Cure for post-Italy blues

We are home-sick for Italy. At this point we are not really sure where our home is, but right now it still feels like Bologna and it's hard to not be there. Look for a post soon about what we are missing most about Bologna, and the differences between our life in Italy and our life in Los Angeles. But for now, I'd just like to share the best coping mechanism I have found so far: making fresh pasta. When I get sad, I've been getting out the rolling pin...

I actually never made fresh pasta while in Italy, which seems like a shame to me now that I have been practicing doing it and liking the results. But the kitchen we had there was limited, and there were lovely little shops selling fresh pasta on almost every street. The last (and only) time I made it was when I was working as a cook in Seattle in 2002. Coming back to our place in Los Angeles and finding our more spacious counter top and rolling pin, I was inspired. And I am finding that it really isn't hard at all, and not too time-consuming. Also, I have found that you don't need a machine to roll it out. The classic method is to do it by hand anyway. I am working on getting the noodles even thinner, and am excited to play around with ravioli and lasagna next. Let me know if you want to try it too and want recipes, or if you would like to come over, have some pasta, and help cheer us up!