Mary Freeland | July 15, 2011
Have you been a victim of “fake” Italian food? If you’ve ever frequented an Olive Garden restaurant and ordered their “pastachetti”, then I hate to break the news to you. The answer is a resounding “si!” Neither the pastachetti, nor it’s sibling the “soffatelli”, were ever made by Nonnas in the Old Country.
Mary Freeland | June 30, 2011
If your budget doesn’t allow a jaunt to Italy this summer, don’t dismay. You can always visit from the comfort of your own sofa. All you need is a great movie, a glass of wine and some Parmesan flavored popcorn!
Mary Freeland | May 29, 2011
Finally, you’ll be treading the paths of daVinci, Michelangelo and Sofia Lauren! After booking the flights and securing accommodations, naturally thoughts turn to perhaps the most daunting part of travel…what to pack.
Mary Freeland | April 6, 2011
So, do your plans for Easter Sunday include church services, egg hunts, chocolate bunnies and big family dinners? Well, if so, you’re obviously not celebrating the holiday in Florence, Italy. Because if you were, pyrotechnics would be involved.
Mary Freeland | February 24, 2011
From blooming bulbs to sunlight streaming through open windows, spring brings beauty and inspiration. Here at Tuscan Home we’ve decided to pay homage to spring by bringing in some of our own muses from the Casa Cristina line.
Mary Freeland | November 18, 2010
Thanksgiving will fast be upon us here in the states. It’s not necessarily a holiday celebrated in Italy but this week we’ve brought a little Tuscany to your leftover turkey. The melding of two cultures to make a meal to be thankful for.
Mary Freeland | August 13, 2010
Sturdy, rustic, and timeless: wrought iron can infuse the right splash of Tuscan style into your dining room. Both beautiful and laid-back, wrought iron furniture and accents can help bridge the gap between formal and informal that homeowners often face when they are creating a Tuscan dining room.
Mary Freeland | August 6, 2010
The first step in creating the right mood for your Tuscan dining room is simply being aware that Americans tend to consider the dining room a formal space. Break free from rigid formality and use the laid-back feel of the Mediterranean countryside to create a welcoming, informal space in your Tuscan dining room. From an eclectic variety of furniture to bright dinnerware and simple table linens, it doesn’t take much to make your dining room look and feel cozily Tuscan!
Mary Freeland | August 4, 2010
As summer winds to a close gardens, and thus markets, are packed with the last bounty of the season. Often this bounty overflows and one knows little of how to deal with the excess. This week’s dish takes all the garden has to offer and combines it for a wonderful last taste of summer, which can be canned to last through the fall.
Mary Freeland | July 21, 2010
Wine is a wonderful cooking tool. It can be used to poach, blanch, saute and it enhances the flavor of nearly any dish. It is especially good in simple seafood dishes that the coastal regions in Tuscany are renowned for.
