Italian Night

This was a very special day, as we were expecting for the first time, the arrival of our honorary Austina--Tom! Not only that--tonight was also the night for our long anticipated Italian dinner. When I came down in the morning, the kitchen was already a flurry of activity. Nancy and Lucy were busy making the desserts. Karen had fled to poolside--too much activity for so early in the morning. I had the idea of making a welcome sign for Tom. I thought the best and most embarrassing way to greet him was for all of the Locas to be at the airport, waiting at the bottom of the escalator to baggage claim with a big Welcome Tom! sign. It was too late for that, but I figured we could make a sign for here which is what we did. His flight was due in relatively early, so we had to leap quickly into action to prepare. Jennie got involved and made Manhattans so we would have Tom's favorite drink ready when he walked through the door. And we all just laughed and laughed.

We sat around and warmed up leftovers for lunch then did what we always did -- talked a lot, laughted a lot and hung out by the pool. Nancy and Lucy were charged with shopping and Susie promised that she would cook the meal if she were allowed to hang out in the pool and circumvent the shopping trip. It was agreed and that's what happened. Tom went on the shopping trip and they took over Spec's. Apparently some nicelooking clerk noticed that Tom had glitter by his eye (from the 2009 glasses) and then began to help Tom find all kinds of liquor. Of course we kidded him about that the rest of the week.

Susie stayed in the pool until the last minute and then 'leaped into action' assisted by her sous (Sue) chefs who chopped and grinded to their hearts content. Results: Magnificent. It began with prosciutto and melon, prosciutto and breadsticks. bruschetta, artichoke dip and Prosecco in the gazebo. Then chicken cacciotorre, salad, bread for dinner (delicious) and the piece de resistance: tortoni and zuccato for dessert. Wow. This is not a week for the faint of heart... you have to be able to consume much food and alcohol to be an Austinas Locas.

Quote of the day. We always kid about needing a 'Carol interpretor' to explain what she just said. We're sitting at dinner and Carol says something. Nancy asks "What did you say" and Carol says, "Even I need an interpretor for that one". We howled.

Drink of the day - Manhattans