I haven't written in over a month....yeah I know I've been slacking!
So the following are pictures from the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 in America and Italy....
We went to Ipolita's aunt's house for dinner to celebrate her cousin's birthday. She had the following for dinner: sausage and Neapolitan broccoli, which I love, rolls, pizza and another salty treat that had ricotta and ham for the filling, it was very good!
At Sunday lunch with Ipolita, we had pasta, baked potatoes and cotechino, the salami, a traditional Christmas food...Always delicious :)
The last week before Christmas, I decided to make Christmas cut out cookies for my students....Aren't they cute :) They taste good too! :)
Oh, my students wanted cheesecake too :)
At the Christmas party with one of my classes: cookies, cheesecake and a student's mother made something similar to cinnamon rolls which were full of butter and deliciousness! :)
At the last Christmas Party at school, these were the treats...I couldn't let you all miss out on the food!
That evening, I had a couple of student's over and I made hot wine. We had hot wine, cheesecake and chips :) Here I am getting the party started :)
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| My friend brought blood oranges! They were delicious! |
I took inventory of all the wonderful gifts I received from my students and friends....I am truly blessed! Thank you everyone!!!!
The day before I left for America, I had lunch with Ipolita.
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| I made a cheese dip... |
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| Baked pasta with potatoes |
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| Ipolita's mother in law made struffoli, little fried balls of dough covered in honey :) |
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| Dates |
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| Lemon garlic chicken :) |
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| Fresh Homemade Limoncello :) |
Early the next morning, I left for America. I left Rome at 9:30ish and by 11:00am rolled around, I was already enjoying a nice glass of wine :) It was 12:00 somewhere :) The older gentleman sitting next to me looked at me and cheered me on! :) He had orange juice. :) I had a nice conversation with the older gentleman. I found out he was going to visit his daughter and grandson in Miami for Christmas. He was very kind and couldn't hear well, which made it a little difficult when I spoke to him, since I spoke in Italian. He couldn't speak English. Once I told him I was an English teacher he seemed more eager for me to help him with his customs forms. It was an enjoyable ride and I was shocked that this older person never slept for 12 hours! He watched movie after movie! Anyways, I hope he had a good time with his family! Salute!
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| Alitalia in the festive spirit! |
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| My Christmas gift from Alitalia: A glass of spumante and torrone. :) |
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| I saw the sunrise from Italy and I saw the sunset on my drive home from America..... |
I was welcomed home to a house full of Christmas! Literally, every corner was decorated. Go Mom!
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| Sweets from New York City |
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| Christmas Eve Dinner |
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| My cousin made these cute snowman hats :) |
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| And these snowmen :) |
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| A neighbor gave us a Christmas bouquet |
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Christmas Day Dinner: Ham, Greenbeans, Mozzarella, Salad, and Potatoes
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While I was in America, I took advantage of tasting all my favorite foods and drinks :) I found peppermint marshmallows, so I convinced my mother to have a cup of hot chocolate with me :)
During my time home, I made a few stops at Starbucks ;)
I made quiche! :) I love quiche!
The one day it was cold....
For New Year's Day, my mom had a neighborhood party. This is what was brought:
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| Antipasto plate |
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| Roasted potatoes and onions |
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| Brie with fig jam |
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| Mom made meatballs |
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| A casserole |
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| My sausage :) |
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| Garlic cheese rolls |
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| Roasted pepeprs |
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| A southern New Year's Day tradition, ham and black eyed peas... and greens and turnips and cornbread below... |
We managed to go to the beach twice while I was home. Doesn't the sun look so warm, I must say it does, especially from cold Italy!
Nothing like the beach and wine :)
We saw an alligator along the side of the road so I took a picture for those of you who didn't know there were alligators in Florida.
A Florida sunset.....
We ate out and I got my fill of fried foods....
We visited a friend in route to DisneyWorld. She took us around her town on a golf cart. I sat in the back and got to really see and feel the sights! It was a wild ride! :) It was a senior citizen town and there were golf carts everywhere. We saw a center where senior citizens can interact and socialize with others. It was quite the experience. We walked into the gym. You see a bunch of ellipticals, treadmills, and weights being used. It was packed with senior citizens! I was the youngest one in the room! I started laughing. I thought it was great to see so many seniors exercising but I was also in complete shock! They also had different clubs the seniors could take part in according to their interests....It was fascinating to see. An awesome experience!
After the golf car ride and senior citizens, we headed for Disney. We arrived just as the parade started...Perfect timing!
Then we headed directly for the new Fantasyland, where there is the Beauty and the Beast area. We hadn't eaten lunch so we decided to eat at Gaston's Tavern. We had a brew that was apple juice with a hint of marshmallow....OMG it was delicious!!!!
We also shared a pork shank....It was huge!
See!
The next day we had lunch at Epcot at the Mexico pavilion. It was our first time eating there. I was craving chips and salsa like none other. The chips and salsa definitely fulfilled my craving and the entree was delicious as well! Mom had enchiladas and I had chicken with rice and peppers and onions...
In the evening, we went to Downtown Disney and walked around. I love how everything is Disney. Look at this chair :)
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| Mom's pizza |
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| My chicken, avocado, apple, pecan salad |
Friday was the day of the big race. The Family 5K. Mom walked it and I ran. Here are the fireworks after each corral started.
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| In our corral, we were in the front at the starting line. |
We crossed the finish line to Footloose. It was a great ending. We had a great time as always and Mom wants more to join us next year!
We returned home and I left the next day. This was my breakfast compliments to my mother. Eggs with basil and cheese, and semolina bread from NYC. Yummy! :)
Waiting at the airport, I got my Starbucks.
I arrived in Italy to this....Yes, I was back home :)
I gave candy to all my students...This was just some of the candy...
I went out with my friends a week ago, this was our dinner...
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| This was mine. It was fabulous!!! |
Last Sunday, we had lunch at Ipolita's house. Her parents had returned from America so we had the full spread!
Other than trying not to eat, yeah right, life has returned to normal here in Italy. I was on the train the other day and spotted snow on Vesuvius. It is mighty cold here compared to Florida, that is for sure!
I hope to post soon, less than 1 month I promise! Buon Anno Nuovo! Happy New Year!~
