Once again, I come to you and express my Ten Things of Thankfuls.
Number one thankful, it is our sixth year as a family.
Last Sunday on May 1st not only did we celebrate our family day – I also got the entire family together for a typical Italian Sunday meal, and to celebrate my parents 6oth Wedding Anniversary.
“Il Pranzo” translates to lunch – growing up our Sunday dinners always began in the early afternoon, on the menu was my mom’s Sauce that she always called ragu, which means meat sauce, and not the jarred sauce.
So I did the same – Early in the morning, I started the sauce; I added meatballs, hot (spicy) Italian sausage and braccioles.
A bracciole is a thin steak stuffed with whatever you like – I simply did mine with garlic, cheese, and parsley, rolled it tightly, tied it up with string – a cute little meaty bundle.
At 2:30 we all gathered together – ate the meal I prepared of a ragu with Rigatoni, there was ricotta cheese on the side available if one wanted to add a dollop of it to the pasta, a salad, braccioles, meatballs, and sausages.
I also made escarole but somehow it was forgotten and left in the oven where I placed it to keep it warm.
My parents were not there for dinner, but came for dessert; we surprised them with a cake for their many years together. Sixty years, wow!
I’d like to add at this time, how nice it was to have an impromptu get together. It seems that it’s not done that often anymore. Today our lives have generated so many wonderful things that help us daily.
Although social media is fun and texting is quick and easy, lately, I am comparing it to pumped air- air that is generated to make us think we are breathing clean air.
We think we are socializing but we are not… yes, maybe some of us don’t have a choice and that perspective is a solid connection. However, a physical meet needs to be considered more these days. Because on Monday morning when I l left my safe haven to go out into the world, I was armored with happy thoughts of the day before, and more importantly I kept in mind who I am, and where I came from; which is a lineage of very strong minded and smart people.
Number two goes to sixty years of marriage, there is so much more not being said there.
Number three; physical connections – these connections are not only for the family but friends too. Let’s keep in mind, not only are we joined by a special bond, but we also cheer for another always.
Today is Mothers’ day – Happy Mother’s Day especially my mom, and to all Moms, women, and girls; an all-important connection that needs to be celebrated always.
I was not feeling well last week, a painful problem that goes with the many changes that are happening now.
Number four is keeping it together and figuring out ways to help me.
Five and Six are Yoga and vitamins; which seems to be helping.
I have a daughter that does yoga with me…. (I always knew I would) – that is number seven.
Teddy is showing us how a downward facing dog is done, correctly.
It was Cinco de Mayo on Thursday
Empanadas from a place in Queens called; Mama’s
Empanadas.
Nick brought them home.
I did not have to cook.
Last week is behind us, yesterday I had surgery, removing cholesterol white spots that formed on my eyelids – this is the second surgery. I am hoping with the many lifestyle changes that I’ve made recently , and I am now on Lipitor, that they won’t come back.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
What are you thankful for today? It can be as serious as I am here for another day, halleluiah; or I’m not washing dishes today; the word thank you itself is a prayer let’s say it more.
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4 Comments
Val
Hey Marisa, your food was making me hungry. Yum, and yum. Your parents are a beautiful couple, what a feat to have been married 60 years. They both look very healthy. Celebrations are wonderful, no matter what the occasion. I do yoga, too. Your socks and gloves are cool. Happy Mother's Day.
Kristi
Beautiful! Happy anniversary to your parents.
Lisa L.
Can I please come to your house for dinner? It sounds so much like how our family cooks, but when someone else is the cook it always tastes so much better, don't you think? 😀 We love bracciole – my Mom makes it for our Christmas celebration and it is ah-mazing. We do prosciutto, provolone, parsley, garlic inside and it just melts into one happy fall-apart roll of deliciousness!
I'm starting yoga with a friend soon and looking forward to it.
Happy anniversary to your parents! How wonderful!
Christine
Ah, such good food is so often made at your house. We didn't grow up with that at all, so I'm flying blind and teaching myself how to cook. My grandma's family was quite poor, seeing as how she grew up through the depression with 6 siblings, and they canned and canned and canned their own food. She was worked to the bone as a kid. When packaged and processed food came out, she jumped on that bandwagon as fast as she could. Very few things were made from scratch at her house. And my mom was a picky eater, so variety wasn't in our house, either. Basically, I'm jealous of your family's traditions surrounding great food. 🙂
Happy Anniversary to your parents!!
Happy 6th Anniversary of gotcha day! Hard to believe, isn't it?