The House in Amalfi

I've just begun this book which I'm reading mostly for the setting and the atmosphere. Elizabeth Adler evokes the sense of place so invitingly that I can feel  the breeze and smell the lemon trees.

 





'For two years I have lived alone, not allowing even a dog or a cat to intrude on my solitude. My friend Jammy Mortimer, who I’ve known since we were little kids, says I’m getting creepy. “All this loneliness is not good for you,” she says in her usual forthright manner. “You’ll end up a fat, eccentric recluse, refusing to open the door even to me.” '

 'I didn’t know it on that sunny morning in Rome, but I had yet to experience true happiness. The “real thing” would not come until the following year, when Jon-Boy took me to live in the house in Amalfi. The place where, ten years later, he would die so mysteriously.'

The Beautiful Amalfi Coast, Italy 

Sunday Post: The Witch of Little Italy

The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story has ended. I am not ready to leave the world of this enchanting book: the abundant garden thick with hardy vines and flowers, the magical family of loving sisters and brothers, the powers of magic and secret spells, the familiar Italian references, bittersweet memories of childhood, of anticipated birth and acceptance of death, and powers of love and continuity. A book of life and wisdom, a book about women.

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"Life gets heavy."
"Everyone is entitled to a redo."

Paraphrase or quote?? Love can be warm and gentle and comfortable rather than a Tasmanian Devil of emotions and insecurities.

The personalities in this book are so like those of my mother's Italian family.

View all my reviews

http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/

I have read six books in May: 1 fiction, 1 fantasy, 2 mysteries, and 3 historical fiction.

This week:

Finished Reading

The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri

The Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton
The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson

Currently Reading
Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehman  ARC

The Vicious Vet by M. C. Beaton

To Arrive This Week

Remains To Be Scene by Richard Tyler Jordan

What's happening with your reading?

Murder on the Cote d'Azur

  

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader

 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.

*Post it on your blog.
*Add the URL of your post it at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

From Murder on the Cote d'Azur by Susan Kiernan-Lewis:

Over the garden wall, she could see the Mediterranean Sea, just a patch of it but enough to fill her with delight. The air was fragrant with the scent of lemons and roses.

Does this description engage your senses? 

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"This book doesn't work."
"You mean, in your opinion."
"I mean in English."
......................................

The Italian setting is immensely appealing as the story opens with an ailing movie actress and the people of a tiny village on the Ligurian coast. We travel to assorted locales that set the tone of the story of love, life, and relationships. This is essentially a romantic story of how messy and how wonderful life can be.

The cast of characters is so diverse and entertaining that I feel as though I know each one, with their quirks and unique positions in this well-crafted story.
Their intricate stories are woven together in a sometimes over-drawn narrative that remains compelling. This is a story of living, of life. The conclusion, the ending is so beautifully drawn that it alone is worth the read.

View all my reviews

Wordless Wednesday: Orvieto, Italy

Wordless Wednesday in Italy

Wordless Wednesday Wine Cellar, Italy

A Questionnaire and a Wine Cellar

To Stacey at http://dorannes.com/ : Yes, the Wordless Wednesday picture is a wine cellar at a vineyard in Montepulciano, Italy. The cellars, old barrels, wine shop and restaurant are so aged and romantic that it almost seems dream-like now in my memory. The picture below shows a garden in huge pots at the side of the winery. Just look at the rustic stone building! The atmosphere there is like being transported in time.

+++ SP 10 Questionnaire +++

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I enjoy using different types of fibers and yarns. Wool blends are fine, not 100% wool though. Would prefer not to have the "fun fur" type of yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Needles—in a hand-thrown pottery pitcher/Hooks—in a case that I received in a swap.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Since 1962--I learned from books and friends. A "yarn shop lady" helped with assembling my first project, a hooded long-sleeved sweater with a front placket. I wore it for many years!Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, Amazon.

5. What's your favorite scent? Yankee candles/natural scents

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? No, thank you.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? CrochetDo you spin? No, I don't.

8. What kind of music do you like? Contemporary Christian music Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? Yes. I also use iPod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Yellow, pastels because they are relaxing.Any colors you just can't stand? I'm not too fond of orange.

10. What is your family situation? Dear Husband and I have three adult children and seven grandchildren.Do you have any pets? Yes, our beloved Max, a very handsome Boxer.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves and mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I like variety and don't have a favorite.

13. What are you knitting right now? An afghan that is a world map.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? CircsBamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo and Addi Turbos

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Probably 4 or 5 years

18. What is your favorite holiday? Fourth of July! Whizzz-BOOM-bang!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Dolls, hand-thrown pottery, owls

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Can't think of anything right now, but I love surprises! :)What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None at the moment. I decided not to renew them since there are so many resources online and in my files. :)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not at the moment.

22. Are you a sock knitter? YesWhat are your foot measurements? 10 inches long, 3 ¾ inches wide/Prefer not have wool

23. When is your birthday? February 26

I like making a piece of string into something I can wear. ---Author Unknown

Wordless Wednesday

Miss F-F Rides Again!

There's Miss Feather and Fan setting in my suitcase. The last time she did that was in September when she took me off to Italy where she spent several days lounging on a table on our terrace. She enjoyed the sunshine, the light rain, then drying in the sun again. Knitting? No, there was no knitting, however she greatly enjoyed the view. It appears that Miss F-F is preparing for another journey, so I think I'll join her.

Where to, Miss F-F? It appears we'll be staying at Moon Place Spa Resort in Cancun. (See the link below.) Perhaps, I'll even knit Miss F-F into the beautiful throw she's meant to be since I plan to spend most of my time on the white sand beach. A little shopping, yes, meals--that too. Time at the beach--most of the time. http://www.palaceresorts.com/Resorts/MoonPalace/Index.asp

This is my wind-up to Christmas. Since DH isn't fond of tropical weather, he opted not to make this trip. I am going with DS who will be there on business. When I return, my MIL will be here from out-of-state. A couple of days later, more family will tumble in. I'm ready.

Christmas shopping? Done.
Presents wrapped? Done.
House decorated? Done.
Stockings stuffed and stashed? Done.
Christmas dinner planned? Sorta done...gotta order the crown roast.

A fun vacation, then the joy of the holidays. Praise God! Who could ask for more?

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a Happy Holiday season as we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.---Isa 9:6

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday ~~~ Orvieto, Italy

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday in Sienna, Italy

Alitalia

Single most memorable experience: the David—stunning in its enormity, its beauty is magnificent. To think that this amazing sculpture was created by the hands of man is awe inspiring. Excluding the pedestal on which he stands, the David is 13 feet 5 inches high! Walking around the David and viewing the three dimensional beauty of this piece now makes any picture of the sculpture a miserable second. Unfinished works by Michelangelo are also displayed in the amazing tromp l'oeil of a leg, part of a torso seeming to step out of the gigantic chunks of marble. How I would love to experience this day at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence again! Sheer beauty, grace, and power! Picture taking was not permitted, so I settled for my David bookmark from a gift shop. This website somewhat conveys the feeling of being in the gallery to view the sculpture. http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/micheldavid/david.html

Florence is graced with many magnificent sculptures. Below is a sculpture of Neptune with children.

Most surprising: That the "little Italy" in NE Ohio where my parents grew up was indeed a slice of the Tuscan hill towns—buildings, gardens, décor—so familiar from my childhood in Ohio yet so surprising to me as the norm in Italy. When my grandparents and other relatives emigrated through Ellis Island, they settled in NE Ohio for jobs. They set about building their new lives of freedom and promise in the familiar style of their homeland in the vicinity of Florence. In a word: quaint.

This is a garden at a winery in Montepulciano. Just love that enormous pots of tomatos and herbs!

Most over-used word (by me): "quaint" Italy is not super-sized. It is real. It is authentic. It showcases craftsmanship, style, and beauty. It dates back to medieval times and challenges me to actually grasp and hold and understand exactly what that means. The sense of time is over-powering when standing in the midst of the city gates, the rolling hills, and Etruscan artifacts.

Note the craftsmanship in the sidewalks in this residential area of Fiuggi, such as in the detail in the street lights. All of the sidewalks in this area have the shell design inlaid in the cobblestones. These are infinitely more eye appealing than comfortable for walking!

The view from our hotel balcony in Chianciano

Knitting: zip! zero! nada! Miss Feather and Fan did not fare well at all, poor dear. She lost her little, yellow sock stitch holder and dropped stitches which looked quite pathetic dangling off the circs. She was most embarrassed when her colors ran. She is hand painted after all! A bottle of water with a loose cap began to trickle on her in the new tote bag, a souvenir from Orvieto, a beautiful Italian town. Just imagine her chagrin as her colors stained a book in the tote bag, tissues---well, it was most unlady-like. By this time, she was wet and dangling from the needle! Fortunately, she was most pleased to spend the next two days arranged on the table on the balcony of our suite to allow her to dry. Well, I mean, she spent two nights out all night in Italy! Need I say more?

An Italian "snack bar"

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit. --Moliere

Wordless Wednesday

The Beginning of the World

J is excited to help me make his map of the world ghan from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2002. He has selected the colors for each country and colored his map to match the yarns I have purchased for our creation. With Plymouth Encore knitting worsted and size nines, I have gotten as far as the orange trim and blue ocean. In all honesty, I had to frog down to the first four rows of blue after discovering that I had incorrectly done the color pattern. I added two blue at each end of that section rather than the requisite one at each end. Since this would be problematic with a ghan that is knitted in panels. Taking a deep breath, I yanked it all out and have not yet restored it to the point in the picture. Woe is me! I first saw the pattern at http://freefriends.org/~mare/may17.html . This is an exciting project! I plan to frame J's colored map to go with the ghan.

FYI: Although I do teach online courses, I am affiliated with the state system & not associated in any way with the sponsor of the blog counter.





A Place in the World

A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi started ho-hum. I wasn't even certain I'd finish it--a memoir, romantic, lush with food and Damask and descriptions of Italy--chiefly the lagoons and waterways of Venice. Everything has a golden hue--even the man with one sharp front tooth! This writer paints with words in recounting meeting and marrying a Venetian man, giving up everything and moving to Venice. She, a renowned chef and writer from St. Louis, MO, USA, traveling to far-off Venice to marry a banker seemed preposterous to everyone who knew her. How wonderful it would be to travel beginning in St. Louis and visiting all of the places in her book!! A slow, extended tour to see the richness, the beauty that she describes--to delight in the succulent foods and wines she tastes!

"A thousand days. A minute. A flash. Just like life I think."

--a luscious book to savor--I hesitate to begin another and diminish the "taste" of this one~
:)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3, NLT