𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Christmas Dinner And PPD.

(First Edit)

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨

"Antipasto wreath anyone?" Jasmine grinned as she placed two platters on the table which contained a colorful assortment of antipasti on skewers that were arranged in the shape of a Christmas wreath.

"Jas this looks incredible," Damen said as he got off his chair with his phone in hand. "I'm gonna take a picture and send it to Santino. He'll love it." Snapping pictures of the wreaths he showed them to us. "Your wife is quite talented isn't she Tino?"
"Yes she is," I said as I gazed lovingly at her, causing her to blush.

Picking up a skewer she handed it to me. "Here. I made it with cherry tomatoes, mixed Greek olives, mozzarella balls, sliced salami and pepperoni. Try it."

Taking the skewer from her I ate a small piece from it. The deeply marinated ingredients was a combustion of flavor on my tongue and I found myself eating more and more of it. As did everyone else. Jasmine seemed pleased that we liked it.

I asked her if she was staying to eat with us but she said she had a few more things to do. So after taking a few bites of my skewer she returned to the kitchen. Twenty minutes later dinner was all laid out on the table, all prepared by my beautiful wife.

There was lasagna Bolognese, garlic bread, orange glazed pork loin with fennel, a whole roasted chicken that's been cooked with vegetables and a variety of side dishes, including green bean almondine with cranberries, a favorite in our family.

"This all looks very nice my love," I said as I cut a piece of my lasagna to put in my mouth. "Mm. I see you used Nonna's recipe. It tastes exactly the same way as she used to make it."
"You're right," Damen nodded. "I can taste the pancetta, the red wine and the red pepper flakes. Those are the three ingredients that sets Nonna's lasagna Bolognese apart from all the others."

"I'm glad to hear it," she smiled. "Oh, I forgot the wine. I put a bottle of Chianti Classico on ice. Let me just grab it."
"Why that particular brand my dear?" Father inquired.
"When I tasted it earlier I thought the rustic, earthy nuances of the wine would go well with the flavors of the lasagna Bolognese."

Father nodded and gave a reminiscent smile. "My mother thought the same. The first time she made lasagna Bolognese was on her tenth wedding anniversary. She opened a bottle of Chianti Classico and she and my father drank it while dining on the lasagna. From then on they dranka bottle of Chianti Classico with every lasagna Bolognese she made."

"That's a beautiful story Dad," Sabrina said. Then she looked down at her daughter. "I simply can't wait for Nonna to meet Gia. I just know she'll love her."
"Let's call her now," Jasmine suggested as she placed the bottle of wine Carol handed her on the table before taking out her phone and dialing Nonna's number.

After a minute or so Nonna's face appeared on the screen. "Jasmine! Oh hello my darling girl, how I've missed you."

"I missed you too Nonna," Jasmine grinned. "Are you enjoying your Christmas back in Italy?"

"Yes dear, I am. But I wish you all were here. All holidays and special occasions feel incomplete without my entire family here with me," she said with a wistful sigh.

"Well maybe this will cheer you up." She handed the phone to me and I gave it to Damen who held it up between him and Sabrina. "Buon Natale Nonna! My God, you're looking gorgeous tonight."
(Merry Christmas Nonna!)

"Buon Natale anche a te, caro nipote," Nonna said affectionately. "And Sabrina, how sweet you look."
(Merry Christmas to you too, my darling grandson)