Italian Capers

Here is our first installment of "Nanny's Villa." We will scout only the finest Italian properties to find that special second home/getaway (under the Aviano sun) for Nanny. Yes, they will be fixer-uppers, but with the Italian workmanship, I am sure it will drag on for centuries. Here is our first pick, found just inside the lovely booming metropolis San Leondardo di Crappa. As you can see, it is spacious. We have arranged a full tour for early in Nanny Nonna's visit to give her time to ponder and dream over this precious Italian jewel. Speaking of precious jewel, here are some pics of our place. Starting from the top- the loft, where the dryer lives and the spare room where the computer hangs out. Upper marble scarecase- get it? This is the kitchen before the gigantic American fridge moved in and started sucking all the electricity out of the village. As you can see Percy is enjoying the 220 volt charge. Enjoying the requisite moving-day donettes- yes, Nanny,

So, Thursdays are going to be for sights of Italy. Now, this likely won't be anything all that thrilling really, but rather OUR sights around the house, village, etc. I think it's appropriate to start with the blue trees. I am not sure how well this will show up, but I love to catch a glimpse when we drive by. It's on our drive back from the base. This is the only house I have seen that has blue trees in the yard.... I am sure it's some kind of mutagenic pesticide that's been outlawed in the US for over 50 years-(safety hasn't been invented here yet- to support this, no bicycle helmets, few sidewalks, etc.) but it makes me smile to see them, so I will share. I point them out to Gordon (first born) and Percy (second born) but I don't think they have seen them yet. (BTW I am Emerald Emily and the husband is Sir Topham Hatt- we are all Thomas the Train all the time. Gordon tries to get me to be Neville, but I don't like it : ) Then there's the

It seems that not a day goes by that I don't blow a fuse....an electric fuse, in the house, that is. We have lived here for weeks and it hasn't been a problem, but alas, I have been trying to sneak in some dryer usage every once in a while and that's what gets me every time. Today I was using the dryer, the oven, and then the dreaded American kitchen monster, as it is seen here in the land of the tiny appliances and kitchens, yes, the refridge kicked on and boom, there goes the fuse. So, up I go to the 3rd floor to turn off the dryer and then down to the first floor to reset the fuse box and re-read the nasty-gram that shows up on the LED screen on the elctric meter. Ah the excitement. Remember, Emerald Emily, you may not use three large appliances at once- I haven't tried the washer/oven/fridge combo- maybe I'll shoot for that tomorrow. It's good to have goals. Not too much is new- grocery shopping, well baby for Percy- the day went fast. Here are some p

So....off we go. It's like starting a term paper...it's better just to get started and see what happens. So, here goes. We had a great weekend. I always love the weekend as it changes it up a little with Sir Topham Hatt around. We took the wee ones to a work function gaming night last night. They seemed to have a great time running around and playing with the other little kids. We didn't stay too late, as we didn't want to push it too much. The girls did fabulously- no screaming on the way home as we are all accustomed to- a very pleasant change indeedy. We started today off in the usual way- a trip to the club for brunch. Then, we headed to Udine for a little trip. It took us about an hour to get there. I think it was like 30 minutes away, but with the twisty slow roads and the manure spreaders, it took an hour. We went to a carnival and the girls had a blast on the cheezy little rides. We walked through the pedestrian area, which was cobblestone. Gordon