Here are the cruisin' ladies on board the "Costa Fortuna" sitting at our "last supper" dinner table.

Left to right. Molly from Torino who hails from Motor City, Detroit. Ann, who organized the cruise for FAWCO and lives in Genoa, Ivana from Genoa - who was our resident "Papparazzi" how she got in a photo, I don't know, Me - no explanation there, Dianne my cabin mate - an Army brat who now lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband, Maria, a fellow "New Yawker" who was the last President of the AIWC of Genoa, and finally Margherita, also from our club and the beautiful city of Genoa.

I hope you enjoy the last photo, me, I am off to bed. I have that feeling one of those change of season "colds" is working its wonderous magic.

Buona Notte!

Krista

Kruisin Krista

Ok, I am back and blogging again. Long hiatus, I know. September in Italy always starts out running and life goes full steam till June.

To catch you all up on what is going on in my life:

September started with Sarah's audition for the Conservatory. Followed up with the start of operations of the American Women's Club of Genoa, which I am president of. I know, I am nuts. Then the first day of school which was Anna's first day of MIDDLE SCHOOL, goodness she is growing up. Sam and I were running around buying textbooks and school supplies, yes you BUY textbooks for your children in Italy. That is a whole other post for another day. Those of you that know boating know that September also means the start of Boat Show Season! There was Cannes followed up by Monaco, which meant I was juggling kids, travel and work all at the same time. I just got back from Monaco to work the last Saturday at the Luna Blu Beach Bar.... Mark and Cristina were in a bind for a waitress. I bet those nice customers are still talking about their "American Waitress" who can't speak Italian. Next day, Sunday.... I was off on my cruise/ FAWCO conference on the Costa Fortuna. Click here and you can see the photos of me and my FAWCO buddies working hard at our "conference"!

I disembarked the ship on Sunday October 1st and went straight to Gavi (Piemonte) to go to a good friend's wedding. I also took home a friend from the cruise... No, not a handsome man, but, Dianne Reed who was kind enough to share a cabin and the cruise with me. She is worthy of a post too. I will save that. We spent Monday sightseeing. The speed tour of Chiavari and Portofino and then mad dash to the airport. Wednesday, dear old Dad arrived and the Genoa Boat show started on Saturday.

Are you tired yet? Dad is. He is still here eating good food, drinking fine wine, and sleeping in the sun on my sofa. Ahhh la dolce vita. Grandpa is here till next Tuesday when he leaves back to New York. Not bad for a 81 year old man.

As for going on a cruise anytime soon.... Maybe, but not with 2,750 of my closest friends. That is how many the Costa Fortuna can hold! Porca Miseria!


A presto!

Krista

Here is my baby.

After weeks of suspense, yesterday I got the call Sarah has been waiting for.

SHE GOT INTO THE CONSERVATORY!!!!!!!!

A little history. Sarah studied, albeit, not as much as Sam and I would have liked, auditioned and earned enough points to be 13th on a list of 26 who actually passed the "test". Only the top 10 were guaranteed entrance. Given that over 60 hopeful violinist from all over Liguria played their hearts out along with Sarah, to be 13th, Sarah had done well. Sarah went through many highs and many lows since the lists were posted the last week of September. Poor her, mommy was on her curise, Sam was great and Sarah was brave. She was always hopeful. Sarah studied the lists over and over again.... viola and violin. There were many of the same names on both lists. Her teacher was hopeful. At last, finally the call that she had been waiting for had come.

Yesterday I met Sarah at school with a huge bouquet of flowers - I told her the good news and when it registered - we both broke into tears! We went home. Had lunch with Joanne and Sara Costa - Sara also is going to the conservatory, she was number 4 on the list for Piano - Barbara, Silvia, Silvia, and of course dear old Dad. We toasted the Sara(h)s and their hard work.

Today I dragged poor dad to Genoa and sealed the deal. Sarah is all registered and her new life as a student of music is set to begin.

Am I a proud mom or what?

Go Sarah!

Krista

Krista's Cruising

Psssst...Same here. I've snuck into Krista's blogging world to tell you all that she's gone for a cruise. She'll be back in a week and in the meantime I'm supposed to know what the kid's daily routine is like!!! Yikes.

Anyhow, I'll keep you posted on her adventures but for those of you interested, her itinarary is:

Day Port Arrive Depart
Day 1 Savona (Italy)
Day 2 Naples (Italy) 13:00 19:00
Day 3 Palermo (Sicily) 08:00 19:00
Day 4 Tunis (Tunisia) 07:00 13:00
Day 5 Palma De Mallorca (Spain) 14:00
Day 6 Palma De Mallorca (Spain) - 01:00
Day 6 Barcelona (Spain) 09:00 18:00
Day 7 Marseille (France) 08:00 18:00
Day 8 Savona (Italy) 09:00

And for those really, really interested, you can chart her progress here on the Costa Fortuna webcam.

Rear Window

Rear Window
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Another shot, from behind. Just in case you didn't get a good enough view with the first photo. Once again, that is me behind the wheel tearing throught the rain and Swiss Alps...

Krista

T-Reg

T-Reg
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Here it is.... The Beast. Or, as I choose to call it. T-Rex.

Yes , we have a new car. Well, not new, but previously owned. Sam and I broke down and admitted - we are a two car household. No more squeezing into a mini or lining up at the rental car place. Those days are gone. The Italian Crockfords have returned to their American roots and bought a gas, ahem, diesel guzzling, SUV. I still can't believe we own a SUV! Caspita!

I know.... It has been a while since I have posted. So much has happened, as you can clearly see. If you look closely that is me driving the beast through the Swiss Alps, Monday Sam and I picked up the car in Davos and drove back home in the same day. Porca Miseria!

Since we have been back from our extended summer holiday, which included trips to NY and Finland, Sam and I have been up to our necks in work and neither of us have been able to clear our desks. I haven't been able to post any holiday photos - Why? After I uploaded my photos... The computer crashed. Hopefully, all is well and I will post pics of Anna catching the huge pike real soon.

Keep trucking!

Krista

Flashback

Desparate Housewives
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Here we are... the dynamic trio coming to you back from 1984! Sharon Mim and Me. Friends since... well, since we in grade school, like, since 1978. We grew up together just blocks from each other's homes. We shared teenage angst, pimples, boyfriend dramas, and basically, our shared hate for all things that conformed. Proudly we all can say, heads up high, that we never did. Conform that is. Here we all are, married now, Mim and I even have families, and, we are as still as cool as we were in 1980 whatever.

Sharon's wedding was the best I have ever been too. The DJ rocked. Played all our favorites. The best was... The bride and groom did it their way - all the way. Sharon and Scotty finally married the loves of their lives. They were engaged for the first time in 1985, who knows what happened, life most likely, and now they finally walked down that aisle into marital bliss.

I flew in for the week just to be there for Sharon. I have been here on Long Island catching up with family and long lost friends. Sam and the girls or in Finland staying with his family.

Life has been a flashback. I am loving the freedom to catch up with old pals. A nod to the old times, I picked up my rental car and what did I get? A Chevy Malibu. The same wheels I was driving circa 1984. How strange is that?

As has been said before by Alphaville.... I want to be, Forever Young.....

A dopo!

Krista

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Maisa.

Today is my Mother in law's birthday. Here she is with Sam last fall in Lucca.

Tanti Auguri e Buon Compleanno!

Krista

Pork Chops for 3, hold the fries....

And what did Anna do to unwind before her big show? She made us a beautiful meal... All by herself.

It is getting late and were is the rascal? Out partying with her friends.... Is this a taste of things to come? Maybe she is a bit more like me than I thought!

Krista

Anna Banana Plays the Piana!

Here is my girl after her big show. She was the last one to play this afternoon because she was the best pianist in her age group. She had grace, she had style, best of all, she didn't make one mistake. In fact, I hear the songs she plays over and over again day after day and today Anna hit all the marks. She brought a tear to my eye
Sam couldn't be there to cheer her on so her friends came out in force.... Left to right, Virginia, Anna, Sarah, Valentina, and Elena.
After a long recital Anna was ready for an apperitivo. After the show we had a little tibble with all then Anna hit the road on her bike heading for the beach and a much needed stress release.

Next stop.... Carnegie Hall....

Krista

Sarah Can Sing and She Can Write

My baby is growing up so quickly. Since school has ended, and I must say, she had a beautiful report card, as always, full of A's, Sarah has made many strides towards being a young adult. Not only has she escorted Anna back and forth to her piano and drum lessons for me. She has also organized all her practices for her various singing concerts plus put her costumes together without asking me for one thing. Sarah just the other day, took the bus home from the beach with Joanne's daughter, Sarah, minus any adults or parents. It was a 10 minute ride from the beach in Sestri to Joanne's home in Chiavari. I suppose a taste of things to come. And to mark Sarah's ascent into being a pre-teen, I let her get her hair highlighted the other day. Why not? She looks beautiful and it made her glow.

Why am I telling you all this? Because Sarah did something amazing, she started her very own blog. Express Yourself. The musings of a young girl in the midst of teenage angst growing up in Italy. Go Sarah! I put the link over in my sidebar. Click over and take a look.

This morning Anna has her Piano rehearsal, the warm up for the big recital this afternoon. More about that later. I have to get the family up and out of their beds....

Buona Giornatta!

Not To Be Forgotten

Anna

Here she is last week at her drumming recital. Ok. This has been a hectic week that started the day school ended. See the dip in the posts. Directly related to the time the kids have been spending at home.

Last Sunday, we celebrated another 1st communion... Sarina's. Not my Sarah's but my friend Nicole's daughter. With so many Sara's running around, we need to differentiate. The party was held up in the hills behind Chiavari in her Uncle's home immersed in the olive trees. The perfect setting for a Dutch/Italian girl to party with her friends and family. Look here for more. After the festivities... it was off to bang on the drums. Anna, Davide, and Sarina all played their hearts out at the end of the year recital only to be outdone by that evening's recital for the "older kids"... including Joanne tooting her flute with her daughter Sara accompanying on the piano. See what I mean about the Sara's. Too many in our gang. Check in over at her blog for more about the day... the link is in the sidebar.

This week has been spent running the kids here there and everywhere and Anna closes the weekend off with her much anticipated Piano Recital.

Sam is off tomorrow for London and I will be joining him on Tuesday. Even though the trip will be for "business", it will be a welcome relief. Whose idea was it for summer vacation anyway? Did I mention the kids are off till September 11th! What a day to pick for the first day of school....

Buona Notte!

Krista

A Star is Born....

There she is.... Sarah singing her heart out. She was great, she was loud, best of all - she was in tune! Julie Andrews.... eat your heart out!

She sang all the hits from Disney including Cinderella, Mary Poppins and the Aristacats.

Who would have known that Sarah's singing debut would include all the hits from her early years... and I mean early. The first song I can remember Sarah singing... Bibbdty Bobbiby Boo... Cinderella of course was her first Disney experience. I so remember my mom teaching her that song while we drove somewhere in my car. Sarah was less than two. Anna was not even born. From there we moved on to the Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Anastasia.... and so on. Sarah is a natural. I wish you all could have seen her.

Ok Ok..... I am a proud mom.

Oh, and Sarah is second from the left... the tallest girl there.

Krista

It was an amazing game, at least the according to those who watched it and Team USA rocked. Here is a little trivia for you....

The draw marked a milestone in the history of U.S. soccer. The Americans were 0-8 in World Cup games played in Europe, and they had never gotten as much as a single point in Europe in any match against the big five nations of Italy, England, Germany, Spain and France.

In the end... it was a tie. No car horns to be heard in Chiavari tonight but at least I can still break bread with my Italian friends.

Where was I you ask? At Sarah's singing recital. She was a star.... More about that in the next post.....

Tonight is the big World Cup game.... Why? Because Italia is playing team USA! Buzz is on and even yours truly was asked to be interviewed for the local Genoa TV news. Too bad I could not do it. I was too busy having fun on the beach at the party I organized for my children's friends. Oh Well. Chiavari has a huge screen set up on the Passagiata and after Sarah's singing recital this evening Sam and I will join the party on the promenade. Should be interesting. Think I should dig out my flag and wear the team colors... Red, White, and Blue!

But, I think the Americans are going to get their behinds kicked. The Italians play dirty and play to win.....

Krista

Roman Holiday

Sarah and Virginia
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Here are the pre teenager best buddies, Sarah and Virginia, in Rome 2 weeks ago.

My very good friend, Cristina and her husband Jacopo, took these cuties to Rome. I did say she is still my good friend? Sarah and Virginia, by the looks on the photos, had a smashingly good time. Click to see the evidence.

Sarah loved Rome and really took in all the history and culture. For school kids to see Rome could be compared to kids in the United States going to Washington DC or Williamsburg, Virginia. DC, like Rome, is the US capitol, and full of important museums and government buildings. Williamsburg VA, is a replica of life during colonial times. In contrast, Rome, it is a modern living city, yet you are surrounded and immersed in its history. You can feel like you are in the times of the gladiators, you can still order your cappuccino and brioche in style, even shop at Prada and Dolce and Gabbana and not be stuck in some theme park by Anheuser-Busch with all the tackiness that comes with it. Don't get me wrong. I love the USA, but, give me real city not a theme park. I like my history raw baby!

Krista

Joanne's Big 4-OH NO!

Joanne, Markyluv, and Me
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Yes, yesterday was a milestone in Joanne's life. She turned the big 4- 0! To ease her pain she had a big bash down at the beach in Sestri Levante at Markyluv's now famous beach bar club. All turned out to help Joanne celebrate, even one of her oldest friends from Canada. Well she now lives in the UK, she didn't have too far to fly.

All the usual suspects were in attendance and as it is with our "gang", many nations were represented. You could overhear, Italian, English and French. We had good food, great wine, wonderful company and a stunning Ligurian sunset. Click over to my homepage to see more snapshots of the party with incidentally, at least for us, continued into today. Joanne and her kids, plus Jennifer, Sam, Anna, and I all found ourselves back at the beach for another perfect day.

I am roasted and toasted and ready for bed. Oh and don't forget to check in over at Joanne's blog. I'm sure she will have up photos too. The link is in the sidebar.


Wish you were here!

Krista

Going Going...

Good bye Magnolias
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

And soon to be gone.

This devastation on my street is what I woke to this morning. At 6:45 the chainsaws started their engines and their destruction. By 8 am 6 trees were down and hauled away. At this rate, it will all be over by the end of the day and a once beautiful boulevard will be just a scar running through Chiavari.

So tragic, needless, and sad. A little history on the topic go to my post on March 3rd. Click here.

A few of my neighbors and myself passed around a petition. We gathered thousands of signatures and to no avail. Down now are the beautiful trees. Soon there will be a long road with out shade and blooms. Why? For vanity. For nothing. A mayor's foolish pride and for sure to line the pocket of some friend with a nursery. Do you know where exactly on my street this horror began? Right in front of my apartment building. Which is not at the beginning or the end of the street, it is smack in the middle. Why? Just to piss us off I suppose. Those who dared to oppose the sindaco of Chiavari, who by the way stands as tall as me. He is a very small man, I have shaken his cold hand. The power politics of Chiavari has now only become a vergogna, an embarrassment. A line of stumps on the ground for dogs to pee and poo in.

Should I go on to point out that there is not one person on the street this morning protesting this episode. No one blocking the chainsaws. Imagine if this was another country like the USA or the UK? The uproar would stop the machines in their tracks. Who, these days, cuts down perfectly healthy trees only to replace them with palms - just because at one time there were palms? Which by the way, died, just like the new ones will eventually.

This episode points out what is so clearly wrong with Italy and Italians. Why they elected a Berlesconi, a Prodi. Why there is corruption and why nothing really ever changes. No one stands up. Everyone argues and nothing changes. There is little grass roots action other than to wrap one's self in a rainbow flag and yell "pace" - peace and point the finger at someone else. I ask you, where are all those environmentalists and green people this morning? Sleeping for sure.

Krista

Happy Birthday Auntie Sonja

Auntie Sonja
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Happy Birthday to my sister in law, Sonja. Today she is... well, I am not saying. Lets just say, she is very happy in Frankfurt and getting to do what all Crockfords to best. MOVE House.

Tanti Auguri e Buon Conpleano a te!

Krista

Memorial Day

Poppies
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

In Flanders Fields


In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

This poem inspired the American Moina Michael to write this:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies

American, Canadian, European.... Remember your country's fallen heroes Memorial/Remembrance Day and everyday.

Today is Memorial Day in the United States.

The History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

And so on and so on.

Go decorate a grave, watch a parade, and remember those you gave their lives fighting wars. Or do what most Americans do on Memorial day, watch the Indy 500, have a bbq and go shopping at the mall. There are always huge Memorial Day sales...

Krista

Andersen Festival

African Acrobats
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Here are the African Acrobats doing their thing in Sestri Levante.

We, meaning Sam, myself, Anna and Valentina, joined up with some of our friends for an evening of more multicultural fun at the Hans Christian Anderson Festival, an annual event that we have seemed to miss 5 years running. Well, better late than never.

I had such a good time last night I am going back. This time with out the kids or even Sam. He is on his way to rustle up some business in Brasil.

Poor him.

Click on over to Joanne's blog for some more scoop on the Anderson Festival. The event is a sort of annual ritual for her and she has blogged quite nicely about it.



Krista

Grazia Dio!

Recital Finale
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Here is Anna Banana at her last ever end of the year school recital. I could go on about the global theme.... we all can be friends... or the cariticures that mutliculturalism has made cultures into....or a bunch of elementary age catholic school kids singing John Lennon's "Imagine" to the nuns.... "Imagine there's no religion" ect...ect...ect... You all know the words. Loads of irony in that. Lets just leave it with this. Anna did well. The kids had a great time. And thank god this the last end of school recital Sam and I have to suffer through. It is one thing to enjoy your kids, but to suffer through everyone elses.... Pazienza.

Sommeliers in Camoglie!

Sommeliers in Camoglie!
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Joanne and I enjoying another glass of wine and another magical Italian sunset!

I have been busy as can be this week trying to keep up with all the activities that seem to pile on as the days get longer.

I started off the week going to a wine tasting event in Camoglie hosted by the Associatione Italiana Sommeliers. Joanne and I met up with another American couple who are currently dropping out of the rat race of San Francisco and now living in Portofino. We concentrated on tasting white wine, vermentino to be exact, to find the one we liked the best. No an easy choice. After several glasses, they all tasted the same, like white wine. At the end of the evening we had our sciaccetra which we had saved for last. Sciaccetra is a dessert wine made from dried grapes left on the vine that are only grown in the Cinque Terre, and marveled at how lucky we are to live in such a fantastic place.

I know, I know.... I have the life!

Krista

San Giovanni Battista

These photos are proof that Sunday's prima communione mass was hectic and very nice.

After attending this rite of passage for 3 years in a row, there are a few things you can count on at this "grande spettacolo". First, everyone turns out in their Sunday finest. Or at least they try. You see the full range of fashion, from the grand senora to the punk kids. All in their best. Second. Confusion and crowds. There is never one seat empty as the child's complete extended family is expected to show up. No one takes charge and we all seem to move in mass not really knowing how it all works (at least for us foreigners). Lastly, since our church reserves the second Sunday of the May for prima communione, there are always conflicts with several important things in our lives. For instance, yesterday was Mother's Day. Who cares about moms when there are cute kids in white robes running around. There was the Antique Market in the carrugio. Imagine if you had to find a parking spot yesterday? Finally, there was the annual Marcia di Chiavari, a 12k run in the hills behind our home, which for the last 3 years Sam has been unable to run because of this conflict. Porca Miseria!

If you want to learn more about our little church in Chiavari click here. Scroll down till you see "Parrocchie On Line...." 3rd over on the top row is S. Giovanni Chiavari. Click the link and then the English Flag! I cannot believe I found this in English! Uno Miracolo! Now I can learn the historical importance of the church we attend!

Click on over to Joanne's blog for the complete photo journal of the day and you might get a feel for what I have been telling you about.

As for Sam and his running, he is training for the next race, "Le Cinque Campanili" in Zoagli, the most difficult 12k race in town! 6k uphill and 6k downhill.

A tardi!

Krista

Sam da Man!

genoa 120506
Originally uploaded by sam0402.

Here is my man Sam right after his "little presentation" Friday afternoon. His topic? "The Global Impact Of Italian Shipbuilding" but of course. His audience? The newly formed British Chamber of Commerce in Italy's Genoa chapter. As expected, Sam was a star. He had his facts, he had his figures, and sounded like he knew his stuff. Best of all, he had his company logo on every one of his little PowerPoint slides. Go Saranna!

We had a nice lunch, chatted to some old friends and made some new ones.

Ciao!

Krista

Rites of Spring

Calm after the Storm!
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Prima Communione Chaos....

Yesterday was Davide Costa's, Anna's male partner in crime, prima communione. Joanne was left to celebrate this rite of passage alone. Silvio is still playing his role as "Silvio of Arabia" and hopefully will be home soon.

The event was, as usual, crowded and chaotic. Sam and I tried to snap a photo of Davide with his friends after mass, but no dice, you will have to settle for a photo of me. After mass, Joanne invited us back to her home for a light lunch. The food was great, company lovely, and Sam and I had a nice day. Though at one point one of Silvio's elderly aunts cornered me for my chocolate chip cookie recipe! I tried my best to translate it, including metric conversion. I just hope she was being polite and has no intention of making them!

After lunch Sam and I took the kids, plus Sara Costa, to Sestri Levante to our favorite beach. We kicked back, had a mojito or two, and enjoyed the rest the afternoon. When we dropped off Sara C. at home, Joanne invited us in for round 2 of the communiune festivities, eating the leftovers. This time, minus the relatives....

A presto!

Krista

Its my party...

Birthday Scowl
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

and I will cry if I want to!

Ahh, the stress of getting your way for 2 days! Something had to come along to break the spell.

Sarah was very happy to be at the beach with all her friends - but - not enthusiastic about eating pansoti! I suppose "mind reader" is part of the mom job description.

After the beach we returned home minus 4 of the girls but added Anna and Davide to mix. The kids scoffed up the last of the cookies and chips and played some more. The day had to end and all eventually went home. Grazie Dio!

Sarah crashed at about 8:30 and is hopefully having sweet dreams.

Check in over at Joanne's blog for more birthday photos!

I am off for some much needed couch time!

Buona Notte a tutti!

Sam Working at the Beach

Sam the Man
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Poor suffering Sam. He spent the day shuttling around little girls. What he really needed to do was work on a presentation he is giving Friday! As you can clearly see, he did manage to squeeze in some time for work and get in a bit of sun!

Les Sommelier on The Beach!

Joanne and I
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

The party went on and on....

This morning, Sarah somehow convinced me to drag 7 screaming girls to the beach! A quick change, a hasty departure from the house and mad dash to the train station - I managed to get to the train on time? Did they? Nope. We took the next one and spent the rest of the day at Mark and Cristina's now famous, if you read my blog, beach bar. The kids played, had a pasta lunch and even took a dip in the sea. Sam joined us bringing his computer so he could work and tagging along in the mini were Joanne, Anna and Davide.

After all were fed and busy, Joanne and I enjoyed a little piece and quiet - and a lovely glass of wine.

Wine might have been the excitement of the day for us, but for the kids.... At the next beach sitting with some friends who we happen to know, was one of the Footballers/Soccer players for the Genoa team. Poor him. Before you know it, there was a queue up for autographs. My rascals leading the way!

Ciao!

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Here they are, the pajama wearing pre and teen set!

Left to right:
Sarah, Virginia, Kelly, Sara, Silvia, Julia and Gemma.

Note the fresh healthy choices I laid out for them this morning. Think that they ate those? No Way! The girls went staight for the left over cupcakes, Nutella, whipped cream and sprinkles! Only healthy thing that went into their mouths? Strawberries.

Now I am off to the beach with 7 chicks in tow! Mamma Mia!

Krista

Pajamapalooza 2006

All Lined Up!
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Sarah and her friends hit the sack last night at about midnight. They made their beds on the floor, sorted out who slept where and actually fell asleep - at about 1 am. If you think about it, that was pretty good for 7 giggling girls.

Kelly and Gemma took the beds, Sarah, Sara, Silvia, Julia and Virginia hit the floor and slept like sardines in a can. Where is Anna you ask? She stayed over Joanne's last night with Davide. Seems Anna and Davide had a date with Wrestling Mania. She left just as the party was starting and she seemed happy to get away from the chaos.

At the moment the girls are quietly waking up. Soon, I am sure they will be looking for something to eat. Gotta go and get breakfast for 7 on the table!

Ciao!

Krista

Time Warp

Sarah
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

At this present moment there are 7 pre pubescent girls trying to sort out who is going to sleep where in Sarah's room tonight! Augh! I do not truly think I am going to get any sleep this evening. I leave it to the ragazze to sort it out.

In reality, they know best, don't they? The minute I add my two cents, whatever plan they may or may not have had will fall apart. One can only count on the law of fatigue in these trying moments during little girl's sleepovers. After pizza, cookies, cupcakes, and ghost stories, these little ladies should be well on their way to slumber land. One can only hope, that is.

Me, I am in dream land already. It is not the need for sleep or the lovely wine served by Ian and Silvia this evening. I did mention I arranged for a sitter, didn't I? Sam and I escaped this madness for the tranquility of the Lewis'. It does seem to me that only yesterday our little Sarah was our precious newborn baby. New born smell, fluffly black hair and all that came with the magical moment.

It's astounding, time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely, not for very much longer
I've got to keep control

To quote the Frankenfuter in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
Seems apt, doesn't it?



Today, and each and every day that follows, Sarah is well on her way to maturity and her destiny. She is intelligent, wise and most days, she just drives us crazy. All I can say is that the last 12 years have flown by, cliche, I know. Yet, it was only yesterday I was a new mom with a beautiful babe in my arms.

Ahh....As my mom always said, "Youth is wasted on the young". Really, it was George Bernard Shaw. But, I think she got it from the movie "Its a Wonderful Life" "Aw, youth is wasted on the wrong people!", by the grumpy old man on the porch. (1946). Knowing my mom, who never read a book, yet, saw every movie. This is where she got it from.

Happy Birthday my little one. Don't grow up too fast.

Love,

Mom

Hidden Surpises

A Fiat
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

As you can clearly see, there are many treasures to be found inside an Italian country home. That is after you climb over weeds and whack back the cobwebs!

Even a red Fiat!

Krista

Frescoed Ceilings....

Frescoed Ceilings....
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

A Fresco in a Hall...

A Fresco in a Hall...
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Demijohns...

Demijohns...
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

A Cart

A Cart
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

The View

A View
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

From the shutters.....

Need I say more?

Shutters

Shutters
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

On the previous wreck. Simply darling!

Wreck Number 3

House Number 3
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Now here is a real scary house. What does it have going for it? First the price, very low. Second, a great view. Though, not a pretty as the house with the vines. Yet, if you have an imagination and the inclination, this house could be made into a very beautiful country home. The walls are solid stone!

A Pergola....

House Number 2
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

That belongs to the home with the vineyard I posted earlier. For the moment, this is the house I keep referring to. I suppose I must like it. The view... Breathtaking. These vines are what you see as soon as you exit the house from your shuttered doors!

House Number 1

House Number 1
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

A long and winding road.

Lovely isn't it? Love the fence. A shame the house was too small for us. The property way beautiful!

Vines

Vines
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Dolcetto Vines.... And the house, at the moment, in my world, that is - it is in 1st place....

Isn't the view just lovely!

The vines are DOC, Dolcetto della Langhe Monregalesi. However you say it or grow it, it is a very nice red table wine!

Cin Cin!

Wreck Number 5

Wreck Number 5
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

A door for a Friday night....

Me and a house....

Me and a house....
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Believe it or not.... that is me looking at a house. A long way from the tract housing in San Diego, CA for sure, but really, if you look hard enough there is a house under all that vegetation!

Sam and I have, since selling our home in the sunny CA, been looking for a home in hilly Piemonte. For those that do not speak Italian, Piemonte literally translates to... Foot hills. And in this case we are talking about the foothills of the Alps! Not a shabby place.

We have spent the last couple of weeks touring properties and taking in the area. I have come to the conclusion, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Sam and I have seen nothing but wrecks. Yet, underneath all the overgrowth and destruction of the ages, you can find a diamond in the rough. Have we found it? I am not sure. The fun is in the search, no? If I had married the first man who asked, would I be with Sam? Nah... Onwards we go.... Where we stop? Nobody knows?

Hence, we keep on looking. And. After all our searching today, we stopped in to see our friends with the Hotel near Nizza Monferatto. You can find the link here or in the sidebar under "La Villa Hotel". We shared a coffee, caught up and of course, talked real estate. Keep in mind, our hotelier friends traded in their high power jobs and and flash lifestyle in London to be hoteliers in Italy. Not an easy feat. They have courage.

When we parted company, we parted with their daughters in the back of the mini. How could we not? Sarah and Anna have been begging for months for Gemma and Kelly to visit. So, tonight, Sam and I have 4 girls who range from 10 to 14 sleeping in our house! That is just the warm up. Tomorrow is Sarah's 12th Birthday Party. Oy Vey! We will have 8 screaming, boy crazy girls eating pizza and sleeping over. Did I mention that I arranged for a babysitter for tomorrow night?

Cheers!

Krista

A May Day Still Life...

may day!
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

I am in a reflective mood this morning.... bear with me.

Yesterday was of course, May Day. A day of bonfires, protests and agitation. For Us? It was another day off in the Italian spring holiday extravaganza. Seems we have had an awful lot of holidays one after the other. Next one in the line up....Festa Della Repubblica, June 6th! Woo Hoo! Italians work hard all winter, warm up the holiday season in spring for the coast through summer.... Ahh... La Dolce vita!

In Italy, life revolves around the family. It is the single most important aspect that holds people together. Me? My family is spread thin and in the U.S. of A. Sam's, they are all over Europe. I have to admit, when the holidays do come around, I get fed up when my Italian friends or acquaintances start asking me if I am going home to "my people". I consider my self home where ever Sam and the girls are. Not where I was born. By Sam and I choosing to live that way we do - I have learned to rely on myself. A very important lesson in life. Also I have learned to rely on the kindness of strangers. With that philosophy I have knitted together a sort of family everywhere I have lived, even here in Chiavari.

See this photo? What a great still life of my existence it is. In it you see that picnic table? My dad bought that for the girls many years ago when we lived in Coronado, CA. It has made 3 moves and now lives with the Lewis Family in Chiavari who first extended a helping hand to us 6 years ago when we arrived in Liguria. That straw bag? Was purchased by me a few years ago on a trip to Nice -the mother in law has one too, I bought her one and me one, I take mine with me as I travel all over the globe. The wine, Dolcetto di Alba, is right from the zone in Piemonte where Sam and I spent Saturday looking at properties - who would have thought we would want a house in Italy? Ian, our trusty friend is looking at the photos of the wrecks we saw Saturday while Sam bbqs on his grill with the help of Sara Costa, Joanne's daughter. We were 3 families yesterday. The Lewis', The Costas, and The Crockfords. All ex pats. All married to someone not from our country and not living in our countries. We stick together, rely on each other, and somehow we have managed to stitch together a loose knit extended family. I have a good life here. Everyone that knows me says that. But, like anyone anywhere, it has it ups and down. Without my friends, life would be a lonely existence. Where would I be without the kindness of strangers?

Krista