by Dianne Hales | Dec 28, 2021 | books on Italy, Food and Drink, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, Religion, Sayings and expressions, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In ancient times, the new year began in the Spring. In 153 B.C., the Romans moved the start of a new year to January 1 and dedicated the first month to Janus, the two-faced god who looks back toward the old year and ahead toward the new one. For six days, Romans...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 21, 2021 | books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, creche, food, Food and Drink, Italian, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Religion, Rome, saints, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Most families in Italy begin celebrating il Natale on the evening of December 24 (la vigilia di Natale) with a big dinner. Because Christmas Eve is a vigilia di magro (a day of abstinence on which the Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat), the centerpiece...
by Dianne Hales | Nov 2, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, culture, history, Italian, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, love in Italy, Religion, saints, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
Long ago on a cold and rainy November 11, a former Roman soldier named Martino came across a man stumbling and shivering on the road. Although he wanted to help, Martino had no money or blanket to offer. And so he took out his sword, slashed his cloak and gave half to...
by Dianne Hales | Sep 28, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, history, Italian, Italian language, Italy, learning Italian, Thanksgiving, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Excerpted from Salento by 5: Friendship, Food, Music and Travel Within the Heel of Italy’s Boot Olives have been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean for thousands of years, even before written language was invented. In Salento, where I live in the far south...
by Dianne Hales | Sep 21, 2021 | autumn, Books, books on Italy, food, Food and Drink, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, learning Italian, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
\ In Italy every season— la primavera (spring), l’estate (summer), l’autunno (autumn), l’inverno (winter) — has a different feel and focus. L’autunno is when farmers reap what they have sown. The harvest (il raccolto or la messe) has already passed for many fruits,...
