Off To Italy - Maybe

Snowing steadily since early morning - we're supposed to leave at noon for our flight to Venice, where Mikki will meet us. Am hoping all goes well as I particularly want to be there tomorrow for Mikki's birthday.


We're spending Christmas with Mikki, Chris & Kevin are coming to Summaga on the 27th, Nancy will arrive in Summaga the 28th - then we return to Zurich the 29th. Mikki & Morgan will return to Zurich with Chris & Kevin. Busy, busy, busy.


Ciao


A walk down a slippery slope to the train station, with a little help from Gwen & Chris - we made our way to Zurich Bahnhaf; changed train again to Zurich flughafen where we found out our SwissAir flight was cancelled. SA offered to put us on a train - 9 hours later we might be in Venice. I saw "might" because Public Transportation workers were expected to go on strike. We decided to wait another day and give SwissAir another try tomorrow morning. Fortunately, SA agreed to go ahead and take our luggage - we couldn't imagine how we'd get that 80+ lbs of luggage back up the "hill" to Antje & Chris's.


We then hop on another train, return to Zurich Bahnhaf, walk a block to our favorite wine bar, hop onto the 7 tram,

meet Chris at the end station for a house key, hop on another bus, get off at the Adliswil train station and begin our climb up the "hill" - which I'm sure increased in height dramatically since this morning.

So...who's to complain - we're back among our favorite people, talking and laughing - listening to the kids talk about their day, playing with the dog ... seriously, who's complaining. We couldn't be among better company.

Ciao!

Random Shots from Around the house

View from our bedroom window

Philip crosswording

Chris lounging

view from living room window. The building in the background is a school

Geranimo

View from the kitchen window

OVER THE RIVER AND TO TOWN WE GO

Philip and Chris were so enthused by the Bahnhaf Christmas Faire; there was nothing for it but to return today and judge for myself. Wonderful and necessary to take a gazillion credit cards or ATM cash cards!!! 

Wonderful snow showery day. The city was crowded but still fun to walk around and people watch. Afterwards, Antje, Ginny and I made a Starbucks stop (no skinny peppermint mochas here) while the guys headed to their new favorite wine bar...D-Vino.

Returning home, the train made an unexpected stop - the station BEFORE Ansilwil and we had an unexpected walk . . . but all was well. 

Chris & Philip on the way to the train station. The Catholic church in the background is our local landmark

Philip and Ginny on the train

Bahnhaf train station - site of a wonderful Christmas market. In the back ground, is The tree, loaded with crystals

Closer to THE tree

THE tree, up close & personal

Chris, Antje & The tree

Shopping

Antje & Ginny at Starbucks

D-Vino Wine Bar

Chris & Philip's empty glasses

The Boys

Returning from town, walking home from the train station; view of the church

Rain, Heavenly Rain

 Not much but it's a start; bringing with it cooler air. Perfect timing as we just finished planting and mulching the flower garden and Mikki put in her winter garden yesterday.

We just returned from lunch in San Daniele, home of prosciutto - I swear the meat melts in your mouth. Meals are served with a prix fixe menu and worth the hours drive - bread sticks, cheeses, mushrooms, antipastos. On the way I saw some of the Solar Farms - something of a controversy here in Italy because they take up valuable agricultural land and no one know what happens to the equipment once it's served it's usefulness. Mikki and I were laughing and remember our last evening in San Daniele; Franco and Philip formed the MTM club (Married to Morgans) with the password "SOS." When we arrived at the restaurant; there were no tables so we drove onto the centrale and walked to the castle.

Carving on church wall

Church wall

Villa de' Concina

Loved the continuing arches

Where we usually go to eat

 

Where we ate this time

Just as our food was served; it started pouring and our table was exactly under the space you see to the right. Giorgia quickly moved to the side with Kil  and Morgan and for the most part we stayed dry.

Well, I'm tired of fighting this Italian key board - almost every word has to be retyped. Enjoy the pictures.

Hot, Hot, Hot

While there's a breeze today, which knocks down the humidity; there's really no break from the heat. By 6:00, we'll loose the breeze and the mosquitoes will drive us indoors where there's not even a chance for the breeze.Still the mornings are quite lovely; Mikki and I can usually sit out on the veranda, enjoying our breakfast. Today is market day in Portuguaro and we went to find flowers for Franco but decided to wait as his - I'm try to think what to call it; similar to our grave monuments, only his is for the wall - could be placed as early as tomorrow or Monday. Mikki and the kids approved the design earlier in the week.

Yesterday morning, Mikki, Kilian and I took Jackie and went to the nearby river. It's a wonderful place for Jackie to run and swim and we filled Kil's backpack with rocks for the new flower garden.

Kil and Jackie heading for the water

Kilian

Mikki and Kilian

 

 

 

Last night we watched the movie "Smoke Signals" - not at all a good choice; about a a young man wondering why his dead father left him. I thought I was getting "PowWow Highway" and was practically ready to crawl under the chair. Yes Philip, you warned me "Christmas in the Clouds" would be a much better choice.

Well this little corner where the PC is getting hot. Ciao!

Off to School

Today was the 1st day of school for Giorgia and Morgan. Giorgia attends school in Portuguaro while Morgan's school in in Summago. Morgan's attending a new school this year - sort of Junior High; no more of the hated uniforms. She was agonizing that her mother insisted on going with her the 1st day - just sure Mikki would be the only mother there. According to Mikki - not so, most mothers will be there.


Ok, let's see . . . back to Saturday. We went to a faire in a near by village. It was held by the church and there were large tents set up for the people ordering food. The village is known for it's donkey meat. I was not tempted, I didn't consider giving it a taste. Instead I ate cold cuts of non-donkey meat and cheese. There were readings and comic skits but both Mikki and I were tired and headed home.


Philip, here is your spritz picture:

























That's all for now. Kilian arrives home tonight - he's been at the university the past week taking tests. If I understand correctly -  both Gwen and Kilian have several months break at the end of each semester and then they return to take their finals. I believe Gwen's tests begin next week. Ciao!

What a Week It's Been

When I can catch my breath - so many thoughts. Let's see . . .  just this day alone Mikki is flying around cleaning house; needs to look perfect for the ABB people on Tuesday - nothing quite like that for my arrival! However, I had clean sheets, clean towels and a beer waiting; along with a warm welcome and good company - think I got the better bargain. I started planting in the garden:

Mostly I moved a few existing plants around and put pots in places where I think larger plants should go. Giorgia started cleaning her room. Giorgia does not merely clean her room; she rearranges it, turns it upside down, to the accompaniment of many groans, deep sighs and occasional calls "Mama!!!!" Morgan is on an alpine hike in the highest part of the Dolomites - the range between Italy/Austria/Switzerland. I saw a CD of last years hikes - we're talking hiking and climbing with ropes! It's not for the faint of heart. Then the washing machine begin dancing around the wash room and throwing out a few sparks - while Mikki and I stood wary watching; wondering whether to shut it down or hope it could get thru the final 9 mins of wash. We decided it was loaded unevenly-so far, our wish is granted; washed another load.


Then there were conversations with Ernie; who's home from the hospital and Chris who dealing with lots of "stuff" - Giorgia & a friend arriving for a few days, Ernie's upcoming gall bladder surgery, moving his father into the old age home (a suite, with a balcony, overlooking the lake is available) and then getting Ernie's home sold. Luckily, Nancy and Mikki will be helping him. We've all been there; trying to keep the balls in the air - so you understand how Chris is feeling ... oh, and he has a family and job ... that too.


Ok, we haven't got to noon yet - and oh, about the little screech owl who seemed perched on my bedroom window last night; wasn't too happy about that one.


Then about 13:30, the men came to cut the Soya - there's a mad scramble to shut all the shutter and windows in both houses as the dust is horrific.

The soya is in the background; the harvester cuts it almost to the ground

Mikki, Adriano & Bruno

Bruno

No sooner is the harvest finished than it's taken to market; Mikki and Adriano follow in their car - price was good; Mikki at least broke even. 

In the meantime, the family Bravin begins arriving for the afternoon visit with the parents - there's lots of "Ciao's", laughter, talking, arguing - I love listening but I do have to get rid of this Idiot's Smile plastered on my face . . . just wait until Christmas.

Let's see, what else - Oh, Linda's birthday; what fun! Giorgia baked a torte (apple) and Mikki made Grandmother's brownies. We picked up fresh fish in the market earlier in the day and they were served with polenta.

Fish being added to deep fryer

'

Calamari fried, small fish waiting

Polenta

After dinner we toasted with processco (am I happy or what!) and sang Happy Birthday

She REALLLLLY was having a good time!!!!

See I told you they were having fun!

Cara Linda

Friday Giorgia, Mikki and I went to the designer outlet center - I know women who would travel 100's of miles to see this place. You name a world reknown Italian designer and they are at this mall - about 30 mins from Mikki's.

Giorgia & Mikki at THE mall

THE MALL

Saturday, the weather continued warm and muggy. In the evening we attended a mass for Franco. The church is lovely, small with towering ceiling and lovely frescos.  Afterwards we went to a nearby town for a festival - whoops, supper time. More later.