Modica

Yesterday, Giuseppe took us to Modica where we met his "carne" people, his "panne" people, his "spiritual father" and Saint Giuseppe.   Leo told me that he met God in this church.     Then we went to Giuseppe's friend's candle lit bar nextdoor where he had arranged a small surprise party for Serena's birthday.   There was cake, prosecco, and brachetto - a sweet sparkling wine.   The kids even got to taste some and then while we tasted more, they ran up and down the nearby Church stairs.

Today we met Giovanni Modica the owner of the villa.   He described to us in great detail the "restoration" of the villa which was almost entirely, a rebuild of the outdoor garden.  His brother-in-law and he did the entire thing.    From mowing down a cactus field, to finding stone that matched the existing to make the courtyard, to raising the pool area, the different material selections they had to make etc.   It may sound dull but Sean and I spent a good three hours  speaking with him about the process.   As many of you know, we are in the midst of another restoration!    

Dinner was freshly shucked peas sauteed in pomodoro concentrato, garlic and cipolla and tossed with bowtie pasta.   We were out of parmesean and so it was sprinkled with Grano Padano (which I preferred).    My kids ate peas and loved them for the first time and then happily declared that they would miss Giuseppe's cooking a lot because it was better than mine!

Today, Sean and I picked up the dogs from the groomer and then decided to parade them around town while the kids were sleeping which was fun.    We went to our favourite bar (also the only place we have been able to find that is open between the hours of 1-3 ).   I sipped straight vodka with a lemon twist and chased it with a big bottle of water while Sean drank Morettis.    (I tried to ask for a vodka soda with some limonata but my Italian SUCKS)!      Salvatore is the bartender.    He is a  26year old skinny, metro, punk rocker, Italian, receptionist/bartender who wants to one day own a bar with loud music on the beach.   He gave me a paper rose today (the dogs attracted quite a bit of a crowd to the tiny place) and Sean gave him a nice contribution for his future beach bar.

Dinner last night was excellent.   We started with his mother's Sicilian specialty which was gnocci shaped pasta in a pomodoro and cipolla sauce sprinkled with fresh dill from the herb garden.   In and of itself this was delicious but surprisingly he sprinkled whole wheat bread crumbs over it in the same way that one would sprinkle parmesean.   It was an interesting texture and overall a fabulous taste.    This was followed by a green salad and steak Florentine which was a rare slab of cow soaked in red wine and drizzled in olive oil.  All of the carnivores had a taste, while Sean savoured the bulk of the cow. 

Tomorrow, Giovanni is taking Sean and I to a "wild" place for a hike.   It sounds like a canyon where the river empties into the sea - I can't wait.   The dogs will get to come with us on this adventure but not the kids (which is good with me)!