Easter Sunset

I am off to bed and I thought I would leave you a few photos from our evening "passagiata". Isn't Sarah just turning in a lovely young lady? She may look like her Daddy but, she dresses like her Mommy.

Buona Notte!

Krista

Buona Pasqua!

A quick Happy Easter to one and all!

Dinner has been cooked and eaten, the dishes are washed and put away - thank you Sam and Richard - and now I am enjoying a restful moment blogging.

We are having a wonderful time catching up with our old friends Susan and Richard as well as their lovely children! We all met many years ago when I was working at Banana Republic at the city dock in Annapolis, Maryland all the way back in 1991! Susan came strolling in one day around Christmas time looking for a job after after a few years at sea on the Pride of Baltimore with her then boyfriend and now husband Richard - and I said - hire that girl! We have been friends ever since.

We got married within weeks of each other and then somehow managed to get pregnant and have our babies almost at the same time! I have been begging Susan to get her family over here to visit and now finally she has. You know, she is the one friend I have that has no excuse not to visit - She works for UNITED AIRLINES! She flies for next to nothing!

We had a lovely dinner at Pam Pam last night, church this morning and a full feast of loin of pork for our Easter Lunch.

Think it is time to head out for our "post dinner passagiata" along the seaside.

Here is hoping the Easter Bunny has been good to all of you!

One last thing. Spoke to dear old Dad a few minutes ago and - He bought a new CAR! That is right. My 82 year old dad is buying a new car! A flash Mazda 6, black with black leather interior! How is that for optimism? Tomorrow is his birthday and I think he just rocks! Safe driving dad and do get those vanity plates.... lsthura - Last Hurrah! Enjoy life while you can.

Auguri!

Krista

Who's the Boss?

Gucci is!

We are enjoying a positively summer like Easter weekend. Trees are in bloom and so are all of our allergies! Stuffy noses rule in this house.

Susan and her family are here visiting from Maryland. They arrived yesterday evening on the train after 2 action packed days in Rome. Kids are now out on the seaside eating ice cream, Sam is riding his bike, Susan just woke up from her nap and I am waiting for my carrot cake to finish baking. Then we are all heading out for our evening passagiata and apperitivo! Pizza at Pam Pam for dinner and Easter roast tomorrow!

Pictures to follow real soon.

Krista

What's Wrong With This Picture?

This is what the girls were up to this morning. Can you spot what is wrong? It is easy - Anna is playing Sarah's violin and Sarah is playing Anna's cello!!!!

To all those that ask me why I choose to live in Italy - Here is the answer to your question. MUSIC! Where in the world would these kids have the opportunities they have here?

1. Sarah goes to a state supported, and funded, music conservatory. Cost to us. 200 euro a year plus books. For a reference, Juliard in NYC would set us back over $10,000 a year. Sarah studies violin with a master as well as piano and solfeggio. Solfeggio is basically a very advanced sight reading skill based on singing. Sarah loves the class, it keeps her in touch with her inner diva.

2. Anna has been studying piano and drums. She wanted to try the cello and within a week or so I found her a teacher and cello. Why? The cell teacher plays in the orchestra along with Sarah's previous violin teacher.

I could go on....

At the moment Sarah is in the local music store searching for the second day in a row through their old sheets of music. She just phoned and can't wait to tell me what she found. Yesterday, she brought home, arias from operas, concertos and a complete work of Ave Maria with all the pieces for violin, viola, cello, harp, piano and voice! I wish I could express in words the enthusiasm she had when she was showing me her treasures. Priceless.

So to all of you who ask me why we stay here in this chaotic country, where I cannot speak the language and struggle sometimes with the simplest tasks of everyday life - like sorting out a broken phone under warranty - To you I say, I do it for the girls. How could I ever walk away from these opportunities?

Just one more thing,

Tomorrow night Sarah and I are going to the Carlo Felice Opera House for an Easter Concert. There will be a Finnish conductor Pieteri Inkinen and Sarah and Anna's music teachers in the orchestra!

Happy Easter!

Krista