A taste of Italy

The guys worked on the old tractor this morning and it is still not working. A wire was found to be broken so one of the granddaughters and I went to the store to get a new one. Wrong part but no time to go back to the store because we were going out for a late lunch at La Cucina, a small restaurant owned and operated by Italian immigrants. The granddaughters were unable to go with us because they both had to work but it was wonderful to see them when they came out for breakfast. So weird to think my granddaughters are living on their own and working!


The restaurant had the most amazing food. We opted for family style which was a choice of appetizer and four entrees with serving sizes a little bigger for sharing. The appetizer was prosciutto, mini fresh mozzarella, olives and tomatoes along with soft Italian bread. Brett and I could have just eaten this for our meal. Then we had a chicken pizziaola (chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto topped with melted mozzarella, lasagne with the thinnest noodles have ever seen, shrimp with the best marinara sauce (shown) and truffle filled raviolis in a mild olive oil sauce. The lasagne had a subtle spicy taste which Brett and I think was allspice or some combo of nutmeg and cinnamon. Strange but very tasty. We finished up by sharing two slices of tiramisu and some kind of ice cream dessert that I forget the name. A super lunch just across the state line in Tennessee.

Totally stuffed! But a great afternoon with just my guys. We almost got a silly Saturday photo because they asked if I would get mad if they licked the plate the ice cream was on!

After we left the restaurant we rode toward the lake as Brett had never been there and we were surprised when a BEAR walked across the road several hundred feet ahead of us! First time Brett had see a wild bear! We slowed down so I could try for a shot but he was already off in the woods!

The guys went to get the part for the tractor so keep your fingers crossed this will work. Jerry and Tate are both getting very frustrated. I told them they will soon have all the old parts replaced so if it starts the 1949 tractor should work for another 60 years!