Easter in Sicily

Easter Sunday was beautiful and we had the family over for lunch.... 19 of them...way too much food but somehow it all got eaten. Sicilian's love to eat and after cooking for hours its great to see it enjoyed.

They came at 11am and left at 11pm very long but lovely day. They came back the next day a little later and stayed till late again......Next big festa is The Madonna and of course I will keep you posted.

Why my kindle saves my sanity time and time again. Every where you go here it's a wait, a line, a queue. Its just the way it is. Years ago it drove me crazy but then I got smart and always had a book or knitting in my bag. Now in 2011 its my kindle. I just whip it out and who cares where I am or how slow they are. Thanks again to my pal Janet. I swear I have been in every office in Enna many for way too long as they sorted out our applications for citzenship and like every goverment office worldwide its seems too many people doing too little.

Next goal is our driver's license. Eye test, medical, post office for stamps don't even ask about this, bank for money for fees and we still do not have our license. I will post a photo if we ever get one.

Its windy this Easter Monday very windy...all night long...the seasons here are really interesting.....California weather is dull in comparison.

Moving forward a week or more.....time really does go fast here. The royal wedding Obama dead......the world is never dull............a lot like my life in Sicily.

This week our workers started again.......we are paving the front and back of the house. First up..the bulldozer with its many attachments....reminds me of my kitchen aid mixer...different tools for different jobs. So wish my grandson Oliver was here...what boy would not love watching this machine break thru concrete and dirt.

We have been blessed with the best workers here in Sicily. They fast become part of the family...maybe because I insist in feeding them.

Carmelo and his son Fabio are too adorable and love everything I put in front of them. Carmello is a world class chess player and we made a deal when the work is done he will teach me the game. I made a promise to feed them food from many countries. Today was Italian...tomorrow is American /hamburgers then we have Mexican, Chinese and Scottish food to follow. I might have to repeat some countries..my experience is limited.

I have also promised to find a wife for Carmelo who is a widower....one from Scotland may I add.........Liz if you ever break up with John I have the next one!

Last but not least....our new baby.....baby grand that is...........we fell in love with it and as neither Gino or I play its quite an absurd purchase.....but God does it look good in my living room.

Anyone that can play piano gets to stay at Villa Isabella for FREE!

My week in Sicily

The weather has been magnificent.....truly stunning and it makes me very lazy. I have read three books this week alone. I never thought I could go from real books to a Kindle but I did. Thanks so much to my pal Janet who gifted me my Kindle several months ago with a selection of great books which I am working my way thru.

Life in Sicily is a different pace. Of course it helps that we are tucked away in the countryside where its peaceful so the pace of our daily life is pretty slow and some might say dull............but we love it. If we want excitement we leave the compound and the pace is very different.

Like today...headed to the Saturday morning market with Gino and his Mama.....we get pulled over at a police road block.....30 mins later and a fine 160 Euro... and we are on our way to the market 160 Euro poorer.....Gino's smog was not up to date and he did not know it......several police cars many policemen with several different uniforms....why I have no idea...and one huge machine gun? Exciting enough..right?

Then a few days ago Angelo B, our brother-in-law called and asked if we would like to come out for a free dinner.....sure.....one catch.....its a sales pitch from a company selling stuff....just like that time share crap you sit thru in Mexico or Hawaii.....yep we are coming its free and I don't have to cook for once. What an assortment of stuff...short list....all kinds of creams and toners...a 300 Euro food steamer....blankets sheets pillows fold up bags with wheels quite a weird mix of stuff don't you think? The food was good and we spent 20 euro on face cream just to give something back. Very entertaining and exciting night all in all. The salesman was like someone from a carnival booth.

More excitement after days of shopping... comparing ....measuring.... we finally bought our fridge and dishwasher.....very exciting for me. The salesman said I was buying a grande American fridge....I love it. To fill it will take about 1000 euro....its that big compared to the one we were using. Did the first dish load in the new washer and happy with that too.

Saturday night here and we are going out to dinner so let's see what excitement might happen tonight.

Tomorrow is racing at Pergusa race track vintage cars which we have been hearing all day wizz around the track practicing. So we will spend a little time there tomorrow and then come home and cook for the family 12 or so coming for lunch. Catch for them is we are rearranging our furniture and need their help.....I will feed them well first though

Ok so now its Monday morning...stunning day again. My cherry trees are blossoming and it looks like we will have an abundance of fruit this year. I just washed out the dog run...let the big dogs out for a spell and sadly had to tie up my beagle Winston as he is Houdini who gets off the property too easily and I fear for his safety. I am going to make him my walking buddy around the lake to make up for it.

Gino is planting flowers for my window boxes. Its been very hot here and we are using a lot of water for the trees. We are worried it will be a long hot summer and water might be a problem.

Gino's family here are simply the best. Even Mama 85 yrs young gets stuck right in to any project we might be working on. Yesterday it was rearranging the entire downstairs. It was long overdue and we flipped the furniture from one end to the other.....not perfect buy much better.

Saturday night dinner and dancing was fun.....but once again the pace/timing here takes a bit of getting used to. Dinner was at nine.....it actually was served closer to 11.....it was a group of dance clubs that get together at a local hotel.....let me tell you these people know how to dance.

We left at midnight but according to Antonia my sister-in-law they stayed on till 2.30 am. Gino and I are planing on joining this club and taking dance lessons but we had better get into the staying up late scenario first.

Ok I think this blog might be plenty long.....till the next time