Thursday, February 12, 2009

Time Out for Research and a Give-Away

If you don't hear from me for a couple of weeks, it's not because I'm not thinking of you. It's because I'm heading off to Italy and won't be toting along my computer.

I'll spend some time visiting family and friends near Piacenza, then on to Padova for a few days. The last week I'll be skiing in the Italian Alps in the beautiful Val Gardena, a scenic valley in the mighty Dolomites, close to the Austrian border.

I'd love to be able to send you posts of the food I'll be eating, especially at my relatives in the Emilia-Romagna region (Did I ever tell you my cousin Lucia was Miss Tagliatella last year? Really!) but it will have to wait until I get back. I may get a chance to do a bit of blogspotting here and there, but computer connections are few and far between in the places where I'll be.

I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back but I look forward to tuning in as soon as I can. So many of you have fantastic blogs and it's been a pleasure to read your posts, try your recipes and get to know you through the blogosphere. You really are a creative, talented and helpful group of people.

So I've decided to have my first give-away. Since I won't be here for Valentine's Day, I thought I'd make it something chocolate. I don't know exactly what yet, since I plan to buy it in Italy, but you should be thinking chocolate candy.

The winner will be chosen at random, but the idea is to post a comment on what you think is the name of the drink in this picture. It's one of the reasons that makes skiing in Italy a unique and delicious experience.

Even if you don't know what it is, take a stab. You'll be included in the drawing even you come up with the wrong name. Winner will be announced when I come back in early March, so you can post comments for a couple of weeks. Until then, Happy Valentine's Day and happy blogging!

21 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fabulous & fun trip! The drink looks delicious, is it spiked eggnog?

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  2. I say it's a Shakerato, but why would you drink that in the winter?
    It's my favorite summer patio afternoon drink!

    Pick me to win a trip to Italy!
    I can be "Miss Summit, NJ"! Ha!

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  3. Hope you're having a great time in Italia! Wish I were there too! :(

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  4. Wow Linda, what a wonderful trip!
    Enjoy and stay safe skiing.

    The relatives always make the best meals and the ingredients in Italy are incomparably good.

    Could that drink be a cappuccino? Whatever it is it looks delicious!

    Looking forward to reading about your trip when you return!

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  5. Is it hot/warmed zabaglione with either ice-cream or cream?

    I hope you have a wonderful time and look forward to your next post. Best wishes, Sally

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  6. Have a great trip!
    I'm going to guess some kind of cappuccino/lemoncello mixer.

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  7. hmm, you should give us a hint - is it hot or cold? It loks great either way. hmmm... I'd say and Italian version of Irish Coffee?

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  8. That sounds like a fun trip - I can't wait to have my own after I go bombing down the mountain.

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  9. Tangerine and sherbert tini! Have a wonderful trip.

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  10. Whatever it is it sure looks good. Have a great trip.

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  11. It looks like the color of Vov, that eggy alcohol drink, but I can't imagine it served in such a large glass with what looks like panna montata...perhaps not the most conducive drink for an afternoon on the slopes? Buon viaggio!

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  12. I have idea what that drink is but Buon Viaggio!!

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  13. Questo e' un bombardino! It bombards you down the slopes!
    It beats a caffe' corretto con grappa.
    Anna

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  14. HAVE SO MUCH FUN Aunt Linda! I am jealous!

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  15. I have no idea so I am going to say a coffee drink of some sort...I would drink it this way!! Very cute!

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  16. Have fun! I can't wait to hear about your trip. It is a dream of mine to go to Italy.

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  17. Linda - hope you two are having a fantastic trip. Can't wait to see what other yummy treats you profile on the blog...

    The drink is a Bombardino (well, that's what the photo is labeled anyway). :) -- Lauren S

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  18. It is definitely a Bombardino, but I believe in some places, depending on the presentation (maybe a little less elegant) and the proportions (a little "more stronger" - much "more very stronger" after a few) it is the "let's hit the slopes again" warm up drink also-known-as caffè del Alpino (in reference to the military units who are notorious for their cold-weather northern-Italy reunions).

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  19. Have a great trip!

    Great call checking the filename dblvancap! The wikipedia confirms that a bombardino is and Italian ski drink.

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  20. Bombardino! I went skiing on Alpe di Siusi over the Holidays and there were a lot of people gulping them. I am a Gluewein gal myself, though.
    I like your blog and the fact that you are half Italian and coem back often unlike so many Italians that renegade their roots.
    Enjoy Val Gardena!!!
    Dollyna

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