Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. (They died in 1971
and '72.)

In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
from meat, but big on hospitality and family.

After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)

About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. The red wine
(homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.

Our small house was packed with people coming and going from about 8
until 11:30 when people began to head off to their own churches.

It was a lovely tradition.

gloria p

On Wed 24 Dec 2008 07:54:08p, Gloria P told us...

> Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
> had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. (They died in 1971
> and '72.)
>
> In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
> from meat, but big on hospitality and family.
>
> After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
> codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
> rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)
>
> About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. The red wine
> (homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
> buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
> olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
> custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.
>
> Our small house was packed with people coming and going from about 8
> until 11:30 when people began to head off to their own churches.
>
> It was a lovely tradition.
>
> gloria p
>

It certainly was a lovely tradition, and it's wonderful to have such fond
menories of it.

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Wednesday, 12(XII)/24(XXIV)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Today is: Christmas Eve
Countdown till Christmas Day
3hrs 29mins
************************************************** **********************
Anarchists Unite!
************************************************** **********************

Gloria P wrote:
> Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
> had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. (They died in 1971
> and '72.)
>
> In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
> from meat, but big on hospitality and family.
>
> After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
> codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
> rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)
>
> About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. The red wine
> (homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
> buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
> olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
> custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.
>
> Our small house was packed with people coming and going from about 8
> until 11:30 when people began to head off to their own churches.
>
> It was a lovely tradition.
>
> gloria p
Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
ended up well-fed after those trips.

On Dec 25, 8:06*am, George Shirley > wrote:
> Gloria P wrote:
> > Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
> > had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. *(They died in 1971
> > and '72.)
>
> > In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
> > from meat, but big on hospitality and family.
>
> > After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
> > codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
> > rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)
>
> > About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. *The red wine
> > (homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
> > buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
> > olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
> > custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.
>

>
> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
> stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
> the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
> ended up well-fed after those trips.

Then you MUST have gone to Magoni's Ferry Landing!! It was still
there when I was in the area in 2006, but smelled of disinfectant when
I stuck head in the door for a nostalgic look-see. I used to visit
folks there in Somerset and ate there often.

On Dec 24, 9:54*pm, Gloria P > wrote:
> Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
> had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. *(They died in 1971
> and '72.)
>
> In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
> from meat, but big on hospitality and family.
>
> After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
> codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
> rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)
>
> About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. *The red wine
> (homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
> buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
> olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
> custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.
>
> Our small house was packed with people coming and going from about 8
> until 11:30 when people began to head off to their own churches.
>
> It was a lovely tradition.
>
> gloria p

My mother one year made a scrumptious casserole and I failed to get
the recipe. She would always treat us to something special at her
midnight suppers. This particular cass was pale green and had
something like scallops and squid maybe?

She always made a huge cheese ball, fudge, and some kind of deep
fried sweet dough things every Christmas for her eve guests. Then
she'd start the turkey about 2 am in the huge covered slow Nesco type
roaster, set out in the garage. The house was redolent by morning.
I'd give anything to repeat those good times.

val189 wrote:
> On Dec 25, 8:06 am, George Shirley > wrote:
>> Gloria P wrote:
>>> Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
>>> had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. (They died in 1971
>>> and '72.)
>>> In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
>>> from meat, but big on hospitality and family.
>>> After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
>>> codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
>>> rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)
>>> About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. The red wine
>>> (homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
>>> buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
>>> olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
>>> custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.
>
>> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
>> stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
>> the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
>> ended up well-fed after those trips.
>
> Then you MUST have gone to Magoni's Ferry Landing!! It was still
> there when I was in the area in 2006, but smelled of disinfectant when
> I stuck head in the door for a nostalgic look-see. I used to visit
> folks there in Somerset and ate there often.
I don't remember any names at all, it's been nearly fifty years. I do
remember the smells and taste of good food cooked properly.

val189 wrote:

> Then you MUST have gone to Magoni's Ferry Landing!! It was still
> there when I was in the area in 2006, but smelled of disinfectant when
> I stuck head in the door for a nostalgic look-see.

Can anyone explain to me why restaurants do that? I've
been to a few over the years that use some awful smelling
cleaner on the tables or whatever, you feel like you're eating
in the bathroom from the chemical odor. As in, a porta potty
type bathroom.

nancy

On Dec 25, 10:38*am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:

> Can anyone explain to me why restaurants do that? *I've
> been to a few over the years that use some awful smelling
> cleaner on the tables or whatever, you feel like you're eating
> in the bathroom from the chemical odor. *As in, a porta potty
> type bathroom. *


In all fairness, it was very early in the afternoon, but there WERE a
few ppl eating lunch. Maybe it's mandated by the health dept....?
Def. not conducive tho to meal enjoyment.

George Shirley wrote:

> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
> stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
> the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
> ended up well-fed after those trips.



Close! New Bedford, ~15 miles away. Emeril is from F.R.
(Fall Riverites talk funny.)

;-)

gloria p

Nancy Young > wrote:

>val189 wrote:

>> Then you MUST have gone to Magoni's Ferry Landing!! It was still
>> there when I was in the area in 2006, but smelled of disinfectant
>> when I stuck head in the door for a nostalgic look-see.

>Can anyone explain to me why restaurants do that? I've
>been to a few over the years that use some awful smelling
>cleaner on the tables or whatever, you feel like you're eating
>in the bathroom from the chemical odor. As in, a porta potty
>type bathroom.

Often it's to cover up the smell if someone puked.

Similar with rental cars.

Steve

val189 wrote:
> On Dec 25, 10:38 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>
>> Can anyone explain to me why restaurants do that? I've
>> been to a few over the years that use some awful smelling
>> cleaner on the tables or whatever, you feel like you're eating
>> in the bathroom from the chemical odor. As in, a porta potty
>> type bathroom.

> In all fairness, it was very early in the afternoon, but there WERE a
> few ppl eating lunch. Maybe it's mandated by the health dept....?
> Def. not conducive tho to meal enjoyment.

Only very few restaurants have that smell, I cannot believe
it's possible they don't notice it. Very off-putting. I seem to
notice it more at places with glass topped tables. It's not
even a Windex smell, it's a bathroom cleaner disinfectant
smell. Blech!!!

nancy

On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:38:32 -0500, "Nancy Young"
> wrote:

>val189 wrote:
>
>> Then you MUST have gone to Magoni's Ferry Landing!! It was still
>> there when I was in the area in 2006, but smelled of disinfectant when
>> I stuck head in the door for a nostalgic look-see.
>
>Can anyone explain to me why restaurants do that? I've
>been to a few over the years that use some awful smelling
>cleaner on the tables or whatever, you feel like you're eating
>in the bathroom from the chemical odor. As in, a porta potty
>type bathroom.

Dunno, but I don't return (ever) to restaurants that smell like
disinfectant. Alters the flavors of the food and everything, because
of the sense of smell being tied in to tastes. Ick!

Carol

Gloria P wrote:
> George Shirley wrote:
>
>> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
>> stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
>> the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
>> ended up well-fed after those trips.
>
>
>
> Close! New Bedford, ~15 miles away. Emeril is from F.R.
> (Fall Riverites talk funny.)
>
> ;-)
>
> gloria p
>
Went there once IIRC, had my 1953 Ford Crestline Victoria parked on the
base and was able to get out and around Mass and RI on occasion. Being a
born and bred East Texas boy I was fascinated by all the rock walls,
rock barns, houses, etc. Used to drive the countryside a lot just
looking. Wasn't much on drinking or chasing B-girls so found other
sources of entertainment (I was already engaged to be married to DW at
that time.) Very interesting countryside but too cold for me when winter
came.

On Thu 25 Dec 2008 09:14:13a, Gloria P told us...

> George Shirley wrote:
>
>> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
>> stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
>> the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
>> ended up well-fed after those trips.
>
>
>
> Close! New Bedford, ~15 miles away. Emeril is from F.R.
> (Fall Riverites talk funny.)

They hack people to death with axes, too. You're better off in New
Bedford.

:-)

>
> ;-)
>
> gloria p
>
>



--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Thursday, 12(XII)/25(XXV)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Today is: Christmas
************************************************** **********************
A chicken is an egg's way of producing more eggs.
************************************************** **********************

Gloria P wrote:
> Dimitri's menu reminded me of the Christmas Eve open houses my parents
> had in Massachusetts while they were still alive. (They died in 1971
> and '72.)
>
> In their Portuguese tradition, Christmas Eve day was a day of abstinence
> from meat, but big on hospitality and family.
>
> After a full day of work, they would come home to cook octopus stew,
> codfish cakes, and big loaves of bread with Portuguese chourico and ham
> rolled into the dough (that was for "breakfast" after Midnight Mass.)
>
> About 8PM the friends and relatives would begin to arrive. The red wine
> (homemade) began to flow, the dining room table would be set with a
> buffet of breads, codfish, octopus, clams-and-rice, lots of cured
> olives, a big salad, plus cookies, chocolates, aletria (vermicelli
> custard pudding) and spice cake heavy with nuts.
>
> Our small house was packed with people coming and going from about 8
> until 11:30 when people began to head off to their own churches.
>
> It was a lovely tradition.
>
> gloria p

That sounds wonderful Gloria!

Damsel in dis Dress wrote:
> Dunno, but I don't return (ever) to restaurants that smell like
> disinfectant. Alters the flavors of the food and everything, because
> of the sense of smell being tied in to tastes. Ick!
>
> Carol
>


For a few of years now, I have noticed this chemical smell in hotels.
Whoever is selling this stuff must make a fortune, because everybody is
using it.

In October, I had to open the window so I could air out the room (I was
lucky it would open). While taking in the view, I noticed there were 5
deer at the edge of the woods. They stretched their necks to nibble on
the leaves that were hanging on the lower branches of the trees. It was
a joy to watch, so I almost forgot about the stinky chemical smell.

If a hotel room is gonna stink, I prefer to stink it up myself. hehehe


Becca

George Shirley wrote:
> Gloria P wrote:
>> George Shirley wrote:
>>
>>> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I
>>
>>
>> Close! New Bedford, ~15 miles away. Emeril is from F.R.
>> (Fall Riverites talk funny.)
>>
>> ;-)
>>
>> gloria p
>>
> Went there once IIRC, had my 1953 Ford Crestline Victoria parked on the
> base and was able to get out and around Mass and RI on occasion. Being a
> born and bred East Texas boy I was fascinated by all the rock walls,
> rock barns, houses, etc. Used to drive the countryside a lot just
> looking. Wasn't much on drinking or chasing B-girls so found other
> sources of entertainment (I was already engaged to be married to DW at
> that time.) Very interesting countryside but too cold for me when winter
> came.

Too cold winters, too hot humid summers, but the worst is the eternally
too closed minds.

Shortly after we moved to Colorado in 1984 a dear friend visited for a
week. Her conclusion: "I could never live here--there are no RULES
for anything...." (Hmmm, I guess it's BAD to think for yourself!)

gloria p
who still deeply misses the ocean

On Dec 25, 11:14*am, Gloria P > wrote:
> George Shirley wrote:
> > Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
> > stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
> > the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
> > ended up well-fed after those trips.
>
> Close! *New Bedford, ~15 miles away. *Emeril is from F.R.
> (Fall Riverites talk funny.)

You mean "uppa da Flint?" (Fall River tawk)

Across the street from the Whaling Museum was a wonderful little hole
in the wall resto in the late 80s - served good fish chowdah.

val189 wrote:
> On Dec 25, 11:14 am, Gloria P > wrote:
>> George Shirley wrote:
>>> Are you, by chance, from Fall River, Massachusetts Gloria? I was
>>> stationed across the river from there in 1959-60 and enjoyed going to
>>> the Portuguese restaurants when I was on liberty from Newport, RI. I
>>> ended up well-fed after those trips.
>> Close! New Bedford, ~15 miles away. Emeril is from F.R.
>> (Fall Riverites talk funny.)
>
> You mean "uppa da Flint?" (Fall River tawk)
>
> Across the street from the Whaling Museum was a wonderful little hole
> in the wall resto in the late 80s - served good fish chowdah.

There are a number of small hole-in-the-wall restaurants near the docks
which used to serve the fishing crews, who are pretty fussy about their
seafood.

It is so long since I've lived there (1965) I don't remember anything
across from the Museum except the Seaman's Bethel church with lists
on plaques of boats from the harbor which have sunk, with lists of crew
members. I knew a few of them, school friends who went into their
family fishing business. The George's Banks fishing ground doesn't
allow for bad judgment or mistakes in foul weather.

The church also is mentioned at the beginning of Moby Dick, with the
pulpit which has the rope ladder which the officiant pulls up after
he climbs it, like an old ship's ladder. Eastern Massachusetts is
steeped in history.

Our high school mascot was a Whaleman and the teams were Whalers.

gloria p

Gloria wrote:

> Shortly after we moved to Colorado in 1984 a dear friend visited for a
> week. Her conclusion: "I could never live here--there are no RULES
> for anything...." (Hmmm, I guess it's BAD to think for yourself!)

I take it you didn't live in Boulder. Did you see the story about how
Boulder mandated that residents were not allowed to disturb thousands of
starlings who pooped all over their neighborhood night after night?

http://articles.latimes.com/2002/aug...ion/na-birds10

"In a town that likes to call itself the People's Republic of Boulder, where
scarcely a plant or animal is without some protected designation, the rights
of the birds to live freely trump the rights of Mapleton's residents to live
poop-free."

Bob

On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:19:30 -0500, Nancy Young wrote:

> val189 wrote:
>> On Dec 25, 10:38 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>>
>>> Can anyone explain to me why restaurants do that? I've
>>> been to a few over the years that use some awful smelling
>>> cleaner on the tables or whatever, you feel like you're eating
>>> in the bathroom from the chemical odor. As in, a porta potty
>>> type bathroom.
>
>> In all fairness, it was very early in the afternoon, but there WERE a
>> few ppl eating lunch. Maybe it's mandated by the health dept....?
>> Def. not conducive tho to meal enjoyment.
>
> Only very few restaurants have that smell, I cannot believe
> it's possible they don't notice it. Very off-putting. I seem to
> notice it more at places with glass topped tables. It's not
> even a Windex smell, it's a bathroom cleaner disinfectant
> smell. Blech!!!
>
> nancy

i've been in places where the waitress came over and windexed the
glass-topped table next to me while i was eating. jeez!

your pal,
blake