Thursday, April 26, 2012

My Bags are Packed...

...I'm ready to go.

Heading to Rome tonight with The Daughter.

Update when I return.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Discovery

The end of an era. I was at the 5th Space Shuttle launch, and then at a couple of others several years later.

It was exciting-- and sad-- to see her make her final journey.

We're told this is not the end. I hope that is true.

Monday, April 16, 2012

We Remember

... the 32 students and faculty of Virginia Tech who were killed 5 years ago today.

We thank the Security, Police and Campus authorities, faculty and administration who cared for our children and the medical professionals who helped them to heal.

We ask God's blessing on all who were touched- from near and from afar.

On this beautiful day, we look toward the future.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Happy Easter

Priorities get skewed surrounding Easter-- It's about rebirth, resurrection, renewal- not candy and parents promoting "take no enemies" egg rolls.

It's the end of Lent- a time of reflection and self-improvement.


The connotations and customs surrounding Easter are unique in different cultures, and can lend themselves to unusual interpretations. When we lived in Italy, I was taken with the breads that were baked for the holiday, as well as the dove-shaped "Colomba" cakes, symbolizing peace and rebirth.


Taking nothing away from the religious significance of the holiday, there are amusing aspects, as well.  I shared the story of the Easter Bunny with our Italian babysitter.  She invited our family to join theirs for the big Easter celebration held on Easter Monday in much of Europe.  And she proudly presented the main course in our honor--- rabbit.

I do love me some chocolate bunnies, though...

(Image shamelessly borrowed from The Lighter Side without stealing bandwidth)
 




And what shall become Aranami

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Counting Down... and Casting On


...for my upcoming vacation. I'm SO excited!

The Daughter and I are going to Europe, starting with 5 days based in Rome.

We lived in Italy for 3 years while The Husband and I were in the Navy. I enjoyed being there, but didn't get nearly enough traveling and sightseeing in, what with having to work and all. The Daughter was born in Naples, and she hasn't been back since we left when she was about 10 months old.

While in Rome, we have day trips to Florence (Uffizi and Accademia), Naples & Pompeii, and Rome tours scheduled for the Coliseum, St.Peter's Scavi, and a couple of others to be determined. Then we go to the port of Civitavecchia and board Norwegian Epic for a week.

Our ports of call include Livorno, where we will take an excursion to CinqueTerre:


Then to Cannes,France including a day trip to Monaco/Monte Carlo. From there we proceed to Marseilles, then Barcelona, an at-sea-day, and on to Naples. Having already seen Pompeii, we will probably "hang out" in Naples, and take the hydrofoil to Capri, or boat to Ischia, depending on the weather.


Onboard we are scheduled to see Blue Man Group (LOVE those guys).

So--- what to knit on my trip??

Well-- the ever-creative Olga has done it again. She went and designed this:

(Isn't she cute?  She always looks so terrific....)  The shawl is called Aranami, and as soon as I saw it, I KNEW I had to knit it. So I ordered yarn online-- but not sure I can wait, so I just might have to get myself to one of my LYSs. Lord knows, I have a house full of yarn, but this really needs the gradations to get the full effect, and be subtle enough.  None of my sock or sportweight yarns will fit the bill.

Olga promises that it's an easy knit-- and the pattern is available through her blog- linked above-- and on her site at Ravelry.  I think it's the perfect project for vacation-- sportweight yarn, little needles, and not too much thinking. (Of course, that's Olga speaking.  I hope that's true for the rest of us.... I can mess up almost anything!)

So on top of refining packing lists, shopping for little things I know we'll need-- (Ibuprofen, bandaids, sunscreen, batteries,etc,etc....) I will need to keep myself from spending every waking moment wanting to work on Aranami before the trip. 

I'd better pull out one of the half-dozen unfinished socks.