bleeding espresso...

hang on . . .

2008-01-14T16:14:00.001+01:00

I've moved!

You should be redirected to the new site bleedingespresso.com momentarily.

But if you can't wat, click here.

And if you're reading this through a feedreader, click on through and see my new digs.

See you there!

almost there

2008-01-11T11:06:00.000+01:00

I hope you're not worried that something is wrong or that my Internet service has cut out (knock on wood) or that anything else nasty has happened . . . I'm just taking some time to work on the new blog, which will be revealed on Monday.

Here's a sneak preview of the new look:

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Buon weekend!

bloggers' generosity (plus more contests)

2008-01-08T16:11:00.000+01:00

The other day I mentioned how kind the blogging community has been to me lately. Now I'm going to give you the details.

First, just before Christmas I received a care package of a crazy amount of cross stitch goodies from my friend Concetta of An Italian-Scot's Stitching Journal.

Check out my favorite, "The Dreamer," which some of you may remember is what "Sognatrice" means in Italian:

As I told Concetta, I think this would be gorgeous in a little girl's room. Now I just have to get me a little girl . . . .

Grazie mille Concetta!

Then the Italian postal service continued to bless me with actual delivery when My French Life by Vicki Archer arrived just after Christmas. I had won this book in a contest over at Robin's place My Melange.

This book is *gorgeous* and if I didn't want to head to France to visit my expat Froggie bloggie buddies, I sure do now (although truth be told, I did before anyway).

And then I got news that I also won a contest over at Valerie's 2 Baci in a Pinon Tree. I know! What did I step in, right?

Valerie was compiling a list of expat bloggers in Italy and offered up some fabulous prizes: a copy of Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well by Pelligrino Artusi (English translation) and--get this!--"hand-crafted chocolates from the best darn cioccolateria in Le Marche." Woohoo! *So* exciting!

And then I read that Geggie of So...What Else? What Else? What Else? is having a contest giving away some Burt's Bees goodies. Well I'm on a lucky streak, so of course I had to enter--and you should too!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN BURT'S BEES GOODIES

But wouldn't you know it? I'm already a winner! In the contest post Geggie asked for a little technical help and has now offered to send me some fun stuff as a thank you. Thank *you* Geggie!

Speaking of contests, head on over to Grace's Sandier Pastures and leave a comment explaining why you need a new blog design--and you just might win one.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN A FREE BLOG DESIGN

And finally I got a big ole virtual bacio from Jenn at The Verge. She wrote some truly wonderful, heartwarming thoughts about me which mean so much coming from a blogger who I just love visiting.

So I'm passing along this:

to Concetta, Robin, Valerie, Geggie, and Grace (and back at Jenn) for their generosity and kindness not only to me but to all of us who are lucky enough to have found them.

This blogosphere just keeps on giving I tell you, and I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of it.

MotherTalk Blog Tour:Persian Girls by Nahid Rachlin

2008-01-07T11:44:00.000+01:00

Today my blog is one of the stops on MotherTalk's 15-Blog Tour of Persian Girls: A Memoir by Nahid Rachlin.

Persian Girls: A Memoir; Nahid Rachlin; ISBN-10: 1585425206; Tarcher (October 5, 2006); hardcover; 304 pp.

Publishers Weekly says:

"This lyrical and disturbing memoir by the author of four novels (Foreigner, etc.) tells the story of an Iranian girl growing up in a culture where, despite the Westernizing reforms of the Shah, women had little power or autonomy. As an infant in 1946, Rachlin was given to her mother's favorite sister, a widow who had been unable to conceive, and was lovingly raised among supportive widows who took refuge in religion from their frustrations as women in an oppressive society. But at the age of nine, Rachlin's father, whom she barely knew, met her at school without warning and brought her to Ahvaz to live with her birth family. Miserable in the new household, young Nahid was befriended by her American movie–obsessed sister Pari. Both sisters developed artistic ambitions, but only Nahid managed to escape the typical female fate, convincing her father to send her to college in the U.S. Less lucky is Pari, whose life of arranged marriage, divorce from an abusive husband and estrangement from her son ends in depression and early death. Exuding the melancholy of an outsider, this memoir gives American readers rare insight into Iranians' ambivalence toward the United States, the desire for American freedom clashing with resentment of American hegemony."

When I saw this book come up for review on MotherTalk, I immediately signed up. Particularly in the current political climate, I was hoping that this book would provide a fascinating look into a culture that is, at best, underrepresented in mainstream English language books and, at worst, criticized, discriminated against, and even hated; the fact that the author is a woman made it all the more enticing as I simply can't read enough of how my fellow women live, survive, and thrive in other cultures.

Persian Girls delivers on all accounts and has made me want to learn more not only about this intriguing woman--cappuccino is on me if you're ever in southern Italy Ms Rachlin!--but also about Iranian history and culture in general.

From Rachlin's difficult childhood with a mother that didn't seem to want her and a father that wanted only control to her struggle for independence and acceptance in America, Persian Girls places the reader in the very heart and mind of the author as she rises to each successive challenge placed before her.

From the time Rachlin was taken from the only mother she knew, I found myself cheering her on--a credit to an outstanding opening scene that transports the reader to 1950s Iran amidst a prayer rug, a Koran, rose water, a paraffin lamp, and hot summer nights spent talking about a golden ladder descending from the sky.

And yet Rachlin's writing style isn't nostalgic or wistful. She presents her life with such an objective tone sometimes that I forgot she was telling her own life story--and this is not a criticism. To the contrary, I felt like what I was reading was a true, fair account of events, and knowing that I'm able to trust the author is so very important.

At times, however, I did feel that there was just a bit held back regarding the working through of her feelings in some of her relationships, particularly the most difficult ones; the fact that some family members are still alive surely had something to do with this, but overall I don't find that this guardedness distracts from the memoir. Rachlin gives plenty of clues into her personality to provide the reader with a sense of what the author might've been feeling, and I don't think there's anything wrong with a little mystery in any book, even a memoir.

On another level, Rachlin's expat status in America really spoke to me, and I'm sure to plenty of other expats as well--the feeling of being caught between two cultures, two languages, two ways of life. On whether she regretted her choice to go to America, in a subsequent interview, Rachlin said:

I have never really regretted my choice to come to America, pursue my own goals. But I am always aware of a loss, a price to pay for the independence I have gained. I don't have easy access and closeness to people I love, because of all the distance between us.

Indeed I wouldn't mind another memoir (or even a how-to!) from Rachlin on her marriage to an American and raising her daughter in a country that is a sometimes enemy of her own. I look forward to reading Rachlin's fiction as well.

With 4 espresso cups out of 5, I wholeheartedly recommend this memoir to anyone with an interest in women's history, cultural differences, the Middle East, family relationships, love, or, you know, life.

You can read more about Rachlin at her website NahidRachlin.com and interviews with her at Her Circle Ezine and Pars Arts.

You can also join a discussion about Persian Girls at MotherTalk here.

the witch has arrived!

2008-01-06T14:13:00.000+01:00

Today marks the end of the holidays in Italy as La Befana arrived last night. You don't know La Befana? Read more about her here in my post from last year at this time.

As always, I'm sad to have to take down all the Christmas decorations; the house just feels a bit more empty, a bit more somber.

I suppose that's not such a bad thing as it's time to get down to the business of starting this new year and focus is always a good thing.

Friends, I *have* been focusing. Although it is the Italian tradition to return to work tomorrow, I've been quite busy the past few days--and perhaps that's making you feel a bit neglected here.

One of the main things I've been working on, though, is a brand new look and home for this here blog, and I think you're going to like what I've come up with.

But you'll have to wait just a bit longer. In the meantime I've had tons of positive energy from the blogosphere to keep me going, and I'll tell you all about it soon.

Tomorrow, though, I have the honor of kicking off the MotherTalk 15-Blog Tour of Persian Girls by Nahid Rachlin. You don't want to miss it--or this book.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

la musica calabrese(calabrian folk music)

2008-01-03T14:52:00.000+01:00

One of my favorite parts about living here is that you never know when you'll be caught up in an impromptu concerto. Seriously.

Now I'm sure some of you are thinking "Ah there goes another one of those stereotypes of 'la dolce vita' that simply doesn't exist in real life Italy."

Well I'm here to tell you that in small town Calabria, most males of all ages seem to play the guitar and will gladly break it out and start singing--especially the later into the evening it gets (and the more grappa that is flowing). And for those of you reading this who have visited here, chances are you can back me up on this.

In other words, we may miss out on a lot of "conveniences" down here, but at least we have la musica.

In fact the other night at New Year's Eve dinner, one of the younger boys who is just learning to play the chitarra battente (pictured at left) asked for some advice from Mimmo, our host and lead singer/guitar player of Marasà, a local band that performs traditional Calabrese music with a bit of an updated twist.

I just love how generation after generation picks up these songs and instruments with pride, keeping the tradition going, not feeling embarrassed or shy in the least as they sing along (loudly) when the guitar shows up.

For anyone who thinks that Calabrese music and Calabrese in general is dying out, here's a short clip of Mimmo encouraging yet another Calabrese boy on how to play the traditional way:

Although Italian musical heritage goes back centuries, including the famous chants of the Gregorian monks, Calabrian music has its own unique tradition and is rooted in songs about peasant life in the feudal system and all it entails--sung in Calabrese accompanied by Calabrian instruments.

It is music of the people, by the people, for the people, so to speak, and tells stories of both hope and hopelessness--common conflicting emotions for many Calabresi throughout the centuries.

Traditional Calabrian folk music has some common elements: high, strong vocals, a catchy, nearly hypnotic rhythm, and a bittersweet raw passion with any combination of tambourine, guitar, chitarra battente, accordion, zampogna (bagpipes), lira, mandolin, drums and more. The song rhythm you'll hear often is the tarantella, a traditional southern Italian folk dance that was performed by female victims of spider bites to rid themselves of the venom.

There's a great description of Calabrian music heritage here if you're interested, but I think George Gissing sums it up pretty well in his 1901 travel memoir:

Listen to a Calabrian peasant singing as he follows his oxen along the furrow,
or as he shakes the branches of his olive tree.
That wailing voice amid the ancient silence,
that long lament solacing ill-rewarded toil,
comes from the heart of Italy herself,
and wakes the memory of mankind.

~ George Gissing
By the Ionian Sea: Notes of a Ramble in Southern Italy

For me, there's just nothing like that distinct Calabrese cry accompanied by the chitarra battente to take me back to when my ancestors walked these same streets, living much simpler yet much harder lives, imagining what they could offer their families if only they could get to l'America.

Goodness I wish I could go back and tell them.

You can hear more of Marasà here by clicking on "il disco" and then choosing songs. My favorites are Aquila bella, Canto ad aria, and Facci di n'ammendula and if you like bagpipes, be sure to check out A Nuziata.

If you'd like to order a Marasà CD of your very own, you know where to find me.

what's cooking wednesday: bagels

2008-01-02T17:12:00.001+01:00

I wasn't going to post a recipe today since I honestly haven't been cooking very much lately--we had Christmas dinner at P's parents and we spent New Year's Eve at a friend's house. Indeed, it's the same place we spent New Year's Eve last year, so if you'd like to see some photos from 2006, you can check them out here.

More on the recent New Year's Eve soon, but for now--bagels!

Michelle of Michellanea posted this bagel recipe a while ago for those of us in Italy dying for something, anything that we can smear some cream cheese on, and this recipe definitely delivers.

In my baking frenzy around Christmas, I finally decided to give these a go, and I will definitely be making bagels more frequently around here from now on. The recipe is easy to follow and carry out; the only time-consuming part is waiting for the dough to rise. And then waiting for them to cool off before you dig in.

The measurements are for those of us using metric, but everything is easily convertible these days online, for example at JoyofBaking.com.

Bagels
(makes 8 large bagels)

30 grams fresh yeast
2 tablespoons of oil
3 teaspoons of salt
2 teaspoons of sugar
1 teaspoon honey
500 grams of flour

Dissolve yeast in 250 ml of warm water and add oil. In large bowl, mix together salt, sugar, and flour. Make a well in the center and add in yeast mixture.

Mix together all ingredients, working in flour on the sides of the bowl in order to get an even mixture. Work dough into a ball.

Cover bowl with a damp towel for about 40 minutes and let dough rise in a warm place; it should double in size. Put a piece of wax paper on the baking sheet you’ll be using for the bagels.

Work the dough for about ten minutes. Divide into 8 little balls. Make a hole in the center of each ball and widen the opening until it begins to take the shape of a bagel.

Let the bagels sit on the warm towel for another 15 minutes while you heat the oven up to 200°C.

In the meantime, bring a large pan of water to a light boil (adding the 1 teaspoon of honey, which is a substitute for malt). Let each bagel boil lightly for about two minutes on each side and then remove and put them back on the damp towel.

If you are adding sesame or poppy seeds, at this point, sprinkle them on a plate and press each bagel down lightly over them.

After about five minutes, put the bagels on the wax paper-covered baking sheet and place in oven for about 20 or 25 minutes until they are golden brown (but not too brown – they will get a bit browner after they’ve cooled), flipping them after about 10 minutes to ensure even baking.

Buon appetito and thanks again to Michelle for the great recipe!

*A clever eye might notice the watermark on this photo refers to a site that doesn't exist yet, but it will. Hopefully soon my friends. Be patient please.

buon anno!

2008-01-01T11:47:00.000+01:00

Wishing everyone . . .

May 2008 be your best year yet!

And remember, don't eat chicken today
or you'll be scratching (for money) all year . . .
pork (to live high on the hog) and lentils (shaped like coins)
are the way to go!

year end meme

2007-12-30T17:16:00.000+01:00

What's the end of a year without a little reflection on what's happened, where we've been, and what we've done?

Well over at Sundry Mourning, there's a little tradition of the Year End meme, first copied from Gwen's Petty, Judgmental, Evil Thoughts back in 2004.

I filled it out last year, which you can find here, and now it's time to look back on 2007.

Feel free to play along and let me know where to find you!

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Raised puppies from birth, dyed my hair, made Christmas cookies on a wide scale, used a cookie press, slept in a bed & breakfast (Hi Cherrye!), made money from my blog, became a professional blogger, sent out Italian Christmas cards, made hummus, made bagels, acted as an interpreter, wrote 25,0o0 words in a month.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Don't make 'em; can't break 'em. I might make some this year, though, just to mix things up. We'll see.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No family or close friends, but some blog friends--and a whole lot of expats in Italy are preggers now, quite a few due any day!

4. Did anyone close to you die? My great-aunt's daughter Jeanie as I wrote about here and my mom's friend Kitty who was like a grandmother to me and who I wrote about here.

5. What countries did you visit? Just Italia.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? More writing gigs as always, and a book contract wouldn't suck either. Ooh, and a real vacation.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? October 20 birth of the puppies. I think that's all.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably the development of this blog and its amazing community. I'm also pretty proud of losing more weight and maintaining it--aah, and finding a pair of pants in Italy that fit me and that I like! Woohoo!

9. What was your biggest failure? It's not really my personal failure, but I had hoped to be in the new house by now.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Only recently with a nasty stomach virus followed up by a sinus infection. Love being sick over the holidays!

11. What was the best thing you bought? My ADSL contract with Telecom (although it *does* have its issues).

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I said my doggie Luna last year, and I'm going with her again but for different reasons. This year she accepted a new dog in the house followed by six puppies--all in stride. She's such a trooper.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Going with the Bush administration again on this one. Can't wait to have a new administration to be appalled and depressed by.

14. Where did most of your money go? Internet and phone bills (but so worth it), just like last year.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The camera from Salena--I'm *still* really, really, really excited about that.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Geez probably the theme songs from Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and Veronica Mars since they've served as my background noise most of the year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Hmm, I'd say happier, a few pounds lighter, and there's money in the bank--I'm richer (although "rich" is a strong word).

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Yoga and fiction writing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Anything other than fiction writing.

20. How did you spend Christmas? With P and his parents for the first half and then cradling my throbbing face for the second half. Fun times.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Have you seen the puppies?

22. What was your favorite TV program? Lost!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't hate the players, just the game sometimes.

24. What was the best book you read? Ooh, tough one. Eat Pray Love sticks out.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Adriano Celentano although it's not so much a discovery as a more intense dedication. Love that voice.

26. What did you want and get? An expansion of my writing career.

27. What did you want and not get? To be in the new house by Christmas.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Haven't seen anything new in a long time. Favorite new-to-me film? Pirates of the Caribbean. Just when I thought I couldn't love Johnny Depp more.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 31 and honestly, I don't remember what happened--a sure sign of getting old as it was only two months ago.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Same answer as last year: if someone in my family or close circle of friends from home would have visited or if I would’ve been able to go home.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Comfortable is key.

32. What kept you sane? The Internet, fellow expats, blogs, emails, phone calls, and my writing.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I've enjoyed Milo Ventimiglia despite the fact that P won't let me watch Heroes. Have to get my Milo fix via GG.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The concept of universal health care versus how it's carried out in certain (ahem) countries.

35. Who did you miss? My family and my girlfriends from home more than ever.

36. Who was the best new person you met? Lots of online buddies, of course, but in person, one of my students who has become a friend.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. A positive attitude positively makes a positive difference.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. With the risk of getting (a lot) sappy, it's hard to put into words how much this past year of my life has been enriched by all of you who take the time to read, comment, write, and share your lives through these Internets. And so, from Natalie Merchant:

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness my admiration
For everything you've done you know I'm bound
I'm bound to thank you for it.

And how was your year?

warmest holiday wishes

2007-12-25T09:55:00.000+01:00

May your holidays be full of love,

tante belle cose,

and quiet moments to reflect on all that is good in the world.

Wishing you all the very best this holiday season--
why not start with a little Harry Connick Jr.'s When My Heart Finds Christmas?

See you for new year's greetings!

little boy & tiger wishes

2007-12-24T09:10:00.000+01:00

I've decided to start my own Christmas Eve tradition here on the blog, and it involves my very favorite Christmas Eve poem.

I know a lot of people will be reciting 'Twas the Night Before Christmas tonight, but a few years ago I found myself enchanted by some lesser-known holiday verses that warm my heart each and every year.

For the handful of readers that were with me last year at this time, you already know about "Christmas Eve" by Bill Watterson, creator of the Calvin & Hobbes comic strip.

This year I've managed to find a scan of the original page with the drawing to go with it:

Gah! I just love it!

If you can't read that, here's the text:

Christmas Eve

On window panes, the icy frost
Leaves feathered patterns, crissed & crossed,
But in our house the Christmas tree
Is decorated festively
With tiny dots of colored light
That cozy up this winter night.
Christmas songs, familiar, slow,
Play softly on the radio.
Pops and hisses from the fire
Whistle with the bells and choir.

My tiger is now fast asleep
On his back and dreaming deep.
When the fire makes him hot,
He turns to warm whatever's not.
Propped against him on the rug,
I give my friend a gentle hug.
Tomorrow's what I'm waiting for,
But I can wait a little more.

I hope you're snuggled up and warm this Christmas Eve too!

Do you have something you read every year at this time?

weekend o' cookies continues

2007-12-23T08:40:00.000+01:00

You've now seen four of the six types of cookies I made this holiday season. What? No you haven't?

Well go here to see the thumbprints (with recipe!), here to see the kolaches, and here to see the chocolate chip and ricotta cookies.

Here are the final two starting with the scene of making the butter cookies:

And here they are after baking:

And, last but certainly not least, Michigan Rocks full of dates and walnuts:

And here's a tray ready for delivery:

Well really a red plastic plate covered in blue plastic wrap, tied together with a gold bow. It's easier to see the cookies through the wrap in person by the way.

And now I ask you:

can anything else say "AUGURI!" like a plate of American cookies?

I didn't think so either.

By the way, if anyone would like recipes for these, just send me an email.

So is everyone ready for Christmas or what?

weekend o' cookies

2007-12-22T17:32:00.000+01:00

Last weekend was spent baking cookies, and this weekend is being spent delivering them to their new homes. So far all of the Italians have expressed nothing but love for the American biscottini. As if we had any doubt, right?

So as I've already shown you, I made thumbprints and kolaches.

Now here are the ricotta cookies:

and my favorite, the chocolate chips:

Does this look like anyone to you?

More cookies tomorrow! Stay tuned!

12 christmas memories: part V

2007-12-21T11:06:00.000+01:00

And now the last installment of my 12 Christmas Memories meme:

10. Best Christmas Present Ever

I know it might seem strange for me to name an afghan as my best Christmas present ever, but it was (and I know Shannon understands). I really wish I had it here with me (it's in storage in the US) so I could take a photo for you. And better yet, curl up with it.

I was around 10 years old when my mom started promising afghans, crocheted by her, for my brother and me. I'd occasionally see her working on the little squares that were to make up mine throughout the year--different shades of pink, flowers, typical girly stuff. As Christmas drew closer and her time was taken up by cookies though, she made it pretty clear that they wouldn't be done for the holidays.

But then while unwrapping gifts, I got to a big old clumsy box that I assumed was a coat. As I lifted the lid, what to my wondering eyes should appear?

My very own pink-and-white flowered afghan.

Even at that young age, I had some idea of just how much work went into every single square that made up that thing, and I just felt so special and loved that my mom would surrender sleep and other more enjoyable activities (which she surely did) to stitch and stitch and stitch just to make it all happen for Christmas.

A warm fuzzy wrapped up in a warm fuzzy, if you will.

Must get that afghan here. Love it love it love it so.

11. Falling Asleep on Pap's Presents

OK, this one isn't a memory so much as a really cute photo that unfortunately I don't have with me to scan for you.

When I was just a wee lass I suppose I became overwhelmed with the Christmas goings-on quite easily and so I stopped to rest just a moment.

Right on top of all my grandfather's presents.

I was out for a few hours, apparently, and he just had to wait to see what Santa brought him.

What a trooper, eh?

It's a really cute picture, I promise.

12. My First Christmas with P

Nothing too spectacular happened, but 2005 was our first holiday season together and that alone made it magical.

On Christmas Eve, we went out for pizza of all things, which I actually thought was a fun tradition to start--only then the restaurant wasn't open the following year. So now I'll always remember that first Christmas Eve all that much more.

It was rather romantic actually as the fireplace was going and we were the only ones in the place besides the owners and their family who joined us after a while. Then we went around visiting some friends in the village but were home by midnight; and despite growing up opening gifts on Christmas day, I just couldn't wait any longer for P to open his, so at my insistence we did gifts around 1 a.m.

He had never gotten a stocking before! Can you believe it? So I was sure to stuff it with all kinds of exciting things like shaving cream and razors.

And I wrapped every single thing individually. Hah!

Then Christmas Day we spent with P's sister and her family (they have two children) and P's parents--always wonderful to see children enjoying Christmas, isn't it?

Like I said, nothing too special for that first Christmas...other than the company of course. And that's really what it's all about for me. Those warm, cozy feelings of love that stick with you for a lifetime as my dear friend Wanderlust Scarlett so kindly reminded me by tagging me with this meme.

Honestly, I can't tell you how much writing this and taking photos around my house has helped me get into the holiday spirit. It's been so wonderful to remember all of the great holiday seasons I've been lucky to have and makes being away from home at this time of year just a little easier.

So thank you, thank you, thank you Wanderlust Scarlett and I wish the happiest of holiday seasons to you all!

12 christmas memories: part IV

2007-12-20T11:00:00.000+01:00

For Part IV of My 12 Favorite Christmas Memories as inspired by Wanderlust Scarlett's meme, I'm going to stick with the childhood theme. If you haven't yet, you should also check out Parts I, II, and III.

Now here are three more that come from my earlier years, and since we just talked about cookies, let's stay there for a moment.

7. Jeanie & Joe eating all the kolaches

Jeanie was my great-aunt's daughter and Joe was her husband. That might sound rather extended to you, but since my Aunt Babe lived about 30 seconds away from her sister (my grandmother), our families were always quite close, especially around the holidays--and my Aunt Babe remains one of my most favorite people in the world. She knows everything!

And what are kolaches? My mom's version looks something like this:

Walnut goodness wrapped in cream cheese dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar. I made these this year, but I had to improvise because I couldn't find a square ravioli cutter like she uses. In Italy! I couldn't find the ravioli cutter I needed! Harumph!

So I used a round one, which makes smaller ravioli and that made rolling these babies a lot more challenging. They're still delicious though, and that's what matters, right?

Well kolaches were probably the most sought after cookie at my grandmother's house (she also made them) during the holidays--so much so that my mom used to make a tray just for my grandfather to keep *in his bedroom*. Yes, this grandfather.

Anyway, Jeanie and Joe lived a couple hours away from us, so they came in for the holidays right as they were beginning, which left their visiting time to a minimum. And so, they'd come over, often individually, on Christmas morning, which as you can imagine, was always quite hectic as anywhere from 5 to 15 people would be eating dinner there at noon.

My grandmother always played the perfect hostess, though, despite having a million other things to do--she truly loved their visits.

But after a while she noticed that there would always be a huge dent made in the cookie tray in the area of the kolaches after Joe left--and let's be honest, it was mainly Joe who was the culprit. So my grandmother would purposely take most of the kolaches off the tray (she'd leave him a few of course), often literally as he was coming up the walkway.

"Joe's coming! Grab the kolaches!" *was* shouted.

Jeanie was mostly innocent in the Great Kolache Fiasco but she's thrown in this memory because her Christmas morning visits were always such a huge part of the holidays, and also because she recently passed away.

Jeanie was just 62 years old, and her husband Joe passed away last year after a long debilitating illness which included a heart transplant. Their children are around my age, and I think of them more often than ever.

And now with the holidays, wonderful memories of their parents have really come rushing back to me, and I hope they do for them as well.

8. I'm Mary!

OK, let's lighten things up with a fun memory from about fourth grade--when I was chosen to play Mary in the church play of the Nativity Scene.

I was never the one chosen for things like that, and to be honest, I thought one of my best friends who eventually became the angel would be Mary, but nope. I was Mary! Everyone was so proud!

I think we picked names out of a hat or something, so it really was no big feat to have won the non-speaking role. But whatever. I was Mary! I wrapped the Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes!

And I do have a photo of it somewhere, just not here. Sorry. Maybe next year.

Also, attached to this memory? I was also the one who got to put the Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning in our nativity scene at home. Woohoo! The benefits of being the youngest in the house!

9. Caroling with Friends

They don't really do the caroling thing around here (not that I've seen/heard anyway), but I do have a fond memory of caroling when I was probably about 12 years old.

A group of girlfriends, probably about 10 of us, went around one evening and sang and sang and sang--and if anyone wonders why I know the words to just about any Christmas song, this is probably why. Seriously, try me.

One blustery December night, instead of going home after school, we all went to the house that would serve as Caroling Central. We got all bundled up (it was *freezing*!), and then walked around town, avoiding slushy puddles and snow piles, stopping at random houses, especially near those that were all lit up, assuming they'd certainly appreciate the effort.

We got invited into so many homes, drank far too much hot cocoa, and even made some cash--which we spent later that night on pizza if I recall correctly. Guess we could've donated the money, but hey, we were 12. And hungry.

Ah, and of course there was a huge slumber party afterwards.

I had almost forgotten about this memory until Wanderlust Scarlett and I got "talking" via email. I'm so happy that she reminded me! I don't have contact with most of those girls anymore, but some of them are still my best friends--and you know who you are--and I'm certainly thinking of you this Christmas.

Ah, small town America in the late 1980s.

Come back tomorrow for the final installment of My 12 Favorite Christmas Memories!

what's cooking wednesday:thumbprint cookies

2007-12-19T15:45:00.000+01:00

Or, "12 Christmas Memories: Part III"

(If you haven't yet, do check out Part I and II.)

6. Cookies!

I simply couldn't do a series on my Christmas memories without cookies.

My grandmother always made cookies for the holidays, but my mom? She goes crazy. In addition to making them for the family, she's now started selling trays of homemade cookies and candy--and she's doing so well that I just may have to go to America to help her next year. Go Mom!

And so, making cookies is definitely one of my fondest Christmas memories. From the time I could walk, I was around the kitchen helping make cookies--although for a while there I didn't do much other than steal chocolate chips off the table, earning me the nickname "Cookie Monster" from my mom's friend, her baking partner for many years.

But eventually I worked my way up to working with sprinkles and candied cherries. You know, the Big Time.

My mom made it fun not only for me but also for the friends I was allowed to invite over to help decorate the cut-out cookies--there were far too many stockings and Santas and snowmen and bells and wreaths for just one or two people to decorate.

So at my mom's house, we'd have decorating slumber parties every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just the other day, in fact, one of my best friends and regular participants in the bake-a-thons left a comment here on the blog longing for the days of such innocent fun.

And I'm so with her on that.

(I'm the one without a blurred face; maybe 12-13 years old here? Not sure.)

And yes, in case you're wondering, my niece is fully prepared to keep this tradition going. Just the other day my mom said that she's getting to the age where she can have some friends over to help decorate (she already helps my mom with the cut-outs).

So next year, 9-year-olds at Nana's!

Before this year, I have never done the Christmas cookie thing by myself--why would I when my mom had it covered? But now that I've been here for a few years and have really missed those tastes of home, I decided that this year I'd make some of my mom's recipes and give out trays to Italian family, friends, and neighbors.

I highly doubt any of them have ever even seen the cookies I made, so it'll be an interesting experience for all of us.

Yesterday I finished up the last of six types that I made this year, and I've already decided that next year I'll try my hand at even more. My mom had sent me some things like chocolate chips and brown sugar, but since I decided on Operazione Biscotti at the last minute, some cookies just weren't going to happen this year for lack of the proper ingredients and tools.

But look out Christmas 2008!

I'm not going to share all the recipes with you now, or even the photos just yet, but I will let you in on what has to be one of the easiest and tastiest cookies ever for this week's What's Cooking Wednesday. In fact, this is a great one to make with kids because they get to play around in the dough as much as they want and they really can't ruin it.

"Unless their hands are dirty," adds my mom.

The words of wisdom never end I tell you.

These classics will also be my entry in Food Blogga's Eat Christmas Cookies event. Go check out all the great cookies over there--just beware you'll probably leave hungry.

Thumbprint Cookies*

2 c flour
3/4 c confectioner's sugar
1 c butter
1 tsp vanilla

Jelly of your choice (I used apricot and strawberry)

Combine flour and sugar and then cut in butter until well distributed. Sprinkle with vanilla and mix dough with hands until smooth.

Shape into 1 inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet.

Indent centers with lightly floured finger (or thumb!) and fill with jelly.

Bake in preheated 325°F (163°C) oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove to rack to cool.

Easy peasy and tasty too!

*I should note that the original recipe calls for a cup of chopped nuts--I just don't like them in this, so I don't put them in. If you want to, put 1/2 of them in with the flour and sugar in the beginning, and then, after you make the dough into balls, roll them in the remaining nuts. Thanks Christina for reminding me to include this!

Buon appetito!