Thinking about it...

Marc had asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I was looking at this device - the Kindle from Amazon. I held off purchasing it because I read so many contradicting reviews about it. But now I have a friend who has one, so I am going to get her review of it and then see from there. I am very interested in this device - I love reading, but I don't love books. I don't like displaying them. I don't like their bulk and the room they take up. You cannot imagine how unbelievably tantalizing this device is - 3500 books at my finger tips - weighing all of 8.5 ounces! We will see. I am hoping for a good review from my friend.

Ciao all.

I have decided...

That I need to stop working and stay home and craft/work on projects all day. IF I could do that, I would. I have come up with the following things I want to do for the house and the kids:

1. I have a lamp in the formal living room that I want to re-shade. I hate the colour of the shade now - it has faded over the years. But I love the shape. So I want to get some fabric and cover the shade. And while I am at it, I want to make it more contemporary.

2. Fleece tie blankets for both kids. For Bella's room - pink and green. For Ethan's room - red and dark blue. Or maybe heather grey and dark blue.

3. Stretching photos on canvas. Marc has been scanning our wedding photos and we have found some fantastic candids. I want them antiqued and stretched on canvas for my bedroom. A series of them.

4. I have found some cool wall art that I want for my bedroom and I want to get that made.

5. Painting. The whole house. BUT I think I will hire this project out to professionals. 3000 square feet is a lot to paint - properly. That will go on the list for spring.

6. Laundry room makeover. It is time to actually DO something with my laundry room. It has been 5 years now since we moved in and I have never touched that room.

Ya. Just a few things to do around here. Just a few...

Ciao all.

Buon Natale

Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Ciao

It never ceases to amaze me...

The human body - that is. A few months ago Ethan came to me and said he had these little patches of dry/red/irritated skin on his thighs. Hmmmm. I looked and sure enough there they were - about the size of a loonie. I thought psoriasis. Marc thought eczema. So off to the doctor we went and after he hummed and hawed about the patches (he was worried it was some kind of infection!) he made an appointment for Ethan to see the pediatric dermatologist. Yesterday I get a call from Children's Hospital advising they could see Ethan today (good thing Marc is off on holidays!). So Ethan saw the specialist today and his dry skin is a direct byproduct of his allergy induced asthma. His asthma has been pretty bad these last few months. Change in the weather/pressure/too much sugary food... It all affects him so badly. The worse the asthma got, the more dry spots appeared on his body - everywhere. But I never made the connection. Why would I think asthma = dry/irritated skin patches? But apparently they do. So we have a new cream to try and some instructions for bleach baths (yup, you read that correct) and a follow up in the new year. The human body never ceases to amaze me...

Ciao all.

Chewy Ginger Snaps

Rhonda inspired me with her yummy lemonade cookie recipe. This is one I make every year - no fail.

Chewy Ginger Snaps:

2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup white sugar
1 cup margarine or 1 cup butter
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup sugar, on a plate for later

1 Mix the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves well and set aside. 2 In another bowl mix with a beater 1 to 2 minutes the sugar, margarine, egg and molasses. 3 Add the dry ingredients and mix by hand. 4 Take one good size tablespoons of dough (or more to make a bigger cookie) and roll into a ball. 5 On a plate put at least a 1/4 cup of sugar. 6 Then roll the balls into the sugar. 7 Bake at 350 on an ungreased cookie sheet. Set on racks to cool.


Ciao all.

Shopping across the line...

Last week Marc and I decided to go and do a little cross border shopping. Now, we live seriously close to the border - 15 minutes. I NEVER go across. I don't go across for milk or cheese. I don't go across for gas. Honestly, I don't ever think about it. But we thought it would be something different to do for the evening and so we went. What deals!! I found tons of things for Christmas and poked around in some super cool shops. And drooled in Macy's designer section. And we did buy gas and it was super cheap. And we did pick up milk. Again - CHEAP! So now I think I am going to have to re-evaluate my cross border shopping views and maybe take a trip every few weeks.

Ciao all.

A Lesson Learned at 5:00 A.M.

I was abruptly awoken this morning at 5:00 a.m. by my phone ringing. I looked at the call display and noticed it was a number from the United States. Telemarketers (or so I thought). I picked up in the hopes of telling whomever was on the other end to go away, but there was just an annoying beep. They will stop. I am sure of it. No. For the next hour my phone rang every five minutes with the same number. Now I was beginning to panic. What if these "telemarketers" did not give up? What if my phone was going to ring at 5 a.m. every morning? How much longer can this last? Now what happens if the phone ringing wakes the kids up? I called our phone provider and asked what I could do to block the number. Short answer - nothing really. These telemarketers apparently fall into a "grey" area with the phone companies... Nice... So now Marc and I are awake. The phone keeps ringing and we are getting more annoyed as the moments pass. I pull out the laptop and someone has sent me a link to a flash mob singing the Hallelujah Chorus. It was beautiful. The music was soothing and the message was beautiful. And while we were listening to the music the phone rang again. But this time an actual voice was on the other end. It was not a telemarketer but a company back East trying to send a fax to our home number. Marc explained they had the wrong number and PLEASE correct their error. The woman was very apologetic and the phone calls stopped. Hmmm. Now, is it a coincidence that the answer to our problem was solved while in a spiritual frame of mind? No. Marc and I should have turned to the Lord immediately and asked what to do with our annoyance. Quick to impatient. Slow to learn. That is why we are called children of Heavenly Father. Lesson learned at 5:00 a.m.

Ciao all.

My busy weekend...

My firm's Children's Christmas party. Crafts, food, Santa and loads of fun.



Photo shoot for the in-laws of my two nieces and my kiddies.



Firm Chirstmas bake sale for our charity.



I need to go back to work for a break.

Ciao all.

Christmas is in the air...

This past weekend I got all geared up. I put up the tree and decorated it. I did Christmas shopping and finished over half of my list. I baked gingerbread cookies and decorated them. I made meringue cookies with nuts and chocolate chips. Delicious. And sooo simple. I also got my glass ornaments made and started on some new "trees" for my ever growing forest. Christmas is in the air. I love it.

Ciao all.

Swiss Alps Cookies

3 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 bars Toblerone fruit and nut, chopped
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp icing sugar

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl with mixer on high speed 3 to 5 minutes or until soft peaks form. Beat in granulated sugar 1 tbsp at a time until stiff peaks form. Mix chopped chocolate and flour and gently stir into egg white mixture.

Drop tablespoon full of mixture onto parchment paper covered sheets.

Bake in top and bottom thirds of oven 24 to 26 minutes, rotating sheets after 12 minutes of baking time.

Transfer to wire racks and cool.

Sprinkle with icing sugar.

Me and my boys....

Marc and Stephen - "Movember"- hate it. On both of them. These cousins in law are two peas in a pod...



Can you tell we are related?? These two are my original "babies". I was 12 when Anthony was born and 16 when Stephen came along. They are two (of the three) of my only first cousins in Canada and I love these boys (men!) to death!! Aren't they gorgeous?!! Ya, I know they are!



I love the boys in my life. And I am blessed to have many of them in my life. And they are all wonderful. Each and every one of them.

Ciao all.

Inspiration strikes again....

Blog surfing a few nights ago and came across this FABULOUS tree at Shanty2Chic. LOVE it. I am obsessed with trees. This will make a wonderful addition to my ever growing forest. Happy crafting all.

Ciao

My nerve racking night...

We had a snow storm last night. The weather "people" had been predicting it all week. But really, no one here listens to the weather people. They are wrong 90% of the time. But not last night... I was at a Relief Society function and it ended around 9:30 pm and when I got to the parking lot, the snow had just started. I thought to myself that I had been head out to the grocery store and pick up some basics just in case we get a bad dump of snow. Marc still had not put the snow tires on my car and I did not want to risk going out again. I had been in the grocery store for less than one hour, and in that time the snow fall turned into a snow storm! My car was buried. There was NO ONE in the parking lot, and I was all alone at 10:30 pm. I got the groceries in the car and then slowly started heading home. Now, the store is only 5 minutes from my house. No big deal, or so I thought. It took me 30 minutes to get home! And in the process I was nearly hit three times by cars literally travelling backwards and/or sideways... By the time I pulled into the garage, I was shaking all over. And when I awoke this morning, the sun was shining and the snow was already starting to melt. I was beyond angry. I literally risked my life for nothing. Nothing. But Marc got the snow tires on the car today and so now I am set for whatever comes our way. Crazy weather.

Ciao all.

To my sweet friend...

I miss you still so very much.
Please know that I love you.

Manjit's husband's trial for second degree murder began yesterday. It has been a hard few days and will only get worse as the "real" details come out now... So many years of not knowing exactly what happened and always fearing the worst. Now we will know. Please keep a prayer in your heart that our justice system will work and MP will get what he so rightly deserves.

Ciao all.

My head in the clouds...

Marc has been going on and on about this thing. I personally am not a gadget person = I don't pay attention to anything electronic. I have a Blackberry phone that does a million different things (so I am told) and I never turn it on. I hate it. We have the iPhone. We have iTouches (yes, plural). We have iPods (again, plural). I don't use any of them. So the iPad was just another gadget name to me. But Marc is really in love with this thing so I was thinking I would buy it for him for Christmas. Ummm, NO. I did research on the iPad and found out its price. Are you kidding me?? I can take a week's vacation to a tropical destination for what they want for the BASIC model!! Ridiculous. So Marc will have to come up with something else he would "like" for Christmas because this chickie is not going to buy the iPad any time soon.

Ciao all.

Annoyed...

I should have stayed in bed today. I am annoyed. At everything. And everyone. Not good. And I deleted all the Halloween photos off the camera because I thought I had downloaded them - but I hadn't... Nice. So now I have to make the kids dress up again and take photos. I am sure they will love that. And Ethan's birthday pics were on the camera. Gone. Can't "re-create" those. Annoyed. I am going to bed.

Ciao all.

Getting ready for Halloween

I am not a big Halloween person. I don't like scary things. I don't like evil things. I don't like morbid things. I don't like pranks. I don't like rude kids knocking at my door and giving me that look when I hand them 1 piece of candy (you know that look - like I am cheap...) But my kids love Halloween so I get caught up in it each and every year. This year is no different. Ethan is going to be a mad scientist. I have spent considerable time finding beakers for him to carry around. I finally found two different sized beakers at Winners, of all places. They already have candy in the beakers so Ethan is going to go around and give out the candy and convince people that he has created "magic pills" (being the mad scientist) for whatever ails them. Amusing. Bella is going to be a vet. I have made her a set of scrubs and a lab coat and name tag and bought a stethoscope and she is good to go. She has a small carrying case filled with her stuffed dogs and cats. Creative. These costumes I can handle. So I am ready for another Halloween. Although I do admit that I am looking forward to the day when my kids are too old for all of this and I don't have to worry about costumes and props anymore...

Ciao all.

Catch up...

That is what I have been doing - for weeks now. Catch up. With house work. With home work. With church work. With work work. With family time. With spouse time. With me time (which has not existed...). I am exhausted and I feel like I am not caught up in anything. I don't understand why of late I feel like my time is being intruded upon in every aspect of my life. I am usually really very VERY good in being able to manage it all. But not as of late. And it is frustrating me. And it is making me so very tired. So while I struggle to catch up, I will catch yáll up with what has been going on in our household:

Ethan was inducted into Scouts.
Ethan tested for his 2nd degree Black Belt.
Ethan was chosen to participate in the School District's Challenge program. He is super smart. Scary smart. I am happy that he can channel some of those smarts creatively now.
Marc was involved in a huge conference for our church's youth - 200+ 16-18 year olds. For weeks he was not home. It is nice to have him back now.
We are all getting ready for our Primary Presentation.
We are all getting ready for Trunk or Treat for over 100 kids. So I have been busy making 100+ treat bags for all the kids.
I am heading up our firm's fundraising team and we are in full swing for our Christmas charity - actually I started October 1st fundraising for our charity.
My mom is getting stronger but she still needs a lot of help so I am running between two households for now.
Marc and I are heading back to Italy next July. Two of my cousins are getting married and we are going. I am so very excited about this.

That is it, for now.

I am sure I have laundry to do.

Ciao all.

Italy - Part 6 - Roma

 

The Eternal City. The most beautiful city in the world. One day I will own a home in Roma.

Ciao all.

Italy - Part 5 - Pompei

 

After all those years of studying Roman history (and doing my degree in it), I honestly cried when I entered Pompei. It was a dream come true to walk the ancient streets, wander the temple ruins, lurk in the bath houses, admire the paintings and the mosaics... I definitely will go back to Pompei when I return to Italy next summer.

Ciao all.

Cinnamon Toasted Pumpkin Pie Tarts

Oh good heavens - look at these!! I love the Internet. I LOVE you bakers out there who come up with these recipes and post them for all to try! Bless you. I am baking these tomorrow.

Cinnamon Toasted Pumpkin Pie Tarts
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 egg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
4 sheets of puff pastry, thawed
3 tbsp melted butter
3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon

350 degree oven.

Mix pumpkin, sugar, heavy cream, egg,cinnamon and nutmeg until creamy and well combined. Place puff pastry on silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Cut out shapes using cookie cutter. Brush each shape with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Spoon about 2 tbsp of filling around centre of each cut out. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Serve at room temp or chilled.

Ciao all.

Thankful for...

Marc
Ethan
Bella
Momma
Babbo
Laura
Chris
Matthew
Emelia
Mike
Fran
Athony (and Amy)
Marie (and Craig)
Stephen
Nonno
Paolo
Maria
Angelo
Alessandra (and Italo)
Rosaria
Angelo
Stefy (and Alessandro)
Francesco (and Serena)
Pino
Carmella
Angela (and Samuele)
Davide
Marianna (and Claudio)
Sofia
Libero
Caterina
Marilena
Federica
Roberto
Luca
Mom
Dad
David
Brian
Hannah
Bailea

My family. I love them all.
Happy Thanksgiving.

You get what you pay for...

Last weekend I bought a new suit. It is grey and has the most marvelous details in the jacket. And it was on sale. Bonus. I firmly believe you get what you pay for. I am not young anymore. I can't wear "man made" anything. My feet and my body have become picky and cranky in their old age. ha ha So I am very happy with my new wool suit. Now, having said that, I also believe that you should price out your purchases and understand what you are paying for. Some things are absolutely worth the price. GOOD shoes, for example, are ABSOLUTELY worth their price. There is nothing worse than shoes that hurt/pinch/stretch/fall apart. Some things are not worth their price tag. Accessories, for example, are never worth their initial price tag. Always buy them on sale. And for the big ticket items (jackets and suits, etc.) watch for them to go on sale. Always buy staple pieces in basic colours and they will never go out of style and this way you can ride out the season and scoop up the deal. I enjoy doing this. And I do this often. You get what you pay for. I enjoy getting MORE for what I pay for.

Ciao all.

Italy - Part 4 - Food

 

Ohhh the food... I miss it so. Go to Italy to eat! GO!!!

Ciao all.

Happy to report...

My momma was released from the hospital and is home resting. Thank goodness!!

My momma has never been healthy. She has had heart problems her entire life. And when I was little I was "used" to my momma being more, well, fragile. She wasn't the field trip mom, or the mom that drove everyone around. She wasn't the soccer mom. She wasn't the camping mom (thank goodness for that too!! The apple does not fall far from the tree...) She wasn't the mom that went swimming or skiing or did anything outdoorsy. She just could not manage any of that. But she was the mom who kept an immaculate house. And she was the mom that cooked and baked. And she was the mom with the awesome taste in clothing and shoes and handbags (again, that apple thing!!). And she was the mom that always made sure my sister and I had what we needed AND what we wanted. So when my momma had set backs when I was a child, I thought nothing of them. They were par for the course with her. She was invincible in my eyes. And I had my dad to lean on and my grandparents who took over the child rearing and that goes along with that when my momma was recuperating from open heart surgery (3 times over...). But she was 20+ years younger then... It is different now. Now, each set back she has causes my blood to run cold in my veins and me to run in panic, worrying that this will be the last time I see my momma. I still have my dad to lean on, but my grandparents are long gone (and I miss them terribly!!) and I could not stand to lose my momma. And my children - I don't know how they would survive without her! I can't even bear that thought... So I am extremely grateful that she is home. And I am extremely grateful that the stroke caused no further damage to her heart or her brain. Miracles. All of them.

Love you momma!

Ciao all.

Italy - Part 3 - Capri

 

Marc and I spent the day in Capri. Just the two of us. Gorgeous! Definitely want to go back again.

Ciao all.

Some scrapping...

Started scrapping some pics from Italy for Bella this weekend. So many more to go... I am wondering if I should do an entire album just dedicated to Italy, or just a few pics here and there for the kids' albums. Don't know yet. Haven't figured it out. Ethan's pages are on the go now. But I am not feeling very creative anymore. My mama had a stroke on the weekend. Very scary. Her heart meds are not working properly, to make a long story short. The miracle is that there was no further damage done to her already weak and fragile heart, and there were no residual clots in the CT scan. All very good. So please keep my mama in your prayers. Hopefully her medical team (and she does have a team) will figure out what she needs quickly and she can come home. We need her.

Ciao all.

Fall Creativity...

I love searching the net.
I love all the crafty/creative people out there.
I love how they willingly post their creations and the directions (shown above).
Found this one on Shanty 2 Chic (posted from another site - name I cannot remember).
1 landscape tie - some paint - some twigs - some raffia. That's all.
This will be my new project this week.
I love Fall.

Ciao all.

Fall...

It is officially Fall. My most favourite season of them all! Why you ask?! Here are a few reasons:

1. It is time for tights and boots and cable knit sweaters and jeans and wool pants! Time for putting away the light colours and bringing out the dark colours! It is time for scarves - the BEST fashion accessory you can ever own!! LOVE Fall clothing.

2. It is also time to switch to more in house activities - like reading good books curled by the fire and baking muffins and quick breads and cooking hearty soups and stews. LOVE Fall cooking.

3. And finally it is time to redecorate. I put away all the little things in my house that are summery and I bring out the Fall basics - the big vases and heavier photo frames and the candles. I put away the pretty silk pillows and bring out the comfy knit pillows. I put away the light comforters and pull out the goose down ones. Each September my house looks brand new. LOVE Fall decorating.

So hopefully you are as happy to see Fall come as I am. If not, too bad. hee hee I am ecstatic enough for all of you!

Ciao all.

My Bella-ism for the day...

Bella lost another tooth last night. She put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy. The tooth fairy came and left her a quarter for the tooth. Bella's response:

"Hmmm... She gave me 25 cents. You know, she could have given me some more. I had to do some work and pull my own tooth. I think the tooth fairy owes me more money".

Ha ha haaaa

Only my child would write a letter of complaint to the tooth fairy.

She slays me.

Ciao

Italy - Part 2 - Campobasso

 

Just some images from around the big "city" of Campobasso. Taken while shopping one afternoon. Enjoy.

Ciao

Italy - Part 1 - Life on the vineyard and farm

 

I have so many photos - I thought it would be easier to just upload a few mosaics I have created of different aspects of our trip. So this is the first one. Everyday life on the vineyard and farm. Campobasso, Molise is our home. These pics are just photos of the vineyard, the farm house, fig trees, apple trees, the property that is ours, etc. etc. Ethan and Bella were the happiest when they were allowed to roam the farm and just be.

Ciao all.

Home...

I don't know how our vacation passed in the blink of an eye... I am grateful to be home safely, but I am not happy to be home. I hate having my family so far away from me. And now there is a hole in my heart... I miss them. More than words can do justice. I have mentioned this before - Canada is where I live, but it is not my "home". Italy is my home - and more to the point, Campobasso. And this trip confirmed that we won't live our lives solely in Canada. We will own a home in Italy and travel back and forth.

The picture posted above is the reason why we went to Italy. This is my grandfather Carmine. My ONLY grandparent I have left alive. And yes, I was named after him (although my mom insists I was named after the opera Carmen. No. I wasn't. I am the first born of the first born. Naturally, I got my grandfather's name!) Nonno Carmine is amazing. He is gentle and loving and generous. He still works hard (back breaking manual labour) each and every day. He runs a vineyard and a farmhouse on his own. His house is over 200 years old! I don't know how he copes, and yet he does, with ease and grace. It is amazing to watch him in the fields or working with the vines and the grapes. And my children ADORE him! Each and every day they walked down to see bis-Nonno and have fru-frus (wafers) and aranciata (orange drink) with him. He is 84 years old. I am praying that he has many years left in him so that we can see each other again in two years when we return.

Since I last wrote:

1. We traveled up north to Imola and Bologna. Bologna is an amazing city. We walked its streets and soaked in the history. Bologna, like Venice, is built on canals. It is fascinating to walk the dark alleys and peer over the bridges and see these waterways beneath you. We went to the University of Bologna (the oldest in Europe) and walked the campus. We toured the Church of the Seven Churches and marveled at medieval works of art. We shopped. Bologna has GREAT shopping!! And we nearly sweltered to death - it was 42 degrees!

2. From Bologna we went to San Marino. Very nice. Very high up. Very ritzy. Google San Marino and you will see what I mean. While it was impressive, I really have no desire to go back there again.

3. Marc and I went on a day trip to Capri. Amazing. I don't know what to say. It is an island that you have to experience for yourself. The history is mind boggling. The Emperor Tiberius found the island and built 12 villas on it for his summer residence and so began the popularity of Capri. It is gorgeous and expensive and so Mediterranean. The depth and degree of blue of the waters is captivating. Immediately you understand why the Hollywood stars like to holiday in Capri. Oh, and save your Euros - Capri sandals are the best in the world, but they will cost you! As will shopping in Prada, Fendi, Ferragamo, Rolex, etc. etc. hee hee

4. Rome. Where do I begin?? In one day I walked in the shadows of the great Colosseum; I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain; I climbed the Spanish Steps; I tested my faith in La Bocca della Verita; I marveled at the beauty and the sheer opulence of the Vatican; I walked in the Piazza Poppolo and Piazza Navonna; I saw Trajan's column; I saw the Pantheon; I shopped in Fendi, Prada, Burberry, Gucci - and caused us to miss our bus back home (oops!!) ... I love Rome. It is the most beautiful city in the world.

5. I got to travel around some more to all the little medieval towns that surround Campobasso. These towns are all 600+ years old. We saw a town that was built out of a rock that juts out from a mountain - a rock that rises 500 meters into the sky! Crazy! And so amazing.

6. I found a new flavour of gelato that surpasses all others - Marscapone! Yup. So creamy and rich. Just like eating a cheesecake. Ohhh... My mouth is watering. I am going to cry. I miss it.

7. I spent every moment I could with my family - anyone who would have me! I visited and looked at wedding albums and photo albums and listened to stories of my dad when he was a baby/child. I went to the cemetery to visit my grandmother who died when I was only 6 years old and my great-grandparents (who I had the privilege of meeting on my first trip to Italy when I was 10 years old). I met with great aunts and uncles and second cousins. Seriously anyone who would allow me to come and see them! And I loved each and every moment.

8. I watched my children be farmers - feed pigs; chickens; turkeys; dogs; cats; pick tomatoes; drive tractors; kill chickens for dinner; chase lizards; find scorpions; run in the fields; pick figs; apples; plums; get dirty; get hot; and love each and every minute of it all.

9. I ate food that could make you cry. Home made pastas; pizzas; pastries; prosciutto; boconccini; watermelons sweeter than I have ever tasted; gelato and more gelato... Go to Itlay to eat. GO!!

Eventually I will get pictures up. Eventually.

Hope y'all had a good summer.

Back to life.

Ciao.

Ciao a tutti!!

Hello from Italy!! I don't know where the time is going. We have been here for one week already and my head is still spinning. We have done sooo much in one week. I will give you just a little recap:

1. Hit all the gelateria's in town already. Best one is found in Oratino, about 15 minutes from our home town of Campobasso. By far THE best gelato in all of Italy. My favourite flavour - coconut. Just melts in your mouth. Just melts...

2. Have done some shopping and have purchased shoes; purses; and jewlery. Check, check, check. I also found an Italian soccer jersey for Ethan. Gorgeous. I am still in the hunt for a few more things. Good thing we are here for another few weeks. Each store seesm better than the one before. They are amazing. I have not gotten my fill of window shopping yet.

3. Have toured churches and ruins that date back to 2nd century B.C. And these are local. Don't have to travel more than 20 minutes before finding another church that is older than dirt. Amazing.

4. Have walked the ruins of Pompei. Can't even begin to describe to you the awe that filled me. FYI - I am a history major. My first degree is in the Ancient World to the First Century. I literally cried when I entered Pompei. Cried. I was so happy to finally walk the ruins that I had studied for years and years. Seriously one of the top 10 experiences of my life to date.

5. We have been to several "festas"(parties) - and they don't start early. They all start at 9 or 10 pm. And you eat and listen to music and eat some more and drink and then eat again. Fun, but sleeping afterwards - not fun. This is taking some getting used to.

6. I have eaten the MOST amazing pizza in Naples. I have eaten home made gnocchi that brought tears to my eyes. I have eaten pastries that are worthy of being your last meal on this earth. I seriously don't know how I am going to go back to "Canadian" food...

7. I watched my cousin teach my son to drive a 50 year old tractor while my grandfather looked on and laughed. Then I watched as my cousin so patiently guided my son around the vineyard while he drove this tractor - just for fun. Filled my heart with so much love.

8. I have found scorpions and lizards in and around the house. NOT fun for me. But really fun for my kids.

And this is just a snipet of what has gone on. We are headed North this week and then to Rome and then to Capri. More to come after those adventures.

Ciao all. It is "dinner" time.

Ready to go...

I have been busy packing, cleaning, shopping, re-packing, changing my mind and packing again! And I am still not done... I can pack a full suitcase for a weekend getaway. Don't even get me started on a month long vacation... But I have made progress and I am now starting to get really REALLY excited to leave. I miss my family. I am excited to see them. But I am really excited to eat gelato. Let's be honest here. And, FYI, the stuff that is over here is now where near real gelato. No where near! Don't kid yourself. And I am sorry for you if you have never had REAL gelato in Italy. You must. Put it on your "Bucket List".

I have also been very busy creating. I made a mini scrap book for one of my aunts of the kids, spanning birth to just last month. I am very happy with how it turned out. It took me a few weeks to get together, but it was worth it. And now I hope I can pack it properly so it will arrive in one piece... Hmmm.

Well I am off to spend the last few hours of my last weekend in Canada with my kids and a movie and a snack.

Ciao tutti!

Hello from Harrison...

It is that time again - our long weekend away at the RV in Harrison. I did not think we would make it up this year as we leave for Italy in a few days... I REALLY should be at home this weekend cleaning and packing and making sure we have everything we need... But Marc convinced me that it would be a good thing for us to come up here and just relax and get some sun = colour before we leave. He is the smart one. I am glad I listened to him! It is really gorgeous up here. I always forget how peaceful it is... So I am going to spend the next three days laying on the beach and reading and doing a whole lotta nothing.

Ciao all.

Bella-isms...

To her brother last night in the car:
"Ethan, I know you are trying to get my goat...but I don't know where my goat is..."

This girl seriously kills me!!

Ciao all

Despicable Me...

The kids and I saw this movie tonight. Wonderful! Amusing. Touching. I recommend it.

Ciao all.

When life gives you soggy watermelon...

Make watermelon slushies! Or, watermelon/lemonade ice blocks. The kids went away to Harrison last week, so I had a watermelon cut up in the fridge that went "bad". You know how all the water leaks out of the cut pieces - they become limp and soggy. Gross. I LOVE watermelon, but when it turns like that, I hate it and usually throw it out. Well, not this time! I was flipping through Chatelaine magazine and saw a recipe for fruit slushies. So I got to thinking - what if I threw the soggy pieces of watermelon in the food processor and added juice to them... I had fresh lemonade made in the fridge. I blitzed the melon pieces and added lemonade to thin it out. Then I poured the concoction in ice cube trays and put it in the freezer. Voila!! Watermelon lemonade ice blocks/slushies. They don't freeze perfectly solid, so you can take a few out and mush them up with a spoon and enjoy! I am impressed. Thanks Chatelaine magazine. Now I am off to have a few cubes and keep cool.

Ciao all.

Another week gone...

I am really losing track of the days! WHERE has the week gone?? I swear I just packed the kids off to Harrison to spend the week with their grandparents and they are back now and the weekend is almost over again! Ack. I can't keep up...

I don't have much to say these days. I am obsessing about our trip and trying to get ready for it. But the more I get organized, the more that seems to me needs doing. Understand? I really just want to relax and let this be. I really want that. But so far that is not happening. I have gotten all my little gifts ready for my various and assorted family members. That is a load off my mind. Not that they are expecting anything, but they are hosting us for a long time, and I did not want to arrive empty handed. Plus it is always fun to bring "Canadian" gear abroad and share it. They are as proud to wear that stuff as we are to wear Italian stuff. And it is fun to share things from here that they don't have there - like Jade (they LOVE it); and stuffed killer whales and black bears (very West Coast!); and maple syrup! So I will not bore you further with my obsessive behaviour and just get my act organized and relax about this trip. ha haaaa

In other news, I am learning how to make freezer jam. Don't laugh. This is BIG for me. I have never made preserves of any kind. My grandmother used to make jam when I was a child. All those years ago... Mmmm... But my mother never made jam. My mother in law ALWAYS made jam when Marc was a child, but not so much anymore. So I am very excited about this. And needless to say Marc and kids are excited. I will let y'all know how I made out when I am done! Wish me luck.

I am off to bake now - feel like brownies. Maybe peanut butter chip brownies...

Ciao all.

Not feeling well...

Ethan was sick Thursday and Friday and most of yesterday. I fear he has inflicted me now, and I can't stray too far from the washroom... Sigh. I HATE being sick. Any kind of sick. Even a runny nose just annoys me to no end. So when I get stomach/digestive problems, I am fit to be tied. So my family has gone to church without me. And this afternoon they will be heading out to Harrison without me. The kids will be staying up there for this week with their grandparents. Did I mention I HATE being sick??

I have so many plans for this week - lists of things I need to accomplish for our upcoming trip. I can't be at home - tied to the toilet!! Do you hear me?? I am grateful that yesterday I had the sense enough to get out early in the morning (because I could feel the sickness coming on) and get many errands done. Bella is ready to go to Italy. All ready. I have everything she needs. I also got Ethan's toiletries all ready and I got a totally cool retro pair of Adidas runners for me (and an awesome pair of gladiator sandals! Had to. Sorry...). I have all the suitcases in the den and I will just leave them open and as the days go by, I will throw things into the suitcases. By the time we are ready to leave, I should be okay. This way I won't forget anything. If I see it in front of me, then I know for sure I have what we need. It is all part of the OCD. Can't help it.

So I am off to drink ginger ale and lay on the couch. Have a good week all. Hopefully I will too...

Ciao

Scrappin' machine...

 

I am on a role now! Whoo! Pic of Ethan and Bella I had taken last month. LOVE it.

I think I will stay in my basement for the rest of the night and see what else I can scrap. It is 20 degrees cooler down here!! Now, don't go getting all nasty on me - I HATE the heat. Absolutely hate it. I think it is 35 degrees outside right now - at 6:24 pm... That is disgusting because by 10 pm when I need to go to bed, it will still be 28-29 degrees... I would rather it SNOW than this heat. I don't like being hot/sticky/wet/sweaty/gross. I don't like how it makes me feel lazy = nothing gets done to my standards (right now the hardwood floors need to be washed and the entire third floor needs a GOOD vacuum job!!). Drives me crazy. I don't like how this heat makes my flowers wilt. I hate being outside at 8pm watering the flowers (not to mention the grass!!) and trying the ensure they live... Makes me wonder WHY I agreed to go to Italy in August. How stupid am I?? Think it is hot here - you ain't seen nothing yet...

Ciao all.

Been busy creating...

 

 

 

 

I am behind in my scrapping. So I have been busy the past few days creating. It has felt good to just be alone and think (or not think) and scrap.

I made gift tags for my aunts in Italy.

I got around to scrapping a page for Bella turning 7 (only one month late...).

More to come.

But not now.

Ciao all.

I am back

My uncles left Friday morning. Life is quiet without them here - a bit boring, i must say! Things are back to "normal" - for now. We leave for Italy in less than 6 weeks. I am grateful for this - I already miss my uncles but I know I will see them again shortly, so it helps ease the sad feelings. My dad, on the other hand, won't be seeing his brothers any time in the near future. I really don't know how he manages to do it - to say goodbye to his family like that... I would not be able to. I think that is what keeps me living here - 5 minutes away from my mom and dad and my sister. I really don't think I would be able to be away from them - so far away. I could not imagine seeing my sister and my niece and nephew for a week or two only every few years! Or my parents for that matter. It has already been two years since my dad last saw his dad. I am not cut out for long distance relationships! I am thankful for family - near and far. I love them all so dearly.

Have a good week all. I am going to bbq ribs for dinner.

Happy Day...

 

It is fill in the blank - Happy Birthday to my Dad and my Zio Libero and to Craig (my sweet Marie's other half); and Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to my Mom and Dad! What a busy day it has been, but a fun one! Here is a snapshot of the day.

Ciao all. I am exhausted. Another weekend over and back to work tomorrow. Blah.

Still MIA...

Two of my uncles are here from Italy. I LOVE having them with us. I have missed them so much. And now I am doubly excited for our trip!! I can't wait for August to get here. Oh, and of course they brought wonderful gifts (so not necessary!!) for our family - like an official Italia soccer jersey for big E; a Gianfranco Ferre shirt for me; a funky Betty Boop watch for Miss B; and Ferrari cologne for Marc. So generous. So cool! NOTE to self: need to pick up more Euros before we leave...

So sorry all. I will be MIA for a few weeks longer. And I have tons of pics to post...

Have a wonderful weekend. We are off to a salmon BBQ.

Ciao

MIA

 

I have been MIA as of late. Too many things going on in our house and in our lives. In the last few weeks I have:

1. Celebrated Bella's 7th birthday - with two very different parties;
2. Attend seminars re: work - law as I know it (and as I have only known it for 15 years...) is fundamentally changing as of July 1, 2010, and I have not been able to wrap my head around all that I need to do yet = GREAT stress and many many sleepless nights;
3. Organized a 40th Wedding Anniversary party for my parents;
4. Arranged a photo shoot for the kiddies (pic above) and have arranged for this pic to be stretched on canvas as the Anniversary gift;
5. Started a photo story for the Anniversary party - man, 40 years is a lot to go through...

And I still have the following to do:

1. Attend Ethan's 2nd Degree Black Belt testing - again, can you tell me WHY a 10 yr old needs a 2nd degree black belt?? I am not sure he is ready for this...
2. Prep end of year gifts for teachers and my super babysitter. I have really been out of touch and I have no idea what the teachers are interested in. I am going to have to rely on my kiddies to give me insight. And my babysitter is superwoman so I want to find something special for her to let her know how much we love her and appreciate her!
3. Bake treats for Bella's class to share as she is the very LAST special helper of Grade 1.
4. Prep for ITALY!! This is giving me stress beyond comprehension. We leave in 8 weeks. Where has the time gone??
5. Hire a sitter for the summer. But today I got that one taken care of. Yeah.
6. Prep for my two uncles who arrive from Italy next week. They will be with us for 2 weeks.

I think that is all, for now. Maybe. There is probably more, but my head is exploding just looking at this.

Ciao all.

This is NOT helping me...

Okay, I am not really an ice cream person. I won't go to a specialty store and pay $5 for an ice cream cone. Not worth it, in my humble but accurate opinion! ha ha Now, gelato is NOT ice cream, so we can't compare. And, for the record, I am a gelato lover! Mmmmm, coconut and lemon gelato... I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, not so much an ice cream person. But PC has made these Ice Cream Shop flavours and I must say - delicious! This caramel crunch one is my favourite. Not helping me with the whole diet/exercise thing. I have not exercised in over a week now, since I threw out my back. Eating this convenient little tub of ice cream isn't going to help with the waist line or the ever growing butt... If you have not tried a flavour, you must.

Ciao all.

My childhood in my daughter...

I am reliving my childhood all over again - only this time it is through Bella's eyes. She is absolutely in love with Hello Kitty and My Melody and Little Twin Stars. It is 1980 all over again!! I do admit, though, that I missed My Melody. Look how sweet that bunny is!! What's that adage - everything old is new again.

Ciao all.

It may be unorthodox...

My kids pick out their birthday presents. They first tell me what they want, I go and do the scouting, and when I know where I am going to purchase it from, the kids come with me and we buy it. Why you ask? Because I would rather they have exactly what they want for their birthday, than a "surprise". And when you have children, like mine, who collect certain things, the possibilities are endless. Ethan and his Lego... Bella and her Webkinz... I can't keep up. So when they ask for these items, I bring them with me to pick out what they want. As I said, it may be unorthodox, but it works for my family!

Ciao all.

Simple Scrapping...

 

Using up scraps. I have not stepped into a scrap stores in months. I really haven't had the need to... But now I am getting down to the barest of bare essentials. I think it is time for a trip and to stock up.

Ciao all.

LOST no more...

I watched the series finale on Sunday night - all 4.5 hours of it. I was grateful for the re-cap show - there were a lot of situations/characters I had forgotten about. It was good to freshen up before the finale. Am I satisfied with the finale? Yes, I am. I like personal stories - not technical stories. I believe the writers did a really good job pulling all the story lines together and bringing them all to a close. A nice close. So often you are left with such a void - especially when you have committed your time and energy to a program and they don't end it satisfactorily. So that was good. Do I understand it all? I don't know. Marc and I have had several conversations in these last 24 hours. Was the island ever real? Did the people all die in the plane crash and the island was their "purgatory" to work out the sins of their lives and come to terms and be ready to move on? Were the flashbacks actually their real lives and the side flashes the lives they should have lived or wanted to have lived (Jack being a father and successful surgeon; James being a cop and doing something good with his life; Jin and Sun not being married but being together in the States doing work for Sun's father; Locke having a finance who loved him for who he was; etc. etc.). What did all the characters represent? The others? The other others? Were they just more examples of good/evil; right/wrong; manifestations of struggles each character had in their lives... Why were we introduced to so many "non essential" characters - Ethan; Rousseau; Ben's daughter; Michael and Walt (BTW - where did they end up?? I can't figure that one out...); the African priest (who I cannot remember the name of for the life of me!); the Spanish cop (name??); the Russian gal who comes to protect/save Jacob and then dies - what purpose did these people serve? And where did they go? Or is it like Christian said to Jack - the people in the church were bonded to him spiritually. They were all connected and meant to be together and needed each other before they could move on (but WHY were Boone and Shannon in the church?? HOW were they bonded to Jack?? That does not make any sense to me...). Anyway, I like a show that makes me think. So goodbye LOST. I will buy you on dvd and watch again, and maybe figure you out.

Ciao all.

Stupid me...

I have wrenched my back, but good. Oh boy.

I have NEVER had any issues with my body. I am lucky - I don't have a bad back; I don't have bad knees; I don't have aches or pains of any type. But I REALLY did a number on my back this morning and it was my fault.

I went to the nursery this morning nice and early and bought plants and potting soil. Three huge bags of potting soil. I got them into the trunk okay and then got home where Marc could unload them for me. I was crouching down and I pulled a bag of soil and twisted at the same time. All of a sudden my back, right down at my tail bone, just started to scream! I stood up immediately because I knew I would not be able to get up if I did not move right that very second. I stood there in the backyard and just stood still for a moment trying to assess what had just happened. Then my back froze. My muscles all began to spasm and I could not believe the pain! What have I done?? I can't bend! Do you know how much you have to bend to do things?? I can't move lower than about waist high right now! Seriously I am panicking... I can't go to work like this tomorrow! HOW would I sit at my desk all day? Work on the computer? Lift my client files?? The thought of that alone is making me want to cry... I have taken a handful of Advil and I am praying that my muscles will relax enough tomorrow for me to be able to first get into the car (again, the thought is making me scream...) and then get to the massage therapist. I don't think labour hurt this much! Mommy....

Ciao all.

Trying to get inspired...

I am in that funk again -not feeling creative in any way. No decorating. No designing. Nothing. I have a lot on my mind. So many things I want to/need to do around the house. Our yard is first and foremost in my mind. I need a landscaper. I have decided that. I just can't do what I want done and I really don't know how to pull all my ideas together... And Marc does not have the time. I need the front boulevard re-sodded. I want a big planter built around the tree in the boulevard. I need the pathetic bits of grass known as my "front yard" pulled and pea gravel put down (nothing really grows in the front!). I need the front garden re-done - plants that have colour but are very low maintenance, and new retaining wall built for the plants. And this is only the front yard. We then move to the back yard where we need to level the entire thing and build a big deck. Hard work. Not just for one man to do. And of course this all takes $$$. Not really wanting to spend $$$...

From the yard I then move to the actual outside of the house. It needs painting. The deck and back fence need to be re-done. The railings on the porch and all the fascia need to be done. And I want all the exterior doors painted a deep barn red. More $$$.

Oh, but that is not all. We have had a contractor in for a quote on framing the basement. First step. Too much $$$.

Lots going on. Lots of airy fairy ideas - but nothing concrete. I think that is why I am in a funk.

I need sleep.

Ciao all.

Think Pink...

Party foods, that is. The menu for Bella's pink cupcake party:

Pink popcorn
Strawberries dipped in pink chocolate
Pink Lady apple slices
Mini bagels and pink cream cheese
Mini strawberry jam sandwiches
Pink lemonade
Pink strawberry milk

Of course, all eaten on pink plates with pink cups and pink straws.

And the party favours - pink cupcake lip gloss in little pink Chinese take out containers.

Pink enough?? Girls...

Ciao all.

Party Invitations

 

Here is what the upcoming party invitations look like - a big pink "cupcake" (although, I think it looks like a muffin... ha haa). The details are on the reverse. Pretty cute, if I do say so myself. You know, more and more I am looking forward to this party. AND I found the sweetest little pink Chinese take out boxes to put the little lip glosses in as party favours. Come on. Y'all know how much I love it when all the details click and come together.

Ciao.