Category Archives: Uncategorized

Italian Z’s, Part I: The Hot Z | ITALIAN LANGUAGE NUGGET o’ the week | Avoiding Pronunciation Landmines

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Jodina

Rather listen than read? ⇓ Podcast below ⇓ Just to set the record straight, this week’s Language Nugget isn’t about sleeping, Italian style 😉 Rather, we’ll be talking about the pronunciation of what I call the Hot Z. Just as … Continue reading →

Posted in italian podcast, italian pronunciation, Italian Vocabulary, learn italian, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

What IS Ferragosto?

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Jodina

Just what is this thing called Ferragosto? A midsummer Italian holiday, Ferragosto was originally linked to a celebration of the middle of summer, agricultural activity, and cycles of nature. The holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the … Continue reading →

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Lentils for Luck – Italian Recipe for a Prosperous New Year

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Jodina

Prefer to read this post in English? Skip to the text in green. Secondo l’usanza italiana, se ti vuoi assicurare di un nuovo anno fortunato, a Capodanno devi mangiare le lenticchie. Piatte e tonde, assomigliano le monete, e per … Continue reading →

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Auguri alle donne! | International Women’s Day

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Jodina

March 8th is International Women’s Day. This day is observed widely in many countries around the world. Oddly though, it is not observed in the United States. In fact, the first time I’d heard of it was shortly after I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Customs, Italian Holidays, learn italian, Uncategorized | Tagged Italian Culture, Italian Language, jodina, Learn Italian, MARCH 8 WOMEN'S DAY, mimosa | Leave a comment

Buoni propositi per l’anno nuovo | New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 5, 2015 by

[Note: Any text in Italian is followed by the English translation.] È giunto quel momento: un nuovo anno luccicante è iniziato! Un anno pieno di possibilità e buoni propositi, cioè tutti quegli atti e nobili intenzioni che vorremmo riuscire a … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Customs, Italian Holidays, learn italian, Uncategorized | Tagged italian expressions, Italian Language, italian new year's resolutions, italiano with jodina, Learn Italian, propositi anno nuovo, speak italian, study italian | 23 Comments

My blog is now registered with Bloglovin’!

Posted on November 22, 2014 by

Che emonzione! / Yay! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Gironzolando per Montepulciano | Strolling through Moltepulciano | Foto Blog

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jodina

[NOTE: This post is written in Italian, interspersed with the English translation.] Un gioiello di città di montagna: Montepulciano. Si trova nel cuore della regione del Vino Nobile a sudest di Firenze. È il paese di montagna più grande della … Continue reading →

Posted in italian travel, Italian Vocabulary, learn italian, Photo Foto Blog, Uncategorized | Tagged italian classes, Italian Culture, Italian Language, italy travel, montepulciano, speak italian | 13 Comments

Love, Italian Style | Amore all’italiana

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jodina

“Ti amo” or “Ti voglio bene”? That is the question for italophiles on this day of San Valentino. The answer, it turns out, depends on the object of your affection. “Ti amo” (I love you) is reserved for romantic loves, … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressions, Italian Holidays, Italian Vocabulary, learn italian, Uncategorized | Tagged i love you in italian, Italian Language, italian valentines day, Learn Italian, san valentino, ti amo, ti voglio bene | 10 Comments

A Love Affair with Nutella

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Jodina

Sarà vero che il burro di arachidi rappresenta per i bimbi americani ciò che la Nutella è per i ragazzi italiani — una crema gustosa (per i panini e le merende) al cui sapore ci si abitua sin dalla prima infanzia… … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Customs, Italian Food, Italian Holidays, Italian Vocabulary, learn italian, Uncategorized | Tagged Italian Culture, Italian Food, Italian Language, Learn Italian, Nutella, speak italian, world nutella day | 7 Comments

Risotto al melograno | Recipe Blog | Pomegranate Risotto

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Jodina

NOTE: This post is written in Italian, interspersed with the English translation (in Italics). Buone feste a tutti e spero che avete passato un bel Natale. Se fossimo in Italia saremmo ancora in festa. Il 26 dicembre, giorno di Santo … Continue reading →

Posted in italian cooking, Italian Food, Italian Holidays, italian recipes, Italian Vocabulary, learn italian, Uncategorized | Tagged Italian Cooking, Italian Culture, Italian Food, Italian Language, Italian Recipe, speak italian, study italian | 8 Comments