Sun Therapy

Yesterday was a gorgeous sunny and relatively warm day. We took full advantage of it by inviting friends to lunch and eating outside in the backyard. Our first outdoor meal of 2011! Even Piedina, the dog, had a smile on her face.

We have all been facing various troubles recently: minor health complaints, family issues, you know, that other stuff life is also made of, although we try our best to forget. A few hours of chatting, eating good food and drinking some fine local red wine was just what the doctor ordered.

As you can see, there was a lot to eat and drink, but we had no problem making short work of it.

Piedina was happy to be cuddled and snooze in the sun.

I took the opportunity to try to figure out the camera option on my new smartphone. I'm afraid the phone is much smarter than me. I just keep poking at it, though, to see what will happen. Am I the only one who finds today's instruction manuals somewhat less than helpful? I guess I've just got to get my intuitive skills up to speed. My kids have no problems with new technology, put anything in their hands and five minutes later they know how to use it to send guided missiles to bomb the school or write them electronic notes excusing them from not doing their homework...

did you notice that boy is barefoot?!

At last, time for a nap...oops, spoke too soon...dive-bombed by a blood-thirsty 11-year-old wanna-be vampire!

Good Morning Sunshine

One morning not too long ago I stumbled groggily down the stairs to the kitchen to grab my life-sustaining first cup of tea, only to be stopped dead in my tracks by the sight you see in the photo. There was this gecko, this ANIMAL, this MONSTER lurking on the wall directly above the breakfast table. I'm not sure this photo does him justice...I mean that clock is really big, so proportionally Mr. Gecko was pretty darn big, too. And just sitting there looking like that mini-dinosaur creature that he is.

Now, I'm not one of those females who can't stand creepy crawlies and runs screaming at the sight, but you know how it is when you've just woken up. Personally, all I can think about is sitting down with my hot tea and corn cakes smeared with peanut butter and jam (my standard gluten/dairy-free breakfast, no comments, please!) and finding my way back to the real world. In fact, I always get up at least 20 minutes before everyone else so I can have this time ALONE...not with mini-crocodiles threatening to drop down into my teacup!

In Italian they have a saying, "Il Buongiorno si Vede dal Mattino," which roughly translates as something like "you can tell what kind of day it's going to be by the way your morning goes." But, I was lucky that morning. After skittering back and forth a bit, Mr. Mini-Monster disappeared. Yeah, he just wasn't there anymore. 

Now, that might make some people worry even more. Like, WHERE did he go? And, WHEN will he pop up next? And although I am fully aware that "maybe it will just go away" are the six most dangerous words in the English language...boy, was I glad when he did.

So, however this lovely Sunday begins for you, I wish that all of your worries and concerns just disappear, at least momentarily, and that you enjoy the day to the fullest with friends and loved ones.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

p.s. the gecko was next spotted in the hall closet, behind the coats...

Sunday Relaxation

Wherever you happen to be today,

whoever you happen to be with,

even if you're all alone,

I wish you a peaceful and relaxing day,

doing the things you love and that bring you joy.

(all photos courtesy of WeHeartIt)

Emergency!

So, how did you spend your Sunday morning? Relaxing with breakfast in bed? Sunning at the beach? We had the best intentions of spending a relaxing family day together, but no sooner had we arrived at the beach when... Aack! My oldest son fell to the ground rolling around in intense abdominal pain. Since he is also known as "The Drama King" we weren't sure if it was all a show...or not. But when we suggested going to the hospital and he didn't say "no" we figured it had to be for real.

Just as quickly as it came on, it went away about an hour later, but not before having to CARRY all 42k of him into the emergency room, having blood drawn and analyzed, fever measured, belly poked and...the best part of all...then having to drive ourselves to Corato, a town about 20 minutes away, because in our hospital there is NO pediatric ward!

He's fine now, was fine yesterday afternoon, actually, and that's the best possible thing. I think it was GAS!

Sunday with Nonna

Every Sunday is dedicated to Nonna Eva, my mother-in-law. She is 85 and well into senile dementia, but we love her dearly and do our best to keep her happy and comfortable. One of our Sunday rituals is having "aperitivi" (appetizers) before lunch. Nuts, pretzels, olive, potato chips and a "bitter" (it's a typical soft drink served with appetizers and does, actually, have a bitter taste...but it's good, go figure!) on ice in good company. A bittersweet tradition...