A CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sunday we gathered with some friends for a family Christmas dinner. We have been welcomed into this family from way back when Fabrizio Ricotta and Gabriella had their pizzeria “Friends.” They were some of our first Sicilian friends, actually, even before we realized that they may be related through the Ricotta relatives I have in Caltavutura (from my mother’s side). Anyway, Fabrizio introduced us to his mother Giovanna and Gianni, and to Giovanna’s old neighbors, Jack and Marianna and their daughter Veronica. They are from Montreal originally and speak English and Italian. Then there is his brother Filippo and his wife and two young sons Roberto and Ricardo.
So we all (15 of us) gathered at Gianni and Giovanna’s apartment in Sciacca. As always, we had a wonderful meal that consisted of many courses and many special treats. The ravioli dish was stuffed with ricotta cheese, sage, and rosemary and someone said it was a typical Christmas time pasta. Conversation flowed in Italian and English (Fabrizio and Gabriella and their two kids Michaela and Sergio all know some English too). We played an exciting new card game and exchanged gifts of food and pottery. The only bad thing was that Palermo lost their soccer game to Livorno. Ah well, ya can’t win them all!