Italian Seasonings

Italian Seasonings: Reflections, Renderings, & Recipes of My Nonno's Garden had its origins from a 1952 black and white photo that sat in a burnished silver frame embellished with the words: "families share a history of cherished memories full of warmth and laughter, love, and affection." When I married Richard, he had a curiosity about all things concerning my past. He had a particular fascination over this photo. I found myself reflecting on this picture as Richard asked me about it. Memories flooded back to me and stories abounded. I began jotting down simple notes in a journal. These notes reminded me of the many meals I enjoyed in my grandparent's Italian kitchen. I found myself rummaging through notes I had kept of the numerous Neapolitan specialties I had enjoyed. Over the years I had converted their unwritten, spoken in dialect and broken Italian, unmeasured gastronomic masterpieces into written recipes that I could replicate.

As I visualized those incredible meals and moments with my grandparents, especially Nonno in my younger years, I started using watercolors to express my memories. Before long I was creating the skeleton of a book of reflections, renderings, and recipes. And so it all began.There is no greater visual expression of familial love than the awe-inspiring, all- embracing and trusting love of a granddaughter for her Nonno and the all-consuming, unconditional, boundless love of Nonno for his granddaughter. This book tries to honor that love.