what is really important....

this first week of lent....
meant the end of the "frittelli con creama"...the traditonal pre-Lenten 'cream puffs'
delicately fried dough balls barely firm enough to hold their deliciously light filling...mmmmm
they became my most favorite new discovery when we arrived...
and I will miss them....

  

then mardi gras...

and our traditional dinner of pancakes and sausage 

we had nutella crepes with strawberries and 'speck'

and then the day after our Ash Wednesday fast...
we were invited to celebrate a traditional Chinese New Year with a large group of students
we took a bus into a Bassano del Grappa to a Chinese Restaurant...in Italy?!?!

there was an extensive feast brought to our table which included chicken feet and duck tongue...
( I did try the duck tongue, but not the feet?!?!)
in addition to the more common things like dumplings and dumplings and dumplings....mmm
hot and sour soup, sweet and sour pork, cashew chicken, spring rolls, fried rice, steamed prawns...

  

  

but what is really important

this week

is that our first born son...

turns thirty today!