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Simple Joyful Food

eat happily

live happily

Living in a Foreign Language, A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy.

October 27, 2010 3 Comments
Are you looking for a happy-go-lucky read?
A week ago I purchased a paperback at Borders in Rogers from the 50% off table.  It had all the makings of what I like:  non-fiction with a story, discussions about food, wine, Italy, and it was 50% off!
Bingo.
I have to tell you… this is such a delightful book!
Immediately it held my attention because the author, Michael Tucker, is happily-in-love with his soul mate for the past 35+ years, Jill Eikenberry.  Yes, these are the two actors from the hit 80s/90s television series L.A. Law.
This 252 page book details their adventures purchasing a 350 year old stone house in Umbria, Italy, and their quest to afford to make Italy a year-long adventure and not only a twice a year seasonal event.  Originally published in 2006, it is neither outdated nor dull.
Sautéed throughout the pages are delightful tales of Mikey (that’s what his friends call him and yes, I do feel like one now) discovering local butchers who have their passionate preparation techniques that have been handed down for generations, the joys of savoring the simplicity that is so revered by Italians and their cooking, his initial falling in love with the enormous pizza oven on his grounds and then the awe he felt when he learned it was constructed 50 years prior to the building of the home as the communal baking oven for the townspeople.  Oh, and the tales about wine and grappa, and more wine, and more grappa. Ahhhh… bella!  Beautiful!
I cannot wait to cook some of his recipes he worked in as he told his stories.
The other element that was seasoned throughout the pages was tales of friendships found.  I actually felt wistful as I lived, (momentarily as literature so easily provides) through the day-in and day-out interactions with friends and towns people, laughed as I read about over-the-top gluttonous food focused parties, and marveled at the ease of companionship they made with friends while living in Umbria.
Sigh… I realize I am missing out getting to know friends and family in such a comfortable way.
This book is a must read for anyone who has ever been to Italy, wants to visit Italy, ever dreamed of moving to Italy or ever dreamt of escaping for a while in a foreign land.  This book is also for anyone who loves the incorporation of simplistic foods that have been gently prodded to bring out its fullest flavor.
This book is for anyone who dreams of slowing down in life, with the loves of their lives, and with the fullest love of life.
Happy reading!
 
 
 
P.S.  Family, friends, or if you are local, feel free to drop me an email if you want to borrow the copy of my book.  Otherwise anyone can purchase it at Borders in Rogers, or Borders online, or Amazon online. 

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Working on a healthy food lifestyle? Might I suggest “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan? Living in thankfulness. Mi Scusi. I’ve just been to Italy.

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  1. cmricha2 says

    October 28, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    Sounds very interesting. I'll take you up on the offer once I finish my current read.

    Reply
  2. nwafoodie says

    October 28, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    cmricha2,

    It's yours when you are ready!

    Reply
  3. Arkansas Women Bloggers says

    November 13, 2010 at 2:23 am

    Hi! We just wanted to take a moment to let you know about the upcoming Arkansas Women Bloggers get-together that will be held at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock on December 11th. Join us for food, fun and GIVEAWAYS and a chance to meet your fellow women blogger! Please RSVP on our website if you plan to attend. You can find a button on the left side of http://arkansaswomenbloggers.blogspot.com.

    Reply

hellooooo Foodie!

author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogHi! My name is Lyndi Fultz, and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains that span Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.

I’m a foodie on a journey to EAT HAPPILY and LIVE SIMPLY. Learning and encouraging along the way and writing about it here on Simple Joyful Food.

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simplejoyfulfood

On a journey to EAT HAPPILY and LIVE SIMPLY. Learning and encouraging along the way and writing about it. Local eats @nwafoodie

Lyndi Fultz
Simple isn’t just about food.⁠ ⁠ It’s a mi Simple isn’t just about food.⁠
⁠
It’s a mindset.⁠
⁠
Planning.⁠
Preparing.⁠
Organizing.⁠
Dreaming.⁠
Planting.⁠
Storing.⁠
Design.⁠
⁠
Joyful isn’t just about being happy.⁠
⁠
It’s a mindset.⁠
⁠
Details.⁠
Senses.⁠
Taste.⁠
Good taste.⁠
Uplifting.⁠
Encouraging.⁠
⁠
Food isn’t just about eating.⁠
⁠
It’s about 360-degree touchpoints.⁠
⁠
Laughter.⁠
Joy.⁠
Experimenting.⁠
Sharing.⁠
⁠
What would you add?⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Ever wonder why a crackling fire draws you towards Ever wonder why a crackling fire draws you towards it like a moth to a flame? The fire’s warmth is more than just heat; the foods you cook on a flame add more than nourishment.⁠
⁠
One of my favorite memories as a kid growing up in the Research Triangle in North Carolina was the annual church hayride at the country home of our friends, the Barbours. We lived in a suburb of the state capital, close to physically yet far away from life on the outskirts of town filled with Tobacco fields, cotton patches, and red dirt roads. ⁠
⁠
The Barbours had some farm that my little self couldn’t comprehend. In reality, they may have had just land, yet to me; land meant a farm. And besides, they had a big ol’ barn, tractors, and hosted the annual hayride.⁠
⁠
My favorite part of the memory was the firepit, where everyone gathered around, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company. It didn’t matter if you were a kid or elderly. ⁠
⁠
You may think, “But I don’t have a fireplace or firepit! What can I do?” ⁠
⁠
Improvise.⁠
⁠
Youtube a crackling fireplace video or a firepit on a beach. Dim the lights and turn the crackle up. Invite yourself to a friend’s home with ample backyard and offer to bring ‘smores. Go to a park.⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Food and drinks are necessities of life that susta Food and drinks are necessities of life that sustain us, and small, simple touches can make our meals some of our happiest moments of the day. ⁠
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If you know anything about me, you already know that I think that simple things are the best.⁠
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A favorite pepper grinder.⁠
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The mug that reminds you of your happy place.⁠
⁠
Fresh-picked wildflowers.⁠
⁠
Honeycomb.⁠
⁠
First cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.⁠
⁠
What are some of yours?⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Webster’s Dictionary has two excellent definitio Webster’s Dictionary has two excellent definitions for the word nourishment. One is “to provide with food,” and the other is “to provide for,” to provide support.⁠
⁠
I love that.⁠
⁠
Just as food sustains and keeps us alive, feeling supported sustains us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s how we build bonds, friendships, and hope for the future.⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
“Stop sneaking the spiced candied pecans!” I s “Stop sneaking the spiced candied pecans!” I said this not once, not twice, but almost three times before Dennis beat me to say those words again. “I’m sneaking some more,” he happily declared.⁠
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I’m delighted that he was enjoying them! I assured him that he could have allllll that his little heart desired… he just had to allow me to take a few photos for you!⁠
⁠
You see these spiced candied pecans are simple and easy go-to appetizers that we should always have the ingredients on hand. For those “just in case” moments when… ⁠
⁠
…Oh forget it! Every day is the perfect moment!⁠
⁠
Link in bio for the recipe!⁠
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#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
here’s a special bonding moment when you raise a here’s a special bonding moment when you raise a glass and give a toast, followed by that happy clink. Here’s why I think giving thanks and appreciating everyday moments are essential.⁠
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Salud!⁠
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To Your Health!⁠
⁠
Cheers!⁠
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Did you know that folks in the UK will use the word “cheers” as “thank you?” From wedding toasts to praising someone for remarkable achievement, raising a glass with a special someone is a special bonding moment.⁠
⁠
I love that part about “cheers” and “thank” can be the same. ⁠
⁠
Have you ever wanted to become more thankful? More grateful? More appreciative of, well, everything that we take for granted?⁠
⁠
Why not give thanks and cheer a little more often?⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
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“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

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