Hello Friends,

Thanks for visiting, make yourself at home.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, wine or whatever your favorite beverage is; I will gladly join you; let’s chat – while I cook.

Typically, that is where you will find me; in the kitchen, or at the stove preparing a meal; maybe at the counter, chopping, or slicing some ingredients, while Pandora is blasting in the background, you and I can chat and share stories.

I would tell you to pull up a chair – but in my kitchen, it is standing room only. No one seems to mind, so as I cook- we will discuss the latest news, go over what we will be eating, brag about what our children have accomplished, or confide with each other if we are ruining their lives

Psst, if I start to sing- don’t laugh; please join me

“Well the landslide will bring it down, oh,

oh the landslide will bring it down”

My Nonno (grandfather) without fail would always start every meal that he had with his grandchildren with “Mangia, Mangia…..no talk!”  When I became a mom – I started saying the same line to my children, husband, and the dog.

Today Mangia, Mangia ….No Talk; is not only about the food I grew up with, and the stories behind the meals. It is introducing these meals and stories to my family today, allowing them to savor every bite, and making a positive connection of what is in front of them, and who is near them. After all, what is the meaning of breaking bread; or eating together at a dinner table?  Isn’t it so we can connect as a family, bond with friends and just come together after a very long day?

I share this space with my lovely family–

My handsome husband Nick (Psst we have been married for many years… I lost count)…ok, I’ll admit it, this September it will be 33 years. Yes if you’re wondering – it’s true I wasn’t born yet when we married; well maybe I was 10 and he was 12- or maybe that is what we tell everyone.  We surely looked it.

Some years ago, we added two scrappy kids to the mix –

Our son James, a 16-year-old who became an alien when he turned 14, and now although he is no longer alien, at times suffers from knucklehead-itis, it might be serious I think his friends have it too…but then again being 16 is no easy task.

Amelia our daughter is 14 – thinks she is 24, and yet still wants to cuddle under a blanket while watching movies with her dad.  She twirls every time she enters a room; or whenever or wherever she is walking to.  It’s concerning and yet entertaining to watch.

Next, on the list is our furry little man – Teddy Bear Einstein; a charismatic cockapoo that seems to be taking notes, either reporting his findings to a headquarter somewhere or is recording it all in his tiny brain, for future reference. He keeps a close watch over us, like a little supervisor.

Our lives are filled with extended family, friends that are dear to us, and all have a special place in my heart… you will get to know them on these pages; some by name; and some anonymously.

Now my turn, I may be obsessed with Salt and Pepper shakers, dishtowels, and maybe the Dollar Tree Store. If I am not cooking, I am writing, if I am not writing I am working my full-time job…counting beans. If I am not doing any of the above I am either on the couch watching a movie, Ted-Talk, a documentary, or a cooking show….I sing loud in the car with the music just as loud, but I always lower the volume as I am approaching an intersection. I root for the underdog every time. I love any kind of dragonfly object- and have many dragonfly trinkets almost everywhere. Last but not least, I  love and live for happy endings.

Mangia, Mangia…no talk; is my way of honoring my past, as well as bringing the same optimistic familiarity to my own dinner table today! So join me please let’s share some time together at

Mangia, Mangia….No Talk!!!

Ssh! Let’s eat!