A POSTCARD FROM FRASCATI ITALY

Frascati, a sweet little town about an hour east by train from Rome was a special little day trip when Adolph and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversay May 1996. It is in the Castelli region known for its wine. On the train ride, vineyards everywhere- those fields of grape vines terraced  on hills were seen.

The Villa Aldobrandini is shown in the top postcard. Every town and corner in Italy has a chuch. Chiesa del Gesu, Il Duomo and San Rocco are featured.

Castel Gandolfo is a summer home for the pope. Pope John was the one in 1996. Lots of fountains in every piazza of course.
A side view of the time of the town with the Campo sportivo- sports field.

More pretty views of the town and area. Little towns like this make venturing anywhere in Italy fun. Just watch some of those modern cooking shows with cooks wandering around Italy. The town is known for its porcetta-spiced pork! Hum, maybe a day trip some day for my cook!
If you would like a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com, I will give you my address so you can send me a postcard!

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY THOUGHTS

41 years married to the same man! Do I deserve a medal or does he? Last year we travelled to Montreal and Ottawa after a special lunch with the family! One year on our 25th we went to Rome, Italy for a week with a little side trip to Frascati! Since then I like to buy a bottle of wine from the region as a special reminder of that trip!

What makes a marriage work? I think a sense of humour is the best ingredient. When you drive each other nuts, laughter is a good remedy!

Happy Anniversary not only to us but to all the couples out there!

VISITING WORLD WINERIES

It's on my bucket list to visit and tour as many wine regions of the world. My favourite is white wine although I will drink red wine if it suits the dinner. On three occasions, wine regions have been visited. On our anniversary trip to Italy in 1996, Adolph and I took a day trip to Frascati- a small town in the Colli Albani- the small towns- just an hour from Rome. By train we passed many vineyards terraced on hill sides. Frascati is famous for its Villas and white wine. Since that trip I have enjoyed the wine Frascati and Fontana di Papa -two wines from the region even though there are many more. It helps to remind me of that special vacation. Near my folks in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia is the winery- Mission Hill. Took a tour there and was able to sample their fine wines. The Okanagan Valley is noted for its fruit belt and wineries- large and small. I will buy a bottle from that region occasionally to support the industry there. The Niagara region in Ontario is famous of course for Niagara Falls but due to the Niagara Escarpment is able to produce fruit and of course vinelands for many wineries. Several years ago Adolph's social club was hosting a day trip to the area, lunch at Brock's Monument and tours of several wineries- Jackson Triggs and Carolines to name two. My goal for the trip was to buy a bottle from the various wineries and they continued to be enjoyment at several dinners after that tour. Niagara is also known for the famous Canadian Ice Wine. It is always interesting that every year the right cold must happen to pick the grapes at the right moment to make the wine. On one trip to Italy our Ice Wine was a special gift to a cousin there. Europe has many fine wines but not Canadian Ice Wine. So three tours already completed. I like a nice white wine from South Africa called Two Oceans- maybe one day I will tour there. Love the wines from the Rhineland- know there is a wonderful boat cruise down the Rhine stopping at several locations- sounds inviting doesn't it? California has some great wines- love to tour there. That Mateus- white, rose from Portugal- a vacation there would be okay. Of course, the wines of France- their vineyards would be wonderful to visit. And I hear the cheese is good. Wine and cheese parties every day! Australia has some wines- don't know if they are great but the continent itself would be a wonderful place to see anyway. Russia is known for Vodka- like wine but maybe it has possibilities too to visit. Have you toured any wineries? Do you even like wine? Is there a wine region you would like to visit? Do you like white wine or red- or really do not care! Maybe you are a beer drinker- hear there are some great beer tours like in Belguim that has more beer than any other country and a glass for each kind!