It Journal
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Monica missed her running buddies this morning, as they left on their stage early this morning. She decided on a bike ride around the town as a way to take a break from the running. We only have one bike, but I was glad she went because she came back reporting that she had found a store that sells terra cotta pots, and Peter needs his herbs to be transplanted. That information will come in handy.
We made plans to go swimming at the rec center near the Hotel Cavalieri during their open hours of 1000-1300, but before that time came, Lisa and Enzo from next door showed up at our door returning our dishes from last night and giving us an invitation to…swim at her parents house in Bra this afternoon. They were planning a birthday party for Enzo, and it was so sweet of them to include us. Of course, we jumped at the chance and thoroughly enjoyed meeting their friends and family. One of Lisa’s nieces Electra takes her last final to graduate from high school tomorrow, but she took a little time out of her studying to come down and spend some time with Monica. We decided to invite her to go with us to the beach at Noli on Tuesday to celebrate her graduation. (Nobody had any concern that she wouldn’t pass the test!) We hope she will be able to join us. The afternoon was a perfect way to celebrate Enzo’s birthday today!
After the celebration, Lisa took Monica and me to a store Vestebene where she gets 70% discount during this summer sale, because of the place where she works. Monica found yet another gorgeous dress and came home all excited about it. As it was time for the store to close, Lisa arranged with the clerk there for me to come back tomorrow and use her discount card if I found anything I wanted to buy. I just wish they had men’s clothes, too. I felt like they were giving away those lovely clothes.
We ended up at home in plenty of time to Skype with Karen and Josh, and Monica spent at least 30 minutes enjoying her mother and brother’s conversation. I was glad they got together.
Quiz question for the day: Did you know that you can pick rosemary and freeze it in the freezer? It doesn’t change the flavor at all. We also use rosemary as a table decoration for the lovely aroma. Ahhhh!
Colleen
It Journal
Monday, July 2, 2012
Monica ran by herself this morning, but she enjoyed it. She gets so much pleasure out of just staying active! I’m so thankful for this.
Yes! Monica took me this morning to the place where we got Peter’s pots for his plants. There was a 50% off sale, which made the price very acceptable. When we got them home, we planted the herbs in them, and they looked so happy. Notice the pictures of Monica’s new “manicure” that she got while she was playing in the dirt!
After lunch, we took the plunge to get a REAL affogato from Caffe Vittorio, a block away. The difference in this one and the one we got at the vineyard was immeasureable. We “yummed” and “OOOOed and Ahhhhhhed” for the longest time. Monica finally decided that now she is an affogato snob, too! She has reached the mountaintop of affogatoes! Notice the expression on her face as she enjoys that dish…”Step away from my affogato!”
Another invitation from Lisa’s nieces and nephew to come and swim took us to the Magliano’s pool with the rest of our yummy chocolate cake, the rest of the nociolla cake and the yummy nociolla cookies from the Dogliani street market. They were all a big hit! We enjoyed our time with the 15 year old twins Rebecca and Demetria, the 18 year old Electra, who did well on her final exam to finish high school today, and the 7 year old Ricky, who had a great time taking all the pictures with my camera while we were there. Harldur and Hugo, can you find the picture he took just for you? All of the cousins were practicing their English with us, and we would throw in some Italian when we could, too. I told Electra that I would be happy to help her with her English whenever she wanted. She was very pleased to have that offer. Her English is good, but she wants it to be better before she goes to the university in the fall.
The girls’ mother Rossella invited me to hike with her and another friend of hers when we return next week. I’m looking forward to doing that while Peter is in school and she is on vacation from her professorship at the high school. I also want to bring back to her a book she gave me about the Bra area architecture for her to sign it inside. Such a lovely lady and a wonderful gift!
I took Monica back home, and I went back to the Vestebene store with Lisa’s discount cards. 38 euros later, I had bought 2 pairs of jeans for the fall. I felt very accomplished, but I was as confused as ever about what Italian size I wore. Nothing fit the same.
Monica and I finished our day with a lovely pasta supper alla Monica on our balcony, thankful for a full day of cool temperatures and breezes that slammed the windows until we braced them open. It was a wonderful reprieve from the sweaty days we have had, sending me to 3 or 4 showers during the day. I told Monica that maybe the hot weather we have been having is really the exception. I wish she had just let me think that way for a while instead of disagreeing with me. She’s been living in Georgia too long! But then, Georgia has air conditioning!!!
Gotta go to sleep now. The beach is beaconing us tomorrow. Ahhhhhh!
Colleen
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