Tradizioni Natalizie...Christmas Traditions ...

It wouldn't be Christmas without them,  and this year was no different.  The season began, as it always has, by choosing a Christmas Tree.  For as long as I can remember I have loved choosing just the right tree. Decorating the tree and the house, making it cosy was next on the list of seasonal traditions. One of the most special traditions was when I was very young, watching Mom and Dad making Cartellate at the restaurant.  They would spend a very long day making lots of these delicious pastries for the family and many friends.  As I got older,  I too have embraced this tradition,  making Cartellate with Mom and my sister and my daughter and niece.  This year was the first Christmas without Mom being present to help us,  but she was there in spirit and in our hearts as we happily carried on the tradition while remembering and reminiscing about days gone by and how Mom and Dad would have been so happy to see us enjoying our memories... and making new ones...

Dolci... Sweets...

Remembering Christmas seasons past... when Mom and Dad would spend a very long day at the restaurant making Cartellate for sharing with friends and family.  They got going early in the day ready to make tons of the very traditional treats ... it wouldn't have been Christmas without this tradition.  Anna and I decided a few years ago that the tradition,  which pretty much ended when Dad passed away,  should  continue.  We've only made them for three years,  and although we saw them being made for many years,  we are not quite as good at the process as Mom was.  Practice will make perfect,  if that is what we're after,  although simply making these lovely pastries,  and remembering Mom and Dad makes for a happy day,  and very special memories...

Tradizioni… Traditions…

Thinking back to when I was younger,  there were times I may have taken traditions for granted… sometimes they got in the way of something I would rather have been doing.  Now,  more than ever,  I realize and appreciate everything that was and is a family tradition.  Those monday night dinners when Dad took the day off from the restaurant ,  Uncle Marco,  and Vito  did the same,  and they all went fishing with the women,  bringing fish home for dinner.  So many times when we were young,  we wished we could be out shopping or doing something fun instead of the "Monday Night Dinner".  Now,  I miss those times,  and I know I am not alone in that. During Christmas time,  Mom spent a very long day at the restaurant with Dad,  making lots of delicious  Cartellate for family and friends,  even sending some to family in  New York.  I've only made Cartellate a  few times since Mom stopped making them,  but  with Zia Lina,  Angelo and Pina visiting from New York,  we thought it would be fun to do together.  Priscilla was working and not able to join Anna,  Isa and the rest of us.  It was fun to see Mom watching us with a smile on her face,  perhaps remembering when she used to make  them.  In any case,  she was happy and even seemed to give us a little advice on our shaping technique.  I know that this tradition will be part of every Christmas,  along with new traditions that we are making,  and enjoying,  and never taking for granted… these things which we do as  family and for  family…