Buona Pasqua
Buona Pasqua Happy Easter!
2013 is “The Year of the Italian Culture in the United States of America”
Celebrate Easter with Gioia Company. Come enjoy an Italian Shopping Experience with Italian ceramics, linens, flatware, glassware, Venetian Masks, Italian Jewelry, and more. Join us March 2nd for cooking with author, designer and chef Valentina Cirasola from Puglia, Italy. In the morning, we will prepare three courses and have lunch together. In the afternoon we will be making Orangecello..Reservations required: see below or contact Kathy at 408.640.6628.
The February 24th Mask Making Class has been postponed to April. More information will be coming!
Festa Gioia will be March 9th and a Venetian Mask Making class will be taught by master artist Carla Almanza- de Quant at Gioia on Sunday March 10th. See our calendar for these and other upcoming Italian events!
Blessed Easter Season to all! Please join us and call 408.640.6628 to RSVP Grazie!
Easter Stories and Italian Traditions
The origins of Neapolitan pastiera Easter cake are controversial, but the most reliable seems to be that it was a dessert invented by nuns. In past centuries it was a tradition that the nuns in convents were dedicated to the preparation of cakes, at least in Campania, and many of the traditional sweets originated in the convent. Pastiera, in particular, seems to have been set up in the convent of San Gregorio Armeno with the intent to symbolize the mystery of the Resurrection with its ingredients:
- Eggs symbolize life that is renewed.
- The water of orange blossom symbolizes spring.
- Ricotta is the symbol of purity.
- Wheat cooked in milk that symbolizes nature in his two kingdoms.
- Flour symbol of the gifts of the earth.
This content comes from the "Explore Italian Culture" website. Click here to read more about Easter egg traditions
Long before Christianity adopted the egg as a part of Easter traditions, the ancient Romans believed "omne vivum ex ovo" -- all life comes from the egg. The egg was commonly a symbol of new birth after the winter when everything has lain dormant for months. There is some evidence that, even in ancient Roman culture, eggs decorated with vegetable dyes using onion skins, beets and carrots were given as gifts during the spring festivals. In the 20th Century with chocolate being a sought after dessert, the chocolate eggs of Italy were born and artistically decorated, pleasing to the eye as well as the taste. And, despite Italian engagement rings traditionally given and recieved on Valentines Day modern customs are beginning to use Easter eggs as a way of surprising a partner with the ring hidden in a hollow egg.
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS always opened by appointment in Los Gatos Call Kathy 408.640.6628 or Contact kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com
And always at your disposal online at www.gioiacompany.com
March
Cook with Gioia
Morning: Lunch Preparation
Date: Saturday, March 2nd
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: 16395 Roseleaf Ct., Los Gatos
Cost: Instruction, recipes and lunch $50
Guest chef, author and designer: Valentina Cirasola
Afternoon: Orangecello-Making
Date: Saturday, March 2nd
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 16395 Roseleaf Ct., Los Gatos
Cost: Instruction and recipes $50
Guest author, designer and chef: Valentina Cirasola
Classes can be taken individually or together. 10% discount both classes
RSVP Kathy 408.640.6628, kathywinkelman@hotmail.com
For more information click here
CASA Los Gatos Boutique
Date: Tuesday, March 5
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Los Gatos History Club, 123 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos
Festa Gioia Easter Celebration!
Date: Saturday, March 9th
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Location: 16395 Roseleaf Ct., Los Gatos
Italian Shopping Experience
RSVP Kathy 408.640.6628, kathywinkelman@hotmail.com
Mask Making Class
Date: Sunday, March 10
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: 16395 Roseleaf Ct., Los Gatos
$125 (includes all materials and lunch) Pre-registration required.
RSVP Kathy 408.640.6628, kathywinkelman@hotmail.com
For more information click here
April
Travel with Valentina
Puglia, Italy
April 15 - 24
For more information on this fabulous experience, click here.
Upcoming!
Infusion into the Italian Culture
Sept. 9 - 20
Sorrento and more with Tonino
For more information on this amazing trip, click here.
See you soon...
Can't make it? Don't forget to shop online at www.gioiacompany.com.
A Glass of Wine, A Cup of Tea and Gioia Italian Art and Products, a formula for a relaxing evening!
Every gift personally wrapped, shipped and guaranteed.
Katherine Winkelman
Gioia Company LLC
408.640.6628
www.gioiacompany.com
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