http://wp.me/p1TZTg-4i Spaghetti Westerns: A post about the weird attraction of American-style rodeos in Italy.

The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not only because it is only 25 minutes away from our home and I go there at least two or three times a week, but also because you do not feel like a "tourist" there. Certainly, there are always some groups of tourists visiting the wonderful churches and old buildings within the ancient city walls, but it is not the same feeling that you get in other Italian cities, such as Florence, where you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of people visiting it.

In this icy cold weather, hot drinks and comfort foods are a must. Preparing and consuming them are good ways to spend time when we cannot venture outdoors.

Thinking of hot drinks, you immediately imagine a cup of hot mulled wine, also called "vin brûlé", although this is a French expression. A mixture of red wine, lemon zest, cloves and sugar, simmered (never allowed to boi) with a cinnamon stick is a real comfort drink. Serve it with cantuccini or slices of "castagnaccio" (See this old recipe in the Italymag archives,

The cold weather is affecting most of Italy and creating difficulties concerning energy supplies. Russia, the most important supplier, has been reducing the provision of gas up to 30% due to increasing demand in their area. Italy has managed to organise supplies from North Africa and Austria; however, nobody seems to be quite certain about the outcome.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/0f5b6d10-50e9-11e1-939d-00144feabdc0.html...