A bit of fun

Every day, it does a body good to find a reason to celebrate ... even just for a little while.

Today, well this afternoon, after all the other obligations were complete, I was invited to attend a crescia party. 'Now what,' you may ask, 'is crescia'. Answer: an Italian bread which is made with various types of cheese and just the right touch of black pepper. It's wonderful stuff whether it's served fresh with butter or toasted and lathered in some kind of colesterol laden yumminess.

Some friends had invited me to attend one of the local clubs where this simple festival was being held. It was the first of its kind, a competition of sorts. Various people had been invited to make their secret family recipes for this beloved bread, and to bring it along to the club where there would be a competition, complete with judges and prizes.

Chefs and neophytes alike brought their breads and added them to the table. Each specimen was anonymously set out on the table, with naught save an incongruous numbered tag to identify it. The other half of the numbered tag (with another copy of the number) was given to the owner to hold as collateral until the judging was complete. In the meanwhile, there was a variety of meats and buns to be enjoyed, along with a selection of baking and cups of coffee. Other beverages (to add to the authenticity of the moment) were also available.

It all lasted only a couple of hours, and in the end there was a whole lot of fun, visiting with friends and long-absent acquaintences. Once the prizes had been awarded and the various crescia were purchased (for of course they were all up for auction), then it was off in the sunset with all of those gathered ... only until the next opportunity should present itself for a little festa.