Typical Day Off

So, today I didn't have to go to work... or, that's how the expression goes. So instead of working I:
went to grocery shopping, picked up some things from the Farmacia, dropped off 12 of Z's shirts to be ironed (it takes them and hours while it takes me days, so it's totally worth it!), dropped off our camera to have the sensor cleaned, went to the farm to "milk" our cow :), picked up a birthday gift for our little friend Emma's 1st birthday, took the car to get washed, filled up the car with GPL (more economic and environmentally friendly fuel), upon returning home made a bee-line for the bathroom!, fixed a late lunch, called home, did up the dishes from the night before, watered the window boxes which were looking like the dry Sahara, made some lemonade... drank it ALL, responded to a few e-mails that had been waiting, found my bed and fell onto it for a 30 minute nap, did my Italian driver's ed homework, walked off to driver's ed class and came home to find Z waiting for me :)
Now we've finished dinner and are going to sleep - Ahhhhh, sweet rest. Tomorrow should be more relaxing, I have to go to work :)

Italian Driving School

One of the things I've been up to over these past few busy weeks has been Italian driving school. Yes, because I'm an expatriate, after a year of residence I need an Italian (or European) driver's license in order to make my way along the Italian roads.
It's been pretty intense actually! I don't remember learning anything about braking systems and the differences between diesel/petrol/methane engines... I remember more about legal blood alcohol levels than the tecno part of how the car actually runs. Interesting to note that they don't mention anything about blood alcohol levels in Italian driver's ed...So, I'm well on my way! I have an area on line where I can take practice tests and I plan to take one driven practice run with my instructor before sitting for the written and practical exams. I probably won't take the exams until Sept/Oct simply because the school and DMV close down for the summer months - just like the rest of Italy.

With my Italian driving license I'll feel so much more officially Italian!!!! Though Zeno says I shouldn't tell the US since they might immediately take my US license away...

PESTO!!!

Yes, spring has returned and with it so has fresh Pesto! Yum!
And there is truly only one valid way to enjoy this succulent dish - this method is best exemplified by our darling little friend and practically adopted niece Charlotte:



Please note the two fork technique that has only been mastered by a very few of the most accomplished Pesto connoisseurs.



And of course, you haven't appreciated the fullest enjoyment of pesto eating if you haven't shared a forkful or two with someone else. Open wide!!!

ENJOY!!! Thank you Charlotte for teaching us how to truly enjoy our food :)

New "do" after Locks of Love

So, today was the big day and after donating 10 inches to Locks of Love here's what the hair is looking like:



Zeno really likes it, and it's the perfect thing for spring... my big question is what to do with it when I'm running!

La mia Settimana Bianca

Isaiah 58:12
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

That's us! That's me! The "repairer of Broken Walls" :)

A new meaning to

“White Week”

Here in northern Italy, especially in the city of Milan where we live, the Italian’s are accustomed to taking a holiday they call “white week”. Most of the schools close and families pack off for the mountains in order to take advantage of what is often the last chance to go skiing for the year. Hence “white” week because they’ll be surrounded by snow. Nice tradition don’t you think?

Well, I was off from “normal” work this week too. I had a lot of inquiries along the lines of:

“Where did you go skiing?” “How has your break been?” “Where did you spend White Week?” etc.

I have to laugh because, as you’ll see, my week did turn out to be very white, but unfortunately, not quite in the traditional way. Also, because when people were asking Zeno how I was enjoying my week off he was inclined to say,

“She’s spent most of the week in the house plastered…” That’s right quite literally!

I’ve been tearing down the old 30+ year old plaster in our kitchen and the hallway leading to the kitchen. The jolly good news is that – It’s finally all down!!!!! The downright depressing news is that – even after working at it for a whole week on my own and then one weekend together with Z, we are still quite far from showing off pics of the final result and kicking off a celebratory “we’ve got the new walls up” party…

indeed, as we speak, I’m working up the courage to go attack the fine, fine plaster dust that has made it’s way around the entire house blanketing everything in, you guessed it: white. White Week in the Tutino home!!!!! Come one over we’re surrounded and covered in it!!!! I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ve been eating a bit of it… I know we’ve inhaled quite a lot of it despite the precautionary measures of goggles, surgical masks, etc.

As we were surveying the damages yesterday night, exhausted from the labors, and feeling the pangs of bitter disappointment that we’d not moved along further in our endeavor (we're always underestimating the amount of time/work it will take for our cherished home projects! – why is that?) … we were bravely smiling at each other and saying,

“Don’t be disheartened Amore! Just imagine how wonderful it’s going to look! You’ll see, it will be worth it all when we’re through.”

At the same time we were envisioning the hours of cleanup that were actually staring at us and our words of hope and encouragement didn’t quite hold the clout we intended them to… Here's a glimpse at our efforts:

The original old, gray, peeling plaster walls:





The wall with ALL the plaster scraped off!:


The Battle Attire:




Cleaning up! Completely Plastered :)






Nothing like preparing dinner in the midst of the works:






Can you see the dusting of white we got for White Week?

Yet, I’ve got to say, right now, surrounded by the remnants of white week (and realizing that much of the whiteness is going to stick around for weeks to come) I am truly inspired by our efforts! It’s been long enough that these works have been sitting there staring at us and begging for attention, and now we’re moving forward, making progress!!! That’s what it’s all about.

As my very wise Dad and Mom are always reminding us, A&Z, the house work and repairs will never be done, so the best advise is to learn how to enjoy the process.

So here I go, to delve a bit deeper into the enjoyment of the process! Finish up the last few sips of my comforting and strengthening cup of tea… just you wait, it won’t be long before you’ll get to see those final result photos!

A Very Happy White Week to You All!!!!

Plum Crazy

Thanks to my very intelligent friends Rachael and Michelle, I learned something new today. Plums and Prunes are the same!?!?!?!?
That's right, I've eaten plums and eaten prunes throughout my life but never realized they were the same fruit. Who would have guessed? They taste sooooooo completely different!
Now you know too. Did you know before? If so, you don't have to rub it in :)

Starbucks with little V

Happy 90th Papa!

For his 90th Birthday Papa had an enchanting winter day to celebrate. And much to his great rejoicing, THREE Birthday cakes!!! It was really an incredible experience to hear Papa and his cousin Fiama (97 years old!) reminiscing about their past adventures. There certainly were a lot of laughs as Fiama reminded us what a mischievous character Pa was!

Papa

Fiama and Papa

David's Dad and David

Zeno and Amanda

Mum and Rosie slaving in the kitchen

Zeno and Rosie

The cutting of the cake!

Yum! And the eating of the cakes :)

Fiama gave Papa a whole basket of "youthening" toiletries :)
It was quite a hit!

Ah ha! The vino!!!!

Hector the dog looking picturesque

Tuscan winter wonder land

Mum and Papa's house - Querce

Happy Birthday Papa!!!!