Friday, October 24, 2008

It's Good to Be Home

Ahh, I missed the Estate/Garage/Tag sales of the states. Walking threw someones' house and discovering that they were a school teacher who collected ceramic pigs and who...ahh choooo....had cats. Most times a purchase comes with a story of how that sweater was grandma's and we used to play dress up in it or I brought that back from a trip to Spain when I was backpacking around Europe one summer... etc etc. These were a favorite find this weekend, a couple of 1950's college band sweaters.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I'm Out of Town

So, I've taken a break from the European lifestyle to visit my family and get a little bit of the comforts of home. Namely Mountain Dew, pumpkin pie, and Cheetos. Not in that order or together but all priorities. Another priority of visiting home in the fall is the Texas State Fair, world capital of fried foods and food on a stick and they take that title very seriously. This year's buzz food was chicken fried bacon. Possibly the worlds most dangerous food which makes it a challenge we had to try. And we did. And it was awesome. Here are a few picks from the highlights of the fair...

My sister and brother-in-law with the famous fried bacon:
Sculpture of King Tut's mummy and Imus made entirely of butter.Dancing puppets:And my mom pretending to play a piano: The robot at the Ford display. He talked to the people.
Gotta love the state fair!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Welcome to the Party!!!

Happy Halloween everyone! Would you like your fortune read???
I see great festivities in your future...
Now go forth and celebrate!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Door Series, Page 4

Here is the fourth example in my "Great Doors of Piedmont" series. It is the door to an apartment complex courtyard in the center of Torino. The color of the wood is so warm inviting that it would make the perfect front door greeting, if this was your apartment complex.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Tex, An Italain Hero.

Italians love comics. They have many long time running comic characters like this guy,Tex Willer. TEX, as he's better known, is a cowboy from the American old west that this month celebrates his 60th year of fantastical gun slinging adventures. My neighborhood, Moncalieri, has been giving a nod to 'ol Tex's birthday by putting up these posters all over town in support.

Here are a few really great Tex images so you can see an Italian's romanticized version of the American wild west.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Torino, The Greatest City To Get a Coffee, Officially!

Its official! Torino has more cafes recognized by the Michelin standards than any other Italian City. This was reported in Torino's newspaper La Stampa just yesterday, calling Torino "La Capitale dei Caffe". Our city of 1 million people now has 4 cafés recommended, coming out in the 2009 guide. Take that Rome, Venice, and Milan! Read the La Stampa article (in Italian) here:

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Door Series, Page 3

The third example in my great doors of Piedmont series. This one comes from Moncalieri and is again, the entrance to a home on the main street not far down the road from the Moncalieri castle.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Market Bounty

This weekend, true to the season, the market was ripe with bounty. I had a hard time choosing what to take home and what I had to leave there. You have to choose carefully when shopping at the marketini because by the end of the day, just like gypsies, everything disappears. Spoiled for choice I took a few pictures of the excellent finds from this weekend.

On a side note, A big hello to my new Etsy friend Margaret. She is married to an Italian and lives happily in Canada with their 2 kids. Visit her Etsy shop at www.misfitchic.etsy.com She has a beautiful shop, makes awesome treasuries, and has excellent taste in vintage!

Friday, October 3, 2008

The New Miss Italy

Remember a little while ago when I hinted, a little bit, that Miss Italy was a bit under par to the Italian standards? Well, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way and Italy has a brand new Miss Italia. This one seems to have a tad more appeal and, as it would seem here, Berlusconi thought so.Berlusconi , 71, has a long standing reputation for having a well-documented wondering eye for younger women, much to the dismay of Mrs. Berlusconi, his wife of 20 years who has been a witness to that wondering eye in public many times before. The new Miss Italy is Miriam Leone, a 23-year old music student from Sicily. I guess we know what her talent is going to be. And just for fun, here are the contestants for the Miss Drag Queen Italia 2008.