Gretchen Grant
Assignment: Catalog Copy
This project involved writing vignettes to be used as "color commentary" within a housewares catalog, themed on a trip through the Italian countryside.
Introducing Cypress Home
Cypress Home grows into the future as boughs of evergreen deck mantels and entwine banisters. Join us in our journey, let us bring your home a note of the exotic, the whimsical, the chic. From our home to yours, Cypress Home's ceramics, textiles, and glass add an elegant note to your holiday table. Plan a party – plant a new tradition – celebrate with Cypress Home.
Snapshots
We walked out of the bright sunshine of the piazza and into the cool green tile of the gelaterie – and the scent just hit me: the sharp licorice tang of the pizzelles Gran used to make every year for Christmas. They were making some kind of cookie, a tiny rolled up tube of cookie to crunch with the frozen creaminess of the gelato (gelato is the highest incarnation of ice cream, if you ask me). But they smelled just like Gran's pizzelles – one whiff and I was transported. Eight years old, trying to sneak one off of the stacks underneath their blue plaid towels, curly ribbon waiting to adorn the bags destined for neighbors and friends. And Gran chasing us out of the kitchen waggling her wooden spoon!
We went to Monte Carlo! Standing on the grand staircase, I felt like I ought to be holding one of those long cigarette holders, engaging in witty repartee with a dashing man in a hat. A very Myrna Loy moment. We lost a little money at the roulette table, and then went outside to walk in the gardens. The lawns are so manicured they look like velvet throws punctuated by daubs of flowers. From the terraces on the sea side of the casino, we gazed at the dazzling Mediterranean while fountains babbled behind us.
Toured a vineyard today. The manor house sits at the top of the hill, the lines of vineyards gridding the hillside right up to its very walls. They led us by the rows of grapes and we saw two men stacking wooden crates of grapes onto a dilapidated truck. The scent of so-ripe crushed grapes filled the air - and bees zoomed around. The cellar was cool and dark, huge barrels lining the walls. An upended barrel was our "tasting table." My favorite was the sauvignon blanc - it made me think of new-mown grass with a note of that little burst of a just peeled orange. Can't wait to share a bottle over tonight's dinner.
Dinner was so amazing, I just had to have the recipe. Begged the server, and he said, no, no, no...but eventually "Nona" came out of the kitchen and looked me up and down, twice, nodded once...so here it is!
Gorgonzola Sauce for Pasta
Ingredients
2 oz. Gorgonzola cheese
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 fresh sage leaves
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/2 c. heavy cream
freshly ground black pepper, salt to tasteInstructions
Cut cheese into small pieces. Heat butter, sage, garlic in small saucepan. When the butter has just melted, add cheese, cream, and a good grinding of pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese has melted. Simmer one minute. Taste and correct seasoning (add salt if needed). Remove and discard sage, garlic. Serve over fresh, al dente pasta.
Lavender Wine Jelly
Ingredients
1/4 cup dried lavender leaves
2-1/2 cups boiling water
4-1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup white wine
A few drops of purple food coloring
1/2 bottle liquid pectin
Instructions
Sterilize jars and keep them hot. Prepare lids.
Pour boiling water over lavender and let steep 15 minutes. Strain, pour 2 cups of lavender mixture into saucepan. Stir in sugar, wine, and coloring. Heat to a full rolling boil. Stir constantly. Add pectin, return to the boil. Boil hard 1 minute while stirring constantly. Remove from heat, skim off foam. Ladle into jars to 1/2 inch of tops. Seal. Makes about 3 cups.
Postcards from Italy
Dear Sandy,
As I write this, I am sitting at the most adorable little cafe. Tiny round wrought iron tables dot the edge of the stone piazza. At the center of the piazza, a dolphin fountain burbles, spraying a mist into the air - you can see a rainbow if you hold your head just so. I'm sipping a mocha latte which is still too hot to drink - and thinking of our "emergency coffee runs" to Caffe Cafe. Wishing you were here (the guy at the next table is so your type!). See you soon,
Mia
Dear Gran,
Left Milan today for San Remo. Weather sparkling! We crested a hill and I was just blown away by the view. The clouds were perfect pillows of white broken by a golden sunbeam on the fields spread out like a quilt. Had a picnic lunch of bread and cheese we'd bought in the last village. The bread was still a little bit warm as we tried to cut it so we could only carve massive slices. Remember that Christmas when you'd made bread and it smelled so good we just couldn't wait until it cooled and the whole loaf just disappeared? Just like that. And we saw tomatoes growing wild by the side of the road.
Much love from both of us,
Mia
Dear Beth,
Italy is amazing! Yesterday we toured a beautiful castello. A round tower rises above the lake as if it's just awaiting the return of the fairy princess. A tiny spiral staircase wound up and up to the battlements - my legs were aching once we burst out into the sunshine. The lake shone like a mirror, sliced by a little triangle of sail. It was so tempting to yell down to the people in the garden maze, but I couldn't remember the Italian word for "right," so we left them to their own devices.
Must dash, miss you,
Mia
Coming Home
First snowfall. Fluffy white flakes float past my window as I sip hot chocolate. The last few fall leaves we missed disappear under forgetful snow. The shopping is done – I have no place I need to be. The cobalt blue of the vase we bought in Milan rests on my kitchen windowsill, deep blue against the gently falling snow outside. The kitchen is rich with the smell of anise and cinnamon, the biscotti in the oven nearly golden. Toes tucked under the soft fleece, I watch the snow fall.