Something new

I have been busy with re-entry to my real life from vacation and haven't written in a while. Thank you to anyone who managed to sit through the really long slideshows I made. I thought I would try out Smilebox for a change. Yes - there is a play button in the middle of the compass (very hard to see), and there are ads. I have to play with it to see if I like it.

BTW - I still have about 300 pictures to arrange and they will be posted soon.

A SHORT slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tuscany

Slideshow part 2 The House

Italy slideshow, part 1

Farewell, beloved camera

At lunch today, I ran over to Ritz Camera to see if my camera could be fixed. The good news is that it can be. The bad news is the repair is not covered under the warranty. The worst news is it will cost $250 to fix. I can buy a new camera for $279. I am royally pissed. It's only 1.5 years old!!!! I cannot survive without a camera, so I have to act soon. I will get an extended warranty on the next one and 6 months before it runs out (if it lasts that long), I will smash it on the floor and get a new camera.

It sucks to be home

So my camera broke yesterday morning at breakfast. It completely stopped working 2 shots into the Colosseum. Crap. At least I was thinking fast and popped the memory stick out and shoved it into the video camera. The stills aren't as great, but at least we captured our 7 mile trek through Rome.

The flight home was 9 hours. Nine hours with the kids was a bit much, but we survived. The laundry is sorted and started, the AC is blasting and the kids are running around outside. It's 11:30 for us, but we need to stay awake for another 2 hours at least. I think I will be happier tomorrow when I have a HUGE cup of coffee. The Italian coffee is great, but very small.

Arrivederchi

This should be my last post in Italy. Tomorrow we drop the cars in Florence and take the train to Rome. It will be tough to to make the 10:15 train, but I will be packed completely tonight. If you are expecting a gift, you will be disappointed. I didn't do much serious shopping.

I am looking forward to seeing Rome, but not all the crowds. I can't believe this vacation is almost over already!

Vallone - a set on Flickr

Vallone - a set on Flickr

Food

I know Flickr is the best way to post a lot of pictures, but I am having technical difficulties with the slideshow. Too much wine and too little sleep.

We went to a wine and olive oil tasting today. The food was fantastic and the wine was incredible. We ended up purchasing some olive oils and balsamic vinegar. Here's hoping that the bubble wrap and gallon sized zip locks will hold!

This is my Insalata della Casa from tonight. It was an incredible salad with beautiful presentation.

For Dad

This is a really bad picture of an artichoke plant. I took this while we waited for the car that was following us before we knew it fell down an embankment. Everyone is fine. I think I may dedicate another post to our car issues.

More pictures

Il Duomo in Firenze (Florence to you and me). The buidling was magnificent, but the piazza was littered with tours. We did not go inside.

This is the Ponte Vecchio (literally Old Bridge, but not like Old Bridge NJ). On this bridge are some fantastic jewelry stores. I believe this bridge inspired my love for the cheaper Murano glass jewelry!

This is the covered market in Florence. I did some great shopping here. I seem to be addicted to Murano glass necklaces with matching earrings. They are so pretty!My mother in law really likes that leather jacket.

This is a typical street in San Gimignano. That's possibly not the way to spell it, but the town was beautiful. If you have a chance, rent Tea with Moussilini. It has an all star British cast with Cher and Lily Tomlin and it takes place in this town. I loved how modern life has mixed in with the old buildings. Plus the gelato was pretty good.


And this was a sunflower in Voltarra. There are sunflower fields all over here and they are just magnificent.

10 Reasons I want to live in Italy

10. Beautiful architecture
9. My cell phone doesn't work here. It doesn't work at home, but at least I don't expect it to work here.
8. The fruit is perfectly ripe and wonderful.
7. The language is beautiful. Even when I have no idea what they are saying, it sounds great!
6. Shopping is fantastic.
5. I'm finally getting used to an international keyboard. Sorry for all the errors in the earlier posts.
4. Truffle pizza
3. Sunflowers
2. Gelato
1. Small towns with few tourists are a treasure. It is so nice to see how everyday life really is here.

Can you tell I don't want to come home? It's like the summer I was in Mexico and called my mother crying because I didn't want to leave. I have no idea how she did it, but I ended up with an extra week in Mexico. At least then, I didn't have to worry about work. I guess I have to return next week. This is definitely paradise!

What's the difference between art and porn?

a government grant.

I didn't break it - I swear!!!

In this picture, it doesn't even look like it is leaning. It was surreal to see this in person. Too many tourists. We have been spoiled by these tiny towns that have no major tour groups running through them. Going to Pisa was like a shock to our systems - too many people.

La Vida Dolce

I could really get used to this life. With the exception of today, we have been able to get enough lounging in to be restful. Today we were supposed to get some relaxing downtime, but we went to Lucca (a walled city - really cute and very few cars) and Pisa. It should have been a 20-30 minute drive to Pisa from Lucca, but between the stupid GPS and construction, we were significantly delayed. It was nice to see the leaning tower, but the Duomo was beautiful. The little fleamarket on the side was a bit tacky. We spent about 45 minutes taking pictures and shopping. I'll post hubby's pictures tomorrow. Right now I am waiting for my clothes to be washed. Then it's bedtime. YAWN!

It was Trink's 7th birthday today. We celebrated in style with a very special dinner. The cake was an amazing vanilla cake stuffed with custard and topped with chocolate icing. I think she had a nice day.

Gelato

My Castle

I am a princess

We arrived at our castle yesterday. Somehow hubby and I ended up in the Tower. We have two floors and a rooftop and we are removed from the house. It is truly amazing here. The house is gorgeous, with very big bedrooms, a lovely art collection and panoramic views. It is quite hidden from the main drag. Even the locals did know what we were talking about when I asked in horrible Italian Dov é il castelo?

Julia Roberts has stayed here several times. I can see what draws her in. It is a pleasant and simple life here. You feel so removed from time and stress. Our tower dates back at least to the 1200s. It is mind boggling to think of the history!

It is time for appetizers and wine. The food is truly amazing and flavorful. This place makes their own olive oil and wine - delicioso.

I am an International driver, and survivor

Well, it's official. I am an international driver. What car am I driving? I have no idea. It's a Ford and has 6 gears. And I took it to over 100. How did I end up driving today? I qualify more. My father in law can drive a manual car in the states. I have 19 years of experience and can get up hills. Go me. I had a great time driving to Spoleto. The trip was easy! I got cocky. We wandered around the town and saw all the sights, ate lunch, hit a playground and headed back to the car. I knew it would be a piece of cake, and then (dun, dun DUNNNNNNNNN - something went HORRIBLY wrong.

We used the GPS to get home. The voice can barely speak English, the Italian is horrible. Then we ran into construction - not the fault of the GPS. We RECALCULATED to a tiny lane. EASY. We went through a very low tunnel - yes I ducked going through it. Then we hit a 90 ° turn. I couldn't get through it. I had to back up and barely squeaked around the corner. Hubby was in the car behind me laughing. So I thought the worst was done for the day. We got on the autostrade and I put it into 6th gear. Then we came back to Todi.

Todi is on a hill. Correct that - a MOUNTAIN. I cruised up the hill and got within 10 feet of the top and the car crapped out on me. The clutch SUCKS. It wouldnàt catch and I was free falling back down. Crazy. Hubby had to rescue me and the stench of burning clutch has m enervous to get back in the cat again.

We are having a great time!!!!

We are in Italy

We arrived and are stying in Todi. It is very pretty and HOT. We are on our way to Spoleta today and Ovieta tomororow! Gotta run. The car is here.

It's a monster - no, wait, it's just underwear

I was awakened by soft sobbing from S at 5 AM. I dashed in and he was sitting up, sobbing and shaking. He pointed to the corner of his room and told me there was a monster there. I looked over and saw underwear. I slayed the underwear monster and now it is doing time in the washer, with a little extra soap to make sure it won't scare my S man again.