It is all worth it.
That thought echoed in Maranya's mind early that morning while she stirred the gelatin and heavy cream mixture on the stove until the gelatin dissolved completely. Chunks of deep, rich, dark chocolate were added, and she smiled in satisfaction when they smoothly melted into the mixture after a bit of stirring. More heavy cream and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract found their way into what could be likened to a witch's brew, but was in fact dark chocolate panna cotta.
Rosalie supervised from the sidelines, as promised. "Buono. Molto buono. Stir it slowly, a bit longer."
"Da, Rosalie," Maranya answered automatically, while keeping the movements of the wooden spoon in the mixture smooth and even.
"Now, turn it off, and it goes into those little dishes," the gray haired mistress of the kitchen declared.
"Da, Rosalie," Maranya laughed, and complied with the commands. "It goes in the refrigerator all day, da?"
"S", s". Il Padrone will enjoy this, Padrona."
"I know." Maranya's shy smile lit her face when she faced Rosalie after the tray of panna cottas went into the refrigerator to chill. "I want to do something special for 'Tonio today." She impulsively hugged the older woman. "You won't tell him, will you?"
"Of course not, this is a surprise." Rosalie's still sharp brown eyes twinkled with merriment when she returned the hug. "You are molto buono for Il Padrone, Padrona. I have not seen him smile or laugh so much as when you came into his life, and brightened the Palazzo."
The older woman released her from the hug, and made a shooing gesture. "Now go, and tend to the bambinos. I will have things ready for you to finish preparing the rest of the meal when you come home."
It is all worth it.
The Chief of Staff's work at Riverview was made much easier by the efficient Xenia's help with the seeming reams of paperwork that crossed her desk that day. The pair had smoothly settled into a time tested and comfortable working rhythm after only a few days of working together.
By the Beyond, I wish I'd stolen Xenia from Alper months ago! I wouldn't have had nearly as many headaches then.
When Maranya stepped into the waiting carriage at the end of her abbreviated work day, her step was lighter, and a smile adorned her face.
It is all worth it.
Returning to the Palazzo's kitchen, she tied her usual canvas apron on over her rose silk dress, and got down to the task of preparing the evening meal on her own.
Soon, the kitchen table was adorned with gold edged china platters bearing a tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella salad, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, and topped with dried oregano, fresh linguine in a bacon and sundried tomato Alfredo sauce, and Tuscan chicken breasts, flavored with grape tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
Maranya nodded to Rosalie, who went off to summon Antonio for the evening meal.
She placed the small silver wrapped box by Antonio's plate. Inside rested an Italian pocket watch, made by Bartholomew Manfredi, and bearing a delicately painted watch face.
Lirssa told me the diamond chips were added later. She, Jess and Jolyon helped me so much by finding this gift for 'Tonio.
Maranya smiled in satisfaction at her efforts as she untied her apron, and put it away. Then she waited for her love to join her for his birthday meal.
It is all worth it.
That thought echoed in Maranya's mind early that morning while she stirred the gelatin and heavy cream mixture on the stove until the gelatin dissolved completely. Chunks of deep, rich, dark chocolate were added, and she smiled in satisfaction when they smoothly melted into the mixture after a bit of stirring. More heavy cream and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract found their way into what could be likened to a witch's brew, but was in fact dark chocolate panna cotta.
Rosalie supervised from the sidelines, as promised. "Buono. Molto buono. Stir it slowly, a bit longer."
"Da, Rosalie," Maranya answered automatically, while keeping the movements of the wooden spoon in the mixture smooth and even.
"Now, turn it off, and it goes into those little dishes," the gray haired mistress of the kitchen declared.
"Da, Rosalie," Maranya laughed, and complied with the commands. "It goes in the refrigerator all day, da?"
"S", s". Il Padrone will enjoy this, Padrona."
"I know." Maranya's shy smile lit her face when she faced Rosalie after the tray of panna cottas went into the refrigerator to chill. "I want to do something special for 'Tonio today." She impulsively hugged the older woman. "You won't tell him, will you?"
"Of course not, this is a surprise." Rosalie's still sharp brown eyes twinkled with merriment when she returned the hug. "You are molto buono for Il Padrone, Padrona. I have not seen him smile or laugh so much as when you came into his life, and brightened the Palazzo."
The older woman released her from the hug, and made a shooing gesture. "Now go, and tend to the bambinos. I will have things ready for you to finish preparing the rest of the meal when you come home."
It is all worth it.
The Chief of Staff's work at Riverview was made much easier by the efficient Xenia's help with the seeming reams of paperwork that crossed her desk that day. The pair had smoothly settled into a time tested and comfortable working rhythm after only a few days of working together.
By the Beyond, I wish I'd stolen Xenia from Alper months ago! I wouldn't have had nearly as many headaches then.
When Maranya stepped into the waiting carriage at the end of her abbreviated work day, her step was lighter, and a smile adorned her face.
It is all worth it.
Returning to the Palazzo's kitchen, she tied her usual canvas apron on over her rose silk dress, and got down to the task of preparing the evening meal on her own.
Soon, the kitchen table was adorned with gold edged china platters bearing a tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella salad, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, and topped with dried oregano, fresh linguine in a bacon and sundried tomato Alfredo sauce, and Tuscan chicken breasts, flavored with grape tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
Maranya nodded to Rosalie, who went off to summon Antonio for the evening meal.
She placed the small silver wrapped box by Antonio's plate. Inside rested an Italian pocket watch, made by Bartholomew Manfredi, and bearing a delicately painted watch face.
Lirssa told me the diamond chips were added later. She, Jess and Jolyon helped me so much by finding this gift for 'Tonio.
Maranya smiled in satisfaction at her efforts as she untied her apron, and put it away. Then she waited for her love to join her for his birthday meal.
It is all worth it.