What do you do when its raining outside?

We were warned it might rain 2-3 inches today. The scheduled outdoor activities were postponed until tomorrow and the photographers met in the "classroom."

As predicted, it was a bit too wet to venture out on my own this morning, but I brought this little project to keep me company. She's pretty funny, isn't she? So what do I do when it's raining outside?

I knit.

Why am I not in the classroom? Because last time we came, I got caught up in wanting to try everything and stressed out over the assignments that were shared with EVERYONE in a giant slide show! That's like Randy being asked to play a violin solo in front of my professional music colleagues! This year I determined before we came that YES, I would shoot photos (just because it really helps me internalize the whole experience), but NO, I would not play show and tell with the other participants. I am much more content this way.

The rain let up at lunch time, so we ventured out to try a nearby crepe restaurant.

I chose a SAVORY one -- an herb infused crepe filled with zucchini, olives, carrots, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and green beans, with cheese sauce.

Randy chose SWEET -- a dessert crepe topped with fruit and cinnamon-sprinkled ice cream. Don't let the pictures fool you. These are dinner plates!

A street vendor suggested we buy an umbrella. (Of course we left ours in the hotel room.) We should have listened... we saw the big black cloud... then it hit! We ran with our cameras and took cover under the nearest possible shelter.

What do we do when we're caught in the rain?

We take pictures!

After about an hour in a tunnel, we decided to tuck the cameras under our shirts and RUN FOR IT!

We looked like a couple of drowned rats when we finally reached the hotel.

Abbazia di San Fruttuoso

This is the Abbey of San Fruttuso. The first document that makes mention of this spot dates back to 984 AD. It has been rebuilt after suffering numerous invasions by pirates.

Like many of the other villages along the waterfront, it is accessible only by boat or on foot via a steep path. We chose boat.

Notice the tall tower erected in 1562 as a fortification against the attacks of Barbary pirates.

This shot's for you, Audrey and Emily!

A couple of small restaurants nourish stranded travelers.

This is how food is delivered from the cooks in the kitchen to the customers below!

Visitors sunbathe on its rocky beach

And swim in the crystal clear blue waters.

Look who Snuck into my Suitcase!

For a little background on this guy click here!

Camogli, Italy

The small fishing village of Camogli (pronounced kuh-moh'-lee) has a double meaning in Italian. The first translation, "houses close together," is evident when you experience the town's narrow streets, which are lined with tall pastel-colored homes.

The second meaning, "houses of wives," is not so obvious; it refers to the fishermen's wives, who spend their time at home while their husbands are out at sea.

Speaking of lone wives; Randy busied himself teaching seminar attendees, so I ventured along the harbor by myself armed only with a camera. Here's what I found:

Our hotel, Cenobio Dei Dogi, sits on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.

It's beach is covered in large flat "skipping" rocks.

People sunbathe on them despite the fact.

Little boys

and big boys play in "skins."

"Tweens" gather to chat

and play soccer in the street.

Bricks are just painted facades.

They have THE most ornate cathedral I have seen to this point in my life.

Their own castle too!

You Know You're No Longer in America When...

• The airline serves dinner and breakfast AND it's COMPLIMENTARY!
• Flip Flops are non-existent, and glitzy sneakers are everywhere.
• Scarves are a fashion statement even in the heat of mid-day.
• The dollar is worth.... less than a dollar.
• Toilets are missing their seats. In fact, they are missing their toilets!
• Passers-by sound like aliens
• There is no such thing as ICE-cold.
• Elevators are two people wide and one suitcase deep.
• It is impossible to move in the shower - so DO NOT drop the soap!
• Sign-language of sorts is much more effective than verbal communication.
• My watch says it's noon, but my body and brain know it's only 4:00 in the morning.
• The shrimp on your plate stare back at you.

Welcome to Italy, weary travelers!

My Cousin, Jane.

This is my cousin Jane (on the far right) and her nine children. You probably count ten, but that is because her oldest is married and so another has joined the picture. I wish you could meet Jane -- she is the sweetest, most positive, resilient individual I know. 

Jane has been on my mind so much lately -- she became a single mother shortly after the birth of her youngest -- twins. Last year she found out she had breast cancer, had a radical mastectomy and has been undergoing chemo treatments. Just last week her house caught on fire due to a faulty dryer wire. The basement and part of the upstairs will have to be gutted and rebuilt. They lost most of their belongings to smoke damage. 

Her sister Ann wrote a note to me after my inquiry as to their well-being, "Jane and her children just keep going, even with a smile on their face, they are amazing souls, who are always teaching me through their example, how to be a better person."

Yes, they are amazing... But how much can one family take?

My heart goes out to you, Jane, but I want to do more. What do you need most right now? How can I best help you?

Peaches O'Plenty

It's the end of August and the first day of fifth grade. The sun shines a comfortable afternoon warmth as I ride my bike home from Washington Elementary.  "Mom? I'm home!" I call as I open the screen door. I find her in the kitchen surrounded by jars of canned peaches. With a sweet greeting, she hands me a beautiful fresh one and gives me a kiss. 

Peaches. Just the sight of one takes me back. A peach holds the sight, sound, and smell of the end of summer. Guess what I've been doing this week? Eating peaches, canning peaches, drying peaches -- right off the tree in our back yard. Hundreds of them! 

Here is my favorite fresh peach recipe (from my mother):

Fresh Peach Pie

Mash 3 large peaches and add 3/4 cup sugar, 3 Tablespoons corn starch, and 1/2 cup water. Cook 5 minutes until mixture thickens. Add 1/4 tsp. almond flavoring and 2 tablespoons butter. Let cool. Slice fresh peaches into a cooked pie shell. Pour thickened sauce over and chill until set. Top with whipped cream.

And I just HAVE to include this one! It's the ONLY recipe Randy uses when it's his turn to make a treat for Family Home Evening! This one uses home bottled peaches.

Randy's Peach Cobbler:

Melt 1/2 cube butter in a baking pan.

Mix:

1 cup bisquick baking mix

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

Dribble mixture over melted butter. Arrange sliced canned peaches over mixture. Pour a little fruit juice over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.

STUCK on I-80

When a vacation comes to a close, I'm SO anxious to be home. Aren't we all? I wish I could wiggle my nose and be there. Just past Wendover, we found THIS -- Traffic had come to a complete stop and people were roaming the freeway. NOT a good sign.

Curious, Emily and I walked the half mile up the road to see THIS --

The pilot and two passengers had experienced mechanical difficulties shortly after leaving Wendover and made an emergency landing on the freeway. In the process, their wing clipped a semi. It was evident that this was going to be a long wait...

So the girls played in the dirt... 

and had a picnic on the pavement. How many times can you have a picnic on the freeway? Audrey even offered food to the two good-looking blond guys behind us who were obviously on their way to BYU. 

 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. We had all had too much to drink. Randy found a bush (they have it so easy), Emily who was turning yellow at this point found a nearby RV, and Audrey and I just toughed it out. After over an hour, traffic started moving again and we were on our way (stopping at the next rest stop, of course!)