Archive | home sweet home

we’re back!

January 8, 2012 at 10:18 pm

After an invigorating 10-day romp through the Balkans, this little family returned to home in Sicily. Unlocking the door to our house and setting things to right within felt enormously satisfying to Elliott and me, who love creating a home (making room) and living deeply in it. Meanwhile, our little girl tromped eagerly around on all fours, enthusiastically pulling herself up on all the familiar ledges and coffee tables.

This afternoon we took a long walk into the valley below our cliff-hanging house. After hiking for about an hour, we determined to summit a steep little rise. The view from the top took our breaths away, especially as the sun was just setting behind our little town in the distance.

Now we’re curled up on the couch together in front of a crackling fire, listening to music and soaking up the sweetness of home life. Tomorrow there will be much more settling in to do, and, for Elliott, a full day in the veterinary clinic. But tonight there is just rest.

(Photo was taken on my iPhone, chosen because it trumped several others taken on my Canon DSLR. That little Apple gadget amazes me.)

4 :: in home sweet home, husband, Sicily

we’re back!

January 8, 2012 at 9:18 pm

(Photo was taken on my iPhone, chosen because it trumped several others taken on my Canon DSLR. That little Apple gadget amazes me.)

4 :: in home sweet home, husband, Sicily

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:

Peppermint Bark
Harvest Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Christmas Tree Brownies
Spicy Gingerbread Men
Pretzel-Kiss Candies
Christmas Wassail (set up on a crockpot on the table… also not a drop left at the end of the party)

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

Christmas party prep

December 27, 2011 at 2:32 pm

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!

The other half of our living room:

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:

Peppermint Bark
Harvest Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Christmas Tree Brownies
Spicy Gingerbread Men
Pretzel-Kiss Candies
Christmas Wassail (set up on a crockpot on the table… also not a drop left at the end of the party)

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

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!