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.
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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.
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.
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes today this most interesting article:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/
Whenever we are in Italy, we love to visit antique and vintage markets and fairs, looking for that special piece that we would love to have. Sometimes, we find it...
One of my favourite activities in Italy is to visit those markets that sell antique and vintage items.
Some members may have noticed that I have been fairly quiet for the past month and a half. The reason for this was that we have been visiting our daughters who live in San Francisco (CA).
The new Italian government has been announced and it is obvious that we will have a fight between technocrats and politicians.
A lot has been written about the dangers of overheating Teflon coated cookware. Toxic fumes can be extremely dangerous for our health. Personally, I have never liked that type of cookware and I do not buy it anymore.
In another thread, we were discussing Tuscan herbs and "funghi porcini". Tuscany is a paradise for herb lovers and many varieties, such as rosemary, sage and "nipitella" grow wild.
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That is what I call the true spirit of Christmas. Sharing with others both the joy and the sorrow. My father died on Christmas Day, so it is always hard for me to get into the joyful spirit. By the way, I haven't done anything about decorations yet.... but I will do it....
Just a few minutes twice a day, morning and evening should be enough. Switch off the heating while you ventilate.
The advice given regarding proper ventilation is correct.
I believe that Italy needs and deserves far much more than an individual donation. There is so much art and beauty in need of preservation that it would be like a drop in the ocean. I don't think that the problem would be in raising funds, rather the proper administration of those funds. The main problem is that the Italian government needs to ask for this help and they are unlikely to do it. "Bella figura"... and the usual excuses. Meanwhile, those masterpieces are deteriorating and we are all loosing some part of our heritage.
I must agree with you, the old style Casino was a better choice, at least aesthetically speaking; however, I do not know whether it was a feasable option. It does not look like if the Casino is getting the success they expected. Very late opening hours, expensive entrance fee.... Besides, wrong economic times, I think.
The problem with these bags is that they are not very strong and cannot be safely used as carry bags. Do not put much weight in them.
Oh, yes! Red underwear is a must!!! Same thing in Spain. It is a tradition.
You can get Xmas trees and decorations in Italy, no problems.
I do not intend to do anything before the 15th of December...
Get yourself one of those small and very pretty shopping trolleys, Patz. The smart way to shop!!! They are becoming fashionable, even in the USA where everyone has a car to go shopping. I bought myself a very pretty one and people used to stop me to ask where I bought it. Easier to carry your shopping that way and there are models that have three wheels on each side so that you can go up the stairs without difficulty.