FREE Taste of Italian Spring in SC and other areas of USA

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I just read this from a fellow "Twitter" pal:

March 20, 2009 from SCnow.com:
The first day of spring is marked with a free Italian ice in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and other parts of the U.S. Rita’s Italian Ice is giving out a free regular size Italian ice today. Each year hundred of thousands of guests turnout across the U.S. for the First Taste of Spring. This is the 17th year Rita’s giving away the free Italian ice, and this is the first time it’s being held in Florence.

Rita’s also asks everyone who stops by to donate a canned food or non perishable item to the Manna House. The giveaway continues until 10 tonight!

Sounds delicioso! ANDIAMO!

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Have a Gratitude Filled St. Joseph's Day!

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Buona Festa di San Giuseppee !!

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.aAn immense St. Joseph's Day Altar in New Orleans, LA, USA

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On March 18th (today), Italians everywhere celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph. It is a day that involves a lot of food preparation for large dinners. In many Catholic parishes, Italians assemble a St. Joseph's Altar where a variety of foods are laid in thankfulness.
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Here is a link for a virtual St. Joseph's Altar:

http://www.thankevann.com/stjoseph/
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Well the fun and festivities around the globe for St. Patrick's Day have come and gone. And today a very little known feast day is observed among Italians and Italian-Americans. It is a quiet form of tribute, but it is still very meaningful. On this day Italians give thanks for prosperity, fulfilled promises, and/or to simply share with those who are less fortunate. Here is a brief explanatory background of this feast day:

In Italy this day is known as "La Festa di San Giuseppe". St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of Sicily and in many American-Italian communities. On this day people show their gratitude to St. Joseph because: In the Middle Ages, there was a servere drought, so the people prayed to St. Joseph for rain with an oath to honor him with a large feast if their prayers were answered. The skies opened up with rain, a famine was prevented, and the people of Sicily kept their promise by preparing a massive banquet for St. Joseph. Everyone participated, including the needy.

The good news does not stop there. On this day, it is still tradition for Italians to give food to the poor and needy, in addition to placing fava beans (the crop that helped prevent starvation during the drought) on altars created for St. Joseph.
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The altar is commonly 3 tiers high to represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and is covered with white linen fabric. Flowers, limes, wine, cakes, cookies, breads, candles, and a special Sicilian pastry called "Zeppole" are also placed on the altars. No meats or meat-filled dishes are allowed on the altars or to eat meat during the dinner, because the feast takes place during Lent. Bread crumbs are commonly used in some of the recipes in order to represent saw dust, since St. Joseph was a carpenter. Many people will wear red.

A very special food made by Italians is called "Cuccadati" which are beautiful bread loaves that are decorated in designs symbolic of a crown of thorns or other spiritual symbols of the Church. These cover latticework known as La Vastedde, along with lemons, limes, oranges, bay leaves, and myrtle branches.

In the United States, St. Joseph is honored in larger metropolitan cities where there is a high population of Italians. . . New Orleans, especially, because it is the port where many Sicilians entered America. Buffalo, NY, New York City, Chicago, and Kansas City also have public and private St. Joseph's altars constructed. A parade also takes place in New Orleans.

Here is a link to a very good discussion and beautiful photos of St. Joseph's Day altars:

http://annachupa.com/StJo/index.html

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Farewell to My "Bella" Horse Friend, "Ace", Death of My Horse

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In Loving Memory of My Beautiful Thoroughbred "Ace" (1985 - 2009)

"Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider... No other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also... but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be..."

~ Stephanie M. Thorn

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When you look beyond the fenceline and see that I'm not there,

Please remember that I'll never forget how much you really cared.

I appreciate all the love you put into my soul,

Often making me feel as though I was, once again, a newborn foal.

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When you look beyond the fenceline and see an empty space

I'm hoping for thoughts of joy to replaces those tears on your face.

Although our time together was taken away too soon,

I'll always be watching over you through the sun, stars, and moon.

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When you look beyond the fenceline you should not feel all alone.

For a part of you came with me the day I went to God's home.

And although I didn't want to, so soon, to be put to rest

I assure you, dear friend, that my spirit and soul still feel the very best.

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When you look beyond the fenceline and think of me for awhile.

Remember all the fun we shared and those times I made you smile.

Remember how we'd run the fields, but never run away

I'll never forget your gentle touch on my coat of bay.

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So, when you look beyond the fenceline don't think we're far apart

For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.

~ author unknown

Buona Notte, my dear friend. You blessed my life with your gentleness, grace, majesty and beauty. I pray that I see you again in heaven.

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Amore, amore, amore,

~ bella

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