Last week I was at work getting coffee, talking about wanting to lose weight with a co-worker. I was saying how frustrating it was that I haven’t been successful. She’s one of my favorite co-workers. She leaned over to me smiling and said, “Sometimes Miss Fran, you just have to buck the f__k up,” which made me laugh so hard I almost spit. She would know, she’s been…
My son told me this morning how helpless he feels. His father (my ex) has to have have triple bypass surgery. My son is worried and I wish I could tell him something that would make him feel better. But I can’t, except that most people come through the surgery with no problem. I even know a few. I felt the same way when my mom had her…
I’ve been listening to the little voice in my head for the past couple of weeks. No, I’m not schizophrenic, (although nothing would surprise me). You probably have a little voice who says things to you too. For most of my life, I didn’t even notice her. But a couple of years ago, I was working with a very astute woman named Barbara, who said something that really…
Kids are so coddled anymore. Halloween used to be a test of your mettle. Now parents go out and buy cute outfits, help their kids get dressed, help with their make-up and follow them along with a flashlight. They check their candy and even force them to say thank you when they’re done. What have we done to our children? When I was a kid in the wild…
Easter• Extras• Holidays• Side Dishes• Thanksgiving
Shut-up Conscience, I'm Making Memories
December 4, 2014I have the same battle with myself every day, sometimes several times a day. Last weekend it sounded like this: Conscience: What are you doing? You’re making Thanksgiving dinner for your kids and their friends, three days after Thanksgiving, when you should be working on that book you’re always talking about — or applying for jobs! What’s more important: work or making your daughter’s favorite corn casserole?…
Extras• Holidays• Italian Mom Stories• Side Dishes• Thanksgiving• Thoughts on Life
Tang God for Patty- A Thanksgiving Story – Sort of
November 14, 2014My brothers were smart, they knew not to bring girls they dated home. The few times they did, Mom would be nice, unless the girl happened to touch them. Holding hands, snuggling, or showing any kind of affection meant she was a puttana and would never do for her sons. She never remembered names, only referring to them as, “datta gal,” as in, “Tella datta gal to eatta…
Extras• Family Traditions• GettaSommaDis - Fun Stuff to Buy!• Holidays• Side Dishes• Thanksgiving
November? What the hell?
November 7, 2014
I can’t believe it’s already November. To make it worse, everywhere I look the poor turkeys are being squeezed out by the holiday stuff. What the hell? It’s too bad because a holiday devoted to being thankful , and FOOD is my kind of holiday. I’ve always loved it — so much, that in college, we made Thanksgiving dinner and ate on two mattresses on the floor because…
Dipping Sauces, Spreads, Marinades and Salad Dressings• Main Courses• Poultry• Side Dishes• Vegan• Vegetables
Italian Turkey Meatloaf – Oh Baby Baby
October 28, 2014
I’m a week behind on my blog because I’ve been working like a maniac on my new internet store. It’s going live this week (if the computer gods are with me) and I can’t wait to share it with you guys! There’s some fun stuff, so don’t do all your holiday shopping yet. I’ve been cooking this week and have a couple recipes to share. Remember a few…
Italian Mom Stories• Salads• Side Dishes• Vegan• Vegetables• Vegetarian
How My Italian Mom Weeded Out Prospective Suitors
August 8, 2014
It’s no surprise that I was 32 when I married. Frankly, I’m amazed I was that young because my mom had a way of winnowing out the weaker prospects pretty quickly. Any suitor who visited had to be warned about her because her childlike frankness left people stunned. To protect myself, I sat at the table with her, laughing too loud so whomever she was talking to knew…
Beef• Main Courses• Side Dishes• Vegan• Vegetables• Vegetarian
Seeing Blessings, Not Curses
January 27, 2014My friends, Bob and Debra had everything a year ago. A thriving business, a gorgeous new home, and tons of friends. They still have the friends, the business and the home, but Bob can only see it from a hospital bed now. ALS is ravaging him. In less than a year, he went from being healthy and vital, to looking gaunt. He’s unable to move and barely able…