My Sicilian friend (She also lived in Charleston when we did and now she lives in Japan so our friendship has spanned 3 different continents!) is visiting Guam this week (Hooray for our first house guest!) to take the test to become a U.S. Citizen despite my constant questioning, "Even with the 2016 shit show of an election, are you absolutely sure you want to become an American?"
Our good friends, Chad and Najah, came and spent the weekend with us. We started their visit off with hot wings, cocktails and poker in to the wee hours of Saturday morning. On Saturday everyone slept in (except for me and the kids of course- grr!) and then since it was a crappy, rainy day we had no choice but to pamper ourselves with lunch out, pedicures, pizza and a movie. It was a relaxing, fun visit and it was so good to catch up with friends from our Sicily days.
Although Rya has needed a haircut for months, we waited until after Rya's first birthday to get it cut because of the Italian superstition that cutting a child's hair before her first birthday will cut her life short. Okay, I'm not even remotely Italian (God Bless the Irish!) but living in Sicily for five years left its mark on me and I'm not superstitious but I am sortastitious so I wasn't taking any chances. Bina would be so proud that we followed her advice and Rya is thankful we didn't kill her with a haircut.
Today is "Giorno dei Morti" or "Day of the Dead". In keeping with several Italian traditions, today we celebrated the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us. This tradition is a way of keeping the memory of the dead alive.
While living in Sicily, my cousin, Cheryl, came for a visit and I took her for a ride, pulled over and said, "This is it—the best view of Mt Etna. Isn't it breath-taking?" She took a picture and a few years later painted me that view and gave it to me as a housewarming gift when I moved to Charleston. It's one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. It's perched on my kitchen cabinet surrounded by Mt. Etna lava rocks and it always takes me back to Sicily.
A seriously wicked small world! My Sicilian friend, Nadia, and her husband, David, just moved to Charleston from Sicily. We had them over for dinner last night and did our best to talk up our neighborhood so maybe they will buy a home in our hood? We're so excited to have a piece of Sicily back in our lives. Magnifico!
It was one year ago today that we boarded that dreadfully long flight over the Atlantic leaving Sicily for a fresh start in Charleston. Although we miss Sicily, especially the wine and dear friends we left behind, we adjusted quickly to the wonderful conveniences of America (Hello 24hr gas stations, drive-thrus, a dishwasher and air conditioning). Nothing makes you appreciate America more than living overseas.
Today is Epiphany, which marks the end of the holiday season. According to Italian folklore, on this day the good witch, Befana, brings candy to all the good boys and girls. This is another Italian tradition that we brought to America with us so Currier can grow up with a little culture from his birthplace. Currier was delighted to wake to a Befana doll and scattered candy.
Since Currier was born in Italy, we want him to grow up with a couple of Italian traditions. One of the traditions that we decided to bring back to America with us is "Giorno dei Morti" or "Day of the Dead". Today, Italians remember their dead ancestors and visit their graves with flowers and candles. In the morning, children find presents brought to them by the dead. This tradition is a way of keeping the memory of the dead alive. Rather than fear death, Italians embrace the circle of life by passing on the connection with their ancestors to their children. This morning, Currier woke to find this goody bag on his bedroom doorknob. He screamed in delight when he opened it and found two little airplanes and a Reese's Peanut Buttercup from his ancestors. Don't you wish dead people would bring you toys and candy?
Manuela has returned! She and her husband were sent back to Naples indefinitely but now they're back in America indefinitely. She called last week with the good news. They'll stay in Charleston until December for sure and then her husband will find out if his contract will be renewed or not. We're keeping our fingers crossed that she'll get to stay another year.
Since Manuela is from Naples, where pizza was invented, we celebrated her return by making authentic Naples-style pizza and it turned out soooo delizioso! Grazie for the lesson Manuela! 
Manuela, our Italian babysitter, delivered bad news to us this week. She and her husband are returning to Naples indefinitely. She's been coming every Tuesday morning for the past six months and Currier has grown very fond of "Wella" and has continued to learn the Italian language. I wanted so much for Currier to stay connected with his birthplace and now I'm afraid we'll have to let go of Sicily. Per favore non di andare, Manuela!
A few weeks ago I emailed my friend in Sicily and asked if she could possibly send me some of my favorite Italian balsamic vinegar and she responded, "How about I deliver it in person?" Meagan came to the USA to visit family in Virginia Beach and managed to squeeze in a side trip to Charleston to see us and indeed hand deliver balsamic vinegar from Modena—because she rocks! 
Yesterday we went downtown Charleston to the Aquarium. We spent the morning viewing turtles, sharks, alligators and to Currier's amazement- a scuba diver! We finished our morning with take out soup and sandwiches from the Atlanta Bread Company, ate lunch at home and took a long afternoon nap—a ritual for Currier and his pregnant Mama. 
Last night Trent and Currier stayed home and let Meagan and I go downtown Charleston to enjoy a quiet dinner. We strolled around downtown for a few minutes before deciding on the East Bay Crab Shack. It was just like old times (minus a beer in my hand!)—we chatted, giggled and gossiped. Meagan left early this morning to head back to Virginia and we miss her already.
On Friday, Currier and I hit the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry downtown Charleston. We're members now and Currier knows his way around the museum very well. He raced right to the water room and spent most of his time racing the boats down the currents. After he was sufficiently soaked, we spent a good part of the morning in the Charleston Market "shopping" and ramming the mini shopping cart into the heels of other consumers. Insert evil laugh!
After the museum, I was feeling brave and decided to try a lunch date with my two-year-old son. We choose the first restaurant we saw which was Joe Pasta. Currier was so well behaved in the museum I thought he might be well behaved for lunch. I thought wrong! From the second we sat in our cozy little booth, he turned into someone else's child. I even said loud enough for the table next to us to hear, "Wait until I tell your mother how you're acting!" 
The aggravating memories of our pasta lunch from hell were quickly overshadowed when we stopped at Paolo's to finally try some Italian gelato in Charleston. I was surprised to see that they had my favorite flavor from Sicily, Zuppa Inglese. Currier, who was now acting like an angel, and I shared a small cup and quietly declared it was delizioso but still no comparison to the gelato in Sicily. 
