It’s so beautiful outside it’s almost impossible to do anything else but stare out on the bay in a peaceful sort of daze. How can one work? Perhaps this is why most island countries are underdeveloped — buildings, education, indoor plumbing — fuck no, let’s grab cocktails and head to the beach.
I’m reading Under the Tuscan Sun; the novel is much different from the movie and filled with lovely food descriptions like:
Our favorite is spaghetti with an easy sauce made from diced pancetta, unsmoked bacon, quickly browned then stirred into cream and chopped arugula…we grate parmigiano on top and eat huge mounds.
That makes my mouth water — I can hardly wait to try it. Under the Tuscan Sun is filled with such idealistic bites, and dreamy realities. A life where one is always tan, wearing white, drinking prosecco and eating olives. My life really isn’t too far from that bliss, I’m very fortunate, however, my chapters usually end with a hangover and a bizarre anecdote, like how this morning my boyfriend asked me to dress up as one of the winged monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. We recently saw Wicked. It’s no excuse.
Here at Worst Cook Ever, we love food and everything it has to offer. We’ve taken all expectation out of the glorious process of cooking. After all, creating deliciousness should be fun and exciting, one shouldn’t drown in the pressure to succeed! We drink wine while we cook and think you should too. There will be no pretentious filler, just straight talk on how to make something so good your toes curl, or simply get you in good with the opposite sex. This is cooking for life, and cooking very, very, well.
The Beautiful Kind
July 7th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
You’re such a romantic. I thought Tuscan Sun was one of those dreamy essay books for 50-something women to read with their book group as they wore designer scarves and chunky funky jewelry. OK I admit it, I DREAM of being one of those women someday.
I also dream of good Italian food, cuz in St Louis it DOESN’T EXIST.
Noelle dEstries
July 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I am a romantic. It’s true. The thought of restoring a house in Italy that hasn’t been lived in for 30 years, uncovering treasures, taking your time, bringing a garden back to life… sign me up.
Jeff McIntire-Strasburg
July 7th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
@TBK — two words: Trattoria Marcella… now that’s good Italian food!
Brielle d'Estries
July 13th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
The winged monkeys were pretty spectacular…but Idk about dressing up as one.
jensenly
July 24th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I loved Under the Tusacn Sun, too. But what’s funny is that when I went to Tuscany in 2001, our tour guide told us to never mention “Frances Mayes” in public. Apparently the Tuscans weren’t too happy with her novel. I can’t quite remember exactly why…..something about creating an American frenzy to buy up land or giving an unrealistic portrayal of true Tuscan living….anyway I thought it was rather strange. You’d think they’d be happy for all the good press!