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...

Happy Thanksgiving...

Following our yearly traditions,  Anna will make a lovely Turkey Dinner, and I will make Pies and the cranberry sauce,   and decorate the tables.  The meal is pretty much the same... the pies too.  If we haven't yet celebrated Edy's Birthday together,  I make a cake for her.... And of course,  there will be a special cocktail... inspired by the season.   The tables are a bit different every year,  but similar in that I always use Pumpkins and Natural decor,  using Fall colors along with whatever might inspire me that particular year... and always a bit of sparkle.  This year we will be a large group of family and a few friends. It will be a special day spent together ,  thankful for all that we have,  and thankful for another year with Mom... the matriarch of the family...

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...