Dinner Time and attempt at conversation

Somehow I understand that "Dinner is at 8:00.".... La Chena e otto...I think...oh well, at least I understood.

So....dinner....okay, don't get too jealous, but it is really incredible and abundant! The first night I was hungry, but forgot about the whole first, second and third course here in this wonderful place called Italy! I ate a big bowl of tube pasta with pesto and garlic and olive oil and was stuffed! I noticed the first night of dinner at the table with Paola, Silvana and Julia, there is a picture of bleeding Jesus watching me the whole time I eat. Interesting...I am used to him now:)

Silvana has this characteristic of scooting/shuffling (vs walking) from the dining room to the kitchen. So I was stuffed from the pasta and red wine and then Silvana...scoot, scoot, scoot...comes back from the kitchen with the second course! Breaded chicken with olive oil and lemon...then veggies, then for dessert an apple or pear, but everyone peels it first.

Everything is so delicious everynight. We always have red wine and sparkling water, and so far we have had soups, every sort of pasta, casseroles (sort of like a stuffing), artichokes in olive oil, pearl onions in white wine, prosciutto with basil and olive oil, and always an apple or pear for dessert.

Another scene I wish I could recreate for you is dinner time conversation...or listening. Silvana and Paola excitedly talk fast and loud over one another and laugh and hand gesture even when they are not trying to explain something to me. Julia is a constant translator at this point! Once in awhile Silvana will give Paola an endearing/knock it off light slap on his shoulder or head. I can't help but crack a smile. And if that isn't funny enough, Paola reached for the wine and Silvana grabbed it from him. Then she scooted...shuffle, shuffle, shuffle...and he grabbed the bottle, poured and quickly indulged. I just laughed under my breath at their loving and sincere ways.

After an attempt at dinner conversation, every night I am left with the same conclusion, dinner was amazing, thank God for Julia's translation and I would never want Silvana on my team for charades. I do love the way she speaks with Paola and her simple, yet so delicious dinners are one of the things I look forward to every day.