Love & Roasted Chicken
It has been quite a few months since I have waxed on and on about PhillyBoy. I guess I try to keep it to myself now that I realize the posts are gag-worthy for some! Whoops! I suppose I can’t help it. I am one of those lucky people who has found someone that she loves fully and completely, and I can’t get over it. My parents had that kind of love, and I never thought I would be equally lucky!
A long time ago I wrote the story of how my parents met, but that post was lost before I could save it in my drafts backup folder. To give you the quickie version…. My auntie D and her boyfriend were dating and wanted to meet up in Florence for a few days. My aunt was living in Trieste at the time, and her boyfriend was in the States but would be in Italy for business. My grandparents did not want my aunt to go, but finally agreed when auntie said she would take her sister as a chaperone. When my aunt told her boyfriend that, he said he would find out if one of his brothers could make it too to keep my aunt’s sister company.
My mom and auntie, many many years ago (my auntie is standing in the back and my mom is sitting down):
My mom, with my dad in the background (sometime in the late 70s):
Fast forward to Florence.. My dad (my aunt’s boyfriend’s brother) is sitting in the barber shop in the hotel and sees a beautiful woman in the mirror pass by, with long blond hair and a beautiful outfit. He says to himself “if that is the woman I am supposed to accompany all weekend, I am going to marry her.” I am sure he did not think that was actually the woman he was supposed to accompany! But it was! My dad and mom were formally introduced, and it was love at first sight. Though they did not speak the same native languages, they both spoke some English and my dad spoke a bit of Italian so they were able to communicate. By the end of that first evening, my dad and mom knew they wanted to be married. The four of them ended up having a magical trip in Florence that I heard about many times growing up, and when my mom went back to Trieste, she had a promise ring on her finger.
The rest is history, as they say. My mom got married to my dad, studied for her high school final exams, and got her driver’s license all in the same year. And yes, my aunt and her boyfriend got married too!
My uncle (in the middle), with my dad (left) and a friend (also late 70s):
And one random, because I can’t help it! Another one of my dad’s brothers, with one of their sisters! (again, late 70s):
The love doesn’t end there. By 1985 we were all living in Rhode Island. My parents had a boy born in 1979 and a girl in 1983, and my aunt and uncle had a boy in 1979 and a girl in 1983! The girl, my cousin who I grew up with as almost a sister, was my maid of honor! The story is quite a bit longer and a bit more romantic than that, but it would take hours to fully share. I have asked my aunt to share it many, many times in the last few years! It is one of my favorite stories. Feel free to ask any questions about this love story if you have them!
I remind myself of my parents’ beautiful story all the time. My father is an incredible man, and although PhillyBoy did not meet my father until he met me, he is much like my father. Both do everything they can for those they love, and I am lucky to have them in my life!
While I do most of the cooking in the house, PhillyBoy is no bad cook. In fact, he is the master of making a delicious meal out of practically nothing. On this day in particular, he roasted a chicken to perfection with just a few Google searches and a recipe from his imagination. It was delicious, and will be delicious when he makes it again (hint hint!). Some might even say this is engagement-worthy chicken…. It is that good! See for yourself….
PhillyBoy’s Roasted Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 3-4 lb chicken
1 orange, in segments
1 onion, in segments (very roughly chopped)
3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
2 lemons, quartered
2 tbs olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
assorted spices
1 cup white wine
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Stuff the chicken with the orange, onion, celery, and lemon pieces. It is ok if not everything fits inside the chicken, but do your best. Truss the chicken with kitchen twine.
2. Rub the outside of the chicken with salt, pepper, and any spices you like. Pour the olive oil over the whole chicken and rub it all over.
3. Place the chicken breast side down in a roasting pan. Fill the pan with the wine + enough water to have 1 inch of liquid in the pan. Place the pan in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. Flip the chicken breast side up and place back in oven. Baste every 15 minutes until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reads 165 degrees Farenheit, about 85 minutes total. Enjoy!
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Sabrina, this story seriously brough tears to my eyes. My parents have an amazing marriage and I have always hoped for the same. My husband is also SO MUCH like my dad, that it is unreal at times. I just feel like we have so many similarities – my cousin was born (my mom’s sister’s daughter, too!) the same year as me and was also my MOH. I only have brothers and so does she, so it has seriously been like we are sisters.
The whole whirlwind romance in Italy just sounds straight out of a fairly tale. I am so glad you appreciate it so much, too. I don’t feel like there is any marriage out there that compares to my parents’. I am so thankful for it!
Now, unlike PB, my hubby is a TERRIBLE cook. ๐
@Jessica @ How Sweet, We are so lucky to have such great families AND husbands!!!
Growing up I thought it WAS a fairytale that my mom would tell me… I didn’t know it was true until I was in my teens ha!
what an amazing story…makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside ๐ i’ve been so lucky to have married an awesome man who can cook and is a strong and gentle leader like my dad ๐ it’s so cool to see them together as friends as well!
@Heather (Heather’s Dish), I agree with the friendship! I love seeing my dad and PB together chatting and having fun like old friends. It is more than I dreamed!
Love the old pics! How great…..and your ckicken looks good!
Sabrina, your Mom is beautiful! That is such a lovely story.
My parents met in high school in Mr. Hiel’s American History class. 20 years later I had the same class and Mr. Heil would tell me constnatly how my parents fell in love in his class. My Mom thought my Dad was a big nerd, but she agreed to go on a date with him and the rest is history. I, too, could hear the story of how my parents met over and over again.
That is a beautiful story! I love hearing how we met tales and this is definitely a good one! Sometimes I forget you have an older brother. It’s weird but it made me wonder what you were like as a teen and in college!
Also, you look just like your dad!
What a nice story! You really look like your mom.
I just found your blog and love it! And I love your parent’s love story. It’s so funny how things work out sometimes – like fate. ๐ Great story and what a great chicken from your husband!
What a sweet story! I love family stories. If only all romances could begin in Florence (or involve such beautiful roasted chickens!)
My parents got together when they were 15 (dad) and 13 (mom), when they were both dragged to some formal event by their parents. My dad’s father made my dad pick one of my other grandfather’s daughters to dance with, as was the done thing to do with formal acquaintances in those circles and that time (“pick one, any one, whichever isn’t dancing”) and my dad picked my mom, who snubbed him at first–but who took his calls afterwards, and the rest was history.
@Laura Georgina, I love this story! Where are they from? (what state?)
That is a beautiful story! And that chicken sounds amazing – especially with the white wine! ๐
I love your stories – ALL of them! I’m smiling so big. ๐ And your man’s chicken looks fantastic! Roast chicken is one of my favorite things in the whole wide world. ๐
@Krista, Thank you! and me too!
There is no such thing as a “gag worthy” story. I adore my husband and could talk about him every day all day. He helped me heal from a serious mental condition 11 years and I will forever be grateful. We are soul mates and spend almost 24 hours a day together since he works from home.
Your parents have a wonderful story. My parents were high school sweethearts, although, not perfect I feel like the biggest gift they gave me was the example of a loving marriage.
Old photos rock!
i LOVED reading that! my parents have an amazing marriage adter 27 years and I hope I can have that with my future husband. They are such amazing people and have the msot beautiful relationship! I loved hearing abotu how your parents met and fell in love.
on another note, I want that chicken!!!
what a cute story ๐ Your parents relationship sounds like it was very loving!
What a great story. I think my Husband has a lot of similarities to my Husband as well and our story is definitely a whirlwind one. I am sucker for great love stories and don’t mind the posts that celebrate that at all. I think it’s great that in this world of so much skepticism when it comes to love, there are those who are still living it. I know I do every day and I could talk about my Husband all day.
I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I love it. I am a Rhode Island resident, have been for a past year. I was so excited to see you mention the Whole Foods in Cranston. I am originally from Austin, TX and I have been missing my Whole Foods.
@Midgetkeeper, Hi fellow Rhode Islander!!!! I grew up in Cranston up the street from that Whole Foods. We were all SO excited when it opened!!!
I love this story!! THanks so much for sharing! You and Phillyboy seem so happy!
Aw, what a lovely story! It really does sound like a fairytale. I love the pictures of your family too. Your mom and aunts are so beautiful and your dad and his brother are so dashing! I’m so glad your families–and now you and PB–get to experience true love!
Cute storyyy!!! I want that ๐ So glad u guys are so happy in Philly!!
ps about my “job”, it’s only the one! i just say that on the blog since i don’t mention what the “job” is for privacy reasons ;D
oh…. swoon! sabrina, this post is wonderful . thank you for sharing <3
What a sweet story! Thank you for sharing with us.
Never apologize for talking about your happiness. You deserve it!
what a wonderful story, and I just love the old photos!
Sabrina – you are such a sweetheart. I love all your stories – you amazing personality just shines through it. I can feel the love! ๐
Sabrina, I just loved this story! Thanks for sharing it with us. I’m glad that your family found love in Italy, RI, and now Philly ๐
Aww, your parents are so wonderful! I loved hearing about how they met. I’m so glad you’ve found that love in your life ๐
My parents’ meeting wasn’t as romantic – they went to grad school together, and my mom was always very forward (my dad is really shy). Apparently, the first time she saw him, she walked up to him and asked him “do you have a girlfriend?” My dad told me that story a while ago. I’d like to think I have some of that courage in me. ๐
Awww – amazing pics, Sabrina!
And I loved PBยดs recipe – heยดs not a bad cook at all!
๐
Have a great Friday, girl!
Brazilian XOXOยดs,
Gabriela
Aww What a great story! ๐
The chicken looks great! MMM!
There is a kids book called, “Love and Roast Chicken” which is one of my favorites! It is a cute Peruvian folktale with a funny love story in it. You should check it out!
@Amanda, How funny!!! Thanks for letting me know… I will check it out next time I’m in a bookstore! Thanks!