Happiness and Literacy

"We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once," Friedrich Nietzsche.  The celebrated German philosopher has provided words to live by in multiple renowned quotes, the above can be applied true of literacy as well.  In recognition for September as International Literacy Month the author’s quote has a true sentiment when altered to profess the joy of reading, “… on which we have not read or been read to at least once”, I believe Nietzsche would agree. 

The future of reading and literacy should be bound to celebration promoting literacy through favorite authors, books, and community events to aid in improvement.  A fantastic program to become a volunteer tutor for students and adults with low literacy skills, this month serves as an excellent reminder to share reading with family, friends, and the community.  The National Book Festival is held on the National Mall in Washington DC by the Library of Congress, with a previous theme “Celebrating the joys of reading aloud” that resonates with our passion for literacy.  Either idea can be recreated in even the smallest of towns, promote literacy and revel in the imagination stirring in the young mind of a child, or in the advancement in workplace of the low-literate adult having progress.

As a company that gives back interaction with our local, national, and world communities’ start with being literate.  Gelato is here to come and enjoy in an authentic Italian experience, a place to convene in happiness as a family.   In this month of International Literacy, let us try to make the same experience of reading, aloud in happiness to children, to educate ourselves further, or to teach others, share the focus of spreading literacy in a compassionate way.

In September appropriately marks festivals in Italy celebrating the birthday of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Re-read that for starters! What is your favorite classic book or play? 

For more information the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization supplies facts and actions regarding global literacy. UNESCO is at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas.

Raspberry Swirls

A perfectly plump treat.  Perhaps, more so than any of the other berries, the raspberry is the top berry to adore.  Delectable, decadent, and sweet raspberries have an air of them enabling a transition to inhabit any dessert one graces. Raspberries should be used more often than they are, it is time for top billing of the berry sort.  

Raspberries are the absolute best for the most particular, gorgeous shade of (natural) dye for pink icing. Simply warm them in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top and gently press and strain the juice from the berries. Use the same approach for a gorgeous addition of color and flavor to any favorite drink.  

The raspberry has been gracing the marquee of the health industry for the hefty benefits it contains.  Beyond being near top of the list of power packed fruits, having a wide range of minerals and vitamins, and claims of lower risk for obesity this small fruit contains a ton of antioxidants.  Certainly enough information to justify any dessert that includes the healthy raspberry.  

A bit of an homage to the Raspberry Swirl gelato flavor gracing our case, and to all things this wonderful berry turns to complete joy... engage with our Raspberry Swirls Pinterest board open to public pinning for all things raspberry hued.  Celebrate the color, the fruit, and the recipes along with the bevy of happiness the raspberry produces.  

Please, add your raspberry themed pins to our delight! 

Regata Storica

Regal, captivating, and classic was this past Sunday Regata Storica.  While plenty of events and parties for the holiday weekend occurred here stateside certainly none with the level of grandeur at the Historical Regatta in Venice, Italy.  Fortunate travelers were those with canal views seeing the sophisticated event, held annually the first Sunday of September (1st September for 2013).

From Jacapo de Barbari View of Venice, 

the first visual image of a regatta circa 1500 credit: regatastoricavenezia.it

The most drawing festival of the Venetian year, the regatta series dates back to 1315 when Giovanni Soranzo created the races through the cities now famous canals to allow contenders to vie for the most able of the oarsmen.  The commencement is marked by a parade celebrating the welcome of Caterina Cornaro, The Queen of Cyprus who relinquished her throne in favor of Venice.  Fleets of 16^th century-style boats with period dress gondoliers float the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials through the Grand Canal, unforgettable color and significations of the influential past hold share in the glorious parade.  

The actual races are divided into four by age and type of craft.  The best known and most exhilarating of these is the “Campioni su Gondolini” race, small sporting gondolas that soar down to the “machina”, a stunning floating stage located in front of Ca’ Foscari palace that doubles as the finish line. 

2013 Regata Storica photo by, Mirco Toffolo, Venezia Marketing & Eventi

Click the link for his full 2013 album

Travel to Italy in late-August- September may be the finest time of year to venture to Venice.  Undoubtedly, the refined Regata Storica envelopes thousands of tourists and engages all locals with a truly mesmerizing and meaningful maritime experience.  

Have you ever been to (or partaken in) a regatta? Where?

The 70th Venice Film Festival

Luxury, stars, and honor capture the city host to the world’s oldest film festival.  Set for starting on August 28, 2013 at Palazzo del Cinema is the 70^th Venice Film Festival.  Painstakingly beautiful, this is Venice when it sizzles. 

Palazzo del Cinema

 

The famous Venetian film festival takes place on The Lido, the main land barrier between Venice and the open sea, the most gorgeous beach annually full of Hollywood’s finest.  Venice is taken over not only by Hollywood, but global film industry elite as well.  There is historically on of the most prestigious awards in film to be given to top award, The Golden Lion ( Leone d’Oro).  This year there are 21, often limit pushing, films competing. 

Venice 70 –Future Reloaded will encapsulate highlights from films over the festival lifespan to be directed by Alberto Barbera.  Beyond the films, anticipated moments, and the stunning location the Venetian film festival largely promotes the newest digital technologies and progression in all parts in the art of film making.  Venice is a culture the world wide film industry can relate to of beauty, appreciation of time, and set apart from the rest. 

 

Traveling to beautiful Italy is one of the most decadent trips of a lifetime.  Going to Venice during the annual film festival, undoubtedly has made top billing on many bucket lists.  The Lido at this peak moment every year is incandescent, it is unimaginable anywhere else could shine as bright. 

The Gelato Sandwich

A bevy of delightful images of frozen desserts splashed across the internet last week in celebration of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on August 2, 2013.  Frozen desserts and the stream of National Days allotted in their honor represent summer treats well.  The sources for inspiration are mouthwatering creative combinations.  After a particularly long period of pontificating the very best way to stand out among the slew of combinations the answer became simple, creating a basic gelato sandwich proved enough to contend.   

The Gelato Sandwich:
 Chocolate wafer cookies, vanilla gelato. Simple summer treasure.

On a previous post the idea occurred to make a gelato sandwich with pizzelle, delicious and a bit fancy.  For numerous variations gelato can be smashed in between to enjoy sandwich style (donuts, waffles) check out this buzzfeed. This video supplies you with the proper techniques on how-to create the gelato sandwich! 

The Blood Orange Peach Soda Float

Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis.

Same buzz, same theory here.  Able to stem a bit from the basic being as the frozen beverage arena has many advanced conceptions. Please don't take this the wrong way, black sesame gelato shakes are likely amazing, but this fresh sorbetto soda float will cater nicely to summer taste buds. 

The Blood Orange Peach Soda Float

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

3 fresh peaches, peeled and pitted

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from 1-2 large lemons

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 cup sparkling water

Ice

Blood Orange sorbetto

Basil for garnish

In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, 2-3 minutes.  Set aside to cool 20 minutes.

In a blender, combine the cooled syrup, peaches, lemon juice, and lemon zest.  Blend until smooth.  Add the sparkling water and pour into an ice filled pitcher.  To serve pour into individual glasses and top with a scoop of blood orange sorbetto and fresh basil for garnish.

Do you know what today is? Yes, another frozen treat: National Root Beer Float Day! Root beer & Sea Salt Caramel Gelato for our float!

 What memory does a root beer float bring to you?