I just needed to Breathe

T




Today I had some challenging moments as a mother. Lottie has not been feeling well for a few days. She had a fever Friday and Sat with a runny nose and hardly any appetite. Sunday the fever was gone, but still a yucky nose and no appetite. I know that this is nothing to be alarmed about, but today she was just inconsolable!
She would throw herself on the ground and scream. I knew she was not feeling well and wondered if her throat was hurting since her little voice was really hoarse and she had a cough this morning. I tried giving her many things, singing, playing, offering different drinks and snacks. I finally just left her on the ground to work it out for a few mins (all the while she is still MADLY pulling out fist fulls of hair) and went to the other room to breathe!! This honestly was the first time I had encountered a heavy feeling of inadequacy as a mother. What can I do??? Am I really going to be able to help her figure out her feelings and work through them? I know there must be more ahead of me, but as for today I was nearly in tears not knowing what to do! a little later I remembered this wonderful video I saw last week.
Read whole talk here.

Do you need a HUG???

I saw these people a few months ago in the center of Milan. I got a HUG! My grandma sent this on to me so I thought I would share with you... Along with my virtual open arms to give you all ABBRACCI!

Independence Day

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (from the Constitution

"...where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (from the Declaration of Independence)

I am very THANKFUL for the freedoms and Liberties I enjoy! Not only the freedoms of going where I want or doing what I want. Choosing how to live my life, however not being naive to the fact that it did not come free. Thank you to those who have given much for these FREEDOMS!
More then anything I am Thankful that I have spiritual freedom that enjoy thanks to a Loving Father in Heaven who prepared a plan long ago so that we may all return to him; thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ!
"Wherefore men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself". 2Nephi 2:27 (the Book of Mormon)

Green Rice Salad

I LOVE this recipe! It is best if you can make it the night before or in the morning and let the flavors mingle before serving. It can be served on a bed of lettuce with a roll for a full meal, or as a side salad! I also love this recipe because it was given to me by my sweet friend Brighid who this week has moved with her family from Milan (we miss you already).

Green Rice Salad

Balsamic vinaigrette:
2cCups olive oil, preferably extra virgin
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
6-8 green onions, including green tops, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp minced or pressed garlic
2 tsp granulated sugar
salt
freshly ground pepper

Rice salad:
2 cups long- grain brown rice
2 cups long- grain white rice
6 green onions, inculding green tops, finely chopped
2-3 cups minced mixed fresh herbs (ex. basil, cilantro, mint, parsley, tarragon, and/or watercress)
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
2 cups cooked fresh green peas or frozen peas
1/4 cup pine nuts

FRESH HERBS are the SECRET to this glorious salad! Use herbs in whatever combo you find appealing. *I don't have access to any kind of cheddar here so I use parma or grana. Really any combo of cheese should work. I also like to use a combo of barley, kamut, or other grains other than rice to give more substance. Be creative~!

To make vinaigrette combine all ingredients adding salt and pepper to taste. Whisk well to blend and reserve.

Cook brown rice in water fluff with fork and transfer to large mixing bowl, cool slightly. Gently toss the warm rice with about 1/3 of the vinaigrette. Fluff frequently until it cools completely, then cover and let stand at room temp for several hours or as long as over night.

Cook white rice in water, fluff with fork cool to room temp, then add it to the marinated brown rice in large bowl. Toss with green onions, minced herbs, cheese, green peas, and remaining vinaigrette to taste let stand for about 30 min. for flavors to blend.

Toast pine nuts, cool and add just before serving.
Serves 12-14 as a salad, or 6-8 as main.

Got Milk?

How fresh is your milk?? Around the area of Milan there are this little MILK vending machines. You can buy a bottle (plastic .30 or glass 1.00euro) another option is bring one from home (I saw someone even use a coca -cola bottle)open the little door, drop in your euro and watch the bottle fill with milk!

When I first heard about this system I thought imagined in my head little tubes running from the machine to the cows teet(thanks for the correction :) being milked... all going right into my bottle! It is not quite that FRESH, but almost. It tastes yummy and has that cream that settles on the top!!!

These are just a few other pictures taken on Gio's phone recently.

Lunch

HUNGRY???

Happy Fathers Day

How thankful I am for Fathers!
Big arms to Hug, Teach, Comfort, Disipline, Praise, and Love!
I know Charlotte feels the same way about her daddy as I do mine! We could not do with out! We Love you!!!

Pure Joy at loving on Daddy!

We celebrated (american) Father's Day(Italian Father's Day is March 19th- St. Joseph) with a pizza made to look like Giovanni. Believe it or not Lottie helped me put on some of the toppings! Giovanni was totally surprised! He had no idea that today was "special"!

I tried coconut saffron gelato, pretty good!