Eat, Shop, & Eat

I apologize for not posting earlier but, things have been really busy here and I don't have the most reliable Internet Connection, in fact, I've been trying to post this blog since Saturday morning and it's just not getting done and because of that, this blog is going to include the entire weekend. So finally... here we go!

My first few days in Texas have been great! After spending time with my sister and her family, I went to my parents house to freshen up to go out for dinner.

my niece Ali

guest room at my parents house

We went to Cancun, a little Tex-Mex restaurant in Waxahachie. It's been a long time (6 months) since I had some great food and I was definitely NOT disappointed.

Tacos de Barbacoa

not my actual plate but this is what i had

I know that I had said I didn't want to eat alot of food and be miserable and hot... but I couldn't help it... those Tacos were sooo good!! Friday, my mom and I headed to our favorite Dallas hotspot... NorthPark Center. Since my parents are going to be coming to Italy with me when I go back, my mom wanted to shop around for some stuff. We met my Aunt and Cousin for lunch and then did some more shopping.

Shopping in Europe is expensive, especially when you're not working and have no money. So, I made sure that I came to Texas with an empty suitcase to fill up with all of my essentials. I think I'm off to a good start!

After what seemed like a long day, my mom and I met my sister and her family for dinner. (more food!) We went to a little BBQ joint in Midlothian and had these awesome Stuffed Baked Potatoes.

again, not my actual potato

Saturday was more of the same things... eating, shopping & eating some more. This time our journey took us to Arlington's The Parks Mall where my mom, me and my nephew enjoyed one of the best things ever... Chik-Fil-A!

Now, having to walk all of this food off, we stayed at the Mall until about 4pm.. but not before having my Paciugo gelato!

the next best thing to gelato in Italy

I ended my evening hanging out with my niece who is one of my favorite people. We went out for Snow Cones and then had a pajama party.

My niece Mikaela and I

So far, this trip has been a lot of fun but, I really miss my hubby and Italy!

Deep in the heart of TEXAS!

Howdy Y’all

For the next 2 weeks, La Dolce Vita will be coming to you from The Republic of Texas*!

I left my home in Texas only 5- 1/2 months ago and I've missed the Tex-Mex food so much I have to go back!

2 weeks with out gelato and my husband... WHAT WILL I DO???

Well, these 2 weeks will be filled with...

1- delicious Mexican food made by my family!
2- 100 degree weather in the day and 70 degree weather at night
3- celebrating birthdays
4- celebrating the 4th of July
5- Doctors appointments
6- visits to my friends
7- shopping
8- having at least 1 gelato at Paciugo

One thing is certain.... I have to win the bet I made with my hubby. Living in Italy has been great and has certainly helped me. Since I have arrived, I have lost 17lbs. I have not been on a diet, or "watched" what I ate. I just walk everywhere and eat what I want.. in moderation. Therefore, the bet is... For every pound I gain, I owe Carlo 10 euros. For every pound I lose, he owes me 10 euros.

At this point, it is so much hotter in Texas than it is in Northern Italy, I think I'm going to be ok.... I mean.. who wants to eat and feel miserably full in the Texas heat?? NOT ME! Just give me a Cherry Snow cone & some watermelon and I'll be happy!

Y'all enjoy this video... It's one of my favorites!


And if you're wondering if we really do this,
here's another video.
(listen closely to the audience, you can hear them singing)


*between 1836-1845 Texas was an independent nation called the Republic of Texas.
In 1865, we joined the U.S.A.

Happy Father's Day!!

To all of the Father’s in the world:

We dedicate this day to you. Thank you for all of the hard work you do... but most of all... Thank you for your love and support.

Me and my Dad

This post is also in memory of Papà Emilio. He lost his battle with cancer 5 years ago this month. I wish I would have gotten the chance to meet him but I’m sure he’s with us in spirit and watching his son grow to be a wonderful husband (and some day a wonderful dad).

Carlo and his Dad

December 23, 1942-June 14, 2004

Enjoy the video!

Mercato Extravaganza

One of the best things about living in a large city is that there is always something to do. You just have to know where to look. Every couple of months, I go to the Visitor Info-point on Via Garibaldi and grab lots of booklets/pamphlets to find out what’s going on in Torino.

Last week, Carlo and I went to the Extravaganza Mercato in Piazza Carlo Alberto. This particular Mercato is there every 2nd Saturday of the month. (except July & August)

The caption in the booklet reads:

For lovers of everything vintage and period pieces: clothes, accessories, fashion jewelry, furnishing items, knick-knacks, musical instruments.

This Mercato had lots of great stuff. I can’t wait to see what they will have in September when it opens again.

Afterwards, Carlo and I went back to our new favorite Gelateria that I previous mentioned (here). We’re quickly becoming friends with the owner and look forward to many more gelati with him!

Gelateria Vanilla

Via Palazzo di Città

Italians love George!

Today's post was inspired by a podcast that I heard today. I've actually been meaning to write about it for a while but wasn't sure how to go about it.... until now.

So, the title of the podcast is called, "Interview with George".

Now... who is this George??? Well, to these Italians... there's only one George.

George Clooney

George is everywhere. In posters, commercials and even... on a calender in my cognata's bedroom. Italians love to brag about their fellow resident/neighbor. You say George, and you'll probably hear about his house on Lago di Como, the clothes he wears or the commercials he's in.

Italians love George.. and from what I can tell..... George loves Italians!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I don't know what the weather is like where you're at... but here in Torino, I woke up and saw this..

As I woke up and walked onto the balcony, I had looked down to see if the sidewalks where wet, and if the washcloth I left out there was wet... (and it was)... I looked up and saw this rainbow. I just had to get my camera and take a picture. I just wish there was a better view of the mountains. I zoomed in as much as I could so, here's another picture of it with 12x digital zoom.

So, with that, I started my day. I invited the Sister Missionaries to come over for lunch today. It gave me a chance to see Sorella Oliver again and meet Sorella Glass.* They were doing exchanges so, Sorella Oliver was back in Torino 2 boundaries for a few days.

***Sorella Smith went to Milano and Sorella Oliver is in Torino 1 (previous blog w/sisters)***

Since this was a last minute meal, I went for the usual... PIZZA!! I did however, manage to get some Tortilla chips so, I made Guacamole too. We had such a great time and at the end of meal I gave the Sisters 2 options.... have Gelato here at the house or go to Gelateria Gelartica.... they chose the Gelateria. I tried to warn them about how big their gelato would be... but I don't think they were really prepared.

sorella glass & sorella oliver


sorella oliver and me
(long lost cousins- that's what we call each other)

What it means to be Poor.... but Happy in Italy

When Carlo and I met, he always kept asking me if I would be ok if we were poor. I don't mind it at all. You can't miss what you can't afford..... right? In the U.S. we were both working and making good money. We used to have a saying...

In the U.S.... we're Broke and Crappy.

Broke: because we were saving as much as we could to prepare for our move/life in Italy.
Crappy: because we always felt tired... you know... just BLAH!!!

In Italy.... we're Poor but Happy

Poor: because I don't have a job yet.. and because everyone in Italy is poor
Happy: well, because.. WE ARE!

So, while y'all are out eating burgers or Pizza, think about us..... eating only what we can afford...

Prosciutto Crudo & Melone

a lot of fancy restaurants will change big bucks for this appetizer.
I think I paid €3 to make this.

Prosciutto Crudo di Parma & Prosciutto Cotto

Asiago & Emmentaler formaggio w/a freshly baked Tartaruga roll

On Sundays, Carlo and I always go for our passeggiata and this time... we found a new spot!! Laura (my cognata) has been asking us to go to her favorite Gelateria. She kept saying that it was cheap but really good. We finally made it there last week, and we were NOT disappointed. So, we made it a point to go back today... FOR DINNER!!

Gelateria Gelartica

the lines were out the door

crowd inside waiting to order

Sunday night dinner
only €2,50 for a LARGE cone with 3 flavors!!

My cognata said they give you alot....
THIS is why we ate gelato for DINNER!!

We continued our passeggiata to Parco della Pellerina to help digest our massive dinner.

Don't you feel bad for us poor folks?!?!?!

The Camera: never leave home without it!!

I used to get made fun of all of the time for ALWAYS having my camera with me. I always responded the same way..."You never know who or what you might see!" Of course, when we had high profile patients come into the office, they would always come to ME to take pictures.. which of course proved my point.

This morning as I got ready, I didn't think I would need it so, I didn't bother putting it in my bag. (I usually keep it in my purse but, I cleaned it out and never put it back in) Today was going to be just a relaxing day for me and Carlo. We decided to have lunch downtown and go to the National Cinema Museum located at the Mole Antonelliana. I went out early this morning to run some errands and met Carlo at Piazza Castello at 11:30am.

Missed Photo Op #1:

Last Day of School

As Carlo and I sat in Piazza Castello, we were surrounded by High School kids celebrating their last day of school. I think there were probably about 50 kids.... playing in the fountains. When I say playing.. I really do mean playing... splashing, pushing each other into the water, carrying other kids into the fountains etc.... This went on for about 1 hour. It was at this time that I realized that I should have asked Carlo to make sure and bring the camera.

Missed Photo Op#2:

Newlyweds

As we ate our Panini and watched the people of Torino enjoy the summer heat, we started to hear shouts and clapping. It was a bride and groom and their photographer taking pictures in the Piazza. The High School kids stopped everything and applauded while shouting "AUGURI!!"

Missed Photo Op#3:

New Gelateria

For dessert, Carlo and I had taken some cookies from home to snack on after lunch. Carlo had a different idea. He asked me if I would buy him a small gelato. We went to a gelateria on Via Palazzo di Citta'. We had seen it several times and finally decided to try it. It was sooo good and so creamy that we have agreed to make that a regular spot for us. We both had Vanilla (made with Madagascar vanilla beans) and Fondente all'arancia (Dark chocolate with candied oranges). As always, I like to take pictures of the gelateria we try out so we can remember the location and what we had.

Missed Photo Op#4:

National Cinema Museum

After countless times of going to the Mole, we finally went to the museum. It was so much fun but it was also very exhausting. We were there for 2 hours looking at all of the cool stuff they have. We would have been there longer if there was an exhibition and if we read everything. The museum starts by explaining how our eyes see light, then into still frames, shadow plays, magic lanterns, cameras then movies. Once you finish the history of film section, then you watch a 3 minute video showing clips of silent films. Afterwards, you're taken on an elevator to the 2nd part of the museum. This is where they have movie posters and old movie memorabilia. It was so cool to see contracts from Studios to starts like James Stewart and Orson Welles, a lawsuit notice to Charlie Chaplin, and costume sketches for Rita Hayworth. Our tour ended by laying on lounge chairs and watching old movie clips like Fellini's 8 1/2 & La Dolce Vita.

Missed Photo Op#5:

Wedding Party

After the Mole, we started to make our way back to the metro by walking down Via Garibaldi. We took a side street so that Carlo could buy a book at a Church bookstore. As we turned the corner, we saw a wedding party posing in front of the church. There were multi colored streamers on the steps of the church, and also a very familiar scene.....UMBRELLAS!! It was raining off and on all afternoon.

The entire day, Carlo kept asking me where the camera was. It made me so sad to see all of this fun stuff and not have my camera so that y'all could share in our joy. (and so Carlo could keep asking the big question....."Can you do this in the Death Valley?????")

Back to Normality

I can't believe May has come and gone and we're now in JUNE!! With all of our visitors now gone, Carlo and I are trying to get back into our routines. He's been doing much better than me.

-Carlo goes to the gym 4 times a week and is NOT easily tempted by junk food.
-Has breakfast EVERY morning, a balanced lunch, snacks on fruit, and a salad w/meat for dinner.
(meat is usually chicken, hamburger, or tuna)
-Saturday and Sundays are the days when he MIGHT have something that is not healthy.
-Gelato, candy, Potato Chips, Tortilla Chips & going out to eat are reserved for Friday or Saturday nights ONLY.
-Sunday is for preparing his body for the week. Big Breakfast, light lunch and even lighter dinner.

Me on the other hand....

-Walk to the Park and then around the park 2-3 times a week. (WHEN I wake up before 8)
-Have breakfast most mornings, very late lunch, no snacks...well, maybe a cookie or 2, and salad for dinner.
-Saturday and Sundays are the SAME as any other day of the week.
-Gelato, candy, Potato Chips, Tortilla Chips & going out to eat are MORE frequent for me.
-Sunday is a free day... (kinda like everyday!!) No breakfast, big lunch, no dinner/or just gelato.

While our visitors were here, of course some of those rules went out the window and we did splurge a little; but after having Gelato more than 3 times a week... sometimes 2 times a day... it's time to get back to normal. Which has been a little hard. My body is craving gelato and I won't give in... except for last night!! (but I did go for my walk so, it's ok... just this once)

So, as I'm making my list for the grocery store, I'm trying to make sure to only get the essential items and not junk food. One thing is for sure... I love my pasta.. and I eat it every day for lunch, especially when I'm doing really well on my daily walks/jogs.

I hope by the end of the summer, I'll be able to buy a smaller size pair of jeans... that's my goal!
(right now.. i'm in between sizes.. my size is too big but the smaller size is still tight)

That way... I can quote Sophia Loren and have it be true.... (in a good way)

"Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti"

-Sophia Loren