THE REA'S ITALIAN APERICHEESO/DINNER

US Journal

Friday-Sunday, April 26-28, 2013

AN ITALIAN DINNER WEEKEND AT THE REA’S HOUSE

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What can I say? We always enjoy our visits with John and Liz and with Karen and Hans, but to add Monica to that mix, just made it like a dream come true. The Reas and the Kraegers won the bid for Peter’s Italian Dinner/Apericheeso at the Youth Valentine Fundraiser Auction in February. It was agreed that we would take the dinner/apericheeso to the Reas in Knoxville, and they could invite 2 more couples from there to join us. It was great fun to have their sweet neighbors Emily and Greg, as well as Bud and Wendy, join us.

Peter outdid himself with the meal…3 cheese dishes with 3 cheeses and toppings of honey, fig jam or pear jam on each dish; 2 pasta dishes; bread and crackers; salami and roasted veggies…all paired with Italian wines. Then, we were specially treated to a nocciola/chocolate Caprese Torte alla Monica…using the famous recipe from Enzo and Lisa. She had even added some chopped nocciole (hazelnuts) that I had brought for the occasion from Italy when we left! It was delightfully delicious!

Thank you so very much, all of you, for an inordinately SPLENDID weekend! We look forward to another reunion soon!

Vi amo!

Colleen

LEAVING FOR SAN FRANCISCO

US Journal

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

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LEAVING FOR SAN FRANCISCO

We were going back to San Francisco at 3pm today; so we got up early, as usual, and went to the beach and the playground there for one last time. The weather was great, and we all had a super time building sand castles and tearing them back down again! Everybody took an outside shower to rinse off the sand and salt water, then the boys played for a while at the playground to dry off. They had some great fun selling pretend ice cream and using a steering wheel to drive the boat all around.

We were all disappointed that we missed the farm train ride, but a trip to Walmart to purchase some books and toys for the 5 hour trip home in the airplane made it all better!

I still think we looked more like we were moving out of a house rather than just going home from a vacation, and the plane was delayed by 1 ½ hours (air traffic controllers furlow?), but we finally took off on the plane about 5pm (8pm SF time!!!). The little boys were great all the way to San Francisco. We just hated to wake them up to get them in the car at 1:15am!!!

It doesn’t seem like it’s time for me to return to Atlanta tomorrow, but it is! We’ve had such a beautiful week in San Francisco and vacation week in Kauai! Thanks and love to all!

Nonna!

LAST FULL DAY IN KAUAI

US Journal

Monday, April 22, 2013

LAST FULL DAY IN KAUAI

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With rain in the air, we started thinking about alternative activities for the family to enjoy Kauai today. Arne came up with quite a nice itinerary.

We went first to a special small village close by where we found a huge ship’s wheel, old-time barbershop chairs, some fascinating scuptures and a nut store with every kind of nut you can imagine. Hugo stuck his foot through a fence, only to leave his shoe behind when he pulled his foot out. The shoe fell 10 feet down into a drainage ditch. Arne saved the day by climbing into the ditch from the nearby bridge and retrieving the shoe! Way to go, Arne!!!

Not too far away, we found the Farmers’ Market with a lovely playground nearby. We were lucky to get there just when it opened, because we bought all sorts of interesting local food…mostly fruit…and played on the playground just a little while before the rain came and closed down the Farmers’ Market.

Later in the day, we attended a free hula recital at a small shopping center. It was great fun. You’ll see how entertained Hugo was when you look at the pictures. Arne, Harldur and I were invited to join in the hula dancing, and we were GREAT! Right, guys? When Harldur was asked later what he liked best about the hula dancers, he said, “Their hips!” That’s my boy!!!

The evening was ended with a delicious dinner at Merriman’s, the 3 times James Beard Award winner!!! We understood why he got so many awards! The rain was pouring down on the way back to the car, and it made it difficult for Harldur to keep up with all of us; but we were all happy about this last full day in Kauai being so interesting and fun!

Ah, Kauai!!

Colleen

RAINY DAY-ROCK WALK AND SPINNING CARDS

US Journal

Sunday, April 21, 2013

ROCK WALK AND SPINNING CARDS

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The rainy day came at just the right time. Yesterday was our 3^rd day of bright and sunny skies, and our 6-hour day in the sun was well matched with a cool, cloudy, off-and-on rainy day today.

In the middle of Hugo’s late morning nap, Arne and I walked with Harldur in very light rain to the shore to play on the rocks and appreciate the large waves that made great splashes onto the boulders. We met a very “interesting” woman who had lived on the island for 27 years. She told me she wished she had been here for 47 years. She requested that Arne and Harldur not throw the black rocks into the water because she preferred the black rock surface to the dirt in front of her house. Yes, it seemed strange to us, too. Arne was glad that she talked to me instead of him!! I was, too!

When we returned, I played with Hugo with the Veggie Cards that my Italian friend Valeria gave to me. At 1½ years old, he enjoyed pushing the cards under the carpet, then retrieving them from there. He then saw the salad spinner and put the cards in there to spin them around and around. Great fun!  By then, the salad spinner looked like it was more fun than the cards, so he took the top off of the salad spinner and went to show Mama and Harldur his new spaceship helmet! They should charge extra for his entertainment!

After lunch, Harldur went to bed for a nap while Arne and Cati took Hugo for a drive to the beach to look for a shop with books to buy for the flight back home. Hugo waited with his mom for his dad in the car behind the steering wheel, dancing to the music on the radio. They ended up playing at the beach with only cloudy skies.

…and a good rainy day was enjoyed by all!

Happy 203^rd monthiversary, Peter! Thanks for your call. I love you, too!

Colleen

BEACH AND SPEWING ROCKS

US Journal

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Beach/Spewing Rocks

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Yesterday afternoon included a trip over to a special location where the lava rocks had waves that spewed up in columns that were surprising and exciting. In addition, a lovely rainbow added to the spectacular impression made. What fun, not to mention the chicken we saw (they’re everywhere) gathering her 5 very small chicks under her wings as the day became cooler. Interestingly, her rooster stood on guard nearby, ready to protect his brood!

The challenge of today was to keep up with the sand toys while playing in the water.

The excitement of the day came when there were 2 seals on the beach AND a sea turtle. Arne and Harldur even saw another 4 sea turtles in the waves grazing on the large rocks.

Cati, Arne and I also enjoyed the beautiful fish we saw as we snorkeled near the rocks. I was sorry my camera couldn’t take underwater pictures. Just imagine fish of every color and design!

After 6 hours at the beach, including a delicious lunch that Arne had packed for us, the family took the car to check out a hike not far from here. I didn’t go, but the report of the troups was that it was delightful, even though they returned soon because it was sunny on the hike. Too much sun for today!!!

Ciao!

Colleen

A DAY AT THE BEACH

US Journal

Friday, April 19, 2013

A DAY AT OUR OWN PRIVATE BEACH

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When you have a day at the beach with two little boys, you see beach life in a different way.

The boys are all off their schedule with the jet lag, and they both woke up in the middle of the night (3-5am), so by the time we went to the beach at 8:30, they were all the way psyched for the adventure. With a plastic shovel for each boy, we went on our way to “our private beach.”

To make it even better, a pregnant endangered seal had made her way up on the beach where there was a protected pool, and the day was spent watching her sleep in the shade of a palm tree. The park ranger had seen the seal, and she put up a rope around her to warn people that she needed her rest and not to disturb her. The emergency crew also located their jet skiers about 40 feet out in the water where the seal was so they could make sure no one was nearby to keep the seal from a clear passage to the ocean. By the time we left, the seal was making her way VERY SLOWLY back down the beach to the water. She definitely provided fascinating entertainment for our family.

Hugo finally gave up the fun for a nap on a towel laid over his blow up toy. It made a great bed for him for two hours. Even then, his dad had to wake him up when we were ready to go home!

It was a wonderful day at the beach, and we enjoyed Arne’s pasta dinner and the outstanding sunset to finish the day.

Thanks, Cati, Arne, Hugo and Harldur, for inviting me on this splendid vacation.

Vi Amo,

Nonna

KAUAI, HERE WE COME!

US JOURNAL

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Kauai, Here We Come!

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My trip with the San Francisco Johnsons to Kauai at 7:30am today was delightful. We were all really tired from getting up so early, so all of us (even the adults) got a little bit of sleep along the way. Hugo and Harldur did their best to win over the airplane staff. I think they were very successful at that task…lots of “Hi’s”, smiles, stopping to greet people on their regular walks up and down the aisle and playing with Vivian (the little one in front of us). It was extremely special that Alaska Airlines had given us 3 seats in one row and 3 seats right behind the first ones. We shifted around constantly as food and play needs became apparent. It was generally the best 5 -hour trip  to paradise ever!

When we arrived in Kauai, the first thing we saw outside the airport was a beautiful rooster. We had been told that there were chickens everywhere, and we are definitely believers now. They are well behaved, though.  We went to the beach as soon as we found the house we rented; and there again were roosters, chickens and chicks. They all waited very patiently for anyone to drop a morsel they could eat.

Our house is splendid…with an ocean view of the Pacific. I was so sorry that Harldur slipped in a puddle of water outside the house and bumped his head as soon as we arrived there, but he rallied after good hugs all around, and I can tell we will have many wonderful stories to tell from our trip to Kauai (i.e. “Paradise!”)

Aloha, Kauai,

Colleen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAUTIFUL VICTORIA!

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US Journal

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Cati and Arne are trying to decide about childcare for the boys for next year, so they visited another preschool today for Harldur. They had already visited one, but now they have one for comparison. I was trying to help them think through this decision, so I asked Harldur what it was that made his current Puddle Jumpers preschool so much fun. His answer didn’t help much, “ I like it because Mommy and Daddy can come there to help some times.”

We have delayed our vacation to Kauai by one day for Cati to attend her semester-long class on Wednesday morning. So, we are off to Kauai tomorrow instead of today. Isn’t that a splendid way to celebrate Victoria's’s birthday? We’ll be thinking about you, Victoria! I hope you have a great day, too.

This morning I went with Hugo to a music and movement class nearby. The teacher was one of the most talented people I have ever seen teaching toddlers. I questioned her choice of songs with violent subjects for children so young, but she got away with it because of her engaging personality.  I’ll be interested to see how Cati responds to her when she takes Hugo to class.

Happy Birthday, Beautiful Victoria – from Harldur!

Lots of love from the rest of us, too.

Colleen

SUNDAY STREETS WITH DON & CARLA!

US JOURNAL

Sunday, April 14, 2013

DON & CARLA AT SUNDAY STREETS

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What a party! This Sunday Streets scene seems a lot like Bra, Italy…streets blocked off for only pedestrian traffic, neat music played by local musicians, balloon artists making monkeys and hero figures, friendly fire people (one was a woman) and policemen allowing the children to explore their vehicles, interesting and delicious foods made right there on the streets, dancers giving tumbling and trampoline training, free books for the children from the library, you name it…it was there.

Our special treat was to have Carla and Don (“Dondon” as Hugo calls him) make us some pancakes before we went to the Sunday Streets, and they joined us on our journeys through the streets and activities. It was lovely to spend such fun time with them.

Thanks for the pancake invitation and for joining us at Sunday Streets, Don and Carla!

Vi Amo,

Colleen

PANCAKES, PARTY, WATER PARK!!! WHAT A DAY!

US JOURNAL

Saturday, April 13, 2013

PANCAKES/PARTY/WATER PARK

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When this family makes pancakes, they do it all the way!

This morning, Arne announced that we are making pancakes for breakfast, and so we did! Both of the little boys climbed up on chairs to watch Arne pour in the ingredients. Then, whisk, whisk, whisk went Harldur, and stir, stir, stir went Hugo. They were mixing the ingredients to make blueberry pancakes with Arne’s homemade granola in them! They turned out scrump-deli-icious! We all agreed that those pancakes were THE BEST EVER and LOTS OF FUN!!!

Later in the day, we went to a birthday party at a nearby park that had a HUGE sandbox with all sorts of things to play on and to play with. The boys thoroughly enjoyed all the things there. The snacks were great, and we finished off the event by playing in the adjacent water park. Life is good for the San Francisco Johnsons!

And a good time was had by all. What a nice way to spend the day!

Happy Birthday, Francisco!

Colleen

PUDDLE JUMPERS/CORONADO PARK WITH LELLI

US JOURNAL

Friday, April 12, 2013

PUDDLE JUMPERS/CORONADO PARK WITH LELLI

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Puddle Jumpers is the preschool where Harldur goes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Today, Cati and I went to Puddle Jumpers to visit for a short while and bring their morning snack of hot cereal. The parents are very involved in this school, and volunteers come every day to help with the children and meals. At the end of the day, the volunteers help to clean up the entire space and lock it up until the next day. I enjoyed watching Harldur interact with the other children…running, laughing, playing the piano and shooting the basketball. After today’s teacher Miss Michelle finished reading some familiar books in a delightful way, I went back to the house to spend some time with Hugo.

Their treasured nanny Lelli and I went to Coronado Park with Hugo and Arlo (childcare child on Fridays) and had such a great time.

I surely am enjoying my time in San Francisco. Grazie mille!

Nonna

Hugo's Grand Adventure

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US Journal

Wednesday , April 10, 2013

Thank you, Peter, for taking me to the airport. I know you enjoyed your gardening day at Serenbe after you dropped me off. I can’t wait to hear about it!

My flight was uneventful in a good way, and the man sitting next to me on the plane signed up on the spot for our tour to artesan producers in Italy. He said that’s the first thing he’s going to treat himself and his wife to when he retires later this year! We look forward to including you, Cliff! We’ll send all the details as soon as they are finalized.  I can’t believe how much he reminds me of our dear friend Jim Nixon!

US Journal

THURSDAY, April 11, 2013

HUGO’S GREAT ADVENTURE AT GOLDEN GATE PARK AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO!

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You’ve never really lived until you have taken a 16 month-old Hugo to the Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. We rode with his mom Cati to the University of San Francisco where she works. While she attended a class in the morning, Hugo and I walked the short distance to the Park.

It was a gorgeous, cool day, but Hugo was ready for a nap when we arrived there. I decided we would go to the Conservatory of Flowers first to make sure he would be  awake to see it. It turned out that he rallied just fine when he saw all the beautiful poppies and other varieties of colors in the gardens.

We went into the Conservatory, and even though there were amazing sites to see inside, his favorite things were the goldfish in the pond and the grates in the sidewalk where the water drains out. Those grates were very decorative, and they made THE BEST sounds! We had such a grand time!

On the way back to meet Cati for lunch, Hugo did get in a short nap, so the rest of the day was delightful, too. I will remember our “date” to the Conservatory of Flowers forever, Hugo. Thanks for going with me!!!

Ti amo! Nonna

THREE TREES TOPPLED!

US Journal

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

THREE TREES TOPPLED!

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We found a new tree service. There were 8 people that came and cut down 3 dead trees in record time…only 2 hours. It felt like we had ants all over the yard!  They were scurrying in every direction. I was very impressed that the trees were felled AND cleaned up within those 2 hours! I also wished for my sweet grandsons, who love, love, love to see big trucks at work. These pictures are for you, Hugo and Harldur! Thanks, Apex Tree Service! Great work!!!

Colleen

Douceur De France with the Dicksons

US Journal

Monday, April 8, 2013

A good, long walk in the park with Diana and her two border collies started the week in just the right fashion! We got some really good exercise and solved most of the world’s problems as well! You can’t beat that! Thanks, Diana!

DOUCEUR DE FRANCE WITH THE DICKSONS

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Peter and Stan have lunch with “the boys” every Thursday, so they have had some time to catch up since we returned. We were very happy when Dani called me to say we all need to have lunch today. Peter wanted a visit with Dani, and I wanted to spend some time with both of them. We decided to meet at Douceur de France, where Karen and I had breakfast on Friday.

It was so good to learn from Stan and Dani that they had finally, after 2 ½ years, sold their house and moved into their new house. They told us all about how hard it was to decide what to take, since this is a much smaller house. They finally just decided to move everything from their 10-room house into the 4-room new house, then figure out what to discard after they tried their furniture in the new place. Dani had lived in the old house for 40 years, so it was a hard move for her especially. They are both hopeful that they will sort everything out soon and begin to think of the new place as home. There is appreciably less upkeep in their new house, which is a big plus for both of them.

We answered all of their questions about our year in Italy and upcoming tours we are planning. Of course, we are always glad to tell our stories to those who are interested. It’s fun to see the different reactions to our information.

We had a delicious lunch at Douceur, and Dani and I shared our two meals with each other. Her wonderful couscous salad went perfectly with my open-faced tuna melt.

As we were leaving the restaurant, we took this picture. That will be a good way to remember our beautiful lunch with good friends. Thanks, Stan and Dani, let’s make sure we get together often when I return from California.

Ciao, ciao!

Colleen

Victoria's Birthday at Cafe Jonah/Supper at Neale and Diana's

US Journal

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Victoria’s bday at Café Jonah

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Yay! Thanks to MARTA, the rapid transit train in Atlanta, Nick got to join us today for brunch at Café Jonah in Buckhead. Victoria and Kyle picked him up on their way in at the Lenox Square station, which was awfully nice of them. Unfortunately, he was riding MARTA because Amanda had a conflict, and he has no car for now. We missed you Amanda, but I’ll see you when I return from SF and Hawaii!

Café Jonah had an excellent buffet ready for us, even though our friend Sue wasn’t working today. I’m glad she takes off on Sundays.

Victoria’s birthday is going to be while I’m away, so I brought her a pink crocheted scarf from the Market in Bra, Italy.  It looks so pretty on her, don’t you agree? We also brought her the small, drop-leafed end table from our basement that she admired when she was there last weekend. Peter and I laughed when she asked if it would be all right if she painted the table. Of course! It’s your table now, Victoria!

It sounded like they were planning to go dancing for her birthday, and Kyle invited Nick and Amanda to join them in that fun. Have a great time, all of you! Happy Birthday, Victoria!

Supper with Neale and Diana

What an appropriate main dish for our supper tonight at Neale and Diana’s! Neale made some Tuscan chicken that was baked with rosemary sprigs and other yummy Italian spices. It was excellent, and while it needed to cook a little longer than he had anticipated, we all chowed down on the salumi that Peter brought from the Marietta Farmers’ Market.

Afterwards, we had Neale’s chicken with Peter’s roasted vegetables and Diana’s kale salad for a splendid dinner. Unfortunately, we were all too full to enjoy the aged Parmesan with aged balsamic that Peter had brought for dessert. I guess we’ll have to save that for next time.

A presto!

Colleen

GINA'S BIRTHDAY DINNER

US Journal

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Gina’s Birthday Dinner!

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Gina and Will didn’t get the plane to visit us for a second time in Italy, but tonight we visited them in their home. What a special treat that was for us! The information we were very interest in hearing was about whether they were still planning on buying or renting property in Bra, Italy. They told us they definitely are interested in doing that, but the change of plans is that they now hope to rent out the house they buy for a couple of years before they plan on using it a lot each year. Good for them! I’m sure the Pimpa book we gave Gina for her birthday will be the first thing to “live” in the new Italian home!! Happy Birthday, Gina! I’m glad you liked the singing card that went with it, too. Those cards have become my famous trademark!

The reports of Gina and Will’s recent trip to South Africa were exciting, too. Gina’s dad chose the location as a special treat for his birthday this year. He wanted an adventure, nature and wildlife trip with Gina and Will. Gina’s mom decided it was too much adventure for her taste and didn’t go.  It sounded like he had all three goals met. They talked about hippos “guarding” the path to a bridge, a leopard setting up housekeeping near another path, and elephants felling trees…always across a road or path. How’s that for plenty of wildlife?

We celebrated Gina’s birthday this evening. We enjoyed Gina’s salad and Peter’s fresh pasta from the Marietta Farmer’s Market. Then, we were really surprised when Gina brought out some delightful gelato for dessert. She had slightly melted some vanilla cream Talenti gelato (found in most grocery stores) and added ricotta and honey; then, she froze it all again. It was delicious! We will definitely have that again.

Grazie mille, Gina and Will. We’ll see you again in May! Consider bringing those precious Scotties with you to our house!!! J…maybe!

Colleen

A KRISTEN REUNION!

US Journal

Thursday, April 4, 2013

A KRISTEN REUNION!

How am I forgetting to take pictures all of a sudden?!

Kristen and I finally found an evening where we were both free to have dinner. She suggested Capers, and it was great! We shared a salad that was so yummy and large that I just got a box for the rest of the meal I ordered (baby back ribs, potatoes au gratin and broccoli) and made my entire meal out of my portion of the salad (greens, cranraisins, fried beet chips and dried tomato dressing!).

It was so good to reunite with my good friend and former colleague Kristen. I can always depend on her to persist until we find a time that we can go out for a meal somewhere and catch up.

Thanks, Kristen, it was so good to spend time with you and those yummy bellinis and salads!

A presto!

Colleen

DOUCEUR/ M&T

US Journal

Friday, April 5, 2013

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Happy Birthday, Monica! Here are some pretty flowers for you!

Today, Monica’s mom Karen and I celebrated Monica’s birthday by going to the scrumptious French restaurant Douceur de France for breakfast. Their 3-egg omelet was perfect for us to share, and the fruit salad was truly a treat. Karen took some bakery goods from there to Monica, who ordered them when she heard we were going. Great bakery! Karen’s in the middle of a doctoral program, so getting any free time with her is a real treat! I think we made a pretty good stab at solving most of the world’s problems. I’ll look forward to our jaunt to Knoxville at the end of the month, Karen!

This afternoon, Karen and her husband Hans are taking off to meet Monica in Asheville for the weekend, then they will take her and go to the beach for a week for a nice Spring Break rest! Have a wonderful time, you three!

Muss and Turner…Finally!

It’s a tradition with the Masseys and us to go to Muss and Turner as often as possible. They have lots of farm to table food, and that’s very important to all of us. So, this evening, we met the Masseys at Muss and Turner for our reunion there. Their grass fed beef hamburgers were the favorite pick for all of us. Jennifer and I had ours on a Greek salad…splendid! The guys chose the hamburgers on a bun, and Fred ordered the honorary basket of French fries. What a great time with great friends and great food! Thanks, Jennifer and Fred.

Vi amo tutti!

Colleen