Black and White Wednesday - "Rose"

When you look at this photo, I am sure you see a rustic looking vase with a few Roses in it.........

When I look at this picture, I see so much more.......

To me, roses will always signify more than just a pretty flower.

They signify someone who was very special.........her name was "Rose"

Two weeks ago, after my tulips began to look lifeless, I decided to pick up a bunch of variegated roses to fill the empty vase that sat on my kitchen table.

They were so pretty....and everytime I walked through the kitchen, I couldn't help but smile. They brightened the room and my day and seemed to be a constant reminder of the most beautiful "Rose"...........

my grandmother

There are so many wonderful memories of her swirling around in my head and I never want to forget them.

I loved to spend time with her and being at her house was always such a treat......family dinners and holidays were the best. Her cooking couldn't be beat. I don't think she ever served a bad meal and you never left her house feeling anything less than full.

Most of the Italian recipes that I have shared here, were recipes that she had learned from her mother and they have been passed down generation to generation.

When I was in high school, I spent an afternoon with her in the kitchen, where she taught me the basics. It was the first time I was let in on the family secrets and it is a day I remember, as if it were yesterday. I would like to believe that she was a big part of the reason I have such a passion for food and cooking......but I think all of her children and grandchildren share that passion. It is the Sicilian way..........everything revoloves around family, fantastic food, and really great wine.

My grandma also loved to shop and was always dressed from head to toe....... In addition to introducing us to her love of food and how to cook, she also taught us how to shop. I am almost certain that the women in this family got their love of jewelry, designer shoes, and handbags from her.....

In October of 2000, my Grandma lost her battle with Cancer. It was tough to see her go. I had just received my new lease on life as I was told that my cancer was in remission only one month before she was diagnosed with her inoperable cancer. It seemed so unfair to me. I won my battle.......and yet, she did not have a fighting chance.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her at least once and wish that she were here to see her entire family.....and all the blessings we have received since she left us. I would even like to believe that she had a little hand in some of those blessings.........

As I look through old boxes of photos, I wish that I would have taken more pictures of her in her final years.....the way I knew and remembered her. I do have a few cherished photos...like her beautiful wedding picture, but I don't have many.

I looked at my vase full of roses on the kitchen table and decided to grab the three prettiest roses of the bunch and then I arranged them in a barilla pasta jar so that "Rose" could hold a place of honor on the wall of black and whites in our house.

At first I thought the "Barilla" jar was kind of clever.......but on second thought she probably wouldn't be thrilled to know that I actually brought a jarred sauce into the house. Sorry Grammy......when you work, you need to be prepared for those nights when you are running short on time:)

I took a different direction this week and chose to do a Black and White with a selective color.......my grandma was one of the most colorful people I knew..... so I thought you would let me slide with just a hint of "ROSE" in this picture!


It is week 4 and I think you know the drill.....

Leave me a link and/or comment so we can all stop by to check out the beautiful black and white you have chosen for this week:)

Have a Happy{Black and White}Wednesday!