Artichoke season!

And I am learning how to prepare them!  For years I have steamed them and eaten them with tons of melted butter.  The butter seems to outweigh the benefit of consuming the veg.

But a friend showed me how to roast them and you can see my first attempt below.  The cooked chokes don’t look like much, but the taste is divine, with fresh olive oil and no butter!

 

IMG_7524

IMG_7526

Frances McDormond

I couldn’t sleep last night and wanted something to lull me to lala land.  Boy, did I pick the wrong movie!

I was reading the NYTimes about the Oscar nominations for this year and one thing led to another and I started reading about one of my fav actors, Frances McDormand.  I’ve been a fan of hers since Fargo.

Reading about her career, I ran across her first film, Blood Simple.  I found it online and watched an hour before I had to shut off my computer.  The movie woke me up big time!

I finished watching it today and can’t recommend it highly enough!  McDormand is amazing in it, and the film is first-rate, all around.

I don’t, however, recommend watching it when you are planning to go to sleep soon.  It will keep you riveted!

p8584_p_v8_aa

 

From Wiki:

Blood Simple is a 1984 American neo-noir crime film written, edited, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It was the directorial debut of the Coens and the first major film of cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld, who later became a noted director, as well as the feature film debut of Joel Coen’s wife Frances McDormand, who subsequently starred in many of his features.

The film’s title derives from the Dashiell Hammett novel Red Harvest (1929), in which the term “blood simple” describes the addled, fearful mindset of people after a prolonged immersion in violent situations.[3]

My walk home

Starting at my 2nd favorite place in Florence, my yoga class #2

IMG_7453

 

 

The sights on my walk home:

IMG_7454IMG_7455

 

A favorite design by Clet below:

IMG_7456

 

A favorite florist below:

IMG_7458IMG_7459

 

 

And, look what was waiting for me when I got home!  A box I shipped to myself in Florence from myself in the USA!  Wooop wooop!  Funny though, I shipped it on November 18 and received it today, January 25.  At least it arrived!

IMG_7460IMG_7462IMG_7463