July 29,2021

Good Morning everyone, today is Thursday July 29, 2021, wow it is scary how fast this month is flying, but we still have a lot of summer left so don’t get upset. I don’t know what the weather will bring today but right now at porch time it looks favorable, let’s hope it stays that way.

Now I am always pontificating about finding things large or small to make us happy and bring joy to our lives. Yesterday, I just took a break from the pool, I felt there were other things I wanted to do. So I went to one of my favorite stores World Market, there are just many small things in there to look at, and many one of a kind things that you have to keep going back for because the stock is always changing. This is a marketing technique I myself practiced and like, it keeps a store fresh and people coming back, afraid they will miss something.

When I entered the featured promotion were goods from Campania, Italy right off the bat I was happy and excited. Why, because Campania is a region of southern Italy , that contains the province of Avellino, and the city of Naples. This is where most of my forebearers came from, and my in laws too. So right there was part of my heritage , so I started to look around, they had pasta, tomatoes in the can and jar, peppers, anchovies, I know many of you are saying ewe but from this area they are the best there is, dishware, glassware and a host of other things. So I began to shop, I knew I had fresh zucchini at home that I wanted to cook, and I knew Coleen was coming for dinner and the baby soon to arrive has to like Italian food so I bought a special pasta, anchovies, more pasta shapes and vowed I would be back before it is all gone. I have my eye on the pasta dishes, but I think if I bring another dish into the house I could get murdered after we got rid of many recently. Before going home I drove to get my breakfast treat , taralles, I can’t start my day without. Going on vacation next week I needed my supply.

The photo I have shared is of Spaghetti Nerano, this is a dish from souther Italy invented in the fifties by a woman Maria Grazia for her restaurant which is still there run buy her grandchildren. Basically it is fried zucchini, not breaded with spaghetti and cheese , but the trick is 1/3 of the zucchini is creamed in a processor to create the sauce. I have to admit I outdid myself Coleen and the baby loved it as we all did, Ronnie even had seconds so when I saw that I knew I had a hit on my hands. This recipes was written in Italian so it took me some time to translate and get it right.

Today’s post may not have been earth shattering or anything special but my point is these small things made me very happy, it gave me pleasure to make this for my family and what else is more important in life. It also gave me a chance to connect with the past, which I als love. Using my vivid imagination I thought I was on the Amalfi Coast in Cafe Nerano. If only.

Well it is coffee time also a new blend from Lavazzo, so as you see today I am immersed . Have a great day and do things for yourself to be happy, Ciao Til Tomorrow.