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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

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

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!
3 :: in family, pretty places, Sicily

preparing and planning

December 20, 2011 at 5:08 pm
As I write this, Elliott is following our handyman around our house as Mario gently pounds nails into our walls.  As Mario speaks 10 words of English and Elliott speaks 25 words of Italian, they make a quiet duo.  Lena and I check on them every now and then in between eating Cheerios, ironing wall hangings and quilts, and wiping a runny nose.

I’ve also been writing a loooooong grocery list in preparation for a shopping trip this afternoon.  Elliott’s staff are invited to our home for a potluck Christmas party this Thursday, and I’m covering drinks and desserts.  So far I’m thinking apple pie, pumpkin ginger muffins, peppermint bark, decorated gingerbread cookies (or maybe these fabulous brownies?), pretzel candy cane kiss candy, and definitely this fabulous cheese board!

I’m excited, but I haven’t often been the sole party hostess in my life.  There’s a lot to think about and prepare ahead of time!  I’m searching the internet for various inspirations, party games, and wassail recipes.  Do you have any tried-and-true desserts or Christmas party suggestions?  I’d love to hear ’em!
6 :: in holidays, home sweet home

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

December 19, 2011 at 12:26 pm
It has taken us awhile to get our act together, but this weekend we kicked into gear and did some Christmas decorating around here.

This is our pride and joy: our book tree.  I mentioned before that we might make one, and finally we decided to give it a shot!  We chose all our favorite books for the tree, and for a tree topper I cut out a cardboard star and covered it with tin foil.  Sweet and very appropriate for this family.

In the rest of the house, there are bows on our front door…

… and garlands on the staircase.  (And a very cuddly snuggle muffin after her bath.)

We also have a miniature artificial tree that my grandmother gave us.  It is originally from Switzerland and comes with itty-bitty wooden ornaments.   So far Lena hasn’t reached either tree or the presents, but I wouldn’t put it past her.

This is the first time in our marriage that Elliott and I have had a tree or any Christmas decorating whatsoever.  For our first Christmas, Elliott was deployed to Egypt.  I left our little undecorated apartment to spend Christmas and New Year’s with him.  It seems appropriate that we make up for it this year!

(Although… to be perfectly honest, I think we’re more motivated by peer pressure.  Elliott’s vet clinic staff are coming on Thursday for a Christmas party and then my family arrives on Saturday.  Just the inspiration we needed to deck the halls!)

4 :: in arts and crafts, family, holidays, home sweet home, hospitality
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