Italy Journal
Saturday, January 26,
2013
SATURDAY SUPPER IN
HONOR OF KYLE AND VICTORIA’S VISIT
What fun!
We had 20 people who attended our dinner in honor of Kyle
and Victoria’s visit, including some who were late because they had been on
stage (week’s field trip) in Spain, and their flight back was cancelled. We did
have a few added to the original list, too, but the number ended up 20. We were
especially happy to have David Szantos join us. He is from Canada and now works
for the University. He got a Master’s degree here, and he is the person to whom
Peter was referred when he was trying to get into the program without a college
degree. David was a tremendous help, and he explained to me that his
discussions with Peter convinced him that the University could benefit as much
as the students like Peter because of their contribution of varied expertise in
a wide range of experiential backgrounds.
David was very impressed and pleased that the dinner was so inclusive
and that the idea and commitment was initiated from Peter, not as a University
function.
Peter had made a beef roast and had roasted some veggies.
Those were added to contributions from all the rest. Daniel had his famous Asian
beef soup and fudge he had gotten in Great Britain that was the Prince’s
favorite. Ashley’s lovely green salad with pears and a wonderful fruity
dressing and Theo’s beautiful stuffed cabbage leaves with or without tomato
sauce were favorites. Enzo outdid himself with MY cheese spread AND Chocolate
Caprese Torta with Maya’s pear sauce (thank you, as always, Enzo…and Maya). Chick
pea bread, nougat candy with hazelnuts, sausage from Spain, an after dinner Maya
Brazil drink, wines galore, a Maya Brazil dish of Robiola cheese topped with
chopped Brazilian nuts with fruit sauce all around, plus all sorts of other
incredibly yummy contributions made the dinner exceptional. Everything was
absolutely delicious!
At one point in the evening, Kyle stood up, thanked everyone
for coming and asked if anyone would share secret stories about his dad from
this year…stories that his dad might not ever tell him. That set off a string
of tales about Peter. It started with Peter following the bus in his car all
over Bosnia when there was no GPS available. Theo eventually joined him in the
car to get some sleep.
I particularly liked the story about Megan and Peter
planking. Planking is when you get on top of a structure and lie flat face down
with only your stomach touching. Arms are outstretched over your head, and your
legs are stretched out toward the back. You look like a plank of lumber
balancing on this precipice. Megan had been planking in many situations, and
she had challenged Peter to plank on one of the truillo (simple mud houses) in
Croatia. He took the challenge and did a great job with his first try at
planking! Way to go, Peter! We’re all so proud of you! J
The stories weren’t as secretive and juicy as Kyle had
expected and hoped, but they were fun for everyone to tell and for Victoria and
Kyle to hear.
As everyone left, there were comments about “When is our next
Sunday Supper?” Peter and I had already been thinking about when that would
happen.
It was delightful to see everybody together and to introduce
Kyle and Victoria to so many of the neat people we have met while we were in
Bra. Thanks for coming to Kyle and Victoria’s dinner, everyone. We loved having
you here, and thanks for bringing your exquisite dishes!
And thank you, Victoria and Kyle, for coming to visit us and
meeting some of the dear people we have learned to love this year!
A presto!
Colleen
