Foraging in Denmark

Dear Optimists,

In Denmark, Nadia has been spending some time on learning how to make sour dough, which is fun for everyone (especially watching it rise).

She is also making food from things she and her family find outside. Imagine that, optimists? Foraging in 2020! These times have created such a unique opportunity to try new things with the family (or whomever you are stuck inside with!)

Nadia’s kids are now showing interest as well. They search for dandelion leaves, nettles (small plants high in vitamins), and more.

Den wasn’t sure what nettles were or how to use them, so Nadia told him.

“They’re a certain type of plant. They sting so you have to be careful. It’s the new shoots of nettles that are good to eat. Collect, wash, dry and put them in the freezer. Smash them up and put it in your dough. Boom. Vitamins galore.”

Sounds like fun! But with Den’s luck he would collect poison ivy by accident.

Love,

Nadia & Den

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New Book & Facebook Page

Hey all! Since Den just had his third book published, he got an author Facebook page! So head over and like him here so you can keep up to date on what’s going on with him.

He misses you all (and posting here) thoroughly. But he IS feeling quite optimistic still, and things are quite well for him. He got married, went to London on honeymoon, and in general is quite happy.

Here’s a description of his new book:

On the day author Dennis Finocchiaro sat and started interviewing his grandfather for a graduate school project, he never knew how far into the past he would travel or the range of emotions he would feel. This is the story of Rosario “Charlie” Finocchiaro through the eyes of his grandson Dennis, throughout his childhood in 1920s Philadelphia to war in Italy all the way up to his retirement in Havertown; Inheritance introduces the reader to the life of an everyday man, a soldier, contractor and patriarch. Experience childhood in 1920s Philly, wartime Italy during World War II, the Jersey Shore throughout many decades, and contemporary suburban Philadelphia in a memoir that jumps through the last one hundred years and introduces the journey of a grandson getting to know his grandfather thanks to an assignment. Humor, romance and even a few bootleggers make this nonfiction account of one man’s life both heartwarming and informative. Travel through time with a grandson as he learns his family’s history, heritage, and ultimately, his greatest inheritance.

If you miss us, dear optimists…

we apologize! We were finding it a bit tough to come up with content, what with the craziness of life and all. But if you miss us, here are some things to check out that Den has been up to:

Den’s blog, of course. Some of you probably already follow it, but just in case, he writes on there sometimes, and of course most of his stories are at least a little optimistic.

Children’s Literature: Den has been writing and self-publishing some kid’s books with his time off from D.O. He has been lucky enough to work with some TERRIFIC artists and has learned to create ebooks with some diligence. Here is some info on them:

A Day in the Dumps: the story of Joey, whose favorite toy is thrown out and his mom takes him on a quest to find the dump and locate the toy. It’s a nice bonding experience for mother and son, and Joey also learns of the importance of recycling. Artwork by Monica Minski. Available on Kindle and in the iTunes bookstore.

 

The Princess of the Land of Black: Princess Onyx is tired of her father, the king’s refusal to use anything that isn’t the color black. She knows there must be more out there, so leaves her father’s kingdom on a quest to learn about the world. Artwork by Lyndsaye Greke. Available on Kindle.

 

 

Even if you don’t have kids, they are fun reads. Or maybe you could recommend them to others! Either way, Den misses all of you and hopes everyone is well.

Nothing to Say

Dear Optimists,

I have nothing to say today. My lips are sealed.

Ha! My fiancee wishes!

Love,
Den

Today

Dear Optimists,

There’s nothing like defeating a video game, right? I just beat all of the zombies in Rebuild 2, an online game I happen to love. I saved 99 people and defeated every zombie in the town to make it safe.

I’m a hero.

What did YOU accomplish today?

Love,
Den
P.S. In case you missed it, this post was seething with sarcasm.

Traveling alone

Dear Optimists,

Last Summer I traveled to London, England by myself. I needed time to myself and to figure myself out.

Okay, that’s bull. Everybody went on this marvelous festival in Denmark, but it’s mad expensive so I went to London instead for the same amount of money.

I was planning to walk around the streets of London, snapping pictures of all the turisty things:

I expected to meet up with Prince William, tell him a thing or two about Kate. And of course say yes to be his Princess.

Obviously, neither happened. Instead I spent a serious amount of time in bookstores and meeting lots of new people!

When you’re out and about all by yourself, you open up to others in a whole other way than what you’d normally do. Plus the fact that you’ll definitely learn a thing or two about yourself. Have you ever tried traveling by yourself?

This wasn’t my last time traveling all by myself! I

Love,
Nadia.

Know What I Love?

Dear Optimists,

Know what I love? Bendy straws. You know the ones. They..ahem…bend? Something about them always makes the drink more fun.

This has been a random post.

Love,
Den

P.S. Tell me something random that YOU like!

Tir…zzz

Dear Optimists,

This is what’s going on with me these days:

I’m too tired to function (apparently SO tired that I accidently wrote ‘fuck’). Which is also why I’m using an old drawing of me being just as tired a year ago.

Just one of those weeks, right?

Love,
Nadia.

EBooks? EBooks!

Dear Optimists,

I don’t love Kindle, Nook or anything else. For me, an English major, my love of the novel, the feel of the paper and turning of the page itself are all romantic in some way. Sure I love playing games on my iPad, and using programs on it, but I just can’t bring myself to read on one.

As much as I don’t love e-readers, I found one wonderful use for them. It’s easier to carry one around than a book when you’re reading a Stephen King novel. 😉

Love,
Den

What’s That Smell?

Dear Optimists,

Elevators are often an uncomfortable place for me. I really appreciate my personal space, and always try to give everyone else around me as much space as possible as well. Usually, I find most other people willing to do the same.

One morning this week, I was heading up to my office on the elevator with about five other people. No one was saying a word, and we all just watched the numbers climb up, waiting for our respective floors, and prepping ourselves for the onset of a new work day. After a few seconds, a woman in the elevator opened up her bag and pulled out an onion bagel. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in an elevator filled with the smell of onion bagel before or not, but it can be somewhat overpowering…especially early in the morning. She took a couple of bites, and we all stood in silence, even more anxious for the elevator to reach our floor.

Suddenly, the man standing behind me slowly leaned forward, stuck his nose in my hair and full-on sniffed it! I immediately thought, “Whaaaa?! Did that just happen?!” I didn’t move a muscle. The elevator doors opened on the floor just before mine. He casually moved past me, and walked towards his office like nothing had happened. I looked at the girl next to me and we both burst out laughing.

Hey, at least that means my hair smells better than onion bagels, right?

Love,
Christy (of PCC Advantage)