la vita e bella

Last minute tip to the the lake house on Lake Garda last week. No big deal.

So, for the past 20 years, the extended Fiore family has had a share in an apartment in Cecina, Italy. The best way to describe this town is the quintessential small Italian village that you probably have an oil painting of over your mantelpiece. It's the image everyone has in their mind when they think of small town, picturesque Italy. You look at the picture on the wall and think: "Someday, I want to go there." Well I was there...working. And it was perfect. We spent two days at the beach and one day visiting a more touristy town on the other side of the lake. We ate fabulous Italian pasta and pizza and topped it off with gelato. I'm sure I have said this before, but I sincerely love my job. And, obviously it isn't because of things like this. Because if the kids were bratty and horrible I would be miserable...even at an Italian beach.


Best memory: I took little Sam to the bathroom and there was a picture of Marilyn Monroe on the wall. Here is the conversation that ensued:
Me: Do you like Marilyn Monroe, Sam?
Sam: yeah
Me: What do you like about her?
Sam: I like her breast
Me: Her dress?
Sam: NO, her BREAST

I swear I didn't teach him that.

Sam's sister and her family (the Schaafsma's) are over right now and Nina just handed me a chocolate croissant. Just saying.

There is something about Italy- maybe it is the warmth in the air or the general friendliness of the old Italian woman (compared to the general unfriendliness of people in Geneva). I love being there. I love taking walks and looking at the beautiful scenery and exploring the hills and seeing the old architecture. I love enjoying the food and the wine and hearing the language. I just feel at peace.

Okay, I should probably get back to work.

Have a great day!