Coupon Schmoupons? July 11, 2008

I’ve been trying…I really have. For years. I clip. I file. I had tiny piles of coupons. And it never fails…am at checkout and then I forget. And I had $3 to save one day $5 another or even $1 and it gets tossed in the garbage because I can’t remember to give it to the checkout girl!

Well there’s this thrifty nifty mom that has been doing this for 10 years and she’s made a business out of it: www.couponmom.com. I got to read about her this morning in my local paper and also get frustrated hearing how they spend about $80 something a week and how she even gets free shampoo at CVS…how!?! Why do free things happen to other people and never me?

I am going to glance at her website tonight. I read it’s free to join and you get to see deals all over the country and find a bargain in a grocery store near you…because God knows, I don’t believe there are any food bargains any more. Tell me if you find any deals. I’m on my way to browse her site now and will get back w/the tips I find for here:)

Italian Nostalgia July 4, 2008

We just returned from our annual trip to see my inlaws two weeks ago and I reallly reallllly miss Italy! I was very bummed that I didn’t get to see my two sweet American friends that live in Rimini. I love Rimini.

The beaches are not that pretty but it is a city full of life and full of fun (oh, and good food too!). The centro storico is gorgeous. Here is the Ponte Tiberio at night:

This is my all time favorite restaurant in Rimini!
Osteria De Borg (osteria del borgo)

Please check out their site -it has some nice images of the location. If you are so lucky to be near Rimini or in Rimini-RIGHT NOW!! or any time soon…please go by there. Every thing is yummy!
http://osteriadeborg.it/

Here’s a quick look at their menu in case you couldn’t find it on their site:

GLI ANTIPASTI

 

Tagliere di affettati e squaquerone

 

Piatto rustico (cassoncini, crostini, frittattine, rotolino di piada farcita, …)

 

Antipasto misto dell’Osteria

 

Selezione biologica di affettati e formaggio di fossa di Talamello

 

Selezione di formaggi caprini e pecorini di Sogliano con confetture di nostra produzione

 

 

I PRIMI

 

Tagliatelle ai piselli

 

Strozzapreti con asparagi, pancetta e pendolini

 

Gnocchi di patate con fiori di zucca, patate e zucchine

 

 Chitarra con pesto e pendolini

Cappelletti alle carote della Luisa

 

 

 

 

I SECONDI

 

Coniglio disossato in porchetta

 

Galletto ruspante al tegame

 

Costolette d’agnello allo scottadito

 

Tagliata di manzo alla brace con salsa alle erbe fini ed aceto balsamico con contorno

 

Filetto al sale di Cervia e rosmarino

 

 Costata della Val Marecchia

 

           Fiorentina della Val Marecchia            

 

 

I CONTORNI

 

Assaggio di verdure miste cotte

 

Piatto misto di verdure calde

 

 

 

I remember getting several times the Antipasto Misto Dell’Osteria. And some very delicious pasta, meat and the piada. So good! If you go by Osteria De Borg…tell me what you decided to eat and how it was!
Here is their contact info: Buon Appetito!
Osteria del Borgo Via Forzieri, 12 – 47900 Rimini (Rn)
Tel. 0541/56074 – Fax 0541/786160 – E-mail: info@osteriadeborg.it

 

BIMBY… what!!? July 3, 2008

If you are lucky enough to live in Italy or maybe nearby…and you can afford one…get your hands on this little machine! We were visiting my hubbie’s aunt/uncle in Peschiera Del Garda and Zia Daniela had one of these nifty little machines and made the most delicious risotto with saffron.  From the chopping/sauteeing of the onions to measuring all the ingredients…this little puppy did it all (except wash the dishes! )and it was delectable! She even had these neat little panna cottas and creme brulee’s ready for us and they were also just to die for delicious! Just from googling this strangely named machine (bimby from vorverk)I found some photos and fun stuff at this super cool blog: (http://www.reallyrome.com/blog/)and some other cool Italian blogs from American’s living in Italy…now if I could find the time to check out their blogs…sigh…
http://reallyrome.com/blog/2007/07/11/its-the-bimby-and-it-does-everything/

 

OH! And this portuguese (or maybe brazilian)talking about recipes and everything else BIMBY!! VIVA LA BIMBY!

http://ilovebimby.blogspot.com/

Wall-E, are you really made for kids? July 2, 2008

We went to see Wall-E. It was a very exciting day to go (my husband and I)with our Gigi…

It was alright. And that’s about it. I defintely don’t recommend it for most 5-7 year olds. My daughter was hanging on to both of us for many parts of the movie. The humor was there, but again, I think more for older kids or adults.
I like the message of how our planet will soon be one big garbage dump. That part was an eery peak into what may be our land’s future or maybe even what is a reality in many parts of the world. I also liked the part of the people on the movie no longer needing to walk or basically do any thing with their muscles b/c they are total obese blobs that don’t even know what is happening beyond their noses as that’s where their TV like phone screens are propped in front of most of the time even while they’re sipping their liquid meals.  Funny characters, but they were kind of gross and not that pleasing to watch for most of the ending of the movie.  I give it “one thumb up”.

 

 

 

Food Therapy July 2, 2008

Well, yes, I was avoiding writing about what I really wanted to write about and it was about my sister in law.

I posted a few wks back about our “phone call” and it has been a situation that has been on a back burner but will never truly not exist.

We have, since the “phone call”, arranged to have our daughters get together for a play date. After her dutiful call to me on Mother’s Day (courtesy of my Sicilian dad’s urging)we did speak once after. It was pleasant, yet uncomfortable b/c there was of course, no mention at all to her not so nice behavior. I phoned my brother and his wife to arrange the playdate w/no response but yet, a couple of days later, received an email to arrange it.   We went on our fabulous trip to Italy and once again, I was dreaming of moving there. 19 days was not enough. The food, the people, the FOOD! It’s just an amazing country and I will promise to post some photos and some blurbs. We ate and my hubbie and I gained I think 5lbs each (ok, it’s not alot, but it took me a long time to lose those last 5lbs from the baby!)

I was thinking of contacting my brother to see my nieces but I know I have to reach her most likely, b/c he didn’t return my call last month and was as cold as ice the last couple times we saw eachother.

As two weeks past and I still hadn’t gotten the nerve to call my sis in law I received this letter. Now granted, the last playdate before my trip was made on my initiative and by my phone calls with no response from them except for her email…she wrote me these words:

Dear Lora,

 

I

have made several attempts to reach out to you. I have texted you, called you on Mothers Day, emailed you, and most recently, invited Gabriella to come to the movies. In each attempt, you have not responded. I am not reaching out to you to fix what has been broken for over 10 years and may never be able to be fixed; our relationship. I am trying to be respectful to the fact that we are family and there should be some sort of communication.

 

Since you are unable to talk to your brother, I once again, have stepped in. Based on history, I have always been the one to reach out to you after a conflict. This time I want to stress that I would always welcome the opportunity to arrange a playdate, so that we can see the kids and also your mother.

 

I am not going to keep trying to fix this. It is too many years of conflict. Once you can accept the way things are, and will always be, it will make for a more cordial experience when dealing with each other.

 

 

 

Thanks,

“charming sister in law”

Nice! I will post my response later as there is a major lightning storm…more to come!

 

 

 

Homemade Pancakes-oh my! July 2, 2008

We LUV pancakes in my house and we eat them at least 3x per week. During the school year, only on Saturday or Sunday’s…but since it’s summer…it’s been a more frequest request. And frankly, Bisquick has been good to us…but have you ever tried to make them homemade? YUMMY!!
I had a great recipe but it got lost in one of my “tiny piles” so I googled it again and here is what I tried and LOVED!!

We add fresh strawberries or blueberries or both and sprinkle chocolate chips on top for the Princess. We even made w/grated apple pieces one time last month…OMG…to DIE for yummy!

Try this Pancake recipe out-it is a keeper!! (photo and recipe courtesy of All Recipes)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted  (I think I used 2 tbsp the other day and it was still fantastic)
  

  DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
  2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot (DUH!)