Italian Seasonings: Reflections Renderings & Recipes of My Nonno's Garden

Italian Seasonings: Reflections Renderings & Recipes of My Nonnos 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 grandparents 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.