Here are the kids at last year's annual Crockford Family Thanksgiving Feast!
Today we are gearing up for another pig out at tomorrow's Thanksgiving Dinner. We must carry on with tradition, no? Dad has arrived from the states and we have invited all of our dearest friends from Chiavari - and their families - to join us for dinner. The turkey is ordered, the vegetables are ready to chop, and the dessert is in oven as I type. Seated at the table we will be 28 in all, 13 adults and 15 kids ranging from a 1 year old to a 13 years old! Yikes!!! We are going to be out numbered!
Wish you all could be here to share this day with us.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all . It is simplicity in itself. A day where we cook a good meal, share it with friends and family, and reflect on the bounty that life gives us. Maybe, we even reach out a hand to a someone who needs it. Girlfriend, I am thinking of you.....Be strong.
I know that my American friends already had their turkey day and if they keep with American tradition, they filled their bellies and hit the shops yesterday, A.K.A. Black Friday, to catch all the big Christmas sales!
And just for you Barbara....
Gobble Gobble,
Krista
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
Weekend in the Monferratto
Saturday afternoon we headed for the hills of Piemonte looking for infamous tartufo bianco d'Alba and a bit of antiquing. We stayed at Chris and Nicola Norton's beautiful hotel, La Villa, which is always a lovely experience. In their ever gracious hospitality, they made a dinner reservation for us at a one star rated Michelin restaurant, San Marco, in nearby Canelli. Being high season, back to the tartufo bianco (white truffle), this booking was made a week in advance. Off we went with our appetites only to walk into the restaurant and find that it was booked for a private party!!!! A bit a confusion ensued and phone calls back to the hotel to make sure we were at the right place. Next thing I knew Sam was being led back into the dining room and up some stairs to the owner's living room! There they were setting up dinner for us and in a flash we were all upstairs sitting down for the most memorable meal of my life, which also included updates from the Roma versus Juventus soccer match from the nonno as he passed by from time to time to check up on us. Upon returning to the hotel we learned that when Nicola phoned to make the reservation, she spoke to the senile old nonna (grandmother) who is not living in our reality! The owner of San Marco must have had this happen to him before and handled the situation with grace and humility and we enjoyed a meal that none of us will ever forget. My dad can go home to NY and tell everyone he has eaten dinner in a real Italian's home! I on the other hand received a written thank you from the owners for our cooperation and understanding! Imagine that! Go on over to my home page and you can see some of the plates that we were served and our happy faces!
Sunday morning we were off to the Antique Market in Nizza Monferatto for a little shopping and to visit with our friends, Oddile and Rosanna, who we buy many of our antiques from. The girls stayed back at the hotel and played with the Norton's daughters, Kelley and Gemma. We strolled the market, bought a few items then met up with Oddile and Rosanna. What was the first thing they asked us? Where were we going for Sunday lunch? Out were the cell phones and next thing we knew we were on our way to another restaurant for a outstanding meal. Sarah and Anna were no sooner dropped off at the market we were in the car and heading for another feast. This time we found ourselves eating at Il Quartino, which is family owned and specializes in the famous Piemontese dish, Bolitto Misto! Yet again we were stuffed to the gills and rolled out of the dining room screaming uncle! We must of been served at the minimum 9 different plates of various typical dishes from the region under the watchful eyes of the truffle hunters and their faithful dogs in the paintings covering the dining room walls!
If you haven't noticed the focus on the food, you haven't really read this post. After living in Italy for as long as I have now, I have come to realize that Sunday afternoon lunch is the most important meal of the week! It borders on a religion for some Italians. It is not uncommon to sit around a table from about 1 p.m. till 4 eating till you cannot anymore. What is wonderful about this tradition? It gives the suffering housewife a break from cooking and it also gathers family and friends together in a warm and inviting setting. Is there anything better in this world than good food, a good bottle of wine, and sharing it with the people closest to you? I think not.
Last thought, we were ever so lucky in the weather, it was clear skies and not too cold. Normally this time of the year the skies in Piemonte are gray and the air cold and wet. And, we started to make inquires about real estate for sale in the area.....
A tardi!
Krista
Sunday morning we were off to the Antique Market in Nizza Monferatto for a little shopping and to visit with our friends, Oddile and Rosanna, who we buy many of our antiques from. The girls stayed back at the hotel and played with the Norton's daughters, Kelley and Gemma. We strolled the market, bought a few items then met up with Oddile and Rosanna. What was the first thing they asked us? Where were we going for Sunday lunch? Out were the cell phones and next thing we knew we were on our way to another restaurant for a outstanding meal. Sarah and Anna were no sooner dropped off at the market we were in the car and heading for another feast. This time we found ourselves eating at Il Quartino, which is family owned and specializes in the famous Piemontese dish, Bolitto Misto! Yet again we were stuffed to the gills and rolled out of the dining room screaming uncle! We must of been served at the minimum 9 different plates of various typical dishes from the region under the watchful eyes of the truffle hunters and their faithful dogs in the paintings covering the dining room walls!
If you haven't noticed the focus on the food, you haven't really read this post. After living in Italy for as long as I have now, I have come to realize that Sunday afternoon lunch is the most important meal of the week! It borders on a religion for some Italians. It is not uncommon to sit around a table from about 1 p.m. till 4 eating till you cannot anymore. What is wonderful about this tradition? It gives the suffering housewife a break from cooking and it also gathers family and friends together in a warm and inviting setting. Is there anything better in this world than good food, a good bottle of wine, and sharing it with the people closest to you? I think not.
Last thought, we were ever so lucky in the weather, it was clear skies and not too cold. Normally this time of the year the skies in Piemonte are gray and the air cold and wet. And, we started to make inquires about real estate for sale in the area.....
A tardi!
Krista
Friday, November 18, 2005
Mangia Mangia!
Here is our little Anna tucking into a huge plate of roast pork and french fries! My dad, who was sitting next to her, could not believe his eyes when Anna finished her plate and ordered dessert!
Following up on the previous post, Jack has noticed how much more pleasant it is to enjoy his morning cappuccino and have a nice meal out for this is his first visit to Italy since the smoking ban went into effect. Though like most cities that have banned smoking, you trip over many people smoking outdoors, but at least you don't need to sit next to them while you are trying to enjoy a meal. A surprising upside to the ban, since you can still smoke outside, the bars and cafes have left the outdoor seating set up even as it grows colder, and some have actually added propane heaters!
This evening Sarah is going to her first opera! Gabriele, Sarah's violin teacher, is taking Sarah and Virginia along with her to the Carlo Felice opera house for this evening's performance of "Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Gabriele is playing violin in the orchestra which includes her husband and brother who play the violin as well. It should be a fantastic experience for all. Seeing that Sarah and Vi will be at the theater early with the musicians they will able to hear the orchestra warm up and the opera singers cue on stage! The girls will be meeting up with the rest of their classmates for the show. If you really want to be cultured, click here for the history and story of the opera and composer!
Tomorrow morning we are leaving for Piemonte. Ahh... isn't life grand?!
Following up on the previous post, Jack has noticed how much more pleasant it is to enjoy his morning cappuccino and have a nice meal out for this is his first visit to Italy since the smoking ban went into effect. Though like most cities that have banned smoking, you trip over many people smoking outdoors, but at least you don't need to sit next to them while you are trying to enjoy a meal. A surprising upside to the ban, since you can still smoke outside, the bars and cafes have left the outdoor seating set up even as it grows colder, and some have actually added propane heaters!
This evening Sarah is going to her first opera! Gabriele, Sarah's violin teacher, is taking Sarah and Virginia along with her to the Carlo Felice opera house for this evening's performance of "Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Gabriele is playing violin in the orchestra which includes her husband and brother who play the violin as well. It should be a fantastic experience for all. Seeing that Sarah and Vi will be at the theater early with the musicians they will able to hear the orchestra warm up and the opera singers cue on stage! The girls will be meeting up with the rest of their classmates for the show. If you really want to be cultured, click here for the history and story of the opera and composer!
Tomorrow morning we are leaving for Piemonte. Ahh... isn't life grand?!
Vietato Fumare
Wow, who would ever think the laws banning smoking in all of Italy would actually decrease the numbers of smokers?! I thought the ban only drove the smokers outside. I have to add that since the law went into effect, dining out is a much more pleasurable experience.
Italy's smoking ban has led to an 8% drop in tobacco consumption
Roger Dobson
The restriction of smoking in public places in Italy has led to an 8% drop in cigarette consumption, a new study says.
And the ban on smoking in indoor public places has been almost universally accepted and does not seem to have had an adverse effect on business, say the authors of the study, which was published online ahead of print publication on 7 November in the Annals of Oncology (http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/, doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdj070[Abstract/Free Full Text]).
"The results of our study on the first extensive smoking ban in a large country show the advantages of smoke-free legislation, which may have major public health implications," wrote the authors, who come from a number of centres and organisations in Milan and Rome, including the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, the Istituto DOXA, and Gallup International.
On 10 January this year the Italian government banned smoking in all indoor public places, including cafes, restaurants (except for a few with separate and regulated smoking areas), airports, and railway stations, as well as in all public and private workplaces.
The authors also compared smoking consumption data from nationally representative, population based surveys and from official sales figures.
Data from official legal sales data show that 28.3 million kg of cigarettes were sold in Italy in the period January to April 2005. In the same period last year 31.1 million kg were sold.
"This corresponds to a decline in cigarette sales by 8.9%. This compares well with a 7.6% fall in consumption revealed by the comparison between results from the 2005 survey and those from a companion survey conducted in March-April 2004," the authors wrote.
The fall in consumption from 2004 to 2005 was 23% for the 15-24 year age group.
Italy's smoking ban has led to an 8% drop in tobacco consumption
Roger Dobson
The restriction of smoking in public places in Italy has led to an 8% drop in cigarette consumption, a new study says.
And the ban on smoking in indoor public places has been almost universally accepted and does not seem to have had an adverse effect on business, say the authors of the study, which was published online ahead of print publication on 7 November in the Annals of Oncology (http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/, doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdj070[Abstract/Free Full Text]).
"The results of our study on the first extensive smoking ban in a large country show the advantages of smoke-free legislation, which may have major public health implications," wrote the authors, who come from a number of centres and organisations in Milan and Rome, including the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, the Istituto DOXA, and Gallup International.
On 10 January this year the Italian government banned smoking in all indoor public places, including cafes, restaurants (except for a few with separate and regulated smoking areas), airports, and railway stations, as well as in all public and private workplaces.
The authors also compared smoking consumption data from nationally representative, population based surveys and from official sales figures.
Data from official legal sales data show that 28.3 million kg of cigarettes were sold in Italy in the period January to April 2005. In the same period last year 31.1 million kg were sold.
"This corresponds to a decline in cigarette sales by 8.9%. This compares well with a 7.6% fall in consumption revealed by the comparison between results from the 2005 survey and those from a companion survey conducted in March-April 2004," the authors wrote.
The fall in consumption from 2004 to 2005 was 23% for the 15-24 year age group.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
A Day in Genova!
Here is old Jack in front of the alleged childhood home of Christopher Columbus! I dragged him to Genova this morning to see the sights. We walked and walked, had a cappuccino or two, then, capped off the day with lunch. We met up with Sam, who had meetings in Genova, and headed back to Chiavari. Dad is now on the couch sleeping, I mean, how much walking can an 80 year old take? Me, I am off to Sarah's parent teacher conference. I hope to hear only good reports....
A presto!
Krista
A presto!
Krista
Monday, November 14, 2005
Wow!
Having just read this little piece of news, I am shocked. Though if I think about it, no, I am not. Having struggled with getting through to very thick teachers and seeing exactly how the education system here in Italy works. I am not surprised. I have to wonder how many of these "illiterates" have a learning disability/difference that was never addressed?
EDUCATION: NEARLY 6 MILLION ITALIANS ARE ILLITERATE
(AGI) - Rome, Nov 14 - In Italy, nearly 6 million people (11.11pct of the population) are illiterate, a study conducted by the National Anti-Illiteracy Union reveals. The conclusions of the study were presented this morning at a meeting featuring the likes of former Education Minister and reknown linguist Tullio De Mauro and Senator and former RAI CEO Sergio Zavoli. Based on figures taken from the latest census (2001), the study shows that on top of the 'education ladder' is the 7.51pct of Italians who hold a university degree, followed by 25.85 pct who hold a high school degree. Another 30.12pct of the population holds a junior high-school certificate, whereas 36.2pct have an elementary school certificate or, as is the case with nearly 6,000 Italians, can be regarded as illiterate. (AGI) -
141829 NOV 05
And maybe the translater of this page should brush up on his English. In Italian one thousand is the word, mille, which is a false friend of the English, million. The last number should be, 6,000,000. Six million. According to the World Fact Book, there are as of July 2005, 58,103,033 people living in Italy. I have no opinion. I am just writing the facts.
Krista
EDUCATION: NEARLY 6 MILLION ITALIANS ARE ILLITERATE
(AGI) - Rome, Nov 14 - In Italy, nearly 6 million people (11.11pct of the population) are illiterate, a study conducted by the National Anti-Illiteracy Union reveals. The conclusions of the study were presented this morning at a meeting featuring the likes of former Education Minister and reknown linguist Tullio De Mauro and Senator and former RAI CEO Sergio Zavoli. Based on figures taken from the latest census (2001), the study shows that on top of the 'education ladder' is the 7.51pct of Italians who hold a university degree, followed by 25.85 pct who hold a high school degree. Another 30.12pct of the population holds a junior high-school certificate, whereas 36.2pct have an elementary school certificate or, as is the case with nearly 6,000 Italians, can be regarded as illiterate. (AGI) -
141829 NOV 05
And maybe the translater of this page should brush up on his English. In Italian one thousand is the word, mille, which is a false friend of the English, million. The last number should be, 6,000,000. Six million. According to the World Fact Book, there are as of July 2005, 58,103,033 people living in Italy. I have no opinion. I am just writing the facts.
Krista
A Truffle Not To Be Trifled With!
Yesterday was the big auction for the rare white truffle from Alba.
Giant truffle fetches ?62,000 in auction
By Marco Giannangeli
(Filed: 14/11/2005)
The world's most expensive truffle sold for more than ?60,000 yesterday after an international auction dominated by a handful of celebrity chefs.
The Alba truffle: the identity of the winning bidder is still unknown
Weighing 2lb 10oz, the rare white Alba truffle, which is only found in Piedmont, Italy, for two months of the year, was described by auctioneers as "the size of a small handbag".
Buyers, linked by satellite, gathered in Shanghai, Honk Kong, Italy and London for the live event organised by the Piedmontese tourist board in aid of charity.
The Italian chef Umberto Vezzoli's Fiore restaurant in St James's was chosen as the British venue, where more than 200 guests - ranging from the Belgian Ambassador Baron de Gruben to a group of "high-profile lawyers" - enjoyed Champagne and a menu that started with potato cream and white truffles and the atmosphere was of well-ordered Italian pandemonium.
Marco Pierre-White, who attended the event with his wife, Matti, and their daughter, Mirabell, bid successfully for four out of five truffles on offer in London, which will be served at his new Luciano restaurant. But the chef gave his last win - a 14oz truffle snapped up for ?4,000 - to his rival, Bruno Giorgi, of Mayfair's Sketch restaurant.
The culinary delicacy has long been a much sought-after ingredient, a fact supported by Gordon Ramsay's recent announcement to sell a pizza topped with white truffle for ?100 at his Maze restaurant.
Then the satellite links started to relay the bidding on the mother of all truffles, uncovered under an oak tree by specially trained dogs and being cherished like a new born baby at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, in Alba, 43 miles from Turin.
The joviality took on a hard edge when Antonio Signiorini, of the Consortia olive oil group, began to match the bids from the Ritz Carlton hotel in Hong Kong.
With the voice of William O'Reilly, the Christie's auctioneer and master of ceremony, raising by several octaves, Signiorini remained cool, and dropped out only when the bid reached ?57,000.
The identity of the bidder who finally scooped the giant truffle for 95,000 euros (?62,000) remained a mystery last night.
My dad is here visiting with us for a couple of weeks. Next weekend we are off to see what all the fuss about a truffle is and hopefully taste some of the lovely wines the region has to offer. We will be staying at our English friend's new hotel, "La Villa" smack in the heart of truffle country. If you ever want to visit the region, I strongly suggest you stay at their wonderful bed and breakfast. By the way, question mark should be a British pound sign. I have no idea how to correct it. I tried, but, no luck.
Krista
Giant truffle fetches ?62,000 in auction
By Marco Giannangeli
(Filed: 14/11/2005)
The world's most expensive truffle sold for more than ?60,000 yesterday after an international auction dominated by a handful of celebrity chefs.
The Alba truffle: the identity of the winning bidder is still unknown
Weighing 2lb 10oz, the rare white Alba truffle, which is only found in Piedmont, Italy, for two months of the year, was described by auctioneers as "the size of a small handbag".
Buyers, linked by satellite, gathered in Shanghai, Honk Kong, Italy and London for the live event organised by the Piedmontese tourist board in aid of charity.
The Italian chef Umberto Vezzoli's Fiore restaurant in St James's was chosen as the British venue, where more than 200 guests - ranging from the Belgian Ambassador Baron de Gruben to a group of "high-profile lawyers" - enjoyed Champagne and a menu that started with potato cream and white truffles and the atmosphere was of well-ordered Italian pandemonium.
Marco Pierre-White, who attended the event with his wife, Matti, and their daughter, Mirabell, bid successfully for four out of five truffles on offer in London, which will be served at his new Luciano restaurant. But the chef gave his last win - a 14oz truffle snapped up for ?4,000 - to his rival, Bruno Giorgi, of Mayfair's Sketch restaurant.
The culinary delicacy has long been a much sought-after ingredient, a fact supported by Gordon Ramsay's recent announcement to sell a pizza topped with white truffle for ?100 at his Maze restaurant.
Then the satellite links started to relay the bidding on the mother of all truffles, uncovered under an oak tree by specially trained dogs and being cherished like a new born baby at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, in Alba, 43 miles from Turin.
The joviality took on a hard edge when Antonio Signiorini, of the Consortia olive oil group, began to match the bids from the Ritz Carlton hotel in Hong Kong.
With the voice of William O'Reilly, the Christie's auctioneer and master of ceremony, raising by several octaves, Signiorini remained cool, and dropped out only when the bid reached ?57,000.
The identity of the bidder who finally scooped the giant truffle for 95,000 euros (?62,000) remained a mystery last night.
My dad is here visiting with us for a couple of weeks. Next weekend we are off to see what all the fuss about a truffle is and hopefully taste some of the lovely wines the region has to offer. We will be staying at our English friend's new hotel, "La Villa" smack in the heart of truffle country. If you ever want to visit the region, I strongly suggest you stay at their wonderful bed and breakfast. By the way, question mark should be a British pound sign. I have no idea how to correct it. I tried, but, no luck.
Krista
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