Aaaand, We're back!

We're back from our 3-week vacation in sunny San Diego (80°f), Arizona desert, mountains & Grand Canyon and the wonderful coastline of So-Cal!

Time, is never enough when you are visiting family & dear friends from far away, but I was sure grateful to have been able to spend the X-mas holidays with them.

Baby Preston Blake Jones is just so precious. Just wished I could have seen him a little more...

I got to spend time with my forever friend Cecily. I love it that we can not see each other for 2 years, but pickup like time has never passed!

We had a wonderful time up at Nancy's sister's AMAZING cabin in the Arizona mountains!

And we got a lot of surf & sun in!

I just that my Hubby surfs!

@ Swami's

@ Wind & Sea La Jolla

More to come .........

December Re-Cap

We spent Christmas Eve with Enrico's family at his Mother's house and this year I didn't get many pictures; for some reason Xmas came and went very quietly this year.....

Fortunately, these chipmunks were with us to make Christmas Eve a little more magical!

(Chiara, Carlotta, Gabe & Camilla)

Enrico got me this beautiful painting of the city of Cagliari. It's symbolic because when I was little and would come and spend the summers in Italy, I had one of those colorful cabanas you can see on the beach (called "casotti" p. cas-oh-tee) , a true symbol of the city until they were taken down in 1986. It was very sad for me to come back the summer of '87 and not find them there anymore... lots of good memories running around the beach with my friends, hiding and playing amongst the cabanas.

For New Year's my friend Stefy & I organized a a buffet dinner party at a local cafè called Dulcis

Stefy & I

Enrico & Friends

Friends

I also lost my Mother's 50th B-day party pictures..... I dunno where I put them in my computer... I am so mad at myself.

Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!

Better late than never!

Got started a little late this year on X-mas decorations.... but I think I made up for it!

The finished product

This year my tree top is a butterfly to symbolize freedom, the greatest gift of all.

My growing Christmas Village tradition. This year I added the nutcracker & the sugar plum fairy under the tree.

Fireplace set-up

Cousins & Nieces, aren't they cute??

Can't Wait!

In Italy it's tradition to start decorating on the 8th of December.... I might not be able to wait!

Merry Christmas to All!

It IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ahhh the smell of a real Norway Spruce

(it's small I know, but that's what you get here for a whopping 14€ or $20)

and I need that Christmas smell!

My 2009 ornaments:

Rudolph

and skating Santa!

My chocolate factory brought over to me in

July from my sweet family in San Diego

last year's piece

Living room !

Detail on the runner

Dining area
Our front door...

blonde-designs easy Christmas crafts!

So I can't remember how I got to this blog, or who's blog links to it buuuut, I liked it immediately and have been following ever since! Look at what they posted for Xmas gift ideas with pint-outs, instructions and all!!!

Hope you enjoy!

http://blonde-designs.squarespace.com/blonde-designs-blog/2009/11/5/holiday-gift-crafts.html

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! ???

Yes! and 40% off on these beautiful decorations and ornaments!! I can't wait to start getting the house ready for Christmas!!! Hurrayyy!