A New Home...

                                           Number Three

                                                               3 Scammell Street

                    Completed August 1915, "the Family Homestead, Joseph Lisi's house"

When my grandfather's house was put on the market by my cousin, I put in an offer to purchase it.  Actually, it was my third offer that was accepted.  This home has been in our family since its beginning and it didn't seem right that it should leave the family now.

My grandparents, Joseph and Grace, left Naples, Italy on the Nord America.  They arrived at Ellis Island on September 26, 1906, with a young daughter, Antoinette.  Unfortunately, they lost their infant son during the passage...how sad and difficult it must have been for them to have suffered such a loss.  They had less than $50 to begin a new life in a new country.  (On the manifest, my grandpa listed his "calling or occupation" as "peasant.")



Their sponsors lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania, so that would have been their first destination.  At some point after their arrival, they lived in Cortland, then moved to Utica, New York, which is where my father was born on May 21, 1911.  It is my understanding that my grandfather owned a bar in Utica, but after it had been vandalized a couple of times, he closed it and moved his family back to Cortland.  By then, there were three children...Antoinette, Elizabeth and my dad, Leonard Joseph.  My Aunt Josephine was born in 1914.

I'm assuming that Wickwire's was the incentive for moving back to Cortland.  Many Italian (and Irish, I presume) immigrants found employment at this factory that manufactured wire, and my grandfather went there to work.  It is my understanding that they lived on Pine Street for a time, the street that runs parallel to Scammell, but in August 1915, the family moved to their new home at 3 Scammell Street.

My dad and his three sisters grew up in this house.  My grandpa would have had a wonderful garden, since they owned the lot next to the house, as well.  My Aunt Liz married Joe Tinella and they had two daughters, my cousins Grace and Anna (Nan).  Aunt Antoinette married Andrew Prezioso and they had a son, my cousin Joe.  My Aunt Jo married Joe Natale and they were the parents of a son, my cousin, Marino.

My grandmother passed away in 1939, the year before I was born.  I've always regretted not knowing her...I know I would have loved her.  Nan used to talk about her a lot...she had a special bond with our grandmother that I've always envied.

On September 3, 1939, my parents were married at St. Anthony's Church in Cortland.  It was a typical Italian wedding, from what I can see...several attendants including two flower girls, Annie Contento and Mary Rongo.  (It seems Mary was camera shy so she is only in one of the snapshots that I found.)

 

Welcome, Sammy...

My granddaughter, Julie, turned 11 last March.  One of her schoolmates presented her with a "belated" birthday gift in April...a darling gray, tiger-striped kitten.  Julie has always been somewhat "fearful" of furry, 4-legged animals...mind you, she'll pet a damn snake, but a kitten or puppy can turn her into a wimp in seconds.

However, Julie "wanted" this kitten and, since my daughter works full-time and couldn't be home to "train" the little guy, it was decided that I would keep the kitten for 2 weeks.

It's almost a year later...Julie turned 12 this month, Sammy's about a year old...and Sammy still lives with me.  He was potty trained from the beginning, but Julie is still afraid of him.  In her defense, I have to admit, Sammy is a bit on the "wild side."  He can be loving and cuddly when HE feels like it, or he'll swipe at you with claws extended if you want to pet him and he's not in the mood.  He likes to bite, too...just because...he thinks he's playing.  And God forbid, don't tell him, "No," or he'll launch himself at you in protest.

But, we get along fairly well, pain in the ass that he is.

2011~2012...the "Un-Winter"

Here it is...March 19, 2012...there's not a chunk of dirty snow or ice to be found anywhere!  That's very unusual for this time of year, here in central New York.  I remember winters past when we've had St. Patrick's Day blizzards, two or three years in a row.  Not this year!  It was such a mild winter, I only had to shovel four times...two times in the same day...then it melted away.  (I should mention here, I mowed the lawn in November...that's a first!)

And we're enjoying such mild temperatures.  Yesterday, the slope by the college was filled with students lying in the sun!  In my 71 years, there has never been a winter like this...hence, the "UN-WINTER."

Today is no exception...it's beautiful!  The sun is bright, the sky is blue and there are birds chirping happily outside my window.   Who could ask for a lovelier day!

Orange Blossom Tapioca Pudding

If you like tapioca pudding, you may want to try this recipe.  I created it this summer to enter in the Ghirardelli chocolate competition at the New York state fair.  Even though it didn't win an award, it did receive many favorable comments and, to be honest, it has become one of my favorite desserts.
                                      Orange Blossom Tapioca Pudding
                                                        3 Tbsp. Minute Tapioca
                                                     1 Extra large egg, separated
                                                          6 Tbsp. Sugar, divided
                                                       1 cup White chocolate chips
                                                               3 cups Whole milk
                                                             Zest from one orange
                                                                   1 tsp. Vanilla
                                                                 Whipped cream
Using a medium saucepan, pour in the milk, 3 Tbsp. sugar, Minute Tapioca, white chocolate chips, orange zest and well beaten egg yolk.  Let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat egg white and 3 Tbsp. sugar till stiff peaks form.  Set aside.
Cook pudding over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full boil.  Remove from heat.
Stir in beaten egg white and vanilla.  Let cool, then refrigerate.
Serve with whipped cream; garnish as desired.

Last evening, my older daughter came down from Clifton Springs to take me to dinner, along with my younger daughter, Lisa, my grandson, Richie and my younger granddaughter, Julie.  We went to Comando's, an Italian restaurant that recently reopened, having been closed for many years.  It used to be a very good place to dine...unfortunately, the son who has taken it over, does not know the first thing about good food.  The sauce was tasteless...bleh!  I was very disappointed with the meal and will not be going back!  


However, it was an enjoyable evening with my family...a nice 71st birthday celebration!

My Birthday...9/22/11!

Today I'm 71!

As the saying goes, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!"  But, I'm still here, despite my not "taking better care of myself!"  As to growing older, I think Betty White said it best..."You're still the same person inside!"  And it's true!  It's only when you look in the mirror that you're a little surprised at the mature woman staring back..."Who the hell is that!"

I awoke this morning to rain...now it has cleared, the sun is bright and a small plane just passed overhead.  So far, I've done nothing more than check emails and play a few Facebook games.  (I never would have guessed I'd be a computer "junkie" at this age, yet here I am "computing!")