Proud to be an American

A week ago, America gained one more citizen, as my husband Mimmo, a native of Umbria, Italy, became a naturalized American citizen.

I wanted to share this exciting news from our family with all of you. It was fascinating to watch the process one goes through to become American. First, you have to pass a oral 100-question test that covers American history, civics, and system of governance. Ironically, there were quite a few questions that I didn't even know the answer to! I am proud to say, however, that Mimmo scored a perfect 100%.

This is a photo of Mimmo when he took the oath.



It was touching to see someone who wants so much to be part of America, pledge an oath of allegiance. It was a perfect example of what makes this country so great- ethnic diversity that brings a rich variety of cultures to our community, adding another layer to the complex and fascinating thing that is the American identity.

Congratulations Mimmo!





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The Benefits of a Morning Walk

Every morning after I get Francesca off to school, I take some time for myself to start the day with a walk through the neighborhood. I cherish this part of my day and consider it a vital part of my daily routine. Taking a walk is simple and good for the soul. Much like yoga, it allows me to center my thoughts, energize my body, and set my intention for the day.

The best part about this routine is that it can be carried in any corner of the world in which you find yourself. Unlike going to the gym or taking a fitness class in a studio, getting outside exposes you to the natural world, which is very important for those of us who spend the rest of our days indoors. Because I'm fortunate enough to live in the Pacific Northwest, some days I am treated to truly spectacular panoramas offset by Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountain Range, and Mount Rainier.

However, the thing that I most enjoy about my walks is the opportunity to connect with my neighbors. In a world in which we find ourselves increasingly isolated from each other, it is wonderful to be able to still engage with the people with whom I share a living space. We have small conversations and share our lives with each other. As human beings, we are naturally social creatures, and interaction with others is a surprisingly effective way of boosting my energy and elevating my mood.

Walks are how I choose to stimulate my mind and body. I encourage you to try it and enjoy the results.





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Winter Soup Is Good For The Soul

When the weather gets nasty and wet, as it is likely to do in the Pacific Northwest, it's time for me to get out my biggest pot and make a generous batch of soup. My family's favorite is my Italian lentil soup. I like this dish for a few reasons:

It's delicious
It's healthy and all natural
It's a one dish meal
One pot can last for days, or it can be frozen for another night; whether it's weeks or months later
It is a favorite among vegetarians (my oldest daughter) and omnivores (the rest of the family) alike
It is a meal that satisfies the soul

So, now that I've spoken so highly of this soup, here's recipe. That way, you can make it and see for yourself what I'm talking about.

ROSANNA'S LENTIL SOUP
Ingredients:
1 lb. small green lentils
soak in a bowl of water 1 hour
sautee in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 organic carrots chopped finely
1 sweet onion chopped finely
5 cloves of garlic chopped finley
3 stalks of celery chopped finely

1. Sautee Vegetables until soft,
2. Add the lentils that have been drained from the water and sautee for 5 minutes.
3. Add 2 large cans of organic chicken broth.
4. Cook on a low heat, simmer with covered lid for about 1 1/2 hours until all lentils are soft.

Serve with crusty bread drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

This is a wonderful meal for cold winter nights. Serve with a delicious Italian red wine. My favorite from Umbria, Montefalco rosso.

Enjoy,





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Let Them Eat Cake!

Most of you know this quote as it is attributed to France's most decadent queen, Marie Antoinette. She was recently portrayed by Kirsten Dunst in a film by Sophia Ford Coppola. When I took my daughter Francesca to see this film a year ago, she was entranced, and proceeded to transform her bedroom into a homage to Marie's lavishly furnished rooms in her palace at Versailles. She even has a pair of our gold electroplate Dauphine Candlesticks on her bookshelf!

Fast forward to one day in late December. My two daughters Alessandra and Francesca and I are racking our brains to figure out what to do for Francesca's 11th birthday party in January. Over the years, we've created a legacy in terms of original birthday party themes, and the pressure was on to make this one as exciting as the rest. That was when my clever 19 year old had a "Eureka moment" and came up with the idea of a Marie Antoinette party in which the guests would come in costume, have their makeup done (white powder, beauty mark, and all), and dine on french pastries. Francesca immediately loved the theme, and because we happen to have a darling collection called Marie Antoinette in our line this year, it was perfect timing.

Here's the invitation:


When the day of the party finally came, Francesca dressed up in one of her sister's old theater costumes. Alessandra did her makeup and hair, and when Francesca came downstairs, she looked like a bona fide member of the French court. Then, her friends started arriving, all spectacularly attired and coifed. We had the soundtrack from Sophia Coppola's film playing in the background, and Alessandra did the girls' makeup while they watched scenes from the movie and admired each other's ensembles.

The table set with Rosanna dinnerware


Party guests


The birthday girl eats cake


After everyone had been done up, the girls sat down for tea and delicious pastries from Le Fournil, one of the best French bakeries in Seattle. As the girls happily devoured eclairs, cream puffs, and napoleons, we talked about the story of Marie Antoinette, what it was like to live in the French court and how it would feel to to wear a corset all the time! Prior to receiving the party invitation, a few of the girls didn't know who Marie Antoinette was, so I included in each favor bag a note card about the abridged history of Marie. This party was wonderful because not only did the girls have a blast, but they learned about history in an thoroughly engaging and interactive way.



So, as Marie said, "Let them eat cake!"

And we did.

A votre sante!





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My Mother's Sugar Cookies

This Thursday at Rosanna Inc. we're having a cookie exchange for the holiday season. In celebration of it, I decided to share my favorite cookie recipe that came from my own mother.

Ingredients
2 Cups Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Cup of Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vanilla
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Butter
1 Egg
Sprinkles

Instructions
Sift all dry ingredients together.
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar.
Add the egg and vanilla to the creamed butter and sugar and beat well.
Add the dry ingredients a little at a time and mix until well balanced.
Wrap the dough in cloth, pastry paper or aluminum foil and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Roll out 1/3 of the dough with cookie cutters.
Sprinkle the cut out cookies with abundant amounts of colored sugar crystals or decorate with candies.
Put the shapes on buttered baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes.
Be sure they do not brown.
Remove the cookies from the sheets with a wide spatula and cool on the racks.

ENJOY!

Happy Holidays to all,





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Thanks for All!

It seems as though November snuck in the back door when I wasn't looking. As we are almost at the end of the month, I'd like to take a moment to talk about an All-American tradition that many of us will be celebrating in just a few short days.

Thanksgiving is truly a holiday for every American. Some think so because it is non-denominational but I disagree. I think Thanksgiving is for everyone because we are, as a country and people, of many different origins, ethnicities, histories, philosophies, and, most importantly for us at Rosanna, traditions. I see this holiday as an opportunity to honor all of these aforementioned ingredients that come together to make a family or a community. I encourage you to celebrate by incorporating any traditions- whether they are national, cultural, religious, or familial- into this year's Thanksgiving dinner.

In my family, this means preparing a meal that reflects our Italian origins. I season the turkey with garlic, rosemary, sage, and other herbs traditionally used in Italian cooking. And to retain the moisture and add extra flavor, I add a few pieces of good-quality prosciutto underneath the turkey's skin. We often invite extended family members and friends from Italy to join us. Their presence here is always an enriching experience for them and us. It's great for them because they become a part of a traditional "American" holiday and for us to be exposed to their culture, answer their questions, and hear about how they live their lives.

Speaking of guests brings me to my next point. For whatever reason, some of us may be unable to spend Thanksgiving with our family, those that we are related to by blood and/or that raised us. However, I think that the definition and conception of family is much more inclusive than that. Family can mean a group of people who love and support each other but may not actually be related. Groups like these can give amazing emotional support and are a great source of love. If you won't be "home" for Thanksgiving this year, find or create your own affectionate community. And if you will be home, do incorporate your heritage into your festivities in some way for an experience as rich and satisfying as your Thanksgiving meal.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!





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Thank you Niki Sullivan!

I wanted to say a quick thank you to Niki Sullivan at The News Tribune for her wonderful article on my plate signing appearance that I mentioned earlier this month.

This Saturday, from 10 am to 1 pm, I'll be signing cake pedestals and plates at our Rosanna Destination store, Dwell. For more information on Dwell click here, the store is located at 2716 N 21 St., Tacoma, WA. This will be my only appearance south of Seattle, it would be lovely to meet you!

Thank you again Niki,





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