Spent the night in Houston last night with our friend Claudio. He was born and raised just outside Rome. A wonderful host, he entertained us all evening while being Mr. Mom to his 2 children, Daniela (5) and Marco (4 months) while his wife, Ramona was at work. Dinner was amazing and started with a great antipasto plate of proscuitto, salami and smoked fontina cheese. He then made his mothers' recipe of pasta with mixed seafood sauce. Whole mussels and lots of octopus made up most of the sauce and it was incredible. It will be the first recipe in my Italy journal! I keep having to remind myself I am on vacation...I know it will seem real when we get on the plane in 6 hours. Ciao!