39 Comments

Happy between-the-holidays days! Thanks for the NYT link, what a great story.

I’m reading a vintage mystery (Murder in the Snow by Gladys Mitchell--first I’ve read of her, but I love golden age mysteries)

And confections, hmmm. For years we made and gifted almond toffee, this is the first time in eons we haven’t. I find the older I get the less I like super sweet things...last year I made it one last time because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, and this year I freed myself 🤣

That said there were 7 (🤷🏻‍♀️) batches of cookies made.

Buon anno and thank you for all the great recipes and reads this year!

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Somehow, the words 'vintage mystery' sound just right for winter (not to mention the title of the book itself). Will look it up.

I am so over cookies and sweets, though almond toffee still manages to sound tempting. Thank YOU for your support, which I truly appreciate. Baci!

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It is a perfect holiday week read...if you go for that vintage British feel (I can never get enough!) and Gladys Mitchell has a lot of strong female characters doing things out of the ordinary for their time period which is a treat. 😘😘

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Merry Merry 💫

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Cheers, amica xx

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"1932: FDR, Hoover and the Dawn of a New America" by Scott Martelle.

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Excellent. Thank you, Mike!

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Warmest holiday festivities and some quiet time, too! And thanks for pointing the way to the NYTimes article on the Baronessa. At last, a new role model for me and Camont!

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I thought of you immediately when I read it, Kate! Buone feste e buon anno nuovo!

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Merry Christmas. Thank you. I had forgotten my Dad bringing home

Halva as a treat, many ears ago! My favourite was with chocolate marbled

through it. I am looking forward to trying the recipe. I love anything chocolate!

Hazelnuts are second!

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Yes, the marbled halva is so good. Cheers, Christine, and all the best in the New Year.

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I sure liked that panforte we made last year. Domenica, please see your email for a query from me regarding my account. Thank you, and Buon Natale!

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I love the panforte, too, Barb. I ran out of time this year and did not get to make any. Next year for sure. Will sort out your issue. Cheers, D

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Buona Natale! Love your Substack. Wishing you and yours a happy new year.

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Thank you so much, Alison! Happy New Year to you as well.

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Domenica, Have a Wonderful Delicious Holiday and and a Happy New Year

Love, Veronika

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Thank you, Veronika. All the best to you in 2024. Hope to share a food writing workshop update in the coming weeks. xx

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Merry Christmas from Austria 🇦🇹!

I’m so sorry to hear that you broke your ankle! But if you really love heels, it might not be over, well, maybe not 4-inch stilettos 👠! My mother broke her ankle (a spiral fracture!) the day before Christmas one year. I am convinced she somehow manoeuvred this so that I would end up cooking Christmas dinner! Anyway, she had an operation to fix it (it was her good luck that the surgeon on-call that night was a sports medicine specialist and he was thrilled to be able to rebuild her ankle). After a week or so (to let the incision scab up), she started loads of physio in the pool. By summer she was running around again. No more super high heels but still some heel action. Oh, I forgot to mention: she was almost 70 years old when she did it.

But I wish you and everyone else a very Merry Christmas 🎄 and a very Happy New Year!

All the best

Allie, Hailey, and Kerwen

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Alison, thank you for sharing your mom's story. Inspiring! I was stuck on bedrest with my leg up for a month, but the silver lining is that I was in Italy. And, I somehow found an incredible physical therapist right up the street from my house who got me back into good enough shape to travel back to the U.S. I'm so grateful to her. Wishing you and yours a merry and peaceful holiday.

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Grazie, Domenica, not just for the recipe and the sweet memories but also for mention of that fascinating book, Tava. Tanti auguri per l'anno prossimo!

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I have a feeling you would enjoy this book, Nancy. It's probably my favorite book from this year. Illuminating stories and so many enticing recipes. I want to make everything in it. Buone feste e buon anno nuovo!

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can it be printed if you pay for membership? Today it will not print.

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Hi Sally, printable versions of all recipes are archived here: https://buonadomenica.substack.com/p/buona-domenica-recipe-index

I make some printable recipes available to all, but it is typically a perk of a paid subscription.

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I haven’t had halva since I was in Greece in high school! What a great idea – definitely will give this recipe a try. Merry Christmas Domenica, and get those gifts wrapped, lol!

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Gift wrapping done, Wendy. Buon natale e buon anno...hopefully we can meet up this coming year.

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Indeed, Domenica and altrettanto for the holiday, greetings, and above all a prayer for peace in 2024🕊️

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Buon Natale Domenica! Wishing you and your family the most wonderful 2024!

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And the same to you, dear Laura xx

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Buon Natale Domenica!

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Buon Natale e buon anno nuovo!

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I’ve sampled halva but never thought of making it for some reason, so I’m eager to try this recipe and perhaps others. Thanks for sharing your deep knowledge of Italian food and culture. Wishing you and your family a very happy and delicious holiday!

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Thank you, Ruth. So happy to be connected here on Substack. Wishing you all good things in 2024!

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Thanks, Domenica!🤗

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Now that I have recovered sufficiently from the seizure brought on by the strobing effect of your otherwise delightful first illustration, I want to wish you a joyous Christmas and an injury-free 2024.

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Thank you, my friend, and the same to you. Looking forward to enjoying more of your marvelous writing in ‘24.

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Ditto, kiddo!

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