In Italy every
one gets together on Christnas Eve for a family party. Nori and I were invited to Gino and Paula's family gathering. It was his family and hers sisters and kids and us. Try getting out of that. They know you work the next day and you were there till 5, so where else would be? We were told to arrive at 7:45 and not be late. We left the apt at 7:44 and were there on time. No one but Nonna was there at the restaurant. So we looked around and I took a picture of the table set for our dinner. It was beautiful. They put us with the kids, all ages 4-28. This was not as bad as I thought. The older boys spoke some English, and the 8 year old tried to use her English. She is learning it like our kids are learning Spanish. The oldest son Johnny is a lawyer and I am sure turns lots of heads. He really likes to practice his English, asking lots of questions about the US. He was an extremely good host. Made sure we had Spumante in our glasses and ytied to make us try everything. Our dinner started with cheese, mustardo pears (candied in a sweet mustard, great with cheeses), and apple pate. Then we sat down and the cured meats and bread, with butter or olive oil (this area uses alot of butter). Our primo was pumpkin ravioli with grana padana (very similar to parm cheese not quite as strong, made from this area), Snails in the shells served with olive oil, and eel that was salted and dried then boiled. Secondo was steamed Gamberi rossi( shrimp that are very red, very sweet), scampi (prawns), and smoked salmon. The dolce was Panettone (a bread served at Christmas time from Milan), nouget( a candy from Cremona), and cheese. All in all the evening was very nice. I expected it to be alittle weird but it was not. The snails were just ok, not good not bad. The ravioli was great, alittle sweet for a entire meal but really good. They feel strongly about using the products from Lombardy. But they love Parmigiano and feel it is one of the best cheese. It is just too strong for their Ravioli. The gamberi rosso were very tasty and different from our shrimp. The scampi was a cross betweer a lobster and a shrimp. The eel was YUK YUK YUK. I really don't understand salted, dried and then boiled to make soft. I understand why it started, to preserve food. We have freezers and refrigation now so we don't need to that anymore. These people love it. The texture is stringy and smells fishy almost bad. I ended the meal with coffee and a slice of Panettone ( raisan bread). At about 11 I made excuses about working and left.
one gets together on Christnas Eve for a family party. Nori and I were invited to Gino and Paula's family gathering. It was his family and hers sisters and kids and us. Try getting out of that. They know you work the next day and you were there till 5, so where else would be? We were told to arrive at 7:45 and not be late. We left the apt at 7:44 and were there on time. No one but Nonna was there at the restaurant. So we looked around and I took a picture of the table set for our dinner. It was beautiful. They put us with the kids, all ages 4-28. This was not as bad as I thought. The older boys spoke some English, and the 8 year old tried to use her English. She is learning it like our kids are learning Spanish. The oldest son Johnny is a lawyer and I am sure turns lots of heads. He really likes to practice his English, asking lots of questions about the US. He was an extremely good host. Made sure we had Spumante in our glasses and ytied to make us try everything. Our dinner started with cheese, mustardo pears (candied in a sweet mustard, great with cheeses), and apple pate. Then we sat down and the cured meats and bread, with butter or olive oil (this area uses alot of butter). Our primo was pumpkin ravioli with grana padana (very similar to parm cheese not quite as strong, made from this area), Snails in the shells served with olive oil, and eel that was salted and dried then boiled. Secondo was steamed Gamberi rossi( shrimp that are very red, very sweet), scampi (prawns), and smoked salmon. The dolce was Panettone (a bread served at Christmas time from Milan), nouget( a candy from Cremona), and cheese. All in all the evening was very nice. I expected it to be alittle weird but it was not. The snails were just ok, not good not bad. The ravioli was great, alittle sweet for a entire meal but really good. They feel strongly about using the products from Lombardy. But they love Parmigiano and feel it is one of the best cheese. It is just too strong for their Ravioli. The gamberi rosso were very tasty and different from our shrimp. The scampi was a cross betweer a lobster and a shrimp. The eel was YUK YUK YUK. I really don't understand salted, dried and then boiled to make soft. I understand why it started, to preserve food. We have freezers and refrigation now so we don't need to that anymore. These people love it. The texture is stringy and smells fishy almost bad. I ended the meal with coffee and a slice of Panettone ( raisan bread). At about 11 I made excuses about working and left.
This is a picture of all the single malt scotch they have. I took this for Steve. It looks very impressive at the bar.
This is my r
oom . I rearranged it so my computer can be on that desk. If I move it an inch I lose reception. I am ok with that. I am just glad I found this spot. It looks more crouded but I am happy to have internet. It is my only entertainment beside the kindle. I used up all my books so I had to bye a few. Not much selection in English. I really like reading from the Kindle, much better than a book. The type is large, clearer, the page doesn't pull back, its lighter, and best of all I never lose my spot. I thank all of you everyday when I am reading.
This is my sorry excus
e for a bed. They tell me the girl before complained about the bed and they did not understand why. I just look and smile. They don't understand anyway, so I am saved from saving IT'S NOT A BED IT IS A COT WITH A OLD COT MATTRESS. If you were my guest I would not let you sleep on this. All my joint pain from the snake bite is gone. My ankle is doing great. Now my back will be doing great in 4 weeks.
All in all my Christmas was not good and I was lonely BUT it was better than I thought and I got to have some conversation. On Christmas I was able to talk to Steve, Caitlin, and Frances. I saw what they got for Christmas and saw that my Mother- in- law did not put up a tree. Steve said no one noticed. Caitlin looked good, she never writes so it was nice to see her. She got stranded at the house on Sunday with all the snow. I talked to Lindsay she was going into work that afternoon. She was kinda sad not to be with Steve and Caitlin. She loves all the family stuff. Next year I will have my tree and all the trimmings for the holidays.
Getting ready for a New Year Yvonne
oom . I rearranged it so my computer can be on that desk. If I move it an inch I lose reception. I am ok with that. I am just glad I found this spot. It looks more crouded but I am happy to have internet. It is my only entertainment beside the kindle. I used up all my books so I had to bye a few. Not much selection in English. I really like reading from the Kindle, much better than a book. The type is large, clearer, the page doesn't pull back, its lighter, and best of all I never lose my spot. I thank all of you everyday when I am reading.This is my sorry excus
e for a bed. They tell me the girl before complained about the bed and they did not understand why. I just look and smile. They don't understand anyway, so I am saved from saving IT'S NOT A BED IT IS A COT WITH A OLD COT MATTRESS. If you were my guest I would not let you sleep on this. All my joint pain from the snake bite is gone. My ankle is doing great. Now my back will be doing great in 4 weeks.All in all my Christmas was not good and I was lonely BUT it was better than I thought and I got to have some conversation. On Christmas I was able to talk to Steve, Caitlin, and Frances. I saw what they got for Christmas and saw that my Mother- in- law did not put up a tree. Steve said no one noticed. Caitlin looked good, she never writes so it was nice to see her. She got stranded at the house on Sunday with all the snow. I talked to Lindsay she was going into work that afternoon. She was kinda sad not to be with Steve and Caitlin. She loves all the family stuff. Next year I will have my tree and all the trimmings for the holidays.
Getting ready for a New Year Yvonne
Not a North Carolina Christmas, but truly one for the memory books. Miss you, and will be glad to have you back in the States. Can't wait to hear all of the details of the experience - once you have been home a while.
ReplyDeleteLove you
Peggy