All the usual, but also. . . .
Planning a trip to Italy (yes, again! An ex-pat granddaughter, 7, is a big motivation and we have two years to catch up on!). Booking flights and accommodations; trying to anticipate Covid travel requirements, which change even more quickly than the weather here; making lists of what we want to see and do. . . . a mix of the pleasant and the stressful, in other words, and all a bit time-consuming, although obviously nothing I should whine about. . .
And we’re planning a quick getaway next week, based on some gift certificates our kids gave us for Christmas. We’re packing our snowshoes . . . and swimsuits . . . and appetites . . . and a stack of books.
Also making arrangements for something later this summer that I won’t tell you much about yet for fear of jinxing it. But I’m so happy, in anticipation.
Since I haven’t posted in a week, but somehow too busy (Italian homework; arranging April/May travels; making time to get outside with that guy I live with, whenever the weather cooperates; some family entertaining; and planning a family reunion — just our own kids, but everyone together for the first time since 2017!!! — this summer! Squee! And gratuitous Woot! Woot! That won’t jinx anything, right? Did I tell too much?) and energy-sapped, to be honest. . . .
I thought, instead, I’d put together a quick “point form” post, sans amplification/explication.
For example, I will tell you that
- I’ve made this quick, easy, delicious, vegan (if you choose your chocolate carefully) Chocolate Olive Oil Cake three times in the last three weeks. Twice for family dinners; once just for Pater (okay, might have had a slice or two myself)
- These Ginger Molasses Cookies twice, even though the winter festivities are over, and these are the perfect Christmas cookie.
- We’re watching this Limited TV Series on Netflix and finding it engaging — well-acted (many familiar actors, especially if you spend much time in ShondaLand), well-written, intriguingly structured via two parallel narratives (present and past; two female protagonists — journalist and subject). Although they really need to work on their newborn baby casting — ha! you’ll see what I mean. Pater and I were much amused. . .
- My granddaughter and I went to this Art Exhibition and luxuriated in the gorgeously detailed decorative work depicting the power regal women draw from their clothing.
- This Saturday, my Italian class is going to be dancing to Via con me performed by Paolo Conte and to Non vivo più senza te sung by Biagio Antonacci and to Fedez, Achille Lauro, and Orietta Berti’s Mille, which you can listen to while watching a delightful video. You will be dancing too!
Ballare e sorridere (Dance and Smile!)
Ciao,
Frances
I also was hooked on Inventing Anna, but don’t recall anything unusual about the baby? Thought the labor scene was done well… did think she may not have been cut out for mothering.
Anywho, look forward to hearing more about your upcoming trips.
Author
Just seemed a remarkably large newborn and to my eye, at least, not approaching the realism of, say, Call the Midwife 😉
I’m so happy to hear your plans ! It seems that everything is sweet around you indeed 😉
Dottoressa
Author
Some good things happening, for sure! I’m so happy the cousins will be together!
We watched Inventing Anna as well, and I remember exclaiming “look at the size of that baby’s head!” …in the scene right after birth.
The recipe for the chocolate cake looks divine!
Author
Yes! Immediately after birth, we both exclaimed at head size!
It’s a very satisfying cake and so easy to put together.
Isn’t it so much fun to plan trips? The destinations are only part of the journey. The planning and anticipation are simply delicious. Keeping fingers crossed that everything comes to fruition for your family reunions–the one in the spring and the one in the summer.
Author
So true, the planning is so much of the fun. And by coincidence, my Italian class right now have as our assignment to do a short presentation on a region we’ve visited, or want to visit, in Italy! Not only do I learn from my own research, for this trip, but get to do some imaginative travelling through my classmates’ work.
Ha ha what does it say about common interests that I actually know who Fedez and Achille Lauro are, and am familiar with their music (although for a second I confused ‘Non vivo più senza te’ with ‘Io vivrò (senza te)’…a difference in the philosophy of the broken heart.
Looking forward to hearing about your travel plans and the travel itself. Longing to get away but other things taking priority just now…so must continue to dream. 🙂
Author
Too funny — and I actually anticipated this possibility when I posted. My introduction to these songs and singers, but I suspected you would know them.
I know that juggling of priorities — we wouldn’t be going so soon again except for the 2020 workshop being re-scheduled for this May. . .
Your travel plans sound wonderful! No overseas travel for me this year, but looking forward to the family’s yearly Chincoteague Island trip and some interesting day trips. We are back to more wintry weather for the next few days so was pleased to discover I had the ingredients to make the cake and the cookies.
Author
Chincoteague Island, a yearly family trip — sounds so idyllic to me and of course I will always think of Marguerite Henry’s Misty.
I hope you enjoy the cake and cookies — I think it’s a testament to their yummy practicality that they can be made with ingredients from the pantry.
I envy you the trip planning. We (well one of us) is not sure about overseas travel just yet. Or how that will look for us now. We have a lot of discussing to do first, I think. We are planning a total bathroom reno for late in the spring. Or trying to if we can ever find a contractor to do such a small job. And I’m heading down east in April to give my sister a break.
And speaking of break. Enjoy your jaunt with Paul. Exercise, good food, and lots of books… sounds like my cup of tea.
P.S. Love that sketch of granddaughter sketching. xo
Fingers crossed with the trip planning! We’re in the same boat…planning (with excitement and trepidation) a European trip September/October.
Really love the art exhibition sketching!
Such a cheerful post! What a pleasure. Thank you for the cheer:).
Planning trips is so much fun! I am beginning to look up train connections for my trip to Puglia in May. Ten days looking after a dog and a trullo in the middle of an olive grove…
Oh yes, Paolo Conte. So many memories. And although I have never heard of Biagio Antonacci the music sounds familiar, like the pizzica they dance in the Salento.
How I would have loved to see that exhibition! Art and women and (social) history and textiles…
You read my mind! Was watching Inventing Anna and got hooked, too. Yes, that baby! Thanks for sharing the chocolate olive oil cake and molasses cookie recipes – both a hit here. I’ll be making them on repeat. Enjoy the trip planning. The anticipation is half the fun!
Author
You noticed it too! Definitely not a newborn 😉
That chocolate cake is so good, right? And easy enough to make up with the grandkids.