breakfast

Italians don't eat much for breakfast. After you've seen what kind of a dinners we've eaten, you won't be surprised that our breakfast habits are lightening up. Usually its caffe and a small sweet, like cake or a croissant.

First, some caffe latte.

Italian style caffe is much more like espresso than American coffee. I love this stove top espresso maker and plan to bring one home for us.

I've been picking up fresh milk from a latteria every week. (a post on Italian grocery shopping is to come!)

Whisk the milk on low heat until scalding.

The coffee is ready after a minute of percolating.

Pour coffee, sugar, and then milk and stir.

Pastor Ferrari's mom, Ivanna (or Nonna - grandma) made us this dolce (cake) for breakfast the other day.

It was very thick and moist, and had pinenuts and grapes inside.

breakfast is best enjoyed on the patio with a good book!

Hospitality & Cucina Italiana

We've experienced wonderful hospitality from the congregation of Filadelfia church. The food has been incredible and the fellowship delightful.

Our first Saturday we had dinner with the Calderaros. Daniela cooked us a feast!
(Vittorio is an elder, and their two daughters, Erika and Martina)


Antipasti of meats, cheeses, veggies, and breads




Insalada di mari


salmon roll for secondo


and for dessert, fruit & espresso




and then, gelato!


You already saw photos of our Sunday fellowship meal.

We have enjoyed many dinners with the Ferrari's, although I've only taken photos of one. Here is a traditional summer feast which Christina allowed me to help prepare.

(I love this photo of Christina!)

Pastor and intern chat before dinner


Prosciutto crudo e melon


Caprese


This is one of Simone's favorite meals -- he is an enthusiastic eater.


then, formaggio (cheese!)


The following Friday we were invited for dinner at the Sr. Calderaros: Giuseppe and Crocifissa.
Vittorio's family joined us at his parents, as well as the Ferraris and we had a fabulous time at a traditional Italian meal. Endless food, delicious wine, and loud talking over each other all night! :-)



primi - pasta was SO good. (Here Vittorio is showing Eric to add more olive oil to the pasta0


secondo: meatballs with a hardboiled egg and ham inside!


also, a very delicious beef in gravy and some Italian potato salad

Ivanna (Pastor F's mom) passing the formaggio around


insalada comes after dinner


Crocifissa e Christina


fruit!


even though we couldn't understand a word he said, Giuseppe entertained us all night.


peanut cake by Christina


the group. I was laughing so hard, I didn't notice Eric got cut off in the picture. Erika jumped in front of Daniele, and half the people weren't looking!



And this past Saturday we were invited over to the Altobellis. Mimo is the other elder in the church and is a very funny guy.

see that crazy cheese with the colored toppings? It's made from sheep milk and is the consistency of cream cheese, but MUCH better. topped with black pepper, chives, olives and red pepper.


Mimo and his wife Rosanna made us Neapolitan (Naples-style) pizza which was AMAZING. They also overfed us.






Tiramisu and Rosanna's homemade creme de limoncello (YUM)




in between laughing, Eric and Mimo talked theology.


Thank you Altobelli's!



Nom, nom, nom. We [and our bellies] are loving Italy!

two years of marriage.

due anni con mi amore.

la vita e dolce.

(for a few more anniversary photos, click here)

Lake Como

Tuesday we took our first 'day off' to explore Italy in the first week we were here. We kept it a little closer and headed about an hour north of Milan to Lake Como.

(my first time attempting photostitch. It's not perfect, but it gives you an idea of the view)

Before we left, I didn't know much about the Lake, what there was to see or do, or how long we'd want to spend there. We just hopped on the train to see what we could find!

A rapid service ferry took us to the town of Bellagio, at the mid point of the lake. Its one of the larger lakeside towns to visit.

Needless to say, it is charming and the views were stunning. The lake is surrounded by mountains on both sides. We were there at the prime time so the weather was just gorgeous (but it was also not too busy on a weekday).

Here's a panorama video of what we were enjoying:

We ate pasta and seafood on the lakefront overlooking the water

and then went for a stroll

The day was too short, but it was certainly lovely.

(also for those wondering...the ferry did not take us past George Clooney's Lake Como home, sadly)