23 Comments

such an amazing 30 years with you and I look forward to the next chapter! you know I'm not a fan of anchovies but that pasta was amazing!

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Next chapter just started.

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I just got back from Catania. We had a cooking class at a school for inner city kids. One of the dishes was pasta with anchovies alla catanese. Fresh anchovies and tomato.

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Excellent!

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Love love love!!!! Reposted! Best way to start my day! I make this pasta with a couple add ins of capers and olives but today I’ll try it your way. Can’t wait! Xx

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Oh capers! Brilliant add in.

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Enjoyable post, Jo! The pasta sounds delicious. I also like your philosophy: “What’s is life without a little life in it?”

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Thanks Ruth. I've spent so many hours of my life being angry, sullen, bored, scared, that the hours when I'm not are very precious.

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I can definitely relate, Jo. I think a lot of people can but probably don’t admit it. Your honesty adds to the appeal of your writing.

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Oh you.....

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Anchovies! Love them! But here in Colombo, Sri Lanka , quite pricey … my wife Jenny and I love Sicily, having gone there on a riotous tour years ago. In fact anything Italian melts our insides. Last time we were there was in 2023 , in Pugila , with friends who have got an old house. Magical! But you are so right about the whole writing ethos here- I’m following the same principle ! Life has to be lived! For that reason we take each day as it comes .. here in Colombo, Xmas season is here, there is a slight chill in the air and Xmas sales are here, and the decorations are up. You should write up your dig in Israel ( I’m an archaeologist, trying to work up energy to write up my low and high jinks in it):loved your recipe, might try it out at some point…. We want more of your Sicilian life! So great to read, thanks

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Okay best of luck with your move! You must be so looking forward to that: shall msg you from here then

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Thank you Prasanna. I'm so surprised that anchovies are expensive in Sri Lanka. I do hope you get to try out the recipe one day. Perhaps if you visit me in Sicily, I can make it for you and your wife! The dig was so fun and so hard and I'm completely envious of you, that you are an archeologist. Please muster the energy to write about it. Perhaps as the days get warmer after the new year?

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Great to hear from you ! Yes anchovies are v pricey , I don’t think they are warm water species : I shall try to focus and write more - really have to pull my finger out! Would love to visit you in Sicily- are you going to settle down there? If you send me your email I can send you some stuff I’ve written , travel tales ….but I still

Want to hear more of your dig times ! I worked at Angkor so I do have some tall yarns…. maybe we can exchange stories ..

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I hope to settle here next year. You can message me.

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Good piece, good recipe. Thanks!

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I hope you try it!

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I put it in my recipe folder, and I’ll be trying it for sure.

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Let's have a bit more discipline here. I demand a daily post. Brilliant!

If you were goths, were the wedding favours black? See, I do not have your brave, adventurous spirit. I would have probably taken out the lease.

I do agree with moving to another country. I'll never do it, sadly, but I will get a vicarious thrill out of your move. I hope your mum comes around. I think she will love it. I wonder what's holding her back? Your list seems pretty convincing to me.

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Haha. No black at the wedding, alas. Although my friend was knocked up at her 2nd wedding, she was around 5 months in a wire a slinky blood red slip dress. It was hilarious. Mum is a narcissist who is getting dementia. She does not like to make me happy. The end. Are you going to try the recipe, Jules?

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The wedding sounds fun!

Ah sorry about your mum. Maybe you should try reverse psychology and say you might not go after all. See how she reacts. She may then take the opposite view. Just a thought.

I really should try this recipe as I am an anchovy lover. It looks delicious. Leave it with me.

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Oh that's a very good idea. Why didn't I think of that?! You like anchovies? I'm surprised and delighted.

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They are a lovely addition to home-made pizza topping 😋

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