The Italian/American Thanksgiving Holiday

When it comes to Thanksgiving, some people tend to forget that it's an AMERICAN holiday.  So, the "Oh.. you have to work on Thanksgiving and on Friday too?" isn't a big deal to me anymore.  Now, it's just Thursday & Friday.  However, I want Valentina growing up celebrating all of the holidays from both countries, and Thanksgiving is A MUST!  So, when I'm talking to Carlo, I always get the same response... "Can't we just have Turkey sandwiches?"  Of course my response was a BIG "No!!... It's Thanksgiving!"

I think Carlo is still traumatized from his 1st Thanksgiving meal. Every time I mention Thanksgiving he just has this look on his face like he's dreading the meal that has to be eaten.

The men in my family- Thanksgiving 2006

So last year, our 1st Thanksgiving in Italy, I wanted to mark the occasion by making an actual meal... but NOT the big traditional meal.  You see, here in Italy, you can't just go to the supermarket to buy your turkey.  You have to pre order them from your butcher.  There are no stuffings in a box.  Cranberries are not found.  No Libby's can pumpkin...... Pecans.. are non existent! So trying to think outside of the box, I wanted to do something simple yet still have all of the elements of Thanksgiving.  I had my meal all planned out and Carlo even invited a friend over to join us for dinner.

Me & baby bump- Thanksgiving 2009

As you can see... this was NOT what I had in mind.  Somehow, my plan evolved into just have "Da Bomb" Turkey Sandwiches* (which Carlo loves) and Potato Chips.  At 19 weeks pregnant.. I wanted my Thanksgiving meal but settled for Sandwiches.  

This year... was going to be different.  I stood my ground (with myself) and I made my dinner. I bought my ingredients and even bought extra stuff to make it more special... but in the end that didn't happen because SOMEONE (who will remain nameless) is on a diet... like always.

Thanksgiving dinner- 2010

I wanted to have a 1st plate of Spaghetti alla Carbonara but, as mentioned... the person on a diet already ate bread and didn't want anymore carbs.  (whatev... it's Thanksgiving!!!)  Anyway, we had Pan fried Turkey breast, Green beans w/fresh tomatoes, & Roasted Potatoes w/rosemary.  Simply, light, healthy and oh so good!  The only left overs are the green beans and potatoes which I will have for lunch today.

Finally... a real Thanksgiving.. even if it was modified and made the Italian way.

ps.. Valentina doesn't like Turkey.. so she had Prosciutto Cotto (Ham) with green beans and carrots!

*"Da Bomb" Turkey Sandwiches....

Original Recipe:

Potato Bread

Mayo

romaine lettuce

tomatoes (with a sprinkle of salt)

avocados

Turkey (sliced from the Deli... no pre-packaged)

Colby-Jack Cheese

Italian Version:

Soft roll

Mayo

lettuce (usually from a bag of Spring Mix)

tomatoes

avocados

Turkey

sandwich cheese (have yet to figure out exactly what kind of cheese it is)

gaga for Gaga!

I'm gonna post some things completely out of order but, if I don't do it now.. I might forget.  Last week, Jill and I had the opportunity to see Lady Gaga in concert.  I was actually really surprised that she was going to be here in Torino and I thought it would be a huge spectacle.  The concert was held at the Palaolimpico which isn't a big venue.  We had general admission tickets and they were on the floor.  It was my first concert in Italy (as well as Jill's) so we were a bit shocked at how close we were to the stage.  Usually general admission tickets mean you are at the back of the arena and are usually the worse seating.

We arrived late so that we didn't have to watch the opening act.. which was the best thing we did because we were not at all impressed by the antics or their vulgar language.

We were however, very impressed with the Barilla PastaCup!

I have never been to a concert where they offered pasta in a cup, or donuts & hot chocolate.

Unfortunately, I didn't think about bringing a camera to the concert.  I was just so concerned to have my ID and cell phone that I didn't think about anything else.  So, all of the pictures and video I took were on my iPod touch.  As we were waiting for Gaga, Jill noticed the variety of ages at this concert.  We didn't see little kids but, from teenager to people in their late 50's/early 60's were there.  It was odd.. yet very cool.

As soon as the lights went out, people were screaming, chanting "Gaga" and just plain excited for Lady Gaga.

Jill & I managed to take one picture during the concert.

When I first heard Lady Gaga, it was about 2 months before "Just Dance" became a huge hit.  I instantly loved the song and the artist.  I'm not into her crazy outfits but, as a musician/songwriter she is amazingly talented and has a great voice.  I had the best time at the concert and if she come back to Torino I will definitely want to go again!

*this was my first time leaving the baby at home with Carlo.... I was glad to be out but even happier to be back home with my little monkey.

Here's a video of the last song.. Bad Romance.

Have you seen.....

this......

A friend of mine posted this link on his Facebook.  This is nothing but text/chat messages that iPhone automatically corrects. Some of it isn't that funny but there have been a few that had me laughing for a long time.  One post had me laughing so hard that I started wheezing... then the next day my abs were sore!

Here's one example of what you can find on this site.

*I must warn you a lot of them are PG-13 or R..... but I did manage to find this G rated one.

6 months

My little monkey is 6 months old!! So, last week we had another appointment with the doctor.  Again, this was not a well visit but another progress check and we're happy to report that Valentina is now 18lbs.  This girl loves to eat.... like her mom & dad!!

The doctor said that she's doing great and she's ready to add a 2nd meal and add to her snacks.  Up until that point, Valentina was having her lunch & afternoon snack.  I think she and I are both excited to be adding another meal... but I know it's going to be difficult for her to get used to it.  Today was actually a good day.  This girl is definitely Tex-Mex! She had beef for the 1st time and ate it all up. She also had ricotta cheese and immediately wanted more!  Next up, we'll be trying green beans and Prosciutto Cotto! (aka.. Ham)

So far, this is generally what her meal schedule is like:

7am: Milk

10am: Milk

12noon: Lunch: 2 veggies, & meat

3pm: Snack: yogurt & fruit

5pm: Milk & 1 cookie

7:30pm: Dinner: 2 veggies & pasta

8:30-9:00pm: Milk

She's finally starting to eat her most of her lunch but it took a month for her to get used to it.  She's also started using a sippy cup with she LOVES.  I mentioned to the doctor that during lunch, I let Valentina hold her sippy cup.  She thought I was doing such a great job at having V start learning to drink from a cup and letting her do it on her own.

*My MIL & SIL were surprised when they saw V drinking from a cup... they seriously thought I was nuts until they saw how well she drank from it.

We've also bought Valentina her own toothbrush now.  Everyday, she watches me brush my teeth.  When I'm done, I grab her toothbrush and show it to her and she opens her mouth.  Again, the doctor said that she was glad that Valentina was learning these good habits so early.

*My MIL & SIL (again) were very shocked when I said I needed to buy a toothbrush and when I asked about pediatric dentists.  Then when they saw V letting me brush her teeth, they were amazed!

I'm just amazed how much she's grown in the last month.  Time needs to slow down... she's growing too fast!

she wasn't very happy the 1st time she was put in her walker..

ps... this is just a picture I thought I'd add..... it's her "1st meal" set up.  Veggie Broth, powdered Chicken, Rice cereal, EVOO & parmesan cheese.  She ate this for about 1 week and I know she didn't like it at all.  luckily, I was able to start giving her meats shortly after that.

Valentina's Baptism

On September 26, 2010, Valentina was baptized in Carlo's church.  We were so lucky to have such beautiful weather.  After a very relaxing start, I gave Valentina a bath and dressed her in an a dress that I found on sale at Du Pareil au même along with a sweater that my mom had sent.

Abuelo & Valentina

After having Carlo's mom, Jill & Flo meet us at our place, we walked over to the church.  While waiting, I glanced at all of the babies... personally.. Valentina was the cutest.... even my mom thought so! Actually mom said she couldn't tell if some were boys or girls... they just weren't dressed that cute.  I did hear a lot of whispers, ooh's and aahh's as I took Valentina out of her stroller.  Most of the comments were about how cute she looked with her giant flower!

Carlo, Valentina, & me

The baptism was short considering there were 6 babies being baptized.  There was no mass so, it wasn't as boring (for me).  Valentina was good the entire time and ended up falling asleep at the end.

proud papa

We took a quick group picture and then had everyone come back to our apartment for some refreshements.

group shot

Valentina received a few gifts... one of them was this book (below) that's both in Italian and (British) English... she LOVES it!  She gets excited when she sees it and has played it so many times that I have it memorized!!!

me, Valentina & Elisa (her god-mother)