2026 is off to a roaring start. Some of you may have seen the photos from Rome this week, which demonstrate even further how the world isn’t overly happy with us humans. This week the Tiber (Tevere) reached its crest. And while I’m not even remotely fond of fascists, one of the good things that Mussolini managed was to add the high walls the have protected Rome for the last century from the catastrophic flooding that would regularly happen.
Rome Food & Things to Do on Instagram: “🚨BREAKING NEWS! 📣
To…
Apparently it wasn’t raining on New Year’s Day. While I’ve often been in Rome at this time of year, this is full on madness!
GumShoe | Travels ✈️ on Instagram: “Fontana di Trevi on 1st Jan…
On the subject of Italy, one of my goals for the year ahead is to really revitalize my Italian learning. After I took (and passed!) my language test for citizenship last year, I was so overwhelmed with how much studying I did that I just stopped studying entirely, which isn’t great for keeping the language in mind long-term. I’ve been doing Duolingo just because it’s good review but I hate how focused on streaks and promoting/demoting you for not spending enough time in the app. It’s a terrible way for beginners to grasp the language too, as it doesn’t really teach you why the language works the way it does. Mostly I’ve been sticking with it because I have friends who are counting on me for their quests.
For the most part, however, I’ve been enjoying LingQ, which is more focused on reading and understanding in context, and that’s definitely a better way for me to learn. I try to do a little of it before I settle in on a video game or a show in the evening, and it’s been both enjoyable, and effective.
All my paperwork is in, and I’m just waiting for Rome to say ok on my citizenship. Joe and I are so grateful we started the process when we did, because Italy has made it harder and more confusing. And of course, there are some new changes in 2026. This video (with the lawyer who we worked with!) explains:
It’s been freaking cold in Boston, so of course, it’s SOUP SEASON.
I’ve shared this soup in the past, so it may look familiar. But it’s winter, and that’s the best time for a good soup and this one is easy and delicious.
I’ve been making this tortellini soup for the last 30 years. I have long ditched the recipe, which came from some magazine or other, and it’s morphed into something different as time has passed and my husband has added his embellishments. It’s truly the best comfort food, and I would happily eat it several times a week if I could. I’m sharing my recipe here as we tend to make it, but you may want to adjust it as needed for more than two people.
Not only is this recipe super simple, but it’s also highly modifiable. Use whatever broth you like. For us, it varies depending on what we’ve got at home. You can use store bought broth, but using your own is much better. We make broth from duck, pheasant, chicken, and more. And you can definitely add whatever vegetables make you happy!
By Crystal King
Serves 2 generous portions or 4 modest ones.
2 sausages of your choice
2 tbsp bourbon
4-5 cups of broth (again, your choice… 1 box of broth works, but if you make your own, even better)
1-2 carrots chopped
Herbs of your choosing and combination e.g., thyme, parsley, rosemary, sage, crushed red pepper, smoked or sweet paprika, turmeric
Pepper and salt to taste
1 package of frozen tortellini
Frozen peas
Frozen corn (roasted is best)
Grated Parmesan or Romano
Slice up a chicken or pork sausage and sauté it in the bottom of a saucepan with a little olive oil.
Once browned, add the bourbon and deglaze the bottom of the pan.
Add the broth, vegetables, and spices and simmer.
Add tortellini after the vegetables have had sufficient time to cook (note that you don’t want them mushy).
When the tortellini begin to float to the top, add frozen peas and roasted frozen corn, then cook for another minute or two.
Serve with grated Parmesan or Romano on top.
Mangia!
Join me at Bookends in Winchester, MA, where I’ll be in conversation with Marjan Kamali to talk about The Happiness Collector!
Date: Thu, 1/15/2026 Time:7:00pm – 9:00 PM
BOOK ENDS Winchester
559 Main Street
Winchester, MA 01890
Yes, that’s right! I’m giving away a signed set of ALL FOUR of my novels! Two paperbacks (Feast of Sorrow, The Chef’s Secret) and two hardbacks (In The Garden of Monsters, The Happiness Collector). If you have them already, they make great gifts!
To sign up for the giveaway, you can fill out this form. Your name will be thrown into the hat for a shot at a paperback copy. This giveaway closes at midnight ET on Wednesday, 01/14/26. Winners will be notified within 48 hours of the giveaway closing and announced in a future newsletter/post.
Important to Note: You must be 18+ and a United States resident (pesky international laws make it tricky to do giveaways worldwide). If you are someone who loves to read the rules, you can find the obligatory info here.
The Happiness Collector is part of a huge fantasy giveaway with Bargain Booksy, with 20 books from fantasy authors and a free kindle as a prize! You can get in on this goodness by clicking here.
If you love food and love Italy, and haven’t read IN THE GARDEN OF MONSTERS, THE CHEF’S SECRET, or FEAST OF SORROW, click the links to learn where to buy your copy! And now you can order my latest, THE HAPPINESS COLLECTOR!
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Dining and Cooking