Ciao!...

March 02, 2013 by Alison Guinee

Life here in lovely Tuscany is marching on and I am brought up short by how fast the days are flying by. I had forgotten that feeling, and how engrossing it is finding your feet and transitioning to life abroad ~ to living in very close quarters with only ourselves in a new world. Truth be told there are ups and downs at the start of such a journey, but I have always loved the fact of it and especially coming to the other side and the realization that you are doing it and it's good. I feel so fortunate to have had several such opportunities of "living in a bubble" with my little family. This one has proven good in so many ways, although I have to say it's been a bit more challenging having two of our bubble mates back in the states in college. It does help immensely knowing that they are happy and are making their way just fine without their mama close at hand.

I have a slew of images of our Italian daily life and have been posting to Instagram with regularity. If you want a peek you can find me here. Here's a glimpse of what you'll find there...

In other news, my sweet husband has been feathering my nest in the most admirable and generous way. How's that?...He has taken on the sluggish internet here in our apartment in an effort to spiff up my website. This has been sorely needed for some time, and it's the kind of chore that quite honestly I will never get to. The site is still a work in progress {I need to get in there and add images and links and info about a few more patterns}, but he has done wonders! It's as if we were house hunting and after patiently listened to my laundry list of desires {clean, uncluttered, not too stuffy...}, he just set about building me the perfect house. Such a nice thing! I will, for now, be posting here and on blogger, but in the next month or so will make the move permanent. Very exciting!!

I'll leave you now. An amazingly cloudless day is beckoning here in Siena {yes!...a no umbrella day!!...I'm thinking that means spring is on her way, right?!}.

Buona Giornata tutti! ~xox~ alison

Siamo arrivati!...

January 03, 2013 by Alison Guinee in holidays, life and family, sabbatical

We are here!...just.

After two (no three!) days of travel which involved nothing less than two 3 1/2 hour car drives, one 5 1/2 hour flight, one 3 hour flight, one train ride, one 3 1/2 hour bus ride and several hours of layovers, we are all feeling a little dazed but are no worse for wear other than being a wee bit exhausted and not being able to remember what day it is ;-) The not-so-glam bits of traveling...

But smiles were plentiful along the way and we had this to look forward to....

Aaaaahhhhh...

Siena is every bit as beautiful and magical as I remembered her being. She is still in her holiday finery and will be until epiphany (pix forthcoming), which is fine with me since,

I'm still feeling like I have one foot in the holiday season too.

We had a wonder-full break, full of gorgeous snowy days outside...

You've got mail ~ Vermont style...

My girl back from her semester across the pond!!!!...

{insert happiest of happy dances here}

And lots of coziness and joy inside...

Something pretty and functional for me found under the tree. Thanks to my sweet spouse and maker

Mim

i (just about the nicest person you'd ever want to meet here in blogland) for the prettiest needle case ever! And to my knitterly friends go check out

Mimi's site.

It's full of loveliness!...And did you catch the name of her shop?...I love it and knew that Mimi and I were kindred spirits the moment I saw it...just from my fave Jane Austen ever...

And now Siena...We are four here for now. My girl is back at school and started classes today, bless her heart. And my middle man will be with us for a week before he goes back to school.

Our apartment seems lovely, clean, and comfortable (for those of you who know me and understand my need for our house (even if it's just for a few months) to be a place I want to call home ~ you know what a huge relief this is for me. We will be here for three months ~ living, working and homeschooling. What a lucky duck I am, I know.

More soon, I promise. I thought I'd just bring you along with me on our Italian adventure, if thats okay. For now a parting shot of my view from the bus as our long day of travel was ending...aaahhh la bella Tuscany...