For generations our family has always believed in the food being placed on the table - no buffet-style dining. Those Italian men expected their food on the table, the kids clean at the table, the house clean, the food made perfectly, homemade bread made every day of the year and every one sat together. No one left the table until papa said. Mama did the clean up; papa would busy himself with something. No one walked in the kitchen when great gram cooked - unless you wanted it to be your last day alive. Gram was like that too. And mom. And me. Mothers and daughters will cook, can, and bake together - anyone else - OUT!!! Hair is to be pulled back and off the face or you don't sit and eat let alone try to enter the kitchen! No nailpolish allowed. If you had nailpolish on you couldn't even eat let alone touch a cup or glass of water. Papa would not let anyone wear lipstick - he didn't even believe in makeup. The old-fashioned Italian men were very strict - and so were the women. Grace was always said. But the memories will always be there. Big tables full of food and family enjoying it! In my opinion - that's the way it should be. (sorry I got long-winded - but I can be like Sophia.......)
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