Unfortunately, as I posted here, Starbucks has felt the need to branch into the land of real coffee. I can hardly believe it.
Let’s hope that Starbuck’s does truly enter Italy with lots and lots of humility! I can’t help being skeptical about that part too.
Pope Francis is a great man from what I can see, and a humble, loyal servant to the god he serves, from all I read.
Not all popes have been humble or loyal servants, that’s for sure. It would seem that popes from the Renaissance period in particular have a bad reputation.
The following quote, which is rich beyond measure to me, succinctly captures the general consensus vis a vis that era’s pontifical array:
“No one would have considered a Renaissance pope the servant of anyone, even God.”
Gilmour, David (2011-10-25). The Pursuit of Italy: A History of a Land, Its Regions, and Their Peoples (Kindle Location 1030).
There’s a small shop in Florence, not far from il Duomo, known as Paolo Penko Bottega Orafa. Paolo Penko himself is a prestigious jeweler who has many famous clients, including the Pope. He’s had this shop since 1980 and his grandfather was a merchant of fine goods out of the same building before him.
What I love about Signor Penko’s work is his inspiration. He has combed Florence’s famous museums and buildings looking for inspiration for his incredible pendants, brooches, etc. He has designed, for example, his Primavera pendant after a necklace worn by one of the 3 graces in Botticelli’s painting of the same title, complete with gems and pearls.
But the goldsmith also has a youthful, playful side: he was cited by Vogue Jewelry as the most innovative jeweler for a video art pendant, a custom made piece with a 30-60 second video loop that he creates.
What most fascinates me, however, is Mr. Penko’s production of il Fiorino, or the Florin. The florin, of course, was the gold currency that was once Europe’s strongest trade value. Mr. Penko makes gold florins in his shop, as they are a traditional birth gift.
The Florin has St. John the Baptist on one side and the Florentine Lily (or iris? I’ve heard it called both) on the other.
Below is a short film showcasing Penko’s workmanship–and a little magic besides including fire–in producing the beautiful 18 karat gold coin.
The video is as artistic in itself as any opera! I hope you enjoy it!
Ciao, ciao.
One of my favorite places to spend time in Italy is in a supermarket.
Not your normal shopping venue, I know, but to me it is oh so much fun! I can and do spend hours looking at interesting products. I enjoy it because unlike the little fruit and veg markets throughout Italian towns and cities, the supermarket personnel leave you completely alone unless you request help. I like to be anonymous and just browse for as long as I like.
Here are a few of my favorite chain supermarkets in Italy.
I mean a person could spend an hour in the dried pasta aisle alone!
One of my favorite areas to peruse is the spice aisle. I typically bring a new supply back to the US from every trip. It just gives me a kick to have Italian spices in my cupboard back home.
Here’s my latest batch:
Here’s my last batch from a few times back. As you can see, they need to be replenished!
And then I usually can’t resist a few baking items as well. I love these nonpareils which in French means they are “without equal” for the intricate decoration of cakes, desserts, and other sweets. I love the Italian name as well, which as you can see is argento perline or “silver beads.”
And then most recently I brought home a bottle of this weird spray gel which is supposed to be used to put a shine on fresh fruit on tarte tatin. I haven’t opened this bottle yet, but I’ll let you know when I do.
On a cold, gray, soon-to-be snowy January afternoon at my home in Denver, it is fun and comforting to pull out my Italian spices and baking supplies and day dream about my next hours in Italian grocery stores!
I’m craving una tazza now!
Just as in the USA, where Santa Claus brings gifts for good children on Christmas Eve…
Italy has a similar tradition. Only the gifts arrive on Epiphany Eve, which is January 5. And instead of Santa Claus, the gifts are delivered by an old and ugly woman who rides a broom. La Befana is her name.
In popular folklore La Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their shoes with candy and presents if they have been good good, or a lump of coal (or dark candy) if they have been bad.
Here’s a fun video to give you the flavor of the celebration:
I love one of the stories about La Befana and how she happens to be in the habit of delivering gifts to children on Epiphany Eve.
According to Italian folklore, La Befena was visited by the three Magi as they made their way to see the Christ Child. They even invited her to go with them, but she said she couldn’t go because she had too much work to do. Her work was house cleaning, especially sweeping the floors.
Later La Befana was filled with regret when she realized the magnitude of the event she had missed with her protestations of busy-ness (there is a lesson here all you busy people). Her response was to bring candy and sweets to all the good children and she does this once a year as a sort of penance for having missed the big event of seeing the baby Jesus with the Magi.
Italian families will often leave out a small glass of wine and a few treats for La Befana to eat before she leaves their home, having dropped off her gifts for the children in the house.
La Befana is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children’s houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both.
I do hope La Befana leaves you a little something on Epiphany Eve, especially if Santa Claus forgot you for some reason!
Buona Befana a tutti!
Here’s a fun sampler of what the season is like over here.
http://www.thelocal.it/galleries/culture/ten-traditions-that-make-an-italian-christmas/5
Merry Christmas, tutti! Put the baby in the manger tomorrow night! Ciao!
get back, lauretta! 
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