@Cucina 2
I am retired and have lived in the small cul-de-sac community of Martinez on the shores of Suisun Bay my entire life. I am of Italian heritage with a bit of Irish thrown in (thanks to my Mom)for good measure. My favorite cookbook is our family recipes...especially those handed down by my grandmother. Since retirement, I devote myself to my family especially my husband and our grandchildren. I look forward to summer days when we have our grandchildren two days of the week while mommy works. We garden, swim, hike, play games, etc. and just enjoy La Dolce Vita. My husband and I have transformed our backyard into a Italian country paradise and often have family and neighbors in to enjoy good Italian meals, while sipping wine under the grape arbor and listening to the trickle of the waterfall built by my husband cascading down the hillside and the instrumental sounds of Italian music wafting through the air. In the winter months, our grandchildren often call just to chat and come over to "hang" with grandpa and grandma. This is the time we pass on the culinary fun of Grandma's cucina. The pride in their eyes at their accomplishments is a delight to behold. The pride in my six-year old grandson eyes displaying his Gingerbread cookies on Christmas Day swelled my heart and then to see him giggle with delight at the "oohs" and "ahhs" and "yummy" from the family gathered. The hug around the neck and whispered "Thank you" from his was priceless. He then looked at me and said, "Can we do this every year?" He has a standing date with me.