tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68242615649716702362024-02-02T19:21:56.133+01:00Christine RicciMoving on back - to Bologna - that is. It's the intention, anyway...Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-82386829418675075402013-05-16T14:06:00.000+02:002013-05-16T14:09:41.564+02:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAGWPda5PGnJijqXbXSfZLWlR5Thtb9EUpP23Hnx_2EZzddSa_NGba_3lXYgDyAQD2fUNgstsOBKMlNOJ2vk1GVmMNcZKhdmRbKXjE1uszcEIcnFdPapRsq0vloFkJ91aI72s0Rb_nF0/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAGWPda5PGnJijqXbXSfZLWlR5Thtb9EUpP23Hnx_2EZzddSa_NGba_3lXYgDyAQD2fUNgstsOBKMlNOJ2vk1GVmMNcZKhdmRbKXjE1uszcEIcnFdPapRsq0vloFkJ91aI72s0Rb_nF0/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pergola last summer. I'll post an update.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a new year and time for me to check out the new formatting of this blog site to see if I can get back into easily loading photos. We'll, spring is here and time to sell our slice of heaven. It b<span style="font-size: small;">reaks my heart <span style="font-size: small;">a b<span style="font-size: small;">it, but perha<span style="font-size: small;">ps it can take a<span style="font-size: small;"> year or two to move it along so I will enjoy the <span style="font-size: small;">seasons as they come, and for certain this summer even though I have a short <span style="font-size: small;">stint at the sea here in Italy, and a few weeks to immerse Ray in his American culture. If you know of anyone looking for the most <span style="font-size: small;">beautiful Italian stone <span style="font-size: small;">farmhouse, send them my way.</span> Okay, I a<span style="font-size: small;">m already seeing ch<span style="font-size: small;">anging the font is a pain in the neck. I'll give <span style="font-size: small;">it a go and see how frustrating, or hopefully not, this will all be. A presto.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray and his love of lego hero factory dudes.<br />
Grrr, captions are a set font.</td></tr>
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Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-30492157271252647272012-07-12T08:48:00.000+02:002012-07-12T08:50:28.956+02:00Italian SummerI am a PERFECT example of one who makes a resolution only to not keep it. But now I am officially on vacation at home with time to write, and so I will. I just wish the downloading of photos worked better on this site, but I am hopeful things have been improved since January. (And they are, as I just posted these three photos much more efficiently than in the past. Woohoo!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castaldo in June</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third summer for this climbing rose.</td></tr>
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Happy summer, everyone. It has been a long winter and why did I ever think it would never be hot again?Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-62758909612008399442012-01-04T09:00:00.000+01:002012-01-04T09:00:53.418+01:00Happy New Year!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ciao from Monzuno! One of my resolutions this year is to spend less time on facebook and to start posting again on this site. Not a strong writer, but I do miss expressing myself here and posting photos. Along with speaking in Italian more, I 'll work hard to maintain this promise. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise this morning, from the kitchen window.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-30714742770930170552011-06-27T11:06:00.000+02:002011-06-27T11:06:40.034+02:00Summer Knocked<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tori, me, Christine, Patty and Mary</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well hellooooo. It has been a long time since I last posted and I am sorry. Life was racing past me but now summer is here, school finished this past Friday and I can get a life again. I had a great 4 day (only) visit home for Lauren's wedding in NJ a few weeks ago, attended the wedding of Will and Kate in London, and am taking a week vacation in Switzerland on July 11th. In between, just have been working and gardening and preparing for some visitors in July (Keiko, Pico and Tom). August is still relatively free so if anyone wants to visit, just hint!Oh, and we celebrated Ray's 6th birthday and my 50th. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(And now I just had to pause to remove a young bird from the chimney flu. I came in the kitchen this past spring to find a full grown owl on the floor. I covered him with a windbreaker and released him outside. It was beautiful to watch his wings unfold as he flew away).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf7twuUPiEK8m_jX4vj6aDDJdZdQ_cjAfOcXMmCa2WAQNnwlraTmIDfMIQ6MiOyQelvc9nQCWFHkC3rZN-HkXJYdqX9xzFowtHyImiYQUGj0_eoTC_lSGawEbJtFRUnyDzoupHD5AYnY/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf7twuUPiEK8m_jX4vj6aDDJdZdQ_cjAfOcXMmCa2WAQNnwlraTmIDfMIQ6MiOyQelvc9nQCWFHkC3rZN-HkXJYdqX9xzFowtHyImiYQUGj0_eoTC_lSGawEbJtFRUnyDzoupHD5AYnY/s200/IMG_0010.JPG" width="200px" /></a>Ray is doing great. He is in camp in Loiano this week and seemed happy enough to be there even if he doesn't know any other kids. I told him to make some friends since these are the local kids and he can invite them over to play. I hope it's fun as tomorrow they spend all day in the pool and Thursday all day with horses. Love the country - camp in Bologna meant all day on the concrete playground.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As a result of the HHI show, we had had some inquiries about buyers for the house. An architect in Canada wants to buy both our and the neighbor's property, but there is no way they would sell. We would consider especially since we decided to keep Ray in school in Bologna (he begins first grade in September) and Andrea's mom is getting more frail and is going through some health problems. We'll see what pans out but of course we are very happy to stay, especially since I want to see all our plantings mature and how does one go back to a city after the serenity here, and we do love our neighbors Rita and Filippo (who hosts an outdoor Sunday lunch every weekend). </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some photos - like the new pergola? We really love having a place to eat outside. (I am still being challenged posting photos so bare the "brutto" layout problems I am having.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rita and Filippo's Sunday lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkTaf6sJ9K5Z49DT-4fu7w6gaV6GIUOlgBAwd1R80X-Ccjt-_pXfFxLUlni6gMBgCsmB7sFLdlNvkWUsA-aY8F7BUtGvzEhvOCLtcMdVLpFDoNVMLOmnTNpestmbd84bifknDXT7mzBs/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkTaf6sJ9K5Z49DT-4fu7w6gaV6GIUOlgBAwd1R80X-Ccjt-_pXfFxLUlni6gMBgCsmB7sFLdlNvkWUsA-aY8F7BUtGvzEhvOCLtcMdVLpFDoNVMLOmnTNpestmbd84bifknDXT7mzBs/s200/IMG_0126.JPG" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Together for the first time in 8 years.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pergola</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First tire swing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best friend Michael from Michigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAusBJtPsmcVHAD1YgAiZKZ6hHwc71vNH3z0bAlM1VM4tj797yz_P_9xN4E_ThUgtomZbqodugMnNUDdNjMYzroDCC6h-Z2yxVxkog6YquvZhf-z4gmkZiXn1eQYq0ww2cdppoe4xMmvc/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAusBJtPsmcVHAD1YgAiZKZ6hHwc71vNH3z0bAlM1VM4tj797yz_P_9xN4E_ThUgtomZbqodugMnNUDdNjMYzroDCC6h-Z2yxVxkog6YquvZhf-z4gmkZiXn1eQYq0ww2cdppoe4xMmvc/s200/IMG_0004.JPG" width="150px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-14607503387626809542011-04-15T19:52:00.001+02:002011-04-15T19:54:12.701+02:00Springtime<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(NOTE: I wrote this on March 15th but had problems posting. Here it is, albeit a bit late.)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We suffered our last major snowstorm a few weeks ago - we slept in Bologna for a week to avoid having to return and deal with the icy driveway. It was a nice break to stay in the city and not have to commute, and the bonus is that I can't wait to return to the peace and quiet of Castaldo (that is the name of the house if I failed to mention that previously). So now it feels as though spring is finally showing her colors - the air smells fresh and earthy, the deer are calling in the night to breed, and the birds are waking me up at 5.30 every morning. Today is a national holiday, only for this year, the celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Italy's unification. Ray would probably love for me to take him into town to see the miliary celebrations, but I invited a few girlfriends over this afternoon to sip prosecco and make pizza. Sorry Ray! But I will take him this morning to the garden shop to stock up on some lavender plants and he can run around there a bit. If I can get my act together, we can squeeze in a walk in the woods.</div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This site offers some new features, so I will post some photos using the labeling of photos. )Forget it, it is a bit of a disaster and the layout stinks!)</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC6r5Z2UOEUCR2vkHnfZoTN-PyPNe5uJ7g7vQV_Fv831FmwzahJs8nhOvsfthOdZhkdrvaXXFftJUN1majeWbfP-eswe65ru6hm1eaa8u9vWkWyEmkOVRSU-Ql60VvDTgMus8cSusMJA/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 142px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 102px;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC6r5Z2UOEUCR2vkHnfZoTN-PyPNe5uJ7g7vQV_Fv831FmwzahJs8nhOvsfthOdZhkdrvaXXFftJUN1majeWbfP-eswe65ru6hm1eaa8u9vWkWyEmkOVRSU-Ql60VvDTgMus8cSusMJA/s200/IMG_0001.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukgxn9Q_bNQItudmldmgg9lUjOBvgnWLjfomknHGkTOybBBtBNxnWC65Emx1pTF_GJBWDolSEc98JmhULxkhqODt2TW7KlmqNJjw2qVnt4JZE_vtiqP2VSOA_FwAoji-XWxDK9Nfq6N4/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukgxn9Q_bNQItudmldmgg9lUjOBvgnWLjfomknHGkTOybBBtBNxnWC65Emx1pTF_GJBWDolSEc98JmhULxkhqODt2TW7KlmqNJjw2qVnt4JZE_vtiqP2VSOA_FwAoji-XWxDK9Nfq6N4/s200/IMG_0005.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning, town center, Loiano</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zT_8ug5CHDEUWxjSU8XBaQONjvYuUtWXSQ6gRko7h2WI1oh9LOR__pGEVmr-lEmAMlWoYIfouV9DGiUbN66iUHt2ktySKuYjI9sg4ORLUhzyATHXF8-sdGdXjNmJFBhzxwElMMauEcg/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zT_8ug5CHDEUWxjSU8XBaQONjvYuUtWXSQ6gRko7h2WI1oh9LOR__pGEVmr-lEmAMlWoYIfouV9DGiUbN66iUHt2ktySKuYjI9sg4ORLUhzyATHXF8-sdGdXjNmJFBhzxwElMMauEcg/s200/IMG_0003.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-66906263108592441202011-01-18T06:34:00.002+01:002011-01-18T17:35:31.378+01:00Just sayin'...Say, is there Beauty yet to find?<br />
And Certainty? And Quiet kind?<br />
Deep meadows yet, for to forget<br />
The lies, and truths, and pain? . . . oh!<br />
Stands the Church clock at ten to three?<br />
And is there honey still for tea?<br />
(Rupert Brooke)Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-51474916556543220112011-01-09T11:38:00.025+01:002011-01-09T19:43:11.281+01:00A Walk in the Woods<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJorhGGorqrksPzbIglIpHpNBdF_QFOijDgfILflvy5n85u4RxA24zXpKhFBaNGAOJ_bwdatW5ouFAFr775eMWXBw9XsQd3gI1IDlbx54gavd8PHc5I3058WEGZPZRuXZfuCSxlD_Be9g/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560137585017070706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJorhGGorqrksPzbIglIpHpNBdF_QFOijDgfILflvy5n85u4RxA24zXpKhFBaNGAOJ_bwdatW5ouFAFr775eMWXBw9XsQd3gI1IDlbx54gavd8PHc5I3058WEGZPZRuXZfuCSxlD_Be9g/s200/IMG_0001.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h2mRk2E5AOGhdmF4vKiNYnBWgiHK3GEeQfEDmqmYSxiQwyRAsYh2mN0fBNQpbpTd5M5bGD1_nU3L0rWR6vYFcs-v5qdFZb8Dx5a_nf95AufsjGBT0Q-VrGsGxsJLarAixmBHJq6tVEA/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560135650390472786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h2mRk2E5AOGhdmF4vKiNYnBWgiHK3GEeQfEDmqmYSxiQwyRAsYh2mN0fBNQpbpTd5M5bGD1_nU3L0rWR6vYFcs-v5qdFZb8Dx5a_nf95AufsjGBT0Q-VrGsGxsJLarAixmBHJq6tVEA/s200/IMG_0002.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9etoOFyYzSXzwgW9TNhS99pdaearanYEmdrpGLBJAcZ_Lh6W4XNudJ5_NpIdxTZFkzAwgDt36zWl5IaCiTeMAx57iCDXW2dHsyy2wJ1xuV_poruELSvX7ZpJPbwr4tDoE8DD0dA7TwY/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9etoOFyYzSXzwgW9TNhS99pdaearanYEmdrpGLBJAcZ_Lh6W4XNudJ5_NpIdxTZFkzAwgDt36zWl5IaCiTeMAx57iCDXW2dHsyy2wJ1xuV_poruELSvX7ZpJPbwr4tDoE8DD0dA7TwY/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><p><br /><br />The temps went into the 50s yesterday and today, so it was time for me, Ray and Asia to take a winter walk this morning on an unexplored trail behind our house. It was an old track that had been used back in the farming days, and we followed it only halfway around the back of the mountain where I assume it blends in with another existing road. It was nice to seek some serenity through nature on the anniversary of Daddy's death. Hard to believe that 23 years have since passed (it could still be only yesterday).</p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD91ZOE9zbnZxbhkwvYeuPasIoZ65gPwaX-jnLDaFjnr-Yb2ON4sxJAqNEZRHUHrY0UiNdz11TqfakOpqrDJWWbcxe8KT29ODtenRyHc6Cr5PuY7aCmA9f-3Yz4_E2J-nRwVrEbS1216k/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560139076827351922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD91ZOE9zbnZxbhkwvYeuPasIoZ65gPwaX-jnLDaFjnr-Yb2ON4sxJAqNEZRHUHrY0UiNdz11TqfakOpqrDJWWbcxe8KT29ODtenRyHc6Cr5PuY7aCmA9f-3Yz4_E2J-nRwVrEbS1216k/s200/IMG_0005.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThuLDBxl7ym2umw9GfZqNS9yB4edw_AYq1KCS-hGM86wPkWw-nw0BK6sq6ho6fQi66l4-0m4BqUAgeOu0S0hJVTsG6x4nR8Cg2dMdcN3bWY5fapGzBbOZboTfpBSrzgNiMBDC9-vEpRg/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560144149737128610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThuLDBxl7ym2umw9GfZqNS9yB4edw_AYq1KCS-hGM86wPkWw-nw0BK6sq6ho6fQi66l4-0m4BqUAgeOu0S0hJVTsG6x4nR8Cg2dMdcN3bWY5fapGzBbOZboTfpBSrzgNiMBDC9-vEpRg/s200/IMG_0010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9etoOFyYzSXzwgW9TNhS99pdaearanYEmdrpGLBJAcZ_Lh6W4XNudJ5_NpIdxTZFkzAwgDt36zWl5IaCiTeMAx57iCDXW2dHsyy2wJ1xuV_poruELSvX7ZpJPbwr4tDoE8DD0dA7TwY/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9etoOFyYzSXzwgW9TNhS99pdaearanYEmdrpGLBJAcZ_Lh6W4XNudJ5_NpIdxTZFkzAwgDt36zWl5IaCiTeMAx57iCDXW2dHsyy2wJ1xuV_poruELSvX7ZpJPbwr4tDoE8DD0dA7TwY/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9etoOFyYzSXzwgW9TNhS99pdaearanYEmdrpGLBJAcZ_Lh6W4XNudJ5_NpIdxTZFkzAwgDt36zWl5IaCiTeMAx57iCDXW2dHsyy2wJ1xuV_poruELSvX7ZpJPbwr4tDoE8DD0dA7TwY/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560137590964187314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9etoOFyYzSXzwgW9TNhS99pdaearanYEmdrpGLBJAcZ_Lh6W4XNudJ5_NpIdxTZFkzAwgDt36zWl5IaCiTeMAx57iCDXW2dHsyy2wJ1xuV_poruELSvX7ZpJPbwr4tDoE8DD0dA7TwY/s200/IMG_0009.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNUT1Vn0UglIU5rbgoWbzf1QTQOxb_RgSx2gBuGXCINFdYX0UFKj2Tt_d2b0g5b3J05QNookgXqy-qOg143t7WzijPokkfcHw1cgQQo5Yzj8c8Y2xJ4nvPdHe59tn21KqOpc-UjVsjoA/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560256476632307682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNUT1Vn0UglIU5rbgoWbzf1QTQOxb_RgSx2gBuGXCINFdYX0UFKj2Tt_d2b0g5b3J05QNookgXqy-qOg143t7WzijPokkfcHw1cgQQo5Yzj8c8Y2xJ4nvPdHe59tn21KqOpc-UjVsjoA/s200/IMG_0017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3uxxQnx6pU5hE1sz23anqPJoWAP5lxnIO1-gUazPftc0iknTxrcWsIDmv9eyRWQoM_9xMzDYM5vDUj8FDdpkImRlKdTZNybOHJecWmIjdyWo7FXk7DtJbAI3iSO9xDgSjIQ01RBzeiE/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560139081947430930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3uxxQnx6pU5hE1sz23anqPJoWAP5lxnIO1-gUazPftc0iknTxrcWsIDmv9eyRWQoM_9xMzDYM5vDUj8FDdpkImRlKdTZNybOHJecWmIjdyWo7FXk7DtJbAI3iSO9xDgSjIQ01RBzeiE/s200/IMG_0021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When we were buying the house, the previous owners didn't tell us about these trails that run close to the property. Probably because it is used by the public (motorbikes, horses, school outings, etc.) and therefore it exists an element of vulnerability for homeowners seeking some isolation (like yours truly), but I feel having these trails are beneficial in countless ways (and hopefully my thighs will thank them in bikini season).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cw03GKXVQ5ElXj9cwPYdoN5iKKq4GQLxpWqP_rwxQqam_AXUzdPw6zPvI1MidYCqymKTsA3MaDzjuUFqQrRAwdRMwsPmCMQmCDyh2L8wVR8mSmcxJCv1zwvuezbs9ci3sDlAS5zFZnU/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560139089627720706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cw03GKXVQ5ElXj9cwPYdoN5iKKq4GQLxpWqP_rwxQqam_AXUzdPw6zPvI1MidYCqymKTsA3MaDzjuUFqQrRAwdRMwsPmCMQmCDyh2L8wVR8mSmcxJCv1zwvuezbs9ci3sDlAS5zFZnU/s200/IMG_0036.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0d2FQOLd0Jm7zLfjm4z0ZLFFe6fRCcCPDRlyCDst2JdQ7ZCZ3BNKvTMi9qEvEZD3TyGWY-MtuAlU3OiyU0b_yIiusD0II6vDidBfLodtqRqhAPDGkW_uwuwMkXVR3yDdznUzhY2DDEI/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560139086380252914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0d2FQOLd0Jm7zLfjm4z0ZLFFe6fRCcCPDRlyCDst2JdQ7ZCZ3BNKvTMi9qEvEZD3TyGWY-MtuAlU3OiyU0b_yIiusD0II6vDidBfLodtqRqhAPDGkW_uwuwMkXVR3yDdznUzhY2DDEI/s200/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ64wKgnu1QFmD39FQKrkgRlD9fHYr5dQwi2fRaZfyVPXYmAGms9lWHKro-4fvtzq2BgS-rNL9PAUtUibENX3jJ3_IZzIIjuO3wf351n4TGHbCwj4ASlAuQXgvtnk3xVyqexmnrrLxSlI/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560144169015254930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ64wKgnu1QFmD39FQKrkgRlD9fHYr5dQwi2fRaZfyVPXYmAGms9lWHKro-4fvtzq2BgS-rNL9PAUtUibENX3jJ3_IZzIIjuO3wf351n4TGHbCwj4ASlAuQXgvtnk3xVyqexmnrrLxSlI/s200/IMG_0035.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNd5YjEIuPzFpvu4P5fCYZ6hZ0dVNk1PudDnlam4hyGahvhK6YmORA3TXJqZNNc7EchHWRIlo1pkvi0Ni0Ua0q7hGVeHyZ1A7cZ_37VwQIDZ175g4xKvqIPNWq6eXwyJCPHpUA15MO4o/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560146013354305554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNd5YjEIuPzFpvu4P5fCYZ6hZ0dVNk1PudDnlam4hyGahvhK6YmORA3TXJqZNNc7EchHWRIlo1pkvi0Ni0Ua0q7hGVeHyZ1A7cZ_37VwQIDZ175g4xKvqIPNWq6eXwyJCPHpUA15MO4o/s200/IMG_0015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0d2FQOLd0Jm7zLfjm4z0ZLFFe6fRCcCPDRlyCDst2JdQ7ZCZ3BNKvTMi9qEvEZD3TyGWY-MtuAlU3OiyU0b_yIiusD0II6vDidBfLodtqRqhAPDGkW_uwuwMkXVR3yDdznUzhY2DDEI/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0d2FQOLd0Jm7zLfjm4z0ZLFFe6fRCcCPDRlyCDst2JdQ7ZCZ3BNKvTMi9qEvEZD3TyGWY-MtuAlU3OiyU0b_yIiusD0II6vDidBfLodtqRqhAPDGkW_uwuwMkXVR3yDdznUzhY2DDEI/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"></a></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-14361668694436477502010-12-22T21:18:00.007+01:002010-12-22T21:48:32.978+01:00Merry Christmas, Darlings<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO36s6NF5pucSycT763Ml5YvYBhnB5vgGP8GMO3eiCLPjCStoWjwvHHRfyJ9taW3YUIPX9vF6zKz0IhFRqcIbhxod_ZPgMh4hWO7jYQUXSC3QadR6eHSreU-ozEER5zzES3z9dc1gTIhw/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553607890540466978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO36s6NF5pucSycT763Ml5YvYBhnB5vgGP8GMO3eiCLPjCStoWjwvHHRfyJ9taW3YUIPX9vF6zKz0IhFRqcIbhxod_ZPgMh4hWO7jYQUXSC3QadR6eHSreU-ozEER5zzES3z9dc1gTIhw/s200/IMG_0047.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTomAben_vKjr0czGKV8XjaHiBdjbeTD8LOlS81HTgdEmSxbu0JsUJk2wmOqIz47mxdixxVq-L2XS_v-TVrorOZNyap9xYV6Yw6rBoywSXl-8zpSghumrkKcy_EQOsx9m0S-tC2Tg_p9E/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553607899575840114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTomAben_vKjr0czGKV8XjaHiBdjbeTD8LOlS81HTgdEmSxbu0JsUJk2wmOqIz47mxdixxVq-L2XS_v-TVrorOZNyap9xYV6Yw6rBoywSXl-8zpSghumrkKcy_EQOsx9m0S-tC2Tg_p9E/s200/IMG_0007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>It's that time, again, and already. Though I have not been in touch with anyone consistently, please do know that I am thinking about you. I bought my ticket home for a 5 day visit in June that seems almost not worth mentioning, and am hoping hoping hoping for some stateside visitors to come to see me.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmCU-L2KXgqoVli6SZDlUURqMDVqdb3iffxvvQ7Z_cAPlOfjLoN8iNdtaQHOe1udlhbEXQmHPr13CCaWM_jyhTXItvL9tov-KGXdwdlj7IXamPpoWl4UDlr2Snzb0kpX-Tc6PsfhPz2s/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553607877390430754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmCU-L2KXgqoVli6SZDlUURqMDVqdb3iffxvvQ7Z_cAPlOfjLoN8iNdtaQHOe1udlhbEXQmHPr13CCaWM_jyhTXItvL9tov-KGXdwdlj7IXamPpoWl4UDlr2Snzb0kpX-Tc6PsfhPz2s/s200/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" /></a>Halfway into my first week home from work - the school is closed for 3 weeks so I have a generous break. Winter has been good to us so far with only one snowfall that required a plowing of the drive. I hope it continues this way and though we were fortunate to not get hit with the storms the rest of Europe is suffering through, we have some very cold temps. Lovin' the fireplaces, I must say, and I look forward to opening the Winter Pimms that recent visitor from London, Agnes, brought with her.</div><br /><div>Christmas eve will be celebrated at friends Harriet and Robbie' house, with Katherine, Julia and a total of 6 kids including Ray. I am making gyoza! Christmas day is planned in Lugo with a lunch reservation at a restaurant (my mother-in-law is breaking tradition as it was her idea). Then we head to the Marche to see the Hoddell's who are here for a few days from their new residence in Kenya. All good.</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK2SmAs8Yj-1I8EKxcVsP_EMgSi_O6NafRdlqbf06DS-UR6CiuPVAA0K9QbZKbSAYKsxw3xJW1grRxgmMeI5W28H32XIy3fXz48JJiaIHlHciac9RDrZwNyuA71UmeWseMbBAkgBHciw/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553608860501117666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK2SmAs8Yj-1I8EKxcVsP_EMgSi_O6NafRdlqbf06DS-UR6CiuPVAA0K9QbZKbSAYKsxw3xJW1grRxgmMeI5W28H32XIy3fXz48JJiaIHlHciac9RDrZwNyuA71UmeWseMbBAkgBHciw/s200/IMG_0005.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvfS4BoxxS0n0qxFhJz6cRXwikHAwH6EFCXi4woPXbQvWmimBkI-xcMYqPQzVTB2E1lxIKGMLca52Y15dhUi4I9Mm2a0Nmkwj_MB9zA0xfIbEuL9-DP0V-F65AA5_yzgvV1enIKNJb-U/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553608863715133058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvfS4BoxxS0n0qxFhJz6cRXwikHAwH6EFCXi4woPXbQvWmimBkI-xcMYqPQzVTB2E1lxIKGMLca52Y15dhUi4I9Mm2a0Nmkwj_MB9zA0xfIbEuL9-DP0V-F65AA5_yzgvV1enIKNJb-U/s200/IMG_0011.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Monzuno is as beautiful this time of year as she is in the summer. The views and sunrises are spectacular and in our little microclimate here, we can see the heavy clouds below us and often we are ten degrees warmer then at the bottom of the mountain. A nice surprise as we expected to be freezing more than the town residents!<br /><br />Wishing you the best for Christmas and a great New Year. Memories of past celebrations, and the making of new ones, keeping me sane while I miss my family and friends.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7NgB7QtfSXIYek8Sp1JoXvSWH0t0390kkEsgpeC_cgsKUXuo6dLVBRozuxVoXwroGSbdAxnWZYyigLJOtRWlbkc1FHitx8V3A4BDqQWjWWwyw9OT2zbBIp4bLLfxUeizzcjWm7bilMA/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553607881175016322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7NgB7QtfSXIYek8Sp1JoXvSWH0t0390kkEsgpeC_cgsKUXuo6dLVBRozuxVoXwroGSbdAxnWZYyigLJOtRWlbkc1FHitx8V3A4BDqQWjWWwyw9OT2zbBIp4bLLfxUeizzcjWm7bilMA/s200/IMG_0015.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwklzVuhTSumIhGO1h2GoGb7rI2gnA_z9k5S2_1MBhuq1sC8iMbrq_H4YNIvV7uPpjRNaOnrO4_Vu-hpYJca20Cnji_iAidemhUAoVSaVZO3apsycCjDcOXMKn6JlG8kJ0rRhM52Jl3E/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553609458978046546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwklzVuhTSumIhGO1h2GoGb7rI2gnA_z9k5S2_1MBhuq1sC8iMbrq_H4YNIvV7uPpjRNaOnrO4_Vu-hpYJca20Cnji_iAidemhUAoVSaVZO3apsycCjDcOXMKn6JlG8kJ0rRhM52Jl3E/s200/IMG_0003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-54534911196442035622010-12-03T19:38:00.009+01:002010-12-03T20:03:52.348+01:00Hitting close to home, again...<em>A message from a best friend from high school, Jim Shargo. Sisters, I think you remember Beth and certainly you heard about Lori O. passing away this summer. We all have so much to be grateful for.</em><br /><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYRQRN4zfoJAZrQT2f4SF5Zc-OEWZfhlzPs3v1nvv_ukU7KgHuw7743mD8AODhk6epB_tglvMHXNvzKp3pzijElWccKkGCFd_uO0NZr0FcQIwTbxhnUxznZ-oXdymX81RsZ-r66tcAhE/s1600/IMG_8393.JPG"></a></em><br /><em></em><br /><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYRQRN4zfoJAZrQT2f4SF5Zc-OEWZfhlzPs3v1nvv_ukU7KgHuw7743mD8AODhk6epB_tglvMHXNvzKp3pzijElWccKkGCFd_uO0NZr0FcQIwTbxhnUxznZ-oXdymX81RsZ-r66tcAhE/s1600/IMG_8393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546528687363401362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYRQRN4zfoJAZrQT2f4SF5Zc-OEWZfhlzPs3v1nvv_ukU7KgHuw7743mD8AODhk6epB_tglvMHXNvzKp3pzijElWccKkGCFd_uO0NZr0FcQIwTbxhnUxznZ-oXdymX81RsZ-r66tcAhE/s200/IMG_8393.JPG" border="0" /></a></em><br />just heard from marybeth h that beth c passed away suddenly, sometime over the thanksgiving weekend...no cause of death is known at this time (not a heart attack or stroke, and supposedly she was not ill)...marybeth gleaned the info from several of our former classmates facebook pages so the details are kinda sketchy...beth left behind two young sons...wot the fuk, this kinda shit just should't happen...it's times like this that bring home the realization that life is so fucking fragile and that at any given moment everything you take for granted could be taken away without warning or reason...i just want you to know that despite all the years, the miles, the good times and all the bullshit we shared i treasure the memories of our misspent youth and value the friendship we had...love, jimChristine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-46460018864094896762010-11-20T08:48:00.011+01:002010-11-20T10:24:14.110+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9ftT38FtOO5HOqm67PLbbO2-7CrlmdghcPXywfEEIMdFrvPFaqcRC3Bh21FRd4cyRdWBfQ9OJYnYoIxxBrlV5WMTBfLpMNRD98Bgi_GrKNwDqmrp5VmF87g9faoX-hnPO95amwXsnuI/s1600/IMG_8119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541539792871813810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 87px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9ftT38FtOO5HOqm67PLbbO2-7CrlmdghcPXywfEEIMdFrvPFaqcRC3Bh21FRd4cyRdWBfQ9OJYnYoIxxBrlV5WMTBfLpMNRD98Bgi_GrKNwDqmrp5VmF87g9faoX-hnPO95amwXsnuI/s200/IMG_8119.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55ReWai55FWEJiwm5Mvh4Eb8XWADV42XGtU-hChhyphenhyphenNlX1k00rBjMAwPSEYUUXOXEktaLJmezixWiGzzkBzAs4ln990sX1aaSmx33BDgquuHDty9U1DI935ZfcJ1UfvVmiBvHHoE2cbRk/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541544610290606802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55ReWai55FWEJiwm5Mvh4Eb8XWADV42XGtU-hChhyphenhyphenNlX1k00rBjMAwPSEYUUXOXEktaLJmezixWiGzzkBzAs4ln990sX1aaSmx33BDgquuHDty9U1DI935ZfcJ1UfvVmiBvHHoE2cbRk/s200/IMG_8262.JPG" border="0" /></a>In the past couple of months, I relied more on facebook to post accounts of what I have been up to, but miss posting here so I am giving up one for the other (it sounds like chosing one lover over another, which in a sense is accurate if you consider the time invested...).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uYjVFDYCub48QZIpV5qsWba9v6SPHi8AYR1UniFlA5Q_INjYbmnAfNDYCIsmLp9z7hXB6zLdhlGRlsiZqSk2_KYULXeGA-y_Ow0AC7YtwSjGyr2qg-m7EXKYxSkVHaLV7ftBFMOlWfo/s1600/IMG_8029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541539796210836002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 167px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uYjVFDYCub48QZIpV5qsWba9v6SPHi8AYR1UniFlA5Q_INjYbmnAfNDYCIsmLp9z7hXB6zLdhlGRlsiZqSk2_KYULXeGA-y_Ow0AC7YtwSjGyr2qg-m7EXKYxSkVHaLV7ftBFMOlWfo/s200/IMG_8029.JPG" border="0" /></a>Anyway, settling into the house has become much easier in spite of the much cooler weather. It helps to have two fireplaces going to keep the stone walls warm, though the real freeze has yet to come. In addition, our neighbors Rita and Filippo could not be nicer and Ray is getting very attached to them. He sometimes goes over to visit and draws at their kitchen table while chatting with them, and Rita carved a pumpkin for him for Halloween. We really lucked out there. Hosting a slew of friends has kept me busy and almost every weekend we have a number of them here. It has been great for Ray who now has space to play without me yelling at him to keep the noise down (here he is with his first candlelight dinner with friends, Anna and Ella, and with his best friends, Michael and Yeelan - always posing as superheroes).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCluSn-9xzUR3BBS7UnP6dLhoddiKqvB01UiNlFmtCU1jEEY2lDDwcK7FAkNsIlqsu2BnMpp5A5Yp5ct9blkzu1P2hRxtw53E0n8PExUdn5pvNck6xCddqG-EdobyrziINRzjnLZUdHGk/s1600/IMG_8386.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541546798015752338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCluSn-9xzUR3BBS7UnP6dLhoddiKqvB01UiNlFmtCU1jEEY2lDDwcK7FAkNsIlqsu2BnMpp5A5Yp5ct9blkzu1P2hRxtw53E0n8PExUdn5pvNck6xCddqG-EdobyrziINRzjnLZUdHGk/s200/IMG_8386.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab8n3MA4HHh8yANdansATNvRi7H2K4poRSpWxVZXvcm7iuYKr_yKh1W6TpWRTs6IUbl9l_8qvcV29dcATbC1sRFlhIxKsDGHCTN0QcK-LWIxPkp7uwfbzjkwY1jbUkE0E_fP9nP4m0rg/s1600/IMG_8248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541544605313314850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab8n3MA4HHh8yANdansATNvRi7H2K4poRSpWxVZXvcm7iuYKr_yKh1W6TpWRTs6IUbl9l_8qvcV29dcATbC1sRFlhIxKsDGHCTN0QcK-LWIxPkp7uwfbzjkwY1jbUkE0E_fP9nP4m0rg/s200/IMG_8248.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC5bouXGFMUXo8-FNux1kymlkZIbUFQEWipri2Fu4bzd2hyMBWhkjqtqnCdiBqO-PC4biqJCzadgRGbQlT-8iEIqDfgnauHWz8IcBFdcT_6b7NcpwHoBh6GB7F5hqP_Bi3JmbrObnAgo/s1600/IMG_8224.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541544601966523474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC5bouXGFMUXo8-FNux1kymlkZIbUFQEWipri2Fu4bzd2hyMBWhkjqtqnCdiBqO-PC4biqJCzadgRGbQlT-8iEIqDfgnauHWz8IcBFdcT_6b7NcpwHoBh6GB7F5hqP_Bi3JmbrObnAgo/s200/IMG_8224.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Friend <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZOd50JFzYqYNSuReJcrJz3En_xXERkAIcEux0NTl7GOXqnPTcYZ0FtXA9RNA4_9BJvY7MmnljMkkJ0o_3LebueUbafeDy1m9HdKAqvSOesmdzdVJPAJguC5ocIVOuhUQ6yWs9VAqoyo/s1600/IMG_8098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541539764134627922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 104px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZOd50JFzYqYNSuReJcrJz3En_xXERkAIcEux0NTl7GOXqnPTcYZ0FtXA9RNA4_9BJvY7MmnljMkkJ0o_3LebueUbafeDy1m9HdKAqvSOesmdzdVJPAJguC5ocIVOuhUQ6yWs9VAqoyo/s200/IMG_8098.JPG" border="0" /></a>Tom came to visit from NJ for (only) 5 days at the end of October when I had a week off work. It was nice to have him embrace everything Italian and it was fun to have a shopping partner. We hit Venice, Florence and Bologna though the weather prevented us from taking advantage of more exotic locations such as the fall beach scene of the Adriatic. Next time....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGaPudQNugIhh2r2kfewYW6w5fsGtKQ9BtfZn4c74_L_Fq-_GTeXVmFk_MQWIXAXrMxCJHbKJS_gayMevUAy9ru3JJE4ynnVtf8OYodYVtpfPzjTzo4HPR8BilykQakauIM3IbduEA60/s1600/IMG_8137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541539782064167618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGaPudQNugIhh2r2kfewYW6w5fsGtKQ9BtfZn4c74_L_Fq-_GTeXVmFk_MQWIXAXrMxCJHbKJS_gayMevUAy9ru3JJE4ynnVtf8OYodYVtpfPzjTzo4HPR8BilykQakauIM3IbduEA60/s200/IMG_8137.JPG" border="0" /></a>I have been also getting quite good at hosting aperitivos at home though I would like to increase my experimental cooking. (Above is a photo of a pot of ragu, and a plate of tagliatelli with a shaved local truffle). Next weekend I am having Agnes visit from London and invited 20 for lunch on Saturday so I will take this opportunity to learn how to roast meat on the grill, though the fireplace in the kitchen works well for small pieces such as sausage and chicken.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5eCDYn9RKIRm_uQ-LX0Ebt7_D6V3w_2ObO-0WbeYh_4IsqADYk9TgC_JlGYLK9QfATsf95yxZ0O0dq8ORrL304KrCf5TYViORfWSr4zCOH-3OdtbrP2EyVuiaUNpNCJVCPFrh0BeErA/s1600/IMG_7919.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541544594130653794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5eCDYn9RKIRm_uQ-LX0Ebt7_D6V3w_2ObO-0WbeYh_4IsqADYk9TgC_JlGYLK9QfATsf95yxZ0O0dq8ORrL304KrCf5TYViORfWSr4zCOH-3OdtbrP2EyVuiaUNpNCJVCPFrh0BeErA/s200/IMG_7919.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhFfWJzT-bTUHgzwK7dJibcqRtYeoENeLMuN_dLy46pi8XUowInhIxgVFxwz-HhkjhNksFqHks5zE1lwefolJpnL3Pwc005X-Vjzwr3AcFongSyjc3eMRwDOag25GM6Sq1-82Hio5c9M/s1600/IMG_8275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541544625033082594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhFfWJzT-bTUHgzwK7dJibcqRtYeoENeLMuN_dLy46pi8XUowInhIxgVFxwz-HhkjhNksFqHks5zE1lwefolJpnL3Pwc005X-Vjzwr3AcFongSyjc3eMRwDOag25GM6Sq1-82Hio5c9M/s200/IMG_8275.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, for the moment, the hightlights of being here have been fireplace, views, dog-sitting Lucy, hosting and cooking. Most of all, getting a break out of the city and the fresh air. Well worth the commute. Visit. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b59wWXEZ6MwckWSCFSZEpBc9nawsMKtgdF59iUdgLr3WaW8_yWKVuNkgs1BCtuaZbFitFqItCzegSkNUI8BtInnEGRNg8MThLkGxt4_1QWaioHucWvO7mJGrm6lS52plMzywhnIwyX8/s1600/IMG_8353.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541548472583650306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b59wWXEZ6MwckWSCFSZEpBc9nawsMKtgdF59iUdgLr3WaW8_yWKVuNkgs1BCtuaZbFitFqItCzegSkNUI8BtInnEGRNg8MThLkGxt4_1QWaioHucWvO7mJGrm6lS52plMzywhnIwyX8/s200/IMG_8353.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAqDgTz_ecqGRkWzf2zVZxi105IvxGvM4ZlG881Tt4F1j7rQN5GBH_lWAem2lkkG3DNo5899iIfCc91ch1NlbAtGOK4V7FF5PQvyeKDEIry_1go9GrwigMmY1TcPXPs03oIP_RwbihPw/s1600/IMG_8312.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541546802401145202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAqDgTz_ecqGRkWzf2zVZxi105IvxGvM4ZlG881Tt4F1j7rQN5GBH_lWAem2lkkG3DNo5899iIfCc91ch1NlbAtGOK4V7FF5PQvyeKDEIry_1go9GrwigMmY1TcPXPs03oIP_RwbihPw/s200/IMG_8312.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-41173092671628567992010-09-26T19:41:00.007+02:002010-09-26T20:08:19.426+02:00Getting ready for the cold...Guess what we did today.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zDCV5Xq7zIMc4-239KluJeeS_cu8rxwaDevNoF0DaLw3b5u9YrS_ztCeC0ogDxwC3CZtQECadjbRPNmAyCY5RYDmpi8n-vkr9LpC7hLb4slyN0e_cisv6OyCW_n0rnCFHGEZuQxXoaA/s1600/IMG_7909.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521279796280227746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zDCV5Xq7zIMc4-239KluJeeS_cu8rxwaDevNoF0DaLw3b5u9YrS_ztCeC0ogDxwC3CZtQECadjbRPNmAyCY5RYDmpi8n-vkr9LpC7hLb4slyN0e_cisv6OyCW_n0rnCFHGEZuQxXoaA/s200/IMG_7909.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZL_2BrNu839iLHQrBF4-Q7MH4sTd_SXyqPD70rRRrPHriqOW4D_XaP1QwCUjYRgFZYSpxwdlHaBzXR0Ys-WTURc3Fx6cx_qbufIfRTkX30Haq4mVa4cWAJ-EPlCP9zB-aG76VfU9GC4w/s1600/IMG_7913.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521279802559294018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZL_2BrNu839iLHQrBF4-Q7MH4sTd_SXyqPD70rRRrPHriqOW4D_XaP1QwCUjYRgFZYSpxwdlHaBzXR0Ys-WTURc3Fx6cx_qbufIfRTkX30Haq4mVa4cWAJ-EPlCP9zB-aG76VfU9GC4w/s200/IMG_7913.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>We had our wood shed put in a couple of weeks ago to get ready for the delivery, but needing exercise I wanted to stack it ourselves. It was kind of fun. Four hours of it. Fun. Really.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IR2-tarecENpE_QK1w6-HpG8U5sq6kBHru7NZ6u7zv3dgVPrMBcfKpa0dtJFRXFQhd50wYySP0-0R8XVBH2OunuqRcUXmlGZTRon8b93Z10Ssjc6Nqp40L1pGwO_n9twBrZet02lVCo/s1600/IMG_7873.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521282204917918994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IR2-tarecENpE_QK1w6-HpG8U5sq6kBHru7NZ6u7zv3dgVPrMBcfKpa0dtJFRXFQhd50wYySP0-0R8XVBH2OunuqRcUXmlGZTRon8b93Z10Ssjc6Nqp40L1pGwO_n9twBrZet02lVCo/s200/IMG_7873.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hzI5DC8EWmguvGVkzQXY-rZ5EG6kQs0OZot8pXGprAzl88ExGOlw62Z-KViuFZqmr_Tf6Bi_lciQAtWFa4Sabcyq1A9PN2abeKrTmFss4TS6SZurBKdRmzZqtgWBVxoDhLYwClESwhI/s1600/IMG_7874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521282212377770770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hzI5DC8EWmguvGVkzQXY-rZ5EG6kQs0OZot8pXGprAzl88ExGOlw62Z-KViuFZqmr_Tf6Bi_lciQAtWFa4Sabcyq1A9PN2abeKrTmFss4TS6SZurBKdRmzZqtgWBVxoDhLYwClESwhI/s200/IMG_7874.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>If you like stuffed pork loin, cut the loin in a spiral till flat, then line it with sage leaves. Add sausage meat, then a layer of fresh mushrooms. Put a cooked carrot on the end. After tying up the loin, roll it in salamoia seasoning (I gave everyone a jar in a past visit), sear it in a hot pain, then roast it in the oven. I toss in the diced potatoes when it is cooked halfway. Slice and waalaa - serve it with some crusty pugliese bread to your friends who come and visit by motorcycle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuunoeT_AyLi0p3SN2S8KP4ioDRenKOGvYl1lXuX2I5oorSfvsVKnvVMjEirh2G3yg_26icTcrexGRqIJ2PK-k3ZqkRPC2V102GrbSL42w-wXDHYhwTNlykhuZLBRdXcHw80vhHm3N-64/s1600/IMG_7876.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521282219204513730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuunoeT_AyLi0p3SN2S8KP4ioDRenKOGvYl1lXuX2I5oorSfvsVKnvVMjEirh2G3yg_26icTcrexGRqIJ2PK-k3ZqkRPC2V102GrbSL42w-wXDHYhwTNlykhuZLBRdXcHw80vhHm3N-64/s200/IMG_7876.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqm5lkgb5ijD3YgwdvTpnG_awJ_wFBtY-DChTqDUxy6inWg4JQXuoWjIs1wP033X_P5fS9eqXrvEZ42UZ7dB-d2EjfY4bJhJrvfab8b3g7b-TR_8b3Fnv01Z_wG8xFMSEXAFFMFuRaoo/s1600/IMG_7877.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521282220220068274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqm5lkgb5ijD3YgwdvTpnG_awJ_wFBtY-DChTqDUxy6inWg4JQXuoWjIs1wP033X_P5fS9eqXrvEZ42UZ7dB-d2EjfY4bJhJrvfab8b3g7b-TR_8b3Fnv01Z_wG8xFMSEXAFFMFuRaoo/s200/IMG_7877.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdcagVB4YdwnpEhDhHOkKDkS-mIWbQHj1OQ_jXf5N9eJioYg9RD6Y9pebdj1BWIJSrnaccC72Bw4bhO-Kt4xoplATaAh8welrnx39zGmSI21kUDR5ocyV_sS6z35yKAFtFaBm8gMZUEM/s1600/IMG_7880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521282227661154818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdcagVB4YdwnpEhDhHOkKDkS-mIWbQHj1OQ_jXf5N9eJioYg9RD6Y9pebdj1BWIJSrnaccC72Bw4bhO-Kt4xoplATaAh8welrnx39zGmSI21kUDR5ocyV_sS6z35yKAFtFaBm8gMZUEM/s200/IMG_7880.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB5hmt03rfCWh3GTUN5I-Wgq1Fq4vP60K4Df6qoEPpf9RTEP15v5ODXJ-qEGLAuFk8s6lY734UAW9pfMne4yK7qZ3wMINBdyVfkNwRV4Dg5YB8pp0ADJZpFzKL5-8wV2KEokxM_D2GWU/s1600/IMG_7883.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521283694320991570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB5hmt03rfCWh3GTUN5I-Wgq1Fq4vP60K4Df6qoEPpf9RTEP15v5ODXJ-qEGLAuFk8s6lY734UAW9pfMne4yK7qZ3wMINBdyVfkNwRV4Dg5YB8pp0ADJZpFzKL5-8wV2KEokxM_D2GWU/s200/IMG_7883.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCnRIzpvNJQ2VFc6p3KRBrwuLxab5ULSfmfR7Jy-8zMI5O7dhd1da6PSY6H14AeACP2dNVWgvefbgwUy0t8XhKLEAMwNhOlIaAwJSDsR4AGSYO7KadzitssmtXReWeYrraHP2NhcPXcU/s1600/IMG_7885.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521283698866398594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCnRIzpvNJQ2VFc6p3KRBrwuLxab5ULSfmfR7Jy-8zMI5O7dhd1da6PSY6H14AeACP2dNVWgvefbgwUy0t8XhKLEAMwNhOlIaAwJSDsR4AGSYO7KadzitssmtXReWeYrraHP2NhcPXcU/s200/IMG_7885.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal9SZyFUi1khc3zCsFFd-_onwz4iCBy0iy2e172xkl4hkYSaeiY0fK8QEqDWP6UsdgqQCWfclLoZNi99uLj70tHiLc4w7gvHvRsqNX_bfQ8DPiXZjMOc5Xhe_heB7IthJ7Wabw90UaYw/s1600/IMG_7890.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521283707938751090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal9SZyFUi1khc3zCsFFd-_onwz4iCBy0iy2e172xkl4hkYSaeiY0fK8QEqDWP6UsdgqQCWfclLoZNi99uLj70tHiLc4w7gvHvRsqNX_bfQ8DPiXZjMOc5Xhe_heB7IthJ7Wabw90UaYw/s200/IMG_7890.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSBsWjnIUu6HgghDdsU1w2pFJIZgTYEXAEEqP4QqZe4-NUWUElUUIAsLOked2zyVzIqTI1142OTupnU4Eq7nqtzRW_Rsx6R0I3H3ch_dOXRO4Xdy9F1h7yoXTrSnEIBoZyWu8JQPRXnM/s1600/IMG_7888.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521284719021813506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSBsWjnIUu6HgghDdsU1w2pFJIZgTYEXAEEqP4QqZe4-NUWUElUUIAsLOked2zyVzIqTI1142OTupnU4Eq7nqtzRW_Rsx6R0I3H3ch_dOXRO4Xdy9F1h7yoXTrSnEIBoZyWu8JQPRXnM/s200/IMG_7888.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPg7DpVA-R6nOFV6kSNOymIHQkK3yNr3DipHmTSIVDUDmnn5rWOy3JUV0gPytpvreqsstGmUpFFjSLu8y0s_627oIs1ymASI6O5u8lIqpnkhvyv7h2C-Z_TuE1DhzJs6uC9fbETZhTMI/s1600/IMG_7891.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521284721714236514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPg7DpVA-R6nOFV6kSNOymIHQkK3yNr3DipHmTSIVDUDmnn5rWOy3JUV0gPytpvreqsstGmUpFFjSLu8y0s_627oIs1ymASI6O5u8lIqpnkhvyv7h2C-Z_TuE1DhzJs6uC9fbETZhTMI/s200/IMG_7891.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-57505489005230871972010-09-22T01:37:00.003+02:002010-09-22T01:47:51.836+02:00Calm After the Storm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv6UHSIBsNEoRI2OvivjjUISzpznqPgCAeGV-UY0y4INxoC5CC3RhhHChg0dPXvMyzAd6dNh1S_o3VHv7wUHO05dAgHqJVim11GQDIGbfFB9rXiW7dGTk3-_RyR0SBy6uTz_6z5Yfx84/s1600/Andrea,+Ray,+Chris.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519515316739868226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv6UHSIBsNEoRI2OvivjjUISzpznqPgCAeGV-UY0y4INxoC5CC3RhhHChg0dPXvMyzAd6dNh1S_o3VHv7wUHO05dAgHqJVim11GQDIGbfFB9rXiW7dGTk3-_RyR0SBy6uTz_6z5Yfx84/s200/Andrea,+Ray,+Chris.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It was a little weird to watch the HHI show - after spending 5 days of filming and seeing it cut down to 23 minutes, it seemed a little thin and I think they edited it just to catch all my "wow"s. But the whole experience was fun and now seeing Ray walk away from watching it after 5 minutes kind of says it all!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>I will post some photos of a festa we attended in Monzuno a couple of weekends ago. Twenty chefs came from Bologna to cook two different menus and we signed up for one each, then visited the various stalls to taste their goods. It was really a treat (also to drink wines from the local vineyards, one of which was my favorite: Tizzano) and I hope somebody stateside comes next year to try it with us. This weekend we will go to Urbino with Andrea's students, and the following to Rome where Andrea has a conference. Otherwise, the days are full of commuting and students for both of us. Ray is doing well at the International School. He is learning all the rules and comes home with a "well done" sticker most days. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Well, it's late and I have to get up in 5 hours so I'll post the photos in the next day or so. Buona notte.</div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-6883237137938791842010-09-04T20:50:00.007+02:002010-09-04T21:01:14.797+02:00Late summer SaturdaySaturdays are for:<br /><div><div><br /><div>gift of a basket of fresh vegetables from the neighbor's garden (again)</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx_v4LEKyoY2vfmGRhV_ZJqKWhsaiI9nQnOdeu6nZR2xcvB_otsmAWEDZBfzf4iBO1j07azHgJNFgSl5sMyTDZ0WqUApcHL529AGlaLwOCZNb4dqqqVXXQrlzsWCMail2NvpVsr3w9VA/s1600/IMG_7804.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513134219018595506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx_v4LEKyoY2vfmGRhV_ZJqKWhsaiI9nQnOdeu6nZR2xcvB_otsmAWEDZBfzf4iBO1j07azHgJNFgSl5sMyTDZ0WqUApcHL529AGlaLwOCZNb4dqqqVXXQrlzsWCMail2NvpVsr3w9VA/s200/IMG_7804.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>and with some help chopping from a little boy</div><div> </div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpp20a4BVLYS75BlnryiDn6435NkahGDjW85Qjd0uyoYhRBhIQOHhqW0C_3yloO0WVlVKx9BKvOXT0jAUKE_3COrIBhJOck3AFCCJ_irlCJ03rSdvr1QR775sD0xsd4WVzlpU3n6WUeY/s1600/IMG_7805.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513134238816182530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpp20a4BVLYS75BlnryiDn6435NkahGDjW85Qjd0uyoYhRBhIQOHhqW0C_3yloO0WVlVKx9BKvOXT0jAUKE_3COrIBhJOck3AFCCJ_irlCJ03rSdvr1QR775sD0xsd4WVzlpU3n6WUeY/s200/IMG_7805.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>turns into a late summer lunch</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbSTgRihgsVKhOdY1Xcdg8iA72vWoipUerRzF66oMEffUYXFufOGXrU3dUNHtIjW4uXJIuOwzY7UMfA_sKgNgoIBRkOErmsapSXyzUXW2mZSOgBXEaDebI3JRSvKb7PFsFT5vgaCfI08/s1600/IMG_7807.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513134243605618562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbSTgRihgsVKhOdY1Xcdg8iA72vWoipUerRzF66oMEffUYXFufOGXrU3dUNHtIjW4uXJIuOwzY7UMfA_sKgNgoIBRkOErmsapSXyzUXW2mZSOgBXEaDebI3JRSvKb7PFsFT5vgaCfI08/s200/IMG_7807.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>followed by an evening of bread making.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzH1VjkmJsKykKFLFYS3gs0FiWmPfHPdcScIVdnnFlHPJ6h8_ljjChgRnPzkbDWSf_MOPeGZ7kVR3dozfLZ6YanhvPijSCnOpT1-xR13Y-dIFWEHtzr6vBFRaeIUbAeMOsT2S4NpbJrM/s1600/IMG_7810.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513134257731784002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzH1VjkmJsKykKFLFYS3gs0FiWmPfHPdcScIVdnnFlHPJ6h8_ljjChgRnPzkbDWSf_MOPeGZ7kVR3dozfLZ6YanhvPijSCnOpT1-xR13Y-dIFWEHtzr6vBFRaeIUbAeMOsT2S4NpbJrM/s200/IMG_7810.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-55289560489207406592010-08-26T18:20:00.009+02:002010-08-26T21:24:11.215+02:00September I'll Remember....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbkDfq-YnUhCZEJ_XlXR59RdtddHRn7Iugk2oreUQzAlSL6LgSfnq5mcBK7iZNCJItlgt-B9oT89zyOa7USsUaxT1cnvIXAolXZXnnLX2jsKfA0Pv0L9xX52wWPUq5XD6a9N-x9cUgds/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509759786150744802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 97px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbkDfq-YnUhCZEJ_XlXR59RdtddHRn7Iugk2oreUQzAlSL6LgSfnq5mcBK7iZNCJItlgt-B9oT89zyOa7USsUaxT1cnvIXAolXZXnnLX2jsKfA0Pv0L9xX52wWPUq5XD6a9N-x9cUgds/s200/IMG_7668.JPG" border="0" /></a>I feel almost like a real local - the man at the <em>forno</em> (bread bakery) sold me bread on credit (I had only a big bill, not that I went shopping with no cash!), and the green grocer knows what I want before I open my mouth (almost always "5 peaches: 2 yellow, 3 white and a bunch of grapes"). I also make it a point to have a quick chat in our real estate agent's office as Albertina is very sweet and it cracks me up that she tells me more about our business than I know myself (for example, we are getting our driveway paved this weekend and I didn't even think she would know, but she had already told the mailperson not to go up to the house but to drop the mail to her for us to pick up).<br /><br /><div><div><div></div><div>September is lingering outside the door, and Ray begins his first day at the International School on the first. I am looking forward to some interesting conversations we will have in the car during our 45 minute commute, and also to having him in the classroom next door. He is going to love the school. I returned to work yesterday and it is lovely to reconnect with colleagues who are now good friends and we will go out for drinks after work tomorrow.</div><br /><div></div><div>Ray has discovered a new life here in Monzuno. A typical day is helping me with the gardening, a hike on the trails that run along the property line (we had a picnic in a field my last day home), a little soccer practice in the yard, and running through the wet sheets on the clothesline. It's the childhood I hoped he would experience, and so am very happy. He is also enjoying the neighbor's dog, Asia, who comes to visit every day (at dinner time). As for Andrea - after his initial panic attack of moving out of the city - he can't wipe the smile off his face when we sit outside in the evening breezes, while those in Bologna swelter under the oppressive heat and humidity. It is a real slice of what I imagine heaven might be like.</div></div><div></div><br /><div>I am a little embarrassed to post our Househunter's show info as I don't know how idiotically we will be portrayed, but here goes: <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/chris-and-her-husband-andrea-want-to-raise-their-son-in-the-countryside-outside-of-bologna-italy/index.html">http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/chris-and-her-husband-andrea-want-to-raise-their-son-in-the-countryside-outside-of-bologna-italy/index.html</a><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Some of the photos below are another Monzuno sunrise (I can't catch the beauty on film), a day in the life of Ray, a Monzuno festa, and the one above is the pre-terrace entrance. We have to figure out what will tolerate the freeze of the winters here. Come see these things firsthand!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmyWi0mAhrjFHZdH-fg8IWgwhaKgWwjgOwE3nWv1NqyeCji-FMTtilORkhWRnWxz2MkmleEhtn2om2jnAq2n_Zc9OBq3p0gxzwM_p1dX1CqDefBMNrtmHbmLul55BuqW_3cfKSGJxILE/s1600/IMG_7696.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509759803627450834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmyWi0mAhrjFHZdH-fg8IWgwhaKgWwjgOwE3nWv1NqyeCji-FMTtilORkhWRnWxz2MkmleEhtn2om2jnAq2n_Zc9OBq3p0gxzwM_p1dX1CqDefBMNrtmHbmLul55BuqW_3cfKSGJxILE/s200/IMG_7696.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8FlSGaLFSPkoWbbnx9nHX0s9wNZWlQxUIV5W9-sezqXMFhyphenhyphenxx2zgkF6CrevPyPw3QdHMDAFAILSYNoz2lyEAIelaL8KjgQLMEdzYOGqh3E73SOhlrAL45HGN1Q-Ixsrd6Hl96TTZ020/s1600/IMG_7666.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509759779648436082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8FlSGaLFSPkoWbbnx9nHX0s9wNZWlQxUIV5W9-sezqXMFhyphenhyphenxx2zgkF6CrevPyPw3QdHMDAFAILSYNoz2lyEAIelaL8KjgQLMEdzYOGqh3E73SOhlrAL45HGN1Q-Ixsrd6Hl96TTZ020/s200/IMG_7666.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV3HzYh35x_SjcYOAv9TnAPzARTzQ-pg0nq0ydTLNds_W5YlheCKgKJOYjnOBvVmWoNvdQU9tQHREUhiKjrkXK9YCGuF3-lkv-2blvVrVCm3M2BVbKqAY1zBe2TL6kcw05nB1GUg8I58/s1600/IMG_7684.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509759795475907602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV3HzYh35x_SjcYOAv9TnAPzARTzQ-pg0nq0ydTLNds_W5YlheCKgKJOYjnOBvVmWoNvdQU9tQHREUhiKjrkXK9YCGuF3-lkv-2blvVrVCm3M2BVbKqAY1zBe2TL6kcw05nB1GUg8I58/s200/IMG_7684.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWL7cXYtXaYvQpe8WNLFhpgZE_C7uGCicuy6io8IpseS3Y6ofrWpXkYyrGBc-dYtCYGitkmoMyPWiDKmtTdhyndDe-nLwkUkVzOEY_PVtl0IpZFnQqQp6zLK-1Vdl7olF-ypbkYdovSw/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509759813073214674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWL7cXYtXaYvQpe8WNLFhpgZE_C7uGCicuy6io8IpseS3Y6ofrWpXkYyrGBc-dYtCYGitkmoMyPWiDKmtTdhyndDe-nLwkUkVzOEY_PVtl0IpZFnQqQp6zLK-1Vdl7olF-ypbkYdovSw/s200/IMG_7693.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr0mzffuG7sQQPozVMKMmwsofR8O0cc6OOLosx6IO4yuQxV3cXM7G_ME4CbQIyjHaPA082ygR2IGbxGZ2zSE3ffgHMW8S_BBd8bk0toyZkdkej5BE9nrVBfhQeHPA0EbYhzYeRL0FelM/s1600/IMG_7671.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509764471219974866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr0mzffuG7sQQPozVMKMmwsofR8O0cc6OOLosx6IO4yuQxV3cXM7G_ME4CbQIyjHaPA082ygR2IGbxGZ2zSE3ffgHMW8S_BBd8bk0toyZkdkej5BE9nrVBfhQeHPA0EbYhzYeRL0FelM/s200/IMG_7671.JPG" border="0" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRSy0SgUMMdgeNPc9tjeq1bURktXLHVE7LY1459wFdo2-fDAaUqsmZ4EBAqNqlTrSEghvOsVgEEoH_mh-5WQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /></div></div></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-2617736588751696762010-08-11T07:22:00.004+02:002010-08-11T07:39:34.852+02:00Dog Days Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwy7IvCXH21L6vC0QsohNt9HZDZX69HNHPpTENIlb9HKc5YZhiz7mr9rRGRZdHE7_0L1-EKUnMF3KSasun1FvCXRdDUE1xF_R_EsD8dQzG-NUD2Y_kMKdPWDyB9l8PJlU4-gI7Sm4bx0/s1600/IMG_7660.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504019687691889058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwy7IvCXH21L6vC0QsohNt9HZDZX69HNHPpTENIlb9HKc5YZhiz7mr9rRGRZdHE7_0L1-EKUnMF3KSasun1FvCXRdDUE1xF_R_EsD8dQzG-NUD2Y_kMKdPWDyB9l8PJlU4-gI7Sm4bx0/s200/IMG_7660.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our neighbor's welcome basket included a bottle of <em>nocino </em>(a wine made from walnuts, not in photo). Fresh picked from her garden, I hope Rita will help me next spring with vegetable and fruit choices to plant. Below is one of her husband's motorcycles, a Ducati. Filippo has a collection that includes many beautiful vintage ones.<br /><div></div><div> I am almost done painting just over half of the walls. We had some of Andrea's furniture delivered from Lugo, and the moving guy, Giorgio, installed it and this <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j0_QHuRdr0tupek3b2X81hqjXCZYgrovReVTrjDRN78zFHs3zK4ok2rMkbLmB4oGvKEkFgI7EblW1yW9iuJsRQuqRfcS1XkqQzvKPASYuRRqi8Uy5cEfFdIrQpMOqGFPxtqaX5oonO8/s1600/IMG_7662.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504019695402603906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j0_QHuRdr0tupek3b2X81hqjXCZYgrovReVTrjDRN78zFHs3zK4ok2rMkbLmB4oGvKEkFgI7EblW1yW9iuJsRQuqRfcS1XkqQzvKPASYuRRqi8Uy5cEfFdIrQpMOqGFPxtqaX5oonO8/s200/IMG_7662.JPG" border="0" /></a>Saturday is returning for a BBQ with his wife and four adopted children. We have used him for three moves so we are becoming friends and as he has a hardware and garden shop, is bringing us our new grill (I hope I like it as I really would like a Weber kettle grill but I know he doesn't carry those).</div><div></div><div> Monzuno sunrise. The weather these days are just gorgeous. When living in Bologna, I discouraged August visits as everything shuts down, but out here there is a festival in a nearby town every night, and the oppressive heat stays in the valley Bologna sits in.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIsPC0fhqJiuMc3f-7j9r-o8-Z2Y5cP4j9A8HyG55gYkLDMvwJa3827avjoGmK57QPn0LKSNPnA_fM7G04mNYMmBj9kFG55-vWHbgr4cS-__h14NdyLowXbGRKyGvniUGCTL3CVh9DC4/s1600/IMG_7655.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504019698925061762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIsPC0fhqJiuMc3f-7j9r-o8-Z2Y5cP4j9A8HyG55gYkLDMvwJa3827avjoGmK57QPn0LKSNPnA_fM7G04mNYMmBj9kFG55-vWHbgr4cS-__h14NdyLowXbGRKyGvniUGCTL3CVh9DC4/s200/IMG_7655.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmoG7M4K9E9Czq5-VdCw9stz4uqWPI8ATj1xF4waRo5-dLeWzOnvQJs45O4tZMQfstOxR7Kmh1wGkJWkfjMqMYKqMyBdupfXQwx4DWc-F5p31ExrAFtRjPWzW3ah2fYY6NW3XfBNQw-o/s1600/IMG_7665.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504019677725861250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmoG7M4K9E9Czq5-VdCw9stz4uqWPI8ATj1xF4waRo5-dLeWzOnvQJs45O4tZMQfstOxR7Kmh1wGkJWkfjMqMYKqMyBdupfXQwx4DWc-F5p31ExrAFtRjPWzW3ah2fYY6NW3XfBNQw-o/s200/IMG_7665.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-72890680004060308072010-08-04T18:40:00.001+02:002010-08-04T18:41:38.640+02:00One more link...For those of you who didn't see his post on facebook, Kenji is scoring in magazine write-ups:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rentedspaces.com/2010/08/03/big-deal-chef-in-a-small-kitchen-10-questions-with-kenji-lopez/">http://www.rentedspaces.com/2010/08/03/big-deal-chef-in-a-small-kitchen-10-questions-with-kenji-lopez/</a>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-53606852732402835172010-08-03T23:08:00.004+02:002010-08-04T08:06:19.630+02:00some linksI wanted to post some newish links. Andrea has updated the BCSP site and Sky, the student who filmed our househunters audition tape for us, did this very nice intro of the program: <a href="http://www.bcsp.unibo.it/index.htm">http://www.bcsp.unibo.it/index.htm</a> You can imagine how happy Ray was when Alexandra would babysit, and check out Rodolfo on the Internship Profile video on the same page.<br />Check out Sky's personal experiences of Bologna food at: <a href="http://www.skymedia.tv/SKYMEDIA/sky_media.html">http://www.skymedia.tv/SKYMEDIA/sky_media.html</a> (my favorite is Cioccolato but listen to the caffeine buzzed guy in Il Caffe)<br />And then there is Marc, whose blog I still enjoy reading: <a href="http://www.marcbologna.blogspot.com/">http://www.marcbologna.blogspot.com/</a> (and we get an honorable mention again in "Goodbye BCSP")<br />And of course, if you come visit, Florence is an hour away: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/travel/25hours.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/travel/25hours.html</a> but who needs all that history when you have your own American in Italy stuffing you with ragu and pasta and wine?Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-7860031344009097592010-08-03T08:09:00.011+02:002010-08-03T23:01:16.785+02:00We're in. Monzuno Rocks.From this to this: <div><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxX_uz-rh3NYIZWpCIxh-jywZF9ccDLnAfIJMhkmqjCMzLHJmM35dy-ondQLDAbaF02pQFxY7V-AmFezhbfbyfzm_U6ag9ZgwAzXAdWEofMMKJjXDRlRLUvo_bjYXMEQYWTtLr0VsL00/s1600/IMG_7427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501070726145825490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxX_uz-rh3NYIZWpCIxh-jywZF9ccDLnAfIJMhkmqjCMzLHJmM35dy-ondQLDAbaF02pQFxY7V-AmFezhbfbyfzm_U6ag9ZgwAzXAdWEofMMKJjXDRlRLUvo_bjYXMEQYWTtLr0VsL00/s200/IMG_7427.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1uu5SNzQXhLo46g7mWyT8OQBcjwcFHMoeu1pGOzt3PNmSO90C9Unl2KvL4eo466QwyvOSqSxeukcstqzHG1Ii4wun8t93gjFBxUIyEzdwGS-8QzR-tmTK1c8eOXUs6OmypwNzBvuQ4Y/s1600/IMG_7489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501066444057739266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1uu5SNzQXhLo46g7mWyT8OQBcjwcFHMoeu1pGOzt3PNmSO90C9Unl2KvL4eo466QwyvOSqSxeukcstqzHG1Ii4wun8t93gjFBxUIyEzdwGS-8QzR-tmTK1c8eOXUs6OmypwNzBvuQ4Y/s200/IMG_7489.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div>We are two weeks into the new place and it has been a long haul. Moving was stressful due to Andrea's last-minute cold feet of moving out of civilization, but he has been won over by the beauty of nature, the peace and quiet (except for the deer calls at night), and the space we have to put all our things (no more washing machine in the bathroom). The best part is having the outdoor space for our plants and for Ray to play. We'll be busy in the spring putting in the 40 lavender plants we have planned for the dry, rocky soil of the area.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYgbXdHBSWznht8lVhEEcR8mBSOwLx3fcLU14K8O58lOjara6utHU4MxxPs4b149OWzArN569U3weEQK1ELdOXs86YxvjtQvAv_gsjy_xuRfnEPSHHuO8k49ui8oktoeudz5VAIl51vY/s1600/IMG_7458.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501065331944169314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYgbXdHBSWznht8lVhEEcR8mBSOwLx3fcLU14K8O58lOjara6utHU4MxxPs4b149OWzArN569U3weEQK1ELdOXs86YxvjtQvAv_gsjy_xuRfnEPSHHuO8k49ui8oktoeudz5VAIl51vY/s200/IMG_7458.JPG" border="0" /></a>Andrea was busy setting up his new (off-limits) office and is counting on some privacy. Ray asks on occassion when we are going back to Bologna, but is starting to understand that this isn't vacation and yesterday during a trip into town, discovered a classmate from Bo who spends time here with his grandparents so they have a play date tomorrow. In addition, friends Harriett and Philippa visited on different occassions with their 3 kids each and it is great to have them play hard <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcW8XW9cX5eOFRdYb29aDqo9CxPPWhwafEtH0_3VokzlG2i9JU0VSmTBvvik_2GUllml-SP0y64nS3R1PpUk3BYzAWe6u-aikC3Zn7F_zvQR2sL3E0TGVNDphcv6ReaTWnZaaHcID2bnk/s1600/IMG_7496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501070721995243858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcW8XW9cX5eOFRdYb29aDqo9CxPPWhwafEtH0_3VokzlG2i9JU0VSmTBvvik_2GUllml-SP0y64nS3R1PpUk3BYzAWe6u-aikC3Zn7F_zvQR2sL3E0TGVNDphcv6ReaTWnZaaHcID2bnk/s200/IMG_7496.JPG" border="0" /></a>and not be underfoot. This is something new for us after years in tiny spaces. We also hiked the trail behind our house with the Hoddells and it was quite beautiful (and challenging, I must admit). I have already seen the truffle hunters behind our house with their dogs, seeking out where the gold is hidden to return in October to collect them at maturity.</div><div><br />This past weekend we were invited to lunch at an agriturismo with Andrea's friends. Their daughter has a restaurant and it is not far from here. See her holding up the Florentine steaks for approval before cooking. I bought a bottle of their wine since it was so delicious, and now that I can actually start storing bottles in the cantina.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8s8kE-YbEAKOvwx7DfuXGhDEqsump47hIEzvdo2UGhH2v9nHZkBRoC_hulP92cG9Ieg-S6qWxFRClQYbMHMLy-im-hpbYLZr3uqOSiAKoZtf3XdkUTFbZ0xLQKKpvRsCWZRtYv8tFe0/s1600/IMG_7552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501065347765075714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8s8kE-YbEAKOvwx7DfuXGhDEqsump47hIEzvdo2UGhH2v9nHZkBRoC_hulP92cG9Ieg-S6qWxFRClQYbMHMLy-im-hpbYLZr3uqOSiAKoZtf3XdkUTFbZ0xLQKKpvRsCWZRtYv8tFe0/s200/IMG_7552.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2xJ9ubGGLEKQXNWRqkLL1mQIil3SHVCYCvlER29yttYUvZWTKXfSsmhyphenhyphen6xnkri9q041nRwsUshULedLxj-1kN5ITD1JovVgrEWLQNQ424TiC8Clu_DTjQwmBJZIm6-uv_QxU-14o2CI/s1600/IMG_7591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501065342056210690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2xJ9ubGGLEKQXNWRqkLL1mQIil3SHVCYCvlER29yttYUvZWTKXfSsmhyphenhyphen6xnkri9q041nRwsUshULedLxj-1kN5ITD1JovVgrEWLQNQ424TiC8Clu_DTjQwmBJZIm6-uv_QxU-14o2CI/s200/IMG_7591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Today I will start painting the walls while Andrea takes Ray into Bologna for some errands. The house is still a mess and we are trying to sort out all the stuff - how we fit all this into our little place in Bologna, I will never know but am taking this opportunity to donate many things to a local place. I admit, though, I am loving the kitchen, our neighbor's dog Asia (who joins us for a meal now and then) and the mornings of juice and coffee outdoors while Ray takes a quick swim and sunbathes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MoALgbFk9gzKW2SzZsXihyZbtnR2pNHlJZARheCiDneYF1oft7BojQoACuNSpO7zAH0okWYveKBwglFxmT1laLZhbP8TraQKpdMECxlrZ2039iJbgJZ_0WfTVzUYdIhxhr-kSvJb-Co/s1600/IMG_7480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501069194729298130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MoALgbFk9gzKW2SzZsXihyZbtnR2pNHlJZARheCiDneYF1oft7BojQoACuNSpO7zAH0okWYveKBwglFxmT1laLZhbP8TraQKpdMECxlrZ2039iJbgJZ_0WfTVzUYdIhxhr-kSvJb-Co/s200/IMG_7480.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNtHJg_Bsb_MgMLccdwZY-ciqb3twjc3q2R4lvYKAILs4Fvqe1BVauY95vk996lP5y0bBAi8ypR3FT80vGJDAGahFXstWpuD8Dwe4KB7QTr1iFl0w194yBf_S53c9q4TcF5vh_hUAka0/s1600/IMG_7465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501069205347280466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNtHJg_Bsb_MgMLccdwZY-ciqb3twjc3q2R4lvYKAILs4Fvqe1BVauY95vk996lP5y0bBAi8ypR3FT80vGJDAGahFXstWpuD8Dwe4KB7QTr1iFl0w194yBf_S53c9q4TcF5vh_hUAka0/s200/IMG_7465.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH2WS9u3At-j-CJGP8mCzE5sDcia5QgMaoib4MC4lZfYtFFHMPuHiPXZ5Ji38p-E5Gn96vjxzUkv0zMk5gSpN6TX4K1411DiLvryYAjITCfh_NgeBT3XUKN2IGlwv0I3mtjCkuupZnhE/s1600/IMG_7476.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501069186877005810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH2WS9u3At-j-CJGP8mCzE5sDcia5QgMaoib4MC4lZfYtFFHMPuHiPXZ5Ji38p-E5Gn96vjxzUkv0zMk5gSpN6TX4K1411DiLvryYAjITCfh_NgeBT3XUKN2IGlwv0I3mtjCkuupZnhE/s200/IMG_7476.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Visit. xxoo </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-24341659564927907702010-06-24T18:00:00.008+02:002010-06-25T19:33:22.666+02:00Why I love the Italian (European) Football Culture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtJEolG4AJm047-J_-URn0DGspgI5m3IUwT4_27fl9ZvwffqN2sOCxXaMzUxUd0LU-9Q8cMW6twC8GzQl2bafEQtCIDf3D1P59GmWpjzqETYCgzZgFdiH2XjeUPUE53oVva3voi2hZiE/s1600/2006-07-09-italy-in.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486377311575191298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtJEolG4AJm047-J_-URn0DGspgI5m3IUwT4_27fl9ZvwffqN2sOCxXaMzUxUd0LU-9Q8cMW6twC8GzQl2bafEQtCIDf3D1P59GmWpjzqETYCgzZgFdiH2XjeUPUE53oVva3voi2hZiE/s200/2006-07-09-italy-in.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/sports/soccer/25slovakiagame.html?hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/sports/soccer/25slovakiagame.html?hp</a><br /><br />As you know, football (don't call it soccer) isn't just a national obsession. It runs in the blood so it is in the DNA of Italians and a huge part of the culture. I have learned that the best time to go food shopping or to the park is when there is a big game on, and as a result, little traffic and no crowds. I just finished watching the Italy/Slovakia game, and Italy lost (3-2)and is out of the World Cup games. They were the champions of the last World Cup, and so this is especially disappointing. But we did have the pleasure of being in Sicily for final game four years ago. We watched it outdoors in the piazza of the small town we were staying at- the game was projected onto a bedsheet hung by the young men onto the side of the town hall. Unfortunately, a torrential rainstorm came through half way and the tv lost its reception, and our friend Marco (who, with Kathryn, was vacationing with us) ran all the way back to our apartment to continue watching the game.<br /><br />When I went to get Ray at school today, the Italy game had just started. The classroom had been converted to a TV room. The teachers lined up chairs in front of a small TV and the students - 3, 4, and 5 year olds - had the Italian colors painted on their cheeks and were all sitting quietly and watching the game. They sure start them young, eh?<br /><br />Why do I LOVE watching football here?<br />1. Because the English (and non-) teachers I work with all went to the nursery room (where the biggest TV is) after school to watch England play yesterday, armed with beer and wine.<br />2. Because the carpenter who is working on the garage outside our apartment pulled his car closer to listen to the game on the radio while he continued working (which is surprising as most people go home or to a bar but I suspect he is not Italian).<br />3. Because the Italian players broke down and cried like babies on the field when the game was over.<br />4. Because the coach of the Slovakian team did the victory walk around the field, waving at the fans with tears running down his stoic face.<br />5. Because businesses close, and schools shut down whenever Italy makes it to the finals.<br />6. Because when Italy wins an important game, you can always here the cars honking for 30 minutes after the game is over - and if you are lucky enough to be in the main piazza, watch the waves of Italian flags out of car windows and motorbikes. The police take a step back and just watch.<br />7. Because I was able to attend/watch many of the World Cup games held in the NJ/NY area in 1994 and I can remember the Irish fans going absolutely crazy (they won against Italy) and walking on the shoulders of the highways to walk back to where ever they were staying, singing and waving their flags. I didn't get it then, but I do now.Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-30492563680912998292010-06-22T07:20:00.003+02:002010-06-22T07:29:51.198+02:00Updates<div><a href="http://nymag.com/arts/all/approvalmatrix/66753/">http://nymag.com/arts/all/approvalmatrix/66753/</a> - go Kenji! Are those french fries?</div><br /><div></div><div>We are packing up, finishing off the last days of school, and heading to the beach for a week on Saturday and then to visit the Hoddells in the Marche for a couple of days (they are returning this week from DC) . We have been so busy socially as well that we are pretty wiped out and looking forward to doing nothing but building sand castles and eating pizza (the end of the school year brings tons of events for each of us). I have loads of photos to show, but I left my camera at the last party we attended but will get it tonight at an aperitivo I am going to. Funny, not having that thing felt like I lost my left hand. I take it everywhere with me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTi0wWrwboo8wNgnm_lL0Lx6Bb_vawYnZEXZntq-CgvZV1D1qzJY48GYNAQnkDTnB6S7fi2Ix_6cqF-jUXQzvvrzC4c5IdbZFcfQMkpqr4W-jIjss7byKqdYReRxV742-q_cNUEFpi2s/s1600/Ray+in+the+sprinkler2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485465382848361458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTi0wWrwboo8wNgnm_lL0Lx6Bb_vawYnZEXZntq-CgvZV1D1qzJY48GYNAQnkDTnB6S7fi2Ix_6cqF-jUXQzvvrzC4c5IdbZFcfQMkpqr4W-jIjss7byKqdYReRxV742-q_cNUEFpi2s/s200/Ray+in+the+sprinkler2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Ray is going to attend my school next fall. He is so excited and this will make my new commute incredibly easier. We are renting a garage a block over from it so it couldn't be more convenient. Here is a photo of him at the new house when we went to visit last weekend. He went straight into the sprinkler with all his clothes on. </div><div> </div><div>I'll write more later - </div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-6909485783632419132010-06-02T18:13:00.010+02:002010-06-02T18:52:12.102+02:00Movin' to the Country<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8bV65-mvjLBXXqtCJ1u2I7EZ5RZbxiVEXe4w0Waq-UjlhexSQZS8jRP9bwcjqJ_l8isu4mgJOGCuPYc5MIufnvXrmw2ZOEzO5WMYpcP_8EejO9fh_nblDwkDMK6ZLYx8mSvNQVNkvK8/s1600/Picture+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478215032389644146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8bV65-mvjLBXXqtCJ1u2I7EZ5RZbxiVEXe4w0Waq-UjlhexSQZS8jRP9bwcjqJ_l8isu4mgJOGCuPYc5MIufnvXrmw2ZOEzO5WMYpcP_8EejO9fh_nblDwkDMK6ZLYx8mSvNQVNkvK8/s200/Picture+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> With one phone call, we know that we are probably moving homes on or about July 15th. We are getting really psyched, and will book a moving company this week so that we get some boxes delivered to begin packing. I am going to do it all myself: curtains, dishes, clothes, hanging lamps, etc. In Italy, unlike in the USA, homeowners take everything including light bulbs. It is common to move into a home requiring a new kitchen and bathroom fixtures (I am talking toilets and bathtubs here) than to have them in place. We agreed to leave all that in our house, though we will take some of our light fixtures - a traditional Venetian hanging light, some sconces we bought on our trip through Sicily (Caltagirone - famous for ceramics), and a couple of our favorite smaller ones. Fortunately, our new house will be mostly furnished in the sense that the only things we have to buy are a dishwasher and a washing machine (dryers are becomming more common, but for the most part Italians line dry and I will have a clothesline, finally! No more laundry on the balcony rail.) and of course some bits and pieces of furniture. At this point in life, I would like to minimize purchasing as that just feels like more of a burden than anything else.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeupM4zBNzF-Mkk4R3UiJGDWqLdpJcmOuyHOifTHv35B3bCLwXl47HTZVwyWJvB2mCSFBmOL4t3uA5DqB51fp0HNCnOpuVpFN_IxVq8TuF_sepBkzvklOiIGuE6ntaUsFewCvlE8gN70/s1600/Trasasso+House.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478215051721580690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeupM4zBNzF-Mkk4R3UiJGDWqLdpJcmOuyHOifTHv35B3bCLwXl47HTZVwyWJvB2mCSFBmOL4t3uA5DqB51fp0HNCnOpuVpFN_IxVq8TuF_sepBkzvklOiIGuE6ntaUsFewCvlE8gN70/s200/Trasasso+House.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ray is telling his friends how happy he is to move too - which is a relief as I think we are doing this just in time. If we had waited even another year or two he would have put up more of a fight, I think, but the promise of a new cat and another hamster, and a tent along with a plastic pool seems to do the trick for now.<br /><br />Plan to visit!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY7oyhkmZhyphenhyphenG5XY9bQwiK1m0_Ogj0Y8Yy3mgxTPa-I-V2vOw53vU2lxyE_VUWS83TAev5_NYiQ_cwi4dxq0wIVBp2OzrctzoTYQzl-LKoCSSmNVNeOR9F9b3DbkyBGOKC8Mgumj52i4s/s1600/IMG_4421.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478215037423300482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY7oyhkmZhyphenhyphenG5XY9bQwiK1m0_Ogj0Y8Yy3mgxTPa-I-V2vOw53vU2lxyE_VUWS83TAev5_NYiQ_cwi4dxq0wIVBp2OzrctzoTYQzl-LKoCSSmNVNeOR9F9b3DbkyBGOKC8Mgumj52i4s/s200/IMG_4421.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And there are some things I will miss about the city, but I think there will be other scapes to distract me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8P8ZdPXZx_X-5ftWFBLCFx_pwV5lqDrOFkkTATl3GXYFHEfGsnqeFJABVzIKrhoUAQ-XJ-Su40aBhED_ZevM9E4P0ctAT_34gTdIISJNginLNcNp2v4n2_jffOWmmsXsMeVeHba4PIw/s1600/Other+ruins+with+Giuseppe+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478216503416145090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8P8ZdPXZx_X-5ftWFBLCFx_pwV5lqDrOFkkTATl3GXYFHEfGsnqeFJABVzIKrhoUAQ-XJ-Su40aBhED_ZevM9E4P0ctAT_34gTdIISJNginLNcNp2v4n2_jffOWmmsXsMeVeHba4PIw/s200/Other+ruins+with+Giuseppe+029.jpg" border="0" /></a>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-13886192230286115622010-05-26T20:20:00.012+02:002010-05-27T06:28:57.974+02:00May events<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KUl0fJNqyW3JX97V1MrIr02Q9eRxqINXnWSMeUsw4PprBK4l8LAMJANAO1AWjT04CsA43sjR2EQrQUo-25wAtRxUioQa88Wad5AVOYLvGzUpkdbGB_0ajO9NtE6sIIBhL8m5zaPqF7E/s1600/IMG_6430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475647016892912146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 95px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KUl0fJNqyW3JX97V1MrIr02Q9eRxqINXnWSMeUsw4PprBK4l8LAMJANAO1AWjT04CsA43sjR2EQrQUo-25wAtRxUioQa88Wad5AVOYLvGzUpkdbGB_0ajO9NtE6sIIBhL8m5zaPqF7E/s200/IMG_6430.JPG" border="0" /></a>There was a lot going on in May. After our stint of "reality" TV, we finally celebrated Ray's 5th birthday with Nonna and Godmother Kathryn and Uncle Marco, our 7th wedding anniversary, an end-of-the-year school party at Ray's <em>scuola materna</em> (Patty, you would not believe how many parents asked me for the recipe for the confetti cake mix you mailed me!), and a rock 'n roll (for a 6th!) and a pirate themed (including parrot) birthday parties. Don't laugh at the scotch tape on the pirate hat I made for Ray - he loved it and the paper eye patch!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGDsvpJg-cKcbNannudlqI-V0FfHnhioZuOERicXBI07FwVJg57N0DV53vgniz5Cq8drRxVvetpiSDV8xRhXyRH_xkaBEb573cNV1lWWRsEG3eymBUYdcfYZCQwUNc9bLAD6oY5wwDio/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475647028740197698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGDsvpJg-cKcbNannudlqI-V0FfHnhioZuOERicXBI07FwVJg57N0DV53vgniz5Cq8drRxVvetpiSDV8xRhXyRH_xkaBEb573cNV1lWWRsEG3eymBUYdcfYZCQwUNc9bLAD6oY5wwDio/s200/IMG_6436.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jgfUUrYyurjQinkAeMJjyMvuCbCCd6uOdCps9G2G3Y2VZ7YHthydvGZxqZj8I1FoN10wVYelJSMXU6xog9ME-LYAfsFc2cd9jRX5jxZhgj6plKMZjJqUkZbSvrf25lEi6jxmRmirJTg/s1600/IMG_6454.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475648054246609474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jgfUUrYyurjQinkAeMJjyMvuCbCCd6uOdCps9G2G3Y2VZ7YHthydvGZxqZj8I1FoN10wVYelJSMXU6xog9ME-LYAfsFc2cd9jRX5jxZhgj6plKMZjJqUkZbSvrf25lEi6jxmRmirJTg/s200/IMG_6454.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm8w_8PpePY6ckbQQ-wHLxh-H1eCNg0Yh_Qovhv8Csaz7ndAuvszLa9twW2eMK3lAw5lmLREoLcuydv-ctXFi27wWIAllrFlJD2KPbCMCmfTHea42CSkHKOdXsefaQcfxZ0U0Dyeov7o/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475648050359785298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm8w_8PpePY6ckbQQ-wHLxh-H1eCNg0Yh_Qovhv8Csaz7ndAuvszLa9twW2eMK3lAw5lmLREoLcuydv-ctXFi27wWIAllrFlJD2KPbCMCmfTHea42CSkHKOdXsefaQcfxZ0U0Dyeov7o/s200/IMG_6452.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg149sygZYgOqKzX9RJBLWUOpr86zAmqAJrAaugjYf7LWVqWS75QS8i2MiwAVGwM1awWZTP7xepX74WPY74FDQ-adJn4MD70Bjhpwz14E3BYo5TrnRMGF8Fslq6nZeBwRPUSQW7xhAGFqU/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475649454557951330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg149sygZYgOqKzX9RJBLWUOpr86zAmqAJrAaugjYf7LWVqWS75QS8i2MiwAVGwM1awWZTP7xepX74WPY74FDQ-adJn4MD70Bjhpwz14E3BYo5TrnRMGF8Fslq6nZeBwRPUSQW7xhAGFqU/s200/IMG_6484.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCyGYGAQpWuAd0TR84YjmLCvwJ7l3GJkzuaEOaPDy-Bt-dxx2zfO6oX9pflUZCR9OFStP2wMtv9_jlS6qOFF-lbKg06GdJHCMDfViqdSZisNm4Lum_EB9wWnheR9OqDrAFTBvWNfNedA/s1600/IMG_6511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475800959510765618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCyGYGAQpWuAd0TR84YjmLCvwJ7l3GJkzuaEOaPDy-Bt-dxx2zfO6oX9pflUZCR9OFStP2wMtv9_jlS6qOFF-lbKg06GdJHCMDfViqdSZisNm4Lum_EB9wWnheR9OqDrAFTBvWNfNedA/s200/IMG_6511.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHlUODH1Fwlpa6NOcGVdSyV9ulWH3pL7VsplrYx_w2waOEXPqh8jHIiXDF65fhL8or6BFeui3kWIDSVLla_TzfIUicBC6va9jS23iJ5LB9Pr_2hAiLy1BmMuzB18VareJ5qZ3Vb44zrc/s1600/IMG_6506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475800965946810098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHlUODH1Fwlpa6NOcGVdSyV9ulWH3pL7VsplrYx_w2waOEXPqh8jHIiXDF65fhL8or6BFeui3kWIDSVLla_TzfIUicBC6va9jS23iJ5LB9Pr_2hAiLy1BmMuzB18VareJ5qZ3Vb44zrc/s200/IMG_6506.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_lEDQOsbwoNclxv2wWeGBvGXqddpgA44CcwY9ZCbEgSsq-AkircnaWl2rzz2_8UQcou9PO5do0jhi_46xRG1sp8Jppewg9PRlkEc5Fb6Fsv43HiJHZEp9QuUS0WBwXwoTaDVxEwRqiw/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475647025449972034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_lEDQOsbwoNclxv2wWeGBvGXqddpgA44CcwY9ZCbEgSsq-AkircnaWl2rzz2_8UQcou9PO5do0jhi_46xRG1sp8Jppewg9PRlkEc5Fb6Fsv43HiJHZEp9QuUS0WBwXwoTaDVxEwRqiw/s200/IMG_6382.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedRoM2tIm6AhvpdC6fXqVRe7s4qLco00l3tJ4LGUL0BEifnxem_SjHtjkAQ9Q6Hiwx7_AFXs4BRVKGr-d8_e0FGI1IiwAaIRCoiwhyphenhyphenJH5bu3-1zRrxPG9m1temmdk33DBc1LgOe5ageE/s1600/IMG_6545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475650375175027698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedRoM2tIm6AhvpdC6fXqVRe7s4qLco00l3tJ4LGUL0BEifnxem_SjHtjkAQ9Q6Hiwx7_AFXs4BRVKGr-d8_e0FGI1IiwAaIRCoiwhyphenhyphenJH5bu3-1zRrxPG9m1temmdk33DBc1LgOe5ageE/s200/IMG_6545.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHObYNuTzwkfcWY4-7dkMPiBA5S1ZMpUa7cAGuiXDuIUql0_cF9An0mcnmDiM1s3FBzgIsMO3Qr8kHtFydGhdavrXcbfMp9yX10_8VS2HAGTC8KKjzwVKo0CHAqpeRmcJoLjoVH2z7ag/s1600/IMG_6539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475650371919894098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHObYNuTzwkfcWY4-7dkMPiBA5S1ZMpUa7cAGuiXDuIUql0_cF9An0mcnmDiM1s3FBzgIsMO3Qr8kHtFydGhdavrXcbfMp9yX10_8VS2HAGTC8KKjzwVKo0CHAqpeRmcJoLjoVH2z7ag/s200/IMG_6539.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9XHclJvqFikSWOaoJRzZOWQyU7FK7UFJ3TBCUqrSFpQWqet6YkGxFIdsy9L60wbpTeG8xVBiD2KpVJkUU8r0T9QduVyq_qTjHjJUVBvF8pFJMDWDVi_t4SItC5Pn7pQFVzmKsE9a7vU/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475648787429043442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9XHclJvqFikSWOaoJRzZOWQyU7FK7UFJ3TBCUqrSFpQWqet6YkGxFIdsy9L60wbpTeG8xVBiD2KpVJkUU8r0T9QduVyq_qTjHjJUVBvF8pFJMDWDVi_t4SItC5Pn7pQFVzmKsE9a7vU/s200/IMG_6526.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-41055086228705881902010-05-20T17:44:00.008+02:002010-05-20T18:04:54.671+02:00Musica<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXF9Mzl20Ucv2oIIcWdGiKEUErV2n8RqGCFOmWglYXbgtVGIFE_DhMF-r2YNBJfFculuSwuun1uPt9bD4ku0e66CzzwcKZIjH6akQ-SlKd9pTUJGi45WNLWibuhLJY4EjpJWIZqeAYTA/s1600/IMG_6385.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473379861098833026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXF9Mzl20Ucv2oIIcWdGiKEUErV2n8RqGCFOmWglYXbgtVGIFE_DhMF-r2YNBJfFculuSwuun1uPt9bD4ku0e66CzzwcKZIjH6akQ-SlKd9pTUJGi45WNLWibuhLJY4EjpJWIZqeAYTA/s200/IMG_6385.JPG" border="0" /></a>My friend, Kathryn, organized a very successful musical instrument "fiera" - a convention of dealers. We attended last Sunday in Bologna and though it was really loud, it was great fun to see not just the instruments but the exhibits with all the canned bands that show off all the cool products. I hope we will buy a digital piano soon, though Ray really really wants a guitar (half size, of course).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHXTMr35st_5ktOOEaldR_TIbd8uoSmIU5RCenp20HrXV-agrO18KoBGx98GP6Ou3-WZ6esyhuacJ_iiik0ixIl9RsDuhy2C5OsnnjhUzUHzlfKRLdiq_oZorQ7Pu4BhyphenhyphenGO0cfn8cJiI/s1600/IMG_6417.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs59RVEO5zHPPySMQUMit76GN2yUVNip7oflAIqFanv0ypPh0B_Y2zA-iJqh_AYutDkIjDXctgrCKL2aR-fUbrliTLVFQjLX2-BC54j-RIA5abmHFDYx7eSODqr5WkLL57cMlNwwEXRHw/s1600/IMG_6390.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473379846719446482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs59RVEO5zHPPySMQUMit76GN2yUVNip7oflAIqFanv0ypPh0B_Y2zA-iJqh_AYutDkIjDXctgrCKL2aR-fUbrliTLVFQjLX2-BC54j-RIA5abmHFDYx7eSODqr5WkLL57cMlNwwEXRHw/s200/IMG_6390.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8V5hj8Eo_A7lE1Ntdhj7u3o8n3lIuItU3_-UxMk7qKo1eR-UOt1CDOqVYRS5pZRO5cfJ0ukQ1lA_7L5B8cxqjgms7qYLlaUgB33rkFWTRyZ_Jb3lLON8GAssBYvdBJwDw8X4FkAsYZg/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473379856428239922" style="FLOAT: left; 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MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GwHoorIZqmReSzvc9muF5xvAOsuARHYGzlmn3GGjbBUQDG5PMFBiK7MumjmW4wJeSaHUgLeO3hMdTdayKsr_-ZQBCZVWUE7tsdVoeSounVSEEipOI3BYiKPK97qPjVdt7l_-okChVqo/s200/IMG_6424.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEpyh-hX_o28bre78JY_BV7p_OlwgIXWNaV5hhE9UEg2WFBLlaMFog7LZiI-oQq0ZGtpshvVR1q7eEIJzoKv9E6DtiIFCrRKvVJT1tW7VcEJo8afs7y1ozlGSshQa9R0V1FlrfeShM2E/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473382283981380066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEpyh-hX_o28bre78JY_BV7p_OlwgIXWNaV5hhE9UEg2WFBLlaMFog7LZiI-oQq0ZGtpshvVR1q7eEIJzoKv9E6DtiIFCrRKvVJT1tW7VcEJo8afs7y1ozlGSshQa9R0V1FlrfeShM2E/s200/IMG_6393.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_WgRV0eLw_gWXQiDWkn-WinlckD6npm3XO8HvcoM0iGqD7QzInikm1i8E38sfaTc8s3kESSFxOUmN7au-bw2mxH28o-MyqKjUpVYpStKlJ_YHj2k-tKfTobLcK-vM4D_tMeNe-WsDXM/s1600/IMG_6397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473381096970005666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_WgRV0eLw_gWXQiDWkn-WinlckD6npm3XO8HvcoM0iGqD7QzInikm1i8E38sfaTc8s3kESSFxOUmN7au-bw2mxH28o-MyqKjUpVYpStKlJ_YHj2k-tKfTobLcK-vM4D_tMeNe-WsDXM/s200/IMG_6397.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP_Kaxm-0cxJcO5D01Eg7yiUmorEZyryFb_K3U28M4I5FzjhLsQ6llj1RfeqShjdzRWkkVCRqAi8hNq1Lcx50UKyLIHEdpgUj3y3JzvNBu_QE_WrJ6j4jX8QiI3kleZVNfCEFm6g-1xo/s1600/IMG_6410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473381103792884418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP_Kaxm-0cxJcO5D01Eg7yiUmorEZyryFb_K3U28M4I5FzjhLsQ6llj1RfeqShjdzRWkkVCRqAi8hNq1Lcx50UKyLIHEdpgUj3y3JzvNBu_QE_WrJ6j4jX8QiI3kleZVNfCEFm6g-1xo/s200/IMG_6410.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1hPb3LZDYbpicLOF7yi4ZcaRdhewKD2ymlmPyl_rHpSWsoKs1tubfU0lPooMtU9yJor6laJh1vh-GM1T4kEQ6wAzgoy1ERawqAJEgxA1xr0GCRyQ7AyIl-g5lRcPgpqO2Y5pYxSg5aI/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473381115405984306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1hPb3LZDYbpicLOF7yi4ZcaRdhewKD2ymlmPyl_rHpSWsoKs1tubfU0lPooMtU9yJor6laJh1vh-GM1T4kEQ6wAzgoy1ERawqAJEgxA1xr0GCRyQ7AyIl-g5lRcPgpqO2Y5pYxSg5aI/s200/IMG_6412.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq5H-LXNScpbgPCM80U8wo49H7RrLYxdjYPKdXFYVxDEXxMKZAdBsNeVWftoHiHoLfV7KpoBxi2W2I_ue9Wm4VRZEs0wCXsCaRncez8t_4xV4iHde8K3cR7pDO5nglddkxK14nBqFGKQ/s1600/IMG_6414.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473381106654656402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq5H-LXNScpbgPCM80U8wo49H7RrLYxdjYPKdXFYVxDEXxMKZAdBsNeVWftoHiHoLfV7KpoBxi2W2I_ue9Wm4VRZEs0wCXsCaRncez8t_4xV4iHde8K3cR7pDO5nglddkxK14nBqFGKQ/s200/IMG_6414.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-37197639839364851632010-05-12T13:44:00.004+02:002010-05-12T14:35:26.865+02:00Ciao! (sob)<div>So our new best friends are on their way back to Milan where they will catch a flight back to LA tomorrow morning. It was so much fun working with Susan, Tom and Stu these past five days. I think they got the footage they wanted, were totally relaxed and we will miss their company. Keep checking the HHI listings and let us know when it airs - you will probably see it before we do. (Unfortunately, I had left my camera at work and only had it for the final day of shooting.) We have to remember to peel off all the black tape around our house where the brands of appliances had been covered.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOUglabZKxsPpfuKGTjueKLpMgQNEIxfYIE4IxhEUXTxoYOHU4pNqDoLtm5f8wKuIlP_9DWyedMQm-iJIqWE31f0i4yaKMmSUuoAmFwonSUuazl_Pm9pPYWGeCzqvy1hih9zOOtGSkvI/s1600/IMG_6332.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470349289095607474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOUglabZKxsPpfuKGTjueKLpMgQNEIxfYIE4IxhEUXTxoYOHU4pNqDoLtm5f8wKuIlP_9DWyedMQm-iJIqWE31f0i4yaKMmSUuoAmFwonSUuazl_Pm9pPYWGeCzqvy1hih9zOOtGSkvI/s200/IMG_6332.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2Hp-51VDf4mebbGwGh0SPUrOm2YdzZnuGOCHIL-doKhaFS8ArYfIIbElCqabXZv5-SGdrhZTMsto1DTB_VtLYLABOg2aeSFhbpUUm2t9iNUkXwVPd6UyQKiub0-O8FGJj0BCbOB33CQ/s1600/IMG_6342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470349279494496594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2Hp-51VDf4mebbGwGh0SPUrOm2YdzZnuGOCHIL-doKhaFS8ArYfIIbElCqabXZv5-SGdrhZTMsto1DTB_VtLYLABOg2aeSFhbpUUm2t9iNUkXwVPd6UyQKiub0-O8FGJj0BCbOB33CQ/s200/IMG_6342.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8GZj-uJ8V2kD9_HpGmqLway6jGSmZcV3nLddgqZU2peMJJtIj_fHn5wt4EILBSiuoK_NCIh9ZU4eBdTTU3PcC5wJYhpdGwUuiRs9L68GOcnzbQfbSdWNgVcts-B7pSEjjWMx23wyH-c/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470349290170623826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8GZj-uJ8V2kD9_HpGmqLway6jGSmZcV3nLddgqZU2peMJJtIj_fHn5wt4EILBSiuoK_NCIh9ZU4eBdTTU3PcC5wJYhpdGwUuiRs9L68GOcnzbQfbSdWNgVcts-B7pSEjjWMx23wyH-c/s200/IMG_6361.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrByTwF3aE1njyIO0O-Sjn0SsGqR1TbD0kmDuHsTjreU1txGREXDNvIatopd9IHh0-_50XkYsAbMgDkl-lFTZ90O0hyTJ3X2bxFujhPNNZf9pgaOBPL5Zesy8Z4hGGF0IpZXZ7L5qEJKs/s1600/IMG_6356.JPG"></a> Action/cut/tone!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIflrkuo3zRmfr59VjMgXK2webHKFWKeyDHU2fH34jfHXWb9MHqDOvKw_Sj76JHx1G9pmzGda87G0-ee9CHwl3-P0MuqvBeEf4qQGB8F75Calm5UZT2ZHVu63ZCaUj8iksb-vyuAPU_w8/s1600/IMG_6355.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470361103161081074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIflrkuo3zRmfr59VjMgXK2webHKFWKeyDHU2fH34jfHXWb9MHqDOvKw_Sj76JHx1G9pmzGda87G0-ee9CHwl3-P0MuqvBeEf4qQGB8F75Calm5UZT2ZHVu63ZCaUj8iksb-vyuAPU_w8/s200/IMG_6355.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824261564971670236.post-69026106022145244302010-05-06T06:27:00.006+02:002010-05-06T06:50:57.771+02:00HH International<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrbf_VeXN1AknWEJekPMfpwaBswtIWix2ubqtG4zJEy5Aokm790P1_RVw2nhjc_MH_Us-LcAU7HKMCjsIYjSjyan6bGsH-I4STOAoQlR1hN9i4XOrItRxJHnNBFNUyp3vkWyWd27_DJY/s1600/IMG_6148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468012383865357282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 107px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrbf_VeXN1AknWEJekPMfpwaBswtIWix2ubqtG4zJEy5Aokm790P1_RVw2nhjc_MH_Us-LcAU7HKMCjsIYjSjyan6bGsH-I4STOAoQlR1hN9i4XOrItRxJHnNBFNUyp3vkWyWd27_DJY/s200/IMG_6148.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So, in the end, it all really progressed and the crew of three House Hunters are arriving in Bologna today. We have a hectic schedule that runs through to next Wednesday and I never lost the ten winter pounds, grew out my butchered fingernails (ah, to work with 5 year olds every day!), got my hair cut, colored and styled, and so on - so you get the authentic Chris appropriate for "reality" tv. I will try to take some photos throughout and hope there are none of anyone losing their patience.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kknCE-D5BaqSDrDLoTmyYEB84zWU6VjiMgmxeGcfEnlpzTPxjZQ7CKUwb6EzE-7cbpakAcS_hgeuFN_8KlWNA48DmJ3kbZiFJXgy0O_eYh71TFUra9eNZNUhCVFqOh-joegtph3g5Tk/s1600/IMG_6158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468012388226174754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kknCE-D5BaqSDrDLoTmyYEB84zWU6VjiMgmxeGcfEnlpzTPxjZQ7CKUwb6EzE-7cbpakAcS_hgeuFN_8KlWNA48DmJ3kbZiFJXgy0O_eYh71TFUra9eNZNUhCVFqOh-joegtph3g5Tk/s200/IMG_6158.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZzBmUU1TgTU2FaBuWwl_dKBLeVpL7GToSweCHwUNUspRJJi-YPdutbD-10tkuSHC-IdCcW9zdeK8CMGB19Hby8s0qwvoT7OUI_zEzoOZxjrqneB-AWCbKz9yy6U7Ta0M1cRmgDbjPrQ/s1600/IMG_6138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468012394334121650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZzBmUU1TgTU2FaBuWwl_dKBLeVpL7GToSweCHwUNUspRJJi-YPdutbD-10tkuSHC-IdCcW9zdeK8CMGB19Hby8s0qwvoT7OUI_zEzoOZxjrqneB-AWCbKz9yy6U7Ta0M1cRmgDbjPrQ/s200/IMG_6138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We have been busy just running our regular schedule, but we did manage a weekend escape to celebrate a certain 49th birthday (ouch, well actually a little wine took the pain away) with friends Kathryn and Marco (it's her 34th - double ouch). We went to the same agriturismo that we celebrated at a year ago (<a href="http://www.marzanella.it/">www.marzanella.it/</a>) and though it was a little rainy, we were still able to visit the "vulcano" - a natural gas flame that has become our favorite picnic spot (next time we will bring hotdogs on a stick along with the beer and cheese sandwiches).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkU2U9jHJpi3rY-1Qa9W1FH__Ezn_FXkmJg1lZEY8FZ6yf1jIb2jvC0M97pYUgkR6qg0PTxVcT7SUTbCOIcwgQv0HILFpUECO35oBDi66pP9zk6uWAN_uPvSyod-xIJAffa8nTCFIm7g/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468013080396710114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkU2U9jHJpi3rY-1Qa9W1FH__Ezn_FXkmJg1lZEY8FZ6yf1jIb2jvC0M97pYUgkR6qg0PTxVcT7SUTbCOIcwgQv0HILFpUECO35oBDi66pP9zk6uWAN_uPvSyod-xIJAffa8nTCFIm7g/s200/IMG_6182.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Hm0mF6F8wdRuGJwA5jWzhsxSDz_NSbGlu_kT20jpRqtjz9jWviI5x4ItCBhLxRva4t_OaU4s_N6u6iYkmjJvZXd2_N49PILP3MNVaokQuVRbOg3A0r3WU5hhWL-FElSc9u3JXr0LQlo/s1600/IMG_6112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468012397837464722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Hm0mF6F8wdRuGJwA5jWzhsxSDz_NSbGlu_kT20jpRqtjz9jWviI5x4ItCBhLxRva4t_OaU4s_N6u6iYkmjJvZXd2_N49PILP3MNVaokQuVRbOg3A0r3WU5hhWL-FElSc9u3JXr0LQlo/s200/IMG_6112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Above is a game of Italian billiards - I never grasp the goal - those little pegs on the table - to knock down or not?</span>Christine Riccihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740634477446792624noreply@blogger.com1