Five dreams

My new friend Amarettogirl is a fabulous artist and a new member of the blogosphere. I was lucky to find her at Sunday Scribblings recently, as we have a lot in common. I like her blog, and I strongly advice a visit to her place. She posted recently about five of her dreams to get accomplished before she dies, you can read her post here.
I am inspired to follow her lead, so here are some of my dreams, in no particular order, which I would like to have accomplished before I am 50:

To write and illustrate a children's book.
To run a marathon.
To travel to India and Peru.
To learn carpentry.
To build a house in Colombia.

I like to see my dreams in front of me, they are more concrete this way, doable. What are your dreams?

La cucina di Nicola: Arroz con leche.

Welcome back to "La Cucina di Nicola." We are back after a short hiatus due to vacation from school. Nicolas has chosen a family favorite for today: "Arroz con Leche" or rice pudding. This dish is another loved traditional dessert from Colombia -as well as any other rice-consuming country in the world!
Every child growing up in my beloved Colombia knows a song that goes:
"Arroz con leche me quiero casar,
con una señorita de la capital,
que sepa coser, que sepa bordar,
que sepa abrir la puerta para ir a jugar."
Now that I see it written on the screen, I am happy that I never paid any attention to the words, as it translates:
"Arroz con leche I want to marry,
a girl from the capital,
one who knows how to sew, one who knows how to embroider,
one who knows how to open the door to go out and play."
Not a bad ending, right?
But this post is not about marriage, or embroidery, or games, it is all about the sweet treat stapple of my childhood:

ARROZ CON LECHE
(rice pudding)



1 Cup rice (I use arborio with excellent results, long rice works well too)
2 Cups water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cinnamon stick
1.1/2 Cups evaporated milk
1.1/2 Cups whole milk
2/3 Cup condensed milk
3 Tablespoons sugar

Cook the rice in a medium sauce pan. We let the water boil first, then we add the cinnamon stick, oil and rice; we stir a little, cover, set to low heat and wait 15 minutes. Rice would be a little wet.
Rise to a medium heat. Take the cinnamon stick out and add 1 cup of milk, stir continuously. When the milk is absorbed add 1 cup of the evaporated milk, stir. When absorbed add the rest of the ingredients and stir often (sugar needs to dissolve and milk can burn.)
Pudding is ready when it starts to get thick but it still looks very runny. Turn off the stove, cover and let the rice absorb the extra liquid.
We like to eat ours warm with a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Enjoy!

What I love about Italy.

Remember my 10 things post about my husband? I think I am due for another 10 things list, and what better subject than my host country: Italy. Here are 10 random reasons why I love it so:
1)The land, not just the mountains and the beaches, but the old towns, the churches everywhere, the little roads, the yellow on the walls made of 10 layers of color and history, the chickens in my neighbor's yard, the pigs in the farm bellow, the bicycles everywhere, the beautiful people... I could go on and on...
2) The coffee, no need to explain this one.
3) The bar where I get my coffee, which is the social heart of our little town. We walk in, they know what we want, they just ask you: "cappuccino?" as to give you the opportunity to try something new. You drink your coffee, you eat your "brioce" from the open display at the bar, and you walk up to the register and pay what you consumed. The honor system in all its glory, no one questions what you say you ate, and no one lies about it.
4) The food. Simple, seasonal, colorful, beautiful food.
5) The language. Italian is like a song with many rhythms and a definite cadence. I just happen to be the girl that never made it to music class.
6) From sweet to bitter... I am talking about liqueur: Frangelico, Amaretto di Saronno, Sambuca, Limoncello, Campari, Amaro, Grappa.
7) Art everywhere.
8) Gelato!
9) Italians love children. They go out of their way to make children feel loved, welcome, cared for. My Nicolas sure likes this too.
10) Soccer players... really!

Sleep

I had a dream. I was looking at myself trapped inside a glass bubble. I needed, wanted to get out.
I, on the outside, have a hammer. I won’t use it as it would mean hurting me on the inside. I, on the inside, look at me in wonder… Why won’t I let me out?
The two parts of me looking at each other, will breaking free be worth the pain and the scars?
This is all I remember about this dream. I am awake now, looking everywhere for the hammer in my dream.

Sunday Scribblings

Persona non grata

I am alone. I am home. I did not go to Prague.
Why? The answer to this question is twofold. The rational explanation is that we though the Czech republic was already a member of the Schengen area… and it is, since December 21, 2007. Many of you might be wondering what this has to do with my trip (or lack of); well, let me explain…
As a member of the Schengen area the Czech republic is a nation that does not require visas from/to other member countries (in my case Italy.) We did our research when we bought our plane tickets and hotel reservations, and we were very happy that we did not have to deal with any more bureaucracy (my fellow expats in Italy know what I am talking about.) Well, when we arrived at the airport (dog left at doggie care, house closed and alarmed, car under friend’s care, suitcase packed, camera ready) we found out otherwise: “the Czech Republic abolished checks at its land borders at midnight from 20 to 21 December 2007; border checks at the international airports on intra-Schengen flights will come to an end on 30 March 2008.”
Both my husband and my son are American citizens and they travel with an American passport. They were not required visa to the Czech republic, I, on the other hand, am still a Colombian citizen with American residency and I am required a visa. There was nothing we could do; the tickets were non-refundable, as was the hotel. Fernando and Nicolas did not want to go without me, so we tried to exchange the tickets; we learned that the penalty we had to pay was higher than the tickets themselves. I convinced my two “gringos” to go ahead with the trip and to enjoy it, they only had to promise me that neither one of them would wear any of my clothes (we had packed only one suitcase, you see.) They left and I took a taxi to retrieve our car to go home and fume!
Fume I did! I started writing this post several times, but I just couldn’t find the appropriate words to express what I was feeling. So begins the second part of my answer… I did not travel because I am Colombian. I know that I could have applied for a visa and after a minimum of two weeks and some expense I would have had a visa. I need a visa to travel almost everywhere in the world. I feel like a third class citizen of the world, an unwanted piece of the puzzle. I am upset, I am a proud Colombian, but I will be happy to travel with a blue passport, an American one (Colombian passports are burgundy, if you are curious to know) a magical key that opens all doors. I do not like this, I want to travel as a Colombian and not have to worry about being unwanted.
I won’t bother you with more of my ramblings and frustrations, I just needed to let it out so that I can focus on my next task… getting my permesso di soggiorno.

Venice, the week after...

We did not go to Venice for *Carnevale* instead we opted to go the week after... No crowds and a beautiful weather.





Next year we will be there for all the fun.
No posts this week, we will be on holiday. I'll be back Saturday.

Fridge Space

Myself as a fridge. Open the door, there is some resistance, enough to make you think of the fact that whatever is inside needs to be kept safe. This is an unassuming door, plain will describe it best. Sometimes you can find something colorful and pretty on it, usually handmade. No fabulous stainless steel finish, no baroque medley of pictures and magnets. Simple, practical, clean.
Inside, there is room for many, many different things. There are some leftovers, good enough to keep for a little longer, needing to be consumed before they loose all their freshness. There is a lot of the good stuff, a great aged cheese, a fresh, crisp lettuce. Some of my contents seem regular, unassuming, then there is that spicy sauce here and the sweet syrup there. So many possibilities, so many different combinations, it just requires to open the drawers, search the shelves, spend some time with all the findings until something delicious, different and new happens.
Then, there is all the good nurturing stuff, the stapples of a domestic life; all the things that make my family happy. The comforting flavors of life, the true good, the reminders of home.
Behind all this freshness hides the rotten stuff, you know what I am talking about, the things that once were new and appealing and now after being neglected for a while have become horrid. How do I let them get to this stage? I think it is easy to hide the things that I do not like in the dark corners, let them be, avoid them until their stench gets me back to them.
Once in a while I do clean up the inside of me. I come ready for the task, with all the tools at hand, and when the job is done, the trash thrown out, the shelves organized, the stink of it gone, then I feel light, open, bright. It is then when I feel best about myself. I have nothing to hide and a lot to give. The future a mixture of colors and flavors to discover.

Sunday Scribblings

Sweet Surprise

Sweet, just writing the word makes my mouth water and my stomach growl. Add a nice adjective to the word, let's say: American, and what do you get? American sweet or in Nicolas's dictionary: Wonka!
Well, today the Posta Italiana (Italian post) has delivered, after a couple of MONTHS, a box on our doorstep. This unasuming box was addressed to Nicolas, and it was meant to be a Christmas present (technically, it still IS a Christmas present.) Inside the box he unearthed a rich sampler of his favorite candy: nerds, sweet-tarts, gobstopers, and my personal favorite: chewy sweet-tarts. He was surprised and oh, so happy! What we liked best about our special care package was the note that came with it, which read:

To our dear friend, Nicolas,
Who's miles away,
Sending best wishes to you,
For a happy holiday.
We searched the stores for your favorite sweets
Hope you enjoy these "American" treats.

It was signed by our dear friends and neighbors in California: the Martinos and the Muertters.

Nicolas sat down at the computer to write a thank you note to our friends. He called me before he sent his e-mail and read it to me. (Have I ever mentioned before how sweet this boy is?) He wrote the following:

Dear friends,
I know we're far away,
but I've got to say,
that candy was good,
and I think I should,
say thank you,
and shout,"WOOHOO!!"
and when i come back,
I'll bring back a sack,
filled with Italian food.

No editing on my part. Have a sweet weekend!

La cucina di Nicola: Postre Tres Leches

First, I have to apologize for my absence. I am in the mist of change and it is taking a lot of my time.
I am back with the latest from La Cucina di Nicola. We bring you the easiest recipe yet. This is a very popular dessert in Colombia, it resembles a flan. Nicolas loves it and wants to make it everyday now that he knows how easy it is. I hope you enjoy it as well.

POSTRE DE TRES LECHES
(three milk dessert)

200 ml condensed milk
200 ml whipping cream
200 ml whole milk
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla estract

For the caramel
150 grs sugar
3 tablespoons water

First make the caramel on a nonstick pan over medium heath. Mix the sugar with the water and stir the mixture until it starts melting. Keep stirring until the sugar caramelizes (it will become liquid and brown in color.) Be careful, as caramel would be HOT. Pour the caramel on the bottom of an 8x8 in. Pyrex recipient (or any other ovenproof recipient of similar size.)

Preheat oven to 375F

Mix all ingredients together until blended. Pour mixture over the caramel. Place in prewarmed oven for 40 minutes.

Ready!

You make my day

What do you know? I have been awarded a *you make my day award* by Nonizamboni which pretty much makes MY day! Thank you very much.
I started reading Noni's blog: Peackock Blue via Sunday Scribblings and I just *love* the precious pieces that this incredible woman writes. You should stop for a visit.
Now it is my turn to pass this award forward, make sure you take some time to browse these great blogs as they are worth every second of your time:
Michelle of Bleeding Espresso needs no introduction. If you have followed my blog for a while you know that I look up to Michelle for inspiration. She is smart, funny, a blogger's blogger. I have fallen in love with Calabria through her words.
My new friend Paola has created a masterpiece of a blog. In My Life is not just a blog about cooking, it is so much more! It is a fresh respite in your daily routine. It is a beautifully crafted place to talk about family, love, health and last but not least mouthwatering food.
Jenn from Something to Say is a mom with many talents: she writes, she sings, she takes photos, and she does it all well. I can count on Jenn to bring a smile to my face any day.
Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy is another source of inspiration. Her energy and talent just burst from the screen. She is a gifted photographer and traveler extraordinaire.
What are you waiting for? Click away!