Buon Compleanno a Me! Happy Birthday to me!
Ciao my friends,
This nonna had a birthday yesterday, but I don’t feel any different than a year ago. I know it’s a blessing that I’ll never take for granted. I’m also thankful that, this year, I was in a much better mood to celebrate than last year, which was my first birthday without Dan.
A good friend decided that it was time to celebrate my birthday properly. My family and I had celebrated it early since my youngest had to leave to return to college. I had never been to Lake George, so my friend talked me into going for the occasion.
We booked a long weekend hotel stay by Lake George Village. We left early on Friday and got there in three hours. Since it was too early to check in, we decided to drive around and get some lunch.
The area was beautiful. The hills and mountains of the Adirondack were spectacular. And, when we got to Lake George, the view was breathtaking! We got lunch and walked around the lake. We visited the shops, a museum, took many pictures and admired the large tour steamboats.
Our hotel was also not far from the designer outlets so, on Saturday, we squeezed in a little shopping. But, the real fun part began at 5:30 with tickets to my very first rodeo! The tickets included a bbq dinner and live music. I wish I had known we were going to do that as I would have brought my cowgirl boots. Yee-Hah
Saturday night turned out to be one of the best nights of my life! The food was delicious and was served in a beautiful log-cabin style building appropriately named “The Saloon”. It was very rustic and appealing. The rodeo was going to take place across from the saloon.
We sat in covered bleachers facing the arena (a big dirt field). There were announcers and judges in a press box on the other side of the arena. And each side held horses, riders, bulls and steers behind wooden gates.
It was very exciting to watch the cowboys and cowgirls do their competitions. They were very brave in risking their health doing something they love so much. The element of danger was especially high during the riding of the bulls. In fact, at one point, one of the riders fell off and the bull trampled him. We all held our breaths until we saw he was able to get up, despite his pain. I hope and pray that young man is ok….
After the rodeo, we got back to the Saloon for the live music. The band was great and played fun country music. Lots of people were dancing so we joined them. Great fun was had by all.
Sunday, my birthday, began with a delicious hot breakfast followed by a drive to Bolton Landing, in the upper area of Lake George. Again, the scenery was just spectacular, and the quaint shops on the main road made it a wonderful visit. We even stopped at a local brewery to enjoy a refreshing cold beer.
We left Bolton Landing and drove back to Lake George Village for our boat tour. My friend and I were joking about how the captain and the assistant looked like the Skipper and Gilligan from Gilligan’s Island. I mentioned that I hoped we didn’t go on a three hour tour to nowhere, getting a laugh out of the people next to us! Lol
Kidding aside, the boat ride was fantastic! The scenery was, of course, beautiful and the mansions by the shore were gorgeous. By the time we arrived back at the dock, it was dinner time.
My friend treated me to a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant. It was a beautiful evening, so we ate outdoors. The food was great and so was the company.
In conclusion, I had a GREAT birthday! I cannot thank enough my friends and family who made it so special. I am very blessed and I wish that for all of you as well.
Now, how does a nonna from the Naples region of Italy toast her birthday? With some Limoncello, of course!
I leave you now by sharing with you my homemade Limoncello recipe. Please come back and visit with me again next week, as always, in my kitchen.
Bacioni (Big Kisses),
Nonna Antoinette
LIMONCELLO
Ingredients:
1 liter grain alcohol
8 large organic lemons
600 grams sugar (3 cups)
1 liter of water
Directions:
Wash and dry lemons.
Peel lemons thinly so that only the yellow part of the skin is removed, not the white pith.
Add lemon peels to the alcohol in a large airtight glass jar.
Seal jar and place in a dark, cool area for 7 days.
On the eight day, place water and sugar in a pan.
Heat on low flame, stirring constantly, until sugar is totally dissolved.
Remove from heat and allow syrup to completely cool.
Meanwhile, drain the infused alcohol with a cheesecloth lined colander.
When syrup is cold, add it to the strained alcohol.
Mix well.
Bottle limoncello and seal well.
Allow limoncello to rest in refrigerator or freezer for one week before serving.
Makes 2, 1 liter bottles.
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