An unexpected treat

The radiation department computers weren’t talking to the radiation machine today, so they weren’t able to do any treatments.

Unfortunately, I was in a meeting and missed the call that my session was cancelled.

Since there was a slim chance that they would get it fixed in time to fit me in, and since I was in town anyway, I decided I might as well hang out for a while.

I got some lunch at a cafe and sat outside to eat while reading my book. Then I browsed the used bookstore next door.

I never did have my radiation appointment, which means my last session will be Monday instead of Friday, but it was an unexpectedly pleasant and relaxed afternoon.

The perfect amount of getaway

A beautiful day. A relaxing (and not too long) drive. Trees with autumn foliage. Strolling through Downieville. A delicious lunch while listening to 80’s music. Sitting by the river. A relaxed drive home. Just me and Ramesha.

Perfect.

Basta!

It’s going on midnight. We leave super early tomorrow. The last three days have been full to the brim with activity and our stomachs have been kept full to the brim with delicious food! As sad as we are to leave this, our second home, we’re pretty much ready to take a break from eating!

Saturday
As usual we had lunch at Silvio’s house (that’s Ramesha’s dad, who loves to feed us when we’re here). Not so usual is that there were two desserts: homemade cake with figs from the garden and pine nuts (thanks, Graziella!) and homemade tiramisu (thanks, Fulvio!).
For dinner we were invited to the home of the Sala family, just outside of Como. It took three years to arrange, but it was an absolutely delightful evening, which also featured two desserts (a custard cake with fresh fruit and another cake with marmallata (jam) using fruit from the Sala family’s garden!

Sunday
Lunch at “Ristorante Silvio” featured handmade gnocchi di zucca (gnocchi made with pumpkin) and only one dessert (thank goodness!).
We went to dinner with Fulvio (Ramesha’s brother) and had the final pizza of the trip (yum!).

Monday
Lunch was a simple — but delicious — pasta al pomodoro.
For dinner we were at Dudo and Karin’s for bruschetta, insalata, and more pasta.

I should mention that lunch almost always includes a plate with a variety of Swiss cheeses — and I don’t mean what we Americans think of as “Swiss cheese”! I’ve never seen that cheese in any Swiss home in the fifteen years that I’ve been living in/visiting Switzerland. No, this is a selection of cheeses from different regions and it’s sooo good!

[By the way, “basta” in Italian means “enough!”] 🙂