When the rain came down, we decided to stay in, rest and catch up on the computer. For the first time, Ken and I are sharing computer space, but he left me to catch up a bit on 365 (offline) and write some email. Heather also gave me a little journal to write in, and I spent some time doing that as well. The day certainly passed quickly! I could see clearly that I won’t typically have that sort of time to devote to writing, though I love typing at length. By evening I still was occupying my corner of the kitchen table as the men broke out Limoncello before dinner…I had a tiny sip, found it tasty, but a bit sweet. I finally retreated with my computer to the living room to finish writing, but I don’t want to do that often. David (who's in my picture) made a delicious zucchini soup with three cheeses and garlic bread on the side… I hope we have a day planned with a lot of walking again tomorrow! The heavier Italian meals are a change from our more typical fish and vegetable dinners back home and I hope not to carry "extra baggage" back to the states by the time we leave!
11-13_Saturday evening in Rome as I upload my pictures. Must share that the bells at the nearby Vatican are all ringing...wish I could share that instead of a still photo! (I'll use this picture as a place to add my notes to each of you who wrote me these past few days...Wish you were here :-)
@andiejaye LOL…I thought “out of sight, out of mind”, so thank you for looking for me! Since arriving in Italy, I’ve had one day to write off line, and then “hope” to find an Internet connection from a nearby home as I didn’t get to the café… I must learn to write less if I hope to keep up! Delighted to “have you traveling with me” :-) @LindaC@spark2379@cristenfarrell@christijo@monicahoward@kjoslyn@digitalrn@catfever7@bpizzo@blightygal@petersonsheri@kidatheart@kerri26@bribuccigrossi@skt@peggysirk@fotofem@suelbiz47@fysmith@freelancer@jamestan@cglist@gill@glyn@kerristephens@vinadity98@jmhutnik@janeterry@wmvjohnson@ira@parisouailleurs@Cherrill@cw24@harvey@pinktornado39@taleweaver @ jbatryn @ myrnajacobs @ jennarichards To each of you, thank you for leaving me the nice, thoughtful & often funny notes, even knowing I can’t reply as I might like for the present. With each photo I take, the 365 community is along on this trip with me… (I wish I didn’t require sleep, leaving me more time to comment on your photos too!) @tangie I hope you had a wonderful time on your trip! Did you get to Lunenburg? @keneva No, no trip to Ireland this time around; I’d need another month, but wouldn’t I love that?! Do I understand correctly you’ve been to the States? @chard @ rich57 You’ll be delighted to know that cats here in Italy are protected by the government! I haven’t seen a lot of strays, but they do look quite healthy. I’ve also spotted two on home patios…and yes, of course, I got photos! You guys make me smile! @boysami What fun to know I’m following your route already taken! No doubt my coming weeks will be more of the same; thanks for sharing and I hope I’ll have some good memories to share in return! @judifff Your note was so funny! What can I say…but thanks! My “365” year just happened to fall together with a busy traveling year, so the photos haven’t been too tough. I admire everyone who can stay close to home and *then still be creative*…I fell flat on that challenge! Will you still like me when the truth comes out that I’m not really much of a photographer ;-) @steveh We’ll be making out second trip to Florence…staying in Lucca this time. The city view is magnificent! I’m not sure I understood your location description, but I have the feeling, if I climbed some tower stairs, I’d recall when you said! @andifree You write such a heartfelt note! I hope everyone understands that, for Ken and me, this is like a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to be invited to join friends who know the area so well! And we’re living like locals, walking a lot and taking public transportation, shopping in the neighborhood & cooking our own meals! We’re having a great time seeing it from this perspective, and *everything* is both new, and a challenge! I wish I had time enough to explore, journal and keep in touch as well, but obviously I end up pacing myself! This first week we’re traveling farther out of the area, sightseeing, than we will next week when we arrive in Rome. I’ll need to come up with another good word filled with local flavor for you! @cindy Our friends here had a week in England before meeting us, but it’s not on Ken’s and my agenda this time. We’ve got week-long stays in Italy, Switzerland and France on this trip. Too bad we can’t have a “365 Convention” of sorts as I suspect we’d all feel like old friends upon meeting! @gayleaustin It’s such fun to read notes from those of you who’ve walked these parts already. I agree, that there’s something wonderful about time for people-watching on a train as opposed to life from one spot to another in a car. That may be the California girl in me speaking, as we have no mass-transit system there… I’m only one week into it, but I’m thoroughly loving living life as a local, though I lack the women’s classy, cosmopolitan look! @moonshinegoober Thanks for saying you enjoyed my travel log… I loved seeing New Orleans through your eyes!
@ loey5150 So good to hear from you! Yes!...the stairs!...cobblestone roads…steep hills (down & back up!) Getting along well enough and nary a complaint you’ll hear from me! I do confess a day off to do as we wish every couple days comes as a bit of relief. Tomorrow we navigate the streets with luggage as we head off to Rome. Have told the guys you send greetings…Billy, especially, follows 365 and you as well, so he was delighted to get a note from Oz! Miss time for more than this, but wanted to say thanks for notes and keep in touch, even a little! @irenek5 It’s fun to know I’m sharing pictures with so many who know this area already. Just today (the 11th) I saw the logo, "cave canem!" (beware of dog) in Pompeii. There’s SO much to see and do over here! @shutterbug0810 More kitties than squirrels cross my path these days… One takes what one can get! @joannemed Thanks for the sweet comment. Friends have often pointed out the family comparisons; we’re curious to see who Ashton is going to resemble! …Thought of you, my girls, @cristenfarrell Christine, and @bcurrie Brett, as I stood by Minerva in the National Archeological Museum in Naples… @bruni Thanks for all the notes! You’re right, we hated to leave our new grandbaby as I know he’ll change so much while we’re away! We do return to Chicago awhile before going back to California in late January. I appreciate the well-wishes, and, as you did on your trip to Germany, find it difficult to decide what photo best sums up the day! I won’t have time for collages, but will enjoy sharing where we’ve been. What a lot of history, and visual delights! @chevymom Consider this a postcard to you from Italy :-) I find you to be so interesting in that you *haven’t* left your state and yet have so much to share… All my life I’ve been a bit of a vagabond, not some much “cosmopolitan” as @bradsworld put it! Glad I can share life on the road with those who find it interesting… @mirmax@kmackenzie …a good reason, perhaps, not to have time enough to visit throughout the site, but wanted to say thanks for stopping by…I love finding my friends here, even when I’ve had to be away… @Swazzette You’re becoming quite proficient in Italian! I’ve mastered “”Prego!” and “Grazi!” Amazing how far a couple words will take you! And yes, I seem to have overcome the date stamp issue, nasty thing that it was! @ellen Everytime I’ve photographed a bird, I’ve thought of you! You’ve made your way (back) to Italy! @slava I can imagine you in a world like this over here…no doubt navigating it far better than I at the outset! But isn’t that what travel’s all about?...learning the nuances… Billy & David have simplified so much for us already and we’re wasting no time deciding which direction to take. This is already their second visit here and they look forward to a third, there’s so much to do. We bought a card to use in any number of museums & historic sites over a week, and we only scratched the surface possibilities…now I want to return as well! (Next time I’d bring along Kitty Treats!) Thanks for all your chatty comments…always a treat to hear from you! @dmrams Yes, we’ll be in Milan in a couple of weeks! Being on foot, I can’t promise what we can easily get to, but send me an address, and perhaps we can locate your house! I know it would delight you and I’d love to do it. What would you name as your favorite sight to see there? And how old were you when you left?
@ bluesparc Thanks for the follow. While away for a couple of months, I won’t be able to look through many pictures, but wanted to thank you and hope my pictures will be interesting for you to share. @krisnow18 Thanks! I hope I’ll find the time to add stories to some of the more interesting things we get to do. It’s all a first, for the most part, for me, too, so I’m in awe of all I see along the way!
@ mommablogsalot How wonderful to make a trip like this so early in your marriage! It’ll be a wonderful celebration! I’m delighted that I’ve connected with so many who’ve been here on holiday or are planning a trip in the close future…we’re only getting a second visit later in our lives. Our girls made the trip after college. It’s a treat not to be missed; you’ll love it!
@ burns310 Delighted to have you along! What a sweet note!
Hey Louise, it's great to see you are having such a wonderful holiday! It sounds as if you are fitting right into the Mediterranean lifestyle already! I'm being very strict with myself at the moment, rationing my time on 365 so I can meet my writing deadlines! It's like rationing the boys' Xbox time so they can get their homework done - and about as popular! Hence I'm not keeping up with everyone as well as I'd like but will "pop in" and follow your travels - I'm so sad that England is not on your itinerary this time - we would have loved to welcome you for a 365 get-together - maybe next trip!!
Well hello! Nice to hear that you are having a great time in Italy. And Limoncello is a good choise. Enjoy every minute of your trip and please say my warmest wishes to the boys. Great photos.
Enjoying your adventures in Italy. Have fun and how sweet to take your time to keep in touch. Wishing you continued adventures and lots of walks! I so love the food in Italy!
My goodness, you were trying to catch up all at one sitting? It sounds like you are all having a nice time, and it sounds like you are going to have an very enjoyable time there. I could almost hear the bells of the Vatican chiming as I read through your commentary and your comments. It was kind of you to take the time to respond as you did. Enjoy and stay safe.
Glad you spent this rainy day catching up with us a little bit! So happy to see that you have posted some more entries for us to enjoy! I have been quite busy/sick lately and have not really gotten around to commenting on other's photos until today, although my time does run short at the moment.
I saw this shot of Limoncello & it reminded me of Sean getting incredibly loopy on our Honeymoon after having 2 shots of Limoncello (I didn't want any, so he had both of them...we don't drink very often, but they were complimentary b/c we were on our Honeymoon) Thank you for reminding me of that memory. : )
I'm a huge Limoncello fan. It's dangerously addictive. Giada DeLaurentis made a dessert in which she brushed limoncello over a cake bottom and topped with a lemon creme and fruit. I haven't stopped thinking about how good that sounded. Unfortunately I haven't ever saved enough to make the dessert. ;-)
I'm glad you're having such a wonderful time!
Ahhhh... Limoncello! A couple of years ago, Cheryl and I ventured into making a homemade batch (it takes almost three months to make!), but we also found it to be a bit sweet. So for the next batch, we used freshly grated ginger instead of lemon peel and cut back on the sugar a bit - "Gingercello" - it was awesome! Now we have a batch going with ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves that will be ready in a few weeks (for the holidays...) - I'll let you know how it turns out!
Sounds like you're having a fantastic time, but I'm glad you're staying in for a little rest once in awhile. Thinking of you often... Love your travelogue. :-)
Louise so much is happening for you lately!!! I'm behind with my project. I'm also sad you can't make it to UK this time. But Italy is amazing glad you look to be having a wonderful time with you guys. Limoncello reminda me of many sweet times with friends in Italy :)
oh, bless your heart, Louise! Wish I were there! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...limoncello! ♫ ♪ ♬ …on an evening in Roma…♫ ♪ ♬ ...been thinking about you in my Italy....Enjoy! Ciao, Bella!
I haven't been "present" for a while now - the last couple of weeks have been particularly rough. I had forgotten that you'd be in Europe in November! I'm definitely going to have to drop in for some quality time reading your entries! Vatican bells ... lovely!
Ha! Well, I'm not sure that my Italian was very extensive when I was over there in college. The best I could do then (and most important thing to know!) was: Mi scusi. Dov'è il bagno?
I can't think of anything really--I was on 4th grade--I do remember the square--forgot what it's called! I will love to see a picture of AnYTHING in Milan!! :)
What a great shot - I'd like one of those too :) - David looks relaxed :)
You sound as though you are having a great time - I love to see & hear all about it & look forward to many more :)
We have a bottle of limoncello in our refrigerator from the summer. I was infatuated with all things citrus and love sweets, but this was a bit much for even me. I have seen lots of recipes that use it though and plan to try it sometime in baking.
Mm, zucchini soup sounds good. I'm guessing this is alcoholic liquor which rules me out, unless they wouldn't mind me dancing on the tables over there (or falling asleep under them, haha) Beautiful colour!
@LindaC @spark2379 @cristenfarrell @christijo @monicahoward @kjoslyn @digitalrn @catfever7 @bpizzo @blightygal @petersonsheri @kidatheart @kerri26 @bribuccigrossi @skt @peggysirk @fotofem @suelbiz47 @fysmith @freelancer @jamestan @cglist @gill @glyn @kerristephens @vinadity98 @jmhutnik @janeterry @wmvjohnson @ira @parisouailleurs @Cherrill @cw24 @harvey @pinktornado39 @taleweaver @ jbatryn @ myrnajacobs @ jennarichards To each of you, thank you for leaving me the nice, thoughtful & often funny notes, even knowing I can’t reply as I might like for the present. With each photo I take, the 365 community is along on this trip with me… (I wish I didn’t require sleep, leaving me more time to comment on your photos too!)
@tangie I hope you had a wonderful time on your trip! Did you get to Lunenburg?
@keneva No, no trip to Ireland this time around; I’d need another month, but wouldn’t I love that?! Do I understand correctly you’ve been to the States?
@chard @ rich57 You’ll be delighted to know that cats here in Italy are protected by the government! I haven’t seen a lot of strays, but they do look quite healthy. I’ve also spotted two on home patios…and yes, of course, I got photos! You guys make me smile!
@boysami What fun to know I’m following your route already taken! No doubt my coming weeks will be more of the same; thanks for sharing and I hope I’ll have some good memories to share in return!
@judifff Your note was so funny! What can I say…but thanks! My “365” year just happened to fall together with a busy traveling year, so the photos haven’t been too tough. I admire everyone who can stay close to home and *then still be creative*…I fell flat on that challenge! Will you still like me when the truth comes out that I’m not really much of a photographer ;-)
@steveh We’ll be making out second trip to Florence…staying in Lucca this time. The city view is magnificent! I’m not sure I understood your location description, but I have the feeling, if I climbed some tower stairs, I’d recall when you said!
@andifree You write such a heartfelt note! I hope everyone understands that, for Ken and me, this is like a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to be invited to join friends who know the area so well! And we’re living like locals, walking a lot and taking public transportation, shopping in the neighborhood & cooking our own meals! We’re having a great time seeing it from this perspective, and *everything* is both new, and a challenge! I wish I had time enough to explore, journal and keep in touch as well, but obviously I end up pacing myself! This first week we’re traveling farther out of the area, sightseeing, than we will next week when we arrive in Rome. I’ll need to come up with another good word filled with local flavor for you!
@cindy Our friends here had a week in England before meeting us, but it’s not on Ken’s and my agenda this time. We’ve got week-long stays in Italy, Switzerland and France on this trip. Too bad we can’t have a “365 Convention” of sorts as I suspect we’d all feel like old friends upon meeting!
@gayleaustin It’s such fun to read notes from those of you who’ve walked these parts already. I agree, that there’s something wonderful about time for people-watching on a train as opposed to life from one spot to another in a car. That may be the California girl in me speaking, as we have no mass-transit system there… I’m only one week into it, but I’m thoroughly loving living life as a local, though I lack the women’s classy, cosmopolitan look!
@moonshinegoober Thanks for saying you enjoyed my travel log… I loved seeing New Orleans through your eyes!
@ loey5150 So good to hear from you! Yes!...the stairs!...cobblestone roads…steep hills (down & back up!) Getting along well enough and nary a complaint you’ll hear from me! I do confess a day off to do as we wish every couple days comes as a bit of relief. Tomorrow we navigate the streets with luggage as we head off to Rome. Have told the guys you send greetings…Billy, especially, follows 365 and you as well, so he was delighted to get a note from Oz! Miss time for more than this, but wanted to say thanks for notes and keep in touch, even a little!
@irenek5 It’s fun to know I’m sharing pictures with so many who know this area already. Just today (the 11th) I saw the logo, "cave canem!" (beware of dog) in Pompeii. There’s SO much to see and do over here!
@shutterbug0810 More kitties than squirrels cross my path these days… One takes what one can get!
@joannemed Thanks for the sweet comment. Friends have often pointed out the family comparisons; we’re curious to see who Ashton is going to resemble! …Thought of you, my girls, @cristenfarrell Christine, and @bcurrie Brett, as I stood by Minerva in the National Archeological Museum in Naples…
@bruni Thanks for all the notes! You’re right, we hated to leave our new grandbaby as I know he’ll change so much while we’re away! We do return to Chicago awhile before going back to California in late January. I appreciate the well-wishes, and, as you did on your trip to Germany, find it difficult to decide what photo best sums up the day! I won’t have time for collages, but will enjoy sharing where we’ve been. What a lot of history, and visual delights!
@chevymom Consider this a postcard to you from Italy :-) I find you to be so interesting in that you *haven’t* left your state and yet have so much to share… All my life I’ve been a bit of a vagabond, not some much “cosmopolitan” as @bradsworld put it! Glad I can share life on the road with those who find it interesting…
@mirmax @kmackenzie …a good reason, perhaps, not to have time enough to visit throughout the site, but wanted to say thanks for stopping by…I love finding my friends here, even when I’ve had to be away…
@Swazzette You’re becoming quite proficient in Italian! I’ve mastered “”Prego!” and “Grazi!” Amazing how far a couple words will take you! And yes, I seem to have overcome the date stamp issue, nasty thing that it was!
@ellen Everytime I’ve photographed a bird, I’ve thought of you! You’ve made your way (back) to Italy!
@slava I can imagine you in a world like this over here…no doubt navigating it far better than I at the outset! But isn’t that what travel’s all about?...learning the nuances… Billy & David have simplified so much for us already and we’re wasting no time deciding which direction to take. This is already their second visit here and they look forward to a third, there’s so much to do. We bought a card to use in any number of museums & historic sites over a week, and we only scratched the surface possibilities…now I want to return as well! (Next time I’d bring along Kitty Treats!) Thanks for all your chatty comments…always a treat to hear from you!
@dmrams Yes, we’ll be in Milan in a couple of weeks! Being on foot, I can’t promise what we can easily get to, but send me an address, and perhaps we can locate your house! I know it would delight you and I’d love to do it. What would you name as your favorite sight to see there? And how old were you when you left?
@ bluesparc Thanks for the follow. While away for a couple of months, I won’t be able to look through many pictures, but wanted to thank you and hope my pictures will be interesting for you to share.
@krisnow18 Thanks! I hope I’ll find the time to add stories to some of the more interesting things we get to do. It’s all a first, for the most part, for me, too, so I’m in awe of all I see along the way!
@ mommablogsalot How wonderful to make a trip like this so early in your marriage! It’ll be a wonderful celebration! I’m delighted that I’ve connected with so many who’ve been here on holiday or are planning a trip in the close future…we’re only getting a second visit later in our lives. Our girls made the trip after college. It’s a treat not to be missed; you’ll love it!
@ burns310 Delighted to have you along! What a sweet note!
I saw this shot of Limoncello & it reminded me of Sean getting incredibly loopy on our Honeymoon after having 2 shots of Limoncello (I didn't want any, so he had both of them...we don't drink very often, but they were complimentary b/c we were on our Honeymoon) Thank you for reminding me of that memory. : )
Lovely shot louise here you go hopefully a link that will work for you showing the tower i climbed .. giving a great view of the Brunelleschi's Dome .. have fun
http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/the_dome_of_brunelleschi.htm
Ahhhh... Limoncello! A couple of years ago, Cheryl and I ventured into making a homemade batch (it takes almost three months to make!), but we also found it to be a bit sweet. So for the next batch, we used freshly grated ginger instead of lemon peel and cut back on the sugar a bit - "Gingercello" - it was awesome! Now we have a batch going with ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves that will be ready in a few weeks (for the holidays...) - I'll let you know how it turns out!
You sound as though you are having a great time - I love to see & hear all about it & look forward to many more :)