We Pretend We're in Venice

For the 7th year in a row we've celebrated an event that happened 8 years ago.

8 years ago we were in Venice. A family of 2nd and 3rd generation Italians going back to the home country to experience their roots. "Roots" being pizza, pasta, panini, wine and cream limoncello (yeah it's a thing - google it). Each year we have the exact same meal and we all play the exact same role in that meal that we did at the very first one. 

We talk about Venice. We remember the strolls through the ancient fish market. Memories of "beer o'clock" come rushing back. So many new experiences. We are thankful that we have refuge from the extreme heat where we live, in Venice we weren't as fortunate (except for the fact that we were IN VENICE!!!!!)

Our mission this year to find the largest tomatoes grown in Essex county was a success. 

I stopped mid-bite to take this beautiful photo. Well, I may have taken the bite first and been chewing as the pic was being snapped. This meal truly reminds me that it's the simple things in life. A few ingredients makes a feast fit for kings (or a bunch of Italians).

Pool shenanigans always a big part of our Venice Dinner these days.

You would think after 7 years, we would be sick of this tradition. Perhaps we would have run out of things to remember. Somehow, we never seem to bore hearing the same old tales being told the same old way every single time. We especially never forget to mention how fortunate we all were to have had the opportunity to experience it together.