italiafile

Huge excitement on the icecream front. As the weather is apparently getting colder and more wintry, last night saw the dawn of ‘hot’ ice cream. Bizarrely it isn’t, but isn’t cold either, sort of room temperature, so doesn’t harm your teeth and can be eaten in the belief that you don’t need cooling down. Its marvellous stuff, like a solid mousse. I had almond and was much taken with it. Thank God I don’t have a nut allergy, or life wouldn’t be worth living.

I have determined to make my own presepe this year. The cost of transporting a ready made one back to England would be prohibitive, and they cant be that difficult to make, its only a bit of wood and bark. Famous last words I suspect, and I have already spent fifty quid on bits and bobs, and have yet to start the purchase of the actual pastori, or little ceramic figures to decorate the bleedin thing. Its going to be an expensive exercise for something that will undoubtedly end up looking like a failed Blue Peter model. I am planning a ruined temple in a sylvan pasture, with a waterfall and holy family hidden in a cave. I suspect it will look like a wet mess with some dolls in it. I shall keep you informed. However, most of my waking hours are spent making little plans, and shopping lists. There are so many bits and bobs to buy, its quite a task. But great fun, as you can start little and then accrue more nad more buildings. In the larger churches there are whole towns made of cork and terracotta. I plan for mine to be a work of beauty and a joy forever, but I know it will be consigned to the bin shortly after Boxing Day.