tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31642372749773336602012-02-16T10:39:08.869+01:00Me, 2 kids and sometimes a husband (!) living in Firenze, Italy. What we love here and what we don't! Must sees, must haves and more besides. Hopefully you will see our love and enthusiasm for this beautiful city.Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-32065116095311681792010-12-07T15:10:00.002+01:002010-12-07T15:18:53.206+01:00

Good grief! I can't believe it has been 7 months since I last posted!! Thing is once summer hits it's way too hot to do too much and typing becomes an effort!! Not much has gone on either tbh...Antonia started Prima which is going okay. The homework is heavy at the weekends and neatness in writing and colouring is expected from the start, which I find incredible! That said her reading and writing

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-2782704972421201322010-05-27T20:41:00.004+02:002010-05-27T20:57:04.140+02:00

I finally think summer may just about, probably, be here. It's been terrible so far this year! So much rain, even friends who like the rain have been complaining! My two poor tomato plants are turning yellow with it all! Finally brightened up the end of last week, just in time for the bbq my friend Kim had arranged for a group she runs for English speaking mums. It was a gorgeous day and there

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-12649324458446652792010-04-23T11:21:00.004+02:002010-04-23T11:44:41.210+02:00

All has been quiet here at Casa Long, hence nothing to write for a while!!We went to Spain for 10 days before Easter which was a pleasant change. The weather was only okay until the last 4 days or so but it was good to get away!! Loads of British shopping in Iceland - you have to be a Brit to even get that one I think - a good haul of Crunchies came back and so far I have managed to keep them all

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-38739676886754645422010-03-11T14:08:00.002+01:002010-03-11T14:17:41.665+01:00

It started coming down pretty heavy, but didn't stick this time. As it is it is very wet and miserable! When the wind blows it is soooo cold too! If you go back to March '07 you will see photo's of my kids in the garden in shorts and t-shirts! Antonia went to school in her ski jacket, ski hat, scarf and gloves today!! This weather is so strange! It really should be warming up by now! Normally we

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-15452781704475200232010-03-07T17:49:00.002+01:002010-03-07T18:03:34.916+01:00

Today is the busiest we've been in a long time on a Sunday. We, that is Antonia and I, were up reasonably early as she was invited to a party for one of her classmates at the Palazzo Vecchio here in Florence. This is the town hall but unlike other town halls it really tries to involve the children in its community. So they allow you to host birthday parties there which include activities

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-67932531486736148642010-03-06T11:52:00.003+01:002010-03-06T12:05:58.424+01:00

I haven't posted for a while again, the main reason is I get my knickers in a twist over putting in photos. They liven a blog post and I feel like they make it a more interesting read, but I'm having major problems with getting my photos onto my laptops - yes, I have two, both "cast-offs" of my DH....This one I'm on now has a huge hard drive (for me anyway!) but he dropped it or something so none

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-22084777862053505402010-01-20T21:14:00.003+01:002010-01-20T21:29:13.774+01:00

Ooops! Has it really been over 3 months since I last blogged! I would get a diary for Christmas every year as a child, right up to my teens. Most of them ended up as drawing books or shopping lists! I'm terrible at putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard, unless it's a forum or Fb that is. I know why, it's because I love gabbing and gossiping! This is great, but a bit one sided without the

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-72159925281447119752009-11-05T18:14:00.013+01:002009-11-05T20:47:09.258+01:00

For all my screaming fans! Lol! I haven't put descriptions on it would take the post to 3 foot or something, so you'll have to guess where they are! Really stumped, just ask!! :))

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-14032938683650493722009-11-02T20:43:00.003+01:002009-11-02T21:28:24.267+01:00

Finally, after many months of umming and ahhing we got there! And I'm so glad we did! Naples is a trip I will dine out on for many months! Almost certainly means a return trip is on the cards. All the family enjoyed it, which is a coup in itself!It started on the Friday pretty badly, the train journey was fine but the weather slowly deteriorated as we left Rome. However, our first view of

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-31167023204005944972009-10-12T15:29:00.002+02:002009-10-12T15:41:12.727+02:00

I have no clue where this is!! Not Florence for sure. Lucca??? Think so!At Genova Aquarium. Isn't he cute?!If you can just see the date, this is what Ferragosta looks like in Florence!!Seeing dad off on the Freccia Rossa - the fast train between Naples and Milan.Not the best, but we had just been playing tennis!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-24587645252951701472009-10-12T15:18:00.002+02:002009-10-12T15:28:12.616+02:00

Not very punchy as a title I know! I just reviewed my previous post and realised that I'd said I was going to post photo's - then didn't! The wonders of technology have prevented this until now. My camera card wouldn't allow me to download all my photo's to Picasa or to the laptop until yesterday! In the end I had to delete 180 photo's off the card one by one before the rest could be put on my

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-64372524220608774712009-10-12T15:18:00.000+02:002009-10-12T15:19:30.132+02:00

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-69955127558954965882009-09-17T13:06:00.002+02:002009-09-17T13:15:54.578+02:00

It only feels like I was posting a couple of weeks ago that we were all together again for the summer! School started for Alex on the 6th September and for Antonia on the 14th. As if to order the rain started on the first day of school here in Italy and it hasn't stopped since! Surprisingly the temperatures are still in the high 20's but it does make it difficult to know what to wear! I wear

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-84420106903228451362009-07-20T18:07:00.002+02:002009-07-20T18:21:48.409+02:00

Not been on for a while - well, nearly 2 months to be exact! No particular reason other than laziness! My mum always made me write to my relatives who lived far away - I hated doing it! I could never think of anything to say! Now it isn't that things haven't been happening here - we were back over in Spain at the end of May, my Mother-in-Law, who featured briefly in my blog last year, died at the

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-53421619958231918552009-05-31T22:27:00.001+02:002009-05-31T22:27:57.191+02:00

Just in case you have no idea what I am talking about below!!! Btw watch the link below too! They are connected!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-82177683539266868682009-05-31T22:24:00.001+02:002009-05-31T22:24:36.959+02:00

If, like me, you have been following the antics of Stavros Flatley on BGT you will know just how screamingly funny they are! However, it took watching this to fully appreciate their true genius! I am not, and never have been, a Michael Flatley fan, so the brilliance of their mickey take escaped me, until now!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-38397355970126521272009-05-29T22:49:00.001+02:002009-05-29T22:49:55.301+02:00

Roflmao!!! Stick with it - it's worth it!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-39388942863304020532009-05-01T18:01:00.004+02:002009-05-01T18:13:24.644+02:00

The start of the summer season is well and truly here. In Florence this doesn't take the form of Polo, Cricket and Ascot like it does for the well-heeled in the UK. This is a much more equal approach and takes the form of the annual music festival and it's offerings around the city, events open to all at the Fortezza de Basso exhibition centre and special holiday markets at the Cascine.Yesterday

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-29230399582478199572009-04-30T18:28:00.001+02:002009-04-30T18:28:25.772+02:00

These guys are just amazing in my book! A tape of this tune and a few others was on constantly while I was in labour with my son 14 years ago! I've seen them live once before and on May 15th I'm introducing Antonia to them at Florence's Teatro Verdi! I can't wait!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-5915916153061007872009-04-22T15:29:00.001+02:002009-04-22T15:29:53.156+02:00

Okay so I got my son an electric guitar for his 14th birthday - better than a motor scooter I think! This isn't him, but the day it is I'll be happy! Lol!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-80113269071146540402009-04-21T13:31:00.002+02:002009-04-21T13:42:41.922+02:00

Well it does in our family anyway!! I don't, but everyone else does. I'm still the one that organises it, so, with this in mind, this year we went to Pila/Aosta. Pila is the resort and Aosta is the city where the cable car starts. You can stay up at Pila which is very much a traditional resort, so not much to do except drink and eat in the evenings, which is fine if you don't have a family and

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-67783416285103196882009-03-03T16:13:00.001+01:002009-03-03T16:13:20.453+01:00

While looking for Alphabet songs for Antonia I came across this! I love Animaniacs and you can tell a lot about a person from their sense of humour! Not sure what this says about me......

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-76692397892272762842009-03-02T21:59:00.002+01:002009-03-02T22:04:54.873+01:00

This is Antonia and her BFF in Piazza Ognissanti just before the annual Carnevale Parade set off. We arrived not knowing that her friend and two other families from school were going to be there so it was a really nice surprise! The children in the second photo are all from her school. Fun was had by all and as it was a mild day, no coats were needed. So for all of you no longer in Italy, enjoy a

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-69705931942146500742009-02-20T12:27:00.002+01:002009-02-20T12:49:46.454+01:00

It was my birthday on Tuesday. This is the year I officially start counting backwards, so that must mean I am staying the same age, I think! Still too old, especially when you have a 4 year old that thinks you can, and should do, all the things a much, much younger mum should do, like run without getting out of breath, think that Winx are amazing fashion icons, that kind of thing!Having said that

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-31716447023597578192009-02-12T13:24:00.005+01:002009-02-12T13:34:30.101+01:00

So tell me, are you one of the few NOT affected by this?! I would love to know you, really!Aside from the all the economic doom and gloom where jobs or lack of are concerned, for those of us not from the Eurozone there are also the effects of the currency fluctuations.When I arrived here just over 2 1/2 years ago the pound was REALLY strong. At one point it was nearly €1.50 to the £1.00! That

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-40289548163461031922009-02-08T22:09:00.003+01:002009-02-08T22:20:29.561+01:00

This February feels like a re-run of last Feb weather wise, with 3 or 4 days exception. Last Tuesday and Wednesday I was sat out in the garden eating my breakfast and reading a newspaper. Not for the rest of the week though! I had been told that it rains alot in Tuscany in the winter, but I didn't believe it could be any wetter than Manchester, UK, where I grew up. I was wrong!! It ISN'T wetter

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-56372970855856586562009-02-05T11:20:00.001+01:002009-02-05T11:20:50.776+01:00

Okay, this is so funny! First a drumming gorilla now this, what next!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-27815464779293895082009-01-04T18:52:00.003+01:002009-01-04T19:51:17.608+01:00

On the 23rd December a good friend arranged for Father Christmas to pay an early visit to her house. As you can imagine this was very popular with the children that went! Even my 13 year old got a little present, which I think went down well!!My friend's husband does all the cooking in their house. His speciality is soup. On this occassion we were treated to a thick Ribollita. It was very good.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-19683688783283614142008-12-07T11:35:00.003+01:002008-12-07T11:50:37.194+01:00

Last time I posted we had been to the zoo in Pistoia in light weight jackets and cardigans! This is only a month ago but today would seem ridiculous! There was a zoo trip arranged with a local church group about 2 weeks after our trip, it was cancelled due to the snow and freezing temps up in Pistoia! My heating is well and truly on all the time now.The worst part is getting up and going to

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-58866446188101936632008-11-08T19:19:00.004+01:002008-11-08T19:46:52.911+01:00

We finally made it to the zoo! Ever since my darling OH and son went ski-ing via Pistoia and told me there was a zoo there, I have wanted to visit it. However, the two chaps were not over enthusiastic, it being a zoo and all. My son came on board when he heard there was a polar bear, Antonia just wanted to go anyway, but I didn't really want to do it with just the two of us as it was quite a big

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-71003687239835755912008-11-08T18:55:00.000+01:002008-11-08T18:55:56.998+01:00

 I know this is the one you have all been waiting for ;)! Giving it a post all to itself. Whaddya think?!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-15808357771566364222008-10-23T19:45:00.001+02:002008-10-23T19:45:19.519+02:00

This is hysterical! For ladies anyway!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-34384539793207114232008-10-21T19:42:00.005+02:002008-10-21T19:50:49.051+02:00

I'm going to be honest - my new fad is Facebook, and it takes me away from doing my blog! To such an extent I've forgotten to upload piccies of my son on his first day of school - they are a bit out of date now - well 6 weeks old, but so what! Isn't he smart, and handsome of course! Ignore me, I've put that one on to show how tall he is now. Can you tell I'm proud? How upset would he be by all

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-58751748529179245142008-10-19T16:08:00.004+02:002008-10-19T16:17:46.871+02:00

I'm stalling - I have a fairy frock to make before the St.James' Halloween party next week. Just in case you are wondering - it's for Antonia!It should be easy, but I've been getting bad headaches this last week and I'm really not in the mood! I think the headaches are because my shoulders and neck feel really stiff - don't know why, could be I've been carrying heavier bags than usual. I've

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-10422845892191828832008-09-25T16:45:00.002+02:002008-09-25T16:57:20.814+02:00

I've stopped posting because I've stopped taking photo's, but I've noticed from a few other blogs recently that you don't always need them!Alex is enjoying his new school - he's back for the weekend tomorrow for the first time in 3 weeks, feels like months! Antonia has settled back into school really well and asks to go everyday, which is really reassuring. She has also started ballet classes 2

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-28893781201623982572008-08-25T19:21:00.002+02:002008-08-25T19:29:36.876+02:00

I start blogging again just as school is about to start again!! This week is being spent trying to outfit my son for his new school in the UK. He doesn't have a uniform but he does have a dress code. So, he still needs a blazer, grey trousers, shirts, ties and, of all things at 13, a suit!Anyone with a boy this age will appreciate that rather than being really easy this is actually a bit of a

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-67825692797468971772008-08-21T19:39:00.001+02:002008-08-21T19:39:31.630+02:00

I like this - the fact it was shot on a phone and the music is by the video makers dad all appealed! Norway is pretty and it kind of gets it's message across...

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-56094086012184292282008-08-09T18:49:00.008+02:002008-08-09T19:22:38.900+02:00

It's unrepeatable what I said when I realised that the last time I posted was May!!!Anyway, June we went over to Winchester to look around Alex's new school, end of June I went over to the UK for a week for his final week of Prep school. Second week of July we went overland to France, to a region near the Pyrenees. So I think I can be excused for not having been on for a while! Then last week my

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-14713805477311904642008-05-28T16:11:00.003+02:002008-05-28T16:39:18.307+02:00

Hopefully that will have got your attention!I've been reading a lot lately. I do anyway, but I'm in one of my phases where I have to have a book on the go or I get depressed! Stephen and Alex have been away pretty much since the middle of April, so when there is nothing on TV and films don't interest me, I stick my nose in a book or surf the net and i-tunes.In no order of preference recent books

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-13830634921945588922008-05-16T15:43:00.004+02:002008-05-16T15:57:17.349+02:00

Three years ago we started looking at senior schools for Alexander to attend as a full boarder in the UK.One of the schools we looked at was Winchester College (That's their crest above). Alex really liked the school and set his heart on going there. This was no easy option, there were interviews, tests and, finally, last week the entrance exam set by the school for all boys who wish to enter the

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-64567868500535956142008-04-29T21:07:00.003+02:002008-04-29T21:18:09.944+02:00

Late last year I joined a forum especially for British Expats from all over the world. The site is split into sub-forums by continent and then again by country. In Europe the most popular forum is for Spain and in the rest of the world, Australia and New Zealand.It's been more like a chat room on there this week, with posts literally coming seconds after each other. For some reason everybody was

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-72126455758552279632008-04-22T20:26:00.001+02:002008-04-22T20:26:24.999+02:00

I just love these guys! Big family favourite.Great for singing in the shower or in nice echoey Italian houses!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-28522707147842573212008-04-21T14:54:00.003+02:002008-04-21T15:06:32.457+02:00

Luckily for him I've only got fairly recent photo's of him on my laptop - it will be Antonia who get the baby photo's thrown in too! Well today he is 13 and in the UK. Never thought I would miss one of his childhood birthdays, and his 13th to boot, but that's the way it is. Happy Birthday babe! Hope you have a great day!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-44977204346529833522008-04-16T18:06:00.003+02:002008-04-16T18:25:43.884+02:00

I haven't posted for a while as my husband and my son, Alexander, have both been here. Antonia celebrated her 4th birthday - I'll post photo's directly to her blog- and we finally had a week's ski-ing holiday up in Courmayeur at the foot of Monte Bianco.It's been busy for other reasons too. Alex has his exams at the beginning of May. If he passes he will be going to Winchester College in

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-78063373569788768892008-03-24T22:28:00.001+01:002008-03-24T22:28:11.346+01:00

one for Courtney.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-61868389215470970432008-03-18T12:12:00.002+01:002008-03-18T12:16:05.012+01:00

If you have popped into my blog in the last couple of days you must have thought I had gone mad! I haven't been on as I have had a really bad cold! When will I have a month without some kind of illness! Roll on Spring! Anyway today I came on to check my friends blogs and found 3 copies of a YouTube video I had already posted! I had attempted to download them on the Share service they offer but

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-25265718905526645222008-03-12T22:36:00.003+01:002008-03-12T22:36:52.413+01:00

Antonia liked Bat for Lashes, but I want her to know what a really strong woman sounds like! Sorry if you don't agree! Haven't we been here recently? Or is it Vegas again?!! So long since I saw this I had forgotten where it was shot!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-25876554729013751122008-03-10T15:06:00.003+01:002008-03-10T15:20:29.119+01:00

I was so busy this morning! I had to get my husband's passport renewal off to the Embassy in Rome with enough time before his old one runs out! This involved a quick trip to the Consul, a visit to the bank for a draft and then finally posting it off at the Post Office. This wasn't so bad except it meant crossing the Arno 3 times, one after the other to visit each place! Anyway once it was done I

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-6082561679432533252008-03-08T22:31:00.000+01:002008-03-08T22:32:36.447+01:00

Bat For Lashes - What's a Girl To Do?Just love it!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-90609305087348414082008-03-03T21:39:00.003+01:002008-03-03T21:59:55.223+01:00

A few hints at first, but I'm not going to make it too easy just yet! I'll let the photo's do the talking for once... And if you haven't got it by now....! I suppose it could just about have been Las Vegas...

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-76185988689213625172008-02-28T18:41:00.003+01:002008-02-28T18:55:12.688+01:00

I've finally found what looks like a kosher website for watching British TV live on my PC.It's called UKTVLive and does what it says on the box! I'm currently on a 7 day trial after which I have to decide whether or not to pay a subscription of approx. £25/month to watch the Beeb and its competitors. I think SkyOne is also included, its 17 channels in total for the subscription.The really bizarre

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-25712012074293754902008-02-25T20:29:00.008+01:002008-02-25T20:52:28.393+01:00

Don't get used to it! It's just that the things I wanted to blog about are all so very different, but if I don't do them today I will forget - old age and all that!Anyway, you may have noticed I don't really do food on this blog - something which is quite unusual for one based in Italy, or so I have noticed. It's not that I can't cook, more I choose not to anymore. Pre-kids we had dinner parties

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-86014289041497763362008-02-25T19:54:00.003+01:002008-02-25T20:09:29.636+01:00

Judging by today, no! Yesterday, however, was a different story.... This is view from the bank opposite the Cascine Park looking towards the centre of Florence. It must have been about 20C when I took this at 4.30-ish! On the other side of the river you can see the Lent Market in full swing. These take place every Sunday from the start of Lent up to the last Sunday before Easter. They start

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-37248286818446036032008-02-25T19:39:00.003+01:002008-02-25T19:53:56.438+01:00

I always assumed, for some reason, that Electrolux was a British company. It isn't, it was originally Swedish. However, it is now the owner/licensee for so many electrical brands that, without visiting the company website, it is not that surprising that I should make this assumption. Why the sudden interest? Well, if you are in Florence and read the papers you will know that Electrolux are in the

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-73352280060620627252008-02-19T20:20:00.004+01:002008-02-19T20:49:26.027+01:00

Having been back at school after Christmas for precisely two weeks Alex returned home for a weeks half-term holiday! The more you pay, the less they are there for sure! Anyway, he and his dad arrived home on the Friday night and Saturday morning we picked up a hire car and set off for Abetone near Pistoia for a weekend's ski-ing. For Antonia, below, it was her first lesson ever - this photo is

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-25665553115512992122008-02-07T11:24:00.000+01:002008-02-07T11:39:05.916+01:00

Everybody in my family has been sick! We didn't ski as Alex had tonsilitis followed by a sinus infection! I have had cold after cold and so has Antonia. If I say we are feeling better now it may only be for a few days!The Nativity was missed as Antonia had a temperature and my son went back to school late because of his illness. Antonia was then sick again! I so look forward to Spring.However,

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-46073942788764873592007-12-29T11:01:00.001+01:002007-12-29T11:01:22.873+01:00

This has been showing in the UK forever, but I have only just been "let in" on it by my husband and son. I think it's fun!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-41571716572281361972007-12-15T00:44:00.003+01:002007-12-15T00:44:49.038+01:00

Sometimes a piece of music gets into your brain and just won't let go. This is the piece that has taken up residence in mine recently. Just a brief snatch is played on SKY during it's trailer for Private Practice and I just had to find out what it is.At this time of year sometimes you just need to kick back and forget the stresses of Christmas, sick kids, family and friends too far away to see.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-58856982743550834862007-12-12T13:57:00.000+01:002007-12-12T14:11:40.476+01:00

Winter is definitely here! I know because not only am I lighting the fire on a regular basis and already had two log deliveries, we have all had coughs, colds, infections and god knows what!I have never been this sick for as long as I can remember. It all started back in October and just seems to go on and on! It's the main reason I haven't been blogging. The latest installment was an ear

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-74201516379167593422007-11-11T10:56:00.000+01:002007-11-11T11:23:31.692+01:00

My son and husband should have been back this weekend, but my husband has a slipped disk and isn't going anywhere too soon! This is what happens when you throw medicine balls around!!Luckily he has found a good doctor in Spain and he is, after two weeks of treatment, finally on the road to recovery. He reckons that he will be ski-ing in December!! We shall see!What it has meant is that we won't

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-77133252759661624552007-11-07T09:22:00.000+01:002007-11-07T09:24:57.489+01:00

Just in case you missed it before... I have a blog for Antonia too. It's all about her time at school here. If you have kids of your own at school here I would welcome comments - especially as we are having some problems with bullying at the moment! And it's a tricky one because of the child involved.Anyway, any input appreciated! Plus all the cute pictures are on there now ;))!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-60932348485663795912007-11-03T10:54:00.000+01:002007-11-03T11:01:32.542+01:00

I've recently discovered Facebook and gone ahead and set up a page. At first I couldn't see the point, what with having my blogs, but I have discovered that my younger relatives are all on and therefore more likely to tune in to what we are doing there than on here!My nephew went through all my posted photo's and I received 7 messages and comments from him on the first day after I had invited him

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-37952219805842074992007-10-30T12:11:00.000+01:002007-10-30T12:26:21.678+01:00

Last night me and Antonia went to see "Elizabeth - The Golden Age". It is a stunning film. If you have seen the original expect the same but with a lot more money being spent! Antonia loved the horses, dresses, princesses and Elizabeth dressed as a knight! I now have to dig my son's knight costume out of the charity bag for her! But if I could look as good as the image above I'd be wearing it

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-51563275540051936712007-10-29T15:01:00.000+01:002007-10-29T15:16:48.741+01:00

This has to be one of the strangest things I have come across! I have a wi-fi box from Alice and at the time they were bundling it with their TV decoder for a few euro's a month. Somehow I ended up with these gadgets - I still haven't worked out how! But I wanted the wi-fi so the TV too was just a bonus.Anyway it has taken me 3 months to finally connect the TV up to a tiny TV in my bedroom.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-49745579290252853502007-10-28T18:53:00.000+01:002007-10-28T19:25:48.943+01:00

Yep, we've finally done our first year here in Florence! I'd like to say it has been an exciting roller-coaster as that seems to be what most people expect when you move abroad, but I would be telling fibs! It's been a relatively painless transition and my life is pretty much what it was in the UK! The language is still tough and I wish I had taken classes much, much sooner. I have made a lot of

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-61933162042430596192007-10-02T19:15:00.000+02:002007-10-02T20:22:10.287+02:00

Since moving to Italy I have heard many bad things about its TV programmes. However, since installing SKY Italia I have had very little to complain about! Admittedly I rarely watch anything in Italian, but that is because the programmes on the English language channels are good enough that I don't want to struggle along with a game show I barely understand, or for that matter, want to understand!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-3010163971570188892007-10-01T10:06:00.000+02:002007-10-01T10:09:27.018+02:00

Antonia went to a friend's party on Saturday. As you can see she had lots of fun! As I didn't know all of the kids there I've tried to pick a photo that only shows Antonia! I'm not sure how I would feel if she turned up unannounced on someone else's blog. It's a difficult one in this day and age. Anyway, she had a ball at the party. New friends were made by both of us. It was really exhausting,

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-63381412499141317012007-09-24T17:25:00.000+02:002007-09-24T17:26:00.751+02:00

Alexander finally came home this weekend for a brief visit. It was fantastic to see him and it felt like a life time not two weeks ago since I had dropped him at school. His dad picked him up in the UK and flew into Florence with Meridiana with him. Unfortunately the flight was delayed so by the time he came home and we had caught up it was past 2.oo a.m. in the morning! To say the weekend was

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-10248860069585723702007-09-11T10:37:00.001+02:002007-10-01T09:34:39.715+02:00

I've just made a post on my new blog "Antonia's Italian School Days" http://www.antonialong.blogspot.com/ . I'm hoping it will be informative as well as a bit of fun! It's mainly so my friends and family back in the UK can see how she is getting on, but hopefully others will find it interesting too!Note the new, shiny, red shoes please! They cost more than all my shoes added together!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-81719744582867807692007-09-08T20:29:00.000+02:002007-09-08T20:35:04.136+02:00

This is where we have just returned from in the UK. It is Ashdown Forest in Sussex. Beautiful isn't it? To say I don't miss it would be a lie and while I was there I had definite pangs about leaving, not least because my son would be staying for school while my daughter and me headed back to Florence.Two days after our return I can now look at this photo with no regrets. Florence is definitely a

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-62976409069619658582007-08-26T14:14:00.000+02:002007-08-26T14:18:45.984+02:00

So we're off to sunny Spain! Cheesey I know. See you all again soon.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-60829739615494708292007-08-23T14:04:00.000+02:002007-08-23T14:37:16.755+02:00

I can't believe these photos were only taken a few weeks ago! This week it has been cloudy, grey and wet. I really believe I am back in the UK! Although there it is sunny at the moment, surprisingly.In the last few weeks we have been trying to visit places we haven't got around to in the 10 months we have been here - hence the photos taken in Siena! Sorry Cristina, next time I will call you!! We

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-71314409784608729492007-08-19T10:30:00.000+02:002007-08-19T10:46:14.863+02:00

After reading that this blog http://blog.sina.com.cn/xujlnglei has had over 100 million hits, I decided I should start being a little more regular with my entries. Okay, I can't compete with someone who is popular in China and I can't write in Chinese, but maybe if I was a little more prolific I would attract a few more readers!I'm not just doing this to get a readership, I do it mainly for fun

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-74548194885753744832007-08-18T10:51:00.000+02:002007-08-18T12:15:35.670+02:00

This is a picture of my children on the flight that brought us out to our new life in Italy last October. This is a picture of them in Spain in July.It may not be the best photo for my purpose but I think it is a good one and proof they seem to be enjoying their new life! I can't believe the changes that have taken place in less than a year. My son is now as tall as me, okay, I'm short-ish, so no

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-38899680646048359242007-08-10T18:48:00.000+02:002007-08-13T15:12:20.271+02:00

What a difference it makes! I talk to my kids, read books and generally have a life;)!Seriously, since Telecom finally came out and sorted everything out I have been rather glued to it and my favourite websites!However it does mean I can update my blog. Us arriving at Malaga Airport.Since I last posted we have had a holiday in Spain. We

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-39652763483798011502007-07-14T20:34:00.000+02:002007-07-14T20:57:09.066+02:00

I subscribe to a forum for expats called www.expattalk.com . It is part of a much bigger community run by Cristina Fassio called www.expatsinitaly.com . It has been a huge help to me in my move here and will hopefully continue to be.People from all over the world subscribe to the forum, the majority being from the US. Much of the information has a US bias but then it is far more difficult to

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-2599609136483517952007-07-13T20:18:00.000+02:002007-07-13T20:26:00.304+02:00

We had/have a tradition in our house of Pancakes on a Sunday. Having finally found out which raising agent to use - the one for pizza which doesn't have vanilla in it - we have started to make them again. Although we are not American we prefer American Pancakes to crepes!This one is adorned with just lemon and sugar, but we have been known to cover them in nutella and orange marmalade for a jaffa

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-84844003387961993522007-07-12T22:33:00.000+02:002007-07-12T22:48:23.065+02:00

Yes, Harry Potter's latest adventure opened in Florence yesterday. It is my husband's birthday today but he had to go on his travels, so we went as a family to watch the first show.Antonia spent much of the film with my pashmina over her face but by the end she was shouting and clapping with everyone else!It was a good film, in fact better than the book which I feel was the poorest of the series

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-69780449367240209872007-06-29T12:11:00.000+02:002007-06-29T12:35:53.424+02:00

I haven't posted any photo's for a while, so here's what we have been up to, in no particular order: Remember the rain? Seems as distant memory now, doesn't it! Open air concert in Piazza della Signoria for the Anniversary of the Italian Republic. San Gimignano and views around. That's my husband below, with my son and daughter.One of those mysterious midnight processions!! This is about 11.30

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-75445613006081654852007-06-15T19:36:00.000+02:002007-06-15T19:56:24.328+02:00

Having moved around the UK several times I have come to realise how important it is to make contacts and from that new friends, especially when you have no family nearby. Here it is doubly important as, not only do I have no family here, I don't, as yet, speak Italian very well.When we arrived I joined a group of English speaking mums www.firenzemoms4moms.net. Every week we meet up with our kids

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-34826027338353168982007-06-03T11:03:00.000+02:002007-06-03T11:34:29.543+02:00

Since moving out to the other side of the Arno, in San Frediano, we have gone into the centre less and less. As the temperatures increased in May it was only too easy to just loll in the garden all day! Esselunga delivers food and drink, so why not? The occasional excursion for gelato is all we needed!The end of May saw the weather change dramatically. For over a week now we have had rain, clouds

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-44332682356788348402007-06-01T11:02:00.000+02:002007-06-01T11:42:24.983+02:00

I made the mistake of walking into Ricordia Media, one of the city centres bigger music and dvd shops, during a rainstorm this week. The mistake was that a lot of good films I hadn't been to see at the cinema have now come out on dvd. I left, poorer, but with Marie Antoinette, The Departed and The Prestige. 3 very different films!My 3 year old couldn't sleep because of a thunderstorm so the three

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-8276814295525456612007-05-28T12:17:00.000+02:002007-05-28T12:31:48.358+02:00

Did I speak too soon! It's throwing it down again. It seems that May wants to finish as it started, wet!Yesterday we had one of the biggest storms I can remember in all the time I have been coming here and lived here. It must have gone on for well over an hour. There was literally no break in the thunder, it just rumbled on and on. Having had electrical stuff blown up before now we unplugged

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-23034184739480977222007-05-22T11:29:00.000+02:002007-05-22T11:49:02.738+02:00

The heat and the humidity is starting to really hit! I know from past summers here that this probably means it is going to soar into the 90F /40+C in July and August. The thing is although we have air-conditioning I really don't like it! I never have. Ours isn't connected yet - the voltage into the house has to be increased first. This is probably going to be around the end of June, but I think

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-81719661473099951202007-05-16T09:53:00.000+02:002007-05-16T10:00:24.525+02:00

If anyone needs any help with how to seed a lawn at this late time of year, here is how you do it:I'm sure these chaps would be more than happy to oblige should you need a hand!I thought it would be a rotivator that would turn up, but no...! The gardener then proceeded to put the seed on by hand. Somehow I thought the presence of the digger would also mean one of those machines that distributes

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-77718461330830943622007-05-16T09:32:00.000+02:002007-05-16T09:53:14.254+02:00

I now finally know what it is like to be on display! Not sure I like it.Sunday was the Open Garden Day in Florence. I believe it happens every year. Private gardens in Tuscany can be part of an association ADSI which helps with the conservation of these important gardens - some of which date back to the Renaissance. I'm not sure what the full extent of their involvement is, but I do know, from

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-9187650664108575912007-05-07T21:25:00.000+02:002007-05-07T22:03:40.682+02:00

Okay, anyone old enough to remember Monty Python or young enough to be discovering them have got to be wondering about this one! We HAD a tree in the garden, a dead tree. Our Landlord had to obtain permission to cut it down as every tree in this garden is listed and probably has a name, let's call this one Bob. Anyway, Bob was dead long before we arrived but the comune, as with many things, had

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-85554563668048015412007-04-30T09:55:00.000+02:002007-04-30T09:55:43.644+02:00

This very serious young man is now 12 years old! Where the last 12 years have gone I don't know! We have moved several times, which has involved him changing school and now we are here in Italy.The fantastic bike you see was not only his birthday present but compensation for not going back to the UK to school! Yes, he wanted to go as that is where all his mates are and he really wants to board -

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-6183345034344315082007-04-20T10:39:00.000+02:002007-04-20T10:41:23.212+02:00

For those who appreciated the installation art that is "Fort Chicken" the full gallery with descriptions is now available to view on the "Yeti in Italy" blog. Please visit if you can - my son is desparate for feedback :)) Thanks!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-72250350987278440082007-04-19T14:29:00.000+02:002007-04-19T14:30:01.349+02:00

Yep, we were just about to go out, when Alex noticed this walking across the lawn! Bizarrely it is the second time in my life a tortoise has just walked into it! I was about 11 last time - same as my son. Obviously some kind of weird family thing going on!We checked with the gardener and the porter here and they told us we could take him back to our place. Now they know we have him, if anyone

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-80900029418404786402007-04-18T13:56:00.000+02:002007-04-18T13:56:36.715+02:00

We had some friends over from the UK. What does everyone want to eat in Italy? Pizza and ice-cream! We did the ice-cream too, but that is even messier than this.....!It was a friend of my son's and his mum. We had a great time as Alex hasn't mixed with his own age group too much while we have been here. Also we have decided to keep him here in Italy until September. He should have gone back to

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-22708352125635006312007-04-18T13:46:00.000+02:002007-04-18T13:47:05.515+02:00

Not everyone thought it was exciting!Thought I would try a bigger picture size. What do you think?

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-54823124568197296482007-04-18T13:45:00.000+02:002007-04-18T13:45:22.708+02:00

It was loud and quite scarey - that was just the crowd! Done it once, maybe again. If you are claustrophobic avoid unless you can get a view from a balcony somewhere. This was my camera's view, not mine!!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-83330878991011643762007-04-18T13:41:00.000+02:002007-04-18T13:41:56.237+02:00

The cart before the explosions begin. Don't the oxen look pretty?

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-74720306558766149102007-04-18T13:37:00.000+02:002007-04-18T13:38:10.479+02:00

copyrightYetiPenguin aka my son.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-19861803934981520682007-04-18T13:36:00.000+02:002007-04-18T13:36:17.867+02:00

Aren't they cute!

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-49524961349125672102007-04-18T13:34:00.000+02:002007-04-18T14:05:45.729+02:00

As I haven't published for a while I'm going to put up some photos of what we have been up to recently.First up, the Pinkest Bike In The World. My daughter's third birthday.

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-41880228448626694252007-04-03T13:13:00.000+02:002007-04-03T13:34:11.823+02:00

Wow! I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. But then we have been very busy here.My niece finally arrived and brought with her the coldest weather in months! I think she has returned home believing she lives in the warmer country! It was lovely to see her. I don't know her as well as my other nieces and nephew as she is the youngest. In a way that helped as I didn't have to be

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-58253350849908297042007-03-23T17:53:00.000+01:002007-03-23T18:14:14.736+01:00

Most of the week has been spent at home for one reason or another, bad weather, migraines, landlady visits etc.The rain went but it left a very cold wind and bright blue skies in its place. So, although we have been out in the garden and to the shops for essential groceries, we have basically stayed in. Days I was planning to go out I had a migraine and then my landlady, who lives in Naples,

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164237274977333660.post-46486016046496568232007-03-20T18:55:00.000+01:002007-03-20T18:56:13.677+01:00

Well, as I suspected, the good weather wasn't here to stay, not just yet anyway. I know tomorrow is the "official" first day of spring but I thought I would celebrate it today with this wonderful photo! If nothing else it makes me think of the UK. This little girl's third birthday is next week - we brought her home from the hospital in a blizzard, so really a bit of rain is nothing is it!I have

Alysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610414891836282917noreply@blogger.com2