Part 9 of the 10th annual Holiday Marathon by Sammy, Ilna & Mari


The Most Fun Ever

"This is truly the most amazing breakfast I ever had," Michael's mother Rebecca said as she took a bite of frittata.

The roads had been cleared and all airports reopened. Nonna absolutely insisted that Ashae and Michael, along with their families, come for breakfast so they'd have full stomachs to travel on.

"I love our Chicago family," her husband Nick agreed, "And I'm excited to see them. But I promise we won't get any meals like we've had here while we're there."

"Once you get back home, you call me on the skype and I'll teach you how to make frittata," Nonna offered.

"Deal," Nick and Rebecca said in unison

The sound of squeals and giggles erupted from the other room where Angie, DJ and Joan were playing a game with Ashae, Michael, Emma, and Zoe.

"I'm sure our three are making a big portion of that noise," Rebecca said apologetically. "I'll go tell them to keep it down to a dull roar."

"Nonsense." Nonna waved her off. "There is no sound I like better than the sound of happy children."


Catherine and Mary had their hair pulled back in ponytails and Grandma Ang smiled at how Angie and Joan had theirs in the same style.

Nonna rolled up her sleeves before adding garlic and onions to simmering oil with a delighted look in her eyes. "Okay, Angie, are you ready to add the beans?" she asked, glancing at the six year old, who nodded excitedly.

"Very very ready!" Angie bounced on her toes before carefully pouring the rinsed beans into one of several large gravy pots. The smell of garlic and onions filled the air, mingling with the scent of escarole and beans.

DJ leaned against the counter after he and Joan had added the chopped escarole. "Me and Grandma Ang love escarole and beans, right?" he asked, glancing at his great grandmother who was helping Joan stir a second pot with a wooden spoon.

"We do, sweetheart. I'd never had them before your mother made Nonna's recipe and now they're one of my favorites. A perfect example of how sharing recipes and traditions is sharing love."

"The secret ingredient!" Angie said, making everyone smile.

"That's right, bella bambina," Nonna beamed. "Speaking of traditions, I think you were too little to remember the last time we made strouffoli. Joan, DJ can you remember the rules?"

Both kids nodded. "Stay away from the stove when they're being fried," Joan said.

"Only adults use the boiling oil," DJ added.

"Perfect," Nonna gave a little clap. "Aaron, sweetheart, you do the frying, and Catherine, you scoop and drain the strouffoli, okay?"

"Are you kidding? I am honored to be on stove duty again, come on Catherine, we've got this," Aaron fist bumped his sister in law.

"And you two can roll out the dough for the strouffoli," Nonna told DJ and Joan. "Mary help them, please?"

"Got it," Mary nodded with a smile.

"And mio bambina you help Grandma Ang cut them up and everyone can coat them with honey and sprinkle on the non pareils."

Steve poked his head into the kitchen and was greeted with excited chatter.

"We're cooking with Nonna, Daddy!" Angie said as she stood on a stool next to Joan with Mary at her side to give the pot another stir.

"Mommy and Uncle Aaron are in charge of the hot oil," DJ told his father.

"Me and DJ are gonna roll out the strouffoli dough with Mama next." Joan beamed.

Steve shared a look with Catherine - the sight of the kids making memories bonding with Nonna had them both smiling softly. From the first day they'd set foot in Nonna's kitchen it had exuded love.

"Danny and I are gonna pick up Francesca and take a ride with her, Gracie and Kendra to the Axe House." He bent to kiss all three kids goodbye. "And before you ask, baby girl, you have to be 18 to throw axes there."

"I'm gonna do that when I'm 18 then," Angie said matter-of-factly, making Catherine smirk.

"I expect nothing less," Mary chuckled, waving at her brother. "Have fun."

"We're going to be very hungry when we come home so we'll be looking forward to this amazing dinner," Steve said, pecking Catherine's lips.

She patted his cheek and laughed when Angie added, "And don't forget strouffoli for dessert!"


As they prepared to put the dough in to fry, Catherine bent to hug Nonna.

"Can you believe it's been ten years since I was punching down dough the first time we were in your kitchen?" She said, glancing at Grandma Ang. "Nonna told me I would be surrounded by a big, loving family of my own one day. And here we are."

Nonna beamed, returning the hug. "I never forget a prediction, bella," she said with a thoughtful expression. "I know love always finds its way. And you and nipote were so clearly in love, it radiated from you." She took Catherine's hand in both of hers. "Then and now."

Aaron, his apron covered with flour, smiled as he placed a scoop of dough balls in the sizzling oil. "Just like a recipe, my abuela would say. The right ingredients, a little patience, and a lot of love," he glanced at Joan, who was busy arranging the strouffoli trays, before smiling at Mary.

"I love when we're all together," Joan said, "Nonna, your house is always so fun."

Nonna gave the ten year old a kiss on her head. "Thank you, bambina, this kitchen has seen generations of love and laughter," she said, "It's important to keep it going."


After they were read several stories, the younger kids begged Grace and Kendra to tell them all about the axe throwing one more time. As the older girls recounted their day Angie listened with rapt attention.

Finally Grace and Kendra headed upstairs and Mary and Catherine helped Joan, Angie and DJ get settled.

"I'm very, very happy that I'm old enough to remember our trip to New Jersey this time," Angie said as Catherine tucked her in. "Making memories is the most fun ever."

# THE END

thanks for reading join up for part 10 tomorrow


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