Four years ago today I sat down at my computer and took a deep breath and started this blog. I love to write, love to cook and love all things Italian and so it seemed like the right thing to do. I’m happiest when I’m in the kitchen and when I’m in Italy and so connecting with others with the same interests through this blog has been a great addition to my life. There are days when I’m uninspired, both in the kitchen and with the written word and on those days, I do not post anything here. It just seems frivolous for me to write just anything for the sake of blogging.
In honor of my anniversary and as a big grazie to you, my readers, I’m doing another give-away. This book In Late Winter We Ate Pears, is part cookbook and part memoir written by a couple who spent a year in Italy, eating, cooking and becoming inspired by the food there. Upon their return home they opened a bakery which turned into an osteria in Vermont called Pane e Salute (which means bread and health). The name came from a hundred year old bakery they visited during their stay in Tuscany. I’m happy to say that I too have been there various times as it’s in Arezzo’s centro. I love this book as it exemplifies the simplicity of the food of Italy.
Leave me a comment between today and October 15th and you’ll be entered to win this heartwarming book.
Panini Girl 
October 7, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I’m happy to leave a comment and if I “win” the cookbook, it sounds like a great cookbook to read. I am actually not a cook at all, but I am enamored with your blog. In fact, when I come to Italy, I want to meet you. My husband and I have in our vision (after retirement in 4 years) a 3 month stay in Italy so when I recently ran into your blog, it was perfect. I talk about Paninigirl with him all the time. She cooked this, she said that, look at these photos. Funny how words can create connections amongst strangers this way. Keep on, keepin’ on.
October 9, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Karen-I wish I could say that I’m already living in Italy, but not quite yet! I do try to spend as much time there as I possible can each year. Lucky you planning on a 3 month stay-we hope to do the exact same thing-well-in a perfect world it would be a year stay…
October 7, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Happy Blogversary! I like being frivolous that is life and I blog frivolously!
I also enjoy your blog recipes and pictures all of it. I don’t find anyone’s life frivolous afterall it is your life!
October 7, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Happy Anniversary Pannigirl!! The book sounds lovely and reminds me to not give up on my goal to get to Arezzo one day. Our weather has changed here in socal. It really feels like autumn and comfort food cooking weather. Looking at that cover, a rustic pear tart is in order.
Ciao Bella
October 7, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Congrats and love your blog! In 2 years my husband and I will be in Italy for 6 months and buying local and cooking is at the top of my list. Cook book sounds amazing, I love recipe books that have stories included! I read them like books!
October 7, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Happy Anniversary like your blog alot
October 7, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Looking forward so much to my time with you in Lucca next spring! In the meantime, I am enjoying your blog and trying your recipes. With pretty good success!
October 9, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Karleen-I look forward to cooking with you in Lucca in the spring.
October 7, 2011 at 5:18 pm
I stumbled upon your blog this week and have been salivating ever since, as well as dreaming of our next trip to Italy. We travel by bike, although some would say we travel on our stomachs. The nice thing about our chosen transportation is that we see the countryside and then enjoy its bounty at the table, without worries of calories. At home, our kitchen is full of Italy on a nearly daily basis. We now have a constant supply of recipes coming in…what a treat.
October 7, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Congratulations! I am new to your blog and enjoying it very much. After spending a week in Lucca this past spring we can’t wait to return. Keep up the good work and wonderful recipes.
October 7, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Congrats – Thank you for all your great posts & beautiful pictures
October 7, 2011 at 9:21 pm
What a delightful title….In Late Winter We Ate Pears! How I love it and your give-away! Once again, your blog makes me smile.
Happy Anniversary!
October 7, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Congrats-without your blog, I wouldn’t have met you-so three cheers to you and your wonderful blog Panini GIrl!!
October 9, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Linda Lou-a big thank you to you for turning me on to this great book-let’s get together and cook something from it!
October 7, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Congratulations on your anniversary! I really enjoy your blog – the stories, photos and recipes are so enjoyable. I am looking forward to many more years of happy reading!
October 7, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Happy Anniversary on your blog! I’m like you, when I am uninspired I cannot be my usual self including blogging! I have not blogged since my summer flowers were bright and beautiful. I broke the silence yesterday, however, still, I don’t feel like blogging or cooking! Your wonderful blog however is very inspirational and most likely will make me snap out of my blues! Great blog, I look forward to reading every post!
October 7, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Congrats , I truly enjoy your blog,filled with wonderful pictures, recipes, and stories of Italy.
Having visited Lucca last spring, I can totally relate to your addiction!
October 8, 2011 at 12:00 am
Happy blogiversary! This book seems like the perfect read, just like your blog is. Wish you many more years of success.
October 8, 2011 at 12:01 am
Happy Anniversary. Like you, I love all things Italian! I enjoy your blog ^ the recipes. Keep up yhe good work.
October 8, 2011 at 3:53 am
Tanti auguri! Thank you for the wonderful recipes.
October 8, 2011 at 9:41 am
October 7th 4 years ago was also a very memorable day for me. Unexpectedly my husband died. I never thought I would cope.. or continue. However with the help of my love of Italy and all things Italian…. language classes, cooking Italian recipes and your wonderful blog.. here I am 4 years later living a great life. I have bought a house in Tuscany, not far from Lucca nr Bagni and have a loving new partner to share all things Italian with.. thank you for your inspiring blog. I love the recipes.. and love the photos taken in and around Lucca. Con affetto
October 9, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Lovely Leslie-I am so glad to hear that you have found happiness again and in such a beautiful part of the world.
October 8, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hi Panini Girl,
I’d love to speak with you about Arezzo! We stayed in Arezzo for 5 nights in 09. My husband enjoyed the master class fizharmonica, in Chiusi Della Verna and we picked Arezzo to stay. We too loved it! I’d love to browse the cookbook and think of Arezzo and Italy.
October 8, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Congrats Panini Girl, Love your blog and have shared with many. Keep the blogs coming. Enjoy everyone of them. Thanks
October 8, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Auguri! Congrats on the blog-iversary and thanks for the giveaway!
October 8, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Happy Blogiversary. I’ve seen that book in the bookstores and have even picked it up. It looks really interesting.
October 9, 2011 at 8:05 am
Happy Blogversary! I am so happy you decided to start blogging because I love following along, your words, pictures and recipes are inspiring!
October 9, 2011 at 11:57 am
Congratulations on your lovely blog.
I love to win the book!
October 12, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Congrats on your anniversary and on a blog well done! 🙂
Hope to see you in southern Italy sometime and share a prosecco to celebrate!
October 19, 2011 at 12:00 am
Valerie-I hope we’ll be down your way on our next trip. So much exploring to do!
October 13, 2011 at 1:31 am
Living in Italy is a dream goal and emulating it in Boston a reality. It is possible to live dolce vita anywhere. My husband’s family is from outside Rome and also Sicily and we dream about our next visit on the plane home from the last. It has been too long and a new voyage is in the works. Oh, if it could only be today! Happy anniversary on your scrumptious blog! it is wonderful!
October 18, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Donna-I agree with you about recreating Italy here at home.I try yo do a little of that each and every day. Boston is the perfect place to make that happen-I used to live there!
October 15, 2011 at 12:57 am
I just found your blog via Ciao Chow Linda. I enjoyed the first two posts I read and now I will be off to read more. This book sounds like a good read…you can learn so much about people when you know what they are eating.
October 18, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Black Eyed Susans Kitchen-welcome and thanks for stopping by. I just love Linda’s blog-great recipes and travel too.