2018 is riding off into the sunset and globally it has been quite a year.  Trump, Brexit, Trump, Syria, Yemen, Trump, far right winning elections all over Europe, Trump...  you know.

But in my little world there is both good and bad.

Sad, sad news.  At 8 pm last night delivery guys brought a new bedroom set to our upstairs neighbors (the crazies) and began to install it.  The drilling and hammering continued for 2 hours.  Why sad news?  It means they're staying.  After having tried for over a year to sell their place I believe they have given up.  I have a lump in my throat just typing this.  Mother is more neurotic than ever.  Son huge, white and the epitome of weird nerd.  Poor kid.

Other news from Italy.  I am coming to believe that people are actually trying to kill me every time I get in my car.  There is so much Italian weirdness I don't even notice any more but my 8 am commutes to work are still HARROWING!  There are flipping CRAZY people on that road.  The other day someone pushed me so far over to the side, (passing on a very narrow road and on a curve), that I went into a deep ditch and the car made scary grating noises.  I don't like scary grating noises.

This is the first year that MIL has permitted us to "do Christmas".  She is truly aging and getting a little wacky.  She was always a wonderful cook so I have a lot to live up to.  But as she has taken to drink and the fattiest food possible, as long as I add wine, cheese and cream she's good.  This year I have introduced her to some serious heavy American dishes and she LOVES them!  Scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, our cheese onions.  Her cholesterol is lower than mine.  That's another story.

The daughter is back for a week or so to be spoiled and coddled.  Today she and I drove up to a Christmas fair on Lago Viverone, north of Torino.  GianPiero has sworn off Christmas fairs and all else commercial this time of year.  He said he's never killed anyone so shouldn't be punished in this way.  Fine.  We girls went alone and it was beautiful.  Not the Christmas fair which was so-so, but the area.  The lake is up toward Aosta valley in the Alps and is surrounded by vineyards and scenic little towns.  Really beautiful. 

Alas I can't say the same for me!  When is it my skin stopped being attached to my bones?  Oh well.  Let's hope for a peaceful and happy new year for us all.  xxoo me

That Grinch of a colleague of mine won't let me play my Santa Radio station on my computer at work.   To punish her I have begun singing Christmas carols whenever she is near, complete with intermittent humming when I don't know the lyrics, which is often.  Ahh the little pleasures in life.  Like driving really slowly in front of a car right on my tail when it is impossible for him to pass.  It just brings me joy....

10 more days and then off work for the holidays.  The various lunches and dinners have begun.  Last Sunday we went to the annual holiday lunch put on by GPs hiking group.  There were over 120 people in attendance, most older than us and all in better shape.  Before the lunch was a 3 hours "walk" through the mountains above the village where the restaurant was situated.  It was an easy stroll for this group and I did fine!  At lunch they sold lottery tickets for donated prizes.  The money goes to a couple charities the group supports.  For the 120 plus attendees there were 100 prizes.  Not everyone bought tickets but I bought five.  Did I win anything?  NOOOOO.  But the guy beside GP won FIVE prizes!  Bet he cheated.

Last night we had dinner here with GPs two best buddies and their partners.  WE all chipped in and had a truffle dinner.  There was a good harvest this year so prices are down.  We haven't had the in years because they've been so damned expensive.  The traditional Piemontese truffle dinner is as follows:

Salami as all meals start with salami.

Steak tartar mixed with olive oil, salt and pepper topped with grated truffles (I skipped it)

Tagliatelle with butter, pepper, topped with grated truffles (I ate lots)

Fried eggs topped with grated truffles (ditto)

This is usually ended with Toma, a local cheese, topped with truffles, as all meals end in cheese but we skipped that serving.

Last night's White Truffles from Le Langhe

 There is an on going feud between those that believe that white truffles, like those found here in Le Langhe, (and also the type found in France), are the better truffles and those that say black truffles from Tuscany are best.  White truffles are more well know and more expensive.  There is an annual truffle auction in Alba where truffle dealers (yes they exist) from around the world come to buy.  The largest truffles used to all end up in the US in restaurants in NY or LA.  In recent years American dealers have been outbid by the Chinese.  We are losing our grip people!  The largest truffle this year went to Hong Kong and sold for 85 thousand euro.  That is insane.  We managed to get away with 25 euro a head last night.  Friend's in high places and all that.....

xxoo me