Italian Food Detectives!

I'm always interested in new words. In June, I came across two interesting Italian words which I had seen before, but in  a different context. Bizarrely, both relating to crime!

Bob and I greatly enjoy the Inspector Montelbano books, written by Andrea Camilleri, and set in Italy. The great thing about this Sicilian policeman - apart from his crime solving skills - is his great love of food. 

Every episode shows him at some point, enjoying a good meal. This was the reason Bob and I chose Sicily for our holiday in 2016 [a special birthday gift from Liz and Steph] We wanted to visit this beautiful island and enjoy its particular cuisine.

When Julian came to visit us last month, he brought me a 'hostess gift'. Totally unnecessary, but delightful [thanks J!]

From Borough Market, he'd got some almond cantucci biscuits - a delicious Tuscan delight we have enjoyed before. Wonderful dunked in coffee!

And secondly a pot of intriguing  spread...

Pasticceria Camilleri. I thought at first this was the Italian for Pistachio Spread - which is the most delicious tasting topping for bread or toast. A sort of upmarket peanut butter, in a Farrow and Ball sage green colour. But no, it turns out Camilleri is a relatively common Sicilian surname, and Pasticerria means Pastry Chef.

Around thirty years ago, I discovered the US Author Patricia Cornwell. She has written nearly thirty novels using a character based on Marcella Farinelli Fierro, who was the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia for many years. Cornwell called her criminal pathologist Kay Scarpetta. In the 16th book, Cornwell reveals that the name Scarpetta means "little shoe" - and makes a comparison with the name Caligula which means "little boot"

Now I have known for a long time that Ciabatta means "slipper" and was actually invented in 1982 as a rival to the French baguette.

But the Italians clearly have an obsession with food and footwear - they have a phrase fare la scarpetta a tavola,  that is "to make a shoe at the table". To tear off a piece of bread and use it to wipe the bowl, enjoying every last scrap of ragu sauce or whatever.

One crime solver has led me to pistachio spread, another to a useful piece of bread, I have taken to asking Bob if he'd like a Scarpetta with his meal!

Warm, Wonderful Weekend

Saturday was bright and sunny for the Duck Race. Organised by "Friends of All Saints" - a group who work to preserve the Parish Church, a listed building.
There were lots of gazebos around the large field which is the 'back garden' of Castle Farm. As well as all the usual commercial stalls, [face painting, gifts, cosmetics, etc]  FOAS had kindly given space to Dereham Cancer Care and The Shed Project - two local community groups. The person with the bear head must have been so hot. There was an also an area with games [Hook the Duck, Cornhole Toss, Pot-the-Marbles etc]
Loads of people came to look at the Shed Stand - I'd made a big display poster with photographs of projects the men have done, and pictures of their refurbished workspace.

Bob had a collection of woodworking related books old and new - dating back to Victorian tool catalogues. Adults appreciated a seat in the shade- and children loved making their little boats - all the blanks got used up. Parents were grateful for "A purposeful activity, which is also free' as one person described it.
We gathered on the bank to watch the ducks come home. My duck [#0827] did not come in the first three. The winner was #1235. I believe the prizes were £100, £50, £25 and £10. There was over £1000 raised just on duck tickets. I'm not sure how much was raised in total but there were a lot of folk there.

 Once the race was done, and the boats were all built, at about 1.15, I went and queued for lunch - but when the couple in front of me reached the head of the line, we were told there was no hot food left. I bought a frozen yogurt with mixed berries on top which we shared. Later he was given some tea by the FOAS ladies [because he had fixed their urn at the start of the day] and another yogurt by the lady at that van [he'd provided the necessary heavy duty power extension so they could run their fridge] We were home by 5, and Bob cooked a splendid meatballs-in-pasta sauce evening meal. We flopped in front of the TV!

Sunday was another lovely day, we began with a brief worship service at church, followed by our AGM. Not a dull meeting - but one full of joy as we looked back at all the exciting things we had done during the year - and gave thanks for all God's blessings. We miss the two members who have moved to Bath, and remembered our dear friend Jason who died at Christmas - but rejoiced that we have gained seven new members, and we have a growing congregation. 
And we celebrated the fact the Daphne has been a member for 60 years, with a bring&share lunch, and cake! She was presented with a hamper of food, a card, a Certificate of Appreciation and a gift token from the Garden Centre. Wendy had organised the food, so we had a really delicious spread, with something for everyone.

I feel very blessed to be surrounded by so many kind and generous people. Saturday I met many new people, some of whom I hope to keep in touch with. Sunday I was with old friends [I first met Daphne in 1965!] And the sun shone.
And this is the start of another busy week...

Three Blind Mice

 Well, to be accurate, six headless mice! They do look a bit sinister...

I've progressed a little further - but completion was slightly delayed as I waited for the eyes. I've been using my original prototypes [or Adam and Eve as I have been calling them] as models for the outfits, and working on different costumes.
This is a definite learning curve. I have realised that the mice need a little bit of support to stand. 

As I don't want them lounging drunkenly against the walls of Museum, I have retrofitted their tails with lengths of green garden wire. These can then be bent into shape to support the mice. Future creatures will have the wires inserted earlier in the construction. This reel of wire was purchased at Gillingham SavaCentre,  in 1982. I used a few feet of it making a mobile to hang over the baby's cot.
Mr and Mrs Noah plus ark, and a few animals dangled and swung over baby Liz, and then Steph. I still have the felt ark somewhere!I have used the reel often since, so cannot complain that I have not had my money's worth [£1.45]
As I make these, I am considering carefully how I will make future animals for the shop. They are quite fiddly, and these are not as consistent as I'd like [but as they will be in six different rooms, and I'm not charging the Museum for them, that's ok.] 
I'm alarmed to see that some similar felt mice are on sale online for over £60. I would not dream of charging that much - maybe the people who make those need to cover the cost of their time as well as materials.
How is it July already? Where is the time going?