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Archive | December, 2011

update from Roma

December 30, 2011 at 5:18 pm

Well, technically I guess I’m writing from Tuscany as our train hurtles along towards Venice… all of which is a little more exhausting than dreamy thanks to our little baby! (I’m writing this as she finally sleeps in the crook of my left arm.) But it’s lovely in Tuscany even in late December when all the vineyards are clipped and dormant for the winter. We’re traveling with my family while they’re visiting this Christmas and we are already dreaming of a summertime return. How can you not? :-)

I’ve been collecting a few photos to share of our Christmas in Sicily with my family… but it looks like the Blogger app won’t let me upload them. Grrr. I’ll try again later, as there are some sweet ones! It’s been so cozy and satisfying to have them here, loving on little Lena and making new memories with us.

1 :: in Uncategorized

update from Roma

December 30, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Well, technically I guess I’m writing from Tuscany as our train hurtles along towards Venice… all of which is a little more exhausting than dreamy thanks to our little baby! (I’m writing this as she finally sleeps in the crook of my left arm.) But it’s lovely in Tuscany even in late December when all the vineyards are clipped and dormant for the winter. We’re traveling with my family while they’re visiting this Christmas and we are already dreaming of a summertime return. How can you not? :-)

I’ve been collecting a few photos to share of our Christmas in Sicily with my family… but it looks like the Blogger app won’t let me upload them. Grrr. I’ll try again later, as there are some sweet ones! It’s been so cozy and satisfying to have them here, loving on little Lena and making new memories with us.

1 :: in Uncategorized

Christmas party prep

December 27, 2011 at 3:32 pm
A very [belated] merry Christmas, folks!  It’s been such a cozy Christmas here in Sicily.  My three siblings and my parents arrived on Saturday morning and we’ve been savoring all our favorite parts of Christmas: family together, holiday music, roaring fires, hot breakfasts, homemade wassail, thoughtful conversations, no schedules, group games, and tables laden with good food.  My sisters have been documenting almost every moment, so there will be many photos to share soon.

I wanted to share some photos from our Christmas party last week.  Unfortunately, we were too busy hosting to think about photos during the party, but we got some shots beforehand.

I spent the day before baking and preparing.  This little cutie and I had fun in the kitchen!

Elliott and I eagerly prepared our house for this event, and I think we gave the impression that we are [almost] settled in!  Elliott had a fire going in our “hobbity” fireplace to keep our guests warm:

The other half of our living room:

I made a Christmas tree cheese plate and added sundried tomatoes from the local market and green olives grown and harvested by our neighbors.  The “star” atop the tree is a mushroom; I used the tip of a knife to press the star shape into it.  This was a huge hit!  After the party, not a scrap of the tree remained.

And many desserts, including the sweetest mandarins from our neighbors’ groves:

I did hours of research on recipes before this party.  Here are links to some tried-and-true goodies:

5 :: in arts and crafts, eat this, holidays, home sweet home, hospitality

Christmas party prep

December 27, 2011 at 2:32 pm
A very [belated] merry Christmas, folks!  It’s been such a cozy Christmas here in Sicily.  My three siblings and my parents arrived on Saturday morning and we’ve been savoring all our favorite parts of Christmas: family together, holiday music, roaring fires, hot breakfasts, homemade wassail, thoughtful conversations, no schedules, group games, and tables laden with good food.  My sisters have been documenting almost every moment, so there will be many photos to share soon.

I wanted to share some photos from our Christmas party last week.  Unfortunately, we were too busy hosting to think about photos during the party, but we got some shots beforehand.

I spent the day before baking and preparing.  This little cutie and I had fun in the kitchen!

Elliott and I eagerly prepared our house for this event, and I think we gave the impression that we are [almost] settled in!  Elliott had a fire going in our “hobbity” fireplace to keep our guests warm:

The other half of our living room:

I made a Christmas tree cheese plate and added sundried tomatoes from the local market and green olives grown and harvested by our neighbors.  The “star” atop the tree is a mushroom; I used the tip of a knife to press the star shape into it.  This was a huge hit!  After the party, not a scrap of the tree remained.

And many desserts, including the sweetest mandarins from our neighbors’ groves:

I did hours of research on recipes before this party.  Here are links to some tried-and-true goodies:

7 :: in arts and crafts, eat this, holidays, home sweet home, hospitality

our first hike in the hills

December 22, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Sorry about the radio silence, folks!  It’s been a mad house around here getting ready for the big Christmas party today.  But I’m happy to report that it was a huge success!  Everyone had so much fun and Elliott and I were able to relax and enjoy our guests, good food, hot wassail, and entertaining for the first time in our very own Italian villa.  I’ll share some photos tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are a few from Tuesday, when Elliott had the day off and we went on our first hike in the hills around our home.

Here are the cowbells we hear from our balcony!  See the cowherd on the right?

We found a place to cross the stream that runs through the valley and started up the opposite bank.   The thick, soft green grass grew up to our knees.

An olive grove: perfect spot for a picnic.

Bites of tuna fish sandwich, banana, and mandarin weren’t enough for her.  She had to taste the foliage too.
 
There will be frequent hikes to come, in many seasons and with many friends, we hope.  Come visit!
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