Italian humor

Italian Mom Stories• Main Courses• New Year's Day• One Pot Meals• Pork• Thoughts on Life

New Year Slow-Cooked Pork and Sauerkraut

January 3, 2015

In Western Pennsylvania, there are traditions you just have to keep. One is pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day. I may not live there currently, but I’ll be damned if I’m giving up this tradition, it’s too good. It’s said to be good luck to eat pork on New Year’s Day because pigs root forward, so, your year will start in a positive direction, unless you’re a…

Christmas• Family Traditions• Holidays• Pasta, Polenta and Risotto• Seafood• Thoughts on Life

Christmas Miracles

December 30, 2014

You can either live life, or write about it. This year for Christmas, I lived it. The great thing about living is you notice things like little Christmas miracles you might have overlooked. (The bad thing is your blog is late.) I lived it so well that I now have one mother of a head-cold that only responds to hot tea with lemon, honey and Rock n’Rye. I’m…

Christmas• Dipping Sauces, Spreads, Marinades and Salad Dressings• Family Traditions• Holidays• Main Courses• Pasta, Polenta and Risotto• Seafood• Thoughts on Life

My First Christmas Eve Away – How I Survived

December 15, 2014

I just read an article in the LA Times about an Austrian chef who re-creates Christmas dinners like those in his homeland because he has such great memories. I loved that, instead of sinking into a depression over what he’s missing, he’s re-creating it with braised duck and roasted chestnuts. I remember forcing myself to do that the first year I spent Christmas Eve away from my large,…

GettaSommaDis - Fun Stuff to Buy!

It's Black Friday at GettaSommaDis!

November 28, 2014

It’s Black Friday at GettaSommaDis, my online store with tons of witty, clever, irreverent items you WILL NEVER find in any self-respecting retailer. Don’t follow the crowds, shop in your pajamas! But do it today because Black Friday comes but once a year. Mr.Whiskey was adamant that I take his photo wearing his new apron. It’s a little big for him, but he likes the comfort. 50% off…

GettaSommaDis - Fun Stuff to Buy!• Italian Mom Stories• Thoughts on Life

The Hand That Stirs the Pot, Wields the Power

November 20, 2014

I was on the phone with my sister-in-law yesterday talking about Thanksgiving and what keeps families together over the years. I think witchcraft might be involved. We were lured in like Italian Hansels and Gretels by wonderful ravioli and slow-cooked sauce on Sundays. My mom acted innocent,while enticing us to sit together with delicious meals every night, where the chuck roast or turkey was so tender it fell…

Extras• Holidays• Italian Mom Stories• Side Dishes• Thanksgiving• Thoughts on Life

Tang God for Patty- A Thanksgiving Story – Sort of

November 14, 2014

My 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…

Italian Mom Stories• Thoughts on Life

Curse Words Never Sound As Bad In Italian

October 17, 2014

How sad that today’s kids will never know the thrill of waiting until the sixth time their mother screams their name to actually get moving, then blame it on not being able to hear her. Cell phones have taken the excitement away. Thank God batteries still die, so there’s hope for today’s youth. But nothing can replace the way parents used to have to muscle their kids into…

Italian Dad Stories• Italian Mom Stories• Thoughts on Life

Fixing Jesus

October 3, 2014

Jesus is in trouble. Ever since my father’s house sold last year, he’s been in limbo. I just found my mother’s treasured 8×10 of him in a corner of my bedroom buried under a pile of partnerless socks. When I moved the sock pile, I discovered my mom’s glow in the dark rosary beads and a St. Anthony plaque laying on top of him. I claimed them all…

Italian Mom Stories• Thoughts on Life

A Pooty (Pretty) Butterfly

September 25, 2014

Ever experience something you don’t talk about much because you know people will look at you funny? For me, it was the night my mom visited — maybe 7 or 8 years ago. If you’ve been reading this blog for long, you’ll know that’s impossible because my mom died in 1992. However, when she was alive, she always said that after she died she was coming back as…

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