j e t s e t WISDOM

TAKING OFF FOR ARGENTINA FEBRUARY 9-19, 2012

2012-01-04T00:29:00.000-05:00

j e t s e tWISDOM

takes off for Argentina February 9-19, 2012

Just when you thought the chill of winter wasn’t showing it’s frigid face, it’s here. In the
20’s today! What better time than now, to choose a last minute winter getaway down to Argentina. Seasons are opposite, and what better time to enjoy mid 80’s, and long, light summer nights sipping on fruity Torrontes by day, and sultry Malbecs in the evening.
Departing on Thursday, Feb 9, you will be met at Buenos Aires (EZE) Ezieza Pistarini
airport on Friday to start our 10 days/9 nights exploring three diverse areas of Argentina.
Time to get settled in Palermo, we’ll be there for 3 nights, in other words, a perfect long
weekend in one of my favorite cities in the world - before taking off for Mendoza on Monday afternoon.
Staying at a stellar, boutique hotel, we’ll have time to relax at the pool, have breakfast, before heading out for the day. Palermo has a special ‘Circuito Diseño’, many designers on small streets, and with the 3.90 Argentine peso to our dollar - the prices are truly a bargain! Leather abounds, but also clothing, accessories are a cut above! Each day, we’ll have some time to relax, shop, or take sun in our perfect location.

If you’ve always
desired to learn
some Tango, I
have a studio
and 3 private
lessons with
Alejandro set up
for our group,
starting
Saturday
morning,
followed by an
evening of
Milonga dancing to relax and show off what you’ve learned.
Lunch is on your own, but I have a great place for calamari and pasta!
Dinner is planned down at the restored Puerto Madero waterfront, with an after dinner ‘passeggiata’. Remember, Argentina is made up of many Germans and Italians, and even thoughSpanish is their language, Italian is very prominent! So, either way, you can get some practice!
We’ll discover the treasures of the infamous San Telmo Mercado on the
Sunday, Of course, a chance to wander through the Recoletta to see Evita and
frankly, one of my favorite photo-op cemeteries in the world. fit in either the
Palermo Botanical Garden for some shade, or cool at the MALBA (Muséo de
Arte LatinoAmericano de Buenos Aires). Sunday evening will be dinner at
the very best LOMO in Argentina, LaCabrera.
Monday morning we’ll have another Tango lesson, quick lunch at the hotel/
or last minute stops for shopping before our short flight to Mendoza at 3pm. We
leave from the small local airport, which is a mere 20 minutes from Palermo.
We’ll arrive in Mendoza Wine country, just in time
for a wine flight at Vines of Mendoza with Juliette
and Mariana. This is the best to get started on our
journey of 3 days of wine tasting in the UCO and
Lujan de Cuyo. I’ve chosen a special selection
to whet your appetite.

Settling into our town of

Chacras de Coria, we will be

centered in Mendoza for the

next 4 nights. Pool time will

always be an option after a

delicious breakfast. For the

next three afternoons, we’ll

be exploring wineries in a

different area each day, with

our guide.

On Tuesday,

it’s an overthe-

top lunch

at O’Fournier

Vineyard,

including a

special flight

of wine and

tour of their

cellar.

Dinner on

your own in

town at one of

the many

choices.

Wednesday,

15th morning

on your own,

with lunch, leaving after lunch for our wine tour. Dinner is planned at a special Mendoza

Asado.

Thursday, 16th - we will have a ‘farewell Mendoza’ dinner in Chacras de Coria after a full

day of tasting.

Friday am, leaving on the short flight back to AEP Newbery airport, we’ll be met by our

driver to take us to the

Pampas region, and

through to San Antonio de

Areco. 2 nights at a luxe

boutique hotel with pool,

to relax, have a massage,

and wander amongst the

silver and shops so very

different than Buenos

Aires. This is the region of

the gauchos.

Saturday we’re planning

on a day out at an estancia,

hiking, photography,

horseback riding, an

ASADO for lunch, and

truly an incredible ending

to our trip!

Dinner on your ownwhich

after this ASADO

BBQ, will not be necessary

most likely!!

Sunday will be your return flight back to the

US/Canada/Europe. This is an evening flight,

you will arrive home the next day, so that we

will have an opportunity to spend the day

having a massage, lunch and a last chance of

shopping before leaving for EZE International

Airport.

SOME IMPORTANT DETAILS:

PLEASE CONTACT ME AT JETSETWISDOM@GMAIL.COM for further information!

The Grip of Grief

2011-10-04T23:28:00.000-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and listening to songwriter, Louisa Branscomb at our Fresh in the Field weekend, at Firnew Farm last month. Tonight, I found this blogpost of a recent experience with the May tornado, and her beloved home, Woodsong Farm, I wanted to share this. Her songwriting is up there with the best, I'm thinking this post is so true from her heart, and just shows how vulnerable we all are to grief and to Mother Nature. She is one incredible lady, and what a pleasure to have her join into your life's experience:

tornadoreflections: The Grip of Grief: I don't want to mislead that every moment is transcendent, or that I'm any better than anyone else at finding redemption amid the dirt and d...

BUONA PASQUA: MILANO STYLE!

2011-04-26T12:56:00.000-04:00

A Slow SPRING day in VIRGINIA - !

2011-04-22T10:52:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, just had the best day 'touring' favorite spots in Richmond. Starting at the MAC store at Shortpump, I had my ONEONONE with Krista, who showed me how to integrate my new 17minutes VOICE Record of Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica Battista di Roma's special choir (rehearsal for Pascua this weekend) into 80 photos and 2 videos of recent photos from The City of Eternal Light. This will have to wait until a quicker upload - thank you to Hughesnet's archaic 200mb load for the day limit!

Onwards to an 11:30 luncheon at LEWIS GINTER with our Firnew Artist Circle. 16 of us met for many great photo and painting ops, and a guided tour of these incredible acres of beauty including ORCHIDS GALORE a temporary exhibit of Orchids. Make sure to grab lunch at the Teahouse - the view is breathtaking.

The conservatory which held the Orchid Exhibit. Lady Slipper - my very favorite!

Next, we drove down to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to their PICASSO temporary exhibit from Paris. If you do go, plan on downloading their online guide gratis - onto your iphone - no need to buy the audio tape at the museum.

Link for the audio is VMFA: Audio + Virtual Tours: Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris Audio Tour. Well worth the visit down - I would've liked to spend more time at the Museum - but how much can a group from the farmlands of Madison do in one day!! We're planning our next trip soon (either Italia or Richmond, or both! This group simply rocks!)

Can't stand this - these guys were just posing away in the sunshine!!!

Next stop - yes this day keeps going! Was to waitlist for the MAPPING THE DARK collaboration of friend/teacher, Rosamond Casey - yes got the last seats available and well worth the risk. An interesting study in human desires, collections and weaknesses, directed by Fran Smith. I had stopped off for a quick visit with Italiana Christina Ball of SPEAK and her daughter and doggie then onto The Blue Light Grill on the downtown mall for a a bowl of Mussels steamed in white wine and bacon broth with a gorgeous glass of fruity 2009 Burgans Albarino at $9/glass, or your can buy, possibly at Robert's Market Street for $14/bottle..

from Google: Robert Parker 90 -The 2009 Albarino is light gold-colored with a lovely bouquet of white flowers, hazelnut, peach pit, and mineral. On the palate it is surprisingly complex for its bargain price with a viscosity bordering on opulence. If you enjoy Albarino, this is one to buy by the case.
Burgans' Albarino is an annual Best Buy in this journal but the superb 2009 vintage in Rias Baixas has carried it to new heights."

Who would ever say that life could be boring!!! La Dolce Vita....

Off to Milano for Easter, and then London for two breathtaking days ar the World Photo Festival in London - every so slightly missing (really - a good thing, honest!) THE wedding. Think: Spring. Garden. Vacation.

Spring in Palm Springs - Prelude to the Twilight!!

2011-04-10T16:01:00.003-04:00

Romance, texture, glamorous, vivid colors, sexy feels resonate with Palm Springs! Adored it 4 years ago for Thanksgiving, and fell in love this time! I can't get enough of that over-the-top showbiz flamboyance! I know that I am on vacation when I am there! Yes, this was my vacation, clearly. Too many very good margaritas, coupled with killer Mexican for lunch on a daily basis. But aside from all of that foodie stuff, Palm Springs is simply eye-candy. It just is.

American EAGLE comes to CHARLOTTESVILLE!!!!!!

2011-03-19T10:17:00.001-04:00

Finally, a small dream comes true! Beginning June American EAGLE flies out of C'ville!

American Eagle Airlines Announces Jet Service From Chicago O'Hare to Charlottesville, Va.

RANDOM SHOTS OF VENEZIA!

2011-03-11T12:27:00.000-05:00

Venezia Carnevale - who needs words!!!

2011-03-11T12:16:00.000-05:00

Found FranciaCorta - BRAVA!!!!

The men of the Festa delle Donne!

Foscari Palace on the Vaporetto Stop Ca'd'Oro! Excellent!!!

PUNTARELLE - My favorite Italian Chicory - thanks to Helena!

2011-03-03T09:20:00.002-05:00

Thoughts of family and friends at the Duomo.
My photo of our luncheon Puntarelle

Via Corso !0 - amazing pranzo and shopping

Tiffany's Tree in the Piazza Duomo, Milano

Duomo Floor - so exquisite!
Click on the link for Puntarelle for a wonderful history lessons, thanks to The Italian Notebook.

Puntarelle LINK FOR THE ITALIAN NOTEBOOK.

Nine days in February..

2011-02-12T19:25:00.003-05:00

The view of the alps was

breathtaking into Milan on
Wednesday morning -
where is my real camera;
although I must say,
iPHONE was a lot better than niente!!

Who says February cannot be a great month, even if we are

starting to be weary over the winter weather! Not the typical start of a month for me, but given our dreadful course of weather these past couple of months, I've bucked up, and
enjoyed, ok,
really savored new adventures:
Hot Vinyasa class at
www.yogaforthepeople.com
sushi at Nana Sushi,

coolest Negroni and antipasti
on the Navigli in Milano,
enjoying lunch at the Anema e Cozze in the warm Italian sun
watching the gorgeous passenger/aka Fendi model on
Men's Fashion Week Milan on FTV

Marco Aneli's exhibit was the world premier of his project done in New York - quite provoking! Look at these faces!!!!

Favorite window on Via Casale in the Navigli district - YOU'RE MY FAVORITE WORK OF ART.

Car waiting for me in the lobby? Thank you Melia!!!!

However,MILAN 48HR does just as good to get around for 48 hours - try it!!

Love this illustration of the Grotto Beach Resort ...
I know that I keep saying my word for 2011 is STILL.
This grotto photo, I took with my IPHONE to me says STILL.

The rest of the 9 days, still - maybe not so much

NYC view and my new friends: Jax and Yasmiin!!

Home for one day, before I leave for Buenos Aires for pretty much the rest of the month! BRAVA!!! Tango, hopefully long lunches and late dinners with friends, visits to the new Hotel Fierro that the Rosbergs are involved with (Fierro Hotel) Tango lessons at Borges Cultural (TANGO Lessons) and lots of Malbec and Manzo!
Oh and one bottle of Uxmal Sauvignon Blanc!!!

C-Ville: FOCUS - NEW! Winter 2010: Using her words

2010-12-01T21:39:00.000-05:00

C-Ville: FOCUS - NEW! Winter 2010: Using her words

THE HOT WORD -WHAT IS IT CALLED WHEN YOU CAN TASTE A WORD?

2010-11-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

I was one of the bloggers to attend THE WRITE TASTE seminar with Salty Seattle, SippitySup and Food Woolf fellow food bloggers. We had a chance to up our writing skills: sharing in the tasting, smelling, and writing about the food at our table!

This was one of the Breakout Sessions that FOODBUZZ sponsored at the Sir Francis Drake. All of us, good writers, or not, feel that we can always improve. I definitely feel that my ideas, photographs and level of blog content far surpass my writing skills. Is this why I find it so difficult to sit down and WRITE? My favorite was the list of foreboden words, we as foodbloggers chose, coupled with the list Brooke reports that are strictly not allowed in her journalist post at a paper.

So, this morning, I'm reading a new book review, "BITTER IN THE MOUTH", and one link leads to another. I find this: SYNESTHESIA -hot word of the day. In one of the condition's rarest forms, gustatory synesthesia, selected words make it possible to taste a word. Now that would be writing a blog! Rustic, smoky, fruity (adjectives to describe my recent Venison meatballs, glazed with Damson Plum preserves!)

http://www.reference.com/browse/gustatory+synesthesia?

These ideas all add up to my latest quest to better my writing, hence improving my chances of writing my blog at least weekly!! Saluti and grazie to Linda, Brooke and Greg!!

Just back from SLOW FOOD's SALONE DEL GUSTO AND TERRA MADRE IN TURIN, Italy

2010-11-05T05:11:00.000-04:00

Just returned from a mouth-watering experience at SLOW FOOD's Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy. Myself and one other 'hungry for SLOW FOOD experience' Italian speaker tossed out sleeping and opted for a 2 hour train ride from Milan to Turin's Lingotto Fiere. The eighth biennial food and wine festival is like no other in the world. Coupled with TERRA MADRE, this year they had over 200,000 visitors, many from outside of Italia, and from what I gather, a group even from our area Charlottesville division of Slow Food!

To give you an idea of the scope of this incredible , SLOW FOOD began 20 years ago to battle the fast food beginning to show it's ugly head in Italy. Since then, from what I understand, it has grown to be quite a movement. Now in many other countries, we in the Piedmont of Virginia even have our own brand new group, with my good friend, Christina Ball as one of the directors. I am very excited to become involved in this, since I am also working on an innovative dining project with local produce in our art group; primarily as a sharing of good slow food and artistic recipes!

My take on this 'hurried' 10 hours, was that I couldn't get enough of the tastes, friendships, interest in beautiful slow food, most likely paired with delicious artisan wines and beers. I cannot wait to slow down enough (!) to go back and enjoy the next one for days!! We accomplished only the 20 (twenty!) regions of Italy - each region had over a dozen different offerings, from cheese to pork to chocolate! After over an hour in our first, Campagnia, we had to regroup and step up the pace, or we NEVER would have even done that. The Slow WINE had to wait for the next show, and so many different lectures, cooking demos, next time. We did squeeze in a cooking dem from my favorite region, Puglia, with my new friend Michele Bruno, president of Slow Food Puglia, that brought back dreams of Santa Maria del Sole, and their own slow food.

I've uploaded a few of the shots I have taken, just on my way out to San Francisco, for the FOODBUZZ blog fest. More info to follow.

But I will say this in closing: in 2012 I am planning on a group to make our way to Italy, enjoying Slow Food as one of the 3 'events' in the jetsetWISDOM trip. Promise more to come! Meanwhile, savor the feel of this incredible exposition! Divertiti!!

Lollo Rossa Lettuce Information, Recipes and Facts

2010-05-16T09:15:00.001-04:00

Lollo Rossa Lettuce Information, Recipes and Facts

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Come with j e t s e t WISDOM .... to Argentina, April 7-17th, 2010 - Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Tango, Malbec

2010-02-24T13:50:00.003-05:00

Join me with a small group of like-minded new and old friends. Arriving Buenos Aires Thursday, April 8 - departing Ezeiza (Buenos Aires) Saturday April 17th, 2010.

If you've always desired to experience sultryTango (with Alejandro), sip fruity Torrontes and deep dark Malbecs (with Julia), learn a bit of Argentine history at Evita's historical cemetery in Recolleta, discover treasures of San Telmo while practicing a bit of español with Pablo - before dining on mouth-watering LOMO with Chimichurri at world-famous asados and all at incredible value...This is your kind of trip! And wait, this is only our first stop - before flying off to the ANDEs for a mouth-watering experience in culture and wine-tasting in the posadas of the Mendoza region for 6 more days - 3 in the middle of the UCO Valley, and 3 more in the Luján de Cuyo in the town of Chacras de Coria. Oh, and by the way, April is our fall - so the perfect time to discover new leather jackets, vest, boots, and of course bolse (purses) of the region -beautiful quality, outstanding design, and amazing value!

SADLY, life has been so busy - I apologize up front for the 'tardiness' of this plan! I just came back from Mendoza and Buenos Aires late January filled to the top with ideas, new friends and and an for-sure incredible itinerary.

Should I wait until next year? I don't think so! So please, I ask you to join me this APRIL for 10 days of pure decadence - pure joy - and tastes and smells and beauty that you have never ever experienced. The peso is at 3.80 per dollar - as opposed to .65 Euro per dollar! How could we wait. Fortunately, most of you have your own lives and control of stealing away for 10 days - and I count on you to just step up to the plate and savor ARGENTINA!

This is the launch of my j e t s e t WISDOM travel - and what better place than the frontier of Argentina! Hope you can join me!

Mendoza is a mere hour and a half from Buenos Aires - and we'll fly into this beautiful little city in time for our first wine tasting at Vines of Mendoza - before being driven down to the Uco Valley, home for the next three days. Enjoying wine tastings, art galleries and lots of time for painting, yoga, horseback riding in the Andes, and amazing photo ops with the fall colours in full force. Wine-pairing lunch at O. Fournier, a private tasting dinner at Posada Salentein, all included in your price. Enjoy a bit of relaxing after our four days in Buenos Aires (our first stop - which will be exhilarating and definitely not relaxing - although I have got us booked in for a great afternoon of reflexology and a massage! while in the city) After winetasting as several of the UCO Vallely wineries - which are deep and sultry compared to Lucán de Cuyo - our next stop! 3 nights in the historical town of Chacras de Coria - a mere 8 miles from Mendoza City -but a world away from the bustle. We'll enjoy incredible lodging, cooking fresh pasta, drinking special edition wines from the posadas, and have an incredible mix of rural and city for our final 3 nights. Leaving for Buenos Aires on Saturday afternoon for your evening flight -or stay with me and fly up to Salta....oh when must this end....I could stay in this country FOREVER!!!!!

The final dessert is this: Your total cost includes:double occupancy,(single upon request/availability) 10 days, 9 nights including domestic transfers, drivers, tips, 4* accommodations for 9 nights, all tours (city and winetastings), tango, full breakfast every morning, and 7 dinners and 2 lunches (2 full meals per day), leaving you just enough time to enjoy a slice of Italian pizza or an empanada for lunch before or after your lessons (tango, cooking, wine tasting) of your choices. You will have afternoons free in Buenos Aires, and mornings free in Mendoza - to always let you be you and enjoy the moment -whether it be shopping for those white boots, or napping in a chaise in the library...$2,750 US (not including airfare or transfers to/from Ezeiza) Email me for a .pdf of a full itinerary and pricing at jetsetwisdom@gmail.com

Tucker Hill's monotype prints: "Champe Plain Valley near Etlan, Virginia, August, 2005"

2010-02-13T18:28:00.000-05:00

Tucker Hill's monotype prints: "Champe Plain Valley near Etlan, Virginia, August, 2005" This is the last post that Tucker wrote, January 31. It is so humble, poignant, sweet, exactly as he was. We will deeply miss you, Tucker Hill.

A TEASE ON OUR ARGENTINA TRIP APRIL 8-17, 2010

2010-02-01T10:33:00.005-05:00

Create a MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

FoodwedsHerbs: Herb Paste

2009-11-01T11:43:00.000-05:00

FoodwedsHerbs: Herb Paste

P. Diddy Performance at Versace Show at OI Fashion Rocks in RIO

2009-10-27T21:48:00.014-04:00

This past weekend, all the who's who in FASHION were in Rio for the OI FASHION ROCKS. OI, a leading telecommunication company was the sponsor for the show at The Jockey Club in Rio, (site of Casa Cors this year also). The following video of P. Diddy (Puff Daddy, Sean Combs) is shared here to show what a performance he can put on. Incredible. On the way home to New York we caught up for a quick photo with my friend Laura.

The following, thanks to Fashion Windows Network:
Diddy Performance at Versace Show

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Baked Eggs with Spinach and Pancetta, Onion, Garlic

2009-10-21T14:16:00.002-04:00

Truly, one of my favorite lunches was on Crete; in a breathtaking little Grecian village: we wandered down from the (flower-power hippie/nude) beaches and caves of Matala and ordered this egg and spinach plate- sat under an umbrella and enjoyed - I don't remember what we called it, or what those handsome Greek gods called it, all I know is that it's the bomb, and we probably ate for lunch - 2 weeks straight! A brief sidenote on Matala, Crete: Matala was chosen in late sixties by the "flowers' children" to become their "paradise on earth". Although is not likely to meet hippies any more, Matala still carries an aura of libery and "flower flavor". The most beautiful beach in the world - still to this day, for me. I was there in 1975! Let's go back and each spinach pie!

Allora, the recipe (as of) today:
I decided to wilt the fresh (2cups) of spinach with freshly sautéed (in olive oil/balsamic) ,chopped mayan (sweet) onion and some garlic, first.
While the spinach is wilting, brown up some beautiful Pancetta and drain.
Preheat oven to 350, and spray a small cast iron pan with PAM.
Place one piece of very thin swiss cheese in bottom, layer on the mixture of spinach, sprinkle on that perfectly-browned Pancetta, then break 2 eggs into the 'nest' of spinach .
I ground some fresh pepper/good french salt on top, then added one more thin slice of Swiss, topped with a bit of Tarragon. Bake for 20 minutes - check after 18 minutes - eggs should be firm, not hard!

Ingredients:
2 organic fresh eggs
2 cups of fresh spinach (from the Farmer's Market if possible: Local FOOD!)
2 T of Tarragon
2 T of EVOO
1 T of Modena Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 c. Pancetta (optional)
1 large sweet Mayan onion sliced thin
2 cloves of garlic, pressed, into the carmelizing Mayan onion
Freshly ground pepper and good french salt

Do enjoy - it is incredible!! For vegetarians, you certainly may leave out the Pancetta...still delicious!

Italian American Girl: Commissione Giovani NY to Host First-Ever: “Young Italian Music Festival” on October 28th.

2009-10-16T06:14:00.001-04:00

Commissione Giovani NY to Host First-Ever: “Young Italian Music Festival” on October 28th.

This would be an event not to miss - what a great venue. For tickets, http://italianmusicfestival.eventbrite.com/

Escarole and Cannellini Soup

2009-10-05T22:27:00.046-04:00

Craving it. Just do it. On the weekend, I bought same very, very fresh Escarole, and had about 1/2 lb of cannellini from Milan. Dying for that Tuscan Soup, starting to feel the Virginia fall here at the farm, although the afternoon sun is still hot on the skin, it definitely cools in the evening. The first time I tasted Escarole and Cannellini Sopa was at Macaluso's in South Beach on Alton Road - about 8 years ago. It was incredible: garlic, beans, escarole, broth, parmigiano reggiano.

Here are the ingredients:

3 tablespoons very good olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 large carrot, cut into small dice
5 large garlic cloves, peeled, flattened
3 cups (packed) 1-inch pieces escarole (about 1/2 large head)
4 cups of homemade chicken broth - (NOTE: you could use canned...but why...just plan ahead, and bake a chicken the night before..)
2 1/4 cups cooked Cannellini beans

5 long thin beautiful slices of the best-you-can-afford ParmIgiano -Reggiano formaggio

Saute up the onion, carrot and garlic in the olive oil: 4 min. on med-low

Add in the Escarole (that you have already wilted in a bit of simmered hot water for 5 min)

Remove the garlic.

Add in the 4 cups of broth, and the beans.

Simmer for 20 mins.

Put those gorgeous slices of formaggio in the bottom of the soup bowl, and divvy up:

Top with another slice of the P.R. if desired: Serve!!!

For leftovers: perfect: REFRIGERATED, AND BROUGHT TO A SIMMER A DOMANI!

If you'll notice, the wine of the night was a deep, velvety Malbec, ESTIBA-I from Argentina...I'll be sourcing this to see if we can buy it here in the states...yes it was that good! Meanwhile, enjoy the moment and look at this hearty, yet not too heavy, soup for the beginning of fall!

Making the Food and Farm Connection at the PEC Annual Meeting

2009-10-05T11:06:00.004-04:00

The Piedmont Environmental Council's Annual Meeting this month focused on making the food and farm connection in Virginia's Piedmont.
Workshops included: What's in the Conway River; Energy Smart Solutions; The Route 29 Solution; Cultivating the Next Generation of Farmers; Ask the Experts; Protecting Your Farm: Conservation Easements 101; Camera Capture: Documenting the Wildlife Around You; Illustrating the Piedmont Vision; Sustaining a Community Food System; and, Chesapeake Bay Restoration. I attended Cultivating the Next Generation of Farmers. This panel was young, vibrant, and very energetic with regards to growing not only vegetables, but farmers.
My largest inspiration came from Trista Scheuerlein,Program Director for the Headwaters/Public Schools Farm-to-Table program. Their mission is to teach kids in Piedmont public schools how to prepare, plant, seed, and nourish gardens with the final reward of taking home the fresh vegetables and fruits they produced. Another workshop I attended included Janet L. Bearden, Project Director of a new project for a multi-use Cannery in Madison County. Really interesting concept that will be not-for-profit, but will support the food needs of the Piedmont, and offer a place for residents to process their produce. Write to beardenjanet@hotmail.com for more info on this brave project.
Firnew Farm, the beautiful location, has quite the history; in 1812 John Fitzhugh Conway, a cousin of James Madison, built a five-room house on a beautiful knoll by the Conway River. Today, the original Federal house provides the central structure of a much larger home, which incorporates an old winter kitchen with warming oven and exposed wall. Firnew is protected in perpetuity under a conservation easement. Conservation awards were presented to Trish Crowe, Nick Kotz and Kathleen Kilpatrick. A special award was presented to Jack Snyder of Orange County for his efforts to have more than 700 acres of Montpelier placed in conservation easement.

www.pecva.org

The Grand Finale for a visit to Venice!

2009-10-04T10:27:00.012-04:00

Recently, returning from a 12 day cruise, on the decadent Oceania's Insignia, we arrived in Venice, for our final day, and overnight. There are a couple of very fine details about making Venice one of your favorite destinations. The finest detail, is at the end of your journey. Whether you are disembarking from a cruise (in my case), or leaving your hotel, the preferable choice of transport is a WATER TAXI. Not only is it a very efficient way to get 'out of dodge', without question, it is an exhilarating arrivederci to Italia! Lugging luggage over the steps of St. Mark's, onto the Vaporetto, squishing into a 12" square area with your bags, and hoping to be able to hop off at the right station is not for the faint-hearted, especially after a stunning visit in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Nor is buying into the 'excursion' fare of the ship to transport you (with hundreds of others) to the airport....Don't do it to yourself!

My driver of the day happens to be LUCCA, my very very favorite Italian name. Lucca, at Venice Water Taxi is your man. 24hours a day...phone is +39.041.5229040...request my Lucca, but most likely any of their drivers will indulge. The boats are superb, spotless and it's reminiscent of a James Bond movie in a cigarette boat....with a very fine Italian flair!...AND between 4-5 people will only run about E25 each with a generous gratuity (read: lots of luggage: 5 girls and 12 days...madonna!!!) I had to attach a photo of Angie from Marbella, feeling quite smug about the whole moment! Bacione , Venezia!

Another little detail of making the most of your visit, is planning a very early visit to St. Mark's Square. Once that's done before the crowds (that would be by 10am), spend time over in Accademia, visiting the museums (Galleria dell' Accademia is full of top art from the Venetian Renaissance), enjoying dinner at one of the many local osterie or trattorie, one of my long-time favorites is Trattoria Ai Cugnai at 857 Dorsoduro, which is run by 3 sister-in-laws and their sons - quite a handful, I must admit! Buy yourself a day pass on the Vaporetto, and get out of the main areas - Venice is so full of secrets and surprises. Explore!! By the way, I'd love to hear what your favorite travel wisdom is about Venice?

Links for this jetset wisdom tip: www.venicewatertaxi.it , www.veniceairport.it

Treasures of the Table Series: THE ART OF THE SALUMI

2009-09-28T00:29:00.015-04:00

Last night was the first in the "TREASURES OF THE TABLE" series hosted by SPEAK LANGUAGE CENTER. We had the extraordinary talent of Mr. Chris Mattera, of Belmont Street Butchery, Richmond presenting the total lowdown on salumi. We're voting that Chris needs his own Food Network show! Bello!! Not only were we able to taste Coppa, lardo (Lardo di Colonnata), Mortadella, Prosciutto, Rigatino (a cousin of Pancetta), Salame and Spalla, but he told us passionate tales of how he would produce these products, both in a small town in Tuscany, as well as in his shop in Richmond.

We started with a small appetizer of Rigatino over Chicken Liver Crostini. Paired with di Leonardo "Toh!" da UVE ($11.99) from the town of Manzano in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, one of the most north-eastern regions of Italy. This "Toh" is 100% Friulano, a fuller bodied grape than the Pinot Grigios. A crostino is a small piece of dried toast with a topping, that can range to a small dab of pesto, fish and herbs, or in this case Rigatino (similar to our bacon) on a chicken liver pate. In my cooking school in Florence, we made beautiful crostini (plural) each day with crusts from the day before, added fresh herbs with a little protein, and that usually got our day off to a powerful start!

Mortadella was my favorite. It is very finely textured cooked sausage, almost fragile to taste, but spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and mace and studded with cubes of creamy white pork backfat (Lardo), finished with peppercorns and pistachios. Typically it was made in a mortar....Mortadella, sometimes known as the great-grandfather of Bologna (or Baloney).
The Bresaola was gentle tasting, but firm consistency, and paired well with the Colsanto (Rosso Umbria 2004 @ $10.99!! For many of us, the Lardo was a bit hard to 'swallow', literally. Salt-cured pork fatback...not to be taken in large quantities...but apparently quite often served on toast in the morning....Okay...probably not on my toast...but.the Italian Lardo is cured in caves up in Northern Tuscany, near a very good friends' home in the small farming village of Luscignano - right in view of the Carraras.

A visit in itself, to see the humongous caves with the huge slabs of marble, brought down by massive trucks on a small winding road...not for the faint of heart, but just the same an incredible area to explore, hike, ski. If you're interested, a great website for home rentals in a very unspoiled area of Toscana is listed below. The first time I sat on their terrace drinking prosecco, I thought the marble was snow - it is quite a majestic sight.

We also enjoyed tasting an amazing value Lambrusco. Emilia Romagna is home, of course to Parma and Modena (you figure this out..), so their rich frizzante Lambrusco can hold up to a variety of fairly serious salumi, prosciutti and cheeses. At $6.99, Canina Social di Gonzaga Lambrusco - very nicely priced.

One of my favorites wines for the evening, rivalling Patricia Kluges' SP Rose @ $28.00 was the Rocche Costamagna Rosao Ose Vino da Tavola 2008 @ 9.99, perfectly paired with the sweet (La Chinata) Paprika Coppa (a smaller capicola).

Christina Ball, the owner/director of SPEAK Language Center has moved into roomy quarters in the Glass Building in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia to provide her language students a beautiful setting - which definitely doesn't hurt the learning! Attendance has flourished! But, what makes SPEAK so exceptional is Christina. More about Ms. Ball in another post! But in the sharing, she also invites her students and guests to attend cultural venues -usually on the weekends. This allows students of all languages to come together, for a bit of a social, a bit of a chat, (in the language of your choice since almost all of the instructors attend) and always a bit of an innovative wine-pairing with Robert Harlee of MARKET STREET WINESHOP & GROCERY, also in Charlottesville. Cannot wait for the next Treasure from Christina, pictured far left....I hear it goes with the La Chinata Paprika from Spain....Manchego? Spero di si!

Contact Robert, the owner of the Market Street Wineshop to order any of the wines at wineshop@cstone.net. Other links from this article:
www.speaklanguagecenter.com
http://www.belmontbutchery.com/

www.labellatoscana.com.

Orca doing Backstroke in the Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

2009-09-17T13:44:00.006-04:00

Photo and video credit of HT.

Who says you must go to Alaska or South America to whalewatch. Just off the beautiful terraces of my friend's home in Pender Island, the Orcas come to play. Not just once in a while - often. This becomes the favorite 'happy hour' of each day very quickly, in fact, no matter what the day holds - hiking, Victoria, going to the market, you must get home by dusk to watch for the friends that Helen has. For those of you not familiar with Pender Island - it can be reached by seaplane in a short 45 minutes from Vancouver, and is located very close to the (more) famous Salt Spring Island. This is somewhere to live for your soul. It is breathtaking, quiet, simple and surprisingly, very Mediterranean in climate. Pack your bags! September is one of the finest months! And I hear the Canadian dollar is not too shabby.
See the backstroke here on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW4f7yuNLqI

Fiona Sails the Northwest Passage in 2009: Back from the Ice

2009-09-15T09:30:00.008-04:00

This just in from none other than Russ, sometime Team Member of jetset WISDOM, back from his sail. Incredible experience, and jetset ting up and around the top of our continent on the FIONA. Bravo Russ and welcome home!
Fiona Sails the Northwest Passage in 2009: Back from the Ice

Outstanding in the Field Dinner in Virginia with Jim Denevan

2009-09-13T16:59:00.004-04:00

Ken Paves & j e t s e t WISDOM in 30 minutes on our Rio flight

2009-09-12T21:12:00.012-04:00

Last week I loved shooting the spectacular scenery flying into Rio. But, life only gets better - especially with this jetset moment. Well today, with thanks to Ken Pavés, I had the absolute thrill of a lifetime .... getting my bangs trimmed a la Ken (also left-handed) but god, my scissors left an awful lot to be desired...he suggested we do a 'waiver' on the quality. I'm not sure Oprah would approve.... Nonetheless, if this isn't the epitomy of what Jetset Wisdom is all about..seizing the moment!....Ken is one of the loveliest men I've met - charming, funny, very handsome, and then...he just ran with what started out to be a bit of a joke, considering he cannot 'carry' his magic (scissors) with him on board. My scissors, well, that's another story! Here is an article that I found on Oprah.com. It just shows how elegant this man from Michigan really is: http://www.oprah.com/article/style/hair/beauty_hhair_ken

Tomatillos like it when it's hot.....

2009-09-10T10:06:00.010-04:00

Tomatillos like it when it's hot
Yours might grow but maybe not

Don't despair for all is not lost

Your local grocer has them at a very low cost

Taking these photographs earlier in the week, I questioned why my beautiful Tomatillo shells

were seemingly empty of the 'tomatillo'

and this sweet poem from my friend, Khalil,

who has one of the very best farm fresh food markets

at the Madison Farmer's Market, after writing about

ROASTING his (I'M SURE RIPE AND PERFECT) TOMATILLOS!

Khalil Hassan

Eating in a Farmers' Field

2009-09-07T09:20:00.000-04:00

Today is the day. The "Italian Girls" are off to dine in a farmers' field - with Outstanding in the Field....more later - very excited! www.outstandinginthefield.com

Espressioni Idiomatiche Italiane/ Italian Idiom

2009-09-07T09:16:00.001-04:00

Ok - this is a good one:
What do you think this means?

(Avere) Ho ben altro da fare.

Answer tomorrow - Italophiles, let's hear what you think this may mean???
Great tries!
Avere ben' altro da fare - technically means 'to have better/other things of doing
But the idiom is
TO HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY!

Flying over Brazil - God's Country!

2009-09-06T12:52:00.002-04:00

To start off the Labor Day Weekend right, I flew from Sao Paulo to Rio! Dying for shots of the Atlantic Forest, I was able to take in some great sites. Albeit with an aircraft window between me and the subject matters, I did enhance and play with most of the photos, but I think you will agree - this is GOD's Country -how beautiful and sacred! Hope you enjoy!
And, please, when you have a moment here is the link :atlanticforest.org/

Simplifying CURRY!

2009-09-06T12:16:00.001-04:00

In celebration of being at Ca'del Bosco for 5 days, I tested out a very basic CURRY Recipe, and continued to make a delicious Vegetable Curry from my vegetables from assorted neighborly gardens. My favorite book, right now, is from the owners of MASALA ZONE in London. This is one of my favorite Indian restaurants, so I was thrilled to receive this from one of my best foodie friends, Adam. It's called "50 Great Curries of India", and, I must admit, a bit daunting, in a wonderful, creative way. However, that's why it's important to start simple. And get the basics down. Camilla Panjabi offers lots of great direction in her book. Key is to carmelize the onions properly because once you start adding in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek (my addition) and curry powder, with of course, garam masala and paprika (I used my Spanish La Chinata Pimenta versio), it becomes almost a 'paste of onions' See my photo, it looks incredible: Add a cup of water to the 'paste' and cook for 10 mintues. After that you can add in a couple of fresh diced tomatoes or a can of Muir Diced and let it simmer and mix in for about 5 minutes. Then the fun begins. Add in your choice of vegetables: I chose fresh potatoes from the garden (quartered and parboiled), squash, corn,and chick peas. All diced to a bite-size. I also added 2 cups of vegetable broth (from cooking the potatoes for about 15 minutes). I brought this all to a boil, then let this simmer for about 1/2 an hour. At the same time, I made Jasmine rice. Serve this beautifully seasoned curry over the rice and garnish with lots of fresh cilantro! You've made your own first, healthy curry! I made enough to freeze 3 servings to bring to work!

INGREDIENTS:
4 T. OIL
1 LARGE Onion sliced thin
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 sq of fresh Ginger (I only had the the l&Perrins root ginger)
3/4 t Coriander powder
a pinch of Turmeric
1/4 t. cumin powder
2 t. garam masala
1 t. paprika
2 tomatoes
Salt
chopped Cilantro leaves for Garnish
Mixed diced fresh vegetables: Squash, corn, potatoes, carrots
1 can of Chick peas
---------***** ENJOY!!!

Sabado Festa on A. Franca at the Franca Luncheonette!

2009-08-29T16:07:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I didn't make it too far today to explore the Mercado in Sao Paulo, or lunch at Tent of the Nile (there's always next week...this time with my camera!) but this Saturday afternoon, and apparently says the owner, EVERY Saturday afternoon, on the corner of A.Franca, a few blocks from Jardin - a neighborhood get together - everyone drinking large Brahma Cerveja - grilling all kinds of meats, right on the sidewalk of a hectic busy street - just in front of the Franca Luncheonette. Party ON! They were having so much good fun, laughing, chatting, Samba music blaring at 4:00 in the afternoon. The food smelled out of this world - an outdoor BBQ Brazilian style - Braselieros - they get it! It's on my calendar for September!

A pantry in Rural Virginia with an International Grocery List

2009-08-27T20:21:00.009-04:00

Truth be known, it's a deliciously bad habit: arriving at a new destination, even an old destination, and craving to get into the sync or the drum of the local gourmet food shopper. That's it; shopping with the locals, be it a small neighborhood market on Saturdays in Paris' Algerian area, a big grocery chain store in Milano, or walking down 3 blocks to my favorite Jardin grocery, Pão de Açúcar (sweet bread)....It is what it is. Awesome.

All I know, is that the growing pantry in my farmhouse in Rural Virginia is probably, well, I hate to say it....quite enviable. Case in point, I had family visiting from Canada last week; the one and only potential foodie was kidding..."oh wow... let me see...bold coffee beans from (of course) Brazil, French (salted) butter from Brittany, earthy olive oil from an agriturismo in Umbria,Italy, clean strong mustard from Paris (no, not Grey Poupon...Aroma.), anchovies from Argentina, paprika from Madrid, etc. etc. -I would love to have this in my kitchen, as would my Mom" she confides with a grin. I said," but as long as you take on TRAVEL with a vengeance, you can!!!! "

But that's my gift. That's what we GET out of flying all night long, with 200+ people for 9+ hours. We get to grocery shop. And then bring it on home and cook with our prized harvest. Sadly, every single 'stewardess' does not cook, but when we do - we can raise the bar on any menu! With our declining US $$, It definitely beats buying a pair of sexy sandals for 135Euro. I'm not saying that doesn't ever happen, but this soaking up the local is right up there with taking photos of sunsets from the rooftop of Hotel Unique in Sampa, Brasil, after a Caiparoshka with Lychee, as your 'take home, or take away'..
A home version, case in point, would be this photo of the groceries from my last MIlano trip, with the Kitchen Kitty Lacy - definitely more excited than I (maybe she knew I'd be home cooking for a few days). I was very sad, this was my last trip to Milano for a while.....and I had just received my frequent shopper card at Esselunga!! Che peccato!