Day 53 A Day of Rest

After all of our galavanting around the Italian hill towns, it was time to rest a bit…and besides we had a Thanksgiving dinner to prepare!  In order to feel less like we are a zillion miles from home on Thanksgiving, I decided that we were going to have an American Thanksgiving in Italy.  We invited our sweet hosts who own the beautiful property that we were staying at, La Falconara, there names are Alex and Ingrid.  They are both in their early 70’s and about the most kind and wonderful hosts you could ask for (especially when you are homesick!) When I brought up the idea of them joining us for the occasion, they were delighted!  Alex told us that getting a turkey can be quite a trick in Italy, and asked if we would be okay with a chicken?  We said...

Day 52 The beautiful Sienna

Today we decided to get up and out a bit earlier and head to the town of Sienna.  I have really been looking forward to seeing this town for a long time!  One of the things I was intrigued by was the horse race competition they have twice a year between the districts of the city in the Piazza Del Campo.  There are 18 districts each with an animal and a coat of arms to represent them.  Some of these animals are awesome…snail, hedgehog, goose, unicorn, caterpillar, porcupine…just what you think of when you want a mascot to show how fierce you are :-)!   There are only 10 riders in the competition and it is crazy!  The Piazza is small…think of an elementary school running track with 10 horses, and riders riding bareback…people packed to the...

Day 51 A Birthday Italian Style *Not really my birthday today, just catching up*

Today is my 46th birthday…and what a great day!  Today started with breakfast in bed made by Russ and Reid…yummy eggs, potatoes, and mimosas!  The other fantastic surprise was the card that Reid made me (if you know Reid, you understand that writing is his kryptonite (or however you spell it) I mean to say that he hates to do it is an understatement!) and inside the card was the sweetest written letter from him!  It was the best present a mom could ever get! Well, I did get another present… I am obsessed with red Vespas (and no I did not get a Vespa) but it is my dream to own one some day.  I have visions of riding around on my Vespa…like I have no cares in the world.  Okay, I said visions… not the reality of helmet hair, freaking...

Some Reflections of a Blogger Who is Super Behind

Okay so I am only about a month behind on my blog posts!  It has been a crazy month lots of moving around, times without internet, seeing sights, meeting people, and of course inhaling the second hand smoke of all of these crazy chain smoking Europeans!  Our time in the EU is actually coming to a close in the next few days…and then we are on to a new adventure.  I fear that our travel time is coming to a close…I have two boys who are getting a bit homesick these days.  Reid is especially missing his friends and family!  I think that being an only child can be tough at times!  Luckily, we have met some great kids on this trip that he has been able to hang out with a little bit, so that has helped! I miss my friends and family too, don’t get me...

Day 50 Montepulciano

Day 50- Today we decided to go to the closest hill town..for a couple of reasons…1. it was close…2. it had a laundromat (and we had a huge pile of dirty clothes!).  So off we went!  Well, today is Sunday and I think every Italian within 100 miles has decided to come to Montepulciano today!  It was a bit crazy getting into town…but we made it!  We decided to bring our laundry and get it out of the way first.  Not such a good idea…I will explain in a bit! So we found the laundromat and after a bit of button pressing confusion we got our laundry started.  We walked around a bit and just hung out while we waited for the laundry to finish.  After we were done, we took the laundry back to the car and headed back to the town. As we wound our way...

Day 49 Rome to Tuscany

Day 49- Well we were a bit sad to have to leave Rome- it was bitter sweet!  We were heading to Tuscany to stay at La Falconara, a place that my family had visited a few years prior and they absolutely loved!  We were very excited to head to the hills of Tuscany and see all of the hill towns.  Our first stop was La Falconara, to meet Alex and Ingrid!  As we wound and drove toward our destination, we were charmed by the landscape!  We turned and headed down a dirt road, and as we turned a corner I see a man standing at the end of the road with a huge smile on his face!  There was Alex!  His farm is what you would imagine a farm in Tuscany would be… a hundreds year old farm house, olive trees, a beautiful view…just like a postcard! As we headed towards...

Day 48 Pope Central

Day 48- For those of you who know me well, you probably know I do not do well with organized religion.  That being said, one of the things that I really wanted to do when I went to Rome, was to go to the Vatican.  I am actually a huge fan of the latest Pope…so it was time to check out his city!  I have always wanted to see the Sistine Chapel as well…so Vatican here we come! Your trip to the Vatican really begins when you try to make reservations.  You can book through tour groups, but they are like twice the price as if you book through the Vatican itself.  Just  a friendly warning though…if you lack patience like me it might almost be worth paying double…but I ended up working through the angst and finally making a reservation! In order...