Mamma Americana

It's dead! No, It's alive!

I awoke Wednesday morning to a quiet kitchen. As soon as I opened the fridge I understood why. A tropical temperature greeted me as I opened the door. Our refrigerator was dead. And it had probably kicked off the evening before, judging by the state of sogginess in the freezer.

Old Bess was a white side by side Amana that I had found in the local flea market paper, La Pulce(The Flea). We paid €250 for it in 2003; she was 10 years old. It seemed a miracle at the time. An american, looking for an American fridge, and one just happens to pop up. I was thrilled.

We needed a new fridge ASAP. So Eleonora and I set off with my father-in-law to look for a new one. It took us all day and most of Florence to find one. We ended up buying a Samsung side by side. Delivery was scheduled for Friday morning.

In the meantime, our electric water heater was on its last, drippy, rusty, legs and needed to be replaced. The plumber came out on Thursday evening to replace it. While he was working, some water caused a short circuit and our power went out. The power came back on, and lo and behold! Our fridge came back to life. Just like Frankenstein, she needed a good jolt. 

At this point however, we had already ordered and paid for the new one. Plus the old one had just up and quit without any warning and was approaching 17 years. It was no longer reliable. The new one has an A+ energy rating and is super quiet. I love it!

Pics. from Samsung's web site.

Spring is in the air

Ok, so I've been neglecting my blog to work on the family cookbook. I'm having such a blast putting it together that I don't want to work on much else right now. So forgive me if I disappear once and a while. 

Last Sunday we were in Rome for the birth of my nephew. He is absolutely adorable. He has the cutest little turned up nose and slightly pointy ears. He reminds me of a baby elf (and boy do I love elves!).  Eleonora was excited to meet him. She waved and said hello while touching his tiny hand. It was so sweet. I won't post any full pics. of him, but here is part of his cuteness:

As a friend said the other day, Spring has sprung! New life is everywhere you look. Enjoy!

Eleonora enjoying the spring air at the park

A gorgeous mimosa tree in full bloom

Home Again

So we're back in Italy after a two month stay in Los Angeles. I fully intended to keep my blog updated while there, but alas, it was not to be. After Lorenzo returned to Florence on January 18th, I took up the challenge of organizing my Grandfather's house. Not an easy task, to say the least. Except for a week in Tucson, Arizona spent visiting my father, my time was spent cleaning closets, drawers, desks, and filing cabinets. 

While going through closets etc. we pulled out old slides and hunted around for old family movies (which we couldn't locate! ARRGGHH!). It was fun to look at the old family pictures together. Grandpa is supposed to have them scanned and put onto CD.

Here are some good ones:

My mother washing the family car 

My mom at the beach, circa 1953

My great, great grandmother Katherine Vine Aikens

Back to life as usual. The jet lag has been awful this time around. The baby was waking up around 1 or 2 in the morning and crying. It took her several hours to fall asleep again. She finally slept the whole night last night, but I didn't. I tossed and turned. She 's napping now, and even though I'm seeing double, I won't let myself lay down or I'll just be awake again tonight. Wish me sweet dreams!

Scary Kitty!

Atma could easily be the cat "Church" (below) in Pet Semetary

"Church" is one freaky kitty

My kitty looking regal

Atma looks scary in that photo, but he's really just about the sweetest furball I know. He lets Eleonora pet him while he purrs with delight. He's soft as a rabbit too and makes a lovely lap warmer in the winter. 

Things I'm excited about/enjoying

• Seeing my daughter enjoy pizza (for the 2nd time ever)

• The Fleet Foxes new album (self titled), especially "White Winter Hymnal". It's not winter yet, but this song makes me want to wallow in the snow.

• Tim Burton is doing Alice in Wonderland! I just found this out, but it's been talked about since last November evidently. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter (YES!!!) and Crispin Glover is the Knave of Hearts. Could it get any better?  

• Sourdough Pumpkin Spice bread with mascarpone (an Italian cream cheese) and vanilla spice honey. The ultimate comfort food. 

A walk in the park

The fall weather has been fabulous this week; cool and breezy with lots of sun. Just what fall aught to be. Eleonora and I have been enjoying walks in the nearby park each afternoon. 

The park was originally the home of the Strozzi family. Their villa is now the headquarters of Polimoda, a fashion and design school. The park is open to the public.

It's on a hill, with a winding road, so it makes for a good walk. There is also plenty of play ground equipment for the kids, including a stationary train, airplane and the usual swing sets.

View of the surrounding countryside from the top of the hill.

A stroll anyone?

Robot Love

I have a confession: I've been cheating on my bread machine with my robot. Lorenzo's parents gave us a Karcher Robo Cleaner while I was still pregnant with Eleonora. It's been fun to have around, and saves me from lots of vacuuming. We have a large cat and a small chihuahua mix, so the fur flies at our place on a regular basis. Now that the baby is crawling, I'm ever so grateful that we have our little robot friend. The Karcher Robo Cleaner is the Roomba's fancier european cousin. 

Our robot in action

 

 

Bread Machine Bliss

I'm in love with my bread machine. My Dad gave it to me for Christmas last year and I've been using it a few times a week ever since. The recipe book that came with it was uninspired. Thankfully for me Beth Hensperger's book "The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook"  has tons of great recipes. 

I made a whole wheat loaf for the first time yesterday and it came out perfect.

Here is some day old sourdough starter from a recipe in her book. I think I'll let it ferment a few more days. I like my sourdough tangy!

Our 3rd Anniversary

These last three years have flown by. I know it's cliche to say it seems like only yesterday that we were wed, but people say that for a reason: it really does! 

I'm so lucky to have Lorenzo in my life. He's a great husband and it has been fun over the last year to see him turn into such a loving papa. That kid loves her daddy. And I love him too.

Medici chapel, Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

At the altar, with the Knights Templar in the background

Signing papers in the sacristy

Santa Croce

I Hate/Love Ikea

Ikea and I have had a hate/love relationship for many years now. I keep vowing to end the affair one of these days, but then a new catalog arrives and it starts all over again. All that cheap, cute furniture that is so easy on a young family's budget. Someday we'll graduate to adult furniture (read "expensive") which is really a fancier version of MDF/particle board. Sigh...

We went to Ikea this week to buy a new kitchen cupboard and a foot rest to substitute the glass coffee table which has now been banished by baby proofing. Wouldn't you know that the cupboard doors were the wrong size. This is the part I really hate about Ikea. You can never make just one trip. It always turns into two or three. Something is always wrong, missing, or not in stock. My husband curses Ikea regularly, but I know I'll always love it. Hate it. No, love it. ;D

Our new naked cupboard.