Merry Christmas! The Feast of the Seven Fishes - An Italian Christmas Eve Tradition

Hi Everyone! 
I wanted to take this time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!:) 
Buon Natale!! 
Thank you all so much for your friendship, love and also support of my music!

I hope you all enjoy an awesome time with your friends, family and loved ones!

Though these are very difficult times we live in and it has been a very tough year for me personally in many ways...It is important to count your blessings and remember those less fortunate...

Christmas to me...is about many things...Jesus of course...but also family...looking back on goodtimes, reminiscing about Christmases past, telling stories, laughing, loved ones lost and that are missed, loved and never forgotten and are in heaven...and of course FOOD!!:)

Today...we prepare for tonight's feast and celebration...and putting out all of the family favorites...the cookies and pastries..the fruits...nuts, figs, dates...the tangerines in honor of my grandfather...all of the candies....especially the ribbon candy(does anyone still remember ribbon candy!LOL)I searched everywhere this year for it!lol), the antipasto...olives, lupini beans, artichokes, caponata(eggplant), hot peppers, stuffed peppers, gardiniera, stuffed clams, Finocchio(fennel), shrimp cocktail, cheeses and...and...I know! how do we ever eat the dinner after that!:)lol....

I watched my Mom cooking today and last night for that matter, watching all her hard work, I can't help to feel so very lucky and blessed to still have her in my life and that she even has the strength...at her age with all of her physical ailments...to do it all...it is simply mind blowing!

We have been talking about my Dad and my grandparents...and how much we miss them...especially at times such as these...I have a pretty small closeknit family compared to many larger Italian families and I wonder at times how this will all carry on when my Mom joins my Father in Heaven and every one of the older generations is gone....I only hope to one day have a family of my own that will carry on these traditions...because...yes..as I may be a rock and roll guy, having the long hair and such, and being somewhat of a non-conformist some may say...I have a very huge traditional side...that sometimes longs for the past and better times these days...

Whatever your background may be..I think it is very important to stay close to ones roots and celebrate your wonderful culture and traditions...embrace your past...it's good for you!:)

Being Italian...and raised a good Roman Catholic boy:)...I have always felt so very lucky and proud...but as I have grown older and wiser and have learned more about my family's history through the years and have experienced many of life's trials and tribulations... I think I have embraced my culture and Italian heritage even more and more...

Being a lover of  history and all things past....

This is some information from my own personal knowledge and from what I have learned and researched over time, and stuff I found on the net that I put together about why we have fish on Christmas Eve...

I hope you may find it interesting...

Again... I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for everything!

Please post your thoughts, comments and share your rememberences of your own traditions too! 

Love,

Joe

The Feast of the Seven Fishes-An Italian Christmas Eve Tradition! 

Many Italians and Italian Americans follow the tradition based on La Vigilia di Natale, the vigil of the holy night, and do not eat meat on Christmas Eve, the night of the birth of Christ. Because the day is sacred, no meat is consumed, so the typical dinner includes fish. For Italians and Italian Americans, especially those from the southern regions of Italy, the Christmas Eve dinner includes at least seven fishes; but some follow a custom of serving nine, eleven, thirteen, or as many as twenty-one fish dishes.

Fish on Christmas Eve

Each number of fish dishes prepared has a reason—nine dishes are in honor of the Holy Trinity, times three; or for the number of months Mary was with child. Eleven dishes prepared represent the Apostles without Judas, and thirteen represent the Apostles with Jesus. Fish dishes prepared and served by large families and restaurant will sometimes number twenty-one, a derivative of seven.

The Tradition of Seven Fishes

Seven fish dishes is the most common, and the reasons are numerous. The most popular explanation for seven fishes is based on the seven sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion (Eucharist), Confession (penance), Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Seven Utterances are also commonly sited. The Seven Gifts are counsel, fortitude, knowledge, understanding, piety, wisdom, and fear of the Lord. The Seven Utterances were the words that Jesus spoke on the cross.

Other reasons for seven fishes are the Seven Hills of Rome, the seven pilgrimage churches in Rome, the Seven Wonders of the World, the seven days that Mary and Joseph traveled to reach Bethlehem, the seven deadly sins, the seven virtues, and seven days in the week.

Traditional Italian Fish Dinner

The menu of fish served varies, depending on what is available. In Italy, the custom is mostly followed in the south, although some northern regions do observe; so the types of fish served and the preparations are as diversified as each province. In America, the custom is observed throughout the country, but family traditions—many handed down from the old country—will dictate the menu.
Most traditional menus include baccala, calamari, eel, scungilli, and smelts. More common types of dishes include anchovies, clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster. The fish can be prepared in numerous ways, based on family traditions and according to preferences; and the dishes can be served either as separate courses or all at once. Many families today combine various types of fish into one dish. Cioppino, Italian fish stew, is a popular choice, as are large platters containing several different kinds of fish, either fried or broiled. Other common options are seafood salad—either with or without pasta—and stuffed seafood.

Christmas Eve Fish Feast

The Feast of the Seven Fishes reflects on the rich and varied history of Italians and Italian Americans. As with many customs, it has evolved with each generation, but the Christmas Eve Seven Fishes dinner is an important part of Italian culture. By keeping this tradition each Christmas Eve, Italians, and especially Italian Americans, remain close to their Italian heritage.

A few photos...
Taken from my Blackberry phone...so not so good...lol

Homemade Potato Gnocchis

Late Dinner...homemade potato gnocchis...

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Homemade Pizza!

Made some homemade pizzas! Came out just like my Nonna's this time...
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See and download the full gallery on posterous

The Last Native Tomato Salad of the Season

A little late lunch...Had to use up the last of the native tomatoes of the season from the garden...nothing tastes better... A little olive oil...some red onion...Now where's that loaf of Italian bread! :)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

A little Saturday night meal...

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

"A Musical Mind"

                                                                    Click to enlarge... 

I was just looking through some old pics and came across this…It’s some artwork of mine that I did a long time ago now…it was originally just a doodle that I drew by hand… I often doodle:) I then scanned it into the computer at some point. When designing the original CD artwork for “But First…This Song”(Now recently released as “The Godsend Sessions”) I was going to use this for something…probably somewhere on the inside booklet…I guess I will still use it for the physical release of my CD ”The Godsend Sessions” which should be coming soon.

Some time back…I was a member of a website called talentdatabase.com and I titled the work “A Musical Mind” and uploaded it there…it was then given an award and featured on the main page! :) Some of my wonderful artist friends and also many artists that I began to meet online showed me alot of support and encouragement and seemed to really like it and wanted to see more of my work and so called “Doodles”. The website soon shutdown and disappeared…but then I put it up on deviantart.com…

It is also available at my cafepress store as a ceramic tile coaster…and from what some friends and fans have told me  it really looks cool as a design for that…like a mosaic tile…

My deviantart link is: http://joegande.deviantart.com/

Please visit and comment and if you have a page there with your work let me know and connect with me there…

I’d really love to know what you all think and get some feedback…

Thank you!

Love,

Joe

Joe Gande Video Feature on GoAskKatie.com

Joe Gande Video Feature on GoAskKatie.com

Just found out today…been so busy lately and finally got around to my Youtube inbox and discovered a great message…

My video from Youtube is now featured on my friend Katherine Corrigan’s awesome website GoAskKatie.com! Thank you Katherine!:)

Please check it out and be sure to explore the website and “Like” her FB page too!

https://www.goaskkatie.com/Joe_Gande.html    

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Go-Ask-Katie/164864345682

You can see the video and more and subscribe to my youtube channel and become a friend here:

http://www.youtube.com/joegande 

My CD Available-My Thoughts about Bandcamp.com

Hi Everybody,

 Just a quick post to let you all know if you didn’t get the word through social media already… My CD “The Godsend Sessions” is available to purchase on Bandcamp.com 

You can download high quality individual tracks or the entire CD in any format of your choice, for your computer, cell phone, ipod, itunes or to burn a CD…it really sounds awesome…and the feedback has been so great from so many of you..about the music, the quality of sound and about the Bandcamp download experience…. 

To my fellow artists, and for music fans as well …If you’re not doing so already…Bandcamp is a great website to sell  music… and to also buy it…very simple and fast to set up…with so many great options…and the artist recieves 100% of the sales…and also recieves the funds instantly…that’s right…instantly…to your paypal account…no middle man, no commission or percentage taken, no waiting for your payment for weeks or months…no miniums to reach before getting paid…noe profit or ad revenue sharing, no paying the man a huge chunk of your profits…which is something everyone…all artists and music fans alike should really dig! 

This site is truly revolutionary…and such a breath of fresh air and relief I might add…especially for those of us struggling and working so hard trying to simply make a living at what we love to do and feel we are born to do…

I’ve been doing my thing for a long time now…and have tried it all…probably almost every website out there for selling your music! :) lol…they certainly come and go…have their heyday and rise and fall in popularity…they all have great ideas and have their forte…and special niche or feature that you as an artist like or music fans like…and…as far as exposure goes…I believe you really need to be everywhere…think of it as having many satellites out there reaching people, discovering new listeners, gathering and then bringing them all back to your place…which is your website, blog or even facebook or myspace...where you can then interact…and build a strong community… 

Please let me know if any of you are using this website and /or have bought music there…and share your experiences and thoughts about it here with comments…I think it rocks! Thank you to all at Bandcamp.com!:)

A huge thank you to all of you that have bought my CD or songs so far and also in advance to those of you that will do so in the future!:)

Your support is so greatly appreciated!

Love,

Joe 

If you’d like to have a listen, read some info and buy my CD or some tracks…

Please visit this link and share the page with your friends and family:

Joe Gande on Bandcamp.com

September Featured Artist on The Coast Radio "Rocks"

I just found out that I'm a September Featured Artist and my song "Brighter Day" is being broadcast now on The Coast Radio "Rocks"!!:)
It's track # 2 on the playlist.
Thank you MJ and all at Coast Radio!
This is an awesome radio station and show(The "sister" to The Coast Radio-Contemporary Jazz and Adult Contemporay Station)
The playlist of music is killer!
So glad to be among so many great artists and bands!
Check out the whole show on the player here below, and/or "Like" or follow the show on Podomatic or visit the the main websites!
Please spread the word and share!:)Thank you!
Love,
Joe

NEW STATION The Coast "Rocks" http://www.thecoastradio.webs.com/

via coastradionetwork.podomatic.com

This is taken from The Coast Radio Website:
The Coast Radio "ROCKS" gives recognition to artists and musicians, giving you the ability to shine in your creativity, songwriting and compositions.
We bring the Fans, Music and Artist Together and Preserve Great Music!
Don't Forget to Listen to The Coast Radio Podcast Interviews by many Notable Artists and Musicians.
History in the making, with Legends, Mentors and Educators in the industry.
Hang with the coolest people on the planet!
"Peace, Love & Music!

Here are the direct links:
http://coastradionetwork.podomatic.com/entry/2010-08-30T23_58_44-07_00
http://www.thecoastradio.webs.com/
http://thecoast.ning.com/

 

Joe Gande Featured Artist of the Week at NuMuBu.com Musician Network | Empowering Artists & Musicians

I recently found a great new website called Numubu...It looked realy cool and I saw a few friends and familiar faces there so I signed up. I then noticed that I was tops in the up and coming category for awhile...and now I recieved word last night that I have been honored as Featured Artist of the Week!
Thank you Numubu!:)

Numubu is a great new website to join for networking! Everyone should go sign up there. It's For music, music biz and industry professionals, promoters, radio, podcasts, art, web design, film, video, tv, photography, etc...Their motto is "Empowering independent artists and musicians". You have the... choice to join as an artist, listener, group or company. They also have the option to instantly import info from your facebook account like photos, "ilikes" etc. (myspace info importing coming soon) Daily tips on self-promotion, advertising, legal issues and so much more. Broadcast live streaming video there too!
This is from the site...

ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Joe Gande for being chosen as NuMuBu’s Artist of the Week!

via numubu.com

Please do check it out... Be sure to look me up and become a friend or fan...and share and spread the word!
Thank you,
Love,
Joe
Here's the sign up link: http://www.numubu.com/signup.php?ref=thegodsendsessions@yahoo.com

Numubu Rocks!