At Least There's That

So I'm sitting here, fingers poised over the keyboard, and ... nothing.


It's a horrible place to be, to have this need to write -- to create -- and yet not be able to come up with anything.


This month always does this to me. From beginning to end it's non-stop reports, final essays, school banquets, end of year parties, and requests for this and that. You would think that on a year in which our family didn't have a high school graduation (last year), a Confirmation (two years ago), or a First Communion and an 8th grade graduation within a week of each other (three years ago) that this time things would be different ... but no.  Just as busy. Just as ridiculously crazy.


And the driving. My God, the driving alone can drive you nuts. Half days, exam days, differing dismissal times in two schools ... uhm, road rage anyone?


Someone once dared to mention that Mother's Day is in May ... at least there's that, right? ARE YOU SERIOUS? I'm too busy to celebrate Mother's Day in May. Just give me a dark room and an entire day when no one talks to me ... that's what I want for Mother's day.


I sound grumpy, don't I? Or slightly unhinged.


Well, I made Limoncello last week. It will be ready in a few days.


NOW I'm smiling.


Limoncello in May.  At least there's that. Right?

Making Limoncello

The Sacred Heart Garden Festival ... it's coming!

The Peasant Kitchen
and Slow Food:

The Italian Approach to Food, Dining and Healthy Living

Saturday April 26th, 12:15PM

In Italy there is a saying, Per capire una cosa, devi guardare alle radici, which means that in order to understand something, you must first look at its roots. During her presentation, Maria will use recipes and anecdotes from her Italian heritage to demonstrate how simplicity and mindfulness in the kitchen can go a long way not only in how we think about food, but in how we approach life. It’s a journey which will take you from Nonna’s kitchen, to Rome’s Spanish Steps, and finally to a garden party … Italian style.

Maria Novajosky is a freelance writer and blogger at La Dolce Vita: The Sweet Life with Three Sons, where she writes about family, faith, and all things Italian. She is currently working on a book featuring her Nonna stories.

For a complete list of the speaker series for the
Sacred Heart Garden festival, go here:
http://www.sacredheartgardenfestival.com/speakers.html

Gnocchi

This morning my beautiful, talented, fun-loving cousin sent me this photo of some gnocchi she made by hand. If you don't know, gnocchi are soft dumplings, usually made with potatoes, which are served as a first course instead of pasta.

With a light sauce and a generous sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano, they are delicious.

The only problem in Martha sending me this photo is that I am here ...



and she is over there.