What a wonderful, fun time! Getting up the hill was a bit treacherous, especially since we have no boots and the snow is thigh-high. Johnnie blazed the trail and I followed in his tracks. We almost did face-plants a couple of times but barely saved it. Warm clothes are a must!
Our hostess, Giugliana (I think that is the Italian spelling for Julia) and her husband, Emmanuele are really nice people. They are retired now and share similar interests to our own. She loves to cook and made an excellent, multi-course meal. He is quite the artist, wood and stone carving that is really intricate and also painting. He loves to garden as well, so I can see him and Johnnie spending lots of time this summer.
Also at the party was her brother and his wife, and their youngest son, Daniele. Daniele spent a couple of weeks in Boston recently and speaks pretty good English. He helped with the translations during the dinner. Giugliana and Emmanuele both speak some English as well, and they helped us with our faltering Italian. All in all, it was very fun. Let's face it; communication is at least half body language, gestures, tone of voice and expression, with a few words added here or there and it works!
The menu was served in courses as follows:
1. Home made Gnocchi with broccoli (but I thought it looked more like spinach) served with a sparkling Lambrusco (red wine) and water
2. Light bread rolls with squash blossoms in it and wedges of spinach and cheese pie that they said was traditional for Easter (the light bread rolls are often made with meat, they said)
3. Chunks of a spicy sausage cooked with fried potatoes - this was really delicious but I was getting so full already I couldn't eat much
4. Dessert was a cake, very light with a hazelnut filling and a light chocolate whipped topping. Very yummy! This was served with sugared hazelnuts. They explained that Avellino and the surrounds are know for the hazelnut production.
5. A small glass of Spumante (similar to champagne) to toast the happy birthday and our welcome to the neighborhood.
6. Italian coffee
The party started at 8 and ended at 11 or so. We were tired and went straight to bed but really don't like sleeping on such a full stomach. We are still not used to the later hours here.
Moving Adventures continue
Snowed in again on Sunday so a perfect day for unboxing, arranging furniture, putting stuff away. The house is starting to look like a house.
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| The Formal Sala |
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| The Formal Sala - other view |
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| Den and Dining room |
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| Den and dining room |
Johnnie tried to dig the car out but not going to happen; we are parked on a slant so the car keeps sliding into the snow bank. He is hampered by using a board as a shovel! We have nothing to give the car traction like gravel or sand or salt, so we'll just sit tight until it melts. More snow expected tonight.
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