Become a Consumer to Save the World

That's right, think about it.  If we only buy what we need most of the world's population will be out of work, because the amount of labor required to produce our basic needs is very little.  It's all that stuff we don't really need that provides work and creates thriving economies.  So get rid of the old and buy the new.  But this does not mean we can ignore the environmental impact from our activities.  Recycling and developing low carbon sources of energy for example can all be part of the cycle.  Increased government income from taxes in a growing economy can be used to clean up the environment whereas in a stagnant economy the money for this is not there.

Cook Book Italian

Well I have mentioned this a few times but I have to keep trying.  If you are willing to help us out a little go to the book site blog - http://booksbyhelmmelacini.blogspot.it/ then click on one of the Amazon sites.  If you are a registered Amazon client you can just click like to give us a little boost in the ratings.  But of course you could also buy one.

John Wayne "The Alamo"

Here are a few fun pictures taken during the making of the movie "The Alamo".  My grandfather was a cameraman who started way back as a stunt man and driver.  He later became a director of photography.  He worked most of his working life for Warner Brothers but he was friends with and often invited by Wayne to work independently on his films.

Little Italy

Check out this video of Belluno.  They call it Little Italy, but what they mean to say is Italy off the beaten path, the cities most tourists don't know about.
http://vimeo.com/54659308

Julia's Next School

We had a little visit to the school Julia will probably attend next.  It is the scientific high school in Belluno.  The first two of the five years is at another school and the last three at this one.  I was favorably impressed with the program, the teachers and the president of the school, but the facilities, the building, were something out of a third world country.  Really sad to see.

What we are up to

Things are quiet here, it's too cold to do much outside even though we have clear skies.  There is no rain in sight and no snow in the mountains.  I have finished my two cookbooks and made another little one on how to make a book using Microsoft Powerpoint.  The how to book is based on what I learned in doing one myself without any instructions.  I also included a section on how to turn the paper version into a Kindle version. 

Also last week I finished the first go around on a little remodel project in California, it's nice to be able to keep working there even if I am in Italy.  Thanksgiving was a total loss this year as we don't have the day off, the kids were all busy with school and we don't really have any local American friends.  I may cook a turkey or part of one in the next few days just to get some idea of the feeling. 

This coming week I will also finish my review of VectorWorks 2013 and send it off to interested publishers, as well as post it on my architecture blog.  And then Luisa and I will focus on starting the organization of a children's museum in Belluno.  It is an idea we have had for a long time, but now we have the backing of the city.  They don't really have any money for it, but why let that stop us.  Donations will be accepted.

Giovanni and I continue our karate classes but he is out for a couple of weeks with a broken toe.  He broke it running around the gym at last weeks Sunday karate class.  It had nothing to do with karate really, he was warming up running and stubbed it when a kid stopped in front of him. 

I am thinking that maybe I will pay more attention to the blog for a while instead always posting on facebook.  And by the way, how about clicking on those google ads you see here.  You might find something interesting.  You would be doing me a big favor as well.

Have a look at our book site

I have organized a blog for our books. Please have a look and maybe order a book or two. They make great Christmas gifts. Scroll down to find the latest one about how you can make your own book and publish it on Amazon. I include instructions also for making the Kindle version: http://booksbyhelmmelacini.blogspot.it/

We have just created a new version of the cookbook aimed at a more general audience and probably a good Christmas gift for your friends who like Italian food.  It is based upon the Camping book with added recipes.  It can be found on these sites:

If you are in the US check out this site first and buy it there,

https://www.createspace.com/4031314

http://tinyurl.com/8fn734h      United States

http://tinyurl.com/8hpvny4      United Kingdom

http://tinyurl.com/8m2p4sk     Germany

http://tinyurl.com/9z994uu      France

http://tinyurl.com/9cv64ey          Italy

http://tinyurl.com/9ngyxaz          Spain

 

The addresses below give direct access to the book locations on Amazon, no need to search.

In the US, unless you are an Amazon prime member with free shipping, order it from this site as it is the one that benefits us the most due to our own efforts at advertising.

https://www.createspace.com/3994448

Otherwise use any of the fallowing Amazon sites depending on your location:

http://tinyurl.com/9cs5byj   United States

http://tinyurl.com/9gu3z54       United Kingdom

http://tinyurl.com/9dpgyqr  Germany

http://tinyurl.com/8nag6wm France

http://tinyurl.com/98ggmex Italy

http://tinyurl.com/8v72zmt   Spain

Buy My Cookbook

Search for this title on Amazon.com  "Camp Cooking Italian Style"

It is a book born from the idea that good food can be cooked even while camping, but it is not just for campers.  Below you will find the sites where you can order it. You will also find the Kindle version.

In the US unless you are an Amazon prime member with free shipping, order it from this site as it is the one that benefits the author most due to his own efforts at advertising.

https://www.createspace.com/3994448

Otherwise use any of the fallowing Amazon sites depending on your location:

www.amazon.com  United States

www.amazon.co.uk United Kingdom

www.amazon.de      Germany

www.amazon.fr        France

www.amazon.it        Italy

www.amazon.es       Spain

Recent Visitor

We had this visitor yesterday in the yard. Seems the same guy who was
here a couple of years ago.

THE COOK BOOK IS FINISHED

Camp Cooking Italian Style

It is a book born from the idea that good food can be cooked even while camping, but it is not just for campers.  Below you will find the sites where you can order it. You will also find the Kindle version.

In the US unless you are an Amazon prime member with free shipping, order it from this site as it is the one that benefits the author most due to his own efforts at advertising.

https://www.createspace.com/3994448

Otherwise use any of the fallowing Amazon sites depending on your location:

www.amazon.com  United States

www.amazon.co.uk United Kingdom

www.amazon.de      Germany

www.amazon.fr        France

www.amazon.it        Italy

www.amazon.es       Spain

From the cook book

Milanese veal or chicken chops

Fish soup

Chicken with green sauce

Chicken cooked in white wine

Veal or chicken marsala

Pasta with fresh ricotta sauce

Fried cheese

Pasta with uncooked tomato and herbs

Fresh mussels with cream sauce
 

A few of the pictures in my cook book. Look for it on Amazon.com Search for "Camp Cooking Italian Style".  In the US click on this:

https://www.createspace.com/3994448 

15 pictures for you

A visit to the park in Valle Sella where there is a walk full of
sculptures made from natural materials.

Girl Scout Camp

A few pictures of the Girl Scout incampment. On Saturday all the
parents were invited for dinner, we brought the food, and some
entertainment by the campfire.

16 pictures for you

First Phase San Diego 2012