Our Garden in August - Il Nostro Giardino in Agosto

 

      

A Single Wisteria Bloom             Spindle Berry Bush                 Wild Clematis                            Wild Convolvulus

 

Another month has flown by and it is time once again for me to share some of my favourite garden photos from the last month with you. Once again I have had difficulty selecting just a few from the many I have taken over the last few weeks. The garden has been somewhat disappointing this month with not much in the way of colour, it has been way too hot for many flowers to survive for long. The fruit has been productive this month with us enjoying pears, figs, peaches and even a few early apples. The orto, vegetable plot has been very disappointing all season and has virtually ground to a halt with production this month apart from tomatoes and a few lettuces that managed to survive the heat.

The interested gardeners and photographers amongst you will find the full album on Flickr. Our Garden in August 2011 where the photos can be viewed in a larger format.

I have just looked back at last years post Our Garden in August 2010 and it was interesting to note that some of my comments this year, were very similar! The only produce the orto gave us in any quantity was tomatoes, so it seems that August is not a great month, not just this year but most years. At least the copious amounts of fruit that this garden produces means that we are able to eat very healthily, certainly more than the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

An occasional rose has bloomed briefly this month and delighted us with her beauty.

The chicory in the meadow shared her beauty with us every morning for just a few hours.

Apple

The Apple trees are heavily laden.

The fig harvest has been abundant as we have been picking a bowl like this at least a couple of times a week.

The grapes on our vines are ripening well.

Tomatoes

Peaches

Very few blooms on the Canna Lily this year, but what a beauty this one is.

Finally I just want to share a Canna Lily close up shot with you.

All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection

I hope you have enjoyed sharing this collection of photos taken around our garden this month and remember if you would like to see more views of the garden taken during 2011 please visit the collection of albums at Flickr.com entitled  Our Garden 2011

            

Welcome to ‘News From Italy’ to the other participants of Post of the Month Club, Our World Tuesday and Outdoor Wednesday thankyou for calling by. I hope you have found some pleasure in sharing photos from my garden in Italy, a popular regular post that I hope will encourage you to call by again. I have made so many virtual friends from around the world via this blog, such a friendly network of people, many that also have blogs of their own that they publish for a multitude of different reasons.

The wonderful karma of blogging!

Sunday Song - Adriano Celentano – Confessa - Confession

 

Adriano Celentano was born in Milano, Italy on 6 January 1938 and is famous in Italy as a singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host. He has been active in his career since 1957.

Heavily influenced by his idol Elvis Presley, the 1950s rock revolution and by the American actor Jerry Lewis, he has retained his popularity in Italy for the last 40 years, selling millions of records and appearing in numerous TV shows and movies.

He has released forty albums, his most famous songs are 'La coppia piu bella del mondo' which sold over one million copies and 'Azzuro'‘

I am sharing here with you today  'Confessa' one of my favourites from this artist.

Uploaded by maskir on Sep 17, 2006

Italian Lyrics: Confessa

Su confessa amore mio
Io non sono piu il solo, lunico
Hai nascosto nel cuore tuo
Una storia irrinunciabile
Io non sono piu il tuo pensiero
Non sono piu il tuo amore vero
Sono il dolce con fondo amaro
Che non mangi piu
Ma perch tu sei unaltra donna
Ma perch tu non sei piu tu
Ma perch non lhai detto prima
Chi non ama non sar amato mai
Che ne hai fatto del nostro bene?
E diventato un freddo brivido
Le risate, le nostre cene
Scene ormai irrecuperabili
Io non sono piu il tuo pensiero
Non sono piu il tuo amore vero
Sono il dolce con fondo amaro
Che non mangi piu
Ma perche tu sei unaltra donna
Ma perche tu non sei piu tu
Ma perche tu, tu non lhai detto prima
Chi non ama non sar amato mai
Quando viene la sera
E il ricordo pian piano scompare
La tristezza nel cuore
Apre un vuoto piu grande del mare
Piu grande del mare
Ma perche non lhai detto prima
Chi non ama non sar amato mai
Che ne hai fatto del nostro amore?
E diventato un freddo brivido
Le risate, le nostre cene
Scene ormai irrecuperabili
Io non sono piu il tuo pensiero
Non sono piu il tuo amore vero
Sono il dolce con fondo amaro
Che non mangi piu
(ma perche non lhai detto prima
Chi non ama non sar amato mai)

English Lyrics : Confession

Come on, confess, my love.
I'm no longer the only one, the sole one.
You've hidden in your heart,
a story that cannot be renounced.
I am no longer your thought,
I am no longer your true love.
I am the sweet that is bitter inside,
which you no longer eat.
But why are you a different woman?
But why are you no longer you?
But why did you not say it before?
Who does not love will never be loved.
What did you do with the good thing we had?
It has become a cold shiver.
Our laughs, our dinners,
By now irrecoverable scenes.
I am no longer your thought,
I am no longer your true love. I am the sweet that is bitter inside,
which you no longer eat.
But why are you a different woman?
But why are you no longer you?
But why did you not say it before?
Who does not love will never be loved.
When the evening comes,
And the memory slowly disappears,
The sadness in the heart,
Opens an emptiness larger than the ocean,
Larger than the ocean.
But why did you not say it before?
Who does not love will never be loved.
What did you do with the good thing we had?
It has become a cold shiver.
Our laughs, our dinners,
By now irrecoverable scenes.
I am no longer your thought,
I am no longer your true love.
I am the sweet that is bitter inside,
which you no longer eat.
But why did you not say it before?
Who does not love will never be loved.

Italian to English translation – With the help of Google, Dictionaries and You Tube, please be aware that this is not a word perfect translation, it is just to give you the gist of the meaning if you do not know any Italian.

Information for this post and the photograph was obtained from the following websites.

Adriano Celentano - Wikipedia

Official Website - Adriano Celentano

Adriano Celentano - Facebook Profile

 

Buono Domenica Tutti

Festa del Villano 2011 a Marta

 

 

On the 30th and 31st of July Marta celebrated the eleventh Festa del Villano, the workers of the land, with food, gastronomic stands and music.

This event is organised by the Associazione Culturale “Marta senza confini” ( Cultural Association of Marta) in collaboration with il Comitato Festeggiamenti Madonna SS.ma del Monte (Festival Committee For the Church of  Madonnna del Monte). Thanks to the success of last year’s event there was an extra sponsor this year, Federazione Italiana Cuochi (Italian Federation of Chefs).

On these two evenings it was possible to enjoy supper, live music and good company in the open air and we took my cousin who was staying with us at the time, along to experience a typically local event. 

Of course the food was the highlight of the evening and was delicious, Bruschette miste, Pasta del Villano, Braciola di Miale alla brace (Pork Chop cooked on an open fire), Fagioli con le cotiche (Beans with pork rinds), Patate fritte. Finally for a dessert some Cannaiola (a local sweet red dessert wine) and ciambelline ( a sort of biscuit).      

While this may not be every ones idea of a fine dining supper it was certainly tasty.

The funds raised from this event are used to help maintain the church of Our Lady Madonna del Monte that overlooks the town and has been the destination of pilgrims for many years.

I will let my photos tell the rest of the story.

The open fire provides the hot embers that the pork steaks are cooked over.

These pork steaks were so tasty.

The service area.

The dining area.

The food.

The market stalls.

The market stalls from further along the promenade.

I also posted about this event last year Festa del Villano - Marta - 2010

There are more photos to be seen, including my market stall close up shots from the event in the album on Flickr .com.  Festa del Villano - Marta - July 2011

All the photos used here are my own work All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection

Italy in Books Reading Challenge August 2011

 

A Death in Tuscany by Michele Giuttari

Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011

Paperback: 381 pages

Genre: Crime Mystery

Publisher: This edition Abacus 2009

Source: Charity Bookshop in the UK

First Sentence : The girl, little more than a child, was found on the road above Scandicci, scantily dressed, without papers and dying of an overdose, at dawn on Sunday 29 July and was taken to the Ospedale Nuovo.

Review Quote : ‘The leading Italian crime writer’ The Times

My Opinion: Atmospheric of Italy with a sadly feasible plot.

The August post with a list of books that the other people taking part are reading this month has already been posted. August Reviews

Whilst the title for this book is not very imaginative, it is the reason I was drawn to pick this up for the Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011. This is not a genre I read a great deal of and the author is not familiar to me so I do not feel I can compare him with others that write books set in Italy in this genre of which there are quite a few.

Michele Giuattari is a former Florence Police Chief so he does have an insiders advantage on the understanding of how the police and legal system work within Italy. This I think is certainly the sort of case that is sadly based on current issues in the real world, so fiction that has fact behind it.

The story is about the investigation into the death of a young girl hardly more than a child, whom it is assumed died of a drug overdose. The case is taken on by Chief Superintendent Michele Ferrara and he quickly realises that this is far more than a simple overdose death. He believes that the girl was murdered and as he investigates becomes convinced it is part of a much wider conspiracy. It even turns out that there is a sinister connection between this case and the disappearance of a close friend of his!

The speech appears stilted at times but I think this is just because English is not the original language. There are many characters and I did not find any of them particularly memorable, but the plot line was strong enough to hold my attention in what was a quick light read. What was of interest is the setting of Florence and the surrounding countryside, appealing if you know the area and maybe tempting you to visit if you do not. An average read then for those of us interested in Italy and or the crime novel. I doubt if I would have picked this up if it were not for the Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011 though.

Author profile photo from Facebook.

Michele Giuttari was born in Messina, Italy in 1950. in 1975 he graduated with a law degree and three years later joined the Police Force., where fro 1995 until 2003 he held the position of Police Chief. In 1997 he began working as a writer of detective novels, soon becoming known both nationally and internationally. His books are translated into major languages ​​and published in over 100 countries.

Information for this post is with thanks to the following websites.

Facebook Profile Author's Official Website

Michele Giuttari - Goodreads Author

I also post these ‘Italy in Books’ reviews on my other blog
LindyLouMac's Book Reviews

Sunset over Lago di Bolsena from Montefiascone

 

A series of photos that I took recently as the sun was setting over Lago di Bolsena.

It was so wonderful to be able to watch this sunset. However many times I witness this scene it never ceases to impress me.

I am linking to four other sites today to share these images with other lovers of the great beauty of Mother Nature.

That's My World, Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday

               

Welcome to ‘News From Italy’ to the other participants from the above links, thankyou for calling by.

All photos are All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection

Sunday Song – La Notte di San Lorenzo – Cristiano de Andre and Notte di San Lorenzo - Franco Simone

 

As promised in my  Notte di San Lorenzo - Perseids Meteor Shower post I am continuing the theme today for Sunday Song by sharing with you some songs about this night.

 

Uploaded by dolcenera92 on Jun 10, 2008

The first song is sung by Cristiano de Andre an Italian singer songwriter and multi talented musician born in Genoa on 29th December 1962. I will feature him in more detail in a future Sunday Song post but for now if you are interested in finding out more about this artist you can visit his Official Website. 

Italian Lyrics to La Notte Di San Lorenzo :   composed in 1995 by C. Sanfilippo

Era la notte di San Lorenzo / cadde una stella illuminando il lago / mentre un addio uccideva un sogno / piano suonavo
Seduto in mezzo tra la pietra e il pino / come un dolcissimo deserto / fatto di dune e di memoria / buio scoperto
Ho visto nascere e morire luci / nel vento buono di collina / Ho chiuso gli occhi la mattina / dormendo sul confine
Gli equilibristi sono carte matte / sognano solo desideri / In viaggio fanno curve strette / senza pensieri
Era la notte di San Lorenzo / fatta di atlantiche illusioni / e di pacifiche scoperte / in vie deserte
Ho ridipinto gli orizzonti persi / lasciando ovunque tracce chiare / di questa tenebra lucente / voglio cantare
Ho visto nascere e morire luci / nel vento buono di collina / Ho chiuso gli occhi la mattina / dormendo sul confine
Gli equilibristi sono carte matte / sognano solo desideri / In viaggio fanno curve strette / senza pensieri

English Translation of Lyrics to La Notte di San Lorenzo :

It was the night of San Lorenzo / fell a star illuminating the lake / and a farewell killed a dream / I was playing up
Sitting in the middle between the stone and pine / sweet like a desert / dunes made ​​of and memory / dark discovered
I was born and dying light / good in the wind of the hill / I closed my eyes in the morning / sleeping on the border
The acrobats are cards matte / dream only want / Travelling make sharp turns / carefree
It was the night of San Lorenzo / illusions made ​​of Atlantic / Pacific and discoveries / on the deserted streets
I repainted the lost horizons / leaving traces everywhere clear / glossy darkness of this / I will sing
I was born and dying light / good in the wind of the hill / I closed my eyes in the morning / sleeping on the border
The acrobats are cards matte / dream only want / Travelling make sharp turns / carefree

Italian to English translation was with the help of Google. Please be aware that this is not a perfect translation, it is just to give you the gist of the meaning if you do not know any Italian.

Uploaded by saintVito91 on Aug 11, 2008

The second song with a slightly different title is is performed by Franco Simone an older Italian singer born in Acquarica del Capo, Italy on the 21st July 1949. I will also feature him another time so here is the link to his Official Website as well.

Italian Lyrics to  Notte Di San Lorenzo :  composed in 1983 by Franco Simone

NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO DI AUTOGRILL E BENZINA,
MA CHE NOTTE POVERA SENZA UN CHIARO DI LUNA.
AH AH AH
NOTTE CHE LA TRISTEZZA SCENDE DALL’INFINITO,
CUORE NON SALTARE MA IO MI SENTO PERDUTO.
NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO NOTTE BUIA E SGOMENTO,
MENTRE VIAGGIO DA SOLO STANOTTE NON SONO CONTENTO.
QUANTO E’ LUNGA L’AUTOSTRADA MOSTRI COME CALAMITA,
SE INCONTRASSI ADULTA LA MIA FORTUNA,
AL MIO FILM STANOTTE STANOTTE CAMBIEREI QUALCHE SCENA.
NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO BATTI CUORE CHE CRESCE,
QUESTA NOTTE E’ UNA NOTTE STREGATA, LA VITA FINISCE,
SENZA STELLE NÉ LUNA NEL SILENZIO DEL CIELO,
QUESTA NOTTE SPIETATA HA DECISO DI TOGLIERSI IL VELO.
—
NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO MUOVI PIANO LE MANI,
ARIA NUOVA IN MACCHINA TU, TU TI SVEGLI E MI CHIAMI.
AH AH AH
NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO SE TI HO FATTA SALIRE,
SENZA NOME NÉ GUANTI DI SETA, ACCAREZZAMI IL CUORE.
CAMBIA FACCIA L’AUTOSTRADA, MIELE DOLCE TRA LE DITA,
DIECI STELLE TORNANO PER CADERE,
PER CAPIRE TUTTA LA NOTTE, CI VOGLIONO MONTAGNE D’AMORE.
NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO IN UN AUTO CHE CORRE,
UNA DONNA HA PORTATO IL PROFUMO DI MILLE CHITARRE.
NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO MI ABBANDONO AL RICHIAMO,
QUESTA STELLA CADUTA VICINO, MI PORTA LONTANO.

English Translation of Lyrics to Notte di San Lorenzo :  Translation by Simona Bellone,

NIGHT OF ST. LAWRENCE OF AUTOGRILL AND GASOLINE, 
BUT THAT POOR NIGHT WITHOUT A CLEAR OF THE MOON. 
AH AH AH 
THE NIGHT THAT THE SADNESS FALLS FROM THE INFINITY, 
HEART DON'T JUMP BUT I FEEL LOST. 
NIGHT OF ST. LAWRENCE DARK NIGHT AND DISMAY, 
WHILE I TRAVEL ALONE TONIGHT I'M NOT HAPPY. 
WHAT HOW LONG IS THE HIGHWAY, MONSTERS LIKE MAGNET, 
IF I MEET ADULT MY LUCK
TO MY MOVIE TONIGHT, TONIGHT I WOULD CHANGE SOME SCENE.
NIGHT OF ST. LAWRENCE BEATS HEART THAT GROWS, 
THIS NIGHT IS A NIGHT BEWITCHED, THE LIVE ENDS, 
WITHOUT STARS NEITHER MOON IN THE SILENCE OF THE SKY, 
THIS MERCILESS NIGHT HAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THE VEIL. 
---
NIGHT OF ST. LAWRENCE MOVE SLOWLY THE HANDS, 
NEW AIR IN MACHINE YOU, YOU WOKE UP AND CALL ME.
AH AH AH 
NIGHT OF ST. LAWRENCE IF I HAVE MADE CLIMB YOU IN,
WITHOUT NAME NEITHER SILK GLOVES, CARESS ME THE HEART. 
CHANGE THE FACE THE HIGHWAY, HONEY SWEET BETWEEN THE FINGERS, 
TEN STARS RETURN FOR FALL, 
TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE NIGHT, IT'S NEED MOUNTAINS OF LOVE. 
NIGHT OF ST. LAWRENCE IN A CAR THAT RUNS, 
A WOMAN HAS BRINGED THE SCENT OF A THOUSAND GUITARS.
NIGHT OF ST LAWRENCE I ABANDONMENT ME TO THE CALL,
THIS STAR FALLEN NEAR, TAKES ME AWAY.

I think both of these songs are beautiful.

I hope you are all having a great weekend and to those of you that are celebrating here in Italy Buon Ferragosto, more information about the significance of this holiday can be found by visiting, Ferragosto – Wikipedia.

Tuesday August 16th 2011, I have made some corrections to this post as Simona Bellone, see her comments below, has kindly pointed out that they are in fact two different songs with completely different words, which means I really was not listening properly when I selected these two was I.  My apologies for this careless error.

I am delighted to say that this post gets a mention on  Italy Tutto this week in Sunrise - Sunset - Stars