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Are We Really Superwomen?

A panel discussion to commemorate International Women's Day, March 8, will be presented by AWAR under the auspices of the Fact Forum Chair. A distinguished international panel of guest speakers will share their personal, cultural and professional experiences as foreigners in Rome. Many of the guest speaker's experiences will be similar to yours as we juggle everyday living, careers, families, etc. in a country foreign to many of us or, simply, where we did not grow up but we now call home. Free entrance. Members please see the inside calender for details.

Our March General Meeting

Enjoy the presentation of a noted writer and publisher with her latest book. Refreshments will be served. Members please see the inside calendar for RSVP and details.

Festa della Donne Poem by Barbara Palmer

A woman must create a path
between her heart and her desire
She will stand many places in her life
wondering what lies over the horizon

On the shore of the ocean, waves lapping at her feet
in forests, breathing air as fresh as the day she was born
in deserts, the night sky glittering with stars while meteors fall like rain
on city streets surrounded by a thousand other lives

She will meet bandits and boon companions
Live solo or hand in hand with another
Have her own children or find other beings to mother
Keep her friends close and her mind open

If she stays aware the sight of rainbows will fill her heart with joy

as will the brush strokes of the northern lights
she will hear the songs of angels, despite the roar of distant wars
and the crystal tapping of hail, amid the honey voice of summer.

[Festa della Donne is March 8]

The Earthquake Quilt by Susan Fiorentino

When “Quilt e Dintorni” (the Italian quilt guild of Rome) announced their participation with “Quilt Italia” (the Italian national quilt guild) for members to stitch quilts for the Abruzzo Earthquake Victims, as a member of both, I enthusiastically supported the project. In Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, an AWAR Activity - Amy, Beth, Jeanne, Roberta, Patrizia and Maria Grazia also applauded the project. Now to turn good intentions into an actual quilt!

I looked in my 10 year-old fabric stash which contains a variety of colors, prints (large scale and small) and sizes from less than a fat quarter to 8 YARDS. (Why did I think I needed to buy all that leopard print?) And was convinced there wasn’t a quilt in that collection of miss-matched fabrics. Why did I volunteer to make a quilt? And then I remembered…. it's not the quilt itself but the thought behind the quilt - the gift of love from one person to another.

2010 Friendship Quilt

"Tea Trade," the 2010 FAWCO Friendship Quilt, was inspired by the concept of global connections. With 70 blocks and 50 international contributors, it is a good example of the way women all over the world can work together for a common goal. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the FAWCO Foundation's Education Awards and Development Grants. Thanks to all the quilters who sent blocks! Many of them will come to the FAWCO Conference in Boston this March to have their pictures taken next to their blocks.

Contributed by Roberta Zollner, Nimble Thimble Member and FAWCO Master Quilt Maker

March Coffee Morning

The Neighborhood Coffee will be held adjacent to one of the most famous locations in all Rome - the Trevi Fountain! Your elevated view of the Trevi Fountain, below, is by far, THE most photogenic panorama. Bring your camera and meet friends of long-standing and greet new friends, too. A perfect way to share a chilly winter morning in Rome. AWAR members, please visit the inside calendar for RSVP & details.

Lenten Fare Foods by Ippolita Venturi

Staple ‘lenten fare’ is fish. Most open air markets will have fresh fish on Tuesdays and Fridays, same days apply to fish stores (pescherie) and of course frozen fish is available at all times. All fresh fish mongers will clean, gut, & scale the fish if you ask; a courtesy tip is expected for the ‘cleaners,’ usually placed in a glass conveniently at hand. Try these healthy and easy recipes; both are fine for sea bream (orata), sea bass (spigola), red snapper (dentice) blue snapper (sarago). Both go very well with simply poached potatoes and a mixed salad. Please click Read More for the recipes and Comments for printer friendly copies.

1. Citrus baked fish

2. Fish with herbs and wine

Quaresima or Lent: God's Diet by Ippolita Venturi

Traditionally, Ash Wednesday closes the Carnival period. All remaining meat products were burned and the period of Lent began. This is a period of penance and atonement in which the Christian world prepares itself to first mourn and then hail the Saviour by imitating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, hence the Italian Quaresima. This was ‘magro’ time (magro literally means: thin, skinny, fat-less) in which no meat and animal products were allowed. Parallels can be found in the Islamic month of Ramadan during which Muslims are to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk; and in the three weeks of semi-mourning the Jews comply with between the 17th of Tammuz and fast of Tisha Be’Av.

Originally, during the 40 days of Lent a diet of vegetables, grains, fish (not considered ‘meat’) was followed; oil was the only ‘fat’ acceptable; no milk, butter, cheese, yogurt were permitted. Huge discussions were held on the nature of eggs. Finally, unfertilised eggs were allowed as they were not meat and would never become so. Lent Wednesdays were full fasting days (meaning one subsided on bread and water); all Sundays in Lent have always been excluded, allowing for a brief respite. Wine, sex, gambling, etc., was of course not allowed. But beer was, as it comes from grain, and not from the vine. Obviously, children, pregnant women, the elderly and the ill were not obliged to follow this diet.

February Neighborhood Coffee Gathering

Enjoy a morning cup of coffee, friends and spectacular scenery in a country-side home, just minutes from Rome.

Carnevale Sweets by Ippolita Venturi

Carnival sweets are rich in fats: they all call for butter and used to be fried in suet. Today generally extra virgin olive oil is used. Please click comments for printer friendly copies.

1. Castagnole.

Ingredients: 300 gr. flour; 60 gr. melted butter; 100 gr. sugar; 2 eggs; 1 small glass of rum (or other spirit); the grated peel of 1/2 lemon; 1tsp. of baking powder; 1 pinch salt; suet or oil to fry with.

In a bowl beat the eggs; add in this order, the sugar, the salt, the peel, the rum, the butter and baking powder. Mix well, then knead the dough on the table. Let it rest a few minutes then, taking small portions of the dough, roll into thumb-size pieces, and divide them into 1 in. long bits. Fry them in small batches in the hot, but not smoking, suet or oil until puffed and golden, transfer with slotted spoon to a paper towel to absorb excess oil, roll in granulated sugar and serve.

2. Frappe.

Ingredients: 500 gr. flour; 125 gr. sugar; 40 gr. butter melted; 3 eggs; 3-4 tbsp. grappa (or white wine), 1 tsp. salt; suet or oil to fry with.

Beat eggs, reserve. Place 450 gr. flour on table, add sugar and salt, then make a small hole in the centre of the mound, add the eggs, the butter, the grappa. Mix and work the whole very thoroughly; adding the remaining flour as you go. Knead until you have a firm, smooth, elastic ball. Allow to rest for 20 min. Then roll out into a thin sheet (2 mm.); cut with dented wheel into 5 by 15 cm strips; cut again down the length and tie these into bows, knots, etc; or cut onto lozenge shapes. Fry two or three at a time in hot suet or oil turning them to allow them to colour on both sides. With slotted spoon transfer to absorbent paper to blot off excess fat, sprinkle with sugar and serve.