January brings the snow

January brings the snow,
Makes our feet and fingers glow.

The Befana has brought all her stockings and sweets to the great delight of all the children. Our Befana writes everyone a letter, with advice, congratulations, encouragement , appreciation as appropriate. Now we all have big bowls, full to the brim with sweets and hear the furtive rustling of paper as someone helps themelves.

L'Epifania tutte le feste le porta via (Epiphany ends all the festivities)

We went to look at the Nativity scenes in the local Church. It was a real work of art. So much care had gone into it. There were mountains in the background, and it had a cycle of 9 minutes.
Sunrise, dawn, sunny day, snowy day, sunset, dusk, night.


Here is a budget recipe, after all the feasting:

3 large onions, finely chopped
6 celery stalks, finely chopped
750 g tomatoes, tinned
1 litre water
8 slices of stale bread
parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the onions and celery in a tbsp of oil until soft but not browned.
Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, and cook slowly for 20 minutes.
Add the water, just off the boil,and simmer gently for half an hour.
Toast the slices of bread and put them in the soup bowls.
Ladle over the soup and sprinkle with the grated cheese.