COUNTDOWN TO ITALY!

For a planner like me the last few weeks before any vacation are a mixture of excitement and worry.  I've done the research, asked the questions, sent the emails, made the reservations.....but have I forgotten anything?  I've made reservations at the places we'd be most likely to have to wait in line - the Vatican museums, The Borghese, the Uffizi and the Accademia.  Making these reservations also requires a cretain amount of confidence because you're locked into a specific time and day.  Sometimes it's nice to have the flexibility to save a museum for a rainy day, or even a really hot day, but when your time is limited you just have to make the best decision you can and go with it.  I decided not to make reservations for a walking tour in Florence just in case rain is forecast, but I have the phone number programmed into my Italian cell so I'm hoping a quick call a day or two before will be sufficient.  I'm still waiting on the folks at Perugina to confirm the chocolate class, but hopefully now that we're into September it will be back to business as usual soon. 

I have lists of restaurants and gelaterie galore - enough to give us a nice selection in several areas, but not so many that we'll be overwhelmed by choices.  Most of these recommendations came from various threads on the Slow Travel message board and should be up-to-date, fingers crossed.  I've tried not to cram too much stuff into our daily plans, giving us time for a coffee, a gelato, even some free time on our terrace in Rome!  You can be sure that not everything will go as planned - some things will take longer, others less time, but at least I have a good idea of what we'll do each day.  There's nothing worse than being on vacation and wondering what to do next - or arriving at a site only to find out it's their closing day. 

In another week or two I'll haul out the suitcases and begin piling up stuff to take.  I'll need to check for toiletries, make sure we each have all our vitaimins and prescriptions, throw in an extra pair of sunglasses, that sort of stuff.  I won't make any final decisions about the clothes I'm taking until the day before we leave, just because the weather has been so crazy, but layering will certainly be part of the plan. 

Both our passports are good for several more years, so no worries there.  Art's going to AAA this week to get his IDP (internation driving permit).  I need to do a final price check for the rental car, and make sure no flight times have changed.  I need to cancel the paper and stop the mail, and call the credit card companies.  I'm not sure what I'm forgetting, but in the end we'll be in Italy again, so it'll be fine.  At least that's what I'm telling myself!

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!

Yes, it's that time again - election time, and boy, can it be stressful!  In the past I've voted for Democrats, Republicans and occasionally even Independents.  There are very few times when I just pull the party lever, preferring to make my choices on a case by case basis.  Trying to figure out just what the candidates stand for, and who will live up to their promises is not an easy process, as I'm sure all of you know, but still, I try. 

In 2008 I voted for Barak Obama, and I will do so again in 2012.  Yes, I am disappointed that the economy hasn't recovered as quickly as everyone hoped, and yes, there are things that the President has done that I don't agree with.  There are also things he hasn't done that I wish he had.  Some of the things the President hoped to accomplish have been blocked by the Republicans in Congress - a group so determined to get him out of office that they've forgotten we put them in Washington to do a job - to pass bills, create new laws and make sure the country keeps running smoothly.  Remember when Paul Ryan tried to blame the President for America's credit rating being downgraded?  According to Standard & Poor's, the agency responsible for the downgrade, our credit rating was changed specifically because Republicans refused to increase revenues.

Anyway this post today was inspired by a very nasty, hate-filled email I received from an anonymous person.  I have no idea who this person is, or where he's reading my opinions.  Maybe he read my blog, maybe he's the friend of a friend on Facebook, maybe he's just a troll, but I responded to his email as politely as I could.  First I asked him who he was.  Simple, really.  He knows who I am, but apparently he was too embarrassed/cowardly to tell me his name.   His second email to me, much like the first told me how much he and all his friends "hated" Obama. It was sad, and even a little scary.  While I don't believe Romney would be a good President, I can't say I hate him.  Isn't that a very UNChristian thing to say? 

So let this be fair warning:  if you read my blog or if you see me on Facebook, you're going to be seeing a LOT of my opionions.  That's because it's MY blog, and MY Facebook page.  If you'd like to have a discussion, to refute my facts, or to challenge my talking points, then bring it on.  Let's discuss, dissect and get to the truth - regarding BOTH candidates.  If all you want to do is spew hatred and fear, then please do us both a favor and simply stop reading my posts.  There, wasn't that easy? 

WHEN THE TRUTH ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH

Here is a list of five lies that Paul Ryan told when he gave his speech at the Republican National Convention last night. Every single news outlet should report on these lies.

1. Lie: President Obama is the "greatest threat" to Medicare.

Truth: Obama didn't make any cuts to Medicare benefits; he made cuts to provider reimbursements, to improve cost efficiency and extend the fiscal security of Medicare by eight years. According to the Medicare actuary, "[Obama's] Affordable Care Act makes important changes to the Medicare program and substantially improves its financial outlook."

But Ryan actually does want to cut benefits. He proposed dismantling Medicare and replacing it with a voucher system, leaving millions of seniors to come up with more money to pay for care out of pocket.²

2. Lie: President Obama didn't save a General Motors plant in Wisconsin.

Truth: First, Obama wasn't even in office when the GM plant closed. Second, Obama never made a promise to save it.

3. Lie: President Obama ignored recommendations of a bipartisan debt commission.

Truth: Paul Ryan actually sat on that commission. And he led Republicans in voting down the commission's own recommendation. So the commission never gave a report to Obama, because Ryan himself voted to kill the report before it could.

4. Lie: President Obama is responsible for the downgrading of the U.S. Credit Rating

Truth: House Republicans, including Paul Ryan, held the full faith and credit of the United States hostage to try to ransom it for trillions of dollars in cuts to social programs without increasing taxes on the wealthy one dime. Standard & Poors said specifically, "We have changed our assumption on [revenue] because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues." That's why our nation's credit rating was downgraded.

5. Lie: Ryan wants to protect the "weak."

Truth: Ryan's biggest feat in his political career was proposing a budget with dramatic cuts to programs benefiting the poor. He'd cut Medicaid by one third, take away health care insurance from 30 million Americans, and cut Pell Grants for 1 million students. All so that he could give more tax breaks to the rich.

No matter who you support in this election, don't you just want all the lies to STOP???

PESTO STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Unbelieveable as it might sound to some of you, I was unable to find zucchini large enough for this recipe! I put out the word on Facebook and sent out a few emails - nothing! No one I know is being overtaken by zucchini, which is good news for them but bad news for me. I decided to check out the farmer's market in St. Matthews last Saturday, knowing that there were many more vendors than at the markets closer to our house. I did find larger zucchini, and reluctantly bought them once I accepted that this was the best I could do. My zucchini weighed in at just under one and a half pounds, while the recipe suggests a two pounder - this truly is a recipe for the home gardner!

Everyone liked the recipe - our grandson, age 19, liked the filling much more than the zucchini itself, but I have to agree with him. Yes, we're trying to eat healthier and have grilled lots of eggplant, squash and zucchini, but really, I just don't think it has much of a taste. Knowing it's good for me I was able to enjoy the filling - especially since the pesto was homemeade and the mozzarella was fresh - which was tasty enough to make even zucchini palatable.

Just in case you're being over-run with zucchini, here's a link to the recipe:

PESTO STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Oh, I forgot to mention that I had some homemade seasoned breadcrumbs in the freezer - with garlic, parsley and parmesan cheese - so I used about one cup of that instead of the croutons.  For me it turned out to be a good thing because had I used croutons the filling would have been too bulky to fit into my smaller zucchini boats.  The bread crumbs, which I toasted in the oven first, allowed me to compress the filling into the zucchini, getting every last bit of pesto-y goodness!

SUMMERTIME COOKING

We've been lucky here so far with not only a mild winter but also a very early and mild spring.  Although it was up in the 90's for Memorial Day weekend, this past week has been wonderful - low humidty, nightly lows in the 50's, and sunny days in the low 80's - heaven!  Although the tomatoes aren't in yet, the farmer's markets have zucchini and eggplant and enough other stuff to make it worth a stop.  The other day I bought 2 smallish eggplants - I knew as soon as I saw them what I would be making:  Giacomo's Unbaked Eggplant Parmesan. 

This dish is one that needs to be made in advance.  The eggplant needs to be sliced, salted and drained for at least an hour or so, the tomato sauce needs to simmer for several hours to reduce, and the eggplant gets fried before the dish is assembled, so I recommend making this dish the day before you plan to serve it. 

Here's what you need:  2-3 small eggplants, not teeny-tiny, but small enough to still be tender.  Slice the eggplants about 1/4" thick, place them in a colander over the sink and sprinkle with salt.  Placing a heavy bowl on top of the eggplants will help squeeze out the moisture.  After the eggplants have released their excess water rinse them quickly and place on paper towels to dry. 

While the eggplants are draining you can start your tomato sauce.  Finely chop one carrot, one rib of celery and one garlic clove then saute them in a large skillet with a little olive oil.  After a few minutes add the tomatoes.  Fresh tomatoes will work fine, but since they aren't ready I just used one large can of San Marzano tomatoes, whole.  Break up the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon, throw in some torn fresh basil leaves and let this simmer on the back of the stove until it's thick - really thick - I think mine simmered nearly 5 hours!

Fry the eggplant slices quickly in hot oil, just browing them, then drain on paper towels.  Shave some Parmesan with a potato peeler and tear up quite a few basil leaves.  Once the tomato sauce is ready just layer the eggplant on a plate - I used a dinner plate and placed the eggplant in the center, not covering the whole plate.  Cover the eggplant with a good dollop of tomato sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan and basil.  Repeat the process until you've used all your ingredients, then cover and refrigerate.  I usually roll up a paper towel and put it around the bottom of the plate to soak up any excess moisture that remains, and trust me, there's still plenty!

When you're ready to serve just add a few more fresh basil leaves on top and enjoy!  This is such a good summer dish - cool and refreshing, flavorful and healthy! 

Saturday Photo Hunt - Loud

Can anyone else hear this chocolate calling to me? It's really, really loud.....don't know how much longer I can resist......

Saturday Photo Hunt - Point

Once again, you have to use your imagination!  These gorgeous, and I'm sure delicious!, goodies have points, right?  These were in the window at Sandri's in Perugia.....