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April 27, 2003
Pasqua
About a week before Easter it suddenly dawned on me that I had no plans. Coming from a big family, the big holidays are designed if not destined to be big family affairs. There are always lots of people talking and laughing and playfully teasing each other and catching up on each others' lives. More often than not there is a rather heated debate on how idiotic Junior is or whomever happens to be making the decisions. All in good fun, things get out of hand and back in a gain and it is a loud raucious affair. Having moved so far away from family, I can't get to all of the big family events and am left to my own devices 2000 miles away from the party.
I've been pretty fortunate I have to admit. My friends Jim and Andre usually host an amazing Thanksgiving. I have gotten to the point where Turkey Day is "their holiday". And I barely miss the shenanigans occuring in Texas. I haven't quite figured out the Easter Holiday though. It's still open season for me on what I do for Easter and I was a little nonplussed.
Fortunately, Rhett, who is still a very close friend, came to my rescue. He invited me to his Aunt's house for Easter dinner. Rhett's uncle is Italian so we celebrated Easter with an Italian twist. The affair turned out to be a 10+ hour event centered around food. The really neat thing is that the "first leg" of the meal included antipasta platters of pepperoni, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, the best damn sausage bread, ever, and a bunch of other stuff. That in itself was scrumptious. After noshing on the antipasta we started in on the ravioli with sausage, meatballs and sauce. I love pasta. Especially the good non-grocery store kind. It might be something about the sugary taste and the diabetes that runs in my family. The ravioli was so good and even more of a treat to me because I have never in my life had ravioli on Easter. It's a tradition for them. Ravioli on Easter is a given. Much like Cherries Jubilee on Christmas Eve for Cousins Matt and Court.
I was a little dismayed to discover these were only two of the courses for the Easter meal. I knew the Big Fat Gay Diet was gonna go out the window for Easter but this could get really messy. Fortunately we took a rest from the eating portion of the day and took advantage of the few hours of moderately nice weather (still chilly but sunny enought that we could pretend summer was actually on its way.) Maggie, Rhett's cousin, brought out her Easter Bunny that she had gotten 4 years ago.
I had never thought that bunnies would be very good pets. I am pretty sure I was wrong. This bunny was so cuddly and soft. He just sat on my chest quietly and let me pet him. So now I am thinking bunnies might be the perfect pets....quiet, soft, and the don't mess the carpet.
We watched a little Celebrity Trading Spaces which was great. I love that show. Most of the celebs seemed really neat and well grounded but I have definitely come to the conclusion that there is a reason that Andy's last name is "Dick".
After Trading Spaces it was time for the next leg of the meal. Rosemary Chicken, mashed potatoes and a bunch of other stuff. Then there was coffee and dessert. By 10:30 that night Rhett and I were stuffed. It was a really good time. Rhett and his Aunt have a really interesting family. I had a great time getting to know them. And hey, my mom and sister didn't get to play with a bunny at their Easter feast!
Posted by mermu at April 27, 2003 11:29 AM
Comments
My best friend is Italian, as Meredith knows. And amazingly enough, any time of day you went into their house, if his Mom was there, she'd offer plates of food. TRUE STORY--one night, in college, we came in about 230am...his mom woke up and make food for us. It was sorta like that scene in Goodfellas, when Joe Pesci's Mom made food for Ray Liotta and Robert Deniro. The only difference is Joe, Mark and I had been out partying and chasing women, not out whacking some mafia guy then coming home to get shovels and lime.
Man, I miss her food.
Posted by: Patrick at April 28, 2003 01:21 AM
There was a bunny rabbit at the dog picnic. Playing with it would have put it at risk. All the dogs were licking their chops to get at it. Besides, I got to play with Jonathan. I had to keep teaching him that I am his favorite Aunt Rita. He is such a good study. Everytime I asked him who his favorite aunt is he replied; "Aunt Rita."
Posted by: mom (aka Rita) at April 27, 2003 12:23 PM
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