Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year 2008!



HIGHTLIGHTS OF 2007
  • Having Doug's mother, Katie, in close proximity
  • Attaining Apprentice Teacher/Level 1 with the Ron Fletcher Program Of Study, completing comprehensive study with the Pilates Conservatory
  • Unity Church Of Practical Christianity membership and service
  • Unity Women's Retreat in Leakey, TX
  • Finding a Pilates home at Studio C with Jean, Dana and Roseanna
  • Doug's induction as a Trustee of the Riot Relief Fund, NYC
  • Girls Weekend in the Hamptons with Heather, Shelly and Jessica
  • Reunion with Naples Pilates gang
  • Doug's 60th, Jessica's 25th, Frank's 50th, Smith-Conner wedding
POSSIBILITIES FOR 2008
  • Study another language
  • 4 - 6 wk vacation in the summer
  • New Year's in Australia
  • Build my Pilates clientele and Pilates For Stylists
  • More time at home
READING IN 2007
  • Buddha, A Story Of Enlightenment - Chopra
  • Happiness For Two - Stoddard
  • SuperFoods Healthy Lifestyle - Pratt
  • Barefoot Contessa At Home - Garten
  • Fat, Broke And Lonely No More - Moran
  • Return To Life - Pilates
  • The Husband - Koontz
  • Can't Wait To Get To Heaven - Flagg
  • Blink - Gladwell
  • Bless His Heart - Ford
  • Mysteries Of The Middle Ages - Cahill
  • Whitehorn Woods - Binchy
  • If Democrats Had Any Brains, They Would Be Republicans - Coulter
  • Power To The People - Ingraham
  • The Secret - Bryne
  • The Princess And The Pea - Child
  • You Are Your Choices - Stoddard
  • Manual For Living - Epictetus
WATCHING In 2007
  • Rome
  • Keeping Mum
  • No Reservations
  • The Secret
  • Journeyman
  • The Impressionists - BBC/Netflix
  • House Of Cards - BBC/Netflix
  • Enchanted
  • Next Food Network Star
  • Cirque De Soleil
  • Boynton Beach Club
  • Miss Potter
  • Curse Of The Golden Flower
LISTENING in 2007
  • Seal IV - Seal
  • Wreck Of The Day - Annie Nalick
  • All The Right Reasons - Nickelback
  • Awake - Groban
  • BB King
  • Tony Bennet
  • Goo Goo Dolls

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Bells in Italy 12/07



Click on photos to enlarge!

It was a great experience to celebrate Christmas in Florence this year. There were no crowds to fight, prices were a bit more reasonable and the Florentines were especially friendly. There really aren't many places you can witness Christmas Mass as it has been done since the 1400s or Santa (Babbo Natale) piloting a gondola!

A few places we enjoyed in particular this trip in Florence...

Hotel Savoy
The staff treated us as if we were visiting their homes. Our room had a view of the Duomo. The Savoy sits on the corner of the Piazza della Republicca, which is in the center of historic Florence. The lounge played American Christmas standards as well as chill/ambient music. There was a great internet connection in the basement. The food was delicious. The hotel is owned by the Rocco Forte hotel group. We will definitely look to stay at other properties such as the one opening next year in Prague.

Trattoria Gabriello From the Piazza Repubblicca, head east on Via Porta Rossa , which becomes Via Condotta. Restaurant is #54, 055/2102098. You must have the Ribollita, a tuscan bean and cabbage stew thickened with day old bread.

Trattoria Antellesi
via Faenza 9, 055/216990. In the area of the San Lorenzo cathedral and the Mercato Centrale. Our favorite dish this time was beef tips slow cooked in tomatoes and wine, known as Stracotto.

Trattoria Bordino
Via Straccieatella, 9, 055/213048. After crossing the Ponte Vecchio heading south, you make the second left. It's hidden a bit in a neighborhood. We have always gone at lunch and had the Bistecca alla Florentine. Perfect when in the vicinity of the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Very reasonably priced.

Harry's Bar
Perhaps its a cliche but we made our first visit this time. I love the one in the Sherry Netherland on Central Park/5th Ave. This did not disappoint. We had a late supper after walking from our hotel along the waterfront. We started with the customary Bellini. They also make excellent wine recommendations.

Boboli Gardens
These gardens are a not to be missed activity for us. We spent a majority of our time walking the most southern part of the gardens, where we discovered many covered arched paths. It will be the coolest part of the gardens anytime of year.

Pineider
A stationer/cartolaio located on the Piazza della Signoria. They have been making some of Florence's finest papers since 1774.

Rivoire

Piazza Signoria. Renowned for their chocolates, we enjoyed our priciest cafe latte and dish of cookies here! Across the Piazza from the Ufizzi.



and in Rome...

Albergo del Senato
The hotel is located on the Piazza Rotunda, also known as the Pantheon. It's a lively piazza and ideally located to Piazza Navona and the Vatican. Consider yourself lucky to be served by Mauro.

L'Angoletto
Piazza Rondanini 51, 06/6868019. A block or so walk from the Pantheon. Fresh fish deliciously prepared. I highly recommend the Shrimp (Gamberi) Scampi, grilled Flounder (Dimenamento) or Mussels soup (Zuppa Cozze).

Jeff Blynn's
v Parioli, 06/8070444. While they feature good Italian cuisine, what I like is the fantastic American hamburger and french fries. In the summer, the patio is divine. North of the Borghese gardens, the via Veneto and Embassy area.

Our trip arrangements were made by a wonderful agent named Bestsy Patton at Betty McLean Travel. Betsy is recognized by Con de Nast as one of the Top 100 agents in the country and the agency is a Virtuoso member. We met her in Naples, however, she has planned two trips for us since relocating flawlessly. I highly recommend using Betsy. There is a nominal booking charge. She is the master at coming up with unique and memorable activities abroad. The guide she arranged for us was through the Arno Travel Agency, if you were to prefer dealing with them directly.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Buona Natale

Doug and I wish you all a Merry Christmas. We will be celebrating the holiday in Florence, Italy. Our hotel is on my favorite Italian piazza, Piazza della Repubblica, which is the scene of the town's Christmas tree and steps from the Duomo, where we will participate in Mass.

Ciao!




Saturday, December 15, 2007

Musashi's 9 Tenets

Japan's most famous Samurai is Musashi. He is believed to be one of the most skilled swordsmen in history. Musahsi's book on strategy, tactics and philosophy, entitled The Book Of 5 Rings, is studied by an unlikely combination of Humanities students, military cadets, martial arts enthusiasts and businessmen today. Musashi left his body peacefully one week after completing another volume, The Way Of Self Reliance in 1645 at age 62 (considerable for a warrior of his stature).

In the Book Of 5 Rings, he defined 9 principles...

Do not think dishonestly.

The Way is in the training.

Become acquainted with every art.

Know the ways of all professions.

Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.

Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything.

Perceive those things which cannot be seen.

Pay attention even to trifles.

Do nothing which is of no use.

-Miyamoto Musashi


Musashi is one of the great men that my husband studies. Others include Gandhi, Founding Fathers such as Jefferson, Franklin and Payne, as well as modern men such as Deepak Chopra, Bruce Lee, the Dali Lama and his father, Chauncey Bell.

Since the first years of our being married, Doug has carried the 9 Tenets of Musashi with him in his planner. He speaks of them so often that I can recite several of them without having ever read Musashi's book. Doug refers most often to "Do not think dishonestly" and "Do nothing that is of no use". My friend, Michael Sullivan, has recently reminded me that the thoughts and movements of this martial arts Master are worth revisiting. My husband, Doug, is my inspiration and my teacher.






Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Pumpkin Pudding - SUPERFOOD Rx



Patty's Pumpkin Pudding was featured in Superfoods Rx by Dr. S.Pratt. It's as tasty as Pumpkin Pie without the offending crust and grams of sugar. A great way to get a serving of a healthy superfood this Christmas.


Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (I reduce to 1/3 of brown sugar or xylitol)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
  • 1 can (12 fl. oz.) evaporated milk
Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 11 x 7-inch baking dish. ( I use a glass pie plate).

COMBINE sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into prepared baking dish.

BAKE for 40 minutes or until center is slightly wiggly. Do not overbake. Let cool on wire rack. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Pilates Conservatory Completion

My classmates and I spent most of last week taking a variety of exams in our final unit of Pilates comprehensive study. I was fortunate to receive calls and emails from friends and family wishing me success.



This collage captures a few images of the week. You can see that we are an attractive bunch! Now we are good looking AND highly qualified. The Christmas card-like picture was taken from the window of Pat Guyton Pilates. Doug has been affectionately referring to us as the Pilates Mafia. He was quite thoughtful and brightened the day of all with a bouquet of beautiful flowers.

Now we all face the daunting task of preparing for our industry's national certification exam. But, in this moment, we have reached a place where we can pause in our journey and celebrate our accomplishment.