Friday is Dolly Day

 

One of my most favorite blogs to read each day is  Little Jenny Wren's blog.   You can find the blog posted under my favorite blogs on the right hand side.  The first Friday of each month,  Jenny will be hosting a Dolly Day.  Everyone who blogs may post doll  photos, thoughts, stories, memories, etc.  on their blog, and link back to Jenny's blog.  The Dolly Day information is posted at the link below:                                       

http://littlejennywren.blogspot.com/search/label/Dolly%20Day%20Friday

Anticipation

Tomorrow, God willing, our fourth grandchild will be born!  There will be a baby brother for Joseph, and another child to welcome into our family.  The scheduled C-section is supposed to happen around 3 Friday afternoon, but that time is tentative.

We are so blest to be able to welcome another little one.  I cannot wait!

Nonna

Clara Rose

I wanted to share some photos of our granddaughter, Clara, who is four-months old today.  She is a beauty, the perfect combination of her mom and dad. 
Clara is our third grandchild.  Her cousins Joseph and Noel love her very much. 
A new grandson will be arriving at the beginning of March, a brother for Joseph.

Clara Rose

Clara and Adelaide

Adelaide and Clara

Sneakers, Clara and Gandolf

We just got back from ten days in Sicily, my grandparents' ancestral home.  We have visited Sicily before, but we went to different locations this time.  Agrigento, Siracusa and Marsala. 

The Greek temples and ruins at Agrigento, were just outstanding.  There they sit, in the middle of a field, looking awesome and beautiful. 

Sicily was invaded and inhabited by many different people, and the Greeks certainly left their stamp on the country. 

This telamon, or support, was one of about 38 that originally was used to support the Temple of Zeus.   They estimate that The Temple of Zeus was one football field long.

At night, the ruins are softly lit.  We culd see them through our hotel room window.  I wasn't able to walk to the ruins, but enjoyed the view from a far.  Jim spent hours walking around the ruins.

                            

    

Here is a photo of me in the courtyard of our hotel in Siracusa,

 next to a pomegranate tree.

It was awesome to experience some spring weather in January. 


One more photo, Jim in front of one of the many churches we visited. 

All the  people we met were so kind and helpful.  They couldn't do enough for you.  The food, well, it was awesome, especially the cannoli.  After all, Sicily is the home of cannoli.

Italian Celery and Green Olive Salad

My mom used to make this salad, and we all loved it.  It is easier to find the cracked green olives already pitted today.  If you cannot find them pitted, you will have to do it yourself.  I do not put the onion in mine, as some of the family do not like raw onion. Prepare this salad ahead of time, so that it can marinate in the refridgerator.  Take it out about a half-an-hour before serving.

Italian Celery and Green Olive Salad

8 Stalks of Celery plus the green leaves, chopped.
1 pound of  cracked green olives, pitted
1/4 tsp. dried oregano flakes
dried red pepper flakes to taste
1 clove garlic, crushed
onion (optional) chopped
salt & pepper
olive oil and red wine vinegar to taste

Mix all together in a bowl and marinate in fridge.  I like to do it the day before serving, but a few hours ahead is ok.  Remove from fridge about a half-an-hour before serving.  Enjoy!

Love,
Nonna

December

Where has the time gone?  It has been months since I posted.  Here is what I have been up to...

I wanted to use a photo of the grandchildren on our Christmas card.  It took two days to get a photo that you could at least see their faces.  Joseph and Noel were never still, and Clara slept through it all.  I finally bribed Joseph and Noel with a cookie.




Rub-a-Dub-Dub, 3 Elves in a Tub

  We are celebrating Joseph's second birthday tonight. It will be a Pizza Friday/Birthday event.  I can't wait to see how excited The Littles will all be. 

Another grandson is to arrive the end of February.  Joseph will make a fine big brother.

Hugs,

Nonna

Jeepers Peepers

It has been almost a month since my last post. I have been enjoying life with my family, especially The Littles.

Last night was my daughter Kate's birthday. All her siblings and The Littles were able to here with us. What a joy watching Clara watching her cousins, Joseph and Noel.

Clara is five weeks old now. I have been taking photos of her, but her eyes are always closed in them. Her mommy finally got one with Clara's eyes opened.