Fat Tuesday and the Christmas Tree Update

You think the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is something to see... Ah, that is so vanilla. You haven't seen a parade until you have been to the Annual Carnivale parade in Viareggio! It  is one of the largest in Europe, and by far, the most entertaining. No one is left out of the political satire, not even, the President of the United States! And rumor has it, Sponge Bob Squarepants made it to the parade! Sadly, I admit, I have never braved the crowds and "been there done that". Carnivale, even in slow Chiavari, is just not my bag. The thought of being in a large unruly mass of partying people with huge floats moving through and  with them, I mean, really, a trial lawyers dream, not mine. And do I need to mention, the lack of public restrooms any where in Italy ? Yuck! 

 Carnevale di viareggio

 

In honor of Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Carnivale, etc... I pour my Tuscan Red and tip it to you! 

After way too long of a Christmas season, Sunday, we finally took our blooming spruce to the balcony - just in time for the arrival of lent.  The sun has been shining in Liguria and the air is warm. The living room is finally clear of needles and ready for the arrival of the Easter Bunny with all his chocolates after about 40 days of reflection and sacrifice. 

And looking at the Drudge Report... See that stock market go! Who knew anyone would be excited to party like its 1999! Bernanke speaks - markets jump - recession over in a year?! Who knew?

Krista

Oh Christmas Tree... Oh Christmas Tree...

In February! Decorations are down but the lights are still on! 

My careful plan to never have a "live" tree for Christmas ever again was put to rest by a begging husband and two teenage girls with puppy dog eyes. My arguments that Christmas trees were "not green" and "cruelty to live plants" as well as a German Christmas Tradition - not an Italian one fell on deaf ears. The three of them ganged up on me and triumphed.  In the days leading up to Christmas we bought a small "Christmas Bush" and I crossed my fingers that the little guy would not, like all of our trees have done, shed all its needles by Boxing Day. Well. The darn thing not only didn't lose its needles - it started to sprout fresh ones! Now what do we do with it? If I put it out on the terrace I think it might be shocked from the cold and how long can it hold up in our warm full of sunshine apartment? 

 

Could Spring be around the corner?

Isn't that a much nicer photo than that scary mobster?

Yesterday the Walking Crockfords - all 4 of us - hiked up into the hills behind Sestri Levante. The skies were azure and the air crisp and dry. Dare I say, there were even a few blooms struggling to burst open. We ate our sandwiches where we could find a spot, Punto Manara on a Sunday truly becomes almost as crowded at the passagiata in Chiavari at 4 pm. 

As  you can clearly see, Sarah was showing off her Finnish roots. Yes, it was warm, but, not really that warm. By the way, the diva took this photo of herself....

Back in Sestri and for the obligatory gelato for Sarah and Anna. 

Should I brag... we all woke up this morning with a little bit of sun on our faces as well as tight calves!

A presto!

What?

Italian police arrest first known transsexual mafia mobster - Telegraph

Who knew the mob had become "enlightened"? But, as things go, whether you are gay or straight, power belongs to he who is feared. And really, look at this guy, admit it, he is one scary dude/dudette!

The cross-dressing criminal, whose real name is Ugo Gabriele, was arrested by armed police during a raid in the southern port city of Naples, home to the Camorra, one of Italy's four mafia groups.

Gabriele, 27, hardly conforms to the image of a gangster's moll – his police mugshot shows him to be heavy set, with broad shoulders and a double chin.

But there is also an incongruous feminine touch – carefully sculpted eyebrows, blonde highlights in his hair and a light dab of lipstick.

Police said Gabriele was a mafia 'capo' or godfather who masterminded a drug dealing and prostitution racket in Naples for the Scissionisti clan of the Camorra.

Valentine's Day Cuties....

Every one likes to see a photo of cute little girls... and no, these 2 cuties are not Sarah and Anna they are my Latvian - Finnish - English nieces, Luize and Alise. They are Sam's brother's daughters.

I was going through some old boxes a couple of weeks ago and found these sweet strawberry sweaters. I had bought them for Sarah and Anna when I was in Ireland with Sam back in 1997. During the trip I went on the obligatory tour of the Avoca Factory with a pass through the Factory/Outlet Store, yes we have those in Europe. I had packed away the sweaters when the girls out grew them, and really, what I was saving them for? So I packed them up and sent them to their mom/my sister-in-law in Riga. I tried to find a photo of Sarah and Anna wearing the sweaters to post along with this one, but no luck. I must have one somewhere, but I can't seem to find it this morning. 

Isn't it lovely, in Sam's family like in mine, all the cousins are girls. His sister has 2 - Elizabeth is 16 and Caitlin is 15, we have 2 -Anna is 13 and Sarah 14  and now his brother has 2, Alise is 4 and Luize just turned 1 in December. Of the 6, 4 were born in December, one in April and one in May. December is an expensive month for this family! With all these December babies, maybe is true what they say about spring in the air....

Birthday Update-

Last night Sam, the girls and I went down to Floriano's for dinner. We had the place to ourselves. I guess the night before Valentine's Day is a slow one. We had Spaggetti alla vongole, muscoli alla marinara and cappon magro, my personal favorite. Sam and I washed that down with a with a cool crisp white Gavi. At home the girls had a cake and flowers waiting for me. All in all it was a perfect day. 

You ask what did the family give me? Well, other than the requested peace and harmony, a new sewing machine! I still need to buy it. I hope Sam has an idea of how much a new machine will set him back!

Have a happy Valentine's Day and remember to love the one you are with!

Krista

  

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is Friday the 13th.... And I turned... cough, cough, 43 years young!

I started the day with a very early 5:30 am wake up and breakfast with Sarah. The house was freezing this February morning and the only way to warm it up was to turn on the stove, if I had to do that, why not make something yummy too? So, I baked Sarah her favorite cornmeal scones served with butter and jam and a hot cup of chocolate. Whose birthday was it, oh yeah, mine.

As Sarah walked out the door at 6:40 Anna slipped out of bed and into the kitchen. Think she wanted the scones? Nope, she wanted bacon and eggs. So, I made bacon and eggs. As I get older maybe I am becoming more like my dad - you should see how these kids have him running in the summer! Every summer when we descend on his home and take over his life he becomes a One Armed Chef - minus the baby on the hip - making waffles for Anna and corn muffins for Sarah.

After Anna trotted off to school I caught up on all my facebook birthday greetings. Franca arrived at 9 with flowers in hand. She is too sweet. After that I headed out to stroll through the mercato and to meet Anneliese (pictured above) for a coffee. Finally these last few days the sun came out and today, the skies were crystal CLEAR! So clear that you could see all the way to the French Maritime Alps - and they were blanketed with snow!  What do you a do on such a beautiful day on the Italian Riviera? Well you go for a passagiata and have an aperitivo! See the happy smile on my face - I just downed a lovely glass of white wine while enjoying the view with a good friend.

This afternoon I headed to Genoa for my normal pick up Sarah from school, bring her violin and take her to the conservatory. Before she headed off to her lessons, Sarah and I stopped by my dear friend Carol's and had a lovely lunch - she even made me a scrumptious chocolate cake in honor of my birthday! The last time anyone has made me a birthday cake... well that had to be my mom and I had to still be living at home. The cake was divine and my day perfect. Well, other than I took the train into to Genoa thinking Sam was going to pick me up which of course he didn't! Sarah and I barely made the 5 0'clock Intercity back to Chiavari and I had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to a dog who was mighty interested in the chocolate cake sitting in my lap!

Anyway... I am sitting here blogging while sipping a bit of bubbly while Sam does the same as he catches up on his emails. Sarah is out running an errand for me - purchasing some flowers for another good friend who shares my birthday - and waiting for Anna to come home. Then we are all off for a birthday dinner!

By the way, this Friday the 13th is the first of the year, but not the last. For all of you fearful of Friday the 13th - brace yourself - this year is going to be a doosey!

Don't fear back to back Friday the 13th

If bad economic news hasn’t already shredded your nerves, how about this:

Today is Friday the 13th. And we’ve got another one next month, the first time we’ve been hit back to back since 1998. And the 2009 calendar is darkened by yet another one in November

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Groundhog Day!

I do hope that Mr. Phil, the groundhog, is only telling us about the weather in the United States and not Europe! I am so sick of winter and yearn for spring! So much for global warming!

Six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil says

AFP: Snow brings deaths and travel chaos to Europe

Today was another day of dreary cold raining weather. Sleet in town and snow in the mountains. At the moment Sam is trying to drag us out of the house for a walk... he is getting no takers. Though I am suffering from a severe case of cabin fever, there is no way I am venturing out into the rain I see out my window. Not during flu season.

We had a relaxing weekend. Saturday night we played cards with Ian and Silvia, boys against girls - girls lost. Knowing that the weather was going to be cold and wet on Sunday we all wanted to get together and have lunch, but, no one wanted to shop for and cook it. Really, I wanted to go out for I had been in all week with sick kids. The decision was to have a big traditional Sunday lunch in the "entroterra" behind Chiavari in a place where all you need to do is sit down and the food just comes to you. No choosing, no ordering, the food just is put in front of you in big plates, just like mom would. Heaven. Sunday noon time we were joined by another English friend and in two cars 9 of us set off in search of, "Ou Grumàllu" located at the top of Reppia high above the Valgravelia. It took a good 45 minutes to drive up the long and winding road - we only had to ask for directions once - and when we found the right turn to take us to the top of the mountain - a narrow track and just about wide enough for an "ape" we made it - in Sam's Tourareg.  

After our adventurous drive we finally sat down to a delicious Sunday lunch of 3 different antipasta, 2 pastas - homemade ravioli with ragu and taglitelle verde with sugo di funghi, 2 meat dishes - arrosto di carne asado and coniglio in panatura, plus wine, dessert and coffee -all that for 18 euro / $23 per person! There is nothing better than a long lunch  - ours lasted over 3 hours - with good friends and conversation. Outside the air was crisp and COLD and a light snow was falling, inside we were warm by the fire with delicious dishes, one after the other appearing before us, simply beautiful.

Overnight the weather conditions deteriorated. I slept in this morning knowing that Sarah was off from school this week and safely tucked in bed. To wake up at 6 am in cold rain only to take the train to Genoa, what a relief she could safely stay warm in her bed.

Update.... By the time I wrote this post... Sam ventured out for his walk and returned home. If the weather can beat a tough Finn, so much for the finnish concept of, "Sisu" . Ah, you just know it was that bad out.