Italian Candy Dish a real treaure

The Treasured Candy Dish

Italian Candy Dish with a story

I am going to share another story from my youth.  My Great Nonni and Nonnu lived in the same house as Nonni and Nonnu Prati.  This living arrangement was not uncommon.  It wasn't an apartment building, just a two story home.  Great Nonni and Nonnu G, as they were referred to, resided on the second floor in a modest space consisting of a bedroom, living room, bath and kitchen.  As a youngster, when visiting, I would sneak up the carpeted stairs into the living room.  More often than not, they were watching the Ed Sullivan or Merv Griffin show on the black and white double antenna television.  It was so loud.  I would sneak behind, what seemed to me then, their two very large over-stuffed easy chairs and crawl on hands and knees to the small two tiered wood  table, that sat directly behind their chairs.  My mission: to steal a wrapped hard candy from the covered candy dish.  So  I lifted the lid so not to make a clinging sound and reach in to take a candy, just one.  Not only did I have to be quiet but heaven forbid I break the ornate Italian candy dish.  I'd carefully replace the lid, in hopes not to be caught in the act.  Never was I caught or at least they didn't let me know they were aware of my silent sticky hands.  After they died the dish made its way downstairs had a special place on the bottom shelf of a wood bookcase. Always within reach of curious hands.  Before Nonna Prati died she gave the dish to my mother where it was placed in a glass cabinet.  Recently Mom gave it to me. I keep hard wrapped candy inside.  It makes me happy..