Yesterday we went to visit with Rita and her Mom in Toronto. Rita’s Mom was wanting to show Jane how she bakes a special cake.
Of course, when we arrived, Mrs. Romano had prepared a wonderful lunch, so we started with that. Then she proudly showed us her garden and dozens of garden gnomes and the like which she currently has stored in her garage.
She has lived in this house for many years and family pictures abound as do collections of plates that Rita’s Dad liked as well as the many figurines throughout.
Rita told us that her Mom was very much looking forward to our visit and working with Jane on the baking. We could see that when we got there.
There are two kitchens in the house, one upstairs and one downstairs. The one downstairs is very big and the one that Mrs. Romano prefers. It’s fully equipped including a gas range that she likes best. It’s here that she is in her glory as was quite evident when we were watching her work her magic.
Mrs Romano does just about everything from scratch. She uses a lot of her own vegetables that she grows in her back yard garden. And for someone in her eighties, she was pretty spry as she moved about her kitchen. It was fascinating watching her cook because she does pretty much all her measuring by eye. And we learned a few interesting tips like dampening parchment paper to fit the pan better.
At one point Rita and I left the two of them in the kitchen and took Rita’s schnauzer, Eliot, for a walk.
He’s named after T S Eliot, the famous poet.
He’s a cute little guy and very friendly. We had quite a lengthy walk. It was bright and sunny and even though it was a bit cool, enjoyable nonetheless. And Rita and I had no shortage of interesting conversation as we walked.
At the end of it all, Mrs. Romano insisted on us taking the whole cake that she and Jane had made as well as some of her home made sauce for the nogis (not sure of spelling of this) which are potato and flour (the unbleached kind) noodles along with some other delicious things, the names of which I don’t know.
It was a wonderful visit with two wonderful ladies. A big thank you to Mrs. Romano for her hospitality and generosity.
Life Unfolding 