Living in Italy - One Year Later
It's hard to believe a year has passed since my family and I got off the plane that brought us to our new home. Living in Italy has been whirlwind of wonderful, crazy, confusing, frustrating, and at times very magical moments. It took us about six months to really feel settled and at home. Home...My home is in Italy... There are still moments when I pinch myself to make sure it's not a dream.There are many things I love about living here and a few I could do with out. So I of course, I made a list.Why I love Italy
- It's Italy. Need I say more? The blessing to have this experience is one I'm not taking for granted.
- I am surrounded by antiquity. When you stroll though towns on cobblestone roads you can't help but think about all the people that have gone before you. In short, the history.
- I've had to put myself out there and it's totally been worth it.
- The wine. Ohmygosh...the wine!
- "Domani". Italians are very laid back. I love how they enjoy and appreciate living and aren't afraid to put things off till "domani" (tomorrow). They don't rush to drink that cup of coffee on the run. In fact I think they only time they do rush is when they're on the road. It's made me appreciate the simple things even more than I already did.
- Market day. Antique Market Day. Artisan market day. Festivals. etc. etc.
- They take serious steps to conserve and preserve. From the recycling to the infrequent use of paper cups and utensils (I've yet to see them in a cafe).
- Scarves. One of my favorite accessories is also considered one necessary piece of clothing for Italian women. Yay!
- Pizza with mushrooms from my favorite Pizza place = heaven.
- I'm actually getting to use the Italian I studied: four years in high school & 3 semesters in college. Over the last year it's vastly improved.
- Gelato. Gelato. Gelato.
What I could live with out or miss the most about the States
- The toilets. I absolutely dislike the toilets here. They're designed in such a way that one constantly has to take a toilet brush to them if you know what I mean. Oh and then there's the squatty potty.
- Getting used to things closing in the middle of the day for "riposo" was really challenging at first and it still can be at times.
- The lack of big box stores like Target. Oh how I miss Target and their cute home decor items and way affordable t-shirts I also would be remiss if I didn't mention the CLEARANCE items. The Italian sense of decorating style tends to either lean toward the ultra modern or somewhere in the 70's or 80's and there is no "clearance" section. There are two major times of year when the stores have major sales. January and July.
- I know I'm surrounded by cafes that serve excellent coffee and I am a bit of a coffee snob...Yet as much as I'm embarrassed to say it, I miss Starbucks. Sometimes you just want a cafe latte to go. NO such thing here. [Except for the coffee vending machines which, by the way, make excellent coffee. (See number 5 above).]
- Converting the Dollar to Euro. I hate that right now we get only about $.71 to every €1,00. Needless to say, I shop online a lot.
- Closets. I miss closets.
- Cellular telephone service. It's "no buono".
Mustache Baby Shower - FREE PRINTABLES!
Last Fall I threw a "mustache" baby shower for my friend Yana. I met her when we were newly arrived in Italy and living in temporary lodging. She was in her first few weeks of her pregnancy when she shared her good news with me and another new friend (Carmen and I coincidentally were on the same plane and were hotel rooms neighbors). I gave her a hug clapped my hands in joy and asked if she'd let me throw her a baby shower. I'm sure she must of thought me and my other friend completely batty but she obliged and to her good credit showed no signs of how crazy she must of thought us. Little did she know one of my favorite things to do is throw a baby shower. On an afternoon in the early autumn when she'd grown much rounder, and our friendship had lasted more than a few days a little mustache themed party happened in my home. Here are a few photos from that day...Food:Carmen and I decided on a very simple, yet delectable menu.
Beautiful croissants were center stage ready to be filled with either a Waldorf chicken salad, Italian Salami, an assortment of cheese, or a simple seasoned butter.For sides we offered: crackers, olives, cold cuts, fruit that could be dunked into a pumpkin pie dip, fresh made salsa and chips. Desert came in the form of mustache topped cupcakes, and carrot cake.There was also a beverage bar (somehow I neglected to photograph) where guests could choose from my red sangria, natural and sparkling water as well as fruit infused water, and a white grape juice infused with mint.
Decor:This was actually my second mustache themed baby shower I planned, so it was a snap to put together, as I'd already thought up most of the decor. I made a simple diaper cake using jute twine as ribbon and topped with a few of the cupcake toppers. I made a "Keep Calm" sign by printing it out and decoupaging it onto a canvas. [There's a link at the bottom of this post where you can download a free printable of it.]
To make the onesies I simply printed out the graphic on iron on transferable paper and followed the instructions the paper came with. The banner garland was really easy to make. I cut the shape out by hand and used a mustache shaped hole punch and glued them on following the color pattern you see here, which was a mixture of neutral earth tones, grey, and yellow. You can also find a pre-made one like this mustache garland that are super cute.
Games:We played a few fun action games and other games guests could play as the wanted to. In a jar I placed a ton of those hole punched mustaches and asked guests to guess how many. On 4x6 cards I printed up a few different mustache types and asked guests to guess the name of the 'stache. I also drew a tree on a canvas and had some yellow paint ready for guests to thumbprint in the leaves with yellow paint that would match the baby's nursery. This mustache baby shower was so much fun to throw!
A fun game was Pin The 'Stache On The Baby. I drew the baby face based on an image I Googled and cut out these larger mustaches from a template I made. Guests were then blindfolded and spun and asked to pin the mustache on the drawing. You could also try the game using these cute pushpins.
As a little present to you, I'd like to give you the "Name the 'Stache", mustache theme game I used, and the "Keep Calm And Grown On" sign I made as a free printable. They're in PDF form.Enjoy!
If you use these printables for your party please come back and share with me! Also if you use them in a round up, please link back to this post. Thank you!
Blood Orange Mimosa
Last week I told you about buying some blood oranges from the market. They were amazing! Over the the weekend I was slicing some up for my son when I got to thinking that a blood orange mimosa would be perfect for an Easter brunch or when ever really. So I made myself one…But these oranges were so pretty, I couldn't stop photographing the fruit. Gosh, I'm so weird.
To prepare a blood orange mimosa you'll need
Prosecco or other sparkling white wine (or champagne) well chilled.Juice from fresh blood oranges. I like mine with the pulp but if you don't then use a strainer.Sugar. If your oranges are on the tart side mix in a bit of sugar to taste. (optional)Orange liquer (optional)
Combine fresh blood orange juice with sugar and orange liqueur if you're using these ingredients. in a large measuring cup and stir to combine. To serve, pour the blood orange juice into the bottom of Champagne glasses until about half full, top off with Prosecco.
Enjoy!
Italian Open Air Markets - Sacile, Italy #igtravelthursday
It's nearly been a year since I arrived in Italy and shopping at the open air markets has become one of my favorite things to do. Each town or "commune" has their own market and they're usually held on a different day of a week. You can find everything from: fresh produce, cheese, fish, clothing, shoes, housewares, fabric, and flowers.The Sacile market is one of the bigger markets held in the Aviano area and it takes place on Thursday mornings from about 8 a.m. - 12:30. It is held near the city center and winds around various streets and is very picturesque as parts of it is on the Livensa River.The produce is all farm fresh and the fish, cheese and other food products generally come from the local region. The markets are also a great place to purchase Italian made products from handbags, shoes (leather), clothing (I love the scarves), and some of the household goods. You will find items made in other places like the PRC but you can generally tell the quality apart.Today I purchased some delicious blood oranges and a few novelty "carnevale" toy items I'll use as props for my son's upcoming birthday party. I had to fight the urge to purchase yet another scarf (even though I really liked it.)When you need a break from shopping I highly recommend stopping at one of the many local cafes and enjoying a latte or cappuccino or even a Spritz.[gallery type="rectangular" ids="9934,9933,9935,9937,9936"]Things to remember when shopping at the markets:
- Bring Euros (if possible in small denominations). Some vendors may accept credit cards, but I've never seen one.
- When purchasing produce: It is considered uncouth to handle the fruits and vegetables. Don't be surprised if you're chastised by an old lady if you touch it with your bare hands. Many of the vendors will offer samples of their products esp for in season fruit or cheese. If you're unsure you'll like an item, don't be shy to ask for a small taste.
- It generally is a good idea to ask for assistance when you wish to purchase an item.
- The number one on hand written signs to an American will sort of resemble an upside down V. Decimal points are not used in it's place you'll find a comma.
- ALWAYS get your receipt as you can be stopped by an Italian Guard of Finance and asked to furnish a receipt. I've never seen it happen at an open air market, but I've seen them at other commercial stores. So it's better to be safe than sorry.
From Wikipedia:Sacile is a town and comune in the province of Pordenone, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-east Italy. It is known as the "Garden of the Serenissima" after the many palaces that were constructed along the river Livenza for the nobility of the Most Serene Republic of Venice.
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First Confession Fears
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. ~ Michelangelo
My eldest will be making his First Communion this Spring, his first confession is in a few weeks and I know he's been a little anxiousThis evening as I tucked him in he asked, "What's going to happen if I make a mistake?"I kissed him on his nose and said, "God will love you still."I told him that God already knew who he was meant to become, and on his journey to becoming the man God has intended him to be he'd make mistakes. I told him, "Making mistakes is part of growing up." I explained that he can not live in fear of failing because by doing so we'd be dishonoring the journey God has set us on.I told him that, the whole reason why we confess our sins is so that we can acknowledge our mistakes and try to do better in the future. We are human, we make mistakes, and when we own up to them, and atone; our souls are made lighter.I could see the relief in his entire being. It was palpable. He let his fear go. It swooshed out of him in a great breath and he grew brighter.It was then, I thought, that his fear had been set free. I'm sure there will be other things he will fear in his life, but he now understands the feeling of peace that comes with it's release.
We all have fears. It's in acknowledging them they loose their power. Don't worry my little darling...Everything is going to be all right. xo
Book Review: "Havisham" by Ronald Frame
Havisham by Ronald Frame is the prequel to Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Frame takes the jaded and unhinged Catherine Havisham out of her musty clothes and turns back the clock. We find Catherine as a young girl learning about herself, where she is full of life and hope, and longing before her future life stunting heartbreak.
I enjoyed learning about Catherine's before: her family relationships and friendships. How her beloved father strove to turn her from a wealthy businessman's daughter into a Lady. To do this, Frame had to take the elusive - even ethereal Havisham and make her a real multidimensional character. Just as Dorothy unmasking the wizard ruined the magic, Catherine Havisham looses some of her mystique as her ghostly wedding gown is replaced with fancy ball gowns. He begins this demystification of Catherine Havisham at a place a reader would easily recall from Dickens' tale; the point when Estella first encountered her adoptive mother. The opening scene was a fragmented and brief glimpse into that day which set the tone for the entire novel which was written in these fragmented glimpses. This fragmented style of writing was interesting, but at times a bit frustrating much like trying to stream a video that keeps buffering. Overall I enjoyed the novel because it allowed me a glimpse into Havisham's past and her own mental anguish. I thought Frame really could've delved deeper into the psychological aspect of Havisham's unraveling and found the lack of this aspect to her demystification disappointing.Would I recommend this?. Yes. Especially if you're a fan of the classic.Havisham by Ronald FramePublished by Random House LLC on 28 Jan 2014Genre: Young AdultStand Alone or Series: It’s a loner.Source: NetGalleyFormat: eARCBuy on Amazon• GoodreadsHaven't read the classic? You can download it on Amazon for your Kindle for free!
A Week By The Sea - Lyrics 5591/Justin Furstenfeld - Blue October
Precise like a metronome, to the boneSo calm, you're a week below the seaI'm blessed like a leprechaun finding your goldTwo cheers for the low that you take up to highThey come crashing like a winter warm rainSo soft you could tremble on all of my soulChorus:Cause yeah, you show me to the open part of my soulCause yeah, you show me to the open part of my soulCause yeah, you show me to the open part of my soulSoul, my soulSo I'll rise when you ask me to, and follow throughI'll climb to the highest point blankI'll crawl just to get to you, you are my homeAnd only time will be the judge of this romantic trialWhen I'll kiss away your worries of meJust smile and believe that you live in my soulChorus:Cause yeah, you show me to the open part of my soulCause yeah, you show me to the open part of my soulCause yeah, you show me to the open part of my soulI said you show me to the open part of my soulImpressed by the who you are, shooting starBest-dressed by the fall, you are treeTwo steps to the intimate part of my soulYou show meYou show me to...my soulShow me toYou show me to***I love this song. It's not been officially released but I've got a demo of it from the band. You can Google and find videos of Justin Furstenfeld performing it. It's got a really cool electronica sort of beat.Check out Blue October online at blueoctober.com