My 10 year old nephew, visiting from the United States, burst out with a pretty amazing observation, after we checked into a wonderful apartment in the foothills of the Abruzzi National Park. Obviously following in the footsteps of his dear old aunt (and with a hint of exasperation in his voice, I’d say), he remarked, “Why is it that every single toilet in this entire country has a different way of flushing??!!”
According to Giancarlo, he has yet to flush the same way twice. In fact, even...

I miss Italian lunch. When we lived in Rome, I made lunch for my husband and myself almost everyday. We sat down at the table and enjoyed every bite. While I wouldn't say I'm a great cook in the U.S., in Italy I was. Fresh, in-season food makes a world of difference. Anyone can be a good cook in Italy.
Now, repatriated and living a fast- paced life, lunch is sometimes a p.b.j. sandwich scarfed down over the sink. Or like yesterday, I left my part-time job at 2:00, ate my brown-bag lunch...