food porn only gets
Tuscany is well known for its love of food and drink. By no means the quantity of it, but the quality. But in the past few years there has been a growing trend amongst the cities of Tuscany of high quality chocolatiers, artisans in their craft, that spend years perfecting their recipes and techniques. The International Herald Tribune has a wonderful article about this recent change in the gastronomic landscape of the region and is well worth a read. If you are planning your vacation in Tuscany currently, it also has addresses and contact information for some of these chocolatiers, perhaps you should drop in on your trip!
You can find the article here: “The Artisans of the Real Dolce Vita”
Share This
We wrote an essay on Tuscan architecture in South Africa. It looked critically at the rationale of the Renaissance and explores the possibility of whether current Tuscan achieving the rigorous parameters set out by the Renaissance architects
Regional cuisines can develop for a myriad of reasons: types of food grown in the area, wealth of the area, or simple preference. Areas of great wealth are able to import exotic spices or ingredients and incorporate them over time into the normal meals of the area. Regions with bland ingredients tend to more, and often hotter spices than regions with more rich and flavorful ingredients. The area now known as Tuscany has been populated since at least 1,000 B.C., though the exact history of the ancient Etruscan settlements there are unknown. Tuscany has had over three thousand years to refine the cultivation of its local ingredients and its own style of cuisine.
Tuscan cuisine is the epitome of rich ingredients. Often forgoing thick and heavy sauces or heavily spiced dishes, Tuscan cooks let “the food do the talking”. The region is well known for its hearty soups, olive oil, fine wines, delicious cheeses, unsalted breads and flavorful meats. Each and every element of the Tuscan
This was really tasty. The flavors blended very well together.Will definitely make this again!You can sub the fusilli with other pastas.Tuscan Fusilli with Sausage1 lb ground sausage 1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed1 10oz box frozen spinach,thawed and drained 1 (16 ounce) box fusilli pasta (or pasta of your choice) 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon italian seasoning 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup romano cheese, grated chopped parsley, to garnish Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook sausage with the minced garlic until sausage is not longer pink and crumbled. Drain. Stir in tomato sauce, beans and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook Rigatoni according to package directions, just until al dente. Drain and lightly butter. Add cooked pasta to the meat sauce and toss until well coated. Spray
My parents bought the property to feed my mother's penchant for the romantic and remote. Having grown up in Switzerland, Tuscany was a perfect fit for her because "it makes you feel like you went back in time," she says.
I sold a kitchen to my client, Grace, today. We've been working together since January. Lots of stops and starts, beginning with Asian design and ending up with a Tuscan themed design! Here are a few very simplistic images of what we're planning. They have not been embellished with wall and backsplash details, they are just simple line drawings. I'd like to point a few things out to you.FloorplanSee the orange dots? That delineates, or transitions, the working part of the kitchen from the dining/furniture area of the kitchen. This is by design so that there is a frame of reference across the width of the room, and the length for that matter. Grace wanted an expanded work area, and she also wanted to interact with her guests, AND, she needed to seat five people within the space. See the large window parallel to the table? It's a very large window, and very low, so the cooktop had to veer off at that angle, which actually works quite well. I don't love the configuration of the
[AYT across the Arno from the Uffizi - Firenze, Italia][The Duomo and Giotto's Campanile - Firenze, Italia][Ponte Vecchio in the Evening - Firenze, Italia]For other pictures of Florence, including my lovely traveling companion and L'Hotel Villa La Vedetta, see my Flickr set.[America's Young Theologian][Theology][Travel][Florence]