For he was most certainly good to us!
After a few days of eating, drinking, and opening presents.... I am exhausted, but, content and blogging again.
Santa was his ever generous self. Under the tree he left Sarah the complete works of Mozart on 170 CDs and Anna found a new mountain bike! Sam will certainly be very warm when he rides his mountain bike with Anna thanks to the new high tech fleece/goretex pull over Santa left him and me.... Well, I was given a very special gift. Not by Santa, but, by Sam. He made me a photo album with summed up the 18 years we have been together! It took me several tries before I could get through it without a tear shed. Bravo Sam. It was the best gift you could have ever given me.
Click here and see all of our Christmas fun!
Thursday we are off for our ski holiday and to celebrate the New Year with friends.
Keep safe and speak to you all in the New Year. Make sure you check back in for the photos from atop the mountains of Davos, Switzerland.
Buon Anno!
Tanti Auguri!
Krista
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Who's That Girl?
Is it Sarah or Avril???
Yes, finally Sarah got her hair cut! Don't let the photo fool you, though the length remains, the hair on the floor of the salon was proof enough that Sarah lost about a kilo today! And not a tear was shed. Grazie Dio! In fact, Sarah was so pleased with the results she even told me she loves me and gave me a kiss..... I will treasure that for a long time for who knows when the next tender moment will come around. Sarah many not get the latest coolest outrageously expensive sneakers or the trendiest clothes, but she has the baddest hair in town!
And Anna, she got her hair cut too and she is just as cute as ever.
Is everyone ready for Santa? I can't believe that I am and tomorrow is already Christmas eve! When was the last time that happened? Never. I am sure that I forgot someone..... Now let me see....
Auguri!
Krista
Yes, finally Sarah got her hair cut! Don't let the photo fool you, though the length remains, the hair on the floor of the salon was proof enough that Sarah lost about a kilo today! And not a tear was shed. Grazie Dio! In fact, Sarah was so pleased with the results she even told me she loves me and gave me a kiss..... I will treasure that for a long time for who knows when the next tender moment will come around. Sarah many not get the latest coolest outrageously expensive sneakers or the trendiest clothes, but she has the baddest hair in town!
And Anna, she got her hair cut too and she is just as cute as ever.
Is everyone ready for Santa? I can't believe that I am and tomorrow is already Christmas eve! When was the last time that happened? Never. I am sure that I forgot someone..... Now let me see....
Auguri!
Krista
Thursday, December 22, 2005
La Dolce Vita!
I am sitting here at the computer trying to stay awake while waiting for Sarah to get home from Genoa. This evening she went to the Carlo Felice to take in the Ballet. Once again she is off with her classmates on a cultural excursion, this time to see Sleeping Beauty. For sure Sarah will be a sleeping beauty too, as soon as she gets home and hits her pillow. Sam and I will be following right behind her.
I have been very busy all week knee deep in the preparations for Christmas and appreciating the last days of autumn. Today was the winter solstice. The long winter's nights are upon us. Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, or the day in which the sun is at her southern most point and our shadows cast long in the noon day sun. A little more information if you like to know more about the phenomenon.
So what exactly have I been up to?
Last weekend in Chiavari there was a wine tasting event, Dolce di Vino, basically a fair which was promoting mostly sweet/dessert wines offered from local producers paired with confections from local bakeries and chocolate makers. Guess who was first in line? Free wine and cake and chocolate! Sign me up! Ok, Joanne and Silvio caught the first round of guided wine tasting, for I was late. But I joined them for the afternoon sessions. First round, 2 wines from the Aeolian Islands off of Sicily known dessert wines, especially for their Malvasia, a vino passiti made from dried grapes. Perfecto. Next round was Soave from the Veneto region. 5 glasses of wine served in less than 35 minutes! I actually had to dump the remaining wine from my glass in the bucket provided in order to taste the next on offer. If I had not done that, I would have had to be carried home! Such a waste! Here is the incriminating photo from Joanne's blog. I admit I indulged in too many sweets and "tasted" so much wine that on Sunday, I was too embarrassed to show up again for another round of tasting. Such is life. I have to say it was a great exhibition and the quality on offer top notch! Bravo Comune di Chiavari.
Sunday morning, knowing that I had to work off those extra calories I took in eating all the goodies at the Dolce di Vino, Sam, the girls and I took off once again for the hills of Chiavari. We walked for 3 hours, had a picnic and enjoyed the sun on our faces... I am so lucky to find myself living in a warm climate somewhere near the sea. Thank you Sam. The only time in the last 10 years I have had cold snowing weather on Christmas morning, was when Sam and I decided to spend the holidays with family. Either NY or Helsinki, you can be sure to have a cold winter's frost on your window Christmas morning. Click here and see what we have been up to! By the way, those of you who have visited us at our home in Chiavari might recognize the church in the photograph. When you stood on the kitchen balcony and admired the view of the mountains, the church is right there, slightly to the left. Sometimes, if the day is just right, you can even hear the bells in the distance!
Buon Feste
Krista
I have been very busy all week knee deep in the preparations for Christmas and appreciating the last days of autumn. Today was the winter solstice. The long winter's nights are upon us. Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, or the day in which the sun is at her southern most point and our shadows cast long in the noon day sun. A little more information if you like to know more about the phenomenon.
So what exactly have I been up to?
Last weekend in Chiavari there was a wine tasting event, Dolce di Vino, basically a fair which was promoting mostly sweet/dessert wines offered from local producers paired with confections from local bakeries and chocolate makers. Guess who was first in line? Free wine and cake and chocolate! Sign me up! Ok, Joanne and Silvio caught the first round of guided wine tasting, for I was late. But I joined them for the afternoon sessions. First round, 2 wines from the Aeolian Islands off of Sicily known dessert wines, especially for their Malvasia, a vino passiti made from dried grapes. Perfecto. Next round was Soave from the Veneto region. 5 glasses of wine served in less than 35 minutes! I actually had to dump the remaining wine from my glass in the bucket provided in order to taste the next on offer. If I had not done that, I would have had to be carried home! Such a waste! Here is the incriminating photo from Joanne's blog. I admit I indulged in too many sweets and "tasted" so much wine that on Sunday, I was too embarrassed to show up again for another round of tasting. Such is life. I have to say it was a great exhibition and the quality on offer top notch! Bravo Comune di Chiavari.
Sunday morning, knowing that I had to work off those extra calories I took in eating all the goodies at the Dolce di Vino, Sam, the girls and I took off once again for the hills of Chiavari. We walked for 3 hours, had a picnic and enjoyed the sun on our faces... I am so lucky to find myself living in a warm climate somewhere near the sea. Thank you Sam. The only time in the last 10 years I have had cold snowing weather on Christmas morning, was when Sam and I decided to spend the holidays with family. Either NY or Helsinki, you can be sure to have a cold winter's frost on your window Christmas morning. Click here and see what we have been up to! By the way, those of you who have visited us at our home in Chiavari might recognize the church in the photograph. When you stood on the kitchen balcony and admired the view of the mountains, the church is right there, slightly to the left. Sometimes, if the day is just right, you can even hear the bells in the distance!
Buon Feste
Krista
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Christmas Recital Hell!
Christmas is just about upon us and tomorrow is the last day of school for the year. That can only mean one thing. Recital Hell. We have been busy shopping for presents and getting ready for Father Christmas and Anna has been practicing for her school Christmas recital. Monday Sam and I went for our last time to this annual holiday rite. Next year Anna will be in Middle School and all the sweetness of childhood will be left behind.
The recital kept in the tradition we have come to know here in Italy, the event was disorganized, last minute, and torture to endure. The room was too small, there were no seats to sit on, and all the parents were crushing to get a photo or video of their kid's golden moment. Note me standing way in the back far from the throng. Our Anna... where was she? Safely in the back of the group singing backup for her classmates. When I was able to peek through the heads in the crowd I did see that Anna was enjoying herself. After all, she was sitting next to her best friend and talked the whole time. That is my Anna, never the one for the limelight.
Krista
The recital kept in the tradition we have come to know here in Italy, the event was disorganized, last minute, and torture to endure. The room was too small, there were no seats to sit on, and all the parents were crushing to get a photo or video of their kid's golden moment. Note me standing way in the back far from the throng. Our Anna... where was she? Safely in the back of the group singing backup for her classmates. When I was able to peek through the heads in the crowd I did see that Anna was enjoying herself. After all, she was sitting next to her best friend and talked the whole time. That is my Anna, never the one for the limelight.
Krista
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Oh Christmas Tree...
Oh Christmas tree....
Tis the season to be jolly and all that. Yes, I have the spirit this year. This evening, Sarah, Anna and their friends Virginia and Valentina helped us get the decorating started by helping with the tree, and doesn't it good?
Now the house seems like a bomb went off and I haven't dinner ready yet, but, I have a glass of Vino Novello in my hand and U2 playing on the itunes.
Buone Feste!
Krista
Tis the season to be jolly and all that. Yes, I have the spirit this year. This evening, Sarah, Anna and their friends Virginia and Valentina helped us get the decorating started by helping with the tree, and doesn't it good?
Now the house seems like a bomb went off and I haven't dinner ready yet, but, I have a glass of Vino Novello in my hand and U2 playing on the itunes.
Buone Feste!
Krista
One Big Happy Family!
One Sunday morning in Chiavari.
We woke to strong winds and cold air. After a hearty breakfast of waffles and coffee we went for a nice hike through the hills behind our home in Chiavari. Here we are trying to squeeze our fat heads together in order for Sam to take a photo.... I think the look on the faces says it all... Go here and see how pretty Chiavari can be.
We woke to strong winds and cold air. After a hearty breakfast of waffles and coffee we went for a nice hike through the hills behind our home in Chiavari. Here we are trying to squeeze our fat heads together in order for Sam to take a photo.... I think the look on the faces says it all... Go here and see how pretty Chiavari can be.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Happy 10th Birthday Anna!
Ok, so Anna's birthday is not until the 29th, but, as Anna would say...Whatever!
Anna and 10 of her closest friends celebrated her upcoming birthday at Claudio's, a favorite local pizzeria! I would love to tell you more about it, but, I am exhausted! I am off to bed. Check out the fun here.
Good Night!
Krista
Anna and 10 of her closest friends celebrated her upcoming birthday at Claudio's, a favorite local pizzeria! I would love to tell you more about it, but, I am exhausted! I am off to bed. Check out the fun here.
Good Night!
Krista
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Immaculata and Pearl Harbor Day!
What a combo! Today in Italy we are celebrating the feast if the Immaculate Conception, and in The United State they are commemorating the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.
To educate all you fallen Catholics and non faithful, the immaculata has nothing to do with the Virgin Birth. That is a common misconception. In the simplest words, The Immaculata is the belief that the Virgin Mary, was born absolved of original sin. To be honest the whole concept is heavy and difficult to explain. For a full secular description of what the immaculate conception is, go here and you can try to figure it out for yourself. What is the old saying....Never discuss religion and politics!
But, I have to link this newspiece from the San Diego Herald Tribune.
Some you may know that we lived in San Diego for 5 years. Our first couple of years there we had a house on Coronado, which is home to North Island Naval Air Station. Every 4th of July the city had a huge parade and the atmosphere all over the island was pure Americana and full of patriotism. A few things about the day and the festivities remain with me. One thing I will never forget, were the hunky navy seals who joined the parade in full battle camouflage riding on tanks....grrr... On a more serious note, were the old men, who were the survivors of Pearl Harbor that marched with the veterans. All the vets got applause, but none received as much as these gentlemen. I remember my friend Bill, who was a doctor at the Balboa Naval Hospital, turning to me and saying, these men are dying breed. And indeed they are. According to the article, every day we lose two more.
A tardi!
To educate all you fallen Catholics and non faithful, the immaculata has nothing to do with the Virgin Birth. That is a common misconception. In the simplest words, The Immaculata is the belief that the Virgin Mary, was born absolved of original sin. To be honest the whole concept is heavy and difficult to explain. For a full secular description of what the immaculate conception is, go here and you can try to figure it out for yourself. What is the old saying....Never discuss religion and politics!
But, I have to link this newspiece from the San Diego Herald Tribune.
As another anniversary of what President Franklin Roosevelt called "the date which will live in infamy" comes around, Kawka (pronounced Cough-ka) is one of a dwindling number of survivors to tell his story.
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association says it's uncertain how many survivors remain, but two members a day are dying.
Kawka is one of 1,572 Pearl Harbor survivors in California who have license plates denoting their presence during the attack. A year ago, 1,671 survivors had the license plates, a spokesman at the Department of Motor Vehicles said.
Some you may know that we lived in San Diego for 5 years. Our first couple of years there we had a house on Coronado, which is home to North Island Naval Air Station. Every 4th of July the city had a huge parade and the atmosphere all over the island was pure Americana and full of patriotism. A few things about the day and the festivities remain with me. One thing I will never forget, were the hunky navy seals who joined the parade in full battle camouflage riding on tanks....grrr... On a more serious note, were the old men, who were the survivors of Pearl Harbor that marched with the veterans. All the vets got applause, but none received as much as these gentlemen. I remember my friend Bill, who was a doctor at the Balboa Naval Hospital, turning to me and saying, these men are dying breed. And indeed they are. According to the article, every day we lose two more.
A tardi!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Santa is on his way...
And man I am not anywhere near ready!
Here is the annual Christmas tree making its debut in Piazza de Ferrari. She arrived this morning and is all ready for her lights and decorations. Ok, the setting is nothing like Rockefeller Center, like, where are the angels and the skating rink? Nevertheless, today Genoa started to feel festive.
Yesterday I had a meeting in Genoa and Sam was kind enough to join me for the ride, today, I paid pack the favor. He had a meeting, and I joined him for the ride. While he sat and made money, I went and spent money. Hey, what is a girl to do? Then we met up, took a stroll through the Centro Storico and then sat at the end of one of the piers in the harbor soaking up the warm sun. After the horrible weather we have had, the sun felt wonderful on my face. Sam and I grabbed a quick lunch and then went home.
If you look again at the photo of the Christmas Tree, behind it is Genoa's opera house, Carlo Felice. It was bombed and basically destroyed during WWII, but the facade survived. The city had it rebuilt and it is even more grand than it ever was before! Take a look for yourself!
A presto!
Krista
Here is the annual Christmas tree making its debut in Piazza de Ferrari. She arrived this morning and is all ready for her lights and decorations. Ok, the setting is nothing like Rockefeller Center, like, where are the angels and the skating rink? Nevertheless, today Genoa started to feel festive.
Yesterday I had a meeting in Genoa and Sam was kind enough to join me for the ride, today, I paid pack the favor. He had a meeting, and I joined him for the ride. While he sat and made money, I went and spent money. Hey, what is a girl to do? Then we met up, took a stroll through the Centro Storico and then sat at the end of one of the piers in the harbor soaking up the warm sun. After the horrible weather we have had, the sun felt wonderful on my face. Sam and I grabbed a quick lunch and then went home.
If you look again at the photo of the Christmas Tree, behind it is Genoa's opera house, Carlo Felice. It was bombed and basically destroyed during WWII, but the facade survived. The city had it rebuilt and it is even more grand than it ever was before! Take a look for yourself!
A presto!
Krista
Let The Relay Begin!
The countdown begins as the snow falls on the mountains in Piemonte! The winter Olympics are only 2 months away!
A little addtion to this...
Rome Ciampino airport was closed due to a bomb threat only hours before the Olympic Flame arrived. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. All over the news for the last few days have been warnings over security for the upcoming games...Here is the link to the story Rome's Ciampino airport reopens after bomb alert. I also added a link in my sidebar to the official 2006 Olympics site!
Krista
Olympic Flame Arrives in Italy
By ANDREW DAMPF, AP Sports Writer
ROME - The Olympic flame arrived in Italy on Wednesday, a little more than two months before the Turin Winter Games begin.
The flame arrived from Athens at Rome's Ciampino military airport aboard an Italian plane at 4:41 a.m. EDT. Turin organizing committee chief Valentino Castellani carried the flame ? kept in a small lantern for safe air travel ? off the plane and onto Italian soil.
Castellani held the lantern aloft as a military band played the Olympic anthem.
"It's very emotional," Castellani told reporters at the airport. "We are ready to start the games."
Plane landings at Ciampino's passenger terminal were suspended for about 45 minutes shortly before the arrival of the flame because of a bomb scare, the airport's border police said. The security alert ended following police checks at the airport.
The flame will be taken later Wednesday to the presidential Quirinal Palace. On Thursday, Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi will pass the flame to the first torchbearer in Italy ? Stefano Baldini, the marathon winner at last year's Summer Games in Athens ? as the flame starts a relay that will end at the opening ceremony in Turin on Feb. 10.
The relay will head straight for the nearby Trevi Fountain and pass by other Rome landmarks such as the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon before arriving at the Vatican for a blessing by Pope Benedict XVI.
The first day of the relay will end with the lighting of a cauldron at the Michelangelo-designed Campidoglio on Rome's Capitoline Hill, at the exact spot where the relay began for the 1960 Rome Games.
The torch will spend one more day in Rome on Friday, when soccer players Francesco Totti of AS Roma and Paolo Di Canio of city rival Lazio light each other's torch.
The relay will then move on through every province in Italy ? with forays into France, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. It will pass by the Leaning Tower of Pisa and up Venice's Grand Canal.
On Jan. 26, the torch will return to Cortina d'Ampezzo for the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Winter Games held there.
In all, the relay will cover 7,022 miles and involve 10,000 torchbearers, gondolas, a Ferrari sports car, and a cavalry regiment.
Turin-based design company Pininfarina SpA, renowned engineer of Fiats and Ferraris, designed the torch to look like the curved top of a ski.
Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj, Italy soccer coach Marcello Lippi, New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, and all Italian gold medalists from the Athens and 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics will take part in the relay.
The final torchbearer, whose name has not yet been revealed, will light the flame at the opening ceremony in Turin on Feb. 10. Ski great Alberto Tomba is considered the favorite for the honor.
A little addtion to this...
Rome Ciampino airport was closed due to a bomb threat only hours before the Olympic Flame arrived. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. All over the news for the last few days have been warnings over security for the upcoming games...Here is the link to the story Rome's Ciampino airport reopens after bomb alert. I also added a link in my sidebar to the official 2006 Olympics site!
Krista
Monday, December 05, 2005
Back to the Turkey!
Enough of the Autostrade mess and back to Thanksgiving.
I love food. Yes, I am a nut. But, I love to cook and Italy provides an amateur chef a treasure trove of goodies to pick from and any aspiring gourmet fits right in here. In Italy, you can you sit at a bar sipping your cappuccino and overhear the conversations of grown men arguing over whose mamma cooks some dish better, or the subtle differences found in parma ham and nobody frets over their masculinity!!! With that in mind, it is no wonder I happened upon this article on the Slow Food web site. Believe me, Italians are more than curious with our tradition of Thanksgiving, they are fascinated. It makes perfect sense. What other holiday do we Americans celebrate that focuses on food like Thanksgiving? None.
The secret to good cooking is always starting with the best ingredients. Why not once a year splurge a little and get the best turkey for your money? If you cut throught the obvious propaganda - La Stampa is a left wing newspaper, the article does make a valid point. I have never had a better turkey than the ones bought and cooked here in Italy. I can assure you, my turkeys have been as free range as you can get. And it does make a difference. Every turkey I have cooked came direct from the farm and still had some feathers left on it. That is as "organic" and fresh as you can possibly get without doing the dirty work yourself. No frozen Butterballs found here.
Though Italians do not not celebrate Thanksgiving (so you yankees can stop asking me that one), and seeing how Halloween has wormed it's way into the culture and taken off since in the last five years, who knows? Maybe it won't be too long before "Ringazianmento" finds a way into the Italians calendar of feste! Why not? Though they might need bigger ovens to cook the bird whole. And someone needs to remind the translater of the article, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November!
Gobble Gobble
Krista
I love food. Yes, I am a nut. But, I love to cook and Italy provides an amateur chef a treasure trove of goodies to pick from and any aspiring gourmet fits right in here. In Italy, you can you sit at a bar sipping your cappuccino and overhear the conversations of grown men arguing over whose mamma cooks some dish better, or the subtle differences found in parma ham and nobody frets over their masculinity!!! With that in mind, it is no wonder I happened upon this article on the Slow Food web site. Believe me, Italians are more than curious with our tradition of Thanksgiving, they are fascinated. It makes perfect sense. What other holiday do we Americans celebrate that focuses on food like Thanksgiving? None.
USA - 28/11/2005
Talking Turkey
In the United States Thanksgiving is a long-standing tradition celebrated on November 24 every year. Though institutionalized in the second half of the 19th century, it dates back to at least two centuries previously, when the early pioneers decided to give celebratory thanks to God for regained prosperity when crops flourished again following the hardships suffered through two failed harvests.
Last week 45 million turkeys were served up on American tables for the occasion. It is quite a number. And this year there were thousands of families, far more than in past years, who decided to buy from farmers? markets in large cities or directly from farms in the country.
It is estimated that in New York alone, 250,000 people preferred to buy directly from producers, ensuring the food for their celebration meal would be sourced from clean sustainable agriculture, including the Slow Food Presidium.
The New York Times highlighted the phenomenon and the news was picked up by the Italian press too. But all this raises an awkward question. If it was a restricted and affluent elite that was choosing quality and spending a fair amount of money to get organic food, aren?t we running the risk of creating two parallel markets ? one of expensive but wholesome food just for rich people and one of mass-produced products for the rest?
It is precisely because I am opposed to any elitist conception of ?gastronomy? (and I have always been against the term ?niche product? in this context) that I think we need to consider the issue.
We need to recognize that there are people willing to spend a bit more for better food, even if they are not necessarily well off. But there is a problem because the family budget does pose constraints.
In the past those with limited resources maybe ate less but they also ate well. Now the huge quantitative abundance is something of a sham: in passing through an endless sequence of journeys and industrial processing, food loses its goodness on the way. It is not a matter of demonizing industrial production, but just of presenting it for what it is ? exposing inaccurate platitudes and thinking of alternatives.
Mass production of food is not a benefit in itself and it has not managed to save nations from hunger. If anything, the opposite. Replacing traditional recipes ? based on knowledge of the resources of the local area (which are wholesome and good value) ?with industrial products has meant families spend more and traditional knowledge has been lost without bringing any benefits.
Churning out billions of cans from a few centralized plants also exposes us ? and it is a topical issue ? to significant risks because when there is a problem at the source it is immediately transmitted down the whole chain. There are various examples, some very dramatic, of how pollution due to the intensive methods of the agrifood industry has impoverished and denatured the land.
There are enough contraindications to make us reject the present situation. Above all, mass production only offers an illusion of being inexpensive. It isn't cheap for the individual consumer, if you consider that a hamburger bought at a rock bottom price actually has a far higher real cost. And it isn't cheap for society if you calculate the social and environmental costs of agribusiness.
Our aim is to replace the industrial approach to agriculture which was born in the last century and is now obsolete due to its unsustainability. It is right to encourage a new model, where the country comes to the city with its produce without relying on intermediaries.
The American success in resorting to direct sale arrangements for Thanksgiving is a good sign. We can hope that with increasing numbers of customers the prices will come down and bring them within reach of ever more people, until direct sale become the rule and not an exception. Because good healthy food, produced in a natural way without the improper use of pesticides or antibiotics, is an inalienable human right.
First published in La Stampa November 28, 2005
The secret to good cooking is always starting with the best ingredients. Why not once a year splurge a little and get the best turkey for your money? If you cut throught the obvious propaganda - La Stampa is a left wing newspaper, the article does make a valid point. I have never had a better turkey than the ones bought and cooked here in Italy. I can assure you, my turkeys have been as free range as you can get. And it does make a difference. Every turkey I have cooked came direct from the farm and still had some feathers left on it. That is as "organic" and fresh as you can possibly get without doing the dirty work yourself. No frozen Butterballs found here.
Though Italians do not not celebrate Thanksgiving (so you yankees can stop asking me that one), and seeing how Halloween has wormed it's way into the culture and taken off since in the last five years, who knows? Maybe it won't be too long before "Ringazianmento" finds a way into the Italians calendar of feste! Why not? Though they might need bigger ovens to cook the bird whole. And someone needs to remind the translater of the article, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November!
Gobble Gobble
Krista
Update on the Autostrade Mess....
Gli automobilisti che nella notte tra venerdi' e sabato scorsi sono rimasti intrappolati nella tormenta di neve che ha bloccato per 14 ore l'autostrada Torino-Savona possono scrivere alla Procura di Mondovi', che sta indagando sull' accaduto. E' l' invito rivolto dal procuratore capo Riccardo Bausone, che stamani ha ascoltato il comandante della polizia stradale di Cuneo. Il magistrato vuole sapere se e come abbiano funzionato i sistemi di allerta diffusi dal gestore dell' arteria (che fa capo alla societa' Autostrade) e gli interventi di soccorso alle centinaia di auto e camion (si parla di un migliaio di veicoli) fermi nel gelo della notte su entrambe le direzioni di marcia. Gli automobilisti sono invitati a fornire le loro testimonianze all' indirizzo di posta elettronica procura.mondovi@giustizia.it. (ANSAweb)
In English....
Basically an inquiry has been set up to see why motorists were stuck for 14 hours on a major highway artery. Stranded motorists and the emergency services personal are invited to write and give testimony to what happened and what they saw. The magistrate who has been appointed to head this investigations wants to know if the alert systems where up and functioning Friday night. Oh, and yes, there were over 1,000 stranded cars and trucks. The rest...well sorry My Italian is just not good enough.... Maybe someone can help out with the rest.
Krista
Here is the proof....
That the weather over the weekend was horrific.
What was left out of this little state run news piece? The controversy to as why there were such hazardous road conditions to begin with that truck and cars got stranded in the first place. Yes, the weather was to blame and is uncontrollable, but why was the autostada impassable at 10 am long after the snow stopped falling, yet, all the secondary roads off of the autostada were clear and moving? I say this as an eye witness. I was there stuck in the mess. As soon as our bus of sommeliers exited the toll entrance from the autostada, the roads were good condition to drive on, while the highway we were on, was a mess. Let me remind you that we PAY tolls for the privilege to use the autostrada and the secondary roads are paid for by taxes? Hmmm.
The papers this morning were laying play blame everywhere except on those who were responsible. It was the truck drivers for not having chains (more new unneccessary laws that were passed last year), cars for daring to be on the road with improper tires/chains (and how exactly are we to put on chains during a snow storm on the highway?) and even the old model cars that dared to be on the road!! etc... Not a word about the obvious: Where were the snow plows or the salters in the first place? I sat on the bus on this autostrade mentioned above for 2 hours at 10 am Saturday morning. The autostrada from Liguria to Piemonte was clear, and there was plenty of snow to be seen and even snow plows doing their job. Meanwhile, as we sat on the bus crawling through this mess, I did not see one snow plow pass us in either direction! And the opposite side of the autostrade had been closed to traffic!
In my opinion, the blame lays on whatever authority is responsible for maintaining the autostrade and had to clear that snow off the highway. Punto Basta. It snows in Piemonte, often, and the authorities should be prepared to clean it and to take responsiblity for when things go wrong. If the secondary roads can be clear, there is no excuse for the dangerous mess that was on the autostade this weekend. Afterall, it is a major traffic artery!!!
Krista
Italy battered again by bad pre-winter weather
By Web Editor. Filed under Current Affairs, News from Italyon December 5th, 2005
(ANSA) - Italy this weekend found itself in the grips of another pre-winter storm which drenched much of the peninsula and dumped snow even at lower altitudes.
Motorway and road traffic suffered the most but the snow also forced the closing down of the airport in Bolzano, while high seas interrupted ferry traffic in the Bay of Naples.
Heavy snow brought down powers lines in and around Milan with repercussions on public transport and rail service.
Thousands of motorists were trapped for hours along the Savona-Turin motorway while in the Alps the heavy snow fall was welcomed by skiers who found almost all lifts open.
Rome was the stage for violent thunderstorms and heavy rain which only added more water to the already swelled Tiber River, which has been running at near 20-year highs.
High tide water in Venice hit 132cm Saturday morning with 70% of the historic center flooded.
Conditions should improve somewhat on Sunday in many parts of Italy only to worsen again next week.
What was left out of this little state run news piece? The controversy to as why there were such hazardous road conditions to begin with that truck and cars got stranded in the first place. Yes, the weather was to blame and is uncontrollable, but why was the autostada impassable at 10 am long after the snow stopped falling, yet, all the secondary roads off of the autostada were clear and moving? I say this as an eye witness. I was there stuck in the mess. As soon as our bus of sommeliers exited the toll entrance from the autostada, the roads were good condition to drive on, while the highway we were on, was a mess. Let me remind you that we PAY tolls for the privilege to use the autostrada and the secondary roads are paid for by taxes? Hmmm.
The papers this morning were laying play blame everywhere except on those who were responsible. It was the truck drivers for not having chains (more new unneccessary laws that were passed last year), cars for daring to be on the road with improper tires/chains (and how exactly are we to put on chains during a snow storm on the highway?) and even the old model cars that dared to be on the road!! etc... Not a word about the obvious: Where were the snow plows or the salters in the first place? I sat on the bus on this autostrade mentioned above for 2 hours at 10 am Saturday morning. The autostrada from Liguria to Piemonte was clear, and there was plenty of snow to be seen and even snow plows doing their job. Meanwhile, as we sat on the bus crawling through this mess, I did not see one snow plow pass us in either direction! And the opposite side of the autostrade had been closed to traffic!
In my opinion, the blame lays on whatever authority is responsible for maintaining the autostrade and had to clear that snow off the highway. Punto Basta. It snows in Piemonte, often, and the authorities should be prepared to clean it and to take responsiblity for when things go wrong. If the secondary roads can be clear, there is no excuse for the dangerous mess that was on the autostade this weekend. Afterall, it is a major traffic artery!!!
Krista
Sunday, December 04, 2005
From Bad to Worse.....
Yes, the weather never improved and only got worse after my post Friday evening. I woke up Saturday morning at 6 am for my much anticipated "gita" with my sommelier class. As I got out of bed with trepidation all rational thought was telling me to stay put. It was still raining as hard as it was when I went to sleep and the horrendous weather didn't let up over night. I knew that if it was raining here in Liguria, it was certainly snowing in the hills of Piemonte. The internal battle ensued, should I go on my "gita" with my class, or, should I stay in my nice warm bed? I went against all rational reasoning and got out of bed anyway and set off to meet the class at the bus. I thought someone must have phoned the cantina to check on the weather/road conditions in Piemonte, right? Off I went in the pouring rain, joined up with Joanne and the others, all we could talk about was, are we going or not? When the bus was late, Joanne and I thought, great, the trip is postponed, back to bed! When the bus showed up and we all were led on, silly me trusted that the bus driver knew what he was doing, he drove for a living. If the roads were impassable, he would never think to take us on a hazardous journey. Boy, was I ever wrong. I could spend all night telling you about the trip from hell, but Joanne did such a great job herself, go on over to her blog and read all about it. The link is in the sidebar. Joanne also took great photos. Her camera is much better than mine....Hint Hint Samta....And no that is not a typo.
After our 5 hour journey, which incidentally should have taken 2 hours, in a bus through the worst road and weather conditions Italy has to offer, the sun did clear when we arrived at hilltop citta' of La Morra. Grazie' Dio!! We finally made it to Barola country. We had our tour of the cantina, the lesson for the day and finally ate lunch. Only complaint, other than the trip there, was the single toilet the vineyard had to offer us. Can you imagine the line up at the door? Picture, 5 hours on a bus with 30 + people, half being women. I was so pleased with my self that I ran off that bus and was first in line! Anyway....
The wine was fantastic, the hospitality overwhelming, and the food lovely. At the end of the day, I was glad I decided to get out of bed and take the risk to go to taste wine with my class. As usual, like many things in Italy, something starts off chaotic with the feeling something bad is about to happen, but at the end, all goes wonderfully, as if the chaos was the intended plan with not any rhyme or reason to why it all works out in the end. It just happens, and when things fall into place, you feel silly for worrying at all. I have learned to just roll with it and have some faith in people. In life you need patience and most of all tolerance, especially if you are not Italian and live in Italy. Because out of the chaos in life you sometimes find something good with a few surprises along the way.
What was the unintended surpise of being stuck on a bus for 7+ hours with people I saw 2x a week, but hardly knew? I got to know them better, and they weren't so bad at all. Overall they were a very nice and interesting group. Even the 25 year guys who sat in the back of the bus, who talked constantly during our classes and drove me crazy, weren't so bad. On the ride back to Chiavari, they passed around a bottle of grappa and shared it with anyone who wanted a taste. The boys also serenaded us and made what could have been a boring journey a very entertaining one.
Best of all, I spent the day doing something I wanted to do for a change and shared the experience with my friend Joanne. After all, if she hadn't asked me to take the course with her I wouldn't have learned all I have or been there yesterday for all the fun!! Thank you Joanne!
Maybe the title of this post should be "from worse to better" Nah! The good never lasts. Today I woke up alone, Sam and the girls are still in Germany, and went to upload my fotos from my "gita" from hell yesterday and to blog, what do you know? No network connection!!! I have been off line all day!!!! Horrors!!! Bad to worse - to better - then to bad.....
Sums up my life in Italy, a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs, but always an exciting ride....
Here is the link for more photos
and for the vineyard if you would like to take a look.
Buona Sera!
Krista
After our 5 hour journey, which incidentally should have taken 2 hours, in a bus through the worst road and weather conditions Italy has to offer, the sun did clear when we arrived at hilltop citta' of La Morra. Grazie' Dio!! We finally made it to Barola country. We had our tour of the cantina, the lesson for the day and finally ate lunch. Only complaint, other than the trip there, was the single toilet the vineyard had to offer us. Can you imagine the line up at the door? Picture, 5 hours on a bus with 30 + people, half being women. I was so pleased with my self that I ran off that bus and was first in line! Anyway....
The wine was fantastic, the hospitality overwhelming, and the food lovely. At the end of the day, I was glad I decided to get out of bed and take the risk to go to taste wine with my class. As usual, like many things in Italy, something starts off chaotic with the feeling something bad is about to happen, but at the end, all goes wonderfully, as if the chaos was the intended plan with not any rhyme or reason to why it all works out in the end. It just happens, and when things fall into place, you feel silly for worrying at all. I have learned to just roll with it and have some faith in people. In life you need patience and most of all tolerance, especially if you are not Italian and live in Italy. Because out of the chaos in life you sometimes find something good with a few surprises along the way.
What was the unintended surpise of being stuck on a bus for 7+ hours with people I saw 2x a week, but hardly knew? I got to know them better, and they weren't so bad at all. Overall they were a very nice and interesting group. Even the 25 year guys who sat in the back of the bus, who talked constantly during our classes and drove me crazy, weren't so bad. On the ride back to Chiavari, they passed around a bottle of grappa and shared it with anyone who wanted a taste. The boys also serenaded us and made what could have been a boring journey a very entertaining one.
Best of all, I spent the day doing something I wanted to do for a change and shared the experience with my friend Joanne. After all, if she hadn't asked me to take the course with her I wouldn't have learned all I have or been there yesterday for all the fun!! Thank you Joanne!
Maybe the title of this post should be "from worse to better" Nah! The good never lasts. Today I woke up alone, Sam and the girls are still in Germany, and went to upload my fotos from my "gita" from hell yesterday and to blog, what do you know? No network connection!!! I have been off line all day!!!! Horrors!!! Bad to worse - to better - then to bad.....
Sums up my life in Italy, a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs, but always an exciting ride....
Here is the link for more photos
and for the vineyard if you would like to take a look.
Buona Sera!
Krista
Friday, December 02, 2005
The Golden Donut!
Or, if you are from NY like me, a Golden Bagel....
I was surfing the news and came across this, I had to blog about it.
I am not sure I get the hole represents an Italian Piazza. The piazzas I have seen have been closer to either the form of a square or rectangle. Never round. Unless, you want to call the new EU mandated traffic roundabouts being installed all over Italy, piazzas. Anyway, a circle does look better than a square. Which is most likely the reason they chose a circle. But, if I can add my opinion, hey, it is my blog, I can say what I want. This gold medal has an uncanny resemblance to the gettone (tokens) I used to buy to put in the kiddy rides along the lungomare in Chiavari. I wonder if I am the only one in Italy that has the courage to say that? Those silly rides can be found in any city all over Italy and so can those gettone.
You know what it also reminds me of? Now this is going back, and maybe only Sam's family will get it. Is my niece Caitlin, who I spoke about in my previous post. When she was a baby and teething, she was a misery. Sonja, her mom, would put on a rope one of these Finnish hard round biscuits, similar to a pretzel, and hang it around her neck. Caitlin, when she pleased, would chew on the pretzel thing all day long much to her mom's relief. See, where I am going here with this? I wonder how many other Finnish moms did the same thing with these teething biscuits and their fussy teething babies and if they have seen the new Olympic Medal design?
If you read my prior post about the weather, it is now thundering and lightning! Can the weather get anyworse?
A tardi!
I was surfing the news and came across this, I had to blog about it.
TURIN, Italy --No, athletes at the Winter Games are not being rewarded with gold doughnuts -- it just looks that way.
The new medal design for the Olympics in Turin, unveiled Wednesday, features a hole in the center of the metal disc.
While it may appear as though biathletes have been using them for target practice, the medals are actually meant to represent the open space of an Italian piazza, or city square.
The medals have the Turin logo on one side and images from various sports and disciplines on the other. The red silk ribbon that goes around the winner's neck is looped through the hole in the center.
"They are marvelous medals, they represent what we expect from Italy -- creativity," said Jean-Claude Killy, chairman of the IOC coordination commission.
Eight people collaborate in the 10-hour process to make each medal. Some 1,026 medals will be made for the Olympics, plus 648 Paralympics medals and 35,000 commemorative medals. The Turin Games run from Feb. 10 to Feb 26.
I am not sure I get the hole represents an Italian Piazza. The piazzas I have seen have been closer to either the form of a square or rectangle. Never round. Unless, you want to call the new EU mandated traffic roundabouts being installed all over Italy, piazzas. Anyway, a circle does look better than a square. Which is most likely the reason they chose a circle. But, if I can add my opinion, hey, it is my blog, I can say what I want. This gold medal has an uncanny resemblance to the gettone (tokens) I used to buy to put in the kiddy rides along the lungomare in Chiavari. I wonder if I am the only one in Italy that has the courage to say that? Those silly rides can be found in any city all over Italy and so can those gettone.
You know what it also reminds me of? Now this is going back, and maybe only Sam's family will get it. Is my niece Caitlin, who I spoke about in my previous post. When she was a baby and teething, she was a misery. Sonja, her mom, would put on a rope one of these Finnish hard round biscuits, similar to a pretzel, and hang it around her neck. Caitlin, when she pleased, would chew on the pretzel thing all day long much to her mom's relief. See, where I am going here with this? I wonder how many other Finnish moms did the same thing with these teething biscuits and their fussy teething babies and if they have seen the new Olympic Medal design?
If you read my prior post about the weather, it is now thundering and lightning! Can the weather get anyworse?
A tardi!
What a Difference a Day Makes!
Walking home from my sommelier class late last night the sky was clear and full of shining stars. When I woke up this morning the clouds had returned and it is raining yet again. I am certain when the low clouds lift there will be more snow on the hill tops behind Chiavari. The forecast for this weekend, is more of the same. Lucky me. I have been anxiously waiting for first weekend in December. Why? Because tomorrow I am going on a field trip to a vineyard in Piemonte with my sommelier class. The weather predicted? Snow and rain! Should be fun fun fun. The coach bus leaves Chiavari at 7:30 am and it is a 2 hour drive on a very twisty autostrade (highway) though the Appenine to the foothills of the Alps - last stop, Barola country. I will be sure to blog all about, that is, it if I make there and back again in one piece.
I just said goodbye to Sam. He is in the car and on his way to pick up the girls. They are catching a flight from Pisa to Frankfurt, Germany. Sam, all by himself, is taking the girls to see his sister and her family who live there. Keeping with the weather theme....There is snow on the ground in Frankfurt and more forecast for this weekend. Why is Sam dragging the girls to Frankfurt? Because Caitlin, our niece, is starring in a production of Annie at the local theater. She is playing Miss Hannigan. It will be a blast for Sarah and Anna to see their cousin on stage and a treat for Caitlin to have her cousins in the audience. I only hope that Sam encounters no problems at the airport and all flights are on time and the flight to Frankfurt is not cancelled! As I type this, the rain is falling even harder, the wind has kicked up and the skies are getting even darker! Sam and the girls are flying Ryanair, a deep discount airline. Their customer service is what you might expect from a bus company. In otherwords, there is none. The airline does all sorts of crazy things at the last moment in order to cut costs, like merge two flights into one! You might find yourself going to Genoa with an unscheduled stop over in Turin! This is "No Frills" to the extreme. And, don't even think of getting to the airport late or expect any considerations for the weather or traffic. If you are not at the airport and checked in by 30 minutes before the closing of the flight. You get bumped. And that is it. No refund, no later flight, no exceptions! Believe me, it happened to us in London's Stansted Airport. We were late by one minute and we were bumped. All I can say, it was a very expensive stressful flight back to Italy. But, if they cancel the flight. Ryanair just refunds your ticket. No big deal, they only cost 50 euros each anyway. But, just try to find another flight at any price at the last minute. Who knows I might see Sam tonight? If the weather keeps up....He might be home for dinner!
Krista
Thursday, December 01, 2005
December 1st in Chiavari
Pictured here is one of the best reasons to live on Mediterranean. All week the skies can pour rain, it can even snow though winter hasn't officially arrived, but when the storm clouds clear, this is what returns. Beautiful golden sunshine. And I am not talking about what you see when Sam bends over to pick something up....
After posting this morning I realized either I was going to be cranky and tired all day or, I had to get out and stretch the legs. Seeing that this was finally turning into day without rain, Sam and I took a brisk walk to meet Ian at his local bar. We had a big cappuccino, which always manages to pick our spirits up, and a nice chat with Ian and Silvia. After, Sam and I strolled down the walking path along the River Entella which ends onto the beach in Chiavari. As we walked along the rocky shore picking up some pretty white stones for decorating, yes Sam was in touch with his feminine side today, we both shook our heads in disbelief. Neither of us could get over how much debris had washed up onto the shore during the last storms. Don't people know by now that not everything sinks in sea???...Especially plastic bottles!!! And, is anyone ever going to clean up the mess??? But, I digress. By now it was noon time and the sun was warm and the air fresh, I was feeling hungry and I had enough of left over turkey. How many days can you really eat leftovers? So, we stopped at a nice bar along the lungomare (seafront) and had a big salad for lunch. Lovely. Then Sam had to dash off to La Spezia for a meeting and I went home for a much needed cat nap. Ain't life great?
This afternoon on my way back from picking up the girls from school I took this photo with my mobile phone. An amazing sunset, isn't it? Made me think that I should always keep my camera handy and the battery charged! As I sit here and quickly blog this, the colors of the sky are changing into even more dramatic shades of orange and purple and soon the light of the day will be gone.....
Which brings me to this thought. I love taking photos and even more sharing them with you all. Today, I wanted to take a photo of the snow on the mountains behind Chiavari and post it. But, as good as our digital camera is, it has it's limitations. I am never satisfied with my distance shots because the zoom is not powerful enough. And don't let me start ranting about the indoor shots because, I have to tell you the built in flash is very hard to control and most of the time is too bright.. Not that my camera isn't a good one or handy, but.... Sometimes it frustrates me just like my old Kodak Instamatic did when I first started using it. Remember those? So here is a hint for Santa if he reads my blog. Oh come on, you know he does, you even know his real name.... For Christmas, Krista would like a fancy shmancy digital camera. Please? I have my eye on the Canon EOS 20D - with all the latest bells and whistles! I have been a real good girl. Really I have.
Krista
After posting this morning I realized either I was going to be cranky and tired all day or, I had to get out and stretch the legs. Seeing that this was finally turning into day without rain, Sam and I took a brisk walk to meet Ian at his local bar. We had a big cappuccino, which always manages to pick our spirits up, and a nice chat with Ian and Silvia. After, Sam and I strolled down the walking path along the River Entella which ends onto the beach in Chiavari. As we walked along the rocky shore picking up some pretty white stones for decorating, yes Sam was in touch with his feminine side today, we both shook our heads in disbelief. Neither of us could get over how much debris had washed up onto the shore during the last storms. Don't people know by now that not everything sinks in sea???...Especially plastic bottles!!! And, is anyone ever going to clean up the mess??? But, I digress. By now it was noon time and the sun was warm and the air fresh, I was feeling hungry and I had enough of left over turkey. How many days can you really eat leftovers? So, we stopped at a nice bar along the lungomare (seafront) and had a big salad for lunch. Lovely. Then Sam had to dash off to La Spezia for a meeting and I went home for a much needed cat nap. Ain't life great?
This afternoon on my way back from picking up the girls from school I took this photo with my mobile phone. An amazing sunset, isn't it? Made me think that I should always keep my camera handy and the battery charged! As I sit here and quickly blog this, the colors of the sky are changing into even more dramatic shades of orange and purple and soon the light of the day will be gone.....
Which brings me to this thought. I love taking photos and even more sharing them with you all. Today, I wanted to take a photo of the snow on the mountains behind Chiavari and post it. But, as good as our digital camera is, it has it's limitations. I am never satisfied with my distance shots because the zoom is not powerful enough. And don't let me start ranting about the indoor shots because, I have to tell you the built in flash is very hard to control and most of the time is too bright.. Not that my camera isn't a good one or handy, but.... Sometimes it frustrates me just like my old Kodak Instamatic did when I first started using it. Remember those? So here is a hint for Santa if he reads my blog. Oh come on, you know he does, you even know his real name.... For Christmas, Krista would like a fancy shmancy digital camera. Please? I have my eye on the Canon EOS 20D - with all the latest bells and whistles! I have been a real good girl. Really I have.
Krista
Good Bye Grandpa!
After a 5 am wake up call this morning and the mad dash to get Dad to the airport on time, now I am ready for a nap!! Or at least another hot cappuccino to keep me awake.
As usual at 6:30 in the morning with 5 flights taking off in less than an hour, the check in at the airport was in it's usual state of chaos! Meaning everyone was trying to jump the queue, or in American English, cut the line. Even at the security check there was an old man trying to get ahead of my Dad. He was so anxious to get on his flight, which incidentally was departing at the same time as my dad, he politely asked to go before my dad. When that didn't work, he kept pushing so close to my dad that he looked like he was going to push him over and jump ahead, or perhaps kiss him!!
As I write this, Dad is on a flight headed for Paris to catch a flight to New York. An amazing feat for an 80 year old man. I wish to have that much spunk and "fashion sense" left when I am that age.
As usual at 6:30 in the morning with 5 flights taking off in less than an hour, the check in at the airport was in it's usual state of chaos! Meaning everyone was trying to jump the queue, or in American English, cut the line. Even at the security check there was an old man trying to get ahead of my Dad. He was so anxious to get on his flight, which incidentally was departing at the same time as my dad, he politely asked to go before my dad. When that didn't work, he kept pushing so close to my dad that he looked like he was going to push him over and jump ahead, or perhaps kiss him!!
As I write this, Dad is on a flight headed for Paris to catch a flight to New York. An amazing feat for an 80 year old man. I wish to have that much spunk and "fashion sense" left when I am that age.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Mal Tempo!
For the last few days the weather in Europe has reaped havoc! My sister in Law in Frankfurt woke to a blanket of snow on Sunday and the weather has not been any better since. The rivers have been rising and the snow has been falling. Last night I woke to the sound of hail and wind. According to the forecast we will have a short reprieve and then the bad weather will return!
Dad goes back to NY on Thursday. Sam and the girls are off to Frankfurt on Friday. Me, I am off Saturday on a field trip with my Sommelier course to the Barola region of Piemonte. The weather has to improve. It just has too!
Krista
BAD WEATHER STOPS FOR NOW, TIBER UNDER CONTROL
(AGI) - Rome, Italy, Nov. 28th - Bad weather seems to have temporarily stopped in Italy, although another disturbance is expected. It's snowing in Liguria, even at low altitudes. Snow on the motorway A7 Genoa-Milan from Busalla and on the A26 Voltri-Santhia' northbound from Masone. The Tiber is under control: the high level will last all week, but it will be monitored by technicians that will empty the dam of Corbara. The situation in Fiumicino is improving. In Tuscany the provinces of Arezzo, Pisa and Florence have been hit. Floods in Naples, rain and hailstones in Calabria since yesterday afternoon. (AGI) -
Dad goes back to NY on Thursday. Sam and the girls are off to Frankfurt on Friday. Me, I am off Saturday on a field trip with my Sommelier course to the Barola region of Piemonte. The weather has to improve. It just has too!
Krista
One More Time....
Here is Dad getting ready to tuck into his Thanksgiving Day feast. Look how happy he looks to finally be sitting down to dinner. Poor old Dad, who by the way just turned 80, flies to Italy from New York every year just to share Thanksgiving dinner with us. What do I do? I invite the United Nations to join us. At least that is how Joanne describes it. Read her blog, the link is in the sidebar. My suffering father was up at 7:30 Sunday morning to help me dress, stuff and put the turkey in the oven. Then he was slicing and dicing. He even peeled 10lbs of potatos! I must give a big round of applause to my dad. Without him, I couldn't have ever made such a feast for so many!
On a side note. I have been having some fun trying to teach myself HTML and CSS. Hey, you are never too old to learn something new! My frequent vistors might notice my handy work and a few additions to my sidebar. What I have really had a kick with is the site meter I added a couple of weeks ago. Now we can all see how many visitors stop on by to read the blog. How do I know I have frequent visitors? I can see who you are and what country you are from. So, now that we all know we are here. How about leaving a comment once in a while, even if it is just to say hello.
A tardi!
Krista
A Bizarre Bazaar!
After rolling out of bed yesterday with my belly still full of turkey and pie, I got dressed and took the girls with me to the American International Women's Club of Genoa's annual Christmas Bazaar. Though the girls had to skip school, I thought it would be a good experience for them to help raise money for a good cause. Sarah pitched in and helped sell books at one table and Anna worked the crowd trying to sell assorted items and eventually helped sell at the handicrafts table. Most helpful of all, they spent my money at various tables! Their favorite one was the Bottle Table, a lottery where you buy a ticket and get a number then find the prize that has your number. The girls won 2 bottles of cleaning product, shampoo, soda, then finally, 2 bottles of wine and one of Whiskey! Sarah and Anna even brought their own money and bought themselves some lovely things. Anna even found a kilt to wear for Christmas for only 2 euros! Sarah bought an edition of Emily Post's Etiquette published in 1956! Go take a look over at the event at my home page. You might like to also check out what the AIWC of Genoa is all about and even discover more about Genoa!
Hopefully by next week the final accounting will be done and we will know how much we money raised for charity. By the way....FAWCO, the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas in being nominated this year for a Nobel Prize! This is in recognition for the charity work they do all over the world and money raised and donated to numerable good causes. If you feel the need to be giving this holiday season here is the link to the FAWCO site.
Ciao for Now!
Krista
Hopefully by next week the final accounting will be done and we will know how much we money raised for charity. By the way....FAWCO, the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas in being nominated this year for a Nobel Prize! This is in recognition for the charity work they do all over the world and money raised and donated to numerable good causes. If you feel the need to be giving this holiday season here is the link to the FAWCO site.
Ciao for Now!
Krista
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Eatin' Turkey!
Here we all are at the big Pig Out!! Dinner was a complete success. We do hope that all had a great time because Sam and I know we did. In all, we were 28. The kids were well behaved, in fact, we hardly saw them at all. The turkey was succulent and tasty and we left the table with our bellies full. Thank you all for your help and for joining us to make this a fantastic day. Most of all. I have to thank Sam for doing the dishes and Barbara for her pumpkin pie. And Ian....your Brunello was mighty fine too.
I am pooped from cooking and cleaning and I just want to sit down and veg on the couch with Sam. Before I do that, here is the link to my home page, go and take a look at the photos. I am off to watch the BBC and "We've got a new life!" I love to watch other people's misery when they move to another country, tonight, an English family who moves to Provence...How cliche'!
Buona Sera!
Krista
I am pooped from cooking and cleaning and I just want to sit down and veg on the couch with Sam. Before I do that, here is the link to my home page, go and take a look at the photos. I am off to watch the BBC and "We've got a new life!" I love to watch other people's misery when they move to another country, tonight, an English family who moves to Provence...How cliche'!
Buona Sera!
Krista
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Talkin' Turkey
Here are the kids at last year's annual Crockford Family Thanksgiving Feast!
Today we are gearing up for another pig out at tomorrow's Thanksgiving Dinner. We must carry on with tradition, no? Dad has arrived from the states and we have invited all of our dearest friends from Chiavari - and their families - to join us for dinner. The turkey is ordered, the vegetables are ready to chop, and the dessert is in oven as I type. Seated at the table we will be 28 in all, 13 adults and 15 kids ranging from a 1 year old to a 13 years old! Yikes!!! We are going to be out numbered!
Wish you all could be here to share this day with us.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all . It is simplicity in itself. A day where we cook a good meal, share it with friends and family, and reflect on the bounty that life gives us. Maybe, we even reach out a hand to a someone who needs it. Girlfriend, I am thinking of you.....Be strong.
I know that my American friends already had their turkey day and if they keep with American tradition, they filled their bellies and hit the shops yesterday, A.K.A. Black Friday, to catch all the big Christmas sales!
And just for you Barbara....
Gobble Gobble,
Krista
Today we are gearing up for another pig out at tomorrow's Thanksgiving Dinner. We must carry on with tradition, no? Dad has arrived from the states and we have invited all of our dearest friends from Chiavari - and their families - to join us for dinner. The turkey is ordered, the vegetables are ready to chop, and the dessert is in oven as I type. Seated at the table we will be 28 in all, 13 adults and 15 kids ranging from a 1 year old to a 13 years old! Yikes!!! We are going to be out numbered!
Wish you all could be here to share this day with us.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all . It is simplicity in itself. A day where we cook a good meal, share it with friends and family, and reflect on the bounty that life gives us. Maybe, we even reach out a hand to a someone who needs it. Girlfriend, I am thinking of you.....Be strong.
I know that my American friends already had their turkey day and if they keep with American tradition, they filled their bellies and hit the shops yesterday, A.K.A. Black Friday, to catch all the big Christmas sales!
And just for you Barbara....
Gobble Gobble,
Krista
Monday, November 21, 2005
Weekend in the Monferratto
Saturday afternoon we headed for the hills of Piemonte looking for infamous tartufo bianco d'Alba and a bit of antiquing. We stayed at Chris and Nicola Norton's beautiful hotel, La Villa, which is always a lovely experience. In their ever gracious hospitality, they made a dinner reservation for us at a one star rated Michelin restaurant, San Marco, in nearby Canelli. Being high season, back to the tartufo bianco (white truffle), this booking was made a week in advance. Off we went with our appetites only to walk into the restaurant and find that it was booked for a private party!!!! A bit a confusion ensued and phone calls back to the hotel to make sure we were at the right place. Next thing I knew Sam was being led back into the dining room and up some stairs to the owner's living room! There they were setting up dinner for us and in a flash we were all upstairs sitting down for the most memorable meal of my life, which also included updates from the Roma versus Juventus soccer match from the nonno as he passed by from time to time to check up on us. Upon returning to the hotel we learned that when Nicola phoned to make the reservation, she spoke to the senile old nonna (grandmother) who is not living in our reality! The owner of San Marco must have had this happen to him before and handled the situation with grace and humility and we enjoyed a meal that none of us will ever forget. My dad can go home to NY and tell everyone he has eaten dinner in a real Italian's home! I on the other hand received a written thank you from the owners for our cooperation and understanding! Imagine that! Go on over to my home page and you can see some of the plates that we were served and our happy faces!
Sunday morning we were off to the Antique Market in Nizza Monferatto for a little shopping and to visit with our friends, Oddile and Rosanna, who we buy many of our antiques from. The girls stayed back at the hotel and played with the Norton's daughters, Kelley and Gemma. We strolled the market, bought a few items then met up with Oddile and Rosanna. What was the first thing they asked us? Where were we going for Sunday lunch? Out were the cell phones and next thing we knew we were on our way to another restaurant for a outstanding meal. Sarah and Anna were no sooner dropped off at the market we were in the car and heading for another feast. This time we found ourselves eating at Il Quartino, which is family owned and specializes in the famous Piemontese dish, Bolitto Misto! Yet again we were stuffed to the gills and rolled out of the dining room screaming uncle! We must of been served at the minimum 9 different plates of various typical dishes from the region under the watchful eyes of the truffle hunters and their faithful dogs in the paintings covering the dining room walls!
If you haven't noticed the focus on the food, you haven't really read this post. After living in Italy for as long as I have now, I have come to realize that Sunday afternoon lunch is the most important meal of the week! It borders on a religion for some Italians. It is not uncommon to sit around a table from about 1 p.m. till 4 eating till you cannot anymore. What is wonderful about this tradition? It gives the suffering housewife a break from cooking and it also gathers family and friends together in a warm and inviting setting. Is there anything better in this world than good food, a good bottle of wine, and sharing it with the people closest to you? I think not.
Last thought, we were ever so lucky in the weather, it was clear skies and not too cold. Normally this time of the year the skies in Piemonte are gray and the air cold and wet. And, we started to make inquires about real estate for sale in the area.....
A tardi!
Krista
Sunday morning we were off to the Antique Market in Nizza Monferatto for a little shopping and to visit with our friends, Oddile and Rosanna, who we buy many of our antiques from. The girls stayed back at the hotel and played with the Norton's daughters, Kelley and Gemma. We strolled the market, bought a few items then met up with Oddile and Rosanna. What was the first thing they asked us? Where were we going for Sunday lunch? Out were the cell phones and next thing we knew we were on our way to another restaurant for a outstanding meal. Sarah and Anna were no sooner dropped off at the market we were in the car and heading for another feast. This time we found ourselves eating at Il Quartino, which is family owned and specializes in the famous Piemontese dish, Bolitto Misto! Yet again we were stuffed to the gills and rolled out of the dining room screaming uncle! We must of been served at the minimum 9 different plates of various typical dishes from the region under the watchful eyes of the truffle hunters and their faithful dogs in the paintings covering the dining room walls!
If you haven't noticed the focus on the food, you haven't really read this post. After living in Italy for as long as I have now, I have come to realize that Sunday afternoon lunch is the most important meal of the week! It borders on a religion for some Italians. It is not uncommon to sit around a table from about 1 p.m. till 4 eating till you cannot anymore. What is wonderful about this tradition? It gives the suffering housewife a break from cooking and it also gathers family and friends together in a warm and inviting setting. Is there anything better in this world than good food, a good bottle of wine, and sharing it with the people closest to you? I think not.
Last thought, we were ever so lucky in the weather, it was clear skies and not too cold. Normally this time of the year the skies in Piemonte are gray and the air cold and wet. And, we started to make inquires about real estate for sale in the area.....
A tardi!
Krista
Friday, November 18, 2005
Mangia Mangia!
Here is our little Anna tucking into a huge plate of roast pork and french fries! My dad, who was sitting next to her, could not believe his eyes when Anna finished her plate and ordered dessert!
Following up on the previous post, Jack has noticed how much more pleasant it is to enjoy his morning cappuccino and have a nice meal out for this is his first visit to Italy since the smoking ban went into effect. Though like most cities that have banned smoking, you trip over many people smoking outdoors, but at least you don't need to sit next to them while you are trying to enjoy a meal. A surprising upside to the ban, since you can still smoke outside, the bars and cafes have left the outdoor seating set up even as it grows colder, and some have actually added propane heaters!
This evening Sarah is going to her first opera! Gabriele, Sarah's violin teacher, is taking Sarah and Virginia along with her to the Carlo Felice opera house for this evening's performance of "Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Gabriele is playing violin in the orchestra which includes her husband and brother who play the violin as well. It should be a fantastic experience for all. Seeing that Sarah and Vi will be at the theater early with the musicians they will able to hear the orchestra warm up and the opera singers cue on stage! The girls will be meeting up with the rest of their classmates for the show. If you really want to be cultured, click here for the history and story of the opera and composer!
Tomorrow morning we are leaving for Piemonte. Ahh... isn't life grand?!
Following up on the previous post, Jack has noticed how much more pleasant it is to enjoy his morning cappuccino and have a nice meal out for this is his first visit to Italy since the smoking ban went into effect. Though like most cities that have banned smoking, you trip over many people smoking outdoors, but at least you don't need to sit next to them while you are trying to enjoy a meal. A surprising upside to the ban, since you can still smoke outside, the bars and cafes have left the outdoor seating set up even as it grows colder, and some have actually added propane heaters!
This evening Sarah is going to her first opera! Gabriele, Sarah's violin teacher, is taking Sarah and Virginia along with her to the Carlo Felice opera house for this evening's performance of "Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Gabriele is playing violin in the orchestra which includes her husband and brother who play the violin as well. It should be a fantastic experience for all. Seeing that Sarah and Vi will be at the theater early with the musicians they will able to hear the orchestra warm up and the opera singers cue on stage! The girls will be meeting up with the rest of their classmates for the show. If you really want to be cultured, click here for the history and story of the opera and composer!
Tomorrow morning we are leaving for Piemonte. Ahh... isn't life grand?!
Vietato Fumare
Wow, who would ever think the laws banning smoking in all of Italy would actually decrease the numbers of smokers?! I thought the ban only drove the smokers outside. I have to add that since the law went into effect, dining out is a much more pleasurable experience.
Italy's smoking ban has led to an 8% drop in tobacco consumption
Roger Dobson
The restriction of smoking in public places in Italy has led to an 8% drop in cigarette consumption, a new study says.
And the ban on smoking in indoor public places has been almost universally accepted and does not seem to have had an adverse effect on business, say the authors of the study, which was published online ahead of print publication on 7 November in the Annals of Oncology (http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/, doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdj070[Abstract/Free Full Text]).
"The results of our study on the first extensive smoking ban in a large country show the advantages of smoke-free legislation, which may have major public health implications," wrote the authors, who come from a number of centres and organisations in Milan and Rome, including the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, the Istituto DOXA, and Gallup International.
On 10 January this year the Italian government banned smoking in all indoor public places, including cafes, restaurants (except for a few with separate and regulated smoking areas), airports, and railway stations, as well as in all public and private workplaces.
The authors also compared smoking consumption data from nationally representative, population based surveys and from official sales figures.
Data from official legal sales data show that 28.3 million kg of cigarettes were sold in Italy in the period January to April 2005. In the same period last year 31.1 million kg were sold.
"This corresponds to a decline in cigarette sales by 8.9%. This compares well with a 7.6% fall in consumption revealed by the comparison between results from the 2005 survey and those from a companion survey conducted in March-April 2004," the authors wrote.
The fall in consumption from 2004 to 2005 was 23% for the 15-24 year age group.
Italy's smoking ban has led to an 8% drop in tobacco consumption
Roger Dobson
The restriction of smoking in public places in Italy has led to an 8% drop in cigarette consumption, a new study says.
And the ban on smoking in indoor public places has been almost universally accepted and does not seem to have had an adverse effect on business, say the authors of the study, which was published online ahead of print publication on 7 November in the Annals of Oncology (http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/, doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdj070[Abstract/Free Full Text]).
"The results of our study on the first extensive smoking ban in a large country show the advantages of smoke-free legislation, which may have major public health implications," wrote the authors, who come from a number of centres and organisations in Milan and Rome, including the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, the Istituto DOXA, and Gallup International.
On 10 January this year the Italian government banned smoking in all indoor public places, including cafes, restaurants (except for a few with separate and regulated smoking areas), airports, and railway stations, as well as in all public and private workplaces.
The authors also compared smoking consumption data from nationally representative, population based surveys and from official sales figures.
Data from official legal sales data show that 28.3 million kg of cigarettes were sold in Italy in the period January to April 2005. In the same period last year 31.1 million kg were sold.
"This corresponds to a decline in cigarette sales by 8.9%. This compares well with a 7.6% fall in consumption revealed by the comparison between results from the 2005 survey and those from a companion survey conducted in March-April 2004," the authors wrote.
The fall in consumption from 2004 to 2005 was 23% for the 15-24 year age group.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
A Day in Genova!
Here is old Jack in front of the alleged childhood home of Christopher Columbus! I dragged him to Genova this morning to see the sights. We walked and walked, had a cappuccino or two, then, capped off the day with lunch. We met up with Sam, who had meetings in Genova, and headed back to Chiavari. Dad is now on the couch sleeping, I mean, how much walking can an 80 year old take? Me, I am off to Sarah's parent teacher conference. I hope to hear only good reports....
A presto!
Krista
A presto!
Krista
Monday, November 14, 2005
Wow!
Having just read this little piece of news, I am shocked. Though if I think about it, no, I am not. Having struggled with getting through to very thick teachers and seeing exactly how the education system here in Italy works. I am not surprised. I have to wonder how many of these "illiterates" have a learning disability/difference that was never addressed?
EDUCATION: NEARLY 6 MILLION ITALIANS ARE ILLITERATE
(AGI) - Rome, Nov 14 - In Italy, nearly 6 million people (11.11pct of the population) are illiterate, a study conducted by the National Anti-Illiteracy Union reveals. The conclusions of the study were presented this morning at a meeting featuring the likes of former Education Minister and reknown linguist Tullio De Mauro and Senator and former RAI CEO Sergio Zavoli. Based on figures taken from the latest census (2001), the study shows that on top of the 'education ladder' is the 7.51pct of Italians who hold a university degree, followed by 25.85 pct who hold a high school degree. Another 30.12pct of the population holds a junior high-school certificate, whereas 36.2pct have an elementary school certificate or, as is the case with nearly 6,000 Italians, can be regarded as illiterate. (AGI) -
141829 NOV 05
And maybe the translater of this page should brush up on his English. In Italian one thousand is the word, mille, which is a false friend of the English, million. The last number should be, 6,000,000. Six million. According to the World Fact Book, there are as of July 2005, 58,103,033 people living in Italy. I have no opinion. I am just writing the facts.
Krista
EDUCATION: NEARLY 6 MILLION ITALIANS ARE ILLITERATE
(AGI) - Rome, Nov 14 - In Italy, nearly 6 million people (11.11pct of the population) are illiterate, a study conducted by the National Anti-Illiteracy Union reveals. The conclusions of the study were presented this morning at a meeting featuring the likes of former Education Minister and reknown linguist Tullio De Mauro and Senator and former RAI CEO Sergio Zavoli. Based on figures taken from the latest census (2001), the study shows that on top of the 'education ladder' is the 7.51pct of Italians who hold a university degree, followed by 25.85 pct who hold a high school degree. Another 30.12pct of the population holds a junior high-school certificate, whereas 36.2pct have an elementary school certificate or, as is the case with nearly 6,000 Italians, can be regarded as illiterate. (AGI) -
141829 NOV 05
And maybe the translater of this page should brush up on his English. In Italian one thousand is the word, mille, which is a false friend of the English, million. The last number should be, 6,000,000. Six million. According to the World Fact Book, there are as of July 2005, 58,103,033 people living in Italy. I have no opinion. I am just writing the facts.
Krista
A Truffle Not To Be Trifled With!
Yesterday was the big auction for the rare white truffle from Alba.
Giant truffle fetches ?62,000 in auction
By Marco Giannangeli
(Filed: 14/11/2005)
The world's most expensive truffle sold for more than ?60,000 yesterday after an international auction dominated by a handful of celebrity chefs.
The Alba truffle: the identity of the winning bidder is still unknown
Weighing 2lb 10oz, the rare white Alba truffle, which is only found in Piedmont, Italy, for two months of the year, was described by auctioneers as "the size of a small handbag".
Buyers, linked by satellite, gathered in Shanghai, Honk Kong, Italy and London for the live event organised by the Piedmontese tourist board in aid of charity.
The Italian chef Umberto Vezzoli's Fiore restaurant in St James's was chosen as the British venue, where more than 200 guests - ranging from the Belgian Ambassador Baron de Gruben to a group of "high-profile lawyers" - enjoyed Champagne and a menu that started with potato cream and white truffles and the atmosphere was of well-ordered Italian pandemonium.
Marco Pierre-White, who attended the event with his wife, Matti, and their daughter, Mirabell, bid successfully for four out of five truffles on offer in London, which will be served at his new Luciano restaurant. But the chef gave his last win - a 14oz truffle snapped up for ?4,000 - to his rival, Bruno Giorgi, of Mayfair's Sketch restaurant.
The culinary delicacy has long been a much sought-after ingredient, a fact supported by Gordon Ramsay's recent announcement to sell a pizza topped with white truffle for ?100 at his Maze restaurant.
Then the satellite links started to relay the bidding on the mother of all truffles, uncovered under an oak tree by specially trained dogs and being cherished like a new born baby at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, in Alba, 43 miles from Turin.
The joviality took on a hard edge when Antonio Signiorini, of the Consortia olive oil group, began to match the bids from the Ritz Carlton hotel in Hong Kong.
With the voice of William O'Reilly, the Christie's auctioneer and master of ceremony, raising by several octaves, Signiorini remained cool, and dropped out only when the bid reached ?57,000.
The identity of the bidder who finally scooped the giant truffle for 95,000 euros (?62,000) remained a mystery last night.
My dad is here visiting with us for a couple of weeks. Next weekend we are off to see what all the fuss about a truffle is and hopefully taste some of the lovely wines the region has to offer. We will be staying at our English friend's new hotel, "La Villa" smack in the heart of truffle country. If you ever want to visit the region, I strongly suggest you stay at their wonderful bed and breakfast. By the way, question mark should be a British pound sign. I have no idea how to correct it. I tried, but, no luck.
Krista
Giant truffle fetches ?62,000 in auction
By Marco Giannangeli
(Filed: 14/11/2005)
The world's most expensive truffle sold for more than ?60,000 yesterday after an international auction dominated by a handful of celebrity chefs.
The Alba truffle: the identity of the winning bidder is still unknown
Weighing 2lb 10oz, the rare white Alba truffle, which is only found in Piedmont, Italy, for two months of the year, was described by auctioneers as "the size of a small handbag".
Buyers, linked by satellite, gathered in Shanghai, Honk Kong, Italy and London for the live event organised by the Piedmontese tourist board in aid of charity.
The Italian chef Umberto Vezzoli's Fiore restaurant in St James's was chosen as the British venue, where more than 200 guests - ranging from the Belgian Ambassador Baron de Gruben to a group of "high-profile lawyers" - enjoyed Champagne and a menu that started with potato cream and white truffles and the atmosphere was of well-ordered Italian pandemonium.
Marco Pierre-White, who attended the event with his wife, Matti, and their daughter, Mirabell, bid successfully for four out of five truffles on offer in London, which will be served at his new Luciano restaurant. But the chef gave his last win - a 14oz truffle snapped up for ?4,000 - to his rival, Bruno Giorgi, of Mayfair's Sketch restaurant.
The culinary delicacy has long been a much sought-after ingredient, a fact supported by Gordon Ramsay's recent announcement to sell a pizza topped with white truffle for ?100 at his Maze restaurant.
Then the satellite links started to relay the bidding on the mother of all truffles, uncovered under an oak tree by specially trained dogs and being cherished like a new born baby at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, in Alba, 43 miles from Turin.
The joviality took on a hard edge when Antonio Signiorini, of the Consortia olive oil group, began to match the bids from the Ritz Carlton hotel in Hong Kong.
With the voice of William O'Reilly, the Christie's auctioneer and master of ceremony, raising by several octaves, Signiorini remained cool, and dropped out only when the bid reached ?57,000.
The identity of the bidder who finally scooped the giant truffle for 95,000 euros (?62,000) remained a mystery last night.
My dad is here visiting with us for a couple of weeks. Next weekend we are off to see what all the fuss about a truffle is and hopefully taste some of the lovely wines the region has to offer. We will be staying at our English friend's new hotel, "La Villa" smack in the heart of truffle country. If you ever want to visit the region, I strongly suggest you stay at their wonderful bed and breakfast. By the way, question mark should be a British pound sign. I have no idea how to correct it. I tried, but, no luck.
Krista
Friday, November 11, 2005
Art and Erotica
Ok. Now I have got your attention. I had to blog this nonsense on art and the human reaction to the nude form.
"For tourists here, the classical nude can seem like wallpaper, one particularly abundant commodity in the full Italian experience, to be chased then checked off somewhere between Chianti and Santa Croce.
But Dr. Graziella Magherini, a top psychiatrist in Florence, urges caution all the same. The nude, she warns, can be dangerous to one's mental health."
Click here and read the entire article.
What is the implication? People cannot handle the nude form? What about all those surfing on the web for their daily kicks? Hmmmm..... Seems like dodgy science to me. Or maybe the museums are desparate for entrance fees, so, they are resorting to the tried and surest form of advertising. SEX. Ooh.....
Krista
"For tourists here, the classical nude can seem like wallpaper, one particularly abundant commodity in the full Italian experience, to be chased then checked off somewhere between Chianti and Santa Croce.
But Dr. Graziella Magherini, a top psychiatrist in Florence, urges caution all the same. The nude, she warns, can be dangerous to one's mental health."
Click here and read the entire article.
What is the implication? People cannot handle the nude form? What about all those surfing on the web for their daily kicks? Hmmmm..... Seems like dodgy science to me. Or maybe the museums are desparate for entrance fees, so, they are resorting to the tried and surest form of advertising. SEX. Ooh.....
Krista
Monday, November 07, 2005
Advice for All
Last week Sam and I went on our favorite walk from Santa Margarita to Portofino and had a picnic under the olive trees. Even though we must have been on this walking path dozens of times, we noticed this tile for the first time on a gate to one of the villas above Portofino.
Translated....
"Life is like a Christmas Tree, There is always someone who breaks the balls".
Very appropriate saying, no? I think my birthday boy brother would agree.
This time of the year in Liguria is olive harvesting time. As we were walking in and under the branches we happened upon the contadini (farmhands) picking the fruit from the trees. They still do it in the same manner as they did when the trees were first planted 100's of years ago. By hand. That means big ladders, nets, and lots of Porca Miserias.....
Click on over see how pretty the olive harvest can be.
Off to cook dinner for the kiddies....
Krista
Translated....
"Life is like a Christmas Tree, There is always someone who breaks the balls".
Very appropriate saying, no? I think my birthday boy brother would agree.
This time of the year in Liguria is olive harvesting time. As we were walking in and under the branches we happened upon the contadini (farmhands) picking the fruit from the trees. They still do it in the same manner as they did when the trees were first planted 100's of years ago. By hand. That means big ladders, nets, and lots of Porca Miserias.....
Click on over see how pretty the olive harvest can be.
Off to cook dinner for the kiddies....
Krista
Happy 50th Uncle Billy
Today is my big brother Billy's 50th birthday.....Caspita!!!!!! Wow!!!!! That means, gasp, my 40th is almost upon me!
All kidding aside, I hope he has a great day and his wife doesn't burn down the house lighting the candles on his cake!
Tanti auguri and Happy Birthday!
Krista
All kidding aside, I hope he has a great day and his wife doesn't burn down the house lighting the candles on his cake!
Tanti auguri and Happy Birthday!
Krista
Dinner at the Crockfords
October has been a very busy month. I have been negligent in my blogging. I apologize to my many fans.
October in Liguria has been warm and dare I say, summer like. We have been busy doing all sorts of outdoor activities, hiking, biking, and of course the best of all, bbqing at the Lewis's. All that fun all ended last week. A cool wind blew in from the north, and I am not just talking about the arrival of my mother in law, Halloween arrived and so did the rain! Wardrobes needed to be changed, the housework caught up on, and now finally my blogging.
To recap the last weeks of October, Sarah was invited to accompany a choir at a historic church in Lavagna, Sam started his own company, Saranna, and we had a lovely dinner party in our home. You can sneek a peek over at my homepage here.
A presto!
October in Liguria has been warm and dare I say, summer like. We have been busy doing all sorts of outdoor activities, hiking, biking, and of course the best of all, bbqing at the Lewis's. All that fun all ended last week. A cool wind blew in from the north, and I am not just talking about the arrival of my mother in law, Halloween arrived and so did the rain! Wardrobes needed to be changed, the housework caught up on, and now finally my blogging.
To recap the last weeks of October, Sarah was invited to accompany a choir at a historic church in Lavagna, Sam started his own company, Saranna, and we had a lovely dinner party in our home. You can sneek a peek over at my homepage here.
A presto!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Happy Halloween!
Here are Sarah and Anna with the scariest of disguises! Saturday night the girls dressed to kill and took off on their brooms to Barbara's for a night of fright. Sunday, Sarah was off with Virginia to Lerma for some more high jinx and Anna to Elenora's for.....well look at the next post.
Boo!
Krista
Boo!
Krista
The Patient!
Hello again! Been quite busy the last week or so. I fill you all in on our goings on later....
First, here is Anna Monday at Lago Maggiore. Notice the hand? We were visiting friends who have a home above the lake last weekend. No sooner we arrive and finish lunch all hell broke loose! Anna crashed into a wall with an ATV, a quad, or whatever you choose to call it. She fell off the bike and the bike fell on her. When we got the scene Anna was standing - although in a bit in shock. When we took a good look we saw that her left wrist was swelling up and didn't look too good. Off we went to Pronto Soccorso! We spent the rest of the afternoon in the emergency room. Luckily for Anna, she only sprained her wrist. They wrapped her up and off we went!
I know Dad, I should have known better than to let her get on one of those things.....
Krista
First, here is Anna Monday at Lago Maggiore. Notice the hand? We were visiting friends who have a home above the lake last weekend. No sooner we arrive and finish lunch all hell broke loose! Anna crashed into a wall with an ATV, a quad, or whatever you choose to call it. She fell off the bike and the bike fell on her. When we got the scene Anna was standing - although in a bit in shock. When we took a good look we saw that her left wrist was swelling up and didn't look too good. Off we went to Pronto Soccorso! We spent the rest of the afternoon in the emergency room. Luckily for Anna, she only sprained her wrist. They wrapped her up and off we went!
I know Dad, I should have known better than to let her get on one of those things.....
Krista
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Living on the Ceiling
As soon as Sam dashes off to Latvia, this lizard pops up. He has been hanging on the ceiling for the past few days. What he lives on, I have no idea, but as long as he stays in the living room he is welcome. The minute he shows up in one of our bedrooms - he gets the sole of my shoe!
Otherwise, it has been a tranquil start to the week. Sam left Sunday and is staying with Ed, Ieva, and little Alise, until Saturday. I keep looking for a post over at Ed's blog, so far, nothing. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, Friday Sam will be the hot shot director of his own Latvian registered company and can begin his new career.
Me, on the other hand, have been enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty house and been keeping myself plenty busy. Up until today the weather has been warm and sunny. I have been able to, catch up on the housecleaning, go jogging, and yesterday I decided to take a nice long bike ride through town and along the Lungo Entella. Somedays it is so interesting what you see when you step out of the house in Italy. Yesterday, while I was riding on my bike along the Entella (the river that cuts through Chiavari and Lavagna) I saw a man fly fishing in the full get up! Talk about strange. In the middle of two cities, fly fishing, in addition to, a herd of goats, a nativity display of smurfs, basil growing under its protective wraps, and many people walking arm in arm! Though I do wonder if the gentleman flyfishing actually caught anything!? Anyway, he looked darn good in his get up!
The highlight of my week, so far, has been the class I started last night. Joanne invited me to join her in a beginners level sommelier course. For those of you who don't know what that is, a sommelier is one who knows all there is to know about wine. This class is to teach us what a sommelier does, to learn about wine and how it is produced, and how to evauate and judge it. The best part of the class is at the end where they pour the wine to teach how to taste with our senses! We were given 3 glasses in short order!!!! By the time I got to the last one, I was feeling a wee bit light headed. I was delighted to find two other ladies I know from town and the group seems quite nice. The biggest surprise was - my Italian. I actually understood 95% of what was said! I only had to ask Joanne about one thing I missed! I was pretty proud of myself. I guess it helps that the strongest vocabulary I have in Italian, after anything related to the kids, is food and wine. My passions! Those of you who would like to learn more about being a sommelier go here if you read English or here if you read Italian.
Anna this week started drumming lessons and Sarah singing! Me, I am going out and buying myself earplugs....
Arriverderci!
Krista
Otherwise, it has been a tranquil start to the week. Sam left Sunday and is staying with Ed, Ieva, and little Alise, until Saturday. I keep looking for a post over at Ed's blog, so far, nothing. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, Friday Sam will be the hot shot director of his own Latvian registered company and can begin his new career.
Me, on the other hand, have been enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty house and been keeping myself plenty busy. Up until today the weather has been warm and sunny. I have been able to, catch up on the housecleaning, go jogging, and yesterday I decided to take a nice long bike ride through town and along the Lungo Entella. Somedays it is so interesting what you see when you step out of the house in Italy. Yesterday, while I was riding on my bike along the Entella (the river that cuts through Chiavari and Lavagna) I saw a man fly fishing in the full get up! Talk about strange. In the middle of two cities, fly fishing, in addition to, a herd of goats, a nativity display of smurfs, basil growing under its protective wraps, and many people walking arm in arm! Though I do wonder if the gentleman flyfishing actually caught anything!? Anyway, he looked darn good in his get up!
The highlight of my week, so far, has been the class I started last night. Joanne invited me to join her in a beginners level sommelier course. For those of you who don't know what that is, a sommelier is one who knows all there is to know about wine. This class is to teach us what a sommelier does, to learn about wine and how it is produced, and how to evauate and judge it. The best part of the class is at the end where they pour the wine to teach how to taste with our senses! We were given 3 glasses in short order!!!! By the time I got to the last one, I was feeling a wee bit light headed. I was delighted to find two other ladies I know from town and the group seems quite nice. The biggest surprise was - my Italian. I actually understood 95% of what was said! I only had to ask Joanne about one thing I missed! I was pretty proud of myself. I guess it helps that the strongest vocabulary I have in Italian, after anything related to the kids, is food and wine. My passions! Those of you who would like to learn more about being a sommelier go here if you read English or here if you read Italian.
Anna this week started drumming lessons and Sarah singing! Me, I am going out and buying myself earplugs....
Arriverderci!
Krista
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Poca Schiuma, Per Favore.
How could I not blog this article?
Italy's arrivederci to cafe culture
Barbara McMahon in Rome
Sunday October 16, 2005
The Observer
Like pizza and ice cream parlours, the coffee bar is sacred in Italy. But the tradition of going for a cappuccino or an espresso is under threat from a new menace - the coffee machine. Thanks to aggressive marketing by manufacturers, who are practically giving them away free in offices, factories, universities and even train stations, self-service coffee is invading Italy and putting in peril the livelihood of many baristas.
New figures show half a million automatic coffee machines have been installed in the past year in public places, serving an estimated two million 'portions' of coffee. As more Italians become accustomed to the machines, a new language is being learnt. 'I'll have a number 64 or a 32' is replacing time-honoured descriptions of coffee such as con schiuma, macchiato, doppio, tiepido, lungo or corretto.
One of the reasons for the change is that Italians are struggling to deal with a faster pace of life, under pressure to do more, earn more and not waste time. An analysis of the crisis in the newspaper La Repubblica points out that it takes four minutes to get a coffee from a machine as opposed to eight minutes to get one in a bar. Cost is also a factor. The price of an automatic coffee is between 30 and 60 centesimi while a freshly prepared one in a bar costs from 70 centesemi to one euro.
The depersonalisation of the coffee rite is sneaking into Italian homes as well. Sales of automatic machines were recently declared in a brides' magazine to be the most sought-after gift of young couples.
Carlo Odello of the Italian National Institute for Espresso in Brescia, which monitors coffee standards, acknowledges the headway that coffee machines are making.
There are an estimated 130,000 establishments serving coffee nationwide and his organisation is concerned with keeping standards high, introducing a certification programme to safeguard and promote the quality of coffee. 'I can understand why automatic machines are creeping in but I do not think they should replace the rite of standing at a bar or sitting and watching the world go by,' he says. 'The skill of a barista cannot be replicated by a machine.'
Mario Spinnato, general manager of the Spinnato Antico Caffé in Palermo, agrees. 'For Italians having a coffee at a bar is a pause in the day. It's irreplaceable.'
Now for the up close and personal take on this story. I take my cappuccino with poca schiuma and I have yet to see one of these infamous machines with a line up of customers. Yes, for sure, most offices have an automatic espresso machine as well as many homes, but, big deal? You go at around 10 in the morning to a bar in any city, even little Chiavari, and you find a line up at the bar for a coffee. Not to mention the quiet competition for the customers during apperitivo hour. Free food reels in everyone. The cafe culture is in no danger of disappearing!
A tardi!
Italy's arrivederci to cafe culture
Barbara McMahon in Rome
Sunday October 16, 2005
The Observer
Like pizza and ice cream parlours, the coffee bar is sacred in Italy. But the tradition of going for a cappuccino or an espresso is under threat from a new menace - the coffee machine. Thanks to aggressive marketing by manufacturers, who are practically giving them away free in offices, factories, universities and even train stations, self-service coffee is invading Italy and putting in peril the livelihood of many baristas.
New figures show half a million automatic coffee machines have been installed in the past year in public places, serving an estimated two million 'portions' of coffee. As more Italians become accustomed to the machines, a new language is being learnt. 'I'll have a number 64 or a 32' is replacing time-honoured descriptions of coffee such as con schiuma, macchiato, doppio, tiepido, lungo or corretto.
One of the reasons for the change is that Italians are struggling to deal with a faster pace of life, under pressure to do more, earn more and not waste time. An analysis of the crisis in the newspaper La Repubblica points out that it takes four minutes to get a coffee from a machine as opposed to eight minutes to get one in a bar. Cost is also a factor. The price of an automatic coffee is between 30 and 60 centesimi while a freshly prepared one in a bar costs from 70 centesemi to one euro.
The depersonalisation of the coffee rite is sneaking into Italian homes as well. Sales of automatic machines were recently declared in a brides' magazine to be the most sought-after gift of young couples.
Carlo Odello of the Italian National Institute for Espresso in Brescia, which monitors coffee standards, acknowledges the headway that coffee machines are making.
There are an estimated 130,000 establishments serving coffee nationwide and his organisation is concerned with keeping standards high, introducing a certification programme to safeguard and promote the quality of coffee. 'I can understand why automatic machines are creeping in but I do not think they should replace the rite of standing at a bar or sitting and watching the world go by,' he says. 'The skill of a barista cannot be replicated by a machine.'
Mario Spinnato, general manager of the Spinnato Antico Caffé in Palermo, agrees. 'For Italians having a coffee at a bar is a pause in the day. It's irreplaceable.'
Now for the up close and personal take on this story. I take my cappuccino with poca schiuma and I have yet to see one of these infamous machines with a line up of customers. Yes, for sure, most offices have an automatic espresso machine as well as many homes, but, big deal? You go at around 10 in the morning to a bar in any city, even little Chiavari, and you find a line up at the bar for a coffee. Not to mention the quiet competition for the customers during apperitivo hour. Free food reels in everyone. The cafe culture is in no danger of disappearing!
A tardi!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Welcome Baby Luca!
In Nicole's Words...This is what having three kids means...
Ciao!
How are you? We are all fine except for the fact that we are tired, tired tired and tired!
Little Luca doesn't sleep at night so we don't either.
But he is so cute and nice and beautiful, he is always in someone's arms.... Bad thing... He will grow up totally spoiled!
How was your speech? I'm sorry I didn't make it to come and listen and see you but the first week after Luca was born I didn't even notice I was alive, I felt like a zombie. A pity it wasn't Halloween, I would have perfectly matched the atmosphere! I also forgot Silvia's birthday.........Today is the first day I feel a person again. I forgot how hard the time after delivery is! Bruno is sleeping behind me on the bed because he's completely exhausted too. We are very lucky that my parents are here for a few weeks, they look after Lisa and Sara and cook for us....
We already used the quilt you made us and everyone says something nice about it, also in the hospital where I took it with me! Thanks a lot again.
Bacioni, Nicole
Ciao!
How are you? We are all fine except for the fact that we are tired, tired tired and tired!
Little Luca doesn't sleep at night so we don't either.
But he is so cute and nice and beautiful, he is always in someone's arms.... Bad thing... He will grow up totally spoiled!
How was your speech? I'm sorry I didn't make it to come and listen and see you but the first week after Luca was born I didn't even notice I was alive, I felt like a zombie. A pity it wasn't Halloween, I would have perfectly matched the atmosphere! I also forgot Silvia's birthday.........Today is the first day I feel a person again. I forgot how hard the time after delivery is! Bruno is sleeping behind me on the bed because he's completely exhausted too. We are very lucky that my parents are here for a few weeks, they look after Lisa and Sara and cook for us....
We already used the quilt you made us and everyone says something nice about it, also in the hospital where I took it with me! Thanks a lot again.
Bacioni, Nicole
Monday, October 10, 2005
Who Was The Big 40 Today?
One last post before I go off and cook dinner for the kiddies.
Happy 40th Birthday to Silvia Deli!!!
Today she turned the big 40! She had a huge do at her home Saturday night, but, Sam and I could not make it, we were partied out, sorry Silvia. Though we did show up for the leftovers Sunday! Click over here to see all the fun. Today Sam and I jumped on our bikes and road over to see Silvia at work at her husband Maurizio's factory in Carasco and to wish her a happy birthday. The ride was great, the day warm and sunny, and the cappuccino we grabbed at the bar fantastic!
Tanti Auguri Silvia!
Oops...one more thing. Nicole finally had her baby one week after her due date. Luca was born Tuesday night! I haven't got all the details yet, but I bet Joanne does, click over to her site and check. But I do know this, all went well and Luca was a healthy 3.7 kilos at birth! Holy guacamole! That was a big baby! Hope to see you soon Nicole. Take care of yourself and your family!
Ciao for now!
Krista
Happy 40th Birthday to Silvia Deli!!!
Today she turned the big 40! She had a huge do at her home Saturday night, but, Sam and I could not make it, we were partied out, sorry Silvia. Though we did show up for the leftovers Sunday! Click over here to see all the fun. Today Sam and I jumped on our bikes and road over to see Silvia at work at her husband Maurizio's factory in Carasco and to wish her a happy birthday. The ride was great, the day warm and sunny, and the cappuccino we grabbed at the bar fantastic!
Tanti Auguri Silvia!
Oops...one more thing. Nicole finally had her baby one week after her due date. Luca was born Tuesday night! I haven't got all the details yet, but I bet Joanne does, click over to her site and check. But I do know this, all went well and Luca was a healthy 3.7 kilos at birth! Holy guacamole! That was a big baby! Hope to see you soon Nicole. Take care of yourself and your family!
Ciao for now!
Krista
Couldn't Resist!
Here are Sam and I the night we arrived in Athens. We hit the ground and the non stop party began. As Sam and I grabbed the first glass of wine at the welcome reception held at the hotel, the photographer grabbed us to take our photo! What I love about this shot is? I have one very similar taken at the Malibu nightclub on Long Island 17 years ago! Sam is grabbing and leaning over me in just the same way, and my smile was just at big. The only difference between the shots I will have to tell you, I will never post the the old photo, we all must agree, the 80's are best forgotten. Sam has less hair, we both now carry a few pounds extra, and our smiles create more laugh lines. Barring those changes, I am just as happy today as I was then to be Sam's leaning post.
To catch you up on the other goings on. I arrived home late Friday night to only have to wake up early Saturday morning to go to my conference on Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia that was held here in Chiavari. It was a long day, but, the conference was very well attended. There were over 100 people in the audience and prominent well informed speakers on the panels. As all conferences go, it had its ups and downs, and most speakers went way over their allotted time. Therefore, my panel being the last, ran late, and was the least attended. About 40 or so attendees remained and I got to tell them about Anna and her struggles in school, my experience here in Italy trying to find answers and solutions to her issues, and mostly about how Special Education works in The United States. Amazingly, people were very interested and quite surprised at the differences between The USA and Italy. I won't bore you those details but will tell you that it was very difficult to speak in public and worse to speak in Italian. Overall, I said what I had to, sparked a discussion, and an exchange of ideas took place. Isn't that what a conference is all about? I enjoyed meeting many teachers, learning specialists, and student teachers wanting to know more about what I now call learning differences. You know what? I was asked at the end of my speech about my experience trying to get answers to what was going on with Anna all those years ago. What I had come up against and would I say overall the experience was negative or was it positive? I thought about it for a moment before I answered. And then I realized. My answer was not really relevant. Yes, it was not easy for any of us, but, it would have been like that anywhere. The time had passed and Anna has come so far. She reads. She learns. She struggles. She was born with her dyslexia and she would have had a hard time in school if we were here in Italy, the US, or anywhere for that matter. Yes, systems for addressing the issues are in place in the US and may be better than Italy. But, what did that matter? The discussion has started in Italy. The information is there for all to see. It is now up to the Italians to make the improvements they need to. And you know what I saw Saturday? Hope. 100 + teachers, speech therapists, and college students turned up in Chiavari to listen and learn more, and some came all the way from Genoa! Imagine? I left the conference Saturday and I felt great!
Arriverderci!
To catch you up on the other goings on. I arrived home late Friday night to only have to wake up early Saturday morning to go to my conference on Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia that was held here in Chiavari. It was a long day, but, the conference was very well attended. There were over 100 people in the audience and prominent well informed speakers on the panels. As all conferences go, it had its ups and downs, and most speakers went way over their allotted time. Therefore, my panel being the last, ran late, and was the least attended. About 40 or so attendees remained and I got to tell them about Anna and her struggles in school, my experience here in Italy trying to find answers and solutions to her issues, and mostly about how Special Education works in The United States. Amazingly, people were very interested and quite surprised at the differences between The USA and Italy. I won't bore you those details but will tell you that it was very difficult to speak in public and worse to speak in Italian. Overall, I said what I had to, sparked a discussion, and an exchange of ideas took place. Isn't that what a conference is all about? I enjoyed meeting many teachers, learning specialists, and student teachers wanting to know more about what I now call learning differences. You know what? I was asked at the end of my speech about my experience trying to get answers to what was going on with Anna all those years ago. What I had come up against and would I say overall the experience was negative or was it positive? I thought about it for a moment before I answered. And then I realized. My answer was not really relevant. Yes, it was not easy for any of us, but, it would have been like that anywhere. The time had passed and Anna has come so far. She reads. She learns. She struggles. She was born with her dyslexia and she would have had a hard time in school if we were here in Italy, the US, or anywhere for that matter. Yes, systems for addressing the issues are in place in the US and may be better than Italy. But, what did that matter? The discussion has started in Italy. The information is there for all to see. It is now up to the Italians to make the improvements they need to. And you know what I saw Saturday? Hope. 100 + teachers, speech therapists, and college students turned up in Chiavari to listen and learn more, and some came all the way from Genoa! Imagine? I left the conference Saturday and I felt great!
Arriverderci!
I Finally Made It!
There I am, at the Acropolis posing as the good tourist. Climbing the steps, recently improved and upgraded, could have been a step back in time, but, the throngs of daytrippers with their tour guides leading the way, well, let us just say, took a bit away from the whole experience. I was lucky in the weather, for the day was beautiful, but, there must have been 5 mega cruise ships in the port of Athens, and they must have all unloaded at the same time! Therefore the crowds climbing to the top took on the feeling of cows going to slaughter. The numbers of people were overwhelming and it got to the point of being ridiculous. The security officers were blowing whistles to control the crowds, the tourguides were fighting for space, and a general carnival atmosphere took over. Top tip. If you really want to travel and go sightseeing, forget about taking a cruise. If you would like to refresh your memory about the Acropolis go here.
The rest of the trip was wonderful. The hotel 5 star all the way and the party non stop. I met some wonderful ladies and caught up with some of my old friends from the fast ferry world. The most interesting thing about the conference was....Sam. He was in high demand seeing that he is now free from his previous employer. Not only were people interested in talking to him about work and offering him various positions, they were actually hunting me down trying to tease me with the possibilities. Life is funny, so much for the sabbatical. Sam's response to all this, "Talk to me in a month, I am on vacation".
I could tell you all about the trip and the sightseeing. But why don't you click on over to the photos yourself right here.
Yiasas!
The rest of the trip was wonderful. The hotel 5 star all the way and the party non stop. I met some wonderful ladies and caught up with some of my old friends from the fast ferry world. The most interesting thing about the conference was....Sam. He was in high demand seeing that he is now free from his previous employer. Not only were people interested in talking to him about work and offering him various positions, they were actually hunting me down trying to tease me with the possibilities. Life is funny, so much for the sabbatical. Sam's response to all this, "Talk to me in a month, I am on vacation".
I could tell you all about the trip and the sightseeing. But why don't you click on over to the photos yourself right here.
Yiasas!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Athens here I come!
I am always on the move. Tomorrow Sam and I are off to Athens, Greece, to attend the Interferry Conference. Fast Ferries are so exciting people have to devote a few days to get together and talk about them, thank god they picked somewhere interesting to visit. Sam is attending the event on the behalf of his former employer. He is on a panel to discuss whatever it is you discuss pertaining to fast ferries. Me, I will be going on the spouses/partners program. Go here, and you can see all the exciting things that await for me. What I am looking forward to the most, finally seeing the Acropolis up close. I have been many times to Athens with Sam on business, never has he had the time to take me to see the ruins. To be fair, they have always been under scaffold, Thursday, I will finally get ring side seats.
So, I will be down from blogging for a couple of days, but, I will be sure to catch you all up upon my return Friday. A big thanks to Joanne for taking in Anna, and Cristina for taking in Sarah. Where would we be without our friends?!
A little business to take care of before I leave you.
Nicole has yet to have her baby. I hope for her, he is born by the time I get back. Hang in there Nicole! And, my brother in law, Edward had quite the surprise today, remember it is his birthday? He got a very special present. His mommy showed up at his door to wish him happy birthday in person. What is the big deal you ask? Well, he, being Edward, lives in Riga, Latvia. She, being Maisa, lives in Helsinki, Finland. Talk about a wake up call! Hope you had a good time Ed, give mommy a big kiss from me!
One last note. Saturday is my big speech! Wish me luck!
A tardi!
Krista
So, I will be down from blogging for a couple of days, but, I will be sure to catch you all up upon my return Friday. A big thanks to Joanne for taking in Anna, and Cristina for taking in Sarah. Where would we be without our friends?!
A little business to take care of before I leave you.
Nicole has yet to have her baby. I hope for her, he is born by the time I get back. Hang in there Nicole! And, my brother in law, Edward had quite the surprise today, remember it is his birthday? He got a very special present. His mommy showed up at his door to wish him happy birthday in person. What is the big deal you ask? Well, he, being Edward, lives in Riga, Latvia. She, being Maisa, lives in Helsinki, Finland. Talk about a wake up call! Hope you had a good time Ed, give mommy a big kiss from me!
One last note. Saturday is my big speech! Wish me luck!
A tardi!
Krista
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