Happy Halloween 2010!

 

Italy is not known for the Halloween Celebrations, any "festa" to do with a Saint- now that Italy does... so when a chance to dress up for Halloween came we took it! As last year we were invited to Celebrate a 3year old birthday party, costume style! Charlotte was Strawberry Shortcake (the french version.. since there she is called "Charlotte aux fraises") I made her costume with some felt scraps and an IKEA blanket. I was a black cat that swallowed a fish, you know since I am 5 months pregnant and showing I thought the "Little" should have a costume too! Giovanni also pointed out that since the baby will be coming in March it was rather fitting that a fish be on my belly for the zodiac sign Pisces! Giovanni was a fisherman because it went well with my costume and also for the reason that this summer at the lake he fell in love with fishing thanks to my nephew! We had a great time... but are happy to be going to bed. We ate too many browines, cupcakes and salty treats! Hope you all had a fun weekend!

Rome Temple Groundbreaking

On the occasion of the Rome Temple groundbreaking we headed to Rome Friday returning to Milan on Sunday afternoon. Giovanni is involved with the PR for the temple and helped the world report people with interviews, ect... Charlotte and I got to hang out with the cousins for the short stay and enjoyed being with family, and being apart of this historical event even if it was a fast trip.

something new, well to some of you

 

What's new?? We are going to have a new little one arriving in March! I am about half way through the pregnancy and feeling great! Yesterday we got to take a peek at our "little" during an ultrasound! It was exciting!! Even Lottie was saying "baby, baby"! Gio and I are undecided about finding out what we will be welcoming into the world come spring, so I had the Dr write the BIG Answer down on an index card and seal it in an envelope, that way if we get really anxious we can open it up and know! Excitment is the best word to describe what we are feeling!

a few favorites

Lottie loves these two videos!


What do you think??

Caramel dipped

Feeling the mood of the season I have been craving caramel dipped apples! I remembered seeing a recipe somewhere in blog world during the past week, but could not seem to find it... I was looking for a simple caramel recipe that would not be too difficult to make, while Googleing the subject I came upon a GREAT recipe go here to check it out! It was fairly easy to make (I did it along side dinner) let the caramel cool while we ate and dipped my apples after dinner was eaten! The apples are now in the fridge. I plan on sending some with Gio to the office tomorrow! His co-workers will be in for a treat, I don't know if any of them have ever had a caramel dipped apple!

Thanks Marco

Our friend took a few shots of us the other day. Here is a preview.

Sicily Summer Highlights

 

I am attempting for the first time a collage. I hope it comes through ok. It was hard to choose just a few pictures to show you from our time in Sicily... back in July! I do think, however; that these represent our fun time! Now that the weather is turning COLD here in Milan looking at pictures of the beach is stirring up feeling of nostaglia for sun and water!

Beautiful, really.

I had an awesome experience the other night! I went on a date with my friend Bianca to hear Andrea Bocelli sing in the Duomo (main Cathedral) of Milan!!! He has such a simplistic and clear voice that resonates through whoever is listening. The setting was perfect: detailed paintings hanging between the columns depicting the life of Christ, stained glass telling stories from the Bible, most everything around crying out to acknowledge the existence of a greater power in our lives.
My only 2 complaints are the hard benches that made sitting for nearly 3 hours difficult and the late hour of the concert (9pm).
The concert was to benefit a foundation (sorry it is in Italian)supporting children in Haiti. In opening the concert a now grown orphan sang an original song she wrote about her feeling of her beloved country, it was lovely. Then Andrea came out and sang. There was a small boys choir to accompany him during a few numbers as well as a young Ukrainian violinist. Everyone was wonderful! I thank Giovanni for getting us the almost impossible tickets and to Bianca for coming up with the idea to invite me!