No matter how often I see fresh cleaned sheets hanging from a line outside of an apartment balcony, it always makes me stop in my tracks to stare. There is just something refreshing, clean and simply beautiful about draping ones laundry out in the open air. In America, we’re too private, reserved or maybe just spoiled that the major part of households have a dryer. In fact, the dryer is the third-highest energy consuming household appliance in the U.S. Here in Italy, it’s considered a luxury. Usually only the rich have a drying machine, and even then lines in or outside of the house are commonly used during the summer months. So, if you are trying to cut down on costs, go European and try hanging your laundry out to dry. Not only is it eco-friendly but think of it as free European exterior decorating!

To make this delicious appetizer at home follow the recipe below!:

Insalata Frutta di Mare
Serves 4-6 as an appetizer

1 pound octopus
2 pounds cleaned calamari(squid), with tentacles, bodies cut into 1/3 to 1/2-inch-thick rings
1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 cup julienne carrots
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Juice of 2 lemons
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

1.Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the octopus. Reduce the heat and gently simmer until tender, about 40 to 50 minutes. Transfer the octopus to a bowl and rinse under cold running water until octopus is completely cooled, about 5 minutes. Use your fingers and a small paring knife to remove the outer skin. Discard the hard mouth and head sac. Cut the tentacles and octopus on the bias into 1-inch pieces and add a large bowl.

2. Bring another large pot of water to a boil. Add the calamari and cook until tender 2-4 minutes. Remove from water with a slotted spoon, rinse under cold water to cool then place them into the bowl with the octopus. Add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook until pink 3-5 minutes. Drain and run under cold water to cool. Cut the shrimp in half horizontally and add them to the bowl with the calamari.

3. Add the celery, carrots, garlic, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil to the bowl and toss well. Season with salt & pepper to taste and toss until well mixed. Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates and serve.

After you hit the slopes at one of Italy’s most renown ski resorts, Madonna di Campiglio, you can let loose at a “discodeca” an Italian word for “dance club”. One of the hottest spots is Zangola Clubbing. It is located on the outskirts of Madonna di Campiglio and you will need a car or a 4-wheeler to get there, but it’s well worth it for a night of fun. The building itself use to be an old animal stable and remnants of the original wood and stone remain which now present an unique mix with the ultra-modern furniture and lighting.

Currently Zangola Clubbing is closed but will reopen this winter. For more information visit their site: http://www.zangolaclubbing.it/home.html

A special thanks to Maurizio and Thommy for letting me film this beautiful place!