Awwwwwww

It woke them up, but I just couldn't resist...

Mosquito's be gone!

So, here's a picture of Dad framing in our carport. Now there are just a couple of more pieces and then we'll begin putting up screen. Hopefully this helps Curt with the skeeter bites. Since I'm a cold-blooded, reptilian-type, they usually just fly past me to get to him. It's lovely that Dad is so fond of Mr. and to take on this project!

Bouncy girl

Okay, I didn't even know that they still made Kangaroos. I loved them as a kid, but hadn't seen them in a while. Besides I associate them with having big feet at aged 10.
Yesterday, Curt took me to get new sneaks since the old ones were falling apart at the seams (rather like my mind, 'eh). Anyhow, after trying on more than I can count with both hands, we came across these purple and silver gems. They were the most comfortable by leagues. Think I can get away with these colours? Most definitely. Besides, how many shoes come with zippered pockets on the sides? I can tell you are all just writhing with envy!

Lucca and Prato

Uncle took us to see a wonderful exhibit in town at the Palazzo Ducale on Pompeo Batoni. It was such a treat to go around with Mum and he. They both enjoy it so much, that I think even if one didn't like the pictures, one would have a good time. Even better, many of the pictures were fabulous. My particular favourite was 'Sacra Famiglia'
The next day, Mum stayed in. Uncle took me on the train to Prato. We went to the Duomo - S. Stefano Cathedral and saw the frescos by Filippo Lippi. There is a wonderful scene of a woman in a diaphanous gown dancing and presenting the head of St John. It turns out that the model was a novice or a nun - Lucrezia Buti - who had a son with Lippi (the great painter in his own right Filippino Lippi). There is also a lovely lunette by Andrea della Robbia. We went on to a couple of the museums and saw the original Pulpit reliefs by Donatello (the ones on the church are replicas) and a lovely strip by Bernardo Daddi of 'Seven Scenes from the Legend of the Holy Girdle' - It must sound better in Italian, yes?

Hearth and home

I am settled back at home again. Although, not much is different. It was raining in Italy and we would huddle around the fireplaces reading and chatting. Today is more of the same in North Carolina...
He,hehe, it's such fun to build fires!

Vistas and the rainy view

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of the surrounding ranges and one view of the rose garden at Casa Di San Lorenzo from inside on a rainy day...

My guide

I followed Riccio on a walk around the property. Here he is showing off the terraced olive groves and hamming it up for the camera...

Good job Enzo!

What a lot of work it must be to train one's hedges this way - ours are lucky if they get the leaves blown out of them in the fall.
Isn't the blooming mimosa beautiful!?

Ciao San Lorenzo

So, it rained most of the time we were visiting, but here are some pictures from the short sunny spell of Uncle John & Aunt Ciarella's main abode. Pretty, pretty 'ey?