Italy Scrapbook Pages

I've been working on my Europe scrapbook for over a year now...which puts me about 5 trips, and 2 years..and counting, of scrapbooks behind.  Having said that, I'm not even halfway through with this scrapbook...or the time I spent in Italy, but there are a few of the Italy pages I have put together to date, more to come...just as soon as I put them together. 
Above:  Scenes Around Venice
Below:  The Murano Glass Factory in Venice

Assissi (the home of St. Francis-Patron Saint of Animals)
Fountains in Rome

Florence

Parmesan Onion Bread

I was fascinated by the combination of ingredients in this bread when I came across the recipe in a book called Light and Luscious.  It makes a great addition to an Italian meal.  This also reminds me a lot of Onion Rolls, which I can no longer find at the store.  I'm planning on baking these up in roll form next time, and turning them into hamburger buns.  I think the onion and burger flavor will be really good. 

Here is the recipe I used.  This recipe makes two loaves.  I halved it because this was feeding a party of one. 

Parmesan Onion Bread Recipe

Ingredients: 

3/4 c. chicken broth (undiluted), 1 T. veg oil, 2 c. finely chopped onions, 1 t. basil (dry), 1 t. oregano (dry), 6 c. bread flour (divided), 2 packages of yeast, 2 c. skim milk (heated to 120), 1 c. grated Parmesan cheese, 1 t. sugar, 1 egg white. 

Instructions: 

In a skillet:  Add broth, oil, onions, basil, and oregano.  Heat, and stir until onions are tender. 

In a bowl:  Mix 2 c. flour, yeast, and milk.  Mix on medium for 2 minutes. 

Add:  onion mix, cheese, and sugar to flour mix.  Stir.  Add enough of the 4 c. of flour to form a soft ball (may not require all the flour). 

Knead:  Until elastic. 

Place ball in a greased bowl, turn once to coat both sides.  Cover with syran wrap and let rise for 30 minutes (until doubled in size). 

Punch down, and then divide in half.  Separate each half into three pieces, put into rope, and braid, tuck under edges.  Place on a greased pan.  Let rise another 30 minutes (until doubled in size).   Brush with egg wash. 

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  (Cover with a foil tent the last 10 minutes so it does not brown too much).  The bread should sound hollow when tapped if it's finished. 

Valentine's Day: Heart Pepperoni Pizza

I saw this idea for heart shaped pizza for the first time here.  I've since seen it around the net on other sites, in other forms, so I don't know what came first, the chicken or the egg, but it's cute, and I'm glad I saw it.  It just so happens that I saw this post last Sunday, and acquired the pepperoni for the above pizza Monday morning, which turns out to be a really good thing because the biggest, baddest ice storm of my life time (and when I say 'life time', I mean, as far back as I choose to remember).  But really, it iced, and they called school off because we don't have those snow plow thingies here in Texas....they bring in sand, and they sand the main roads, and they usually only have enough for one day of sanding, and that's usually good enough. 

...and then they called school off again...and then they called it off again...and again (which I KNOW has never happened in my life time, and that's a legitimate statement, check my school record), and this is one of approximately 567,876,654 projects I completed while I was at home, in between rolling power outages, snuggling with dogs, and playing words with friends.  The pepperoni I punched out with a mini heart cookie cutter. 

I chose to make pizza because you turn the oven up really high (425), and I figured that would help me heat the house a little.  I usually don't plan these things well, and I make pizza in August.  Hot ovens, August, and Texas are just about the worst combo I can think of...  Enough on that.  One more thing, I used Martha's basic pizza crust (recipe below) for this guy, and it's really great.  One recipe makes six individual size 6 inch pizzas.  If I had been really into the 'heart' thing I could have shaped the dough like a heart too, but I'll leave that to the professionals, the overachievers, or people that don't need to get back to Family Feud-Wrestling week episodes. 

Pizza Dough Recipe

Combine 1/2 c. milk and 1/2 c. water-heat to 120 degrees and add a package of yeast, and 1/4 t. of sugar.  Let sit for 5 minutes. 

Mix 2 1/2 c. flour, 1 T olive oil, 2 t. coarse salt.  Add yeast mixture. 

Knead for 10 minutes.  Place bowl, drizzle with oil, turn to coat completely.  Let rise until doubled in size (about 3 hours, you can also put this in your fridge over night).  Punch down, and divide. 

Bake with favorite combo of toppings at 425 for about 15 minutes.

Lazy Mom's Lasagna

I found this recipe through a website called wondertime.go.com that someone sent me for a completely different reason, and it was yummy! I did make some adaptions, which I noted at the end.
Recipe for Lazy Mom's Lasagna
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 carrots, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (14-ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli, unthawed
1 (14-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1/2 pound sliced provolone
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Heat the oil in an ovenproof 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté the onion, carrots, garlic, and herbs until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Transfer the onion mix to a bowl. Now arrange the ravioli (breaking them apart if they're clumped) in one layer in the skillet and sprinkle with the onion mix. Ladle the marinara sauce evenly over the ravioli. Over medium heat, without stirring, cook everything until the ravioli are heated through and beginning to brown on the bottom (gently lift one with a fork to check), about 10 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the heat, then arrange the provolone slices over the sauce and sprinkle the whole thing with Parmesan. Bake the lasagna in the middle of the oven until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
*I went ahead and used the whole bag of frozen cheese ravioli (something like 25 oz). The original recipe said it serves four people, but I thought with the addition of the ravioli it would easily serve five people, and be more than filling. I also didn't add the grated carrots, I'd be interested to know what that taste like. Lastly, I thought it might be good with some ground beef tossed in, but then again, I'm not that into meat, but I could see where it would be really tasty with a meat sauce,and not just tomato sauce.

My Europe Online Albums

Here is a links to all of my Europe Photos (well, the ones I put on Shutterfly at least).
Europe Trip Part One:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a8e10d9cf40c5b046cdd16a80fdf8c46&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLIcA
Europe Trip Part Two:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=0c0543df255ae80bcf4ab00f16ca9e1e&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLIvA
Europe Trip Part Three:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=309bdf4c1eb8f0af&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLI-A
Europe Trip Part Four:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=1ca91f32585888a66d9889752d9a603c&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLJBg

Day Eleven: Under the Tuscan Sun....

Before I leave Italy....here are a few last little memories....
We drove through the Tuscan Hills, and "Under the Tuscan Sun" and we passed acres of sunflower fields.

We also passed the areas they quarry large rocks for sculptures, including the 'rock fields' where The David's material was brought from years ago. The rock can be as large as a car, and rest along the side of the road after being removed until the crew picks it up, and ships it out to it's new home, and it's new artist.

Pinocchio's was born in southern Italy so they had Pinocchio 'everything' in the shops.

Last, is my dream Italian job. I'm pretty sure that if I moved to Italy, I too would like to be a part of the assembly line that puts together these marshmallow/sugar coated bouquets. I don't know who came up with the idea to place flower shaped marshmallows on sticks, and sell bouquets of them...but they are everywhere. Let's be real, this so sounds like something I would do....

Day Eleven: Pisa

Like you didn't see this coming....

Look close....I'm the dot at the bottom right of this picture, taking the 'traditional' picture that all tourist take when visiting Pisa. (My 'photographer' wasn't ready to work with various depths so you get the long distance shot, and I have to be little. I rarely get to describe myself as 'little' in a picture. In fact....I'm thinking of taking all future pictures from half a football field away...)
We just stopped off at Pisa for a few hours on the road to Switzerland. We got to walk around the square of miracles, take our tourist pictures, and shop the shops that all sit within this city surrounded by fortress walls and towers. It really leans, and there are no wires holding it up any longer, but I think they recently did some foundation work. Can you imagine spending so much effort trying to keep a failed project from falling? I guess it just goes to show-some things really do work for good. I bet we wouldn't have made this particular stop if this particular failed attempt wasn't resting inside this town's square. I'll remember that next time a project bombs....

Day Ten/Eleven: Montecatini, Italy

The hot spring's town of Montecatini is the place we spent the evening after our day in Florence. It is a Bath House town built around the hot spring baths that draw visitors. We arrived in the middle of a Car Rally, which was interesting. We had a really great dinner with the best green beans I've ever tasted....uh, sure, I haven't exactly tasted very many in my life because when I have eaten green beans in the past they were YUCKY! The vegetables, and fruits are so much better in Italy. I don't know what soil/water combination makes them so fabulous, but I'm a fan. After dinner, Mom and I walked around the town square. It reminded me a little of Pasadena, CA with the palm trees, and building structures. There was a bands playing, and entertainers performing in front of the various hang outs with guest sitting out at the tables, talking, people watching, and listening to the music. Despite it all, it was a really peaceful setting

Day Ten: Florence, Italy

We spent the morning driving to Florence. We had to get out a few minutes walk from the heart of the city. Once we reached the first piazza, we found out there was going to be a big sports event that afternoon in the square, so a stadium had been constructed, police were getting ready to block off routes, and control crowds, and stores were closing in that particular piazza in about two hours. The first thing we did was go to a leather shop (Peruzzi) and see how the leather designs are created, and how the gold is laid into the designs.

We also got a lesson on fine leather, and then....of course, used the free facilities. Florence is known for it's leather, gold, and sun glasses. It was my favorite shopping location in Italy. We managed to find leather, and jewelery before leaving in the afternoon-I left the sun glasses for the next visit. There are also a lot of men, and women who sell knock-off purses (prints, glasses, jewelry etc) illegally from blankets all over major Italian Cities. They place their ware on a blanket, but quickly pick the purses up and leave when police come nearby. We tried to avoid them as much as possible, but they are pretty intent on getting you to look at their wares. We had some free time to shop, and eat, and then we met with our local guide for the day. We were each given our whisper head sets, and then we made our way into the rest of the town. Our guide pointed out the buildings that were important to the Medici family, Dante's old house, Galileo's resting place, and Michelangelo's David.

The REAL David actually now resides in a museum nearby, so the one on the square we photographed was an exact replica standing in the spot the original stood along with tons of original statues from other famous Italian artist. We also saw the Gates of Paradise in front of the Baptistery.

After our tour, Mom and I walked to the Arno River that overlooks the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge.

We shopped back to our next meeting point, and then went and found a gelato, and watched a local parade pass in period costumes.

Day Nine: When in Rome....

We woke up early, and went with our group to the Vatican. Someone mentioned when following such a busy schedule, and seeing so many things, sometimes the only thing to do is to choose 'one' of each series of sites to see. One church you want to spend a lot of time at, one museum etc, etc, etc. This is all to say...we did go to the Vatican, we went into St. Paul's Basilica, but we did not see the Sistine Chapel, or any more of Vatican City. I do plan to go someday, maybe with someone Catholic so I can see it through their eyes? We chose to walk around St. Paul's which is GORGEOUS. At one point I could hear psalms being sung, and I looked down at this golden seal in the floor, and below a service was being held. We also saw the balcony the Pope waves from on Sunday, and seats were being set up for services.

After the tour, we headed on to do some shopping, and walk across the Angels, and Demon's bridge.

We also got to have a leisurely pizza lunch, and gelatos. We met up with the rest of the group after their tour, and headed on to the Forum, and Colosseum. We had a local guide throughout the day, and a little treasure called 'Whisper Headsets.' She had a 'Britney Spear's' head-microphone, and we each had small battery packs, and ear plugs so as we walked in a large group, through crowded areas, we could hear all the details of what we were seeing broadcast in our ears by our guide. If you haven't had the good fortune to see Italy, I have to say, again-it's SO hot! Luckily, I brought a bottle of water, and there are fountains with 'safe' water in a lot of locations where you can refill your water bottles, but even at that....smarter people brought umbrellas to hide from the sun, and they sold frozen bottles of water for struggling tourist. By the end of our walking tour, that included a lot of the group-both young and old. We started our tour walking through the Forum, where government, business, and faith matters took place centuries ago in Rome. WE saw the seven hills, various Arches, old Government Buildings, and Temples, and the place Caesar was cremated.

Next, we made our way across the uneven cobblestones to the Colosseum. It was interesting to see there were even 'numbers' above each gate entry for the tournament ticket holders who attended the shows here. You can see into the hallways that ran below the wooden floors, and there is graffiti scratched all over the walls, both old....and new.

Outside the Colosseum men dressed as Roman Soldiers milled trying to get you to take a picture, and if you take them up on the offer, they will pester you until they get a Euro or two. (My friend warned me about this in advance, it's not really my style, but I thought I'd pass along the advice.) It was so hot, we chose to head back to the hotel to cool off for a bit before going out again. We walked up and down the streets near our hotel, and entered a local shopping market (I love to see grocery stores in other places, whether it be Amory, Mississippi (did I ever tell you about that, Nicole?), or Rome, Italy). We got (another) gelato...yes, they really are THAT good, and great for cooling off, and then we found a pizza place. I learned that Pepperoni Pizza is actually peppers, and if you want the 'American' version of Pepperoni, ask for Salami. Lots of people also told me if you want the best food, go where the locals go, which is NOT next to the big attractions. Restaurants by big sites don't really care if you return, but if you go to the back streets etc, you have to have a reason for making the effort to go to these places. This pizza was worth the effort. They have the BEST brick oven pizza in Italy. My favorite food came from Italy.

Day Eight: All Roads Lead to ROME!

After a long day, we arrived in the bustling city of Rome. I was surprised by how congested it was (I don't know why, it is the roots to so much of our civilization). I was also shocked by the amount of graffiti, despite it's ageless draw, it's still a city with all the grime that comes with that word. Our guide assures us this grafitti will be the '20th' century art addition a thousand years from now as tourist make the trip to Rome. It's not exactly the contribution I'd like to make to the art world, but there it is....We had a quick stop at the hotel to drop off our things, and then we headed out for a tour of Rome by night, and a four course, Italian meal. We drove through parts of the city and saw some of the famous sights like the Vatican, and Angels and Demon's Bridge, and then we were dropped off near the Four Season fountain. We walked through the Piazza where artist were displaying their work, and street performers were trying to earn a few Euro's (a very common sight in Europe). There are fountains, and buildings that represent so many of the centuries sandwiched together in the little squares. There are also more Egyptian Needles here than in Egypt, thanks to Roman's carrying these souvenirs home after trips to Egypt. There are hundreds of beautiful churches in every nook and cranny.

We then headed over to the Pantheon before it closed. We got to see the last of the day's light spilling through the roof.

We also made our wish in the Trevi fountain. 1st coin toss over the right shoulder=a guaranteed return trip to Rome, 2nd coin toss brings good luck, and the third toss grants you an Italian husband. I guess I'll have the good fortune to return to Rome with my Italian husband sometime in the future. ;o)

Our last stop was one of the best meals over the two week period at the Mangrovia Restaurant. Musicians played Italian music, and we sang along, and our waiter ended the night by joining in, and then administering kisses, and roses to all the ladies in the group. It was a fun night of laughter with our new little tour group family.

Day Eight: Assisi

We made a short stop in the town of Assisi, Italy. The town is built within a fortress, and at the top of a VERY steep hill is St. Francis' Church, and it's beautiful frescoes which cover the ceilings and walls. No pictures are allowed inside the church in order to help the paintings retain their color.

St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. After climbing the steep hill, we entered the church. The first level is dark and haunting where services were being held, but after climbing (more) stairs you enter a much lighter, fresco filled chapel. We shopped around the town a bit as we descended the hill, and then headed on down the road.

Day Eight: More Driving Through Italy

A few common, yet beautiful sites along the Italian roadside include:

Poppies border the highways, and pop up throughout the fields.

This part of Italy was called the "Belly" because of all the fruit, and wheat fields. Wheat=Bread=Happy Christy

These houses rest upon the river. The nets are lowered into the water. Fish swim into the nets. Nets are raised. Dinner is made.

There were little open air markets to hop off at for a quick break along the road.

Day Seven: Venice, Italy

When people ask which place was my 'favorite.' I really can't choose a favorite, I truly loved it all....but if I had to eat fish (ugh, I hate fish), or choose my favorite-Venice would definitely be in the running. We took a ferry over to the Island, or rather, Islands (it was take a ferry or swim). It's really interesting to be somewhere without any cars. There are tons of bridges because it's a bunch of little islands hanging out together, minus the typical sand, and palm trees most islands offer-Venice offers beautiful buildings instead.

It's a busy place, it's a hot, and muggy place, and it's completely different from anywhere else in Europe...or anywhere I've ever been. I love that boats, and gondolas are the source of transportation through the canals. The shopping is great, and the gelatos are even better! I used to collect mask, so this was my place, as several friends that went before me predicted.

We took a quick tour of the main square, including a visit to a famous Venetian Glass factory where we got to see glass heated, blown, and shaped.

This was better than the diamond stop, but still-it was ultimately about the free bathrooms because this is the city you can find the $2.25 restroom stops (it's so hot, it's not that big of an issues, but still...). There were also Italian musicians playing all the traditional Italian songs on the piazzas with little cafe tables overlooking the bustling squares. There are pigeons...lots, and lots of pigeons everywhere. You can feed them by hand, they'll be happy to hop around on your shoulders, head, whatever, but why? Birds=Yuck! We went inside St. Mark's Basilica.

No pictures are allowed inside, but it's pretty incredible. The ceiling is completely covered with tiny gold, and bronze tiles. It's hard to really describe the churches in Europe, it's incredible to see the details, the moldings, the paintings, and mosaics. It's amazing to think of the craftsmanship that went into creating these masterpieces. Of all I saw that was made by man, the churches are the thing that absolutely took my breath away. After shopping down the narrow streets, and people watching, we ended our day in Venice with a gondola ride, and serenade.

It was neat to wind through the big, and small canals via gondola. Our boat ducked under bridges, and wound around through these colorful little houses. I can't even imagine what life would be like here with the water tapping at your front door, but I imagine they visit places and think the same thought in return. Venice is fabulous!