The COOKING CLASS IN ROME with Jim and Jo Brookbank, Chef Leonardo and Carol and Ron
Dear Family and Friends,
Oh my how time flies when you are serving . . . AND having Fun!! We have had such an exciting September that I seriously do not know where to begin. So I'll just 🎶start at the very beginning (a 🎵very good place to start. . .) We started the month looking forward to some Visitors from Arizona, a former Missionary companion, Jim Brookbank and his wife, Jo. They so wanted to come to Rome, but they didn't realize that the Rome Temple would be closing for 2-week Maintenance break from Sept 18- Oct 2 and they did not want to miss the Temple. So they "jumped with all fours" and got plane tickets and a Temple Appointment and a rent-a-car. ITALY HERE WE COME-- they landed in Rome and stayed a day or two--got to be in the Temple for a Session and then some Sealings. We even took a "Cooking Class at a Hotel in the Center of Rome--that was so FUN!! (I think even Ron enjoyed it!)
Our Cooking Class results:
Fettuncine Alfredo, Ravioli with Cheese and Tiramisu (Mumford approved)
Let me explain "Mumford Approved"--Most everyone will know that Italian Tiramisu is made with COFFEE--strong coffee. Well--we don't drink coffee and I wanted us to be able to "eat our wares"--so I put my can of ORZO (Italian Postum) in my pack and got brave enough to ask the "Chef Leonardo" if we could use it instead of coffee. His first response "WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT?"
Well, I answered, we don't drink coffee-- to which he responded "Well it's taking a chance your Tiramisu will be bitter--but sure GO AHEAD. I uttered a silent YES!! And the kitchen brought us some water and I mixed up the Orzo and we dipped our Ladyfingers in it. . . and it was and is DELICIOSI!! (I've made it 4 times since--and it is SO GOOD!
Jim and Ron on the Golf Course for 9-holes of Golf before we ventured to the "
Eat and Walk Italy" cooking class in Downtown Rome. Fun Fun day!!
L to R: Jim and Jo Brookbank and Ron and Carol Mumford
Public Course in Rome
Then they were OFF on an adventure to northern Italy--Genoa, Torino, Lake Como and some other places that Sister Brookbank did not want to remember because it created such anxiety (traffic, crowds, poor food and lodging. . .). yet they came back with beautiful pictures and happy smiling faces--so it wasn't too bad. We then went to a couple of places within an hour of Rome which we really loved. Let me tell you about them.
The first was a town called Orvieto, a wonderful little town in the region known as Umbria. It is less than a 90 minute trip from the center of Rome (actually a little over an hour from our apartment). Orvieto has basically 2 parts--the "old or medieval town hilltop" and, according to Rick Steves "the dull new town below". You arrive in the town--either by car or train and park for FREE (huge plus anywhere in the Rome and outer lying areas). Then you get tickets to ride the funicular . What is that you might ask. It is simply a form of a cable railway in which a cable is attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails that move up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending cable cars counterbalancing each other. It was a short but fun way to "ride" up to the top of the "medieval part" of town. The funicular lets you off within a ten minute walk (or a quick bus ride) up a narrow street and then into the sprawling piazza of the Duomo di Orvieto, one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in italy. One of the first things noticeable is the facade which includes stained glass, mosaics and sculptures that start with Creation and end with the Last Judgment. The inside is quite light (due to windows made of alabaster, which create a soft light) spacious and less cluttered than most Italian churches for in 1877--the people decided to "un-Baroque" their church and put most stauary and other things into storage and then into a museum also located in the area.
Due to it's natural hilltop fortification, Orvieto served as a refuge of five popes during 13th-century. There is the Well of St. Patrick which is an extravagant structure featuring 2 staircases--one down and one up. (496 steps) The pope wanted to make sure the city had adequate water if under siege--so he had the well constructed. Needless to say--the digging was a huge project--and to this day, when faced with a difficult task--Italians say---"It's like digging St Patrick's Well."
The Duomo di Orvieto--the facade tells the story of Creation to the Last Judgment
The huge door is such an amazing study of religious history.
Panels of stained glass in the Duomo di Orvieto
These panels tell the Story of religious events of the centuries up to the 15th and 16th centuries
Ron and Carol Mumford inside the Duomo di Orvieto
St Patrick's Well
FUNICULAR in Orvieto, Italy
Before I leave this summary of the lovely hilltown of Orvieto, there is an amazing story--all true--something of a miracle, really--of how Orvieto escaped bombing and ruin during WWII. It's referred to as a "gentleman's agreement" between an Allied Powers Major Commander and a German Commander. It was June 14, 1944 when Major Heseltine, in charge of British tanks, was moving toward Orvieto from another small Italian town of Viterbo. Taking an advance Jeep recognizance close to the city, after making out Orvieto "standing high on its island of rock", the Major's forward troop reported seeing a Volkswagen (German) staff car. "A big white flag was fluttering out of the window," Heseltine recalled. The young officer inside "who spoke perfect English" was carrying a message which read, "In consideration of the historic beauty of Orvieto, the German commander proposes to the Allied command that the city of Orvieto be declared open."
In other words, they should have their battle elsewhere. After consulting his superiors, Major Heseltine put his name to the deal. "The Germans were as precise in their resumption of hostilities as they were in their fulfilment of the agreement," said another man recalling this historic event." They pulled back exactly 20
Kms and the fighting resumed--but Orvieto was spared.
Another wonderful day-trip that we took was to Bracciano--a small town in the Italian region of Lazio, about 30 km northwest of Rome. It is famous for its large volcanic lake (the 8th largest in Italy) and for a quite well-preserved medieval castle called Castello Orsini-Oldescalchi--or known to the Locals as Bracciano Castle. We had heard about this magical place since arriving here 11 months ago--but just never got around to exploring it. Well-we did try one day about 2 months ago--but the entrance to the castle is not where one would "think" it is. But now with the castle address guiding us on Maps--we drove down to it. Did I mention it was "magical"? It sits on the southern shore of beautiful Lake Bracciano and dates back to the 15th Century. It was both a military defense structure and a civilian residence of two feudal lords--the Orsini and Borgia. It is one of the largest and best-maintained castles in Italy. It houses a museum, and as a centre of cultural events--it was the site of several high-profile events--including the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Jo Brookbank and I loved just rambling around the various rooms and imagining how we would decorate and entertain there--while Jim and Ron carefully checked out the weapons room and the room full of knights ready for battle or jousting and such --and even the "coat of mail" that a knight wore under his armor. It was just a lovely time and the views from the different levels were breathtaking. We loved it and will likely take more Visitors there.
L to R: Ron and Carol Mumford, Jo and Jim Brookbank
Jo and Carol at Entrance to Bracciano Castle. Jo and Ron "thru" the Gate
The Gardner's efforts were "green and lush" grounds
Ron and Carol with castle tower behind them
View of Lake Bracciano from a Castle turret
the Inner Courtyard
Another view of the Lake
an interesting "Crossbow"
Two "KNIGHTLY POSES"--Sir Ron and Sir Jim
The "Coat of Mail" worn under the Knight's armor
It is an "iron mesh"--comfy--NO
The completely 'bedecked" Knight and Steed
Carol admiring the "comfy" bed
A unique 16th Century chandelier
One thing about this castle--you could sit in the "comfy chairs" and no one said a word
Jim, Ron and Jo and all those "Knights"
Jo and Carol outside Bracciano Castle entrance
Took this for the effect of the Bracciano Castle rising high in the background
Sunday Meeting (Sept 17, 2023) in L'Aquila and subsequent picnic after n Patio behind Church
Back row--L to R: Jim Brookbank, Jo Brookbank, Olympia Diodato, Anziano Marco Diodato, Carol Mumford, Lucia (family friend of the Diodatos), Sister in the Branch, Bruno Diodato (Branch President)
Front row--(kneeling) the 2 Faithful Anzianos assigned to L'Aquila and Ron Mumford
Then 2 days after the Brookbanks leave--Rick and Christine Nelson, who were in Sorrento, Italy--down south--took a "Taxi" from there to visit us. Now that's about 164 miles--in a taxi--can you imagine the bill? Anyway--we were so happy they made it here and we so enjoyed visiting with them. But we should have returned to Bracciano or Orvieto with them. Instead--we went to yet another little town about an hour from here called Tivoli. Now I had heard good things about this little place, too, and was so excited to go there with the Nelsons. It was a beautiful day and our drive to Tivoli was nice and we got there and found Free parking (jubilee moment when this happens ANYWHERE in Italy) and then the "run-around" began.We had booked tickets ahead so as not to be stuck in a line. Well--that was fine--but the 2 sites we especially wanted to see were not close together at all. The one site in the town center that we wanted to see is called the Villa d'Este (or the resting place of Cardinal Ippolito d'Este) This place is described as a "16th century villa in Tivoli, near Rome, famous for its terraced hillside garden and especially for its profusion of fountains" (another site said a hundred fountains). Well--we got to the entrance--and major snag--"We are sorry to inform you that the water has been turned off in the Gardens of the Estate."OK--when will it be back on?? HMM----Not sure--No one knows for sure--you could check back in 2 hours or so." "Will we be able to go in now and look around, in anticipation of coming back and what to see?" I asked. "Oh Ma'am--you can surely go in now--but that uses up your tickets--so to come back later would cost another 16 Euros each guest."
Well--that was a no-brainer!! We left and asked what other sites we could see in town and we went on a very long walk (some people might call it a "goose chase")around the town "square" so to speak--but we couldn't find any other sites listed on the site map that were Open--or we could not find the Entrances at all. We stopped to ask several "locals"--but we still could not find what we were lookiing for. By this time we had walked a fair amount of steps and our morning was gone. We retraced our steps--and half way back--this kind lady who had seen and heard us inquiring about the sites we had been looking for--stopped and offered us a ride back to the Villa. YAY!!
but still no water. So we opted for lunch at a sidewalk cafe that we had passed--and the owner was so wanting us to stop--we told her we'd be back. So we returned and had a great time being served by her. It is now 1:00 pm and we return one final time to the Villa---YES the water is on!! So, since we had not opted for a "guided tour" (they are quite expensive and can triple the cost in some cases)-- we basically wandered around-there were some beautiful fountaiins and gardens and stauary that were really fun tosee. As we entered the whole Estate--we had seen a sign posting "The Organ Fountains will go on again at 2;30 pm" Well--no map of the Gardens had been available--so we had 20 minutes to find out where this particular fountain in this massive garden was located. We got separated and turns out I was the only one who made it to the "Organ" to see its ACTION. Well--I tried to take a few pics to share with the others whom I couldn't find--and a very large man stepped in front of me--blocking my view (and didn't say excuse me or anything) Well it was crowded and I couldn't fiind another way to get a picture.before the Fountain started shutting down. OH MAN!!! So--Ron found me sitting, sort of dejected --that I didn't even
get a pic of the one thing I wanted. We saw the Nelsons on a lower level and motioned to them we were coming down. And we linked up--they were "spent" so we decided to call it a day "In Tivoli". No Hadrians Palace or any other site. (It turns out that Rick had started not feeling well--and long story short . . . he ended up quite sick when they did get back to Utah.but now completely better and back on his feet) So we hope the Nelsons remember something good about their stop in Rome to see us as we really loved having them here!!
The Sidewalk Cafe we promised to "come back". .. .with the very happy Owner Rick and Christine Nelson Carol and Ron
Garden and Fountains and pools in Tivoli, Italy
As I am waiting to get a pic of "The Organ Fountain" as it starts to go off--this man steps
RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME--ignores my "s'cuse me" and stays there until the fountain finishes.
"The Organ Fountain" as it looks before or after it "goes on"--pretty drear
Going through the streets of Tivoli trying to find the "other hidden treasures" of this little town
NO GO!! We just gave up!
It was all a big promotion for this new store inside this little MallWe stopped as this "project" was being erected--and Ron asked one of the workers "what they were building" and he responded "Casa Capo Sotto" which literally means "Upside down house".. We thought he was "kidding us"--not wanting to really divulge what it was. Well--we returned a week later--and sure enough--it was a "Casa Capo Sotto"
The Nelsons--Rick and Chris inside the "Upside-down House" at Dimi Mall in our neighborhood shopping center
Well that sums up the first part of September. Stay tuned for more.
But before I close--I must jot a few thoughts about our time here and seeing people we know. It is so wonderful to have people, many who go out of their way, to come to this area of Rome to see us. We love it so much!! They bring a little of "the familiar' with them and that helps Sorella Mumford quell the homesickness that rears its head every now and then. So we say again,, THANK YOU for finding the time to connect with us.
Carol and Ron Mumford
Hurrah for Israel! Hurrah
The first was a town called Orvieto, a wonderful little town in the region known as Umbria. It is less than a 90 minute trip from the center of Rome (actually a little over an hour from our apartment). Orvieto has basically 2 parts--the "old or medieval town hilltop" and, according to Rick Steves "the dull new town below". You arrive in the town--either by car or train and park for FREE (huge plus anywhere in the Rome and outer lying areas). Then you get tickets to ride the funicular . What is that you might ask. It is simply a form of a cable railway in which a cable is attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails that move up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending cable cars counterbalancing each other. It was a short but fun way to "ride" up to the top of the "medieval part" of town. The funicular lets you off within a ten minute walk (or a quick bus ride) up a narrow street and then into the sprawling piazza of the Duomo di Orvieto, one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in italy. One of the first things noticeable is the facade which includes stained glass, mosaics and sculptures that start with Creation and end with the Last Judgment. The inside is quite light (due to windows made of alabaster, which create a soft light) spacious and less cluttered than most Italian churches for in 1877--the people decided to "un-Baroque" their church and put most stauary and other things into storage and then into a museum also located in the area. 
The huge door is such an amazing study of religious history.
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