Groundhog Day and sex are not a natural pairing in anyone’s mind, except mine. This story starts with my sex education, which can be summed up in six words: “DON’T EVER LET ANYONE TOUCH YOU!”…
The Annual Cutthroat Tunno Pumpkin Pie Competition is upon us and the smack talk has started with my nephew, Chris. If I knew how to, I’d share his first Facebook taunt with you, but you get the point. Humility is not his strong point. But this IS competition and what better way to stir up a rivalry than with attitude and a winning pie recipe? (We’re all just jealous…
Italian Mom Stories• Thoughts on Life
Who Knew Over Easy Eggs Could Force Me To Mature?
August 14, 2015
Last week, when I was visiting family in Pennsylvania, I ate out more times in two days than I did from the time I was 0 to 13. This behavior would have shocked my frugal parents back in the ’50s and ’60s. From the time I was born until I was thirteen I think I dined out twice. (I did tour the McDonalds in Beaver Falls with the…
My kids were gone for a mini-family reunion at their dad’s house for the Fourth of July and I missed them, so I wanted to cook something wonderful when they returned. It was Sunday and my Italian soul longed for lasagne. It was just special enough that my devious plan, to get them (including my daughter’s boyfriend) to stay for a meal, worked. Now that’s success. (See what…
I wish I was royalty. Then I could just turn to a servant and say, “Jeeves, have this pressed for me at three.” That would be nice, but the closest I ever got to royalty was a story floated around by some family member that we Tunno’s might be descendants of Albanian Royalty. I thought Albanian Royalty was a fiction, until I looked it up. Apparently, they not…
A good neighbor is someone who, years after you’ve moved, still calls when the blackberries are ripe in his yard so you can come pick some. That’s what my former neighbor, Brian, did a few days ago. We had great neighbors in my old neighborhood. One let me pick apricots in his yard. You’d bite into them and the apricot juice would run down your chin. That’s what…
My long time friend Carolyn’s father passed away a few weeks ago and while I was telling him my final, tearful goodbye, I couldn’t help but notice what a nice casket he was in. I snapped out of it and got back to saying my goodbye to Mr. Riley, who always kindly made time for me and respected my family. And, I have to say, his casket was…
Baking• Desserts• Italian Mom Stories• Pies
Italian Bonding with Trader Pies and Easter Bread
April 4, 2015
Italian women bound into a flurry of baking activity before big holidays like Easter and Christmas. Then they rush their baked goods to friends and family, as though the holiday will not happen unless every last baked good is delivered.…
Today is the 23rd anniversary of my mom’s passing. She was a force of nature; making you crazy one minute, making you laugh the next. This story is proof. “Franzes!” I heard my mother’s irritated scream echoing along the metal hallways of the Queen Mary. My father and I exchanged knowing glances and knew our tour of the engine room was over. My dad loved seeing the ship’s quarters…
Baking• Bread• Thoughts on Life• Vegetarian
A Zucchini Funk May Be Just What You Need
January 11, 2015
I was in a funk most of November and December. I got my freelance work done, but didn’t have the drive to do anything except sit on the couch and watch every episode of The Gilmore Girls, while shoving food in my mouth. I didn’t want to decorate for Christmas or even bake Christmas cookies, which is like Mother Theresa not wanting to help the poor. I just had…