This week we had the privilege to hang out with some really amazing people. Specifically, some Carmelite Nuns that were dear friends of my late grandparents. For years my Grandfather built a Christmas Village for the nuns that he then filled with special gourmet treats that the nuns would never buy for themselves. I should probably start by saying that you are really not supposed to buy gifts for nuns but we are Italian and we take presents and food really seriously so my sly grandfather found a way around this rule. Giving food to nuns doesn't really count as a gift. So, anyway he built all of these delightful buildings out of cardboard boxes and year after year the village grew until there was a church, a library, a general store, a bookshop, a print shop etc. etc. etc. Each of these buildings was then filled with gourmet Italian delicacies. Each year he would take the village home after the holidays and repair anything that was torn or falling apart and most years he added another building to the mix. After he passed away my family agreed to keep up with the tradition and go to the monastery every year and set up the Christmas Village and fill it with treats. Unfortunately my Grandfather has been gone for two Christmases now and the whole thing is falling apart. So this year we went and spent hours and hours dismantling the whole thing, silently cursing as hot glue kept melting to our fingers and redid the whole lot. It was oddly magical and I know my Grandfather would be proud that his heathen grandchildren were keeping his traditions alive.
I cooked almond infused scones for the nuns- that they loved. In return one very special nun Sister Michael came out with some sourdough starter that she was multiplying for her weekly bread making. She heard that I have become an obsessive sourdough maker and wanted to share her knowledge with me. Her starter was brought to San Francisco during the pioneer days and then we brought to Reno in the 1940's where she has been keeping it alive and cooking with is since. I must have been drooling a little because she ran back into the kitchen and came back with a jar for me. It was one of the best gifts I have ever been giving. I love the continuity of it. The fact that this start was important enough to people that they kept it alive for decades and now a small part of it has been entrusted to me. I have made two loaves so far (she brought me back a second jar so I could cook right away without waiting for what I had to divide) and it was maybe the best bread I have had since I left Romania.
I was a small gift but it meant the world to me.
I cooked almond infused scones for the nuns- that they loved. In return one very special nun Sister Michael came out with some sourdough starter that she was multiplying for her weekly bread making. She heard that I have become an obsessive sourdough maker and wanted to share her knowledge with me. Her starter was brought to San Francisco during the pioneer days and then we brought to Reno in the 1940's where she has been keeping it alive and cooking with is since. I must have been drooling a little because she ran back into the kitchen and came back with a jar for me. It was one of the best gifts I have ever been giving. I love the continuity of it. The fact that this start was important enough to people that they kept it alive for decades and now a small part of it has been entrusted to me. I have made two loaves so far (she brought me back a second jar so I could cook right away without waiting for what I had to divide) and it was maybe the best bread I have had since I left Romania.
I was a small gift but it meant the world to me.