[Donna]

My grandparents were a blessing from God!..My brother Mark and I grew up with them in Brooklyn, we lived in a two family house. I could remember calling upstairs to her every night to find out what she was cooking for grandpa..My mother used to get so mad at me..Her favorite words were "leave your grandmother alone."

They both came from Italy at a very early age. My grandfather was an upholsterer, my grandmother cared for her 4 brothers, as her mom was very ill..

My grandfather was a pip, he spoke broken English and we used to laugh at his language all the time..I was a little devil, and teased him every day..I loved him dearly though..He taught me how to plant all the vegetables I loved so much..I had a rabbit when I was young and grandpa fed him every night, he would take the left overs outside..That rabbit ate macaroni, eggplant, zucchini, he was the best fed rabbit in Brooklyn!

I lost my grandfather when I was 16, a day I will never forget!..I will always Cherish the beautiful memories I have of him!

My dear Grandmother, she taught me all I know about Italian cooking, and love of family....The holidays were always so special, with all the Italian goodies...We ate, and ate, and ate again, all day long! Any time a friend of mine came to visit, she had to set the table and make them eat! They all loved her dearly..

She would stay with us on weekends after we moved to Staten Island, and she would always bring 12 loaves of fresh Italian Bread from Brooklyn, and all the homemade specialties, that I loved so much!

She always told me to copy her recipes because one day she wouldn't be here, thankfully I did.
The holidays will never be the same for me with out seeing grandma at the stove, cooking day and night.
I have lots of precious memories, and tons of great recipes to last a lifetime..

I love you grandma & grandpa where ever you are!