Christmas Archivi - Page 2 of 4 - Keep Calm and Drink Coffee

SUSPENDED PANETTONE

Dec 21, 2021 | ITALY

Suspended Panettone is a Milanese initiative that takes its inspiration from the famous suspended coffee in Naples.

With Laura from At Amalia’s table we have already made a comparison between Naples and Milan to understand the most common habits and ways to drink coffee.

And, as a curious coincidence, in recent days we found ourselves studying Christmas sweets starting from the tale of the legends about Panettone.

I therefore find this new intersection between Naples and Milan even more beautiful because when it comes to generosity there is always something to learn.

Suspended panettone arises from the assumption that unfortunately many people find themselves facing conditions of extreme discomfort, with the aggravating consideration that the situation is constantly and constantly worsening.

Of course, Panettone cannot make any difference, but it can represent a very small gesture, an outstretched hand, a breath of warmth on a day that should be peaceful for EVERYONE.

Therefore, using the Naples system, according to which it is possible to pay for a coffee at the bar leaving the manager the right to offer it to those who are unable to, even in Milan you can buy a Panettone that will remain waiting to be donated.

Furthermore, to each suspended Panettone, the pastry shop will add another in order to double the total number of panettone to give.

To orchestrate this initiative, an ETS was born: “Associazione Panettone Sopeso” which will deliver the panettone to two Milanese structures: the Enzo Jannacci reception home and the Custodi Sociali of the Municipality of Milan.

The patisseries giving this opportunity are recognizable through an exposed logo

and the list, complete with addresses and coordinates, is available on the website where it is also possible to donate online.

It is Christmas and on the Navigli, as in the center of Milan, it is no longer possible to enter the shops: the meager or the hefty salaries allow everyone an ungenerous crowd in search of a happiness that is not there, or that at least cannot be bought. This year I put out the candles: everyone invited me, but that night I won’t do anything different, nothing that I don’t always do, just like when I was a child; at the limit we changed rooms, we went from the room to the dining room to see if Jesus had arrived, and to eat the panettone, which was then called “el pan de Toni” …

Alda Merini, 21 December 2006

BRUISES AND MUSIC

Dec 20, 2021 | THE X-MAS CAROLS

Bruises and music is the name of the blog that gives us today’s story for the Advent calendar.

In addition to Bruises and music on the blog I found the dose of irony I really like, and in addition to bruises there may also be broken bones, just as in addition to music there may also be stories, dreams, ideas, insights, considerations, random phrases … that is my natural habitat.

In fact, I found myself very well and I liked the particular surprise at the end of the story.

And I immediately immersed myself in the story because the story is here and now, it’s reality, it’s the imperfection of an idealized character, it’s pocket-sized Magic.

Yes, the magic we can perhaps try to aspire to, the restricted magic, the reduced magic, the magic that can contain hope.

Whoever writes is not a bot, whoever writes knows paranoia quite well, whoever reads and is like me, understands, but above all whoever reads will love Hippos for Christmas:

The conveyor belt started with a dull hum, and the first thing he saw coming was a pack of dog diapers. The old man took it reluctantly, turned it around in his hand for a couple of seconds as if he were observing an unknown alien life form and finally slipped it into the box, ready to be packed… go on here.

CENTOQUARANTADUE DOES THE ENCORE

Dec 19, 2021 | THE X-MAS CAROLS

I have already told you about the blog Centoquarantadue and how it is made up of two Souls: She, who wrote the story n. 3 of the Advent calendar, and He.

On this Sunday before Christmas Centoquarantadue does an encore and gives us the story by He.

I state that I already had my eyes to heart reading the presentation: I am He, who adores She. Writing together allows us to maintain a deep bond, despite the distance and other unspecified adversities.

Simply wonderful words.

And as if that weren’t enough, the story also moved me particularly because it awakened a memory linked to my Mom.

I don’t want to reveal anything but I advise you not to miss this Christmas Surprise:

There were just a few days before Christmas and, like every year, the delivery of the prize for kindness was held in the village: during the year, whoever wanted, could report one or more people who had distinguished themselves for acts of generosity, and at the end of the year , just before Christmas, the chosen ones were rewarded during an official ceremony attended by almost the whole country … go on here.

LETTERS TO THE PAST

Dec 18, 2021 | MOVIES, WORLD, MOVIES, MUSIC, MUSIC, WHO CARES, WHO CARES, WORLD

In a week it will be Christmas, but what Christmas will it be?

This thought carries the nostalgia of memories that flow as if in slow motion.

If I could write a letter to me from 1979 I would tell myself to be overjoyed because the coming years will be an explosion of life, colors, sounds, emotions.
And I would tell myself to learn The logical song well, because one day unfortunately the meaning will appear in all its clarity.

If I could write a letter to me in 1989, I would tell myself that that was the first of thirty-two years of work that I will like but that I have to follow the desire to study and expect more for myself.
And I would tell myself to fight so that, just like in Berlin, all the walls are torn down.

If I could write a letter to me from 1999 I would tell myself that this whole idea of the 2000s is just a big soap bubble and that the upcoming future is wearing a mask that hides the regress.
And I would tell myself that there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.

If I could write a letter to me from 2009 I would tell myself that the crisis is not about to end and to be prepared to experience the recession.
And I would tell myself that The Resistance isn’t just the best rock album.

If I could write a letter to me in 2019, I would tell myself to live every single minute with the awareness of the enormous value of simple moments that, however trivial, will change.
And I would tell myself that things are about to happen that I would never have believed.

But the worst fires burn intangible realities.

THOUGHTS AT THE WINDOW

Dec 17, 2021 | THE X-MAS CAROLS

Today the window of the Advent calendar gives us thoughts … or rather: the story is from the blog Thoughts at the window.

The author is Martina, who tells of herself having worked for a few years in the press office in “The devil wears Prada” conditions … and the thought goes straight away a Is there some reason that my coffee isn’t here? Did she die or something?

Martina, like Andy, leave her “Miranda” and becomes a primary school teacher, a job that I envy her very much, of course with all the understanding of what it is certainly not a fairy tale.

My primary school teacher is called Virginia and I respect her infinitely. She was a teacher, but also a mother and a great example of Woman.

I still remember the chores for Christmas, the decorations in the classroom and the magical atmosphere of childhood.

And I advise you to go and read the atmosphere that Martina literally painted with the words in her contribution:
Today I was walking through the decorated streets of the neighborhood. Roads that in this season I travel little, too busy by car, not useful if you don’t live there, outside of the daily journey. I went there with the dog, remembering when I wanted her, the dog… go on here.