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The years fly by!

Next week my oldest son will begin school. Thinking back to his very first day makes me realize I have nothing to worry about.

When he first begin it was me that was worried and concerned, he loved it, for him it was a smooth transition. Now I think to myself why was I so concerned? My main concern was that he would have difficulty communicating with others.

Even though we live in the country-side of Italy, at home we speak entirely English. For my son's first three years of his life we spent ever day, or almost everyday together. Mainly all Italian he would learn would be from my husbands family.

To my surprise and happiness, once he began attending school all day, he immediately began speaking Italian fluently. At this point I am now completely confident everything will go amazingly well this year!

Now when my two year old begins in a year, that may be another story!!

Take a look back at his very first day here.  

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An Italian Town Rich With.....

... Art, Beauty, History, and so much more!  Would you like to be transported  to an Italian Medieval town?  The tour may last two hours, but you will be guided to some amazing locations that are filled with history.  

Located about 140 km southeast of Bologna and about 45 km south of Rimini you will find the beautiful city of Pennabilli.  It's name derived from a comination of the names of two castles, Penna (now Roccione) and Billi (now Rupe). It is located in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna in the Province of Rimini.


Amazing facts of Pennabilli:

- Tonino Guerra was a resident of Pennabilli.
To read more about this amazing poet visit

- On the morning of June 15, 1994 His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama, visited Pennabilli.
Click here to find out more about Pennabilli and Tibet.


- On February 24, 2011 Pope Benedict XVI visited Pennabilli.  

- The area of Pennabilli is 69.6 km².  Which means if you were to have almost nineteen Pennabilli's you would have the city of Los Angeles, California.  This is an interesting fact and it is amazing to know in the city of Pennabilli, there exists FIVE museums!

Museums:

I Luoghi dell'Anima
It begins from the mind of the poet - writer Tonino Guerra, installations, almost each of them located outdoors, it is made up of seven themes:

    1.)  The Orchard of Forgotten Fruits: it preserves endangered species of local fruit-trees

    2.)  Sundial Path:  The way of sundials proposes building facades embellished with seven sundials

     3.)  The Stone Garden:  hosts seven "ceremic carpets"

    4.)  The angel with a mustache:  Moustached Angel located in the Chiesetta dei Caduti

    5.)  Sanctuary of thoughts:  embellished by oriental- garden sfor meditation and inner dialogue
Take a look at my first visit here!

    6.)   Refuge for Forsaken Madonnas:  contains a collection of sacred images once decorating the shrines placed at the crossroads of country roads in the Upper Marecchia Valley

    7.)  The Madonna of the Rectangle of Snow:  situated in the woods it is a small church allegedly built under divine direction
     
   
  Il Mondo di Tonino Guerra
The world of Tonino Guerra is the title that the poet has chosen to define the space in which  his poetic and artistic work are presented.
 
Mateureka
A space used to inspire the visitor to deepen their knowledge of mathematics. You can even take a virtural tour, visit their site!!!

Museo Diocesano
The museum was first established in 1962 by Msgr. Antonio Bergamaschi, bishop of San Marino-Montefeltro (1949 - 1966), to preserve the works of art coming from the churches of the diocese.  After several years of closure,  the museum was opened to the public on July 8, 2010.

Museo Naturalistico
The Museum and Nature Center is located in the heart of Val Marecchia and is home to many species of wildlife dioramas containing the most representative of the area.

Continue the Adventure- September 30th, 2012:

The unique characters, amazing scenery, and the history which one is exposed to is not contained in the two hour tour, it will continue in the hearts and minds of whoever is fortunate to experience it!

A Day of Celebration!

"The adorationof the Magi"-
Italian Renaissance master Andrea Mantegna.

This morning I woke up realizing I had a very long list of items which I need to do, this year I made sure I wrote my list of Resolutions! I feel as though I am already so behind on my list!

What better day to begin, focused then today. I hear myself telling my son of amost five years old that he can accomplish anything and everything he sets his mind to, he just has to make sure he pushes himself! Now I begin to listen to my own words!

This day in Italy is a huge day of celebration- The Epiphany! This is what adults know this day as, but the children here in Italy know it as the day of the Befana. On this very morning they awake all wide-eyed to stockings full of candy, if they have been good, or black coal (a black sugar candy in chunks).

Growing up in Texas, this day was know as the day of The Three Kings, or the day the Magi/Three Wise Men arrived with gifts forthe baby Jesus. As a child, my mother referred to this day as El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings). This was the official day in which our Christmas tree was taken down for the the year. Older, living in Los Angeles, California I discovered a bread in which every panadería stayed up late and awoke early in the the morning to finish baking this bread. Inside the bread contained a plastic baby, whoever discovered it in there piece would have good luck for the rest of the year.

It does not matter where I am in the world on this dayit is still special!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

I am off to continue working on my list!!

So much traffic and helicopters flying over our house!

Why was there so much traffic, helicopters, and security out the wazoo? Our little town of Pennabilli had a visitor on Sunday, June the 19th, 2011.

It was not ordinary visitor, it was Pope Benedetto XVI!

It was interesting to see the Pope in front of the church were my husband and I exchanged our wedding vows, and the church where both our boys were baptized.

It was a historical day!!

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele- Pennabilli

Domenica, 19 giugno 2011

Masks from San Leo

These are some photos of masks displayed in the Fortress San Leo. I will post later photos of my trip in the amazing historical Fortress.

This masks made of metal were used mainly for women who were said to be "loud" and eccentric men, condemned to be ridiculed in public. The most extravagant forms, often faces or body parts of animals were masks that were fitted which contained spikes or other elements and often caused severe laceration to the mouth and tongue.

This mask was used as a device to keep one silent in the trial or torture victims, they were gagged in this way and also burned at the stake.

This mask is made of leather, it was used to protect doctors from plague when visiting infected patients. It contains two holes for the nostrils, the eyes are protected by two small windows, inside the beak the doctor would place balsamic perfumes and ointments.

Over a Month

It has now been over a month. I have begun to relax and enjoy the fact that my new treasure is now growing wondefully at home. Thankfully we are blessed with a second angel that sleeps through the night. Like my first child, he wakes only to eat and continues to sleep.

Looking back to my experience at an Italian hospital I can see so many differences between giving birth to a child in an American hospital (LA California) and an Italian hospital (Rimini).

In my next blog entry I intend to continue on this subject of, "Two Worlds and Two Births."

I FINALLY FEEL MORE LIKE MYSELF AGAIN!

SO SORRY I HAVE HAD MY HANDS FULL!

I AM NOW GETTING USE TO BEING A MOTHER OF TWO WONDERFUL LITTLE BOYS!

CHARLY CAME INTO OUR LIVES THREE WEEKS AGO YESTERDAY IN A HOSPITAL IN RIMINI, ITALY!

Rimini-History

The city of Rimini, Italy dates back to 268 BC in an area which had previously been inhabited by the Etruscans, the Greeks, and the Romans. It was a road junction connecting central Italy and northern Italy.

It is the birth town of my husband, and in a couple of weeks it will also the the birth town of our second son!

These are a couple of photos that I took on my most recent visit to Rimini.

It is located in Rimini Storico- or downtown Rimini- it is the forum of the ancient city where a church was built in the 10th century.

The existence of prestigious monuments such as:

-the Arch of Augustus- Built in 27 BC- The single gate 9.92m (32.55 ft) high and 8.45m (27.72 ft) wide.

-Tiberius' Bridge- build in Istria stone, it consists of five arches that rest on massive pillars with breakwater spurs set at an oblique angle with respect to the bridge's axis in order to follow the current. It is a bridge over the Marecchia River, which was begun by Augustus in 14 AD and was completed under Tiberius in 21.

-The Roman amphitheatre- Erected in the 2nd century alongside the ancient coastline. The edifice could house up to 15,000spectators.

Wow, what a wonderful beautiful vast history the city of Rimini, Italy contains!

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Another Year of "Artisti in Piazza"

Last year the program of performing artists included 56 various companies from all over the world! This June we will be having the 13th Edition of Artisti in Piazza in our beautiful medieval town of Pennabilli!

Over ten years ago "Grande festa della fantasia" began, now this year the festival will once again bring artists and artisans from all over the world to perform, and present their amazing work.

It is wonderful for the entire family! I sure am looking forward to my third experience of this wonderful festival!

For information regarding "Artisti in Piazza " take a look!

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So Sorry!

I am so sorry I have not kept up with my blog! An amazing thing happened to me, after three years of being a full-time mother, wife, house-cleaner, and gardener, I returned to the work-force.

For the past week I worked a 45 plus hour week. For a couple of days I get to relax!

Wow, my first official job in Italy, I was amazed that so much was different. No birthday party celebrations at the work-place here! No morning or afternoon breaks, but we do get an hour and twenty-five minute lunch break!

I am working for a family owned company that produces garments for some of the most well known Italianand other fashion lines. I might see Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Calvin Klein, or Prada hanging on a rack! It is really exciting!

I am just begining to adjust working full-time again, and being a mother and wife. I have to remember it is no longer just my-self and my career!

New Year, New Adventures!

So the new year has now arrived! I have already begun my first big adventure! We are now expecting our second child! The baby is now three months old.

I recall how much research, reading, and question asking I spent so much time on, during my first pregnancy. Can you believe, after weeks of careful searching, on my first visit with my gynecologist I had a list of questions in our first meeting! I chose carefully, and we were very happy that it was a great choice.

Now my second child will be born in Italy! Wow, just in my first visit I already saw a difference!

As I was called in for my first visit, my doctor came out to call us in. We walked into a room with a desk, which is the doctors office and a patent's bed, and other medical items.

After I was asked a few questions, I was then asked to remove my clothing from my bottom half, then sit on the bed. Wow, I was waiting for the gown!

Then using a long prong like thing which was inserted, I could see my lovely little one on screen. No slimy stuff on the tummy here!

All in all it went wonderfully well. I am very interested in my future visits.

Giving birth in California and giving birth in Italy, it is still giving birth to a wonderful gift of nature!

More to come!

The View

For the last two days this has been the view, in the morning and afternoon, from our bedroom window.

It looks as though we have a lake out there! I think it is kind of cool, but scary!

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Hello!

I thought it would be nice to share a little bit about myself!

* I have been sewing since I can remeber! I can even partially sew with the lights off!

* I am not myself if I am not creating.

* I have a huge interest in costume history. And fashion!

* I love to read!

* Once I use to do kickboxing , not professionally!

* My husband and I met in Los Angeles.

* After graduate school I was considering moving to New York, but got an amazing job offer in Los Angeles.

* States I have worked in- Texas, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and California.

* I hope to take up kickboxing or yoga once again.

* After living my entire life of 34 years in the United States, I now live in Italy!

* My husband is a chief. It is in his blood!

* The internet is the only connection we have to the outside world!

* The country-side is now the home of me, my husband, my two and a half year old son, and our cat CheChe.

NOW TELL ME ABOUT YOU!!

The photo above is an old wagon that can be found in the corner of the garden my son and I visit. I am not sure how old it is.

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A Quiet Spot.

This is another one of my favorite spots. It is an amazing rock garden!

I love how the ancient walls encase it.

"A Garden of thoughts!"

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The Art of the Kitchen

After years of concentrating on my career- work and school, I have always been closer to my sewing machine, then the kitchen. Now with over two years of living in Italy I have learned that cooking and eating is an art in itself!

It didn't help any that my husband is a chef and creating in the kitchen is in his blood. Now that I am a stay-at-home mom it has been essential for me to start becoming friends with the kitchen.

It has certainly been an eye-opener living here, the wonderful art of eating is present in every Italian household. First the various course meals, then identifying all the American stereo-types of Italian food.

After living in America all my life I have realized what Italian pizza really is! And no one eats bread with spaghetti, and there is no such thing as spaghetti meatballs in northern Italy.

The Fig Tree

I am mostly learning from my father-in-law, and my husband. (Sometimes I am still intimidated by my husband when he is in the kitchen.) And I can understand when he gets frustrated with me. When we began dating he could always enter my apartment and make an amazing dinner with what was in my fridge!

Now I am starting to try new things! I have always been hesitate to make marmalade, and torta, and dinner in general.

Figs and tomatoes I picked from my father-in-law's garden.

With the abundance of figs and tomatoes in the house I felt it safe to attempt fig marmalade, a fig torta, sun dried tomatoes, and tomato basil soup!

Yes I am starting small, but I am slowly learning, I am on my way of becoming a friend of the kitchen and understanding how eating can be an art!

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Garlic Anyone!

Wow! I had no idea how many people are huge garlic users here in Italy. It is a must have in any Italian kitchen!

Several weekends ago we visited my father-in-law and helped gather the garlic he had grown. I sure felt naive. I was not aware that the head of the garlic is actually the root!

Look at that!

We gathered a whole wheel barrel of garlic! Yummy. I wonder how long our portion will last!

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Pubblicità

This pubblicità /spot is currently running on TV. I rather enjoy watching it! Take a look:

A Walk Through Town

Yesterday was such a beautiful day I decided to take a walk through Pennabilli, the town we live in.

I can never forget it's wonderful beauty, but sometimes historical meanings tend to be forgotten.

The door pictured, just below the arch way. (Imagine driving through here!)

This is posted next to the door pictured above, it states one of the Popes actually lived at this very home.

A visit by the Dali Lama.

Walls with many years to show.

An enclosed circular window. I wonder what that was for!

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Supplements.

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I visited the local tabaccheria (tobacco shop). It Italy they do not only sell tabacco, they sell magazines, lottery ticket, school supplies, and many other things.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the August Flair, and Marie Claire issue already in the stand. What is so special about these issues?? Most fashion magazines sell a supplement pack which includes the august issue and another which features the new collections.

This is one of the wonderful perks of living here. In the states to purchase the Marie Claire with supplement, if it can be found would cost almost twenty dollars. Here I purchased both magazines and their supplements for only three euros each! (That's $8.60 in US dollars.)

Now I can't wait to find the time to cruise through them!!

I think Flair is an Italian publication. Their supplement features detailed photos, mostly each page has a theme.

Marie Claire's supplement is amazing! They present alphabetized designer pages with photos from the runway!

Lovely layouts!

I was so excited, I just had to share!!

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