Copyright © Louise Bostock 2007-2013. Please give credit where credit is due.
Capodanno 2011
A cloudless blue sky, and warm sunshine on heavy frost greets us this New Year's Day. By lunchtime it's such a beautiful day we're picnicking on the churchyard with all of Lago Maggiore shimmering at our feet.
I may have mentioned before that in a past life I spent a fair amount of time on the eastern seaboard of the US of A. On one occasion my new year's hostess was a statuesque Filipina, called Suzy. That night, Suzy's house was alive with friends and relatives from all over. Four generations of family squeezed into her house to share her hospitality, sunshiney smile and great cooking.
As midnight approached, the talk turned to new year traditions and superstitions, and soon many of the white Americans present had thrown a full purse out onto the front lawn, to be 'found' just after midnight, setting the pattern for luck in the new year.
Back in the kitchen, Suzy, a generation closer to subsistence than her American-born guests, was filling the rice container. If there was rice in the house as the year turned, there would be enough to feed the family all year round.
Last night, as I stepped wearily into the dressing room in search of pyjamas, my firework-spangled eyes fell on the overflowing ironing basket.
And I thought of Suzy...
A happy and successful New Year to all visitors to Carmine Superiore, whether they arrive on the Information Superhighway or on Shanks's Pony. Buon anno a tutti!
Credit: Stitching by AJ, aged 6.
Capodanno 2011
A cloudless blue sky, and warm sunshine on heavy frost greets us this New Year's Day. By lunchtime it's such a beautiful day we're picnicking on the churchyard with all of Lago Maggiore shimmering at our feet.
I may have mentioned before that in a past life I spent a fair amount of time on the eastern seaboard of the US of A. On one occasion my new year's hostess was a statuesque Filipina, called Suzy. That night, Suzy's house was alive with friends and relatives from all over. Four generations of family squeezed into her house to share her hospitality, sunshiney smile and great cooking.
As midnight approached, the talk turned to new year traditions and superstitions, and soon many of the white Americans present had thrown a full purse out onto the front lawn, to be 'found' just after midnight, setting the pattern for luck in the new year.
Back in the kitchen, Suzy, a generation closer to subsistence than her American-born guests, was filling the rice container. If there was rice in the house as the year turned, there would be enough to feed the family all year round.
Last night, as I stepped wearily into the dressing room in search of pyjamas, my firework-spangled eyes fell on the overflowing ironing basket.
And I thought of Suzy...
A happy and successful New Year to all visitors to Carmine Superiore, whether they arrive on the Information Superhighway or on Shanks's Pony. Buon anno a tutti!
Credit: Stitching by AJ, aged 6.
8 comments:
Hope your head doesn't hurt as much as mine...happy new year!
Too cold here to eat outside. Its just +5C and getting colder again.
Picnicking on New Year's Day with a view of Lago Maggiore, now that is a way to start the year!
I like the tradition of having a pot of rice ready to signify luck (and food!) in the New Year.
Actually having a pile of ironing waiting for you can be the symbol of having a house full of loved ones to take care of in the New Year ;)
Life is too short for ironing!
I hope your cup runneth over, whether with rice, money, ironing, or just happiness. Okay, happiness for sure. Buon anno!
What a fantastic place to bring in the New Year!
Bonsoir Louise, I wish you a very happy new year filled with health, love, laughter and yummy pasta ;-) Love from London xo
... and this is why I don't have an ironing basket. ;)
I ate lentils on New Year's Eve, so I shall, of course, become stinking rich this year. I shall then retire - and probably become so bored that I will happily come and do your ironing for you. Perfetto!
Post a Comment