Jun 262023
 

Although we had to wait a rather long time for the rain to stop, and we are still getting random thunderstorms, the summer temperatures have come straight in as if to make up for lost time. 🔥☀️

The wait has worked out for me as I have only just recently been able to put on a waterproof bandage so that I can make use of the pool. 😅 So, it has been lovely to do a bit of exercise in the pool and cool off from the sudden heat mixed with humidity thanks to the extra moisture in the air.

Along with the summer sunbathing time, we are also beginning our travels here, there and everywhere.

This week kicks off with my birthday getaway to London 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Really, it’s just an excuse to redo our planned trip at the end of February when I fell 🤷🏽‍♀️ – but I’m not complaining! 😁 So, that means I gotta run, but will update from our trip soon! ❤️

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Jun 192023
 

A rather unappreciated and misunderstood (in my opinion) dish in the Italian cuisine is gnocchi – pronounced “nio-key” or “no-key” as the “g” is silent. It is a perfect combination of potato and pasta with whatever kind of sauce you like. This one was a duck ragu that was yummy, though I was helping M finish it as I devoured my own of saffron and sausage.

There are many hidden aspects of local culture here that are easy to miss as an expat. We discovered one of them last night – The Gnocchi Festival of Santa Maria di Monteleone d’Orvieto (La Sagra degli Gnocchi di Santa Maria di Monteleone di Orvieto) – one of many throughout the summer in the region. This one is explained below as a translated version of one site.

More amazing than the gnocchi and turnout even amongst locals was the dancing. We didn’t know until we were leaving that there was actually two live bands playing – the latter targeted more for the youth. The one we listened to, observed, joined in on was a kind of traditional genre that allowed for the dancing!

When I say dancing, I mean partner dance, line dance, and combinations of other more formalized dancing. It was incredible to see people know so many variations of dances and joining in! There wasn’t a shyness really, if they knew it and could move, they were on the dance floor. It was so great.

I’m now keen to learn some of the line dances and even get someone to take me on as a partner for the ones that look something similar to a Texas two-step.

It was a ton of fun and I’m looking forward to experiencing more of these cultural moments!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Jun 122023
 

How another week has gone by so quickly is one of those endless mysteries of life. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I thought that I would have more time to write or do so-called normal activities even with almost a week in France, but somehow that didn’t quite happen. 🤪

We hit the road late on Wednesday last week after I got back from Rome where I had what I thought was my last ankle check up for a while. Instead, I am going in tomorrow for a quick op to get one of the rods taken out, but more on that later in the week. In any case, although we don’t like to drive in the afternoons and evenings, we decided it was better to get to France and wake up with a full day rather than wait and waste a day driving.

Our main mission was to take the pups 🐶🐶 and see how they are in the yard as we will be taking them there with us for part of the summer and I’ll be on my own with them there for a few days. That mission was accomplished and Monty was able to show us all the holes where he can escape the fencing – they will be filled and blocked up. Unfortunately, Peanut was just on the mend as she had gotten bit by a viper 🐍 in our yard somewhere on the Monday afternoon before we went. Thanks to getting her to the vet, a blood test confirming the bite, and more meds, she is recovering. She still isn’t back to her full self yet, but she’s getting there. So, the upside was that she wasn’t as naughty so we only had to contend with one mischievous dog to complete our mission. 😬

Since it had been a while for M to visit and see our friends there, we made the rounds catching up with them. We also ate some delicious food and even got in a market day. So, it was a good trip even if the drive felt long on the return and the weather turned stormy ⛈️ in the afternoons after a misleading morning of warmth and sun ☀️.

Now, although I have unpacked and we are basically settled back home, we still will be on the move to some extent with tomorrow’s op and visitors coming for a few days. It’s all good though, this is not a complaint – just a reminder to myself that I gotta make schedules work for me as life moves fluidly around. 😁

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Jun 052023
 

It was a quick 17 days spent with my mom in Italy and southern France. We got to do a mother-daughter road trip from our place in Orvieto to Cinque Terre to a spa stay in Bordighera before using our place in Lorgues for a few nights to see the Mediterranean coast that makes the Cotes de Provence.

The timing was perfect as well to see the happenings of St. Tropez and Sainte Maxime. Plus, we soaked up the red carpet vibes of the Cannes Festival and grand prix weekend in Monaco with a stopover in Nice on our way back to Italy.

Once we returned, we didn’t let Mom rest too long before getting back on the road south to the Amalfi Coast with a stop in Pompeii before getting to our stay near Sorrento and a day on the boat.

We had a fabulous time hosting and think she had a great time visiting and seeing a glimpse of our lives. Hopefully, next time, we can get her and Dad over, but we shall see!

Now back to regular life… 🤪

~T 🔥🐉♋️

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