Il Battesimo




THE DAY


Morning Activity:

The men sit outside, discussing cars and soccer, while the photographer takes photos of Giulio, Elena, Giuseppe, and boys.

Etna "Edda" is framed in the clouds
 that later cleared.


The kids are dressed and looking dapper.

Cousin Iside, in yellow, joins the fun

Rachi watches over the boys

Beautiful family 

Matteo's attitude shows off moreso in a striped suit of pantelloni corti

Rachi is good at herding kids

...and keeping them clean



The Church Service:

Vincenzo and Maria Teresa look on as Alessandro takes the pulpit

Giulio contentedly waits

The boys are sweet with their little brother


Giulio is taken into the baptismal font room; there was no way to see everything 

Lion King moment


He grimaced, but didn't cry

Alessandro is the best

Giuseppe's sister Piera, in hot pink and 5" silver stilettos, is the unofficial godmother. Godparents are "outlawed" in Sicily (maybe all of Italy?), as it became more about who had money and influence, and less about their assignment to guide a child in the Lord's teachings.

Candle ceremony

Carmelo (an avid bicyclist) and Cettina, Giuseppe's parents, watch from behind.


Teresa and her lovely mom, Pina



There is a circle dance and rhythmic music at the end.

The kids undid Raji's man bun and clambered all over him.

Giulio is baptized! Giuseppe and Elena are having a happy day.



The Reception:

We started outdoors with different apertivi served near the bar, where prosecco, gin & tonics, limonata, ginger ale, and water were available to drink. Trays laden with panelle, salmon mousse in a pastry pull topped with pistachios, tiny prosciutto cotto + mozzarella sandwiches, almonds, olives, and more made banquet tables heave. 

At the table with Ciro, Luisa, Mariella, Vincenzo, Marisa and Carmelo, Ciro waxed on about how to treat a wife. He brings a rose to Luisa nearly every day, and showers her with gifts. Marisa pointed out her own rings and necklaces from Carmelo. Ciro told me a woman is a rose, and began a poetic connotation, but slipped in the rose as another metaphor, and for perhaps the third time ever in my life, I blushed. Everyone laughed about this... except Luisa. They were sure I didn't understand all the language, but Mariella wagged her finger, saying, yes, she does. Ciro is an incorrigible flirt, and his raucous speaker phone drives Joe bananas, though he's a gentleman and generally a nice guy; very self-assured, anyway.

Next, we walked down a beautiful path of pools and palms to a huge open area, for the pre-primi course(s), different themes at each of eight stations: sushi, porchetta, prosciutto sliced in front of you, braesola and salumi, vegetable salads, grilled veggies, arancini and other tavola calda, Thai noodles, fruit, etc., etc... I was rocking Giulio and missed out on some, but I got the better end of that deal. This course was served with many choices of red wine.

Next, into the sala ricevimente for the first and main served courses: pasta alla Norma, in molded form about the size of a teacup, followed by suino nero, with roasted cubed potatoes and sauteed spinach. Bottles of petit verdot, carafes of Coke, and water were at the table. The kids had their own menu, which looked good as well! We ate all of this while a strolling (electric) violinist serenaded the crowd. 

Antonio, Teresa's dad, is always joyful 




Zia Teresa

The dining room 

Kids' table 

Strolling violinist

Joe said, "Take a candid shot
of the four old guys".


Nonna Cettina


Dessert:

The cake was one of about 75 desserts

Babà station. Babà always reminds me of Joe's sister Mary, and the look of sheer delight on her face the first time she tasted it, on our 2014 trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Some of the other desserts. There were two long tables and several cook on the spot stations.

Made to order crepes

More desserts and a gelato cart

Rivals a wedding cake

Half the Nutella crepe ended up on Matteo's face — and shirt.


Alessandro converted my photo into the perfect baptism theme: The Godfather.


On the ride back to the vigne house with Vincenzo and Mariella, Vincenzo declared, "Domani, pane e l'acqua!" — Tomorrow, bread and water!

Indeed, we are full, our hearts as well as our stomachs.

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