Charming Cefalu

Fresh seafood, pleasant beach, twisty little streets, nestled on the edge of the Madonie Mountains, it is easy to see why parts of Cinema Paradiso were filmed here...can't wait to return.

November List

Reading: The City of Falling Angels, a perfect follow up from our recent trip to Venice and Stuff White People Like  a laugh out loud, must share with others kind of read (I like the book version even better than the blog).

Growing: Our Fall/ Winter garden.... Lettuce, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions are all getting off to a good start. The basil, zinnias, and marigolds are still going strong and the parsley is so out of hand that it is growing in the yard like grass and we have to mow it to keep it from taking over!

Gifting: The Magnifying Glass is starting up a wonderful new series just in time for the holidays: Gifts from Nature.

Choosing: Remember those choose your own adventure books? Noah recently became hooked on this great series of history books created in the same format.Highly recommend them. He's also hooked on any books by Dav Pilkey, but I have mixed feelings about recommending those.

Sewing: Felt tea party food for Camille. I am back on a bit of a felt food kick. Maybe I'll figure out a way to make some cute canoli ornaments or pizzas or ravioli...gotta get started on holiday ideas

Viewing: Mr. Bean. The kids can't get enough of him and I have to admit that I find myself laughing out loud, too. Can't wait until they are ready for Fawlty Towers. I have such good memories of laughing with my family while watching those episodes. Same with the Pink Panther movies. And speaking of movies...we recently saw Nanny McPhee Returns and we all loved it. Really loved it.

Missing: Louisiana. It's on my brain/heart a lot lately. Missing my family. Missing the music, the food, the fall festivals. I've been tuning into KRVS which sometimes help, but sometimes makes me even more homesick. Wishing we could be home for the upcoming holidays.

Eating: Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It's that time of year.

Welcoming: three brand new baby boys! Samuel in North Carolina, Landon in Virginia, and Sebastian in Florida.

A Halloween Birthday Party

Cupcakes made by Nana, balloons by Poobah, a bouncy house, friends in costumes, pumpkins, and trick-or-treating! It was a week early, but lots of fun and so good to share it all with grandparents. Halloween is even sweeter when you are about to turn five, dressed as a mermaid, eating lots of candy and surrounded by people you love.