PETRIGNANI - HARSKUTI

Fennel

2011-03-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

When I moved to Italy I was amazed by the huge variety of food they have here. I loved almost everything, but fennel was not on this list for a long time. Today however it is one of my favorite vegetables. I absolutely love it cooked with butter and salt, but this way of cooking it is truly amazing as well.

Ingredients for 2:

4 bigger fennel bulbs

around 10-15 tablespoons of breadcrumbs

1-2 cloves of garlic (depends on the taste)

2 peperoncino (very small hot pepper)

small bunch of fresh parsley

salt, black pepper

olive oil

1. Cut the fennel in 8 pieces and cook them in boiling water. Salt and coat them with olive oil.

2. Crush and mix the remained ingredients in food processor. Mix with the cooled fennel.

3. Coat a dish with some olive oil, place the fennel in it, pour some oil on the top and put it in preheated oven until the breadcrumbs start to get golden.

Mattia

2011-03-07T05:23:00.000-08:00

Mattia will turn 10 months on the 18th. Time flies so fast that we have to count to remember how many months have passed since his birth. Oh, yes, it has been 19 months ago! He is a splendid little boy with huge, beautiful blue eyes that take you from your feet. He is a fantastic eater, his prefers are yogurt and of course pasta - with zucchini. He loves to smile, he loves when Giacomo and Samuele pay attention to him. He cannot say no to the vacuum cleaner - he admires it! His favorite toys are: measuring cups, mixing spatulas, remote, cellphones, the pedal of the piano, Giacomo's schoolbag with all paper stuff in it, actually any kind of paper that can melt in the mouth, dirt of the plants, electric devices, garbage and everything that is NOT a toy (fortunately he hasn't discovered the toilet brush yet). Here is Mattia at 10 months

Pictures from here and there

2011-03-07T05:21:00.000-08:00

It was the first time that I have tried to make grow some vegetables - on the balcony. Well, cherry tomatoes. They turned out really well. Sweet and 100% biological!

Bassano del Grappa - Christmas 2010

2011-03-07T05:15:00.000-08:00

During Christmas we went to Bassano with Emanuel's parents to show them the city. It is only a 30 min drive, and we have been there in 2008. At that time we took a picture of Giacomo and Samuele. Now we took another one at the same place and in the same position to see the changes. Well, time flies and they are growing up too fast!

Mattia with extra ears in Bassano

Who is there?

Emanuel's parents

Il ponte degli Alpini - from where the soldiers left for war

2008.

2010.

Near to the Alps

Another try

2011-03-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

I'll give another try to write the blog also in English, so you can follow it. I haven't been able to download picture, now it seems the problem is not existent any more. Here are 2 fotos of us.

Samuele, Giacomo, Mattia before going to bed

Samuele and Giacomo with their tired mom

Attention!

2010-09-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

There is always so much to do, but never ebough time. As of today I will post only on the Hungarian blog, there you will find everything also in English! Click here!!!

Vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-18T08:46:00.001-07:00

We are on vacation! See you in September!!!

Samuele's birthday

2010-07-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Samuele's birthday on the 31st of May. He is 4! We organized a very simple party for him. He has become a very responsible little boy since Mattia was born, and at the same time he has remained the cute and sweet person he has been...happy birthday, Samuele!!

Samuele and his wish: superhero cake with strawberries and cream

With his beloved big brother (aren they beauiful?)

His friends: Marco, Giacomo, Samuele, Leonardo, Caterina

Nicole, Steven, Eva

Blow the candles!!!

My three musketeers

2010-06-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Mattia:

2 weeks old

3 weeks old

4 weeks old

The one on the left isn't rather a maffia boss?

Giacomo's graduation

2010-06-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

Giacomo will satrt elementary school
in September...time really flies...last week we participated at his graduation.
They sang and showed us their English knowledge as well.

Being busy

The parents made a puppet show for the children,
and of course Samuele joined them

With Maestra Monica

With Maestra Beatrice

I graduated!! Next: elementary school!!

Final show - Samuele's school

2010-06-18T00:42:00.000-07:00

The end of every year there is a show in the schools
where the children can show us what they have learned.
Here are some pictures and a video of Samuele's:

The youngest children

With Giacomo

With mom

The dance of the sea.
Samuele is the 4th from the left.

Catching up...on the past 9 months...

2010-06-18T00:32:00.000-07:00

I am trying to catch up on some of the important events of the past 9 months...in pictures.

1. Giacomo and Samuele started gymnastic in Spetember. They love it and in February they had a demostration of what they have learned...and both of them earned a medallion.

The athlets with their medals

2. In March we had 2 birthdays. On the 17th was Emanuel's mother's, on the 21st was mine. Emanuel organized a surprise party, he ordered cakes and gave me a beautiful print of one of my favorite paintings.

Blowing the candles

3. At easter we went to visit the castle in Marostica. To be honest, I went up all the way ONLY because I wanted to give birth as soon as possible...no comment.

On the main plaza at the fountain

On the way up to the castle

Anna, Giacomo, Samuele, Betto

Eight months

Samuele with his smile

Giacomo

Olive trees

Welcome, Mattia!!

2010-05-27T02:44:00.000-07:00

With 8 days of delay, on the 18th of May 2010 at 4.37 pm we welcomed our third son, Mattia. He is a big boy, he weights 4.410 grams and his length is 52 cm. We are grateful for him and feel blessed to have him with us. So far he is doing wonderful, he is even sleeping during the night! Here are the first pictures:

On the 18th at 7 am in front of the hospital

Our first moment together

Mattia

Samuele, the proud big brother

With Giacomo

Egyutt, most mar oten

Taking him to the nursery

On the way home...

Sealife aquarium - Verona

2010-03-02T02:08:00.000-08:00

On Monday we all (at least almost) took a day off. Emanuel from work, the kids from preschool - it was me, who didn't get a chance to take a day off from the difficulties of this pregnancy. 71 days to go. Anyway, we decided to dedicate this day entirely to the kids, so we looked for some special entertainment. Next to Gardaland is the Sealife aquarium, that is open even now and hoping that we would find few people, we left in the morning to visit it. We had a great time, and we even had the chance to see how the seahorses are fed. Unfortunately we were not allowed to use the flash, so some pictures are not that great.

In the tunnel

Samuele and the sea lion - he could have watched them all day long

Experiement: taking a picture in the mirror

My favorite foto: Giacomo is looking for sharks

Seahorses

In front of the entrance

Giacomo and Samuele in one of the aquariums

Valentine's day

2010-02-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Emanuel doesn't like plants and he has his valid reasons for the WHY: every summer he has the job to transfer them either to the garden or to someone's house who would take care of them while I am gone - this usally means 4-5 weeks. Considering that only in the house we have 8-10 plants, not mentioning the ones in the balcony (maybe 8 more), you could understand him. So, I was very surprised when I saw his gift to me for Valentine's day: a huge, and beautiful orchid!! Isn't it gorgeous?

Ah, you are asking what did I give him? Well, if to me he can get through flowers, and to the men we could get through their belly, it is right that I cooked for him a special meal, don't you think?
When I was still living at home, I often asked my mom to cook a special type fo meatrolls for me. I still remember the cookbook where she got the recepie from. Well, a few weeks ago this memory came to my mind and I started to look for the recipe on the net,
and I think I found the same one.
Of course I adapted it to my needs and our taste and it turned out very well.
I am sure it is possible to make it in the crockpot. So, here is my version:

Ingredients:

6-8 thin slice of lean pork meat
200 g thinly sliced mortadella
200 g ricotta
2 tbsp Philadephila cream cheese
3 tbsp chopped parsley
salt
pepper
3/4 cup white wine
half can of chopped tomatoes
3 tbsp olive oil

Preparation:

1. Salt and pepper the meat, put on them the mortadella slices.
2. Mix the ricotta and the cheese, add the finely chopped parsley. Spread it on the mortadella and carefully roll the meat, fix it with a thread.
3. Heat the oil in a cooking pan, and brown the meat on all sides.
4. Pour on the rolls the wine and on high temperature let the alcohol to evaporate.
5. Add the tomatoes and some water, then cook it for 30 minutes. It is normal if some of the filling comes out.
6. Serve it on cooked rice while it is still hot.

It turned out as a great success!

Being in debt with two girls

2010-02-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to write this post last year, but as always, I am late. According to the rules of this game, here are the fotos of the two surprises I got in November and December. I hope my handmade surprises got to their destinations, as well (Kaja, Eszter, Vali?). Thank you for your gifts!! It is nice to have talented friends/sisters!

My sister, Eszter made this cute family sign, and we really like it - so, I have ordered the Petrignani part, as well!

These cards were made by Kaja Sample, I really like them, and I am using them!

Gnocchi

2010-02-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Emanuel went to Sicily for 4 days. It was cold outside, it was rainy and I had a wild idea: why don't I make gnocchi with the kids? I know, it is a suicide, since at the end there are more on the floor than on the table, but the boys were very excited about it. And they were super good at it! Look:

Of course, you can tell if a gnocchi is good when you taste it. We made it with a simple tomato sauce and it was gone fast.

Recipe:

2 potatoes per person
flour

Preparation:

1. Cook the potatoes with their skin. Let them cool and clean them. Crush them.
2. Mix with flour, use as much as they need, don't use too much becasue the dough will become sticky.
3. Make long "snakes" and cut them with a knife.
4. Cook them it salty, boiling water and when they come on the surface throw them in the sauce.

Sauce options: tomato sauce; butter, sage and parmesan; olive oil and parmesan; basil pesto

Mustache

2010-02-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

We got home from preschool.
We ate.
Mom started to put order in the kitchen.
The two maffia leader went to their room to play.
Silence.
Laugh.
Silence.
Feet are running toward the kitchen.
Samuele: "Mom!!! My mustache has grown! Giacomo helped me to make it grow!!"
We were washing the mustache for three days.
Maybe, we should have just shaved it.

I always said that Giacoo is an artist. He drew a perfect mustache. But we have to adomit, that with this model it is not that difficult...

Ready for Carnevale!!

2010-02-06T09:44:00.000-08:00

Carbevale is on our doorstep. Next week, to be exact. I have been looking for some custumes for the boys, since the ones form last year are not in a good shape any more. I have been to a lot of stores, but all of them have superhigh prices. The costumes start at around 30 euros. I refuse t o pay 50-60 euros for two costumes, so I looked for some solutions on the net. This way I found an announcement on the army base. A lady was selling 2 halloween costumes for 15 euros!! Of course I got them, aslo, because the kids loved them. So, are you ready? Here is the 2010 carnevale show:

Giacomo, aka Power Ranger

Samuele, aka dinosaur-dragon
(According to him he is Rudy form Ice Ages 3. Scary, isn't he?)

Our super heroes

Ah, I have a costume for 3 more months, only, that this costume grows day by day!!!! I have 96 days left...I wish we were in May! Here I am - 27 weeks:

Christmas 2009

2010-01-13T01:10:00.000-08:00

This year we went to Terni for 4 days to celebrate Christmas with Emanuel's family. As a tradition, on the 24th we went to his grandma for dinner and stayed until Santa's visit, who brought a few gifts for the kids - the rest we found under the tree the next morning. .

At our home

My prides

Shy Samuele

Giacomo and Betto (Emanuel's brother)
Don't you think they look alike (Giacomo and Betto)?

December 25th

Snow

2010-01-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

The week before Christmas we had snow for 2 days. As a rare opportunity we took advantage of it and went slegh riding, we built a snowman and had a snowball fight.

Eva, Samuele, Giacomo and Caterina
(The two neighbour girls)

We are back.

2010-01-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

It seems like 2009 has brought away my sickness ans 2010 has brought back our internet connection - how did we live without internet or even cellphones, does someone remember? Sooo, everything is fine here, I know, I know, I am suppose dto catch up, but you know that I won't. I post some pictures of the past few months, at least you can see what the boys are like. Our news: it seems like we are having the third musketeer!! Our report:

Giacomo:

Giacomo, the captain

He is the big boy, don't dare to forget that! If you do, he will tell you right away. He talks A LOT. Actually the miracle is, if he is silent. He goes to the gym twice a week, he has been very happy about it and he is also very good at it. He loves to go to preschool, draws very well and loves to write. He loves to explain things and amazes us with his reasoning.

Samuele:

Samuele, the cute captain

Since he knows that we are having another baby, you can't call him small any more. He is the middle one. He is the singer in the family, instead of talking he sings a lot. He loves his preschool and his teacher, la Maestra Titti. He draws pretty pictures, he especially loves to draw mom with his tummy (and never forgets to illustrate also the bra!!!). He goes to the gym with Giacomo to get some muscels.

Emanuel:

On the river Bodrog in Hungary

He works and works and works, and if he is actually not working, he is spending time with us. He has been successful at his work and we are very proud of him! In the past five months he has been th cleaning lady, the ironing lady, the baby sitter, the nurse ... and the list goes on! Thank you!

Kornelia:

In the backgroung: the Szepes castle

While Emanuel did all my jobs at home I have spent all my time running --- betweek my bed and the toilet. When I was feeling better I tried to the groceries and I was and I am the constant taxi driver in the morning and afternoon for the boys. I can't wait for May to have our third addition in my arms.

A few summer pictures:

In the tower of the Diosgyor castle in Hungary

Getting dry at the Balaton lake

On the Tisza river

Best buddies

The destiny of fathers??

Just the two of us - hiking in Slovakia

At the Szepes castle

The reason of my absence

2009-09-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we wanted a third one either for May or for June. Well, I am sick not only the morning, but ALL day long, even during the night and my favorite thing to do is sleeping (even during the day). Well, the due day is the 12th of May, the first ultrasound is on the 19th of October. That is it. Now I go to sleep.

Parco Sigurtà

2009-08-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Cont.
Parco Sigurtà is a huge garden close to Verona. You can go around by bicycle, by shuttle, on golf carts, on foot and there is a cute train, as well. We chose the bicycle, and took the kids' and Emanuel's with us, and we rented for the others. We went around 20 km!! Teh kids were amazing. They went up the hill, down the hill and didn't complained. We took some rest at the sponge field, had a picnic and got some refreshing water srom the sprinkles.

Ready!

Mom and dad

A few deatails

Small monastry

Cheese!

Learning about water flowers

The spongefield

Cool down!!

Someone almos gave it up...

Summer things

2009-08-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

You haven't heared from us for a while, right? Well, we have been extremely busy. On the 8th of July arrived my aunt Judit with my cousin, Anotnia and they spent 2 weeks with us. We were very busy, we went to Terni, to Florence, to Pisa, to the seashore in Tuscany, we visited a huge botanical garden near to Verona, we ate delicious icecream and we returned to Hungary together. Here is our short Italian tour in pictures:

Pisa:

Piazza dei Miracoli

In front of the baptismal chapel with Antónia

Trying to take the famous picture

Someone managed to do it with only one hand...

...someone with two.

Antóniawas the best

It is falling!

Firenze:

The city from the Giotto tower

The main church

The Giotto tower with its 414 steps

The tower inside

It wasn't wide at all

Halfway...

And finally on the top

Il Ponte Vecchio

The famous David of Michelangelo

Twilight fans, attention!!! We all know the Twilight saga very well, so according to the Antonia's idea we went to Montepulcianóba, where the New moon was filmed! (The city of Volterra was too small.) Here are some pictures, we are very curious to see these places in the movie!!

Montepulciano

The famous clock at the main square

The fountain
(we were really tired at this point, you can tell, just look at me!)

The other saide of the square

And finally, a day at the beautiful seashore in Tuscany:

Grosseto, Tuscany

Porto Ercole

We had a bath here

Going home...

He fell asleep with icecream in his mouth!

To be cont.

Bake these, right now!

2009-06-17T03:49:00.000-07:00

Croissant, cornetto, brioche, etc. These are my kids' latest favorites. And said that, they are my new passion. I don't want my children to eat all kinds of artificial stuff, so I have been looking for recipes to prepare these real treats. I have found several of them, but please, I beg you: try the flollowing one!! (I found it on an Italian foodblog, and the next one to try will be the croissant.) They are soft, moist, not sweet and not salty, you can eat them with just butter, or jam, or some ham or however you want to! Run in the kitchen and make them!

Ingredients:

500 g of flour (if it is possible, use half and half all purpose and cake flour)
150 ml water
20 g fresh yeast
60 g softened butter
40 g lard (or you can use only butter)
2 eggs
30 g sugar
10 g salt

1 egg to put on the top

Preparation:

1. Mix 150 g flour with 90 ml water and the yeast and let it rise for 1 hour.
2. Make a dough with the risen base mixture and all the other ingredients. Knead it for 20 minutes. (I trhew everything in the bread making machine and it made all the work.) Let it rise for 90 minutes.
3. Roll it into a disk on floured surface around 1 cm thick. Cut it into 16 "cake slices". Take a slice and roll it a little bit lenghthwise, then roll it up starting from the wider side.
4. Bend it a little bit to give it a shape and put it on baking paper with the seal down.
5. Let them rise for 50 minutes, brush them with 1 well beaten egg and bake them in preheated oven at 200 °C.

Time is up!

2009-06-11T03:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you for partecipating in this game.
Please, send your full name and postal
address to this email: kope@hotmail.it
Don't forget: the surprise will arrive
before the end of this year!!

Samuele's Birthday Party with Spongebob

2009-06-09T04:16:00.000-07:00

We held Samuele's birthday party on Sunday, and it went so well. Samuele was really happy to be in the center of attention. One of our friends brought a Spongebob pinata, that was a hit! (The cake is made by my two wonderful hands...it took me 5 hours to decorate it!!!!! But I was happy to make it for him...I love this boy!)

Some of our friends

Spongebob cake

A closer Spongebob cake

My happy Samuele...

...and his fake smile

Blowing the candle

The "not-too-shy" frineds
(the others were too shy to take a picture)

Samuele is ready to hit Spongebob

We are getting there...

Collecting candy

Poor Spongebob...he suffered a lot

Again: Happy Birthday, Samuele!!!

Happy Birthday, Samuele!

2009-05-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

Samuele is 3 years old today! Time flies, doesn't it? Samuele took his time coming to this earth - he was born 1 week late...I remember that my tummy was huge and so heavy. My water broke at 7.30 AM and even at this point he took his time. The contractions did not come until midnight...I was laying in bed in the hospital the whole day waiting. Once decided he sped up and in 2 hours he was born. He was a big boy: 4150 g. He was beautiful and you could tell from the first moment that he is a very sweet baby.

He has maintained all these characteristics in these past 3 years. He always takes his time in whatever he does. Once he made his decision though, he acts fast an precisely. he is very sweet. he always wakes up with a smile. he has a voice like a bird and he likes to sing. He is very smart and learns fast. he already knows and says Giacomo's poems. He likes to be cared of and be in our arms. He is very funny and he makes me laugh every day. He likes to ride the bike. He likes to get flowers for his mom, if it is possible from the flowerbed. He like the animals, especially the sheeps and the sharks. he likes the trains. he likes Spongebob and Kung Fu Panda. He likes to pray and he always gives thanks for a specific food. He likes to go the the nursery on Sundays, He likes to imitate Giacomo. he likes to eat.

Emanuel says:
Samuele is a real "troublemaker"....also, sweet like sugar. He is able to drive you crazy momentarily with his perfect way of making trouble and at the same time your heart melts of his sweetness and caring.
Samuele loves to be cared of. He never gives a negative answer to the question: "Do you want me to hug you?"
Samuele has a talent for singing and learning new songs very fast. He is a happy child usually from the morning.
I am grateful because he forgives right away my mistakes and he is a great techer to me.

We feel very blessed and lucky to have Samuele in our family.
Thank you, Samuele for all you give us!
We love you!
Happy birthday!

Fishing

2009-05-31T06:09:00.000-07:00

Since I am so behind with our happenings, here are some highlights to recuperate.
Easter: as always, also this year we went to Terni for 2 days. The kids were especially excited because we promised them to go fishing. It is only a 45 minutes ride to get to a trout lake where we could catch our own fish, pay and bring them right to our kitchen. Both of them (actually all 5 of us) had a lot of fun!

Scheggino, the lake with the trouts

Our clients

Getting ready

Waiting for the fish...

Grandpa is teaching Giacomo

On his own

What we caught

Of course we can't just work all day long, we need to be entertained, too! there is a brand new playground in Terni, and we went to check it out.

Grandma, Grandpa and Tai came, too

Any idea what this is?

Getting warmer

2009-05-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Around Christmas time Giacomo came home from kindergarden singing Jingle bells. And what an accent he has!!! I don't know who taught him this song, not me, for sure. Maybe he heard it in school...and of course it was only matter of days that Samuele starts to sing it, too. According to them it definetily needed some movement to go with it! Here it is, You, English speaking people might appreciate it most, if you can understand it....

Breaking news from Polgár

2009-05-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

We have been in Hungary for 2 weeks and here are some pictures just for updating you!!

The real post will arrive next week:

Antónia's graduation

Dinner after the graduation

At the thermal bath

Kucskár Huba's baptism

Before leaving for the opera

Acquapark

With the Török kids at Mátészalka

My big boy: Giacomo

2009-04-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

Giacomo has a huge box filled with his drawings. They are mainly made at home, he likes to draw, to color, especially fishes, bicycles and people. As always, he started to draw during easter Sunday at church. For some reason he misses the snow, as you can see on the drawing. He chose to draw himself in the snowfall with his green hat on his head (check out some fotos to see that). What surprised me was his name in the right corner. He wrote it all by himself without any help. I am a proud mom of this wonderful and smart 4 years old boy! Here is the proof and some other drawings:

Giacomo in the snow

A robot

Una bicicletta

For fathers' day: My father

Do you want a gift from me???

2009-04-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

"So, would you like a gift from me? Something I made for you?" This is what Kaja has asked on her blog. I am reading Kaja's blog frequently - and we don't even know each other, only our husbands, but it doesn't feel like it -, and she posted this great idea. I couldn't say no to this "game". So I am participating!! And I can't wait for my gift!!!! Read through it and join!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done before the END of the year. Hopefully sooner than later.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be sewn, painted, written, scrapbooky, or be something totally random that I come up with on a whim. I may even bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. Let's spread some love!
So, the first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they are doing it to win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Be sure to post pictures of what you won when you receive it! :)
You better hurry!

(Leave a comment that you are interested, and I'll ask you for your mailing address.)

Temple trip, Switzerland, March 2009.

2009-04-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

This time Emanuel's parents came with us, so we spent a lot of time together. And I could go to the temple with Emanuel...how nice! It is almost a tradition by now that on the way home we stop to see something interesting. This time we chose the Simplon-pass. We drove from Bern toward Thun and arrived at Kandersteg. There we stopped. There was no more road anywhere around us, only the mountains. We had to put the cars on a special train and it took us through a tunnel - it was a 15 minutes ride. On the other side of the mountains we strated to drive higher and higher and higher up to 2000 meters. After a little while the snow appeared and suddenly everything was white. At certain places even the street signs were covered with snow. We were blessed with beautiful wheater and used the last opportunity of the winter (now spring) season to build a snowman and make some snowangels. The trip in pictures:

On the way to Kandersteg:

The tunnel goes through this mountain

The other train has arrived, we are leaving!

Toward the Simplon-pass:

You can see pretty well where the road goes!

Snow everywhere:

Fun:

Emanuel and his mother...who dares to throw it first?

Samuele is desparate: "Mom!!! Dad!!! I am stuck!!"

The six of us:

Grandma Anna, Grandpa Massimo, Samuele, Giacomo
Kornelia, Emanuel

Tagged

2009-03-16T01:21:00.001-07:00

Ok, Kaja tagged me. Thank you! Since I am REALLY behind with posting pictures and write about our happenings, I just write this post and hopefully this afternoon I will be able to catch up on some things.

The rules:
*Go to the document settings/my pictures on your computer

*Choose your 6th file

*Choose your 6th picture

*Blog about it

*Tag 6 more people!

Here is my foto:

This was in 2007, at a family celebration in Terni. On the Picture you can see Emanuel's mother with Samuele, and Rosella, Emanuel's cousin.

I tag Valerie Porter (I know that she has a LOT of pictures!!), Giulia, Eszter, Sabrina, Bea Pinkal and Nancy...

Sleigh riding - Kaberlaba

2009-02-20T01:54:00.000-08:00

Finally we had a free Saturday, plus the wheather was beautiful, the air unusually clear, we could see the bright blue sky and the mountains!! We have been planning to take the kids to sleigh riding, and since thes seemed to be a perfect opportunity, we took the car and drove to Asiago. It is true that the climat of Vicenza is really terrible, but its geographis situation is excellent. In an hour we could be in the mountain to ski, or at tha sea to swim or at the Grada lake tp sail - whatever you wish... Anyway, Asiago is around 45 minutes of driving, and 8 km from the downtown is Kaberlaba and here you can find whatever you need. The kids loved it! And us, too. Fortunately they were not allowed to go down by themselves, so we had to ride with them. We stayed until they resisted. At around 3 PM Giacomo said: "Dad, I would like to go home, I am sooo tired!!" And if someone knows Giacomo just a little bit, he would understand the real meaning of this sentence!!! Pictures:

Kaberlaba:

Everybody is ready:

Giacomo and Emanuel on the tapis roulant:

The first ride:

Can you see the two boys?

Now with Mom:

Samuele:

"Mom!! I'll go to look for the snowman!!"

Giacomo:

There is always something to do...

Our treasures:

Giacomo is learning to use the camera:

My three men:

The two boys with Mom:

The four of us:

Snow and Asiago

2009-01-29T02:55:00.000-08:00

Like everywhere else in Europe, also here we got a lot of snow this year. Considering that we usually don't get any... the Alps get all of it. So, the kids were more than happy to see the white flakes, they went out right away to build a snowman, a fortress they had a snowball fight etc. And once we had the real winter, the cold, ice and snow, we felt like going iceskating. We went to Asiago with the Bird family. Unfortunately we could take a picture only of the smallest champion - maybe because he stayed the shortest time on the ice: about 10 seconds. he said: it is too slippery!! No comment...

Asiago:

Getting warm...

With mom

Here is the 10 seconds iceskating champion!!

Between Christmas and New Year's Eve

2009-01-22T05:43:00.001-08:00

Between Chrsitmas and New Year's Eve Samuele had a fever, so we couldn't go to Monte Baldo (a 1200 m high mountai near to Verona, you can take a ski-lift to go up,), instead we stayed home to get better and rest. We visited though the Monte Berico here in Vicenza and finally, Emanel and I went to see the teatro olimpico, which is the greatest site in Vicenza. It was designed by the architecture Andrea Palladio in the middle of 1500, and this was his last but greatest work. unfortunately he could never see it finished. It still functions as a theater, it was built by the plan of the ancient roman theaters, the background is halfway real, the other half is painted. Well, like always, here are the pictures:

Downtown Vicenza

The view from Monte Berico

A nativity scene at the church on Monte Berico

The four of us

No words...they are just beautiful

The background in the Teatro Olimpico

The ceiling

Christmas 2008

2009-01-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

On Chrsitmas morning Giacomo noticed that the cookies and the milk we left on the table the previous evening were gone. "He is here, he is here!!! He ate everything, and he has left a letter!!!" Here is grandma Anna reading the letter:

Going closer to the living room - here are the faces as they see the presents:

But how many presents?

Samuele was still sleepy, Giacomo on the other hand was way toooo happy
to take a picture with the tree:

Shall we open a present?

We had with us the Bird family for lunch (we didn't take any pictures together, how sad...),
and here is the appetizer plate:

Parmesan bowl with green beans and speck; toasted bread with truffle salsa; rolled polenta with mozzarella di bufala, spinach and almond; toasted bread with smoked salmon; toasted bread with homemande paté di olive; rolled bread wit eggcream

The decorated table (and I)

After that we made a theater of the nativity. Samuele was Joseph, I played Mary, Giacomo was the innkeeper, the sheperd, the 3 kings, Emanuel was the donkey, the sheep and the camel:

Joseph brings the donkey with the pregnant Mary

The innkeeper doesn't have room at the inn

Here is the king on the camel

We have felt the real spirit of Christmas and we feel very blessed to have Christ in our lives and in our home. Thanks to our two beautiful children for teaching us and letting us stay children too - with them together! Thanks to our family and our dear friends for sharing this holiday with us!

A day-trip to Bolzano

2009-01-01T07:26:00.000-08:00

On the 22nd of December we decided to take a look at the decorated town of Bolzano and check out the countrywide famous christmas markets. Here are our fotos:

Kornelia, Giacomo, Samuele, Emanuel

Riding the train at Santa's courtyard

The city hall

Tipical street with the mountains in the background

Austrian style

The hotdog always tastes good wherever we might be!

"Homemade" Santa

2008-12-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-27T04:20:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-27T03:52:00.001-08:00

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...

2008-11-13T04:23:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-11-08T07:04:00.001-08:00

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

2008-10-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

Samuele looks like...

2008-09-18T02:34:00.001-07:00

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

Giacomo looks more like...

2008-09-18T02:28:00.001-07:00

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

Stuffed tomatoes

2008-09-13T05:44:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-12T03:32:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-09-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

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!

Back to the kitchen

2008-09-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

We are back from the holidays, I am back to the kitchen. I bought 8 kg of san marzano tomatoes (the long, egg-shaped kind) and the first time in my life I prepared them for winter. I made 4 types of "sugo": Sugo al profumo di basilico (tomato sauce for spaghetti with basil - it grows on my balcony!!), sugo all'arrabbiata (tomato sauce for spaghetti with hot pepper), sugo al profumo di sedano e carota (tomato sauce for spaghetti with celery and carrots), and sugo alla puttanesca (tomato sauce for spaghetti with olives, capers and anchovy). I can't wait for winter to open them and taste them!! If you are interested in the recipes, email me and I send them to you.

Salzburg - Switzerland

2008-09-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

After our relaxing stay in Hungary we headed toward Austria and Switzerland.
Since 1500 km are way too much for a day for us to travel, we decided to stop for the night.
We stayed at the Thalhammer family near Salzburg. hey have a beautiful, typical austrian house.
It is surrounded with green medaows and pines.
Here is the view from their house:

Next day we woke up early, because we wanted make a super quick visit in Salzburg. We could see only the center and the Mirabell garden but here is the proof that they are beautiful:

Mozart's house

A passway

The Mirabell-garden:

Not everyone can ride a unicorn!

In the rosetunnel

In Switzerland:

Happy birthday to the motorcycle!

2008-09-06T01:43:00.000-07:00

Because this is what they are singing in the car. That day they decided they want to travel only with Antonia and Judit, so they went in their car...and made them happy with their singing. Tanti auguri, Antonia, tanti auguri alla moto, tanti auguri zia Judit...which means: happy birthday to Antonia, happy birthday to the motorcycle, and happy birthday to auntie Judit! Well, happy anticipated and belated birthdays!

9. August 2008.

2008-09-04T00:16:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our 5th anniversary on the date you see above. Emanuel joined us in Hungary that day and in the evening we were invited to join Judit, Jozsi and Antonia in a restaurant, called Sziget-csarda. After the dinner they made a surprise for us: a cake with 5 candlesl! Thank you Judit, Jozsi and Antonia!!

9. August 2003.

5 years later:

We are back!!

2008-09-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Our vacation is close to its end. For a week we have been home and trying to get back to our everyday life...it is not always easy! We were gone for 5 weeks...for sure, we can feel that. Here is our short "report" - maybe in some other posts, as well. I left for Hungary on the 17th of July with the 2 boys, this time we flew out from Trieste. It was a long day for us, considering that the flight left at 8.43 AM, and Trieste is 2 hours from here - a positive side of the early departure: by 10 AM we were in Budapest! Unfortunately our first week didn't go well at all, beacsuse Samuele had a mouth infection, he had blisters all over in his mouth and throat. He didn't eat and what is worse, he didn't drink at all. By Thursday we risked to put him on IV in the hospital. But there ARE miracles!!! After those days he was fine and we enjoyed our vacation. Some picture of our days in Polgar:

Anywhere, anytime:

Pufi, everyone's dog:

Our regular walk in the zoo:

Who are in the cage - the ducks or the boys?

In the Archeopark

Horse riding:

In the tower:

The little cat was with them for about 5 seconds (maybe they were too friendly with it?):

"Still-life":

At the swimming pool

Dad!!! I am flying!

A real diver...

...is always ready to jump in the water...

Info

2008-08-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

July 17.

For a little while there will be silence...at least on our blog. We are off to have a lot fo fun together! See you at the end of August!

Vacation 2008

2008-07-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

Coming closer in time to the yearly vacation we have millions of ideas of what to do, where to go, what the kids would like, what we would like... This year we were blessed with receiving 3 free days - Emanuel and Anna (his mother) have got 2 days off from work, so after 4 long years we went to a small vacation, only the 2 of us! nevu kisvarosban foglaltunk az We reserved a room in a hotel, called Albergo Mediterraneo, in Terracina, between Rome and Naples. We were very satisfied with the hotel and highly recommend to anyone! First we visited Gaeta which is a small town about 30 km south from Terracina. It is famous of its "splitted mountain". It has a beautiful beach, the sea is clear and warm, the sand is very fine - it was wonderful to swim and rest after the visit. In the late afternoon we went to the hotel and started to look for a good and not too erxpensive restaurant. We bought the boat tickets for the next day and as the cashier suggested we went to retaurant called Centosedici. For sure it was a good choice!! We loved the pizza and the spaghetti with seafood - we returned also the next day. Here you can check out some of the food. Friday was the highlight of our trip. The isle of Ponza is about 2.5 hours by boat from Terracina. The whole island is a huge piece of rock, there is only 9 km of road on it. We rented a scooter and drove from one lagune to the the other. The view is amazing, the sea is blue, the water is trasparent clear...it is a paradise. One of the interesting things on the island are the natural swimming pools. It is like a cave without the ceiling. To certain places we could go only by boat, but mostly there are countless stairs that lead to the shore. We returned to the hotel exhausted and completely burned - it is the first time in my life. The third day we relaxed and tried to come back to the real world. Here are the pictures, they explain things better than my words (cick on the pictures and you can see them in the original size ):

Between Terracina and Gaeta

On the way to Gaeta

There were 10 cm between the wall and the mirror - on both side.
It is a 2 way street, according the GPS, the best choice!!!
Well, imagine a similar street on the left, 2 cars behind us, 3 in forntz of us and one on the left!!
It took us 20 minutes to escape.

The church of the "splizzed mountain"

Entrance to the mountain

The path in the splitted mountain

According to a legend a turkish sailor

didn't believe that the mountain has splitted

at the crucifixion of Jesus, and whhen he touched it,

it became soft and took upon itself his handprint.

The end of the path

Pictures of Gaeta:

The Tirrenian sea:

The island of Ponza:

The natural swimming pools

A ship under the water

We couldn't go here bacause of the falling rocks

Switzerland - 2008 April

2008-06-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

In April we went to the temple in Switzerland. Some pictures of our beautiful - or handsome - ones:

Giacomo and Samuele with their best friends: Spongebob, Patrick and Gary

Closer

Samuele

Giacomo wasn't feeling well one day

In the nearby small forest

Our heartbreaker

Our smart one

Confession

2008-06-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

For a little while I didn't post anything. Why? The reason is a virus called varicella zoster, which causes the chickenpox. Well, since I have already had chickenpox when I was little, but I got the virus, it attacked me in the form of....shingles...in my EAR!!! For 3 weeks I had earpain, fortunately it is gone with the blisters together and my face is back to mormal, as well. Face? Oh, yes, the left side of my face was paralized for at least a week - if you want more details, just let me know... Here is a foto of my swollen ear; it was painful even if my hair touched it. The other picture we took at Giacomo's school party...do you like my paralized face??

Playing in the garden...after raining

2008-06-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

I let the pictures talk:

Samuele is tired...

2008-06-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Samuele fall asleep again when we arrived home from church...look at his hair!!

Do you think he needs a haircut???

Happy Birthday Samuele!!!

2008-06-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

On the 31st of May Samuele turned 2!! We had a little party for him. He seemed happy and we were very happy for him! He is such a blessing in our life! Thank you, Samuele!

With Pingu, his favorite friend
(unfortunately the cake didn't fit in the fridge, so the colors went all over)

Blowing the candle

With mom and dad

(Giacomo didn't want to participate)

With friends and cousins
From the left: Giulia, Gioele, Freeman, Giacomo, Grace, Matteo, Alessandro

Discovering the granparents' gift

A bicycle!!

How do I look on it??

Cinnamon rolls: without kneading, with "enough" butter...it is the best ever!

2008-06-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

I have found this recipe on this blog, where you can see all the steps to prepare the rolls. I have made some minor changes, here is the modified recipe:

Ingredients:

A - 2 cups milk
0.5 cup oil (not olive oil)
0.5 cup sugar
B - 1 package dry yeast
C - 4 cups flour
D - 0.5 cup flour
E - 0.75 tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp baking soda
0.75 tsp salt

F - 200 g butter
1 cup sugar
cinnamon

Optional: frosting

1 package powdered sugar
40 g melted butter
2 TBSP orzo (or malt)
50-100 ml milk

Preparation:

1. Heat up A - do not boil it. Let it cool down for about 45 minutes.
2. When it is lukewarm add B without mixing it.
3. After 5 minutes add C, mix it well, cover and let it rest for at leas 1 hour.
4. Pour on top D and E, mix. The dough is ready.
5. Roll it out.
6. Melt the butter - don't make it too liquid - and add sugar, make a cream of them. Pour it on the dough.
7. Pour on it the cinnamon. Roll it up and cut them in 2 cm thick slices.
8. Put the on cooking paper.
9. Heat up the oven, bake them at 200 °C for 15-18 minuti. When they strat to get golden color, take them out.
10. While thery are in the oven, mix all the ingredients of the frosting, it is supposed to be very thin. As soon as you take out the rolls, pour the frosting on them, but don't cover them (they will absorb almost all of it.)

Instead of the cinnamon, you can also use cocoa powder, coconut, nuts etc.

New hobby

2008-05-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I noticed that my friend, Alessandra, has very pretty earrings, she has one basicaly for every dress matchings in colors. I asked her where she buys them, and for my surprise she said that she is making them. Of course she had to teach me!! I have to tell you that only your fantasy and creativity can stop you. Here some of my creations:

Wedding

2008-05-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

On the 12th of April Emanuel's cousin got married, and we went to the wedding, of course. In fact, Giacomo received an assignment. He had to held the ribbon that the bride cuts when she leaves the home of the parents. Giacomo was very willing to do his role, but he had such a funny face. When we asked him to smile a little bit, he told us that he will be like this all the time...and as you can see on the picture, he kept his word!

Giacomo with the ribbon

Waiting for the bride...

Sara and her father, Primo

I am leaving my home...

In front of the church

One step closer to marriage

The catholic sacrament

Sara and Stefano - just married!

Guess...

2008-05-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Who is this? Help: look for it among the cartoons...

Samuele before and after church

2008-05-12T04:55:00.000-07:00

Samuele always has cool things to do...while we were getting ready he ate his breakfast...
on the table:

"Mom, this morning was really long, I am so tired. You just take off your shoes, I am waiting here for you, ok?"

Sirmione

2008-05-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

Last week (26. April) the weather was so beautiful in morning, that we quickly prepared the kids, some food and we were already out of the house. We decided to visit Sirmione and the lake Garda. It is only a 40 minutes ride by car, plus another 40 minutes to find parking. The children enjoyed all the new things. Here are some pictures and some experiences:

From the parking lot it took 10 minutes to arrive to the lake. There we got on a boat and went to the downtown. Giacomo and Samuele were very happy to be "on the water", even if Samuele was complaining that there was too much wind, on hte other hand, Giacomo was able to see a lot of sharks!!

We also found a brand new, red Ferrari...since we can't afford one, we took some pictures of it...

The lake was one of the greates attraction of the day. Since the boys were craving for some adventure in it, we took off their shoes and socks and let the try the water. Were they happy?... oh, YES!!

And finally, an everyday conversation and its consequences...

Kornelia and Emanuel: Giacomo, stay at the shore!
Giacomo: Yes!
K and E: Giacomoooo! Did you hear what we have said?
Giacomo: Yes!

K and E: Giacomo!!!! Giacomo!!! Don't go further in!!
Giacomo: Mammmma! Now my pants are wet...what should we do? Shall I take them off?

On the playground

2008-04-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

While Giacomo is doing his "stuff", Samuele...

Moving continously...

2008-04-24T00:51:00.000-07:00

Giacomo has been an active child since the minute of his birth. To be more exact, he never stops moving. By now he has developed this "gift" to a higher level. Look what he is doing on the slide instead of sitting down and slide a bit...

Giacomo as Spiderman...

On the swing...he is actually still for...5....seconds...

Pesto alle erbe

2008-04-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe in a magazine called Sale e Pepe. It had such a success that I have already prepared it 3 times in the past month. While the pasta is cooking, the sauce can be prepared. It takes no more than 10 minutes!

Ingredients:

(use only fresh erbs)
1 handful of parsley
half handful of thyme
4 leaves of sage
the leaves of 2 branches of rosmary
1 clove of garlic
20 g toasted pine seeds
40 g melted butter
salt

Preparation:

1. While the pasta is cooking (spagetti, penne or tagliatelle) put in the mixer all the erbs, the garlic, the pine seeds and the half of the melted butter.
2. When it is completely mixed, add the lft over butter and the salt.
3. Pour it on the hot pasta (don't rinse the pasta with cold water!!!).
4. Optional: serve it with grated parmesan cheese.

Samuele and the bycicle

2008-04-04T05:13:00.000-07:00

Samuele learned how to ride the bycicle...look at his technique!! Sooo...what do you say?

Our new home 2

2008-04-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

Somepictures of the living room and the kitchen (I haven't made any pictures of the rooms...yet. Sooner or later...):

On the right near the heater is the entrance. Straight from the entrance are the bedrooms (three of them). On the right is a small balkony and the stairs that lead to the fourth room.

The balcony door.

The upstairs room.

The corridor from the entrance. Turning left we get to the living room.

At the end of the corridor to the right is the living room, to the left is the diner and still to the left is the kitchen.

The living room and the balcony.

The balcony.

The diner.

The kitchen.

The mulan magnolia and the others (27th March)

2008-04-04T05:04:00.000-07:00

Just a post...

2008-03-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful day today. The sun was warm so after preeschool we stayed outside to ride the bike and play soccer. Here are the kids while playing:

The mulan magnolia today:

Our new home

2008-03-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to start... we are really behind with writning. I promised that I would post some pictures of our new home, well, here it is from the outside:

The house from the gate

The gate and part pf the garden with the pomegranate tree
(you can still se some fruit on it from last fall)

The other part of the garden

Mulan magnolia

This mulan magnolia is the jewel of the garden Its beauty comes from the big flowers - white, pink or bordeau - that appear at the coming of the spring before the leaves. Even if I love the hyacints and tulips I can't deny that this tree is even more beautiful. You can read more about it here. I will try to take pictures of it regularly so I can share with you how spirng arrives to Vigardolo.
Two pictures of the tree as of today:

Of course not only the plants are waking up with the feeling of warmth...there are other creatures around (this picture is here for Freeman Bird!!!):

A cricket

Here we are...

2008-02-20T06:54:00.000-08:00

Here we are again...
We moved 7 km far from Vicenza to a town called Vigardolo and we are enjoying our new place. The house is much bigger, we have 4 rooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a balcony, a garage and a garden. The children are enjoying their freedom and me too... Finally I don't have to repeat thousand times: "Giacomo don't run, because the lady who lives underneath..." Our new kitchen has also arrived, and I will post some pictures of our new home soon. Fortunately we are now connected to the "outside world", and I can continue to write our blog to update you and receive also your comments!! For now, here is a picture of us at this last chrsitmas - we wish you an extra belayed happy new year!!

(Samuele was pretty sick...)

We are still on!

2008-01-19T02:23:00.001-08:00

We have moved into our new home and we still don't have internet or a phone line...as soon as we get connetcted, I'll be back...

The artist's creations and the new question

2007-11-15T04:58:00.000-08:00

The artist at work...

Giacomo made this picture when I asked him to make a drawing of mom and dad. Can you notice the differences? Dad has short hair, mom has long. Dad's eyes are nice, mom's a little...wrinkled? For sure, we both have enough toes!!

"Il mio Papà"

"La mia Mamma"

Here is the question: What is this?

Send your suggestions in a comment. As always, who wins, gets a prize! (For those who have won in the previous round with the jellyfish, the gift is coming this weekend!)

Mom, I am sooo tired...

2007-11-09T03:43:00.000-08:00

One day while eating:

Pumpkin with pumpkin

2007-11-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

It is really pumpkin time!! I am finding many good recipes and the other day I even bought a pumpkin. When I said to Emaneul that I got one he replied right away: "Will you make risotto of it?" I did make it...and not only the risotto...

Pumpkin risotto - as I make it

Ingredients:

500 g pumpik cleaned and cut in cubes
1/4 onion
50 ml white wine
1 TBSP butter
3 TBSP olive oil
4 handful of rice (the one for risotto)
Water or left over broth (vegetable or meat)
parmesan

Preparation:

1. Put the butter and the oil in a pressure cooker and let them melt together, then add the chopped onion and cook it for a few minutes. When the onion is transparent add the rice and cook it for 3-4 minutes while stirring it continuosly. Add the wine.

2. When the odour of the alcohol is gone add the water or the broth, and the pumpkin cubes. Cook it for 10-12 minutes.

3. Salt and mix with parmesan before serving. Serve it hot!

Pumpkin creamsoup

I found this recipe on a Hungarian foodblog, called a Chili&Vanilia (sometime she writes recipes in English, so you might check it out), and I made this creamy soup from the other half of the pumpkin. I can say, this was the first time, but not the last...it is very delicious...

Ingredients:

500 g pumpkin
1 medium sized potato
half apple
1 small onion
2 TBSP honey
juice of a half orange
250 ml broth
salt, pepper, nutmeg
thyme
2 TBSP cream
1 TBSP butter

Preparation:

1. Cook the pumpkin. In the meantime cook the onion with the thyme in the butter.

2. When the onion is trasparent, add the honey and let it caramelize a bit. Add the apple and potato cut in small cubes, add the soup and boil it until everything is well cooked.

3. Add the pumpkin and mash everything in the mixer. Add the spices and the juice (according to your taste).

4. Stir in the cream and it is ready.

We didn't disappear...

2007-10-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

We didn't disappear, here we are...again. Emanuel was in Paris for a week for work, and I decided to drive down to Terni with the kids. I know, I know, where did I get the courage from to leave...well, if I think a little bit, you are right...6 months ago I didn't even want to think about driving and now here I am driving 500 km by myself with two never stopping boys behind me, at least I am progressing!t So, we are at home again and everything has turned back to the usual ways. Since Emaneul took the camera with him I couldn't take picture, but I can ensure you that we had fun. For example, with grandpa we went to a place where you can fish trouts, then they weight them for you and you pay and you bring them home - and eat them (what a horror), and the kids loved it!

The Eiffel tower

Something else...our artist is now ready to tell the results: the drawing you can see under is a JELLYFISH. To be exact, Giacomo received the inspiration from Spongebob and Sharktale The winners will receive an email! Thank you for partecipating!

The artist

2007-10-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

The other day the missionaries came to us for dinner. Because of this in the afternoon I was in the kitchen preparing the food and I asked the boys to be good and play nicely, quietly (what a request!!). While I was cooking, they really were quiet. Suddenly Giacomo came to me with a paper in his hand to show me what he has done. And my mouth remained open... Here is his big artwork. According to you what is it? (Whoever gives the right answer, receives a gift!)