A "Happy What-Ever Comes Next", After the Holiday Greeting
For one reason or another (mostly my busy volunteer schedule) I didn't get around to sending out a holiday "photo" greeting card. I managed a traditional no photo kind, but my family and friends back home really enjoy seeing a card with our smiling shiny happy faces on it. I figured later was better than never, and came up with this after the holiday-holiday card late last night.
From our hearts to yours, we wish you a happy, what-ever comes next!
A Walk Through Conegliano, Italy
My husband and I often go exploring neighboring towns and villages. Any town, it doesn't matter, because it's all going to be new to us. A few weeks ago, days before Christmas, we took a drive with our boys and ended up in Conegliano.I love Italy at Christmas. There is no rush. There is no bustling from big box store to electronics store in search of that "perfect gift". Christmas in Italy is a time to rejoice, to spend time with family and friends. This time of "feste" is celebrated and exemplified in each city. Pretty much every commune has some sort of holiday decorations on display; usually in the form of lights. Depending on the size, some are more extravagant, and others quaint. Some cities will also host Christmas markets, where things like baked goods and sweets, mulled wine, artesian hand crafted products, and art are sold. The size of the market, is usually small unless you head closer to the mountain areas near Austria. Conegliano is such a town with a small area where local artisans and businesses gather under tents to sell their wares. Conegliano is a lovely place to go for a walk any time of year, but it is especially lovely at the holidays.
After our walk through Conegliano, we went for dinner.
It was a good day.
Christmas 2014
12:30 a.m: Family arrived home from lovely evening with friends.12:45 a.m: Evan half-asleep attempts to make it to the bathroom, but gets nowhere. Vomits all over his bedroom floor. His father and mother clean things up. Mother has concerns the dreaded 24-hour bug that has plagued so many friends has struck. But Evan gave her hope when he said, "I feel good." With a worrying heart, the parental units put him back to bed.1:30 a.m: Commence "Operation Santa". Wrapping of gifts and general Christmas things occur in a less than Christmasy spirit.3:00 a.m: The proverbial "Witching Hour". Mother posts a very Christmasy photo to social media of tree with all Santa work complete. Parental units expect to be dreaming of sugar plums within a short period.3:05 a.m: Hopes are dashed when mother hears what can only be described as a coughing-gurgle-gag, coming from the children's place of slumber.Mother dashes in, turns on the light, and discovers a horrible sight! Poor sweet Evan, in his brand new Batman pajamas is covered in puke from brow to belly, as are his bed coverings. It's a view that would make even the most harrowing of Santa's toss his cookies.She called to her husband who was not so quietly snoring on the couch to arise and come see what was the matter!3:10 a.m: Evan is bathed and fresh smelling once more. He's dressed in his pajamas from three-Christmases past and snuggled up between his parental units and a bucket.3:25: a.m. Vomiting child.3:30 am: Child sleeps.3:35 a.m: Parents pretend to sleep.3:45 a.m: Vomiting semi-conscious child.Parents all but conscious lost grip on bucket.Sheets removed from bed.3:48 a.m. Parents actually fall asleep. One still wearing her spectacles.4:20 a.m: Vomiting child.4:30 a.m: Vomiting child.Parents fall asleep.4:45 am: Vomiting child.4:50 am: Child sleeps5:00 am: Parents sleep (sort-of).8:09 am: Elder child awakes. "Merry Christmas!"Mother explained preceding events of the night. Elder child tears up and generally freaks out over baby brother. Mother says, "Go see the presents, then go back to bed."Falls asleep.10:45 a.m: Sleeping, previously puking child awakes, seemingly "normal", asks about, "Santa".11:00 a.m: Family opens gifts.11:45 a.m: Previously puking child is given broth and crackers.Noon: Previously pretending to sleep mother prepares "French toast casserole" from recipe she scored on Pinterest.1:30 p.m: Three family members eat.1:45 p.m: Previously puking child now has other excremental issues.2:00 p.m: Mother & father sipping mimosas. Children are happy.Life is messy, but good.Merry Christmas!
Sunshine Eyes
I was putting makeup on earlier and Evan (he's my precocious six year old) following my directions after his bath, came in for me to blow dry his hair. I had my Sephora pallet out and he inquired as to what the bright yellow eye shadow looked like. I grabbed a fresh brush and swept some of the pigment on the top of his hand. He remarked that it "looked like sunshine". I then asked if I should put some on. He said, "Ofcourseyoushould!"Unable to deny his exuberance, I did. When the application of sunshine to my eyelids was complete he admired my work, and said, "Now you blend in better with all the Italian ladies."Because...they all have sunshine in their eyes.
Dulce de Leche Spicy Mulled Apple Cider
This afternoon I was craving something hot and sweet that had autumn written all over it. I checked my refrigerator, pantry, and cupboards and managed to concoct a fabulous apple cider recipe, I think I'll be serving to my guests this Thanksgiving.
I'd made some homemade dulce de leche for my boys the night before (for ice cream sundaes) so I knew it would go perfect in a hot apple cider too.If you've never had dulce de leche it's a most divine thing (basically caramelized milk.) There are a lot of recipes out there, but I prepare mine by pouring one can of sweetened condensed milk into the top of double-boiler pan, I don't actually own a double-boiler pan so I make "un baño María" by placing a heat proof deep bowl into a larger pot, add hot water and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about an hour to an hour and a half, or until the milk becomes thick and caramel-colored. Remove from heat and stir briskly until smooth.You will find recipes that tell you to boil the can in the water, you can do this if you want, I certainly know plenty of Abuelas who have and do. I really can't imagine how boiling an aluminum can, could be beneficial to your health, especially if it's not absolutely necessary.Now on to the cider!Ingredients:
- Apple Cider (I used the bottled store bought kind)
- Dulce de Leche (or caramel sauce would work too)
- Mulling spices: I used what I had on hand:
- Ground ginger
- Cinnamon
- All Spice
- Whole Nutmeg
- Cayenne Pepper
- Dark Rum (optional)
In a pot simmer the apple cider, dulce de leche, and spices until the cider is imbued with the spices. Add rum if you so desire. Strain the cider as you pour into mugs.You can rim your mugs with a bit of the dulce de leche as I've done.Enjoy!
Literary Tattoos For This Book Nerd
So this happened today...A couple of friends and I went and got tattoos together. It was a ton of fun! I got two new tattoos, I guess could be classified as "literary tattoos" (I obviously can't get enough of this particular theme when it comes to my body-art.) They satisfy the book-nerd in me!
On my forearm I had "awake my soul" tattooed in Jane Austen's script. Why a Mumford & Son's song quote, written in a long dead author's "script"?When I was ten years old I discovered Jane Austen, and the writer in me. It happened at what is still one of my favorite places in the world, a library. Our local library was a beautiful building, the facade was covered in coral rock, the interior, dark mahogany wood, and it smelled like heaven. I happened upon a junior version of Pride and Prejudice serendipitously in the children’s library. I loved it, and soon discovered it wasn’t the original. I bravely made my way into the grown up library, a magical place with its shelves that reached the stars and quickly found my way to Austen’s classic. I didn’t realize it was a classic, as I stood on tiptoes to see the top of the check out counter. The librarian raised an eyebrow at me, and asked if I’d like to read the “junior version instead, you know, the one with pictures?” I replied in turn, I’d “already read that version- three times”, and wished to read the original. She smiled at me and stamped the card at the back of the book. I remember feeling like I held a treasure in my hands as I walked away.
The discovery of Jane Austen's book, essentially awoke my soul to writing. I also can't help but adore the meaning behind the lovely song.
Just below my thumb I had two teeny-tiny quotation marks placed. It's to act as a bit of a reminder to me, to not forget about my "passions". I especially love this quote by Truman Capote, "To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music the words make." It essentially describes exactly how I feel about the tattoos I got today.
Smell the Roses
I posted this to my Instagram account earlier.I believe in love. I believe in my family. I believe in angels and Heaven. I believe in karma. I believe beauty can be found in anything and anyone. I believe everyone should step out of their comfort zone, travel is a great way to do this. I believe in dreaming. I believe in tattoos and self expression. I believe in never underestimating the power of a good book. I believe words are magical. I believe art, literature, and music can transform us. I believe in the simple moments like having a cup of coffee with a friend. I believe every day offers us an opportunity to do great things. I believe great things need not be large or loud, or seen and known by millions. I believe technology unites us and separates us. I believe in comfy sweaters. I believe in smelling the roses. I believe in coffee, tea, and wine. I believe in chocolate. I believe in exercise to strengthen our bodies, not to make us fit into a skinnier pair of jeans. I believe everything worth doing takes work. I believe in hope and in having faith.I believe I could go on forever.What do you believe in?