Sogni di Sicilia

A morning spent finalizing the upcoming Mexico Adventure (check, and check!), trying to book a gift certificate (wtf, Ryanair?!?) for Vincenzo and Mariella, looking at more Thailand options, and trying to find a hotel near Catania Airport with way too early in the morning shuttle service. Although the Rapisardas would take us in a heartbeat, it means leaving Biancavilla around 3:45 am. Why even go to bed! I then spent a good amount of time making my favorite Mollie Katzen (The Moosewood Cookbook (or, Bible, as fans say), The Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Still Life With Menu author) cookies. They're a chunky, chewy, satisfying oatmeal chocolate chip that tastes good enough to seem bad for you, but the recipe is pretty healthy, as far as cookies go. Soon after I took the last batch from the oven, Ettore arrived. I had set out big squares on the floor, trying to combine the idea of an escape room with the game "the floor is lava," by having him find objects in the room from my...

With a late start to the morning, and nothing to rush for, I lounged around until nearly 9:00, applying a deep conditioner to my hair and gathering some laundry to wash. Joe came down to shower as I was finishing up.  Going upstairs, I first went to the balcony to gather my air-dried clothing from yesterday. As I was folding it, I heard Elena. "Kahren, you are here?" she asked, coming into the kitchen, cell phone at her ear, and looking cute, as always. "Sara is on the phone. You want to go to Bronte in a half hour?" As I've said: Always be ready! "Sure!" We met Sara and her boyfriend Cesare at the front door, Sara dressed in a cute knit ensemble and boots. We're meeting Cesare for the first time; he lives in Salento (Puglia), and the two are making this long-distance relationship work. As we were driving to Bronte, I watched him gently and lovingly tap her nose or caress her cheek whenever he laughed at something she said. They're cute. I had ...