Friday, November 28, 2008

PhotoHunt: Metal - Modena, Italy



On Saturday and Sunday, 29-30 September 2007, Alessandro and I stayed in Modena with the Aunts in their apartment in the centre of town. Our bedroom had a balcony we could walk out onto with pot plants. The Duomo was very close by and we could hear the bells calling the faithful to mass.

The apartment is off one of the main streets, Canal Chiaro, and at the end of that street is a large car show room filled to the brim with all types of exquisite Ferraris. There was also a Lamborghini sitting amongst them. We walked up twice to peer through the windows.

Modena is a beautiful small town and it bustles each afternoon for a long time with a passiegata I never grow tired of watching. As it’s the town where I’ve spent the most time in Italy, I’ve seen quite a bit of it. I was able to show Alessandro some sites that have importance to our family.

Straight across from the Cathedral entrance is the third story apartment where his father lived for several years. His father’s parents were married in that Cathedral, and his nonno studied at the Military Academy a few blocks away.

I think Alessandro’s favorite part of the town was the park, which of course he didn’t remember, as he was eighteen months old last time he played in it. But it was fun to show him the play equipment and the roundabout where we spent so much time when we stayed for seven weeks in Modena in 1992. This trip he played with the ducks, geese and roosters and was awed at the size of the carp and at seeing a turtle in the pond.

I sent him up the town bell tower next to the Cathedral. It was a long climb but we were all pleased to see his pictures. And of couse the Ferrari showroom went down very well.

This is my latest entry.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Alessandro in Modena



You can click on the pic to make it larger and easier to see.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

San Gimignano - my kinda town









I'm so pleased that Alessandro liked San Gimignano just as much as I do.

Friday, November 21, 2008

PhotoHunt: Reflections - Alessandro and the Carabinieri



Alessandro asked the Carabinieri in Venice then in Florence to have their picture taken with him. His great grandfather was in the Carabinieri. These pictures were from our trip together last October.

This is my latest entry.

Friday, November 14, 2008

PhotoHunt: Ruins - Fiesole, Italy

These are the Roman ruins up at enchanting Fiesole, above Florence. I took Alessandro up there last October.







It was a beautiful day at the beginning of October when Alessandro and I caught the #7 bus up from Florence to Fiesole. As it wound up the hill we could see the beautiful villas dotting the hillside.

The first thing we did was to have a cappuccino at a cafe, then we went into the Duomo to see the della Robbias.

Lastly, we wandered 'round the small Roman ruins of Fiesole. How beautiful to be with my son, in a place that means so much to me.

This is my latest entry.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Oh my stars!

I can't believe I made Layout of the Day at The Digital Scrapbook Place.
This is where I hang out, and learn all of my digital scrapbooking techniques.
Here is the picture that is being featured today:



All the elements I used were designed by Erica Belton.

Friday, November 7, 2008

PhotoHunt: Together - in Venice



Lavena Cafe in Piazza San Marco, Venice - sipping cappucino and watching the other tourists strolling past the cathedral.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Real men keep cats



Well this was 35 years ago. So - you should see my son Giancarlo, with our siamese Pyewacket...
Talk about deja vu! He sure takes after his grandfather.