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Elena's Birthday, Madrina Luisa's Birthday & Onomastico, Mariella & Vincenzo's 47th Wedding Anniversary, and the Return of Raji & Liliana

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Elena, Giuseppe, Matteo, Ettore There was a lot going on today, so today's post will be a hodgepodge! Watching the alley neighbor assessing the territory  Etna, looking stormy, but producing nothing The boys fighting, taking it to Mariella's bed, having a pillow fight Teà and Matteo swing and talk Conversations after lunch, before the riposa The dogs also take an afternoon nap (This is Lili's dog, Elisabeth). Today, the air is much cooler and everything feels fresh. Lunch was so remarkable — pasta with swordfish, Norma-style but without cheese or basil — I had a second helping when offered. This point did not escape Luisa, as she brought it up a couple of times! With Lili and Raji coming here directly from their honeymoon, the boys didn't have long pants or proper shoes to wear for tomorrow's baptism. Tomi was brought various pairs from around the property. One too small, one (must've been Giuseppe Uno's) could've fit Paul Bunyan. Andrea walked past all ...
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Friday Means Linguine Vongole

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Elena popped into the loft this morning to say hello after grabbing a suitcase out of the attic. I said we'd be at the vigne after we shower. Joe waits in anticipation between Sicily visits to eat linguine e vongole from Mariella's kitchen. It truly has destroyed us for any reasonable facsimile elsewhere.  Today is his day. This is a happy fork holder I played with Giulio while Mariella and Luisa made preparations for pranzo . Luisa was bustling about, making what looked like a lasagna of potatoes but the kids called it a gateau. Isn't that a cake? I looked it up. In Italy, it's a potato casserole. She also shaped fat cigars of mozzarella, surrounded by whipped potatoes, covered in mollica, and fried. And, one of my favorites — sarde beccafico. I was in heaven with that last one. This is the face of a teething baby.  He's incredibly happy and calm. Prepped sarde beccafico  Luisa makes the patate croccante The quintessential illustration of Mariella — when she's...
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Chinese Tonight

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  At Mei Wei  We (ok, Joe) booked our flights to Rome; I got proof of travel insurance, for Thailand, that comes with my AmEx card; we showered and tidied up, and then the phone rang. Mariella. Basically asking where the hell are you?! Walking onto the back terrace, Luisa asked what took me so long. I explained Joe had a work call, and to add insult to injury, I'm arriving con le mani vuoti . Bringing nothing. She laughed loudly, and gave me a big hug and a kiss on my squished cheek. Giuglio enjoys last night's birthday banner We set the table, and lunch was served: fusilli corti in a light tomato sauce, polpettine, pane giuggulena , and more grapes. Everyone grabbed a beer, and Vincenzo offered me one. I said no, I don't drink beer. Giuseppe Rapisarda asked, You prefer wine? I said yes. I drink caffè, water, and wine. Me too, he said. I mentioned a bottle of chilled white. No, no, the Charme is finished, he said. Giuseppe, I brought a white Firriato yesterday. It's in ...
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