Villa Pacis

I've been a little busy

2012-02-07T23:47:00.000-08:00

I could offer up all the usual excuses like school runs, dirty house, vacations, laziness, forgotten passwords, and while those would all be true I actually have a much better excuse! This past August we welcomed the loveliest baby girl into our family. It has been wonderfully all consuming, not much time for washing my hair, none-the-less blogging. So for anyone who still checks back now and then, all the best from our family to yours.

a song by s

2010-10-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

we've had the sniffles going around the house lately. lots of water, chicken soup, kleenex and trying any and everything we can to keep happy and as the kids call it 'un-bored'. here is stella practicing an oldie but a goodie... complete with an annoying little brother cameo.

Untitled from elg on Vimeo.

girl time

2010-09-30T05:19:00.001-07:00

last weekend stella and i had a girls night in the historic center. it's only about 10 min in the car from our house, but it's a world away if you're 6 years old and really happy to have your mom's undivided attention! it was really good fun, we stayed in a beautiful pied-a-terre of a friend on the famed via margutta. we walked the cobblestone streets til our toes were throbbing. we talked and took pictures and daydreamed. we went to bed early and woke early too. the streets were still free from the drones of tourists so i took the opportunity to rush stella around to see the sights without the crowds. she was a real trooper, she even sort of seemed interested. i tried to tell her some bits of history as we went along, and now everything we see or do she openly wonders "did the ancient romans do that too?". so sweet. we've decided to do this more often!

hanging out

2010-09-16T10:41:00.001-07:00

I've not fallen off the face of the earth, just off the face of blogger. We are back from vacations, back in school, back to work, back to reality. While this space has become a tiresome excuse for a creative outlet, i've been working on something new... and hopefully improved. For all three of you who might still be reading, thank you, and I hope to have something better for you're viewing pleasure on the horizon.

Until then, I'll try and post random pics of life around these parts. I might have gone all radio silence, but I'm still lurking around looking at everyone else's blog, I've just lost the ability to post or comment!

A DAY AT THE BEACH

2010-06-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

It seems the rains have really stopped. Wow. This was a loooong Winter, which seems to have changed instantly into Summer. No Spring, and while that's a bit sad, i'll take these sunny blue skies and beach filled days over the cold any day.

This weekend we headed North into Tuscany to our weekend home. It was the first time this year that the weather permitted us to live it like it should be done. Flip flops, bikinis, sand in the toes and sea water in the hair. Late nights with friends around the pizza oven and kids running with fireflies in the garden. My poor babies are COVERED in bug bites, but aside from that there was nothing but goodness.

Excuse my gritty blackberry pictures, they are worse than the iphone but it's all I had with me at the time (yes, I know I just did a post on my new Leica, shame on me!).

This is the beach you find directly under our house. Its what our kids call 'the rocky beach' for obvious reasons. While the rocks pose certain challenges for little toes, the water is crystal clear and the restaurant behind these beds serves up the best food of the area, hands down.

I might have mentioned in past posts how much I love this little beach. It's literally like stepping back in time, back to the fifties. I'm pretty sure it's frequented by mostly 'original clients'. Actually a waiter last year told us the locals call it L'Utima Spiaggia, which translated means the last beach... you get where I'm going with this?

So while many of the fellow patrons are members of the original La Dolce Vita era, we have no problem blending right in as a young family. It's not polished in the classic sense. The beds don't match, the flowers pots are random, if it had a style, shabby chic, would be an understatement! But therein lies it's true beauty. It's a tiny slice of life left untouched. It's a little sliver of the world where it really is only about the sun, the sand, the water, the beauty, and the food.

Stella applying sun cream herself! Phew, I am so glad we have reached this point. I'm hoping this will make the Summer treks to the beach all the less stressful. It's no fun creaming up 2 wiggly kids who don't want to sit still.

The first swim. The water was A LOT more beautiful than my icky picture lets on. The kids were beyond happy and I went for a chilly dip myself.

Now we are back in the city, tanned and decidedly more relaxed than last week. Just two more weeks of school to go and then days like this can become the norm... at least until September rolls around!

Summer

2010-05-31T02:04:00.001-07:00

After what seems like an eternity, it seems the rains have passed, for the most part. This year has been abnormally wet here in Rome, and let me tell you this town was not built for the rain. Everything on offer revolves around being outside and around walking. In a town where there are literally no parking lots, having to take the car or a cab everywhere can lead to some very miserable outings. Times that by 6 million people, 6 million ITALIANS, for 6 months and well it's a recipe for disaster. So it's easy to say that this has been a tough Winter. I think I speak for everyone in Rome when I say the Summer sun cannot come fast enough!!!

This morning after dropping the kids off at school I hung around with some other mothers for a coffee and a chat, a very welcome non-rainy day activity ;-) We are all gearing up for vacations, something the Italians take very seriously, and it got me thinking about our trip to Watercolor last year. What a fun trip, filled with friends, family, sun, sand, and all the beauty that the Gulf of Mexico has to offer. This in turn reminded me of the most fantastic photography session we had with the most talented and charming Marla, and lastly lead me to reflect on the sad state of the Gulf of Mexico. So in honor of all of those thoughts, I'll leave you with these shots from last Summer. I know that, at the very least, my mom will be happy... until she remembers that I still haven't sent her copies, sorry mom. You know it takes me about a year to get around to these sorts of things!

Girlfriends & Jewel Tones

2010-05-18T02:24:00.000-07:00

I love everything about this picture. The people, their clothes, their expressions. The setting, the flowers, the colors. Hope your day is full of beauty and a good laugh with a good friend!

Roman Holiday

2010-05-13T23:06:00.000-07:00

You're probably very tired from the long flight. You might feel like napping, but I think it's better we get up and out and I'm sure once you start seeing all the beauty Rome has to offer you'll be happy you're out in the thick of it... but let's stop and get a cappuccino and cornetto first! You'll need all the fuel you can get. We can pop into La Buvette on via Vittoria. It's my favorite hole in the wall cafe. Their millions of variations on drinking coffee are all divine. Let's start with a classic cappuccino and later we can stop for an iced coffee when the sun is strong and we are in need of a jolt!

One of the best ways of seeing Rome is simply by walking... and walking... and walking. Please tell me I remembered to warn you about that and you packed your best looking comfortable shoes?! You probably aren't feeling very sexy in you're clunky shoes, and you might be wondering why I'm prancing around in leather loafers with no arch? I can only attribute that to many years walking these streets, so in this instance it's a case of do as I say and not as I do, but if it makes you feel better, I can wear my tennis shoes too! ;-)

But I digress, let's take a stroll down via Margutta. It's one of Rome's most charming streets, full of art galleries and fabric stores. It's the actual street where Gregory Peck lived in the film Roman Holiday. It's beyond charming.

Oh I almost forgot, we should go over to Tearose, my prefered florist, it's just down the street and we can pick out some gorgeous buds to send home so when we get back there is some color! They also have a great little shop with a few dresses and accessories. Fantastic candles and bits and bobs. Did you notice that the wall is concrete with an imprinted damask design?

So now that we've wandered around a bit, are you feeling hungry? While we are still in the area we can go to either Nino (a favourite haunt of Tom Cruise) they specialize in classic Tuscan fare, little white beans cooked slowly in a glass flask over a low flame are to die for... I am drooling just at the thought.

If you would rather something light we can go by Gina. It's more modern and fresh. You can choose from a long list of fun salads and side and they even have a juice bar. This is about as modern as Rome gets!

Did I mention that to get to either of these we'll need to walk right past here...

The Spanish Steps!

It never gets old looking at them, I only wish people didn't leave all their old plastic water bottles and garbage sitting around on them once they are done picnicking. Speaking of which, that reminds me, Gina makes takeaway picnics-- we should remember that for tomorrow! We can picnic in Villa Borghese.

Now I know it seems like we are only eating all the time, and well, truth be told, that's pretty much life in Rome. We can stop and admire the little streets, the hidden churches, the open air markets. We can do all of that with little to no effort, as they are the very elements that make this town. By now you're feet are probably starting to throb a bit, and though it may have seemed impossible at lunch just a couple of hours ago, all of our tummies are grumbling again... I think it's about time to stop for a gelato!

How does this look?

Giolitti is one of the Rome's most well known and loved gelateria. Let's duck in and grab a cone. The ambience isn't so bad either!

It's not easy to narrow down the choices, there are soooo many.

Ahhh, now that we've got our cones in hand and sugar rush on the way, if we just turn left there at the corner and walk about 2 min...

Wow. The Pantheon. This never gets old. Literally, I could gaze at this beauty everyday and never feel jaded. It's without a doubt my favorite monument AND it's free. No long lines, no entrance fee. In fact as soon as we finish our cones we go in and marvel.

Let's catch a cab home. I think we've covered a lot of ground for you're first day. I'm sure you're feeling tired. At home we can shower and nap and rest up before dinner!

We'll be going to Antica Pesa. Hands down our favorite restaurant in town. We actually had our rehersal dinner here years ago. It's a fantastic restaurant and full of sentimental value. Not to mention the food and the wine list...

should we sit inside?

or out?

I'm so glad you made the effort and the long journey to visit! If you manage to stay awake until 1030pm without dropping from jet-lag and exhaustion then you're off to a great start. Sweet dream and i'll see you in the morning, we have so much more to see!

new things and nothing at all

2010-04-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies, I know I've been a very very bad blogger. My title says it all. Nothing hugely new to share, and I've been victim of a pretty bad case of utter cyber laziness, not a good blogger combo! One of my most exciting new things is that I've just received my brand new (lightly used and reconfigured) Leica D-Lux 3 camera. I've been waiting eagerly for a week or so, after it's shipment was delayed thanks to volcanic ash, I was really surprised to see it in the kitchen today as I arrived home after the zillionth children's birthday party of the month. It's just as beautiful as I had hoped, with a pretty fantastically chic brown leather case to boot! It's super light and seems easy enough to use. Of course between the whole bath-time/bedtime routine with the munchkins I didn't have a lot of time to play with it today, but it will undoubtedly be a BIG step up from my crummy and grainy iphone and blackberry pics of the past! So without further ado, here is a glimpse inside my corner of the woods. Did I mention that Spring has sprung and the wisteria is all a bloom? I just LOVE this time of year! By the way, I'm open for any and all tips from existing Leica owners :-)

Rome

2010-03-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Katie over at the ever fabulous Neo-Traditionalist for posting this outtake from a J.Crew photo shoot in Rome. It's nice to see my adopted town looking so romantically pretty! Make sure to not only check out Katie's blog, but also her online shop, I just can't get enough.

If I could marry my man all over again...

2010-02-18T02:01:00.000-08:00

I would wear all of this fantastically romantic Lanvin deliciousness. First the long dress, then the short... all topped off with these fabulous Loubutin's. Flawless.

To drool check it out at net-a-porter

Be Mine

2010-02-14T02:27:00.000-08:00

San Bruzio

2010-02-09T03:25:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday we went decided to take the dog for a walk. Though the temperature was chilly, the sky was blue and the sun was ablaze. Instead of just roaming around the little Tuscan town near our home we decided to throw on our wellies and go on a family adventure. Weaving our through olive groves and around ancient ruins. The morning rain had gone, but left big, jump worthy puddles for our little beasts to dirty themselves in... which of course they did! Diego was especially impressed by what he deemed big monster footprints which had been filled with rain water, these naturally make the best puddles!

Our walk led us to the gloriously decaying ruins of an old Abbey called San Bruzio. It was started in the 11th century and finished sometime in the 12th. Unceremoniously tucked away in a rolling hill. No fanfare or blocks to keep you from walking inside and around. No fellow onlookers, just a piece of history sitting in your backyard. It looks particularly stunning as the sun sets, casting a sort of terra-cotta hue against it's marble beauty. One can only imagine what it must have been like intact, nestled among the olives. Though falling to bits, it is considered the Maremma area of Tuscany's best standing example of Romanesque architecture. If you are ever around, it's worth the stroll.

When in Rome...

2010-02-08T06:18:00.000-08:00

You can now literally do as the Romans do... or at least as the lucky ones do!

Every time we have friends or family here to visit, I have a hard time suggesting to them a good hotel. Rome is host to many an impressive thing, ancient sights, delicious wines and pasta, charming streets and even good shopping, but nice hotels, well that's another story. Until recently that is... Rome Luxury Suites follows in the footsteps of other luxury B&B and boutique hotels around town like the Ferragamo family's Portrait Suites or the Hassler's little known sister The Wine Academy. I have personally stayed in and sent guests to both, but there has always been something missing. Both gorgeous and valid choices in Rome but somehow I have always felt what they provide in location and aesthetics they lacked in charm. Enter Rome Luxury Suites. This small chain serves up a sort of hotel/B&B hybrid which tics all the boxes. Location Location Location being the first. Their three hotels are found on the illustrious streets of via Margutta, Mario de Fiori and via Babuino respectively. If you have ever lived in or visited Rome you will know it doesn't get any better than this golden triangle. The hotels don't feature any of the typical services. You'll find no lobby, no spa, no room service. You will however find gorgeously decorated, modern yet warm rooms. Fantastic bathrooms, soft linens and oh, did I mention the unbeatable locations?! Be sure to check them out for your next visit.

Team Conan

2010-01-16T01:19:00.001-08:00

Trip the Light Fantastic

2010-01-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

It was love at first sight. Browsing through the Home section of the NY Times. I stumbled upon this fixture which I will now pathetically covet like a mad woman for years to come. Check it out over at Lindsey Adelman. Better pics featuring other versions in actual homes. Simply divine.

Merry Merry

2010-01-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

More to come soon... but for the moment we are still floating around in vacation land, far away from a fast wireless connection and this is the best I can do to upload a picture.

Happy 2010!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T10:21:00.001-08:00

Seriously I totally understand how lame and cheap this is, but we had a lot of moving around this Fall. Different cities, countries, schools, it was fun but it left little stable time for me to get around to a proper Holiday card. I did however manage to do a nice cyber card over at Paperless Post. LOVE IT, the site, not my card... which actually truth be told I also happen to like:-) I wanted to share something, since most of my real life friends and family who read this won't be getting a tangible card (at least not until after Christmas... defeats the point, I know, I know) but I couldn't figure out how to up or download the card. Again I am faced with sadly inept cyber skills. Perhaps something to add to that long New Years resolution list I've just started?! So anyway (and Darby I know you'll hate me for this!) I took a picture of the screen with my iphone and voila. A barely legible and painfully trashy version of our most sincere Holiday Wishes!!! May your year be merry and bright and may all of your dreams come true!

Christmas Lovely

2009-12-21T09:57:00.001-08:00

I'd love to share all of my pics from our American trip and all of our own holiday decor happening here in the Swiss mountains, but I have two love bugs who are feeling ever so not well. Between nursing high fevers, achy muscles and overall boredom, I literally didn't step one foot outside the door today, which might have been a blessing in disguise as I heard at the top of the slopes it was -21 Celsius (that is REALLY cold!).

Now that the children are feeling a little better and parked in front of a Christmas movie, I had a moment of Internet time to myself and stumbled upon this fabulous apartment belonging to one Benjamin Bradley. I confess I've never heard of him, nor have I the time to actually read the article now, but his pics brightened my spirits and made me happy to bask in the knowledge that Christmas week is upon us! I love his tree, and how much you can tell he loves this season. I swear my computer smelled like cinnamon as I scrolled through the site!

Have a look here.

If I'm not able to post again, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Wishing you all the very best from our home to yours!

I Heart Brunch

2009-12-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

Few things scream America to me like a good brunch. Growing up it was a loved & grand tradition in our house. Even before I was old enough to partake in the joys of mimosa or a bloody mary, I loved the pancakes and eggs and the general feeling of bliss and friendship that a nice brunch can create amongst friends and family. Today I had the pleasure of revisiting an old haunt with my parents and little ones. Growing up in Atlanta, Murphy's was the place we had brunch, if we dared to have it outside of our own house. My parents loved it so much they named one of their beloved dogs Murphy. It's bigger than it was back in the day, with complimentary valet and a 45 minute wait, but I must say it was worth the wait. Located in the Virginia Highlands area of Atlanta, you can grab a drink at the bar or walk around the adorable shops while you wait. We popped across the street and took the kids to Wired & Fired to paint while we waited. All in all a perfect Sunday brunch shared with loved ones. Who could ask for anything more?

Today Is Special

2009-12-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Today is special for so many reasons, most of all being my little boy turns a whopping four years old! He is the light of my life (along with his sister and father of course!) and a constant source of joy and laughter. The love I feel for him makes me so happy that I feel my heart could literally explode from my chest. Words could never describe the total, utter, silly adoration I have for him and I thank God every second of every day that he is my son. I am proud of all he has accomplished so far, and am confident that the future holds big, bright things for my little guy! Happy Birthday Diego! Mommy loves you so much and even though you're another year older today, I hope we still have some years left before you are too big and too cool for me to snuggle you in bed and nuzzle my nose deep in your neck and inhale the most delicious little boy smells and feel deliriously drunk with joy that you are in my life!

Serenbe

2009-11-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the South! We have been having a seriously good time over here, big and little people alike!

On one overcast Saturday not long ago we drove down past the airport to the little new urbanism town of Serenbe. It didn't exist when I was growing up here, and I've read a lot about it over the last couple of years. I couldn't wait to go down and see it for myself. Sadly the weather was not cooperating, so I have no romantic pics of rolling hills and the like, but we did get to have lunch at The Hill and stroll up and down the main street. It's small but cute as a button, with a few great eco-minded store to boot. My fav was the grocery where they stocked fresh locally grown produce, eggs and honey. A highlight of the day was watching Stella taste the different types of honey as the very informed and kind owner described to her their different characteristics. Adorable.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

2009-10-30T03:34:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report we made it in one piece to the other side of the pond! The flight was long, the service questionable, the plane dirty, and some of our luggage didn't make it to our destination, but I am thankful to be back home! The kids couldn't have been better travelers. They continue to amaze me with how patient and well behaved they can be in public situations. It was especially gratifying when we landed as numerous fellow passengers came up to compliment them on being so good throughout the long flight. It was a proud mamma moment!

Nothing more to report other than we are jet-lagged and happy and Delta seems to have found our luggage, as indicated by this notification below. My only reservation is how can a company give a delivery time from 1AM all the way through to 1PM?! Ahhh, the joys of travel!

Status:

We have located your bag and it will be delivered to you within the time frame shown below.

Delivery Company:

SOUTHERN HOT SHOTS

Delivery Time/Date:

01:00 AM - 01:00 PM, Oct 30

If I were a shoe

2009-10-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

I would throw on a dress and walk out the door. Hop in a vintage mercedes and drive myself somewhere fun with friends, good music, champagne and dancing. I mean, why would anyone want to be this shoe if it didn't lead to dancing?

fabulous christian louboutin shoe and picture can be seen and purchased on net-a-porter.com

What kind of shoe would you be today?

And The Winner Is...

2009-10-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

Cathi from Everyday Adventures of a Curious Gal

Congratualtions on your new bag and thank you for sharing your favorite Fall memory!

above photo from fine stationary's killer blog

This was my first time using a widget and it was easier than I thought, only I can't get the little picture of random proof to center itself! Forgive my sloppiness.

Thank you all for leaving your favorite Fall memories, they were lovely and I can relate to every single one of them!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:18Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Fantastic Five

2009-10-26T02:42:00.000-07:00

My little girl turned Five recently... boy how time if flying.

There was no official theme this year, like last years only girls allowed pretty in pink. Something tells me she figured if she invited the boys it meant more presents!

The kids played classic games like toss the bean bag, saw a puppet show, and laughed a lot. The most popular part by far was the face painting.

I guess you can see why, this man is a real artist.

Even Diego took a chance as a lion... though at first he was very wary of this man touching his face:-) I have to admit that in my eyes, at this point he was looking more like the Grinch who Stole Christmas than a fearsome King of the Jungle.

At first glance he seems uncertain about what he has just done

takes his 'roar' for a test drive...

and in the end was very happy with his ferocious results.

A celebratory moment wit Nonno

Stella with her BFF getting ready to blow out the candles.

Did I mention her BFF also happens to be her cousin (and protector:-)

After what seemed like a lifetime of children whacking away at the pinata, I decided to give it my best shot.

Good times where indeed had by all. Stella went to bed happy as a clam until she realized all those extra presents meant extra Thank You cards!

GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-10-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my very first giveaway. I'd like to thank those of you who I have gotten to know through this funny blog world. I, like many of you, would have never thought it possible to meet (virtually and literally) so many fabulous and dynamic people in this way. I mean I still can't get my printer to work, so imagine my shock at meeting real friends through this blog?! I might not be the most constant or organized of the bunch, but I take such huge pleasure in reading everyone else's posts that I just felt it was time to give back a little something.

Enter My Style

Introducing Italy's collegiate chic take on the classic L.L. Bean bag... My Style. As they say on their own site, they are indeed:

"Perfette per l'ufficio e lo studio, indispensabili per week-end fuori città, particolarmente adatte a chi ama unire praticità ed eleganza."

Meaning they are perfect for the office, indispensable for week-ends outside the city and particularly adept for those who should like to unite a love of practicality and elegance... basically a perfect fit for all my blogging buddies!:-)

So as this is my very first ever giveaway, and I have been such a very bad blogger of late I will leave my very few but very dear readers with a Tuesday morning deadline (eastern time), which would mean Tuesday afternoon for moi. I'm still very low-tech over here, so unless someone graciously wants to walk me through the programed computer way of choosing at random I will take a leaf from a book I saw some time ago on Seleta's blog and put names in a hat and have my trusted assistants Stella & Diego help me choose.

I will then post you the bag with your name monogrammed in cursive and wish you many happy trails with your new Italian tote!

To enter you only need to leave a comment about your favorite Fall memories as a child (or any other happy memories you have... I won't be picky!).

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

PS. Stalkers welcome:-)

PPS. I just noticed myself that I grossly overused the word 'very' in an almost obscene way. Forgive, won't happen again!

Don't Be Tardy

2009-10-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

If I could... I SO would!

Carolyne Roehm

2009-10-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

I have admired Carolyne Roehm's books, work, entertaining advice and recipes for years now. I like to think of her as a more fancy Martha. Her numerous homes, vacations and gardens featured in books and magazine spreads have an altogether more aspirational qualtiy to them. While recreating her magic and often times excessive elegance is impossible, I have found that her recipes are delicious, and her gardening advice featured in her Seasonal Notebooks, is right on the money. If you have her books, you'll recognize a lot of these pictures. My personal favorite is At Home With Carolyne Roehm. I especially love this Halloween party she threw, so original. Whimsical and creepy all at once.

I mean really, would you expect anything less from someone who calls this home?

It's actually only her New York pied-a-terre... she spends weekends at her Connecticut estate Weatherstone. If you look in her books, you are granted a peep inside various homes, Aspen & Paris, to name a few. What I wouldn't give if I could make my own squalid bedside table look like this... and stay looking like this for more than a nanosecond!

So if the whole sprawling estate and perfection thing seems overwhelming, but you'd still like to add a little Carolyne to your life, you could start off slowly by serving this at your next dinner party. It's something she picked up on a 5 week course of language, culture and art she participated in while living in Florence... as one does! It's pretty fool-proof and would be delicious this time of year as the temperatures drop.

½ cup honey

15 walnut halves

1 pound young pecorino toscano

Preheat oven to 450°.

Mix honey and walnuts in small bowl. Slice pecorino ½" thick and slightly overlap in baking dish. Bake 6 minutes until slightly runny. Pour honey and walnut mixture over cheese. Serve with crusty bread

And don't forget Christmas too!

I mean, seriously, this is what her YARD SALE looked like?!?!

I used her planting chart as inspiration for my potager this year. Here is one she has etched out in a book for planting bulbs. How sweet would it be to keep papers like these framed and line a hallway or a half bath.

And in the event that you should be so lucky to be a guest in her home, you could expect a little layout of this sort to greet you and assuage any worry you have of bugging the host for a mere aspirin or iron!

In all of my admiration, I've never read up much on her actual life story. I know that at one point she was in the fashion industry, working for and/or with Oscar de La Renta. If you google her name 'divorce' comes up, but that is really none of my business. From her books I gather she has no children but does have lots of dogs. She also has an outdated eponymous web site, which if you search the archives is packed full of great ideas and photos and recipes. You can also catch more of her work in a monthly column featured in Veranda.

Photos from Veranda, Panache Privee and Ny Social Diary

An October Wedding

2009-10-21T02:43:00.000-07:00

The leaves are changing and there is a chill in the air. Fall is one of my most loved seasons. I love the smell, the holidays, the decorations. I love the memories from my own childhood, and I now find total joy in trying to create new ones for my own love bugs. Speaking of which, did I mention we are gearing up for a trip Stateside? Well, for the first time in their lives, they will be able to experience first hand the fun of Halloween and the warmth of Thanksgiving. We have planned an all out trip across the pond complete with trick or treating and turkey. As usual, I'm not sure who is more excited the children, or me:-)

So as I sit here mentally prepping and trying to ignore that my arm hurts from having the flu shot this morning... my mind (and keyboard) turn to Fall in the South and that is when I stumbled upon this killer wedding. It was planned by Atlanta based even planners Gloriosa and held at Serenbe. I've never known either first hand, so I can't personally speak for their work but I think the pictures speak for themselves. I mean what's not to love about a wedding which ends with S'mores over an open flame???!!!

Lunch Box Envy

2009-09-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

In a BIG way! I wish I could say this is the kind of stuff I whip up for my darling daughter's lunch box, but this is the work of the foodie genius over at Cooking for Monkeys. Click over to her blog and drool... and if you're anything like me be bowled over by equal parts awe, inspiration and envy!

I mean seriously, check out the last bento box lunch complete with The Very Hungry Catapillar on a bed of hummus!

All photos taken from Cooking for Monkeys

I'm back!

2009-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

I am back to the land of normal... or as some might call it home. I couldn't be happier. My week at The Ashram was transformative on many levels but I am just simply too tired to go into that right now. I need a few days of reflection and time to adjust back to into the real world.
Certainly the hardest part was being away from my babies for a entire week! It was a first for me. My sweet hubby had to basically push me out of the car at the airport as I cried hysterically and popped a xanex. Not something I encourage, but desperate times call for desperate measures! In the end I'm so glad I went for a little self inflicted torture.... more on that later.
For now, I've hit the ground running. It's homework and lunch boxes and clearing clutter back at the ranch so after all of that talk about school lunches I've decided I'll start posting Stella's weekly lunchbox menus and let you all know how easy/hard they were to prep and how much, if any, she ate of my creations!

Monday
Tofu Veg Burger (this one is an easy Monday option... you buy it prepared:-) with a dab of ketchup
baked carrot, zucchini and potato sticks that kind of sort of are meant to remind her of french fries (fingers crossed!)
Orange Slices

Tuesday
Quinoa with a lentil soup
(but I make it very dense and blend the lentils so it comes out more like a mash, firm and easy to eat without being messy. This is easier than it sounds as you can just make a big batch of lentil soup, freeze it and pull out servings as needed)
zucchini slices chopped and lightly passed in the pan with a little mint
Fruit

Wednesday
Butterfly Pasta with Pesto
Carrot, Fennel and Red Pepper sticks
Fruit

Thursday
Riso Giallo, that's what the kids call it. Really it's a sort of brown rice risotto but we add pumpkin mushed up to make it yellow-ish.
Bit sizes of Prosciuto
Fruit

Friday
Baked tofu sticks (marinated somehow... any suggestions?)
Hummus with pita and cucumber sticks
Fruit

I'll let you know how it goes! When I have more time I'll post a previous week which was similar in health, easy to make and had a pretty big success:-)

Why don't you...

2009-09-11T01:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! With the weekend ahead and finally (hopefully) a little down time why don't you...

...Subscribe to Seeing The Everyday

I found it months ago via another blog and subscribed and have been so happy I did. A great thing for tired mommies and daddies who might not have the time at the end of the day to read a novel but want something meaningful and inspiring to look over before bed. It's full of real stories, memories & thoughts about the beauty in everyday life, shared in a magazine with no advertisements. I highly suggest having a look!

...Write a letter to an old friend. Check out Lisa Borgnes Giramonti's latest post on her fabulous blog A Bloomsbury Life where she eloquently sings the praises and pleasures of this fast fading tradition. While you're at it check out The Card Society, a most charming letter-press printed card of the month club. They will send you two unique cards per month, a constant reminder to appreciate beauty and keeping in touch!

Clear your clutter. I don't know about you but after the vacations and the start of school, my house is looking in need of some serious TLC. It's time to clean the kids closets, make room for the new and recycle, re-use and reduce the old. When I picked up Stella from school the other day she was limping and complaining that her shoes were too small! Poor dear, if I had taken the time to clear the clutter, I wouldn't have had the old pair in closet and Stella wouldn't have blisters now! Oops. In doing this, it's also a nice time to stop and think about how to have less and use what we do have more wisely. Thanks to Barefoot in the Garden I found this site Green Home which is packed with ideas.

So if I'm sounding a little preachy, apologies. It might just be my way of self soothing and prepping for what is certain to be an adventure. I won't be around next week as I'm going to an Ashram. That's right, one week of self imposed torture. Early morning wake ups, followed by hours of yoga and hiking and meditation. I'm excited, but nervous. And come to think of it, it's pretty funny that I've just done an entire post of things to do over the weekend, knowing very well I won't be doing any of them myself! So wish me luck and say a little prayer for me. I think I'll be needing the good vibes!

I'll be back soon, hopefully more centered, a little lighter in mind, body and soul... and with fun stories and pictures to share.

Happy Friday!

Photos from Seeing The Everyday, A Bloomsbury Life and my very own iphone respectively.

The Great School Lunch Debate

2009-09-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

This one might get a little long, but I'd really like to know what you think. So here it goes, some food for thought. Literally. Like many of you I've been struggling with raising food savvy kids. You know, kids who actually like vegetables. It's a work in progress, but since they were born I have really done my best to provide them with the most pure, organic when possible, tastey and local foods possible. They were both weened on lentil soup and still today actually clap when they find it on the table for dinner, so I'd like to think that it's kind of a so far so good situation... save the time this past Summer when Diego actually threw up a carrot at the table when we were having dinner with friends at their house! Hey, every battle has it's set backs!

The point I'm getting to really is that I am all at once motivated to continue, confused at how to find what is best, and now with both kids in school, I am feeling really perplexed at how to go about extending my hard work beyond my kitchen and into their lives outside of home. As you might have gathered I don't find the school lunches provided remotely up to par. I am especially shocked as we live in Italy. Hello, Italy?! You know that country where you have to work hard to eat badly?! Well, our kids do, everyday. I don't want to sound dramatic, but it's a private school, in a beautiful country, the land of the slow food movement for goodness sake! But there they are everday in the cantine eating white bread, white pasta, white everything. One of the Monday menu goes like this:

Rice with butter
and/or
White Rice
Breaded Turkey Balls
Potatoes in oil
Fruit and Bread (white)

I don't know about you, but I certainly don't think that a menu of all white, mostly startchy items in butter and oil is what I would consider brain food?!

So enough complaining, here's the real point. I honestly, serisouly, desperatly want feedback. What are the lunches like in your schools? What do you pack for your littles ones if they bring their own? Have any of you ever been confronted with something similar and if so, what was your course of action?

In my search for solutions, I've come across a few VERY inspiring sites. Not to mention the everyday inspiration I get from fellow bloggers and mommies like Jora, Sarah, Darby and Seleta to name a few. Two of the sites that stand out most so far are without a doubt
Better School Food and the the serisouly impressive Edible Schoolyard. Both of these have been instructive, inspiring and dare I even say enviable. I wish we could all have an edible school yard for our children!
The photos are all pretty random bits I had in my camera. Just everyday moments we have in our family with food. From gardening, to cooking, to cleaning and eating really healthy yummy food. Like I said it's a work in progress, I hadn't cared so much about all of this before the birth of my kids, so I'm learning with them as we grow along...

Kids talk over dinner

2009-09-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Capri?

2009-09-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Well after 8 years of life in Italy I had the huge fortune of going for the first time last week. Hubby and I left the kids at home in Rome (in trusted hands) and headed off with a couple of friends to this fabulous island off the coast of Naples. It was pure bliss, so much so in fact that I totally neglected my tourist duties and took only a few meger and sad shots with my iphone. It was, as you can imagine a million trillion times nicer than this post gives credit and I hope to return again and document it more gracefully.
We also had the luxurious treat of a day trip to Positano which truth be told I liked even more than Capri, but shhhh, I don't want to offend the Grand Dame;-)

one happy hubby!

one of the many typical 'gozzo' native to this area. adorable little wooden day boats, the definition of Amalfi chic!

Positano above and scenes from Capri below!

Is this not the cutest little boy get up?! I paced wantingly outside the display for half an hour trying to justify getting this for Diego. In the end I couldn't think of a single occassion when it would be needed in our more casual life, but contented myself by taking a photo to jog my memory should we ever desperatly need formal linen attire for my little man!

Safety first! This is what an ambulence looks like in Capri. Freakishly thin by neccesity, but hey, at least they have them in the first place!

My top picks for fun in and around Capri:

-Lunch on the terrace overlooking the sea at Lo Scoglio in Nerano

-An unforgettable dinner at the ecclaimed Quattro Passi. You'll need an empty stomach, a full wallet and a lot of time, but it is SO worth the experience.

-A stroll around Positano with a drink on the terrace of La Sirenuse overlooking the town and beyond, simply divine.

I know this was a fairly uninspired post, but I've got the kids screeching in the background and I had written a much longer post which Diego erased with the tap of a button. He also managed to deactivate my spell check, so apologies and I'll work on that as soon as they are sleeping!
I HIGHLY suggest clicking on the sites listed above, they are eye candy, every single one of them!

Have you ever been to Capri? If so what was your favorite part?

Back in the Saddle

2009-09-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

A quick and fuzzy iphone shot to relate the tranqulity and inner peace we are rocking over here at our house. I must confess to having been frightened to bits about the start of school. An empty house, my baby boy gone everyday with his big sis at the 'big school'. But now as we enter week two I am happy to report that life is good. The kids are both happy in their classes. I love their teachers, their friends, their little classrooms. I'm even happy with the extra free time in the mornings. It's been five years since I had quiet mornings... I didn't realise how much I had missed them or just how nice they would be! Sure I miss my love bugs, but they are having a blast and are back home in a flash. That's when we carve out nice moments like this one. Together in the kitchen, calm and collected. Finger painting, talking about new experiences and growing together!
It's also very nice after a long and lazy Summer to be back in some sort of routine, I'm now officially ready to welcome Fall with open arms and a mug of apple cider!

The Sweetest Words

2009-09-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning late before my feet even hit the ground. Having two kids in school is more than double the work. Getting up, dressed, fed and all (hopefully) without any tears and in the classroom by 8:30 is a whole new chapter in motherhood. A chapter which I suspect will take our little family a few months to adjust to! Because of all of this and more, it was such a treat to open my mail over morning coffee and see a message from Seleta waiting for me in my inbox. Emails being the new mail and all, it was like waking up to a package on the front porch! Joy:-) What awaited me was the nicest, most eloquently well written (her speciality) account of our meeting and friendship. She even had pics that I had yet seen from our all too brief encounter back in July. How long ago does July seem now... anyone?! So I won't try to recap, her words need no improvement. When you get a chance hop over to her fabulous blog, and become an instant addict if you didn't already know about it, which of course you did!
Thank you Seleta for your kind words, warm house, open heart and all the endless advice you gave us which made our time in your home the highlight of a very spectacular summer!
Photo courtesy of
Simply Seleta
featuring my hubby, myself, Seleta and her hubby:-)
Notice how in all the pics she looks poised and well groomed and I look more like a teenage cousin passing through the awckward stage while battleing acne. It was HOT I tell you!

Looking Back on Vacations Part One

2009-09-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

30-A

Is a little stretch of beach paradise nestled between what some refer to as the Redneck Riviera, on Florida's gulf coast. If you have been to my blog before then you might remember me waxing on poetically about it for many months last year as I geared up for a family trip to Seaside. The trip far exceeded all my expectations, beauty, fun, sand, sun, family fun and much much more rolled up into 8 short days. Here are a few posts long overdue which recap our stay, and make my heart ache just a little with a distinct yearning to return!

Since the pictures are numerous I'll break them down into a few posts, let's call this one 'Town'.

As you drive, bike or walk down 30-A you run into town after adorable town, Watercolor, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seagrove to name a few, but none more famous than the original queen bee of Seaside. Developed in the early 80's, in part as a reaction to America's car culture. Seaside remains one of America's foremost examples of New Urbanism. The entire town was created to be lived in what some might call a more 'European' way. Less need for car, with a harmonious mix of residential, retail and community service all rolled up into one little area where nothing you need, including a doctors appointment, should be more than a bike ride away. This kind of forethought should at it's best foster a more profound respect for not only your neighbor but also a persons relationship with nature. I grew up vacationing here as a child and I can say now that my adult experience matched my magical childhood memories perfectly, and as I had hoped, we created similar enchanting memories for my own 2 children. Mission accomplished!

A few shots at the in-town ' open air shopping in the center of Seaside. It reminded me a bit of the markets of Forte dei Marmi.

This sign ensuring air conditioned changing rooms was more important than I can possibly stress! It was H-O-T!!! Like go out in the morning, return home in crippling heat right after lunch kind of hot. Close all windows and curtains for a few hours of nap time before being able to head back out into the late afternoon heat kind of hot. Dip in a hot pool which feels like a bathtub and lends no relief kind of hot. Having said all of that, the towns are SO well organized and offer so much for big and small people alike that if you make sure you have a good home base (which we most certainly did... more on that later) then you will feel the heat but not suffer.

This tank top pretty much sums up the local vibe.

Next post... Friends and Family!

Edelweiss and cuckoo clocks

2009-08-15T02:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, but we've been busy having loads of family fun up here in the mountains. It's green and clean and super Swiss.

Just dreamy.

Check out the very Swiss set up for one lucky cat living on the second floor of this new chalet!

Color Me Happy

2009-08-03T02:40:00.000-07:00

I would have never expected to fall so hard for an eclectic and colorful home, but I have. Something about this place just makes my heart sing, and makes me seriously reconsider adding a little more color into my life and interiors. To see more and read all about it, click here.

photos from The New York Times

Hot Fun In The Summer

2009-08-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Il Pellicano

2009-07-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

If you ever find yourself in the area, make sure to include this fabulously chic hotel on your 'Must See' list. The kind of place that even looks good in blurry iphone pictures!

To learn more, check out their site Il Pellicano

That's Nice

2009-07-19T05:26:00.002-07:00

I wouldn't mind having a few friends over for dinner in the garden and whipping up something easy, gentile and elegant like they have here in Southern Living. It makes me want to run inside and start scouring my cookbooks for fresh Summer ideas, cool drinks, light dishes, in season flower arrangements. I would do all of that and more, if I wasn't so relaxed here on the front porch. Hope everyone is having a pleasant and relaxing Sunday!

Fly Away With Me

2009-07-17T03:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks Heidi for the link to these adorably chic bird houses and feeders. You can find them online at Sparrow and Finch in the UK.

They have a multitude of styles, all with a sort of English countryside twist, and all one cuter than the next.

Even their feeders are attractive.

Not to mention my favorite piece, Madame Butterfly. A butterfly house, Stella would be so happy!

Thursday

2009-07-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

Picture Perfect

2009-07-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

One of the many fun things we squeezed into our short but precious time in Watercolor was a family photo session with the talented Marla of Marla and Shane Photographers.

I met her thanks to my beloved blogger buddies (now officially real life buddies) Darby and Erika. I had seen some of her work online before, and so far I've only seen a sneak peak but I am SO happy. She was a pleasure to work with, the kids loved her right away and that is saying a lot. Her warmth, humor and ease with both the camera, the setting and the children was impressive to say the least. I can't wait to see more, they are certainly more attractive and emotive than my blurry iphone shots which turn out looking like the one below. So I'm not saying they aren't cute, but we could all use a properly pretty picture in our lives to look back on with a smile. Just for the record I can't post Marla's because I can't copy it into my photo library from her site, but Pietro isn't that happy with the way he turned out. Still, it was 200 degrees, humid, we were actually all in a grumpy mood, and in my book if in a family of four, all members eyes are open and three out of the four look better than usual then one OK looking hubby is considered a success! And for the record, Pino I think you look good... especially considering how grumpy you were;-)

I promise I'll share (as long as I'm not looking like a beached whale;-) but in the meantime for those of you who care... Mom... check out this link to see a sneak peak of her magic at work.

Just to reiterate this is NOT Marla's work, rather the super mediocre work of my beloved iphone. It's pictures like this one that fed my desire for a proper family portrait.

A day in the life... at the beach

2009-07-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

It was a good 24 hours.

First I spent the most lovely afternoon at the beach with my two favourite people in the world.

Then I enjoyed a seriously relaxing dinner all on my own with a good half bottle of red, candles burning in the fireplace and an old but good episode of The Starter Wife on my beloved Apple tv. Sometimes a night on your own is just what the doctor ordered.

The cherry on top awaited us in the morning, when we went back to greet our lazy chicks and discovered our very first tiny, but beautiful eggs! Three in total. We don't know to whom they belong, or if perhaps all three decided to get to work on the same day, but it's cause for celebration. I see a nice omelet in our future!

Finalmente:-)

snaps from my hood

2009-07-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well, my summer hood anyway. Here is a quick glimpse at how we've been passing our days here on the sleepy side of the Tuscan coast.

Friends and a little proseco... always a winning combo.

One of the things I love most about our little slice of beach is that it strikes me as the kind of place that hasn't changed much since the Fifties. Now there are ups and downs to that, but for the moment I'd rather bask in the good. The simple but pristine rocky beaches. The techno colored umbrellas and shabby chic planters. It almost feels like you could look up from under your hat and see Jackie O breezing by on a boat or Liz Taylor walking out from the water.

My own children playing in the sand and seaweed. Happy summer memories of healthy play. Dig the old boat used as planter, it's even more charming in person!

Old time lifeguard stand... OK so he's looking the other direction. Not sure I'd trust him with my life, but he sure looks good perched up there, like something out of an old film.

An afternoon passed strolling around the port,

only destination is to get a drink at the bar... and a gelato for the kids:-)

Thanks for joining me on a lazy summer day... the best kind!

How are all of your summer's coming along?

A long weekend

2009-07-13T01:42:00.001-07:00

We are just back to our little slice of Tuscan coast after a long weekend of road tripping Euro style. We left our beach house and drove up the coast stopping in Forte Dei Marmi (swoon) for lunch before making our way all the way up to the South of France. The official reason was a friends wedding, but the icing on the cake was the chance for Stella and Diego to catch up with their cousins! Fun was had by all, the kids played, there was fun in the sun and probably not enough sleep for the adults... what with all the dancing and celebrations. Here you can see the ladies looking calm and collected and all fancy. Don't be fooled. I ended the evening with 2 girlfriends, a mic and our very own version of 'Everybody was kung foo fighting' in front of whatever was left of the wedding party. Elegant I know. To see a few more pics, check out Lene's Blog!

St. Tropez

2009-07-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

Not the cool place it use to be...

According to People, Jon Gosslin has been spotted with his estranged wife's tummy tuck Doctors daughter in St. Tropez. Seeing the father of 8 in that bedazzled shirt being so super lame makes my skin crawl. He just ruined St. Tropez for me!

America Part One

2009-07-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

I'll start with the honest disclaimer that this post could potentially be a book, it's so long that I'm not even sure it makes sense and there is so much to share I'm not even sure where to start... so I'll start with my iphone:-)

As I mentioned before I seem to be the only one of our bunch battling with the dreaded jet lag. I think it's partly due to well, bio-rhythms and such, and maybe a little more to do with not wanting to let go of a fabulous trip. I have many great pics that attempt to capture the beauty, simplicity and fun times we had while in the panhandle of Florida but as usual, I can't find the cord that connects my camera to the computer, hence starting with the good ole iphone. Fuzzy pics, but easy peasy lemon squeezy, as Stella would say, to upload!

I was most dreading the seemingly impossible 12 hour flight, 3 hour layover, 45 min flight and 45 min drive to the paradise on earth known as Watercolor, but in the end it went as good as any journey of that length with 2 small children could go. It was a triumph all of it's own, maybe the anxiety pills my mother-in-law gave me helped, but hey, whatever works right?!

Upon arrival all of my own childhood memories came rushing back. I grew up vacationing in Seaside but last time I went Watercolor didn't even exist. Well, I can safely say now, they did a great job meshing the two together. Instead of feeling like something new and out of place, it simply felt like it had always been there, and I had just never thought to ride my bike behind the trees to find it. It was love at first sight. Such a drastic contrast to our life in Italy, I'm sure that has something to do with it, so different, so new, so clean and organized. The houses are delightful, aesthetically pleasing abodes placed close to one another, with big empty streets where kids can play hopscotch, and people can and often do roam freely with bikes. They have managed to create a neighborhood feeling which thanks to it being in large part a family vacation spot, encourages even the fleeting visitor to feel like part of the community. On our very first night we meet neighbors and received endless smiles and waves from passing families. It was enchanting. At times it verged on feeling a little Wisteria Lane-y but every time I started to think it was just a little too fake, we had some great human contact, or heard the kids very real laughter and I had to remind myself that even though it is not my everyday reality, it is real and to enjoy every minute. This was made all the easier by the amazing house in which we stayed. I'm thinking that if this trip were a book, and we were the characters, then the house itself would have had a leading role. I found the slice of Heaven thanks to this crazy blogging world, and for that I will be forever thankful. The house was big, airy, packed with understated beach chic (the best kind right?) and absolute perfection for our family. We have been wanting to go somewhere with my parents and extended family for a proper reunion for years, and hotels and the other rentals we found just didn't fit the bill. Well, thank God we waited because this place was just right in every way. Not to mention the most comfortable beds I've ever felt in my life, a thought my 4 year old daughter shared and expressed with a huge rested smile every morning followed quickly by the straight to the point 'Mommy, this is the best bed in the world' :-) In the end it was the best of both worlds, a super fab vacation where we literally felt like we walked home as soon as we entered the doors. Perfection. I can't thank you enough Seleta & Peter & kids for opening your world to us and making this vacation possible. You are simply a fabulous family with great taste and a flair for being warm and giving hosts, even if you're not even there in person. Now that is talent!

So enough of my waxing poetic, let's get to the photo recap... and thanks to the the three of you that are still reading (love you Mom & Ron & Dad!) we had the best time being together, we miss you, love you and can't wait to do it again!

Here she is, the greatest and warmest and most lovely family house! We literally lived in the chic green swings on the front porch, I could actually shed a tear for how much I miss them. With a cup of coffee in the morning, a magazine after lunch and a glass of red wine for dinner, they were the best porch swings:-)

I told you the hopscotch was real!

Prepping for a ride around town, with pearls of course!

Naturally there was a little of this...

and a little of that! Best cure for a cloudy day, the nearby outlets featuring crew cuts:-)

Snack time with the classic American chips and Coke

Precious time with loved ones... Mom & Ron, I don't know why but I don't have any pics of you on my phone:-( Have to find that cord!

An Italian in America:-)

Running to the beach, because even white sand can equal hot sand with the kind of sunshine and heat that the South produces!

The perfect lunch.

More to come when I find more cord. Until then, check out my friends and fellow bloggers who we had the pleasure of hanging with during our trip for their own recaps of our time together. The lovely, loving, beautiful and ever generous Darby, sister of the renown interior designer extraordinaire Erika, who has hired the charming and energetic Julie! I'll be trying to get back on Italian time!

Jet Lag

2009-07-08T00:50:00.000-07:00

I've got so much fun stuff to share. Pictures, stories, adventures, but at the moment what I've really got is a bad case of Jet Lag. Ugh... so not fun, but oh so worth it! More to follow soon:-)

Summers first days

2009-06-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

It's been a very slow and rocky start to Summer... weather wise at least. Still, we've been having good times with friends and passing a lot of time in the garden (not the beach) thanks in great part to the unseasonably chilly and gray days.

We had friends with us for the weekend, the youngest of whom nearly took his first steps on the front lawn.

But decided it was more fun to sit and play with a ball...

There was lots of fort building and role playing... 'I'm the baby, you're the mommy, he's the uncle...'

And frantic playing in the baby pool whenever the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

There are few things better than a cozy house filled with friends, pets, good food, wine and children's laughter.

I hope everyone has had a peaceful and fun filled start to Summer!

What?

2009-06-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

I confess to being a longtime Letterman lover, the wit, dry sense of humor and double breasted suits get me every time. But don't get me wrong. I'm not defending his bad judgment or terribly tasteless joke, but does anyone else think this reaction is a little over the top?

Siena

2009-06-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Uninvited house guests

2009-06-16T06:55:00.001-07:00

We spent the most lovely weekend at our real beach house. Summer arrived in full force, so it was long lazy days at the sandy and rocky beaches. Ice creams, aperitivo, and even a little dancing. Still, what struck me the most, were two seemingly unassociated iphone moments. First, after a stroll in our favorite little walled town I couldn't help but notice a big green poster for the latest 'sagra' or county fair. If you recall we went to one a couple weeks ago in celebration of the strawberry, but this one is altogether more hilarious. If you don't speak Italian, the picture should help.

Yep, that's right a festival of the snail. He probably wouldn't look so smiley if he knew the fate that awaited him at the end of his long trail!

A day passes and my mind never returns to the eerily cheerful snail poster until we are packing the car and heading back to Rome. I look out at my beautiful garden

and then glance down into a planter and see the following

Hmmmm... two big snails. Slimy and huge and all up in my flowers. On closer inspection and much to my horror I discover why 1.) my flowers never make it to the following weekend when we come for our next visit and 2.) why locals would have a festival where they collect and cook them! These buggers were chewing away at my leaves and flowers like it was an all you can eat buffet. I never noticed that they have these big weird gooey mouths that open and devour leaves leaves at the speed of light.

All of that to say, I am so open for ANY and ALL suggestions of how to rid a garden of snails. They have invaded my life and even found my beloved veg garden. Help!

If I were a beach house

2009-06-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

If I were a beach house, at least for today, I would fill myself with all this beauty. Ok, so what I mean, is that if I were a beach house today I'd be the Williams Sonoma Home catalogue. Is that such a bad thing? I'd then pepper myself with charming and eclectic shell details like these appliques and chandeliers from Oly Studio

I would stock my Sub Zero fridge with a cold pasta salad, watermelon and wine wine wine.

I would have bedrooms filled with freshly pressed crisp monogrammed linens in every room and cut flowers by ever bed.

I would have a place for everything so my owners could enjoy the mindless joy which comes from being perfectly organized, leaving them with more time to lounge on the screened in front porch swing with a glass of something cold.

I would look just as good by candle light as I would with the sun. My walls would be filled pretty prints and laughter, long dinners with lots of people and lazy mornings where everyone sleeps in late... including 3 year olds.

Thanks for playing along... if you were a beach house, how would you be?

Ode to Summer

2009-06-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Let me start with a small disclaimer. It's been a long hot day, for which I am very thankful but very drained. What I'm about to type makes sense in my head, but I'm not feeling very 'communicative' so forgive the disorganized way it might pop out into the blogosphere. I think I'll let pictures do most of the talking. I mean who needs words when you've got this?

How is it that when the days get longer and the air warmer, for at least a bit we all feel like kids again? Just the smell of hot asphalt and iced tea, wet grass and flowers blooming can trigger a hundred childhood memories. Popsicles, swimming pools, fireflies, eating the wrong things at the wrong times and getting away with it. Staying up much later than usual, eating watermelon and watching movies. Bee stings, mosquitoes bites, trampolines, diving boards and crickets. These are just a few of my memories, but they can't compare to how great it is to see my children forming their own.

Summer is a time to hang with old friends, make new ones, sleep later and run more. So you can imagine my excitement as I started gently planning ways for my rug-rats to enjoy their own Summer moments during our upcoming trip Stateside. I could barely contain my joy when I read over the schedule of the little camp near where we will be staying. Hair wraps? Tie-Die-T's, Root Beer Floats, ice cream socials and painting your own birdhouse?! This sounds like kid heaven! My only worry is they might have to kick me out... especially for the Flick and Float, that is SO up my alley.

At it's best, Summer can be...

A time to reconnect

kick back & relax

and spend precious time with those you hold most dear.

To fill the air with bubbles and laughter.

Summer in the South by Paul Laurence Dunbar

The Oriole sings in the greening grove
As if he were half-way waiting,
The rosebuds peep from their hoods of green,
Timid, and hesitating.
The rain comes down in a torrent sweep
And the nights smell warm and pinety,
The garden thrives, but the tender shoots
Are yellow-green and tiny.
Then a flash of sun on a waiting hill,
Streams laugh that erst were quiet,
The sky smiles down with a dazzling blue

And the woods run mad with riot.

I mean look at this programe. How could anyone narrow down the choices? I think maybe I'm going to instate Milkshake Monday as a new tradition in our house.

Monday

1-3 pm: Airbrush Tattoos*

1-4 pm: Hair Wraps*

2-2:30 pm: Milkshake Mondays*

2-3:30 pm: Design your own Flip Flops*

3-3:30 pm: Tie-Die T-shirts*

6-9 pm: Flick and Float Kids Night Out at the BeachClub*

Tuesday

1-4 pm: Hair Wraps*

2-2:30 pm: Ice Cream Social*

2-3:30 pm: Bead Art*

3-3:30 pm : Mosaic Art*

3-5 pm: Kids Creative Adventure Kayak Trip*

7:30 pm: Seaside Rep Presents: Go Dog, Go in the Park Marina Park

Wednesday

1-4 pm: Hair Wraps*

2-2:30 pm: Root Beer Floats*

2-3:30 pm: Paint your own Pottery*

3-3:30 pm: Stepping Stones*

3-5 pm: Art Camp*

6-9 pm: Dinner at the BeachClub

Thursday

12:30-1:15 pm: Tennis Camp

1-4 pm: Hair Wraps*

2-2:30 pm: Snow Cones*

2-3:30 pm: Paint your Own Canvas*

3-3:30 pm: Paint your own Birdhouse*

3-5 pm: Kids Creative Adventure*

6-9 pm: Movie Night in the BoatHouse

Friday

1-3 pm: Airbrush Tattoos*

1-4 pm: Hair Wraps*

2-3:30 pm: Paint your Own Pottery*

3-3:30 pm: Tie-Die T-shirts*

6-9 pm: Dinner at the BeachClub

6-9 pm: Kids Night Out at Camp*

Saturday

1 pm-3 pm: Paint your Own Pottery*

1 pm-3 pm: Paint your own Birdhouse*

1-4 pm: Hair Wraps*

Sunday

CLOSED

If I were a dress

2009-06-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

I might be this one... just for today. Floral and silky but structured with killer pink heels and a little bit of poof. I showed it to my hubby and he nearly gagged. Guess it's one of those girls dressing for girls kind of outfits. No fear hubby, it's all sold out. Someone must have loved it as much as me!

Net-A-Porter

Brookland

2009-06-01T02:27:00.000-07:00

It's been raining non-stop since my last post. All that excited talk about sunshine and summer is starting to fade, and even though the temperatures haven't dropped, the grey, wet sky has me about 10 minutes from lighting up the fireplace. The kids are on the couch with hubby helping him with his crossword puzzle (plenty of laughs as he reads them the complex questions that he himself struggles with... and they give him their answers) and I'm here next to them dreaming away. Care to join me? Today I've headed down South to the Carolinas. I wouldn't mind the sound of the crickets, instead of the sound of rain. The hot, heavy air and spanish moss hanging over the long, windy dirt road.

Nice gate, let's explore.

Intruiging.

Stunning.

Flawless.

Grab a glass of iced tea and pull up a rocker.

Later we can put the boat in the water and go for a cruise...

or jump straight off the dock for a dip.

Better yet, let's swing from the rope!

Now that we're cool and relaxed it's time for some crawdad fishing and bbq. We can head back to the porch, but this time with a cold beer, while the kids run in the garden catching fire flies.

So daydreams aside, this place really is a stunner right? It's called Brookland Plantation and it's located on Edisto Island in South Carolina, not far from Charleston. A Greek Revival built in 1803 and fully restored to it's glory in 2004 by Charleston landscape architect Robert Chestnut and partners.

To learn more about it's history and rebirth read here. All this beauty, leisure and Southern living can be yours for $4, 275,000 that includes 60 acres of Low Country. Parts of the plantation were used during filming for The Legend of Bagger Vance. Simply gorgeous.

Simple Pleasures...

2009-05-31T00:36:00.000-07:00

...Are what we've been enjoying this weekend.

I know it goes against common sense to recap a weekend which isn't over yet, but it's been a busy one and I'm already feeling the weight of falling behind! Here in Italy it's a long weekend, or as they call it 'a ponte', which literally translates to 'a bridge'. It makes perfect sense in that you have your normal weekend, then Monday things are open, but Tuesday is a holiday, so people skip Monday and make, you guessed it, a bridge! I couldn't tell you what the holiday is for, but it kind of marks the start of Summer and man can you tell. The beach is packed with people, smiles painted across their faces, flip flops, boats, ice cream, the works. Lots of little towns are hosting various festivals (more on that later) and there is basically a feeling of magic in the air. So far, my weekend is no different. With my handy iphone in tow I've captured an amount of pics that are certain to bore the pants off of most of you, so please feel free to surf on if I'm loosing you. I'll start with a readers request, which is a fancy way of saying I'll answer Darby's chicken accommodation question... who am I kidding, I've only got about 10 readers max?! So Darby, the chicks are in the backyard near the veg garden. We 'fenced' off an area next to the shed, meaning we used left over trellis and chicken wire to make them a safe patch of green and plopped their house in the middle.

I bought this tee pee like hut from a catalogue in the same place I ordered the chickens. It was the nicest one, ideally it would house more than four lazy chickens (they are NOT laying eggs?). My husband affectionately calls it 'The Mansion'... I think he's alluding to it's size and it's price. It wasn't cheap, and if these gals don't get busy with the whole egg thing, well, to put it nicely, it's rough times ahead. Yikes. They are sweet, but like Pietro pointed out, it doesn't make much sense to have four 'pet' chickens!

Moving on. Here is your weekly Orto Report. Now I know you didn't ask me for one, but like a proud new mother I can't help myself. Follow me...

Once in the gate my heart rushes with excitement over the all the activity. This little plot is bursting, and it's only the start. We are already spending less at the market and more time with scissors cutting our own produce. Mission accomplished! I've also ditched the florist in favor of more homegrown flower arrangements, which is infinitely more satisfying, even if they come out looking a little goofy. I should probably start spending more time on Eddie Ross for ideas!

If you look closely in the middle of the tomatoes there is a gigantic renegade zucchini, I don't have the heart to remove him but he's taking up a lot of space!

Carrots. Now here's the curious part. I had NO idea they grew like this, and I have NO idea when they are ready to pick. I'm starting to have the creepy feeling we planted too many, because this looks more like a carpet than the stalks of carrots... time will tell.

Now for really important news. Oscar got his summer cut! Ta-Da. He is such a handsome little mutt.

We've been spending about 100% of the time in the garden and even managed to get about 30 min of fun (including assembly time) from this inflatable bouncy castle that someone gave us as a gift last year. It's a fun idea, but I find that the kids can hold their interest for these things for about 5-10 exhilarating minutes before getting bored. On the contrary, they played with two sticks for hours after lunch. Ah, the simple life!

While the kids bounced I ran around the garden picking and pruning.

Now lets get to work...

Like I said I'm no Martha Stewart or Eddie Ross, but it's a start.

What better way to top off a lovely day, then an even lovelier dinner with hubby at the beach down the hill? If a picture speaks a million words then these will need no added commentary from moi.

This is where I should let you think we ate at a table in the sand. Waves crashing, lovingly staring into each others eyes with a glass of wine and lobster... but truth be told, there were flies everywhere. That meant dinner inside, where the decor is more 1970's junk than beach chic. We were seated next to a big loud family with a child no more 3 years old, and you could tell it was way past his bedtime. Instead of passing a romantic dinner at the beach I spent most of dinner trying to drown out the noise of the portable DVD player they brought to entertain him (with no earphones!) and consequently bickering with hubby. Oh well, at least it was pretty as we walked in past the water!

A new day meant a fresh start that began a little something like this... with a jog up a 'mountain' to Forte Stella, which is basically an ancient fortress in the shape of a star.

Sweeping views and not another person in sight. This was dreamy and invigorating and totally made up for the bum dinner the night before.

How about that for a view? Better than the treadmill in the gym right?!

Lunch was fabulously simple grub in our beloved little town of Magliano. So good in fact that I didn't take any pics. Still, that town is dreamy, and if you're ever here it's a must see. By the end of lunch, with the kids biking up and down the tiny main street, we were busy daydreaming of selling our house with the sea view for a historical in-town house carved out of the city walls... but that's a whole other post!
The afternoon found us hitting one of the local Sagra or Festival of food. This one in particular was the celebration of the Strawberry. It sounded a lot more romantic than it actually turned out. To be honest it was the closest thing to an Italian redneck state fair I've seen in 8 years. Still, after we trudged our way through tractor expositions, funnel cake, creepy fair rides, and endless caravans of junk for sale we eventually made it to the Strawberry stand where we purchased a tray of berries to last a lifetime. Any good Strawberry recipes?

Still, the festival wasn't a total wash since we found these two love bugs and promptly brought them home. Introducing Dahlia and Lila, our new mini floppy eared bunny rabbits! Here is Diego introducing Oscar.

Adorable.

So that's it for now... and maybe for the weekend, as we woke up this morning to cloudy skies and thunderstorms. I see movies and boardgames in our future, and neither makes for very good pictures. Hope you had a great weekend too. So now for the two of you still reading (thanks mom!) a vote. If you could, would you chose big-ish 1960's house (lots of upkeep) sea view and garden or historic 'townhouse' in ancient small walled town with sweeping views and small garden? Here's to weekend daydreaming.

Thank You!

2009-05-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

The kids couldn't be more pleased with their big box of costumes which just arrived all the way from America... thanks to Nonna Jane. It's been non-stop imagination station here since it arrived. We've been cowboys (and girls) and fairies and Genies and oh yeah, we totally made an exception and broke the school dress code of blue and white to allow for one pair of exceptionally cheerful and sparkly pink converse sneakers. Carpe Diem.

So thank you thank you thank you Nonna!

One Stop Shop

2009-05-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

If you live in England that is... Just a few cute bits and pieces from

Graham and Green's

online shop, which from what I can tell only ships inside England. I'm trying for Italy, but so far, no luck. I'm especially digging the bath rack which hold a book and two glasses of champagne. So practical! Anyway, just a lot of pretty things I don't need. But fun to look all the same.

Happy Hump Day

Genius

2009-05-27T03:20:00.000-07:00

Oh the things one finds online... Good idea. Great name.

Before & After

2009-05-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

The orto edition.

I've been busy in the beach house garden these last few weeks, but I needed some time before the big reveal. Thanks to an old copy of Sundance Magazine and a good run with my first veg garden last summer I was inspired to shoot for bigger is better this go round. This entailed a lot of dirty work, research, good intentions and helping hands, but I think our new potager is now ready for her close up.

In order to optimize I decided to change the zone altogether. This ended up making much more sense as the veg garden is now nearer to the kitchen and just next to the herb garden. For the moment the plot formerly known as veg garden has become Oscar the dogs messy angle where he is allowed to dig and do dog stuff not generally smiled on in other parts of the garden. So basically we've all come out winners.

The new garden is at least double the size and has full sunlight, allowing us to plant things we hadn't dreamt of last year, or give a second shot at things that hadn't grown well before. Sunflowers, tomatoes and corn. So enough typing, have a look! Now before you start to insult me for poor picture quality, you are right. The iphone is meant for photo emergencies, not as a camera substitute. I know, I know. I promise to make better pictures my next goal.

Before

After

our very first asparagus!

If you look closely in the middle of all that leafy green there are many green tomatoes ready to ripen.

corn:-)

Sunflower

From the garden...

to the kitchen! The kids loved these:-)

freshly cut salad ready for dinner, with freshly cut flowers to adorn the table!

As Oscar soaks up the green grass, the kids got silly at the table with their homegrown grub.

And last but certainly not least... we did it! Introducing our 'girls' Astrid, Fifi, Fiona & Flower. The super country chicks with the mostest.

Still no eggs, but I had no idea how funny and charming chickens can be. I'm thinking these girls will bring us lots of laughs this summer. So far Fifi is the most outgoing.

Thanks for touring our new digs. We couldn't be happier with the arrival of Summer, can't wait to see what yummy things sprout up!

Daydreaming Friday

2009-05-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

All this excitement about our upcoming beachside trip in the US means that I have been seriously getting my google on. I spend way more time than I should searching for tips and suggestions and reviews which in some funny cyber way led me to Sea Island. Random, and totally not near where we are going, but stunning all the same. Perhaps the place of next years trip?;-) I don't have time to explain all the shots, but even as simple eye candy they are a Friday treat. Enjoy the beauty and for more info check out the official Sea Island web site, where I found all these fab shots and a whole lot more.

HOTDOG

2009-05-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry I couldn't resist the silly pun, but man is it ever hot here in Rome. We went from Winter to Summer in one fell swoop. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. On the contrary I was made for sunshine and hot weather. These days you are likely to find me walking down the street, huge smile plastered across my face, and no good plan of what to do with my day. It's not that I have nothing to do, I have a million things I should be doing, but with all this sunshine all I can seem to do is enjoy every second. I love Summer.

Any of these places would serve as an ideal refuge from the heat. The perfect spots to escape the city sounds, make a drink, grab a book and enjoy. For more inspiration for just such a moment check out the ever fabulous A Bloomsbury Life.

Deepest apologies for not having the sources of these photos. I'm searching now, will post once found... which as you can imagine might take me a bit longer than usual, what with the heat and my big smile and sense of overwhelming laziness.

A Slice of Happiness

2009-05-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

Literally.

Last week on a hot afternoon after lots of playing in the garden, the kids and I decided that the good weather called for a special dinner. After mulling through my beloved collection of Williams Sonoma cookbooks we settled on pizza. It doesn't say much for our choice, that we happen to live in the land of good pizza and therefore were from the word go fighting an uphill battle. Still, with high spirits and dry active yeast we managed to make something that resembled a pizza... aesthetically at least! In the end the kids were happy with their creations and gobbled them up, even if they did taste a little like concrete paste.

Hey, at least we tried right?!

In other happy news, my husband rocks. Not only did he humor me by letting me choose our Friday night movie, he didn't even flinch when I announced it would be Father of the Bride. Swoon. I know, such a great flick. To make things even more dreamy, he watched it without complaint. I have to say, I loved this movie as a little girl and watched it numerous times, but this is the first time I've seen it as a mother myself. How can I put this delicately? They meant it as a romantic comedy right? Not the tragic drama that it felt like? I mean I love it still, but I cried like a freaking baby through more than half the film. Steve Martin was hilarious as ever, the house as drool worthy and timeless, but I had not expected to be so moved. Imagining one day when our own daughter comes home with a similar scenario (we should be so lucky) well, anyway, just wanted to thank my hubby for being such a trooper and promise that I won't tell anyone that you cried too! oops, that I just type that?

Will this house ever get old? Those actors, that song, that tent with little lights? I must confess that after watching it on Friday night I spent a sizable part of my Saturday afternoon searching for real estate in San Marino!

Emerald Coast

2009-05-18T01:54:00.000-07:00

Here we come! So we are booked, excited, and mentally prepping for our next big adventure. Florida! It's funny, growing up in Atlanta, Florida was a hop, skip and a jump away. It never struck me as a particularly exotic local as a child. Just the place I spent my summers; white sandy beaches, Bud & Alley's, swimming pools, Seaside, Destin, Harbor Docks. But things change, and now I live with my own little family on the other side of the world and though we spend most weekends in Tuscany, I find myself dreaming of Florida. So with the kids a bit bigger, and all the stars aligned properly we will be heading West, across the ocean, ELEVEN hours on a plane (lord help my anxious soul?!) a two hour layover in ATL and another flight down to Florida. Whew, I feel exhausted just typing. I'm so excited, as are the kids. The cherry on the cake is that for the next month leading up to our trip Florida has become our new bargaining tool.

Diego: 'I don't LIKE vegetables' (said with scowling face)

Me: 'Well, American kids are strong and if you want to go to America then you'll need to eat your veggies'

Diego: 'I wanna go! I wanna go!' (begrudgingly shoves green mush into his mouth and pushes back his gag reflex)

Me: 'Stella, upstairs now, it's bath-time!'

Stella: 'Nooooooooo!' (said with most irritating high pitched voice and tears)

Me: 'I'm counting to three. One... Two...' (trying to remain calm)

Stella: 'NNNNOOOO, why do you make me take a bath every single day? You ALWAYS make me take a bath when I don't want to take a bath! And I don't want to go to school tomorrow!' (the last part thrown in just for good measure)

Me: 'If you don't go upstairs right now, you're not coming to America!' (lost my calm)

Stella: 'Fine!' (stomps up stairs unhappily but motivated by thoughts of promised ice creams and good times in a far off land)

So you see... I'm pretty sure any psychologist would disagree with my methods, and I didn't set out to use it as a manipulating tool, but whatever works right? The only problem is our trip is not for another 5 weeks, how long do you think I can keep up it up? When Diego walked out the door for school this morning he reminded me that 1.) he did not want to go, but 2.) would I please pick him up right on time, because and I quote 'Remember mom, after school, we are going to America. Don't forget that, OK?'

And my wicked mother heart breaks into a million happy (and worried) pieces... How can I explain the concept of a month to a three year old?!

This was all to say, that I am open to all suggestions for recreation and restaurants, shopping etc... in the Florida panhandle around Seaside. Don't leave me hanging, I know some of you are experts!

Photo shoot in family

2009-05-15T03:33:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law and I started a tradition a few years ago to mark the arrival of warm weather and growth of our girls, Stella and Lara. As the only two girls in our family, they are best buds and close cousins. Since their births they have shared many important moments together, birthdays, baths, first hair-cuts, first days of school, it was even with Lara that Stella had her first cookie! So long story short, every year around this time I buy two 'harmonious' or matching dresses (this year from a trip to Switzerland), my sister-in-law takes the pictures as we hit their yard and make some memories. This year came out a bit worse than others, the light, the dresses, the whole thing. Maybe a good excuse for a re-do in a few weeks time? Still, the girls are adorable. Here is a peek.

Yours truly as captured by my darling daughter!

Awkward

2009-05-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

If you have a dry sense of humor and feel like a chuckle then check out this funny blog which posts awkward family photos with captions. Nothing more, nothing less, just silly fun!

'Double your pleasure. Double your built-in chaps'

Awkward Family Photos

I don't know what's wrong but the picture I keep posting keeps disappearing after a bit. Technical problem, or maybe I am not allowed to post it? Anyway, sorry for the last few terrible dull posts. I promise more pictures soon!

Get Wicked

2009-05-14T00:04:00.000-07:00

Imagine the following shots set to music on a sunny beach

Early Morning Inspiration for Pietro

2009-05-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

I couldn't figure out how to embed this link so you'll need to click to enjoy this SERIOUS talent, even if you're not Pietro!

Honestly it's a little long, but totally worth it. Have a glimpse of just the start if you're pressed for time. Came from a tip from Igor!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3kyNGVK-hI

Party Time

2009-05-12T00:35:00.000-07:00

It's that season when there seems to be a birthday party everyday after school. Since mine are young and exhausted after a long day of play we don't always make it to all of them, but we would NEVER miss the chance to celebrate a cousin! Here are a few random shots of my tots partying it up with Lara for her big 5! Costume changes and all.

Heading up the drive all decked out in their best party rags

Notice the accessorizing that took a good 30 min to pull together on Stella's part

I'd say the Spider Man pretty much speaks for himself

Would you believe they are only 5 months apart. Ok, so Cousin is wearing Disney 'high heels' but I think it's the Nordic blood in her that makes a bigger difference. My little tot will have to resign early on to being the 'petit' one!

All is well that ends well... after a mini meltdown of not wanting to go home Stella was coerced into the car by presents from her adoring Zia Lene, thank you! We'd probably still be on your door step in tears if not for the Pez dispensers and tiara!

Crisis mode: Office Style

2009-05-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

This clip from a great blog I just found thanks to Sarah had me peeing my pants with laughter! I don't work in an office, or live in the States, so I can't fully appreciate what it feels like to be living this moment of mega crisis under similar circumstances, but from where I'm standing this looks hilarious! Just the kind of comic relief I needed to put a smile on my face before heading to bed.