Before I go off to bed, I want to make one last post and wish a very happy birthday to my sister in law, Sonja Crockford!
Today she is 41! And by the looks of it over at her brother's blog, she had a lovely weekend, and lovely birthday.
Here is wishing you Buon Compleanno e Tanti Auguri!
Tanti Baci a tutti!
Monday, May 30, 2005
Boys, Yuch!
To cap off another Sunday in paradise.... Sam went mountain biking and Anna and I went to see the latest entry in the Star Wars saga, Episode III or if you are as old as me Episode VI, depending on how you count up the sequels and prequels....Too confusing for me. I must add it is quite an experience to see a movie like this dubbed in Italian. Yes they dub here. It is just not the same, you already know the voices, it is not as it should be. Luckily for me I could at least understand what was said, for my Italian is so so. Thank heavens Mr Lucas keeps his dialog short and sweet. Not much to translate anyway. But you know how the movie ends....the tension wasn't there. At least the saga is now complete.
Anna enjoyed the movie, Sam his ride....Then we met up for little end of the weekend apperitivo. Sarah came back from Virginia's and life went back to normal. And don't worry. Anna really does love her dad. Just not sweaty kisses!
A presto!
Anna enjoyed the movie, Sam his ride....Then we met up for little end of the weekend apperitivo. Sarah came back from Virginia's and life went back to normal. And don't worry. Anna really does love her dad. Just not sweaty kisses!
A presto!
Sam My Man
Below is the photo of the view from the Hotel Splendido. Here is Sam at the Terrace getting annoyed with my photo taking. But doesn't he look handsome? If you would like to see more about the hotel and its movie star history click here
Una Weekend Spendido!
We had another spectacular weekend with endless sunshine! Sarah started off the weekend Friday with her entrance exam for the Consevatorio di Musica N. Paganinni. She was a bundle of nerves but kept herself composed. Keep your fingers crossed for her! Friday evening we had an impromtu BBQ with the Lewis', which is always an affair to remember. That is if you control how many glasses of wine Ian pours you. Which in this case was many. The evening ended with Sam and Ian sitting around the computer having a sing along with the itunes and a web site with song lyrics....
Saturday, Sarah was off to Piemonte with Virginia's family, again. And little Anna spent the day at the beach with her friend Elenora and had a sleep over at her house. Once again, I scored! Sam and I were alone till Sunday afternoon!
Saturday we went down to Sestri Levante and had a lovely lunch on the beach. While sitting there amazed at the good fortune of having the evening to ourselves....we pondered what to do. Sam surprised me with the most romantic idea! Dinner in Portofino. We could not believe we have been here 5 years and never had gone for dinner there!? Sam picked up the phone and made reservations quickly for The Terrace at Hotel Spendido! The best view in Portofino! And the most expensive, if I must say. What an evening we had! Apperitivo, followed by dinner, topped off with spectacular sunset. A passagiata romantica ending with a kiss by the pool! Ahh! La vita e' bella
Saturday, Sarah was off to Piemonte with Virginia's family, again. And little Anna spent the day at the beach with her friend Elenora and had a sleep over at her house. Once again, I scored! Sam and I were alone till Sunday afternoon!
Saturday we went down to Sestri Levante and had a lovely lunch on the beach. While sitting there amazed at the good fortune of having the evening to ourselves....we pondered what to do. Sam surprised me with the most romantic idea! Dinner in Portofino. We could not believe we have been here 5 years and never had gone for dinner there!? Sam picked up the phone and made reservations quickly for The Terrace at Hotel Spendido! The best view in Portofino! And the most expensive, if I must say. What an evening we had! Apperitivo, followed by dinner, topped off with spectacular sunset. A passagiata romantica ending with a kiss by the pool! Ahh! La vita e' bella
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Culture in Chiavari
Last night a touch of sophistication came to Chiavari! The city had a special treat. The Orchestra came to town with Salvatore Accardo leading the way! You can learn more about who he is why it was such a treat to see him here.
I took Sarah along and met up with Joanne and her family. We listened to a little Bach a little Mozart. In all 4 pieces with few movements. Sarah was happy it was short and sweet. She was getting a bit sleepy for she was up way past her bedtime.
On the way home I mentioned to Sarah, that I bet the musician's mommies didn't have to make them practice! She rolled her eyes at me and replied, "Yeah Mommy, but they are all grown ups"!
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.
I took Sarah along and met up with Joanne and her family. We listened to a little Bach a little Mozart. In all 4 pieces with few movements. Sarah was happy it was short and sweet. She was getting a bit sleepy for she was up way past her bedtime.
On the way home I mentioned to Sarah, that I bet the musician's mommies didn't have to make them practice! She rolled her eyes at me and replied, "Yeah Mommy, but they are all grown ups"!
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
A Day at the Beach!
My oh my, have these little girls grown up. And so fast! Here they are building sand castles Saturday afternoon. I know it won't be too long before they dream of having castles to call their own!
This weekend Sarah is going off for the weekend with her "best friend" Virginia. They will be in Lerma, in Piemonte, visiting with Vi's nonna and attending another Prima Communione. Anna will be in Tuscany, with Joanne, harvesting artichokes! Me, well I will be in Mambaruzzo, also in Piemonte, at La Villa Hotel enjoying a couple days of rest and relaxation with my adoring husband.
We have a little connection to the owners of the hotel. We both have bought antiques from the same vendor, Rosella and her husband Adille. In Chiavari, on the second weekend of every month, we have a little antique market in the center of town. And they have the best table and the nicest pieces to choose from. For about a year we have been hearing about their other English customers in Piemonte and the restoration they have done to this villa. We thought it was perfect timing to check it out! You can too. Click here
This weekend Sarah is going off for the weekend with her "best friend" Virginia. They will be in Lerma, in Piemonte, visiting with Vi's nonna and attending another Prima Communione. Anna will be in Tuscany, with Joanne, harvesting artichokes! Me, well I will be in Mambaruzzo, also in Piemonte, at La Villa Hotel enjoying a couple days of rest and relaxation with my adoring husband.
We have a little connection to the owners of the hotel. We both have bought antiques from the same vendor, Rosella and her husband Adille. In Chiavari, on the second weekend of every month, we have a little antique market in the center of town. And they have the best table and the nicest pieces to choose from. For about a year we have been hearing about their other English customers in Piemonte and the restoration they have done to this villa. We thought it was perfect timing to check it out! You can too. Click here
Monday, May 16, 2005
Happy 40th Birthday Susan!
Surprise Snoosan! You are a star!
Here is my good friend, Susan Whelan, the sister I never had, with my baby Sarah in Annapolis, Maryland 11 years ago. My how times flies!
Many years and many moves later she is still the one I can call anytime of the day when I need a friend! You have been a friend like no other.
Love ya babe! Enjoy your day!
Have a good birthday sweetie. I am thinking of you!
Let me know what it is like to be 40....I will there soon enough!
Here is my good friend, Susan Whelan, the sister I never had, with my baby Sarah in Annapolis, Maryland 11 years ago. My how times flies!
Many years and many moves later she is still the one I can call anytime of the day when I need a friend! You have been a friend like no other.
Love ya babe! Enjoy your day!
Have a good birthday sweetie. I am thinking of you!
Let me know what it is like to be 40....I will there soon enough!
Thanks for the Memories!
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all our recent guests. The Incaos, The Crockfords, The Leonards, and last, but certainly not least...our Janine.
These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. We have done our share of entertaining, catching up, and not to mention the changing of beds and laundering of sheets. We enjoyed every last minute we shared with all of you and do look forward to your return.
I am sure Anna will be very happy tonight when she gets to sleep in her own bed. And poor suffering Gucci, our kitty cat, will be pleased to have the run of the house again.
Grazie Mille a tutti!
C'e vediamo a prossima volta!
In other words. Thank you all! See you around the next time!
These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. We have done our share of entertaining, catching up, and not to mention the changing of beds and laundering of sheets. We enjoyed every last minute we shared with all of you and do look forward to your return.
I am sure Anna will be very happy tonight when she gets to sleep in her own bed. And poor suffering Gucci, our kitty cat, will be pleased to have the run of the house again.
Grazie Mille a tutti!
C'e vediamo a prossima volta!
In other words. Thank you all! See you around the next time!
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The Leonard Family
Here's a quick thank you to (from left to right) Meg, Steven, Tess and Tracey for coming out to see us for a long weekend. The weather was very tourist friendly in that there was slight cloud cover to keep the temps in control but no rain.
Given they only had 3 days of good siteseeing, we did the "Express Pack", i.e. Portofino (Friday), Chiavari (Saturday) and Cinque Terre (Sunday). Monday they are off and we have all thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Cheers!
Given they only had 3 days of good siteseeing, we did the "Express Pack", i.e. Portofino (Friday), Chiavari (Saturday) and Cinque Terre (Sunday). Monday they are off and we have all thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Cheers!
Friday, May 13, 2005
So Many Guests...
...So little time.
Meet Steve and Tracy Leonard, Sam's cousins from the UK. They are visiting us for a long weekend in order to catch up on some rest and relax. Therefore, they brought along their beautiful little girls! Just kidding, they are gorgeous and very well mannered. After a early morning rise (4 am) and a delightful Ryanair flight, they arrived in top form yesterday morning. We spent the afternoon trying to get the wee ones to nap. Can you guess who won that battle? Once sleep was proven futile exercise, we all went for a little stroll around Chiavari. Ate a nice dinner. Then sent all the little girls to bed early while the parents enjoyed their last glass of white wine before falling into bed!
What a long wonderful day!
This morning, after another early (6 am) rise, Sam took our girls to school, then we all set off to Portofino. See post below. Here are Steve and Tracy enjoying a little moment alone.....the girls were a little camera shy. I promise to get a good shot of them before the weekend is over! They are really cute!
At present, Sam, our girls, and the Leonard's are at the beach enjoying a dip in the Med. Finally some relaxation...
Temps are +25 and the water is warm!
Pizza tonight....More sight seeing tomorrow.
A presto!
Meet Steve and Tracy Leonard, Sam's cousins from the UK. They are visiting us for a long weekend in order to catch up on some rest and relax. Therefore, they brought along their beautiful little girls! Just kidding, they are gorgeous and very well mannered. After a early morning rise (4 am) and a delightful Ryanair flight, they arrived in top form yesterday morning. We spent the afternoon trying to get the wee ones to nap. Can you guess who won that battle? Once sleep was proven futile exercise, we all went for a little stroll around Chiavari. Ate a nice dinner. Then sent all the little girls to bed early while the parents enjoyed their last glass of white wine before falling into bed!
What a long wonderful day!
This morning, after another early (6 am) rise, Sam took our girls to school, then we all set off to Portofino. See post below. Here are Steve and Tracy enjoying a little moment alone.....the girls were a little camera shy. I promise to get a good shot of them before the weekend is over! They are really cute!
At present, Sam, our girls, and the Leonard's are at the beach enjoying a dip in the Med. Finally some relaxation...
Temps are +25 and the water is warm!
Pizza tonight....More sight seeing tomorrow.
A presto!
Breakfast of Champions!
This morning, with our new guests, the Leonard's, we drove off to Portofino for a morning coffee. How lovely to sit at a cafe in the piazza, sip a cappuccino, munch on a brioche, and look out at the harbor.
Wish you were here!
Wish you were here!
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Mini and Me
Had to show off my hot car to all of you! Quite a change from the Volvo wagon that I had in the states! Here I am a few weeks ago in Santa Margarita playing the role of tour guide Barbie for my guests.
Those of you who are lucky enough to live here in Chiavari, might see me driving around town all the time, or maybe have had a ride in the mini. For those of you who haven't seen it, here is the proof of my mid life crisis!
I must admit it does give me an ego boost when I see the very handsome Italian men checking out my car. I like to think they are looking at me.....
Today I am off in the mini to the local ipercoop, the BIG supermarket, to stock up the fridge for our new guests arriving tomorrow morning! You would be amazed at how much you can fit in a mini. That is - if you only have one passenger.
A pesto!
Those of you who are lucky enough to live here in Chiavari, might see me driving around town all the time, or maybe have had a ride in the mini. For those of you who haven't seen it, here is the proof of my mid life crisis!
I must admit it does give me an ego boost when I see the very handsome Italian men checking out my car. I like to think they are looking at me.....
Today I am off in the mini to the local ipercoop, the BIG supermarket, to stock up the fridge for our new guests arriving tomorrow morning! You would be amazed at how much you can fit in a mini. That is - if you only have one passenger.
A pesto!
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
The Man In My Life....
Here is Sam, my man, this afternoon standing on the Ponte Vecchio in Firenza.
Sam had a little business to do in Firenza today and he invited me to tag along.....I say, why not? While he had his little luncheon engagement I hit the sites. Having only a couple of hours and this not being my first time there, I did the speed sight seeing tour of the city. Not a bad plan of attack. I hit all the important sites including the very nice shops, and before I knew it, I had to rush off to meet Sam.
The day started off threatening rain, but by the time I met Sam later in the afternoon it was full sun, and the temp had risen of few degrees. With my rush to cram in all the sites and a little shopping, I had lost track of the time, my appetite, and poor Sam had to sit at a cafe and watch me eat a salad. I am sure the nice crisp glass of white wine and the fact we were sitting the Piazza di Signore across from the Palazzo Vecchio eased his pain. It was lovely to relax, let him read the paper, and watch the tourists walk by. Ahhh la dolce vita....
Hope you all had an equally exciting day!
Arrivederci!
Sam had a little business to do in Firenza today and he invited me to tag along.....I say, why not? While he had his little luncheon engagement I hit the sites. Having only a couple of hours and this not being my first time there, I did the speed sight seeing tour of the city. Not a bad plan of attack. I hit all the important sites including the very nice shops, and before I knew it, I had to rush off to meet Sam.
The day started off threatening rain, but by the time I met Sam later in the afternoon it was full sun, and the temp had risen of few degrees. With my rush to cram in all the sites and a little shopping, I had lost track of the time, my appetite, and poor Sam had to sit at a cafe and watch me eat a salad. I am sure the nice crisp glass of white wine and the fact we were sitting the Piazza di Signore across from the Palazzo Vecchio eased his pain. It was lovely to relax, let him read the paper, and watch the tourists walk by. Ahhh la dolce vita....
Hope you all had an equally exciting day!
Arrivederci!
Monday, May 09, 2005
The Men in my Life.....
Here is another photo from the grande festa yesterday. Meet Mr. Ian Lewis. He is an English journalist with a Nowergian maritime rag, who lives with his Peruvian wife Silvia in Chiavari. They are the sole reason we found this little gem on the Riviera. They helped us settle in and make Chiavari our home all those years ago! Have I mentioned it has been 5 years! My how time flies. I do not know how we would of ever coped living here without them!
Ian and I had quite the drinking session yesterday....all in good fun with tons of great food. He and Silvia are great friends and their kids are not bad too.
Cheers!
Ian and I had quite the drinking session yesterday....all in good fun with tons of great food. He and Silvia are great friends and their kids are not bad too.
Cheers!
Meet Mr. Incao!
Ok everyone.....I am back!
To catch you all up on my goings on....
I have been very busy running a bed and breakfast these last few weeks. First Chris Incao, an old dear friend from my days in NY came to pay me a visit. His visit had a week-long "BiG Chill" atmosphere and we had the chance to catch up on what has been going on for the last few years in our lives! Janine, my dear new English friend joined us mid week during Chris' stay and entertained us with her usual drama and flair. And, of course, who can forget about Jane Incao, unfortunately, for us, our visit didn't work out the way it should have. And that is too bad. I hope she knows I will always be her friend.
After a week of sightseeing, catching up with old friends, and walking the whole Cinque Terre! I no sooner drove them all to the airport only to return a few days later to pick up Sam's mom, Maisa. Tom, Sam's dad arrived one week later. During all of this I have been planning that lovely party we had yesterday for Anna! Last week I did manage get to escape and visit London with Sam! He said it was a little holiday....but he had me working at his stand at the Cruise and Ferry conference! I think he just wanted to keep me out of the shops! I must say, I am EXHAUSTED! But wait! This is not the end......
Steve and Tracy, Sam's cousins are arriving from London Thursday and staying with us for a long weekend! They are bringing their two little girls for nice relaxing weekend!
I think when they leave I will need to check into a spa for a few days for a little R and R!
I cannot for life of me remember changing so many beds and washing so many sheets! I thank God every day for bringing Franca, my housekeeper, into my life!
So when are the rest of you going to come for a visit? First come first served! Book early inorder to reserve during the peak season!
To catch you all up on my goings on....
I have been very busy running a bed and breakfast these last few weeks. First Chris Incao, an old dear friend from my days in NY came to pay me a visit. His visit had a week-long "BiG Chill" atmosphere and we had the chance to catch up on what has been going on for the last few years in our lives! Janine, my dear new English friend joined us mid week during Chris' stay and entertained us with her usual drama and flair. And, of course, who can forget about Jane Incao, unfortunately, for us, our visit didn't work out the way it should have. And that is too bad. I hope she knows I will always be her friend.
After a week of sightseeing, catching up with old friends, and walking the whole Cinque Terre! I no sooner drove them all to the airport only to return a few days later to pick up Sam's mom, Maisa. Tom, Sam's dad arrived one week later. During all of this I have been planning that lovely party we had yesterday for Anna! Last week I did manage get to escape and visit London with Sam! He said it was a little holiday....but he had me working at his stand at the Cruise and Ferry conference! I think he just wanted to keep me out of the shops! I must say, I am EXHAUSTED! But wait! This is not the end......
Steve and Tracy, Sam's cousins are arriving from London Thursday and staying with us for a long weekend! They are bringing their two little girls for nice relaxing weekend!
I think when they leave I will need to check into a spa for a few days for a little R and R!
I cannot for life of me remember changing so many beds and washing so many sheets! I thank God every day for bringing Franca, my housekeeper, into my life!
So when are the rest of you going to come for a visit? First come first served! Book early inorder to reserve during the peak season!
Sunday, May 08, 2005
The whole clan
Whilst some of the Crockfords were busy running from one fence to the next looking for the perfect angle to see Mr. Bush et al in Riga, the rest of us were enjoying a more relaxed afternoon.
As you all know, it was of course Anna's first communion. Under a beautiful blue sky and bright sun (and a touch of the usual chaos with organised events that Italians are infamous for), Anna with what seemed like several hundred of her peers (though in relaity it was more like 30) had her first communion at 10:00 am. This lasted about an hour and then we all walked down to a restaraunt by the sea for a "light" lunch (a mere 5 hours of unabashed feasting and drinking). We were joined by 5 other families and their kids and were 28 in total (you can safely assume we had made reservations).
Anna was very proud as we are of her though at 9:11 pm on a Sunday evening we are all well and truly wiped out.
As you all know, it was of course Anna's first communion. Under a beautiful blue sky and bright sun (and a touch of the usual chaos with organised events that Italians are infamous for), Anna with what seemed like several hundred of her peers (though in relaity it was more like 30) had her first communion at 10:00 am. This lasted about an hour and then we all walked down to a restaraunt by the sea for a "light" lunch (a mere 5 hours of unabashed feasting and drinking). We were joined by 5 other families and their kids and were 28 in total (you can safely assume we had made reservations).
Anna was very proud as we are of her though at 9:11 pm on a Sunday evening we are all well and truly wiped out.
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