Planet Pasta.

When my friend, Gretchen, emails me something with the subject line, "OMG CUTE," I know to pay attention. (She's not one to forward kitten or puppy pics, though she will send me adorable photos of Ian McKellan.)

This NYT op-ed slideshow by Nicholas Blechman -- about his trip to the Barilla pasta factory in Parma -- is absolutely wonderful. If you want to add a smile to your morning, check it out. If not, move along -- nothing to see here.

Planet Pasta - NYTimes.com  (Thanks, Gretchen!)