People

I've often said that I have a lot of friends that I haven't met yet.  This blog is about some of those people.  Some of you know them as well.  Those of you that don't won't care much about this blog!

Today was Sunday dinner at Nicola and Mariella's house where we go for Sunday morning.  Nicola had a birthday this week.  His daughter and her friend, Liliana and Cristiano, Anna Maria Grassi, and their son, wife and children Marco and Cristina, Aurora and Roberto made up the party.

The birthday boy.





There are no secrets in the world of Facebook so I got to be included in the celebration.  Liliana made Papa a heart shape tart and a big round one for me!  But I did have to share...  Fruit tart with real custard is my favorite French dessert.  This one was a 10 on all counts.  Mmmmm.

           Bellissimo!

And Cristina made the most wonderful granita that she knows I love.  It's coffee melded with orange and cinnamon.  She makes it herself and gave me a big fat dollop of whipped cream on top.






One day last week we were honored with a visit from the Grassi sisters, Anna Maria and Concentina.  We took them back to their little abode in Bari and they served us coffee and cookies there.  Sharon, visiting from London, shared the day with us.

You just have to appreciate a clear picture of a squid.  Picture a very large goose egg with tentacles.  









This is the lady who cooks Wednesday lunch.  Anna Marie and Concentina are there so they interpret.  What a cook she is!  Mafalda isn't young but she acts like she is.

I love the planter in her yard!











We've had some company from London, friends of Laura's but I'm now claiming them as well.  Sharon came last week.  You see her in the restaurant picture above.

The previous week, Donna and Jonelle came.  There have been a few late nights of chatting...  British, Australian and Yankee accents blending in laughter.

Here the London residents create a tasty lunch after visiting the local shops.  Veggies, pasta, cheeses, focaccia, proscuito - all local and fresh.  

Followed with coffee on our upper floor terrace.

Just a couple more...

Laura's made a valiant effort to appreciate the local frutti de mare while she's here.  This octopus, larger than her hand, and fish head, kind of took her over the edge. I nearly gagged at the under sides when she picked them up.  I think she's had the last of some of these creators so you likely won't see more of them.  I consider it all akin to Rocky Mountain oysters.

The stupendous ceiling in the restaurant, in old town Monopoli, where we kind of parked in the middle of the street.  But others came along and really did park in the middle of the street.  When in Rome, you just do what you have to do.