Family members have been gathering in this kitchen for over 100 years. My great-grandfather built the house when he came over from Italy. He raised his family there, and then my maternal grandparents raised their family in it. My mom was born in this very kitchen. My kids mark the fifth generation of Scarpas who can call this house a home.

Erica, Adrienne, Monica and Andrea (3rd Cousins)

Monica and Andrea are my cousin Patty’s daughters

Curliest, Curlier, Curly, and Cutey-Pie

Erica and Adrienne with their 3rd cousins Jessica and Gabrielle. Jessica and Gabrielle are my cousin Sheree’s daughters.

Aunt Rosie with my mom and their first cousins Cookie and Joe.

Let’s begin at the beginning. I took 198 pictures on our trip to New Jersey. We stayed at Grandmom’s House. First it was my mom’s grandmom’s house (over 100 years ago), then it became my grandmom’s house, and now it is my kids’ grandmom’s house…

I like how in this picture the sun is rising over the back of the house. Material possessions don’t matter, but this house does. You’ll see why in the 197 pictures to follow over the next few days.

Some photos from our annual Christmas Eve dinner at my mom and dad’s. This year marked the 25th Christmas we have celebrated in Florida. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I realized that not every family celebrates Christmas Eve. Just sitting home and not celebrating is a foreign concept to me. The very first conversation I ever had with Neil was at his front door on Christmas Eve. I was mortified to peek in and see that his family was just sitting around the table eating chili. Needless to say, he has been converted.

TRADITION NUMBER ONE: FRIED SMELTS
Frying the smelts has now been passed on to the next generation.The raw smelt gets coated in flour and then placed in hot oil. When it floats to the top, it’s done. They then get topped off with salt and pepper. It’s not Christmas Eve without them!
TRADITION NUMBER TWO: FRIED DOUGHAunt Gaye fried the dough this year. It is just plain dough fried in hot oil and topped with powdered sugar. You can put cheese in some, leave some plain, or dunk some in tomato sauce.Justin (Aunt Gaye’s grandson and my cousin Christopher and his wife Cheryl’s oldest son) enjoyed eating fried dough with me this year. Look at that adorable face!TRADITION NUMBER THREE: CRAB CLAWSNo explanation needed. Just put them on a plate and have at it.