making merry

That night we served Thai...umm, they loved it. While we weren't able to pull together a meal (the shame!) we did have the stage ready for the kiddos, and they did not disappoint us: one sax solo, one trumpet solo, one sax and trumpet duet, one kid well-rehearsed with two piano pieces, one with one not-so-well rehearsed piece, and three vocal performances, to include one with original lyrics. Oh, and, one very talented guitar player pulling it all together.

It's about the people, you know.
Of course you know! What was I thinking?

When do you think these children will outgrow this little tradition, the one where they are forced willingly provide entertainment for the parents and distinguished guests (bald guy on the couch) at the annual Christmas party? The oldest of the bunch is fourteen.

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Lyrics... created by our exceptional children from Lake Wobegon

I broke a bat on Mark's head,
Somebody snitched on me.
I put a snake in Debra's bed,
Somebody snitched on me.
I broke the screen on Connor's phone,
Spoke to Mom "in that tone,"
Tried to steal Baccio's bone.
Somebody snitched on me.

I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas.....

I broke the spoke on Adam's bike,
Somebody snitched on me.
Cheryl fed me, I said "No like!"
Somebody snitched on me.
I broke the reed on Lucas' sax,
Stole the candy, blamed it on Max,
Somebody snitched on me.

I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas
Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.

December Daily | 19, 21

Run, Santa, Run

We suited up with friends for a charity fun run in Vicenza centro this morning. There was lots of holiday cheer! 

I'm thinking of using the photo of the three of us (not included here) as the cover of the book.

This was a rather slow day, so I used a bit of Young One's artwork to fill the page...and, no, she did not create it on this day. And really, who cares? Can you dig her rockin' Santa? I love this kid.

Four more days left to this project...and a book cover, which could take me six months to decide upon!

December Daily 17

December Daily | 16

December Daily | 13-15

The Weekend.

I hope to add a second page for December 15 that includes snapshots of the party we hosted Sunday, especially the kids performing in the musical review. Saturday Richard brought in mics and speakers and other little elements of technology that I don't understand to prep for the show. Like old times for him. I think he kind of liked it.

I'm struggling with the privacy issues again. Nothing has ever happened, ever. But these aren't all my kids. Trust me, there are big bright smiles behind those turquoise ovals.

See you here soon, I hope.
We have an incredibly busy week ahead with a dance show, a school recital, a 50th birthday celebration, some baking, an arts and crafts play date, and, weather permitting, a Santa run! And this is all before Sunday. It just wears me out thinking about it. There is no place like home.

And, oh, that Prosecco & Chambord cocktail is a perfect holiday treat. Try it!

December Daily | 12

December Daily | 9-11

Some thoughts:

:: The December Daily project originates with Ali Edwards, a graphic designer I've followed online for some time now.

:: With this project I obviously have issues with keeping the design elements closely related from page-to page. I am OKAY with that. I think. I hope. NO! I am.

:: I am clearly struggling with fonts! Not so clear? Maybe it's just an internal conflict. I'll have to revisit font choices when I'm done.

:: I'm creating most of this content, but I did purchase the December date stamp brush and a couple of other related elements for Photoshop here.

:: Everything I know about Photoshop I have learned from talented teenagers.

:: I took the photo of the sunrise on my way to work on December 10th, not 11th. Goodness, I couldn't play by rules that don't allow this. I actually pulled over and got out of the car with my DSLR and my iPhone. Wouldn't you have?  It's coupled with the song Young One and Richard have been rehearsing over and over for this year's family Christmas show. Have you heard the Barenaked Ladies version of this song? Festive!

December Daily | 6-8

Feeling better about this. Getting better at this.
Happy that I am doing this. Happy that I'm recording my thoughts every single day.
Hoping that I can keep up with the pace.
Realizing that I need some new fonts.
Planning to pull out my Bamboo tablet soon.
Exploring printing options for my completed project.

Have a great week, my friends.
D

December Daily

Moving forward, even in the dark. For some odd reason, this whole thing feels kind of cheeky. I wonder why that might be. Or maybe sharing with you is what makes it so. IDK. I do know that each time I see a December Daily project online I think: I totally need to be a part of this.

So. Here I am. Being a part of this project. Cutting my digital scrapping teeth this December 2013. I think my style is a bit more simple than I am allowing myself to be here. I am moving forward with it, nonetheless. I am not yet certain on what I will do with those square .jpg files!


AND!

YES. We are over the moon happy with the subject of December 5 :) I included thirteen different Italian cities in the the booklet, from Venice to Florence to Pompeii to Pisa. It's tucked in a folder in their Christmas box that will be on its way to Louisiana tomorrow. Some little Cajun cousins will be in Bella Italia in June!

Epiphany 2013

A new holiday tradition for us: French toast made with pandoro and panettone...so decadent.

 A letter for La Befana the night before...I love her glasses!

And Befana delivered...a stocking full of sweets.

Each year one of the neighbor families delivers, too...a mixed-up box of treats.

Panties and socks in those carefully wrapped newspaper bundles...better than the ash in the other!

Life is moving forward in the paese farily quickly in 2013. How is it that we are already 10 days in?

merry christmas.

We had a lovely variety show in our basement last night, with four of my favorite children performing for us...serious and silly songs, a few instruments, and some poetry. Even a couple of adults picked up instruments for us :) Young One had her first public "solo," my brave little girl. It was a true Christmas gift for all of us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours. See you in 2013.

for the birds // the solstice is upon us

For the past several years we've marked the winter solstice by decorating trees with edibles for birds and other forest critters, and we plan to continue this December twenty-first.  This year I found a lovely, easy, inexpensive crafty idea to create simple ornaments from bird seed.

I came across the idea via Daisey at Creative Compulsive, who I know will be celebrating the solstice as well. She is doing a series of great DIY holiday gift ideas; this one is from Saltwater Kids. I absolutely love the way good ideas travel via the blogging community.

While we intend to take a nice walk and leave these in the trees in the paese Saturday, I also wrapped up a selection of them to be sent to my grandmother, who always keeps her bird feeders full. I have a feeling she'll love them as a Christmas gift.

Another part of our solstice tradition is to read Eve Bunting's Night Tree again each year, a story about a family who visits the woods to...decorate a tree with edibles for the forest creatures. Frankly, one of my favorite things about the solstice is that we have reached the peak of the darkness! Hello, sunshine. Hello, daylight.

...............
I read several comments in the original blog post with caution that these will fall apart in the rain. In the end, I suppose some little animal will benefit nonetheless, but it could lead to disappointment for little people and grandma's. I duly sent mine a warning of such.

in the spirit, sort of

We are finally (finallyfinallyfinally) seeing a bit of Christmas spirit here!

:: freshly-picked clementines from the South filling our bellies

:: crafting ideas for homemade gifts coming to life

:: tree trimmed and gifts lovingly wrapped

:: an unexpected craft and a plan for more

:: a kitty finding his new happy place

............

On another note:
Some dear friends recently lived through the horror of waking to a fire in their house full of children in the wee hours of the morning. Everyone escaped without major injury, but the tale is horrific and makes our hearts heavy. We've added fire extinguishers to our Christmas list. Do you have them in your home? We don't. Have you inspected yours lately? Their extinguisher didn't work when needed. It was small, and then it was huge...just like that. Please keep them in your thoughts.

these final days of 2011

The final week of 2011 has been mostly low key, with moments of ...

Performing happy dances over surprises from Santa ...

Trying out new tools with an old friend, who happens to be a pasta-loving man, too ...

Welcoming new dolls and animals into the mix ...

Reminiscing with cherised friends from our early days in Naples (Has it been that long?) ...

And DANCING in the basement! Lots and lots of dancing!

We are in full-on vacation mode with late nights and late mornings, naps and afternoon espressos, books and movies, and lots of discussion of plans for 2012. Many of the opened gifts are still placed under the tree, the laundry pile is multiplying, the dust bunnies are gathering, and nary a proper meal has been prepared (minus the pasta one evening); I wouldn't have it any other way.

Poesia di Natale

Memorization tasks are still very common in Italian primary schools. Young One is often assigned a poem,a rhyme or a prayer for memorization, to be recited in front of the entire class. The lines are generally fairly short and not extremely challenging...until this Christmas, that is. She memorized a beautiful, albeit lengthy, version of the Christmas story for which she eventually received high marks from her second grade teacher. Well deserved high marks, if I do say so myself.

We hope you had a peaceful day and continue to enjoy time with loved ones. We have an old friend visiting for a few days and are tickled pink of his impromptu visit.

using children's artwork on the christmas card

A few years ago I received a card from a family that used a drawing of the manger scene by their young daughter as the artwork. Since then, I've wanted to so something similar and finally got my act together this year.  As I suspected, Young One was just delighted (and a bit proud) to see her artwork featured on our 2011 card.

Christmas Card 2011

These were designed by moi and printed on 2-sided flat 4 x 5.5 notecards at Mpix. Young One created the digital art using a Wacom Bamboo tablet and Photoshop on my MacBook. I helped her a little with the layers in the Photoshop document, but she didn't need much assistance beyond that. Although Richard and I are pretty "techy," we don't allow or push it much with her and don't harbor fears that she'll be left behind. The tablet, like most 21st century consumer-level technology, is user-friendly, intuitive, and idiot-proof, as was clearly evidenced by the fact that my seven-year-old daughter could use it proficiently with just a little instruction. Photoshop CS5? Not so much!

The same effect could be achieved by simply scanning or photographing (in great light) child-created artwork. I know you have some good ones or could even likely commission a piece for the occasion!

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fleur de sel caramels so easy even i can make them ... really

Fleur de Sel Caramels

Last spring when I visited Paris with the girls, I was busy seeking out things like vanilla beans and salt while they were making other choices during our shopping frenzies: jewelry, trinkets for kids, candy, Desigual fashion, spices, and so on.

One friend in particular, who shall remain nameless, but who has since moved to an island in the Atlantic, had a good laugh at my quest for Fleur de sel de Guérande, especially since I mentioned that I wanted it as a gift for my husband. 

"You are bringing Richard salt as a gift ... from Paris?"

"Ahh, but it's not any salt, it's the best salt in the world. French salt from Brittany. It's fleur de sel."

"It's ... salt!?"

I couldn't explain.

This week I finally treated myself to a candy thermometer, et voila! salted caramels...oh, excuse me... Fleur de Sel Caramels. Easy, peasy, divine goodness, or beginner's luck.

Do you know how many times I can make this recipe for fleur de sel caramels with the amount of salt I bought in Paris? My husband LOVES caramels. French fleur de sel is a perfect gift that keeps on giving, batch after glorious batch! The man is in heaven. Ordinary salt is no substitute, trust me. And, I even have enough to add these caramels to my list of homemade gifts this year.

I have a little baggie of caramels that I intend to send to this friend in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean this holiday season because I still like her (and miss her) even though she even had a laugh with Richard about my gift weeks after we returned. One bite and the woman will get it, I'm sure. Unfortunately, I bet she won't find any fleur de sel in the Azores. Who's laughing now, girlfriend?

..................................................

Here is the recipe I used with step-by-step pictures from our friend Ina Garten.

Divine.

.

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If you are here looking for corner view, I'll return to it after the holiday season.

the last post of the year where I ramble

Feel free to read the rambles, or you could skip down to "The Trailer."  Happy New Year! (in case you skip!)

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Today I put Christmas away.  I wrapped her carefully, weeded out that which I haven't used much in the past few years, and then had Richard stow her all snugly under the stairs until next year, when, hopefully, I'll be in a better place to deal with her.  I usually wait until at least after January 6 . . . not this year.  In fact, if it weren't for the kiddo, the stuff would have stayed under the stairs.

I faked it.

We had a full Christmas season:  lots of parties and concerts and Christmas shows and cocktails and gifts and books and baking and quiet moments.  We even hosted a Christmas Eve party here again this year, but I have to tell you, my heart was not in most of it & I am happy to bid it all farewell. Good riddance. Adios.  Arrivederci.  See you next year.

So . . .

I am looking forward to this new year.  When I think about the changes in my life in this past ten or so years, it just makes me tired. . . . whew:  new country, new job, new man, new kid, new husband, new city, new apartment, new friends, new career, new house in a new neighborhood (in that order).  I am looking forward to a new year of nothing new. (Is that a bad attitude?) I'm signing up for the maintenance plan this year, the one where I coast happily through without major change. I want to just "be."

Of course.  . .

I know that this is impossible . . . but a girl can dream.

Tonight we are headed next door for a New Year's Eve dinner and celebration.  We'll have lenticchie and cotechino (lentils and pork sausage) to insure that we have a prosperous and healthy 2011 fifteen courses of lovingly prepared food. (Just to be doubly sure, we're cooking up a batch here tomorrow, too.)  It's the same place we went last year, when we let our children play with fire as the tispy adults toasted.  Remember?  There's a certain comfort in returning to the same place with many of the same people.  (There's a new family in the mix this year, a young family of three from Naples who have left the South for the more prosperous North -- think of the change they face in the coming decade!) Anywho. . . I'll have a glass of Prosecco for you!

Auguri!

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Richard gave me this awesome camera and this software,  which I used to document our recent sledding trip. I think I may be on to something new with my blogging for 2011!  Did I say "new"?  Impossible, see!!!

The Trailer:

The Feature Length Film (all 3:25 of it):

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Thinking of heading to Asiago for a day of sledding fun?  It's only about an hour away from Vicenza and a perfect half-day trip.  This time we hit the hill near the Albergo Orthal, but we've also visited the nearby Albergo Miramonti for a similar experience in the past.  Sleds are available for rental or you can bring your own.   A full day of sledding with two sleds and access for three to the "lift" (lazy man sledding) cost us only 25 Euro.  Ski equipment rental and lessons are also available.

Go! It's fun. Pack a picnic lunch, take your time, invite your friends . . . good times await you.

Happy New Year!

peace & joy

We have a winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2010-12-24 15:04:48 UTC

Why on earth I thought that I'd have time to deal with this today when I've invited 23 people to join us for gumbo is still a mystery to me!  I have been running since getting out of bed at 7 am and have actually snuck upstairs to do this while Richard chats with an expected unexpected visitor downstairs over a class of whiskey.  

Congratulations Dana, commenter #5!  I'll be in touch some day after tomorrow.  Merry Christmas to you!!!!!!

Forty minutes until the fist guest is expected to arrive -- gotta run!

Merry Christmas Everyone!