FRIENDS never ask for food.
ITALIAN FRIENDS always bring food over.
FRIENDS will say “HELLO”.
ITALIAN FRIENDS:Will give you a BIG HUG and a KISS.
FRIENDS call your parents MR. and MRS.
ITALIAN FRIENDS call your parents MOM and DAD.
FRIENDS have never seen you cry.
ITALIAN FRIENDS cry with you.
FRIENDS will eat at your dinner table and leave.
ITALIAN FRIENDS will spend hours there talking, laughing,and just being together.
FRIENDS know a few things about you.
ITALIAN FRIENDS could write a book about with direct quotes.
Friends will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
ITALIAN FRIENDS will kick the whole crowd’s ass that left you.
FRIENDS will knock on your door.
ITALIAN FRIENDS will walk right in and say,” I’M HOME.”
FRIENDS are for A WHILE.
ITALIAN FRIENDS are for LIFE.
FRIENDS will ignore this.
ITALIAN FRIENDS will like this and share this.
I ran upon this in my PILE of PAPERS and thought I would SHARE!
NOT that I’m ITALIAN by any stretch of the means but I do LIVE with one!
I remember way back in the beginning of OUR RELATIONSHIP I would ask, “Do I LOOK ITALIAN TODAY!?”
His answer was ALWAYS A FLAT” NO!!!”
I do SMILE when I read the above as it is SO TRUE…………….
I have been reading WOMEN IN SUNLIGHT by FRANCES MAYES.
I came across this and had to RE~READ IT!
TWELVE HOURS IN TUSCANY…………
When we moved on to our street 25 years ago the neighbors didn’t socialize nor did they know each other!
I found this VERY STRANGE being an AMERICAN who had just returned from 3 years in ITALY.Growing up we knew our neighbors even socialized and had them for dinner in the USA…….what had happened?With us came MORE new neighbors to the street and More children that turn things around pretty FAST!
Now, its quiet again……….I can go days without seeing a neighbor even MONTHS and we live maybe 20 feet from each other?!!Funny how we STAY OUT OF SIGHT and would prefer the people around us to stay at a DISTANCE.
IS THAT THE AMERICAN WAY?
I have TWO stories to share with YOU that are REAL.
AS they happened to me………….
I was on an airplane headed to ITALY with my two small boys and had two WOMEN from San Francisco sit in front of me.They gave me THE EVIL EYE and I think even ROLLED their eyes like I can not believe OUR LUCK!TWO SCREAMING KIDS sitting behind us on this 9 hour flight…….or was it 11 back than?
Traveling as a single parent I was concerned already and did not need any more STRESS!
Can I tell you my BOYS sat QUIETLY,watched THE MOVIE and went to SLEEP………….
NO SCREAMING or CRYING or kicking of the seat in front of them!
SO, THATS THE AMERICAN SCENARIO!
ON a flight from ROME to San Francisco I had TWO ITALIAN MEN sitting in front of me!
IN THREE PIECE SUITS………
ARGUING with each other over who was going to hold THE BABY!!!!!!
ASKing me if I needed HELP………..
THAT’s ITALIAN FOR YA!
THEY LOVE THEIR YOUNG and OLD……….
A Light BULB went off for me during these two instances as perhaps it’s a CULTURAL THING?
WE have A LOT TO LEARN from THE ITALIANS and we could HELP speed a few things up for THEM!
One strange thing was if you sealed an envelope it cost MORE for overseas instead; one was to tuck it inside.
My ITALIAN did this with a roll of film!!!!!
Of course, it NEVER ARRIVED!!!!!
Or if YOU sit in a CAFE in a chair the coffee or drink will cost MORE than if you stand at THE BAR!
The ITALIANS have THE BEST MILK I have ever tasted!
NO one drinks milk after 11 am……..
and NEVER ASKED for a CAPPUCCINO after 11 am!
Or you will get THE EYE ROLL!
JUST NOT DONE!
AIR CONDITIONING in the car will give you a BAD LIVER!
NO AIR-CONDITIONING EVER!
Lots of BUGS in ITALY but NO SCREENS on DOORS or windows.
Those long ropes or plastic strips you see in photos in front of doors are to keep the BUGS OUT!
One NEVER SUN BATHES Between noon and 3
The sun is too HOT,instead they go take a nap after a GOOD LUNCH!
Ripping the BASIL by hand makes it taste better than cutting with a knife!
SQUEEZE a Lemon on a steak and add a touch of salt!!!!!
IN THAT ORDER!
MAMMMA MIA is THAT GOOD!
TAKE MY ADVISE AND TRY IT!
Those are a few differences I learned being in the BOOT COUNTRY.
Do you have anything to ADD to the list?
Risotto with Fennel.
Ricotta Spinach & Mint Pie.
ALL recipes made from A TABLE IN VENICE.
I had my SECOND LUNCHEON this PAST SATURDAY!
FROM INSTAGRAM!
I think it was a GRAND SUCCESS………..
You decide from the PHOTOS!
I had BRENDA fly in from TEXAS 1010 PARK PLACE and Juliet from @makemineaspritzer fly in from WASHINGTON STATE!The other GALS were LOCALS……..sort of, ONE drove from PACIFIC GROVE!!!!
I found these BOWLS in MY MOTHERS GIFT CLOSET when I moved HER!
I wanted to know WHY I HAD NOT RECEIVED THEM!??!!
POTATO SALAD before the MIXING!
The colors were SO PRETTY!
THE ITALIAN’S PLATTER!
IS DINNER SOON or are you going to make us WAIT?!!
WE have been HERE in the KITCHEN for HOURS!
Starting from the LEFT!
Brenda,Andrea,Karen,Shannon & Juliet!
EXCHANGING INFO on TABLETS…………
We are at THAT AGE where we write it on PAPER STILL than input into THE PHONE!
A TWO STEP Process rather than ONE!
JULIET looking radiant in a CAFTAN!!!!!!
ANDREA the MOST COLORFUL!
PLEASE NOTE BANKSY is keeping my place WARM!
THE PAVLOVA for the GRAND FINALE!
I made the base the day before and was worried about it but I think it was even better the DAY AFTER………..
Can anyone CONFIRM that THOUGHT?
ANY PASTRY CHEF’s OUT THERE?
Please ignore the arm of the chair!
I’m working on it!
Could HE be ANY CUTER?!!
THEODORABLE
as MY friend SARAH in AUSTRALIA calls HIM!
“HELLO BEAUTIFUL LADY IN THE CAFTAN!”
“GOT ANY FOOD YOU WANT ME TO TAKE AWAY?”
“Just put it down here below my nose and I will Find it!”
“THANK YOU SO MUCH…………HELLO TO JIM!”
YOU PUT A CAPTION TO THIS PHOTO!
This was between LUNCH and DINNER!
YES, I MADE HER STAY FOR DINNER!
She flew ALL the way from TEXAS and had US all a GAGA with HER STORIES…………..!!!
A BOOK BRENDA
A BOOK PLEASE!
The Dishes are Done and put away……..
Until the Next SOIREE……..
ALL ROSES FROM MY GARDEN!
Yes, you may GIFT me an old CIGARETTE VESSEL at ANY time as I collect them for this purpose!
They remind me of GARDEN URNS!
XX
1010ParkPlace says
This is the first time since I was in high school that I have neighbors, and I wish I could say they were friendly, but they’re all older and keep to themselves. Now YOUR neighbors are a different story!! I loved meeting them and would scoop them up in a second. Friendly, engaging, happy, great stories about you and the Italian. What a special relationship to have been a part of each other’s lives while your children were all growing up. I’m such a lucky lady to have been able to be a part of your second Instagram lunch!! While the photos are accurate, they can’t possibly capture the flavors and the fun! THANK YOU DEAR CONTESSA for having us to your little slice of Italy! xoxox, Brenda
LA CONTESSA says
SO WELCOME!
COME BACK SOON!
XX
Diane says
Hi Brenda. One thing Elizabeth will tell you is that I can be sketchy on following the blog posts. It was a delight meeting you and your spirit! Come on back to CA soon for more stories and laughter~ Diane
Shireen says
Oh Theodore! You are truly adorable!
LA CONTESSA says
THAT HE IS!
XX
Robin Fink says
OHHH!! Contessa! You are such a wonderful person, and open your heart and home to all. Can I extend that thru you? Come to me… come to Umbria. My door is open. I am so lucky to know you!!!
XXo R
LA CONTESSA says
ONE DAY………………
I THINK YOU RANG ME THIS WEEK?
IT WAS SO GARBLED I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND A WORD!
JUST GUESSING IT WAS YOU?!!
XX
Nella says
I am Italian, born there…and I agree with everything you said above….
The table setting is gorgeous….those dishes!
I thank my lucky stars to be an Italian….living in Canada!
You amaze me with each and every post…..inspiring, to say the least ! Baci….xo
LA CONTESSA says
MOLTO BENE WE GOT AFFIRMATION AND A FACT CHECKER IN OUR AUDIENCE!!!!
THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENT AND SAYING I INSPIRE!!!
XX
Mithra Ballesteros says
What a fun glimpse into your life! Lovely that Brenda made the trip. She knows how to find a great party, that’s for sure! I wanted to know more about your tablecloth. It is stunning! And eventhough I sell vintage, I did not know about the cigarette vessels. So thank you for that lesson. Will keep my eyes peeled for you.
Regarding Italian hospitality, I remember my stay at a friend’s home in Florence years ago. Her mother woke us each morning with a hot espresso in bed. We frequent a tiny Italian restaurant here in town and the owners are very warm. He serves us a complimentary cordial at the end of each meal. I heard that he also deals drugs out of the kitchen but who cares? The food is amazing.
LA CONTESSA says
TABLECLOTH IS THAT BELGIUM CLOTH WHICH IS EXPENSIVE!GOOD EYE SENORA!
I CANNOT THINK OF THE NAME AT THE MOMENT……BUT I WILL AND WILL LET YOU KNOW!THEY MAKE THE GORGEOUS DISH TOWELS AS WELL……..
YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE ME LAUGH!
XX
Jill Anthony says
Oh Contessa, this post is fabulous! I’m pouring over all your photos lingering on every detail! Your table setting looks like something out of a magazine…or a Nancy Meyers movie! Enchanting, lovely and delightful! There, I used all my best adjectives! It’s so wonderful that Brenda was there! All of you ladies looked gorgeous! Loved Loved Loved!!!
LA CONTESSA says
I do ENJOY SETTING A PRETTY TABLE with a piggy underneath!
LOVE YOUR ADJECTIVES!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
XX
Jenny Patey says
Contessa, Sorry nowhere near The Cotswolds I’m in Dorset beautiful Thomas Hardy country in a small village close to the sea .
Hope your having lovely day . Xxx
Ellie's friend from Canada says
Hi Jenny,
My friends are thinking of going to Dorset for a holiday. Any suggestions about things to do? Sh loves antiquing. Any suggestions about a super bed and breakfast. I’d really apreciate any ideas you have! Thanks, Ann
lisa thomson says
How lovely all of your photos are, Contessa. What an amazing lunch with excellent company! I love the poem re: Italians. How perfect. Thanks for sharing your wonderful life (luncheon, friends and pets).
LA CONTESSA says
FINE COMPANY!
I LOVED THIS EXPERIMENT!!!!!!!!
PERHAPS WE NEED TO START A LUNCHEON REVOLUTION!!!!
Next idea A CAFTAN CLASH for COCKTAILS!!!!!!!???
XX
Hilda Smith says
As always I love your posts and almost can taste that pavlova…sounds like another fun meet-up. You are a wonderful hostess… x
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU HILDA!!!!!
XX
Kathy Yeidel says
Hi, I’ve been ill so I have’nt read your post for a while.
All I can say is I love you. Love your house. Love your pets. Can I move in with you. Ha Ha
Love Kathy
LA CONTESSA says
NO ROOM otherwise SURE!!!!!!!!
YOU could BUNK with BANKSY!!!!!!!
I hope you are on THE MEND!!!!
SORRY……..NO time to be sick !
XX
Brenda Kinsel says
So divine! I was wondering what was holding those lovely roses down your dining table! What fun facts and lovely guests at your soiree. Thanks for telling us all about it!
xx
CHERIE says
I totally get your whole Italian thing because I married one, and for all the reasons you have listed. We need to someday get our Italian husbands together! And, your second luncheon looks like it was a huge success, what was that dessert!!!??? Your Joie de vivre is contagious. XOXOX
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
STYLE NUDGE
KATHIE TRUITT says
My favorite article! My son in law is from Italy (Piacenza). I always thought I’d be the grandma that could ‘cook’, but no. I just don’t hold a candle to Nonna Flo (Floriana) If you ever go to Washington DC, her namesake restaurant is on 17th and Q. It’s fabulous just like she is.
Allena Behnke says
It is such a gift for you to host a luncheon at your home for friends. You are such a gracious host, the decor sets the mood. The table setting is beautiful and reflects you! And of course, the food must have been wonderful. Really enjoyed this blog, love ya!
dan says
This is a lovely post !I am Italian and I think that many things you said are true. You well caught some sides of Italian people and those are why I couldn’t live in any other country.
As someone said Italy is a crazy place but beautiful…