How do you celebrate Mother’s Day Italian-style? Well, nowhere are mothers celebrated more than they are in Italy. In fact, Mother’s Day seems made for Italian mammas! Many Italians idolize their mothers, and she’s never far from their lips. From the simple phrase Mamma Mia (oh my goodness) to songs that honor and revere her, like the […]
I have a problem with her (I must confess). The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. She did everything right and never did anything wrong. She probably thought it was a disgrace to get out of bed later than sunrise. Never a hair out of place. Always kind and never a wrong word. And I’m sure […]
Looking for a quick and easy healthy snack that can be prepared in a flash? Oil on bread has long been the standard snack in Italian kitchens. (Especially before the advent of unhealthy junk food.) It’s so delicious as a midnight snack, after school or anytime! And all you need is fresh Italian bread and […]
Our current house is half the size of the previous place we had up north, and at first I struggled to fit everything in. So I began to see the need to declutter. Life here in our peaceful valley is also slow and simple. It has helped me to rethink my values and priorities. It’s […]
People often ask me why I choose simple living, aka minimalism. It’s not always easy to explain, particularly to those unfamiliar with the concepts. It’s even more challenging when I explain that my journey began with a bottle of vinegar after I discovered that my daughter had stopped using chemical cleaners. Cleaning with vinegar and […]
One day, while watching an old Andy Griffith episode my 6-year-old grandson piped up with a question. “Why don’t they want that man to sing, Nonna? He sings real good!” That man was Rafe Hollister who, with his golden singing voice, had entered, and won, the singing contest held by the local Ladies’ Society. But […]