Life: Idiotropic

Today was our second of Federica's birthdays and the third Italian birthday that we've been to and I always look forward to them. The food, company, and atmosphere are always so special. There is no clock, itinerary, or watch. No rush, no stress, no fuss. Just great people, and amazing food at a party that could last 2 hours or 5.

So this year I asked if Kirk would take Luci as I had things to do at home and wanted to have a stay-at-home day. He took her and within 5 minutes of arriving, my phone rang. It was Kirk. "They're wondering where the rest of the family is. They want you all to come." I should have known. Unlike some American parties where you don't want to step on toes by bringing siblings, and the entire family is usually not invited, here, it's all family. They had the party at the IYA on base (International Youth Activities building) - a place with a big playground, so the kids played for hours and the adults sat around the picnic benches drinking very sweet Italian iced coffee - like the coffee version of Southern iced tea. It was delicious and I usually don't like sweet coffee.

Inside was a table filled with different chips and sodas. Another table had two trays of Marilena's amazing panini - one with ham and cheese and the other with spinach. All delicious. The third table was completely covered in trays. A cheese cake with a strawberry gelatin top, a chocolate cake with a powdered sugar decorative top, a large pan of the most delicious tirumisu I've ever had, and a mountain each of chocolate profiteroles, vanilla profiteroles, and two flavors of cannoli -- ALL baked/hand-made by Marilena the night before. Those were just the snacks. All home-made - all phenomenal.

An hour into the party, she came in and brought out the ice cream cake that she also made and served that to everyone. I thought that was the birthday cake. I was wrong. Another hour and then the real cake comes... a beautifully decorated Italian cream cake covered in candles and a sparkler and we all sung happy birthday in Italian and English.

And then the party continued with talk and play. The dads got into a water balloon fight. The ladies tried to stay dry. And, eventually, the bottle of Asti was opened for all to enjoy a toast. The usual boring present-opening ceremony doesn't occur at an Italian birthday. Federica opened her gifts as her guests arrived and handed them to her. The gifts were appreciated, but they weren't the focus. I like that.

So we ended up leaving after about 3.5 hours of party... the last of the Americans to go. The Italians who'd all arrived a little over an hour before we did for a lasagna lunch were all still there enjoying the sunny day.

I was sent home with a tray filled with profiteroles, cake, tirumisu, and cannoli. Then, just as I turned to go, I saw her come out with brand new, trays, heaped with even more cannoli and profiteroles. She must have baked hundreds. Amazing. I'll get the recipes.