Thanksgiving Italian style
For the past 3 years we have been invited to our friend Maria Teresa's house for Thanksgiving. I like Thanksgiving. Gluttony and football aside, it's probably the one American holiday that hasn't yet given way completely to consumerism - at least that's the way I remember it.
Maria Teresa's home is an immaculate example of Italian loveliness: jaw-dropping bold red Murano chandelier, vintage original Italian movie posters, Designers Guild curtains, custom wood floors, kitchen that has two ovens so she is able to bake two turkeys at once, one wall composed entirely of a temperature controlled floor to ceiling wine cabinet filled with Dionysian delights, huge dining room table that can seat - well, put it this way - I don't even think I have enough friends to fill up every chair at that table! The list goes on and on. On top of everything, she throws a mean party although I have to admit it is always a bit disconcerting to see my gynecologist there who happens to be a neighbor of hers, and who socially seems to be embarrassingly deficient. I think I may be looking for a new gynecologist this coming year.
Steve and I were the only Americans there - we don't count William as his ancestry is such a mixed bag and he only went to university in the US. I brought the pumpkin pie and Steve is the official turkey carver. The place was packed, but as soon as Steve started carving there was a moment of awed silence, as if people felt they were seeing something truly American. We got asked again and again what the holiday meant and our "Happy Thanksgiving"s were greeted by "Do people really say that?".
What I'm afraid was lost on most people - who were a large percentage parents - is that Thanksgiving is a family holiday, this includes children. Yet this party was no children allowed - the lateness of the hour and the fact that if everyone brought their children - we would have been significantly outnumbered and chaos would have reigned supreme.
I truly enjoy Maria Teresa's Thanksgiving parties. Yet the lack of children and the prevalence of Italian designer wear, made me feel as if something were not quite right about the gathering. I think in upcoming years we may have to have our own Thanksgiving dinner at The Beehive - warts, children and all.
Maria Teresa's home is an immaculate example of Italian loveliness: jaw-dropping bold red Murano chandelier, vintage original Italian movie posters, Designers Guild curtains, custom wood floors, kitchen that has two ovens so she is able to bake two turkeys at once, one wall composed entirely of a temperature controlled floor to ceiling wine cabinet filled with Dionysian delights, huge dining room table that can seat - well, put it this way - I don't even think I have enough friends to fill up every chair at that table! The list goes on and on. On top of everything, she throws a mean party although I have to admit it is always a bit disconcerting to see my gynecologist there who happens to be a neighbor of hers, and who socially seems to be embarrassingly deficient. I think I may be looking for a new gynecologist this coming year.
Steve and I were the only Americans there - we don't count William as his ancestry is such a mixed bag and he only went to university in the US. I brought the pumpkin pie and Steve is the official turkey carver. The place was packed, but as soon as Steve started carving there was a moment of awed silence, as if people felt they were seeing something truly American. We got asked again and again what the holiday meant and our "Happy Thanksgiving"s were greeted by "Do people really say that?".
What I'm afraid was lost on most people - who were a large percentage parents - is that Thanksgiving is a family holiday, this includes children. Yet this party was no children allowed - the lateness of the hour and the fact that if everyone brought their children - we would have been significantly outnumbered and chaos would have reigned supreme.
I truly enjoy Maria Teresa's Thanksgiving parties. Yet the lack of children and the prevalence of Italian designer wear, made me feel as if something were not quite right about the gathering. I think in upcoming years we may have to have our own Thanksgiving dinner at The Beehive - warts, children and all.
posted by lomalinda at
12:06
1 Comments:
Happy Thanksgiving!
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