Our Italian meet-up, Amici Italiani di Fairfax, invited Adriano to talk to us about his experience as a member of Mayor Raggi's cabinet in Rome.

Adriano with the Meet-up Leader Carlo (left) and the Hostess Me (middle)

 Dominique, Carlo, and Betsy

 Claudio and Adriana

Lara, Claudia, Lynn, and Daughter 

 Claudio, Adriana, Betsy, Adriano

Christmas Eve

Family Service with Christmas pageant at St. Christopher's

Me with my godson Perry (left) and his brother Chipo (right) 
in front of the Chrismon tree

Perry and Chipo with Florence, their mom

Exchange of gifts with Arthur

Exchange of gifts from and to Arthur

To Arthur - Hoodie and Energy Drinks

From Arthur to Colin - Strange weapon 

Panettone for Marcello and Michelle

SON Reading Circle

The Reading Circle of the DC lodge of the Sons of Norway met at my home for a potluck and a discussion of the Icelandic Saga, Prose Edda. It was a very festive occasion with lots of delicious food and drink and a stimulating discussion of this important book, the primary source of Norsk mythology.

Bonnie, Christine, Ruth 

 Bonnie, Ruth

 Barbara, John

Marie

 Joel and Lynn

A very lovely floral arrangement from Barbara 

The table without the illustrious guests (an afterthought unfortunately)

Paper plates and napkins with an Arctic theme 

(Italian pitchers)

Christine's Norwegian almond cake

(Linda and Tim were in attendance but are not in any of the photos.)

Private Confessions

Barbara, Joel, Marie, Bill, and I went to the Kennedy Center to see an adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's novel turned film to the stage directed by Liv Ullman. It was very well done.

The play was in Norwegian with surtitles in English.

We met in the KC Cafe for dinner before the performance. A very exciting outing! A masterful stage performance.

An Impressive Reading

Tim informed his friends in the Sons of Norway Reading Circle about a free reading of Ibsen's The Wild Duck at Washington's Shakespeare Theatre. 

Some of us met for dinner ahead of time at Jaleo's and then went to the performance which was excellent.

Christine and John 

Mary 

Three cheeses and three breads - Delicious!

Volunteers at the SON Bazaar

Norwegian spoon jewelry - a pin to wear with a bunad 

Barbara looking like a candy cane while making and selling lefse

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Every year the Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy presents a Christmas tree to the people of Washington and the US in gratitude for American assistance to Norway during WWII.

My Norwegian friend Inger in the front row

The beautiful ceremony took place in the magnificent Great Hall at Union Station.

Christine with the star guest performer from Norway, Jardar 

Note the beautiful tree with its lights and miniature Norwegian and American flags.

Thanksgiving Chez Moi

A very happy Thanksgiving with family and friends at the Apache Street abode

Family and friends - from left to right: Barbara, Bill, Christian, Marcello, Katie, Michelle, Colin

The appetizers that made a big hit with the Italian carnivores! 

The Cabinet Member

Here are some recent photos of Adriano with the Mayor of Rome

Beautiful Music

My friend Barbara and I went to a performance of the Northern Virginia Recorder Society held at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfax, VA. Dr. Edward Fiedler (far left in the photo below) is the President and Deborah Roudebush is the Music Director.

The music selections were delightful. A few of the 13 titles:

Un sarao de la chacona by Juan Aranes (15?? -ca 1649)

Salish Sea Images: The Mountain by Will Ayton (2012)

Oj wi fehn es segn - Yiddish folk song

Sonata in C Major by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1712)

Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife by Niel Gow (1727-1807)

Remarkable Exhibit

Janet, John, and I went to the National Gallery to view the extraordinary exhibit of paintings by Vermeer and several of his Dutch contemporaries.

Lunch with Robin on the Island

My good friend (friends since 1951) Robin and I met half way between our homes for lunch at Annie's on Kent Island. We had dessert to celebrate Robin's birthday!

Arctic Evening

I was invited to the Arctic Evening at the Norwegian Embassy. George E accompanied me as my guest.

We met our friend Inger at the reception. 

We had our photos taken at a photo booth out in the garden. 

Eating Greek Again

His Friends