A Visit to the Farm

so, up at 8 (with the bells), latte and biscotti, and a small walk. the morning routine is quite set.

lunch, this time at zia caterina's. and we feasted on stuffed shells (ricotta and spinach), roast, soppresata, auntie made a torta and gina insisted on making eton mess. gina had decided that we needed to make them something 'english' so she had brought some meringue from the UK. of course the meringue smashed and all we could make of it was eton mess. but here is the thing, the time of the berries has passed so we had to have frozen ones, and we had squeeze cream. and when i say we, i mean me. i had to make the dessert cuz gina didn't know how. sigh. at least i got to make something. and i think to humour us, everyone had a slice of torta and a small eton mess. again, so very full.

lucky for us our cousin antonio was home (he lives in the same buidling as our aunt..yes that is his aunt as well, not his mom) and he took us out to the family farm, including nonna and his lovely wife marina. i haven't been there since i was 4, almost 5, so for me, there were small glipses of familiarity but for the most part it was all new to me. we got there and picked some amorelli bianci (white blackberries), cherries, we found some strawberries, and we saw everyone's little garden growing. it was sad to see uncle mario's fig trees left on their own. they seemed abandoned but who will take care of them now that he's gone?

we went a little further on to lago ampollino where we had a refreshing break from the heat. gina and i were laughing as nonna had to pee so she goes over a little bump and all we see is her sinking downward to do her business. i'm not sure why its so funny but you know, she's 88 and taking a pee in the woods. it was funny.

we head back for our final dinner with our favourite gal and she made a nice cotalette with tomato salad. so small yet it almost does me in.

i head off to bed thnking is it really all over already? and more importantly, will i see her again? saying goodbye to her is gut wrenching because that thing hangs above her. but she's so strong, and although i'm crying as i leave her place i know deep down inside that i will see her again. how can i not?

i love her to bits and i always will