One Italian Mom

“In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” Every October, that phrase hums in my memory. It’s one of those clever teaching techniques that gets little rhymes stuck in your head so that you NEVER forget them. (Works like a charm, by the way.) And despite the annoyance of its repetition in my mind as I write this, I cannot deny my gratitude to that Italian explorer. After all, had Cristoforo Colombo not sailed that “ocean blue,” most of the country wouldn’t enjoy those Monday sales and a day off work!

But seriously, this federal holiday has more to offer than we may think – it gives Italian families another excuse to celebrate our heritage. Since 1866, Italian-Americans have used Columbus Day to celebrate both America and our Italian passion for discovery. Today, these sentiments still exist, as do the Italian-Americans who feel them. It seems the only thing missing is the celebration. This places the responsibility (yet again) on the Italian-Americans of our generation to preserve our innate passion for life.

I’m talking about our drive for exploration – our zeal for discovery. Millions of Italians possessed this when they came to America in search of a better life. Celebrating holidays like Columbus Day gives us a chance to honor these ideals for the sake of our future generations. If we create special memories on these holidays, then traditions will develop that everyone in the family will look forward to each year – especially the little ones.

You see, most children share one particular quality with Christopher Columbus; they are natural-born explorers, and my own are no exception. As their parent, it’s my job to embrace these cravings for discovery as learning opportunities. With just a little time spent on the history of Columbus Day, my children could gain a rich lesson in their heritage, right?

Well, as great as that sounds, at the young ages of my children, a history lesson isn’t as appealing as, say, dirt. So, I’ll try to steal their attention with activities that will keep them enthusiastic about being Italian. In addition to a big pasta dinner, some effortless family crafts will add to the excitement of the day.

Coloring dried pasta makes for a great kids craft.

La Festa

I start the feast day by preparing my Nonnina’s marinara sauce. Letting my kids peel the garlic keeps them involved (and my hands smelling clean). After that, I reluctantly give my children unlimited access to glue as they turn cardboard and colored pasta into Italian and American flags. Always seizing those ‘learning opportunities,’ I try to help them ‘discover’ which one is farfalle, penne, gemelli, etc. Stocking up on several varieties allows the kids choose which one gets cooked for dinner. Never pass up an excuse to get them helping in the kitchen, right?

Older children (and adults!) might enjoy making homemade trivets and coasters. It’s so simple to paint or decoupage the Italian flag on discounted and leftover tiles. Then you can use them for Columbus Day Dinner every year! By the afternoon, the house is festively decorated with all of the colorful pictures and crafts we made. And by dinnertime, we are enjoying a big family meal that everyone helped to create. So while I have the family’s attention, (no one is going anywhere – there’s pasta), we read aloud the story of our family’s (and Columbus’) migration to America.

These small tiles cost under a dollar to make! Just draw or paint your image, then seal them with the poly spray.

And since children aren’t the only ones who love an excuse for a celebration, every age group should organize a Columbus Day feast. Columbus Day parades still exist in some areas, so check out your city website to attend. Can’t find one? Host a potluck meal with loved ones to share recipes, stories and traditions. Honor the passion for discovery that our ancestors had by ‘exploring’ your genealogy; today’s resources are endless.

Start The Tradition
However you choose to celebrate Columbus Day, the goal remains the same. It is a reason to share love and create memories. In doing so, we teach our family to give thanks for both our freedoms in America and the traditions of Italy. When Columbus sailed westward to get to the East, he was definitely thinking outside the box. So don’t let any holiday slip through the cracks. Be creative and use the day as an excuse to develop family traditions. After all, how do you think Thanksgiving began?

But we’ll wait for next month to explore that holiday.

COMING SOON!!!!
Thanksgiving Article: “Food:  A Miracle in Your Mouth”

“Italian Stallion” — What’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Okay, besides my husband, I can think of three things……

First, Sylvester Stallone, but that thought quickly leaves my mind so as to avoid vomiting.

Then, Rocky Marciano. Sure he retired undefeated, he was heavyweight champion, blah blah blah……boxing doesn’t thrill me that much.

But then I think of perhaps the most fascinating piece of machinery ever created…… the pride of Italia for over 75 years…….and perhaps the most well known brand in motorsports –

the Ferrari.

Yes, my friends, the true “Italian Stallion” is and always will be the Ferrari….does anyone care to argue that point? Well, let’s just take a look at history…the whole idea of the ’stallion’ as the Ferrari logo came from an air force ace in World War I named Baracca. Francesco Baracca always had a prancing black stallion painted on the side of his planes, which made way for his nickname, the “cavalier of the skies.’ Apparently Enzo Ferrari made the acquaintance of the noble Baracca family after his death, and was asked by Francesco’s mother to put her son’s horse on his cars for good luck. And so the Ferrari stallion emblem was born….

You may be asking yourself, what is the point of all this investigation into the real Italian Stallion? Well it’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to end the bitter confusion that plagues the majority of Italian-Americans who desperately seek answers to life altering questions such as these….

Okay, maybe not. But some Italian out there must (should) care….and so….this one’s for you.

Tiffany Longo was born into a loud, loving, Italian-American family.  It seems as though she spent most of her life cooking and eating, but somewhere in there she managed to study communications at the University of San Diego.  Her love for journalism (and her love for cooking and eating) remains today, and is evident in all of her writings.

First on her list, though, is her job as a “mamma italiana.” She does her best to raise her children with the same values she had growing up.  “Family, faith, and culture build strong character,” says Longo, “and that’s what I am obligated to provide as a mother.”

Tiffany spent her early years hearing the stories of her grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles.  Some were heartwarming, (others frightening) but they were all full of valuable lessons.

It is these very lessons that Tiffany  communicates not only to her own family, but to the community as a writer for a local Italian American Newspaper.  Her column, “Mamma Mia!” appears monthly and provides readers with humorous inspiration to preserve the Italian culture.

Whether its an article, a recipe, a craft project, or simply a story from her everday life as a “mamma,” Tiffany’s writings are sure to peak your interest.

Enjoy and thanks for visiting.

I don’t know if it’s the time of year or the fact that Italy is arguably the most beautiful place on earth…but I have been having these uncontrollable cravings for Italy.

I just want to be there. I don’t care where in Italy (although the Ponte Vecchio in Florence could make for some great Christmas shopping!) I just want to be there….now. The air is different there. Perhaps it’s the feeling you get being in a place where you can find the best of all Italian food on every corner. Then you can shop in the finest stores, see the most beautiful sights, and eat again! And just when you think you’ve eaten too much, it’s time for an afternoon nap. Oh, how I long for the Italian lifestyle….

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my American freedoms. It only takes one trip to Italy to realize that people only hang their clothes on the line to dry because washers/dryers are rarely found in homes. No one’s taking that modern convenience away from me, no sir. You won’t see me washing three kids’ laundry by hand and drying each piece on my balcony.

So, for that reason alone (Okay, and maybe a few others) I don’t think I could live in Italy all year long.

But spending 6 months a year in a vacation villa in Tuscany? Now you might have me convinced. I think the following pictures could twist anyone’s arm. These were taken by my very talented Aunt Josie, who has a great eye with the camera.

Don’t tell me you aren’t craving a trip to Italy now……