Everyone out for lunch, tutti insieme in trattoria, coccole and cuddles

 In our local paper, there was a photo of a couple celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary. They were asked what had made their marriage so happy. Their reply was lovely, "Lots of cuddles and then everyone out for lunch on Sunday". I really liked that. It conjured up a picture of everyone working hard and busy all week, maybe hardly time to speak, but every Sunday there was a chance to reaffirm their love and care for each other. I have always loved Sunday lunch, it is easy to make it a special meal, either at home or taking everyone out for a treat. There is time for conversation, for everyone to show their support for each other and to have some fun together.

In Italy it is always a special occasion to go to a trattoria on a Sunday. There is always a great atmosphere, lots of family groups and couples, the buzz of conversation and no-one has to do the washing up. Any tensions gathered during the week can disappear. The latest news can be discussed and everything can be put back in perspective in the warm atmosphere of a pub or restaurant.

Around the walls there are often plates depicting local dishes or witty sayings, like the one in the photo. In the one we went to today there were all the months of the year, I chose February, with a drawing of a cockerel. Many of the sayings are in the local dialect and to do with food and love.

a tola no se vien veci ("you don't get old sitting at the dining table")

amore e tosse no se sconde ("love and cough cannot be hidden")

maio piovoso, vin costoso ("rainy May, expensive wine")

amore vecio no fa ruzene ("old love doesn't grow rusty")

chi magna salata fa vita beata ("who eats salad, has a blessed life")

Just to link up the "Lots of cuddles" part of the answer, to being happily together, here is a wonderful recipe for chocolate mousse, guaranteed to perk up any simple meal of soup or a sandwich. So if you don't go out for lunch, this will make it a special Sunday.

Chocolate Mousse 

170g dark chocolate

3 tsp. strong coffee

2 eggs, separate the yolks from the white and beat each in a different bowl

half a cup of thick cream

1 tsp. favourite liqueur

                                    Melt the chocolate and coffee together over a low heat. Add the beaten egg yolk and continue cooking gently for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, when cool add the beaten egg whites, cream and liqueur. Spoon into two bowls and refrigerate until firm. Decorate as you please with nuts or cream.

This is just right for two to share... And enjoy ..