"Homemade" Santa

A few days ago we took some pictures of our santas. I couldn't choose which ones to put on the blog, so I downloaded all of them. You choose which ones you like the best!

Giacomo:


Samuele:

Switzerland - 2008 November

Last week we went to Switzerland to the temple. We left on Monday and came back on Friday. The week before leaving was very rainy here so we got prepared: raincoats, rainboots, umbrellas. Until the St. Gotthard tunnel we had a beautiful weather, there were 17 °C no clouds at all and a clear blue sky. Even though the mountains around us were all white we were sure that we won't have snow or rain during that week. Coming out of the 17 km long tunnel the climate was completly different: 4°C, fog, cold, rain, wind. Fortunately it was raining only on Tuesday so the kids were outside all the time. Just in case we bought for them (and for me since Emanuel has one) boots for the snow - you know: you never know... Driving toward Italy we wanted to go up to the Pilatus peak (2100 m) near to Luzern - here you can find a good site about it -, but due to heavy winds the cable way was closed that day. We had to find something else! At the other side of the tunnel we stopped at the first gas staion and were told to go to the Val Bedretta. "There you will find snow"- said the lady. After 15 minutes of driving the rain has changed, the temperature has dropped and suddenly everything turned into whhite. Giacomo and Samuele were screaming of happiness. Looking out of the window Giacomo said: "It is snowing, it is snowing, Santa Claus is close now!!" Even though Santa Clause never caught up with us, we enjoyed the snow and played for a while. As soon as Samuele could put snow on his gloves he went to everyone saying: "Look, I FOUND a real snowman!!" We were totally wet, very cold, also a bit late, but looking at the children's radiant faces we were just happy and warm inside. Here are the pictures:

Before the tunnel - in the background you CAN'T see a huge mountain:






The pebbles always have a great success:






My favorite fotos:






In raincoat:










The snow:

Spiderman exercises in October

Finally, the computer is fixed!! I am trying to catch up on our happenings. First, let me show you 2 short videos. On a Saturday in October I went to Mestre for a church activity and I left my 3 men at home. My friend, Ilaria came with me and so, she left her 3 men at home, who ended up at our house to play together. On these video you can see Giacomo's talent as Spiderman and Samuele's talent of being a cute clown.





And Smauele imitating Kung-Fu Panda:

Colors - I wonder if it is true...

Well, some things are, but for sure, it is fun, try it! Click on the link below.

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are: Energized and innovative When you are moved to act, you are: Giving and warm When you are inspired, you are: Spiritual and humble When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Philosophical and expressive Your life's purpose is: To live a passionate life

The Ultimate Color Test

Batman&Co.

For some reason I am still not able to put single pictures and videos on the blog, so the slideshow is the only thing that would work to introduce you Batman, Superman ansd their two friends: Davide and Gioele Mariani. Have fun watching them!

Tagged

Five Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1- I came back from my mission on Temple Square, SLC.
2- Starting my last semester at college.
3- Teaching German and English.
4- Going for walks with our family dog.
5- Playing the piano a lot.

Five things on my to-do list today:
1- Finish ironing a mountain of clothes!!
2- Clean the blue bathroom.
3- Bring the kids to visit the Bird family
4- Prepare dinner.
5- Read - I would love to...

Five snacks that I enjoy:
1- Raspberries. Or anything with it.
2- Tapioca pudding.
3- Grapes.
4- Mezes zserbo - Hungarian cake (I need to post this).
5- Anything with caramel.

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1- Provide a secure future for my children.
2- Buy a house with swimming pool.
3- Pay off everybody's dept in the family.
4- Buy the best fotocamera for Emanuel and send him to a fotography course.
5- Partecipate in a professional cooking course.


Five places I have lived:
1- Kazincbarcika, Hungary.
2- Salt Lake City, Utah and Starkville, Mississippi - on my mission.
3- Dunaujvaros, Hungary
4- Terni, Italy
5- Vicenza, Italy

Five Jobs I have had:
1- German teacher
2- Music and English teacher
3- Translator for the LDS Church
4- Wife
5- Mother

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

I tag:

Eszter
Sabrina
Nancy
Giulia
Peggy - once she is back to the blogger's world

Another recipe: cream of celery soup in a different way

I am still not able to put pictures on the blog, I don't know why. To entertain you, here is another recipe. If you don't like gorgonzola, try with another blue or just normal cheese. Trust me, it is good either way!

Ingredients:

25 g butter
3 stick of celery
1 onion
1 small potato
500 ml milk
500 ml vegetable or chicken broth
1 bay leaf
200 g gorgonzola
salt
pepper

Preparation:

1. Chop the celery and the onion, cook it with the butter uncovered for 2-3 minutes, then covered for 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the diced potato, the milk, the broth and the bay leaf. Bring it to boil then cook it on slow for 30 minutes.
3. Take out the bay leaf and mix it in a blender. Bring it to boil one more time, then add salt and pepper. Add the half of the gorgonzola just before serving. Put the other half of the cheese on toasted, warm bread. Serve them together.

Buon appetito!

Giacomo's birthday party and the spiderman cake

Samuele looks like...

Look at this, he is in the middle, too. And I won again with 7 %!!!

Giacomo looks more like...

Soooooo, I won!!! The difference is only 5 % though...he is really in the middle!

Stuffed tomatoes

This is one of our favorite summer dishes. There are other versions of this recipe, you can make it also of zucchini - I learned this one from my mother-in-law. You can eat it warm or cold, as an appetizer or main dish or as a side dish...Try to prepare it, it is very easy!

Ingredients:

tomatoes - 2 or 3 per person, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 handful of fresh parsley, breadcrumbs, a handful of grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, olive oil

Preparation:

1. Cut the tomatoes in two and take out the seeds. Pour salt on them.

2. Mix the breadcrumbs, with the crushed garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of pepper, parmesan and the chopped parsley.

3. With a spoon put the breadcrumbs mix in the tomatoes, set them on baking paper, drop some olive oil on the top of them and bake them at high temperature in a preheated oven until the tomatoes separate from their skin.

Blowing the candle

Yesterday evening we officially celebrated Giacomo's birthday. In the afternoon we went to the lunapark that is here for a few weeks. They tried some games, then we came home and bith of the kids took a shower. that's why they are in their pijamas. When I asked Giacomo what kind of cake he wanted, he answered: The one with Spiderman! Well, that one I will make for his party, but for now I just make a cake for us. So?? Ok, then straciatella! And who knows how to make that one? Obviously, I improvised...and it turned out very well. Here are the pictures and a short video:

Happy birthday, Giacomo!

Giacomo is 4 years old today!

Happy birthday to you, Giacomo!
I will show you pictures of the cake and the candle tomorrow...for now, check out these ones of his past 4 years:

11. Spetember 2004. - few minutes after the birth

2 days "old"

First birthday

I am 2 now!

Three years old

And since I didn't think of doing this also for Samuele, here are some of his pictures:

31. May 2006. - few minutes after the birth

2 days "old"

Samuele's first birthday

I am two now!