Friday, March 30, 2012

GOOD FRIDAY NOVENA

GREETINGS FROM CARMELA'S CUCINA,

It is that time of year again when I post my mother-in-law's, Good Friday Novena. Margaret Hobbins gave me this novena when I was a young bride almost 40 years ago. It is only said on Good Friday, so it is important to remember the prayer on that day.

We have seen dying people recover after this novena has been completed, jobs offered and college bound kids accepted into the college of their choice.

Please say the prayer reverently and with respect on Good Friday. Between the hours of Noon and 3:00p.m., the time which it is said the Savior of the World hung on the cross to redeem us from our sins. The prayer must be repeated 33 times, the number of years Our Lord walked this earth.

BELIEVE, and see what happens. Pass this prayer on to your family and friends like I have. I share it every year and I hope you will too.

Enjoy the Resurrection Day and Easter Season.

Happy Easter! And may God bless you and your family.

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

GOOD FRIDAY NOVENA

OH MY JESUS, I HUMBLY BEG OF THEE, BY THE MERITS OF THY PRECIOUS BLOOD, BY THY DIVINE HEART AND BY THY CRUEL DEATH TO ASSIST ME IN MY NECESSITY (insert your prayer request here)

Say the prayer 33 times between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday.

Monday, March 5, 2012

TASTE OF CHOCOLATE

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

I am very excited and pleased to be one of the judges this year for the Bloomington Center for the Arts Chocolate Competition. TASTE OF CHOCOLATE will be held at the center at 1800 Old Shakopee Road from noon until 4:00 p.m. The judging begins at 11:00 and continues until 12:30.

The two categories are The Best Chocolate Dessert and The Best Chocolate Confection. I am honored to be one of the judges and can't wait for the tasting. As an added bonus the public will get to vote for the People's choice awards. That means you get to be a judge too.

When my duties are done, I will be signing copies of my new cookbook, CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA. Stop by and say hi and purchase a copy of the book for yourself or for a gift. With spring just days away, we have all kinds of reasons to celebrate!

If you need a speaker or a judge at any of your up coming events, contact me at www.carmiescucina.com

Hope to see you there.

Make every day a celebration.

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

LIVING LA DOLCE VITA



Want to live, "La Dolce Vita?" Live like the Italians do. Join me for a food and wine tour of this wonderful country in the fall of 2012. Choose a 1 week, small group tour to either Tuscany or Calabria. All tours are fully escorted and the land portion is all-inclusive. We use both English and Italian speaking guides. Our driver has been with us for 8 years, so you don't have to worry about getting to your destination and can even enjoy an extra glass of wine.

Come to the information session of Sat. Feb. 18, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
Contact me at bchobbins@comcast.net to make a reservation for the session. Deadline to register for these tours is March 31, 2012.

To see the full itinerary for these tours go to www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours link.

Buon appetito,

Carmela

Saturday, December 31, 2011

JOIN CARMELA'S CUCINA FOR A TOUR OF SAVANNAH, GA.

Join me as I lead you around my favorite southern city, Savannah, Ga. from March 22-26, 2012 for a springtime get-away. Enjoy the culture, charm and cuisine of the area. We will tour the Cathedral of St. John, the Baptist, walk through Bonaventure Cemetery, enjoy Wormsloe Plantation and visit Bethesda Chapel. Walk through the streets of this southern belle on our "Mindnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Tour and enjoy an afternoon on the historic home and garden tour. We will enjoy a sunset cruise to beautiful Tybee Island where we will be treated to a Low Country Dinner. Our tour begins with dinner at the Ole Pink House. A cooking class at the Mansion's 700 Cooking School and the tour also includes a High Tea Reception and Tea Program.

The tour includes accommodations at the historic Planter's Inn on Reynold's Square. Baggage handling, wine and cheese each evening and breakfast each morning. Escorted trolley transportation, driver gratuities and licensed and professional guides.

Space is limited on this tour. Please reserve your space by Jan. 15, 2012. Cost is $1299 for a double and $1726 for a single. Contact me at bchobbins@comcast.net or go to my website at www.carmiescucina.com for a brochure and more information.

And please do tell your friends about this wonderful trip.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

MY BURGER

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

Since I have been really busy the past few weeks with our son Teddy's wedding and then book signings in Des Moines, the men in my life took me out for a quick dinner. Our choice? The new burger place that the two Abdo brothers, Paul and John have just opened up on Excelsior in St. Louis Park. The burger was great and served with a nice side of crispy fries. I got mine topped with cheddar cheese, but Brian had the blue cheese burger and said it was fabulous. I suggest the fried onions which were caramelized perfectly and were nice and sweet. The guys ordered chocolate and strawberry malts and loved them.

The Abdo's have been running a MY BURGER in the sky way in downtown Minneapolis for a few years, but this is the first of many more to come in the suburbs. So forget all the other burger joints in town and give this one a try. I think you are really gonna like it.

I understand the fish sandwich is really good too. Mom, Carol Abdo says she likes hers double crisp. I guess I will be making a trip back in the very near future.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

Friday, October 14, 2011

TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR SAVANNAH, GA

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

Do you remember how long last winter was? Did you vow to take a winter vacation? Then I have just the trip for you. Join me and others for a 5 day get-away to Savannah, Ga. in March. Go to my web site at www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours button. Take a look at the itinerary and make your reservation now. Contact me if you have any questions. Last years tour sold out, this one is sure to as well.

It is already the middle of Oct. the snow will be flying before you know it. See you in warm and sunny Savannah!

Make every day a celebration.

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

Thursday, October 13, 2011

CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

It has been a very long time since my last post, with very good reason. I have been extremely busy both in my office and in my cucina, creating a new cook book just for you.

CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA will be released at the end of this month. It can now be ordered on line through my web site at www.carmiescucina.com

The book includes 14 complete menus around celebrations that we enjoy through out the year. Fourteen chapters of new and unique recipes that compliment the holidays that we love to celebrate. With wine pairing suggestions made by my husband and wine enthusiast, Bob Hobbins. The beautiful pictures of the food I created were photographed by Erica Loeks a very talented photographer.

And my earlier book, Carmela's Cucina is also being printed again, so that you can also purchase a copy of a very classic Italian cook book.

These books make excellent holiday gifts and until the end of the year I am offering a baker's dozen, that is buy 12 books and get the 13th book free. Now that's a deal!

To learn more about my book signing events around the mid-west, cooking classes, and culinary tours please visit my website at www.carmiescucina.com

I hope to see you at a book signing event, cooking class or on a culinary tour in the near future.

Make every day a celebration.

Carmela Tursi Hobbins