Friday 7th June

Friday 7th June
We got up early to help Stefania to prepare the breakfast for the guests but we were too late, she had already done it. So we helped as much as we could. Then she dropped a bombshell that she was going to prepare dinner!! We had bought lots of food yesterday at Conad at Megalo.

So we decided to make lunch instead and I started cleaning and cooking the baby octopus.
Then we helped put out the tables for the 100 people who will come tomorrow for one of their number’s 1st birthday. party. The mind boggles for the person who would throw a party for 100 guests, for a child’s 1st birthday. The child will not, presumably take much part in the celebrations!! Organizing the 18 tables outside on the grass  with Stefania, Nardi and MAC all having their own suggestions was a hoot to listen to. Eventually a format was agreed and chairs set at the tables. Tomorrow afternoon the tables will have to be set ready for the guests to arrive around 5 p.m. After this is finished, there will be a massive washing up detail which will prepare all the dishes, etc for the Sunday party in the party room.

I struggled once again to get the tickets for the Yankee game which I had bought for Fra 1 transferred to her which, after some time and after a live chat with Ticketmaster, I managed to do.

I cooked a replica of the dish we had been served at lunch in Naples with the baby octopus in a tomato sauce with capers, olives and bread croutons. I cooked the baby octopus for some time and it turned out to be tender and tasty. MAC made a pear, nut and Gorgonzola salad and we had some snow peas which Stefania had cooked the previous night. It was a very enjoyable relaxed lunch and we finished it off with a glass of lemon gelato.
We washed up while Stefania napped before going off on her mega shopping trip to cater for the 100 people tomorrow and the 70+ on Sunday.

She insisted that we would be more trouble than help if we came too and told us to get by the pool and get a proper Italian tan to take back to NYC!!! We obeyed!! There was a light breeze by the pool and it was an ideal afternoon as it was possible to be. Mac had to go into the pool to test out her new pool toy which she had brought from the US and also to rescue a couple of wasps who were in danger of drowning!!
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MAC enjoys the pool....


...while a gecko awaits some insect prey

Sitting under the olives trees with swallows swooping over the pool and geckos chasing insects it was very tranquil and relaxing. I had a swim and then changed for dinner and Stefania outdid herself again with a huge platter with spaghetti and seafood including mussels, clams, langoustines with a wonderful sauce. It was so good. Then she had cooked a fillet of branzino in the oven which was also excellent. I had cooked some funghi a l’Abruzesse which is very simple and only involves garlic, butter and oil. Then we had the mango which I had bought with stratcitella ice cream. It was a delicious and relaxed meal and Stefania told us tales of her life and of the neighborhood.
We quickly washed the dishes and retired to bed.

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