Saturday, December 22, 2007

A "SMALL" SICILIAN GIFT







Back in October - November I helped the daughter of a neighbour with some post-graduate research. She lives in the north of Italy with her husband and two babies so we communicated by email and phone. It involved me in quite a lot of work but, although she tried to insist on paying me, I didn't feel that it would have been appropriate to charge her as her father belongs to the "army of men" who have promised to rush round here if I am frightened by would-be intruders at night again. I could also sense the pressure the poor young lady was under and wanted to help.

Anyway, she is at home in Sicily for Christmas and called me this afternoon to ask if she could come round at 8pm because she had a pensiero [small gift] for me. At 8 precisely the buzzer rang and she staggered into my kitchen with this hamper, containing a nice novel to read, wine, several jars of antipasto and preserved vegetables, cheeses, dried sausage, salted peanuts, chocolates, 3 types of Modican chocolate and a Baci -flavoured panettone. Simi and I just gaped at it all in astonishment and, as I said to Simi later, I don't think we are going to starve in the near future!



Talking of gifts, Raffaele the hairdresser likes the packaging of mine to him, in this Xmas stocking which I bought in the UK in October. After I explained to him that in Britain Santa only comes to good children and that the gifts are placed in the stocking, he gave it pride of place on his tree and it fascinated his other clients for the rest of the day. Oh, I'm a proper redhead now, by the way!

14 comments:

Gledwood said...

Mmmmm that looks like yummy stuff...

I had a real strop the other day bc I wanted spready, herby, garlicky cheese. And not just vulgar cheddar. And cheesy, oniony, savoury rolls and not ones hard enough for dry stone walling. Which meant avoiding most of my local shops and going only to selected supermarkets or delicatessens. I'm getting a real taste for garlic roules and Boursin (without the vin!!) etc etc etc

Welshcakes! Here's wishing an extremely Merry One
and a Fantastic New Year

to you and that extremely cute teletubby doggie Simi!!

;->...

Leslie: said...

Wow! That was very kind of her, wasn't it? Very generous! I'm sure she truly appreciated all your hard work helping her out. And you certainly WON'T starve...what a great gift! I love BACI, too!

Lee said...

Hi Welsh! Thought I'd pop in and wish you a very Merry Christmas and most happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.

I hope all is well with you and you enjoy the festive season to the utmost.

Cheers and best wishes.

James Higham said...

The statement in the last pic, Welshcakes - how true was it? :)

Packaging - it really is important and shows you care.

jmb said...

What a wonderful gift Welshcakes and it is good to know she really appreciated the help given.

I'll bet everyone spoils Raffaele.

Photo of the very red redhead. Matching again?

jams o donnell said...

Such a nice gift. Why do I always feel hungry when I visit here? I hope you have a very happy Christmas

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas Welshcakes :-)

Crushed said...

Sanya is a bit of a snob. He definitely sems to give the best presents to the children from the good homes.

You have a little security force? Can't they help with the water?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Gleds. Yes, it's rather yummy! I imagine you do a good strop! You've reminded me I miss Boursin! Hope you have a Happy one too - over to yours later. Auguri from Simi and me xxx
Ciao, Leslie. Yes, it was wonderfully thoughtful of her. And I did appreciate the book as well! I could live on Baci!
Lovely to hear from you, Lee. Buon Natale e auguri to you, too xxx
Ciao, James. Well, Raff is a very kind man and family-loving so I should think he has been a good boy!
Hi, jmb. It was such a surprise! Yes, I think all Raff's clients appreciate him!
Ciao, DD. Well, Simi thinks the sausages smell interesting and she is most partial to some Ital cheese! I'd love to see photos of your Clifton deli. Will be over to you shortly. Auguri in the meantime.
Ciao, Jams. I hope you have a wonderful Xmas too.

Buon Natale, Mountaingirl. Auguri from Sicily x
Hi, Crushed. You have a point there. Sadly, all the members of my "security force" have the same problems with the water! Auguri

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, DD. I will have another look at the "kong" site.

Chelsea + Shiloh said...

Oh the hamper looked gorgeous..how lucky you are and how thoughtful a gift....HAPPY CHRISTMAS! dear Welshcakes....x

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Buon Natale to you, Abbey x

Ellee Seymour said...

It's lovely to be made to feel so special. My neighbour came round yesterday with a lovely hamper of Norfolk food for me, I was really touched.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, ellee. Yes, it is lovely when someone does a thoughtful thing like that. Auguri x

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