Easter Preperations in Florence

Let's see, let's see...

This past weeks since spring break have been all about Italy. Florence and Rome to be specific. After Greece had depleted my funds, there was ample reason to hang around. Jackie came and left, then Laura and her mom. That same Laura came, Bryan's family came as well. It was a slightly hectic week, with alot of school work, and me dividing my time between Bryan's family and Laura and her mom. But it was very fun and awsome to have visitors. Lots of good going-out-to-eat experiences. I even tried the.... Florentine Steak. It's very expensive, but if you come to Italy, it's worth the splurge. Tuscany doesn't really specialize in seafood - for the obvious reason that it is not exactly on the ocean. But what Tuscany does specialize in are things like boar, pork and beef. Gamey kind of meats too. Florentine steak is cut super thick - about an inch and a half piece after being cooked. It's very very tender - and cooked very rare. Which is the way I like my beef, wouldn't you know. And if you don't really care for it that rare, eat it anyway. That's how they do things here, and they should know how to best eat their own specialites. It's funny to think I didn't eat meat for over two years and now I'm eating a huge slab of meat. Not that I eat meat often here -- I'm on a budget and even chicken is pricey.

But... Easter is comming and I'm making an Easter dinner for our friends who will be around. Bryan and I are leaving for Barcelona later today, will spend tonight there, Friday night, and come back Saturday night. This way we will be back for the apparently off-the-hizzy Florence Easter celebrations. I'm very excited for that - I'm even getting dressed up and going to mass. Anyway, so I'm making dinner with my friends. My friend Nick, (who is the designated fabulous cook amoung all those boys) went to Sant Ambrogio market, which is in the Santa Croce area and right near our apt. They have the cheapest stuff at the best quality; restaurant owners shop there in the morning for their chefs. We bought lots of potatoes, pecorino cheese, herbs, wonderful - wonderful bread!, and of course - lamb. We got a whole leg of lamb with chops, and more ribs with chops. It's funny to see the meat all whole like. The butcher just smiled and chopped it up into usable pieces. Everything was very clean there too. I love the vendors at that market - they are always so happy and generous. If you try and speak a little italian, or just be friendly and make an effort, they always through in a couple of extra onions, or an extra chop or wedge of cheese.

So after our market excursion, I went and bought one of those giant easter eggs. In Italy, the Easter Egg is just shy of a foot tall. Lots of companies make them, including Kinder and Lindt. But the best ones are make my small sweet shops and bakeries - they are more pricey though. They come in gauzey or papper wrapping, all sorts of spring colors, and are tied with ribbon or straw. Because B and I are away from our Easter Bunnies, I'm playing the Easter Bunny and I got the B a big old milk chocolate egg. They are hollow and have prizes inside, I'm pretty pumped to see what's in this one.

Next weekend we're flying to Paris to meet the folks and whole family.
Looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad, Emmie and Conor, Jane and Uncle Jim, Matt, Ian and Renee. Phew! After we depart Paris, Renee and Ian will join everyone here in Florence. The whole crew is renting a villa near Fiesole, so it should be fun. I can't immagine Italy is ready for my incredibly 'joyous' familia.

Got to go! Work on AutoCAD to do.
R