“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that’s AMORE.”
—Dean Martin
We had the great pleasure to host a casual dinner in our backyard in honor of Father’s Day that
was preceded by a swim and ended with a walk on the trails around the one-acre lake of our gated community.
Our daughter Michelle and son-in-law Kyle, our precious granddaughters Lyla and Emmy, Kyle’s mom, Kim and Al, Kyle’s father Ed and Gerry as well as Kyle’s brother Chip and Katie and our son Jason joined us.
We began with cocktails. Jason made pitchers of Spritz Veneziano, otherwise known as an Aperol Spritz, an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an aperitif in Venice, and an assortment of beers. Michelle prepared a delicious antipasto tray, and served roasted brussel sprouts with Balsamic vinegar from Pastaria, Gerry brought a delicious bowl of Caesar salad and Kim and Al brought an exquisite layered cake from Marvel’s bakery.
For the main course we enjoyed pizza from Blue Line Pizza. Located in a historic bank building in downtown Los Gatos, CA., Blue Line Pizza that also has six other locations in the Bay Area was voted the “Best Pizzas in Silicon Valley." We ordered five out of an assortment of 12 “specialty pizzas,” including: Cheese, Chicago Chop (a seasoned blend of chopped pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and salami with fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce, and crushed red pepperI; Wild Mushroom & White Truffle Oil; Meatball (spicy house made meatballs, ricotta, spinach, mushrooms, red bells, marinara sauce and mozzarella) and BBQ Chicken (bacon, roasted chicken, pineapple, red onion, cilantro and mozzarella. Blue line got its’ name after the BLUE LINE train that runs between O’hare Airport and downtown Chicago and features the same award winning Chicago cornmeal rust deep dish and New York style thin crust pizza.
After an exquisite guilty pleasure layer cake for dessert, the dads who are also granddads (Ed, Al and myself) opened our cards and gifts. It used to be that I would receive yoga clothes from Lululemon, but that wardrobe is full. These days the theme is bike wear. Thank you all for the biking outfits, wine, and special thanks to my son Jason for my Vio Cabernet Matte color biking helmet with MIPS lights. It is not only vented to stay cool, but offers best-in class brain technology, and is indeed a work of art. But the greatest work of art, gifts and blessings that fill all of our lives with light are our grandchildren, Lyla and Emmeline (Emmy) and our children.
Postscript: The last three photos are in memory of Cecile’s late beloved father Harry Weiner, my late belated father Frank Augustine and my late beloved brother Michael Augustine.
