Thanksgiving Reunion 2013

 That was the goal, no store bought anything. We all made the dishes that were served. Mary Ellen and cousins organized the event.

Sixty seven people, with just a few missing while on vacation or living across country, all gathered at Clubhouse 3 in Laguna Woods, CA to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. I believe there were a few who were not directly related but for comfort sake, Uncles, Aunts, Fathers and Mothers, Grandmothers and Grandfathers, cousins, brothers and sisters drove from as far away as Sacramento, San Francisco, Temecula, San Diego, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, Fontana, Glendora, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Tustin and Nevada. Apologies to those pictures I missed- Lea, Matt, Phil Szabo, Tony P., Chuck and Julie, Tony Jr., Nina, Carly, Dean Navarro, Nadine, Jack T, Jolynn, Christy, Gina and Chad, Bren, Tim Jr and Matt Peabody, Matt Pinelli, Phil Pinelli and so sorry your pic did not turn out- Sal and Nick Pinelli. Nick is in culinary school so he hung out with the cooks in the kitchen.

Sister Mary Ellen carried the ball along with cousin Ro and husband Jay at the start. Mom pitched in and one steadfast- always there- former Fire Captain, brother-in-law, Phil. Most of the rest of the family team lent a hand and it launched a spectacular event. 

What was NOT spectacular was my photography skills. You would think I was a Hollywood headshot photographer with the way my camera cut off people's heads. Not Me! I am blaming the camera!!

 My son Jason, now 38 yrs old and Dr. Sandy, cousins.

 Left to right: Tim Peabody, Esq.- Nadine's hubby, Dr. Larry my husband, Jay ( Rosannes husband and Mike Navarro- bro-in-law ( Cathy's hubby.)

 Jason, Marc and Gina(home from college) ( Cathy and Mike's kids) all cousins.

 Nana with Christy and Tim's girl twin, Harper.

 Tim holding boy twin Hudson. The kid never cries!

Mary and Bob Sepe and Frank ( my bro) on the end. Aunt Conny Queen Bee in the Center.

 Bro Dr. Phil with eyes closed and Giancarlo Foppiano- Conny's hubby.

Alicia who we all love, Me and Madeline ( my first cousin) who surprised us coming down from Sacramento! So thrilled to see them!

 Sweet Gina and Dad Mike. Sorry Mike making you headless. :(

 Partner in crime my sis Cathy and moi.

Octogenarians who remain young at heart, Uncle Charley without his cane because he sports a new hip and gave a beautiful prayer at the start and Aunt Sara, forever young. 

Yes we had a wine table.

This was the first and last view of the elongated food table. Can you hear it groaning? There was a wrap around beyond it, holding all appetizers and to the invisible right a dessert table. The menu was astronomical - enough food to feed a military division. I will speak for my family but I would surmise there were many voters but Nadine's appetizer of roasted baby peppers stuffed with goat cheese finished with a balsamic glaze went fast and furious and what a flavor! Sometimes simple combinations work. Another vote from my family was the Manicotta ( or as we say Manicot) from Aunt Conny who was exhausted from making so many!! For dessert I would vote on several: My sister Donna's pumpkin pie with killer crust, Aunt Sara's killer apple pie, JoLynn's powdered cookies and according to my son, Sandy's fresh fruit non baked pie with date and nut crust. There were many other desserts I did not sample. Seriously? people may ask but like the phrase Show me the money, I would equate that to Show me the room in my stomach!

 Jamie's husband Tim and in-laws, Jay and Rosanne. Party people!

Jason and his cousin Jenna ( Mary Ellen and Phil's daughter)

 Johanah on the left ( Phil's dtr) and Gina. The cousins live close to each other now in San Diego.

 Rosanne and Cathy cousins

 Baby Dante, Conny Foppiano( Mary and Bob Sepe's dtr) and Giancarlo Foppiano from San Francisco

 Susan Pinelli( Phil's wife) my sis Donna and Maggie Pinelli (Tony's wife) Susan and Maggie came down from up north.

Gina and Chad's boys
 

 Bree Adamo ( Dr. Chuck and Julie's dtr) holding Sean and Momma - half of a face Jamie who came from Nevada with family! Jamie is Rosanne and Jay's daughter.

 Kelly( Nadine and Tim Peabody's dtr), Amari ( Sandy and Jack's daughter) and Jody ( Dr. Chuck and Julie's youngest)

 Bro Phil and Jay Bagnall

Mare how did I not get your picture? Mom ( Nana, Aunt Carmela) and Donna. We all never seem to age--said no one ever.

The room swelled with bodies and my only disappointment was that I could not sit and chat with everyone for a period of time. I missed so much and we would all need days of quality time to catch up. I'm sure many felt the same way.

The last hurrah was having to learn Bunko in a split second and I frankly never got to fully learn it but thankfully Julie kept the ball going and was the manager of the entire game for everyone. Did I win? Three out of six. ( luck of the dice). The top winner was Madeline who went home with a bucket of dollars. We had fun and it didn't rain!

Additives in Foods Banned in Other Countries

As a kid growing up didn't we just love jello, popsicles, canned drinks with summer colors, punch, dying easter eggs and all the bright and beautiful foods that were processed? Did we even care about dyes or additives? Surely our parents did not because we carried that toxic element into our adulthood hearing the word carcinogenic. Wasn't it enough we lived near power plants and towers, had runoff of poisons a list long in our nearby neighborhoods, snuffed up the fumes as we watched pools and sidewalks being poured with cement  , camped in dirt chock full of aluminum and arsenic and made caves out of all kinds of toxic materials? Never mind organic. Mom shopped at where ever the coupons would allow. Now we have some information from other countries I am posting that ban additives we barely think about.

 

 

8 Additives From The US That Are Banned In Other Countries

By Dr. Jayson Calton and Mira Calton

This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "food poisoning." Discover 8 additives that can be found in most supermarket aisles that you may be eating and not even know it

1. Artificial Food Dye: Makes your food pretty and inhibits nerve-cell development.

Found in: Practically everything we eat: cake mixes, sports drinks, cheese, candy, and even MACARONI AND CHEESE.
Why it’s dangerous: Artificial dyes are made from chemicals derived from PETROLEUM, which is also used to make gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt, and tar! Artificial dyes have been linked to brain cancer, nerve-cell deterioration, and hyperactivity, just to name a few.
Where it’s banned: Norway, Finland, Austria, France, and the United Kingdom.

2. Olestra (or Olean): Lowers calorie counts while causing vitamin depletion and anal leakage.

Found in: Fat-free potato chips, corn chips, and French fries.
Why it’s dangerous: Created by Procter & Gamble as a substitue for cooking oil, Olestra robs your body of its ability to absorb vitamins. Fun side effects include cramps and leaky bowels.
Where it’s banned: The U.K. and Canada.

3. Brominated Vegetable Oil: Makes food dye stick to liquid, but also may cause birth defects and major organ damage.

Found in: Sports drinks and citrus-flavored sodas.
Why it’s dangerous: Bromine is a chemical used to stop CARPETS FROM CATCHING ON FIRE, so you can see why drinking it may not be the best idea. BVO is linked to major organ system damage, birth defects, growth problems, schizophrenia, and hearing loss.
Where it’s banned: In over 100 countries.

4. Potassium Bromate (or bromated flour): Great for impatient bakers, bad for your kidneys and nervous system.

Found in: Wraps, rolls, bread crumbs, bagel chips, flat breads.
Why it’s dangerous: Derived from the same harmful chemical as brominated vegetable oil, brominated flour is used to decrease baking time and reduce costs. Only problem is, it’s linked to kidney damage, cancer, and nervous system damage.
Where it’s banned: Europe, Canada, and China.

5. Azodicarbonamide: Bleaches flour, plastic, and induces asthma as an added bonus.

Found in: Breads, frozen dinners, boxed pasta mixes, and packaged baked goods.
Why it’s dangerous: Used to bleach both flour and FOAMED PLASTIC (yoga mats and the soles of sneakers), azodicarbonamide has been known to induce asthma.
Where it’s banned: Australia, the U.K., and most European countries.

6. BHA & BHT: Waxy preservatives linked to cancer and tumors.

Found in: Cereal, nut mixes, gum, butter, meat, dehydrated potatoes.
Why it’s dangerous: Used to keep food from becoming rancid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are known to cause cancer in rats. And we’re next!
Where it’s banned: The U.K., Japan, and many other European countries.

7. Synthetic Growth Hormones rBGH and rBST: Harmful to cows and linked to increasing tumor development in humans

Found in: Milk and dairy products.
Why it’s dangerous: Growth hormones are bad for cows and people, potentially causing infertility, weakened muscle growth, and a whole array of cancers.
Where it’s banned: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and the EU.

8. Arsenic: Basically this will slowly kill you if you ingest enough of it.

Found in: Poultry.
Why it’s dangerous: Used in chicken feed to make meat appear pinker and fresher, arsenic is POISON, which will kill you if you ingest enough.
Where it’s banned: The European Union.

Source: From the book 'Rich Food, Poor Food' by Dr. Jayson Calton and Mira Calton
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MARIA AND CHRIS WEDDING, FOREVER AND A DAY

Once in a lifetime you need

someone who changes

everything

Maria Adamo, my first cousin, now Maria Kirkwood has married her two and a half year love, Chris, on July 6,2013 and the family was there to celebrate!

Maria waited most of her adult life to settle in with the dream man of her life. Chris lost his wife tragically and then they met. But the funny part of the story continued to be told even on the wedding day. Aunt Sara used to baby sit Chris when he was a child and his family lived in the neighborhood. Who knew what would unfold? Destiny played out later in life to find second love who has allowed Chris's only son Cory and Maria's only daughter Sara to connect as siblings ( thru marriage). The latter was eloquently applauded by both Cory and Sara in their tribute on the wedding day. I was moved emotionally and saw many others were as well. Not everyone gets a second chance or unexpected happiness that has multiplied blessings!

So fairy tale romances still color our world!

The family gathered in Nadine and Tim's gorgeous backyard ( my cousin and Maria's sis) and it seemed the gathering overflowed. We feasted on food and drink and enjoyed the company of family we don't often get a chance to talk with. The weather was perfect, the spreading joy delightful and none of us will forget this beautiful day.

 Mother of the Bride, my Aunt Sara

 The lovely backyard pool

Mike and Mom

Sister Cathy, Julie ( Chuck's wife) and Aunt Sara

Me, Bride Maria, Bro Phil and Sis Mary Ellen

Bride Maria and Bro Phil

Cousin Sandy and Sister Donna

Cousin Rosanne and Cousin Mary 

The Convertino gang
Mom and kids

Aunt Sara, Mary and Bob Sepe and Uncle Charley ( Father of the Bride)

Hi Mare!

Me and Jack ( Sandy's hubby) and my long time pal

My Larry


Many happy and beautiful wishes for the Bride and Groom!

Paying Tribute to a 60 Year Old Marriage

Who doesn't love an old fashioned wedding? I certaintly did, 60 yrs ago when I was a flower girl in my Aunt and Uncle's wedding at age 5. Now, at age 65, I am toasting them to 60 years of an incredible marriage filled with five children and all the grandchildren, an extraordinary career of my Uncle Charley with art, art design that spanned space travel to political cartoons for a newspaper to to freelance work to working with Hanna Barbara to luxurious paintings. My Aunt was the stay-at-home, raise the kids Mom, but got her Real Estate license in 1976 and continues to use it! She is a wonderful Auntie to us all.

Just a personal backstory to reflect on. My Aunt held me from birth, watched me grow every step of my journey, then when Uncle came, he became my stand up comedic surprise and when necessary, taskmaster while we all lived on the farm in New Jersey. Later, when we all moved to California, I watched their home being built from bottom up in Orange County and then would stay with them on occasion while my Aunt tried to teach me how to sew. Sorry Aunt Sara, I still failed high school sewing! The logistics escaped me. After I married and carried my one and only child, I found myself traveling to open up Cardiac Rehab centers up and down the coast. I was seriously pregnant and would stay with my Aunt and Uncle on occasion again. I remember settling into a beach home they rented for a while in Newport Beach and the cousins who I adored, catered to me while we ate crab and walked the sand. So many other memories of my Aunt and Uncle and their children have colored my life which play back in my memory for comfort and ease.

Now we hold ceremony ( literally) for the Aunt and Uncle while they renew their vows in their eighties, still hopping on a dance floor despite crickety joints, while their oldest and dearest friends applaud them and toast them and speak so reverently about their relationships.

Nephews, nieces, first and second cousins, in-laws and children and grandchildren were there. Aunt Sara's oldest sibling, my Mom, sat at the honorary table. We watched with awe while a soon-to-be-son-in-law displayed a slideshow of their lives.

A life so full, still so, with Choir at Church every week, traveling abroad, involved in charity work, concerts and Philharmonic Orchestration events, baseball games for the young and graduations too many to count, keeps them alive and on point.

Later in life, what is there left? Not possessions, but caring for and being cared for in a quiet and peaceful ambience so that each minute is savored. Their faith and love for each other binds them.

It was a grand tribute we were blessed to be a part of.

Now the pictures:

Uncle Charley who personifies the title Dapper Dan

Aunt Sara and Uncle Charley Adamo renewing vows



Dr. Charles Adamo Jr. making a tribute to his parents

Harper Wilkerson, 3 mos old twin of Hudson

Christy and Tim Wilkerson parents



Mike Navarro nephew-in-law there with whole family

Tim, proud father of twins

left to right: Jay, son-in-law, Rosanne, daughter, Mary Ellen Szabo, niece and Phil Szabo nephew-in-law

Mom, surprised I snapped the photo, Sister of Aunt Sara

Donna, my baby sis, and niece of Aunt and Uncle

Donna and Aunt Sara

My bro, Dr. Phil Convertino and his wonderful love, Debbie

DJ and the dancers

My sis Mare and dancers

Beautiful Erica, Rosanne's daughter, Aunt Sara and grandchild Carly who is now an R.N. working!

Dr.Larry and I enjoying the party

God Blesses you and yours dear Aunt and Uncle!

You are an inspiration of abiding love!