Something really special happened this weekend in Ocala, Florida. It was a magical sort of something. Where one minute you are in an empty ballroom in the middle of CTAE (Community Technical and Adult Education) and the next you find yourself transported to a Middle Eastern Hafla (or dance party). This is an event that happens annually in Ocala, but only for one night and trust me, you do not want to miss it next year.
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This week, to keep the Mediterranean Food theme going, I am featuring
as the Product of the week. This cookbook features the fabulous foods of Morocco. Tasty bits like Tagine. Tagine dishes are slow cooked at low temperatures, resulting in tender, falling-off-the-bone meat with aromatic vegetables and sauce. Tagine is also the name of the pottery vessel in which this traditional Moroccan dish is cooked. The cookbook also teaches you how to make CousCous the right way, and how to make delicious salads with the fruits of Morocco, like dates, almonds and oranges. Each recipe also has a full sized picture of what the recipe should look like – something that in my opinion is invaluable when publishing a cookbook, and often times something too many forget. The simple way in which the cookbook is written means that is perfect for novice and chef alike! Start drooling!

Who out there has ever dreamt about having a house perched on a cliff looking out to the sea?
I know I have, it is actually something I dream about often. Something I have put out there as a carrot in front of me to keep working hard in all my endeavors. So when I found this book, I was in awe. Some of the most beautiful houses by the sea are featured in this book, called, well… .
If you have ever dreamt about having a dream house on the sea, you have got to check this book out, so you can pick out your next home!
I promise, you will enjoy it immensely!

One of the best things about living in Florida is going to the beach. The next best thing about living in Florida is going to the beach in April or May and going swimming when there are no tourists. For me, the beach is the ultimate place to get grounded. All I have to do is enjoy the sound of the waves brushing the shore and the squawks of seabirds flying above, and not forget the sunscreen. To me, the ocean is the beauty of Nature at Her finest.
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In honor of Mother Nature at Her Finest, I give you:

Il Mare (eel mah-reh)— The Sea/ The Beach
Conchiglia (la kon- keel- e- ah) – Shell
Sabbia (sah- be- ah)– Sand

Music really sets the mood and ambience of any situation. Sometimes all it takes is the perfect piece of music to transport us to another time or place far away. If you are looking to journey to an Italian Café but can’t quite afford the airfare, I suggest purchasing this CD instead . Whip up a nice espresso drink, or go get one at your local coffee house, put the CD in, sit back, relax and get ready to be transported to an Italian Café!

Now that we know what types of eating establishments exist In Italia, we should now learn the names of mealtimes and what kinds of food you can expect to find during those meals.
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