Etna's at it again!

DH was at home when this happened -- watched the lava as it flared up.

Good Friday, 2012

Our Lady of Sorrows during the Good Friday procession in Ferla, Sicily.
DH and I hadn't seen this procession before.  It was quite impressive.

Palm Sunday

Carrying and waving palms ... this is one of many celebrants in the town of Gangi.

Such joy ....

Another in St Giuseppe's parade ....I love the joy on the man's face.
The first part of the parade is the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt.

And out like a lamb ....

Now the wildflowers are beginning to pop out ....

In like a lion ....

We had a freak storm last week ... flooding, roads washed out, power outages, stores closed the next day to recover from wind damages ...
this is our balony about 20 minutes after the storm hit Belpasso.

St Giuseppe parade - Scicli

St Joseph is one of the most important saints here in Sicily.  His saint day is March 17th.

Scicli in the southern part of the island has a fantastic parade every year.

The horses are decorated with huge or elaborate floral displays.

Sailing ... sailing ... I think ...

A tropical storm went through last week ....
less than an hour earlier, I had driven through this intersection
 and there was only a couple inches of water.
  Now just about every car in the photo has died due to water intrusion.

Fresh orange juice!

Freshly squeezed tarocco (related to blood oranges) juice!  Good stuff!

The first year I was stationed here before, DS was only 8 that year.  He strolled into the kitchen while I was squeezing orange juice and asked what I was doing.   I told him I was making orange juice.
Instant response ... "No you're not!. I know what orange juice looks like!!"
Took some convincing ... but he finally tried the juice .... and liked it.

Birra ?

saw this while visiting one of our favorite restaurants ...

Lessons learned

A friend recently reminded me of an experience she had with her ex-husband ... some people need a bit more time to learn some important lessons.   "M" okayed my sharing this with all of you.  Smiles!


"My ex drove me crazy. We had in our first apartment a laundry hamper in the corner, not along a wall, in a corner - this is important to visualize... because even grandma, if need be, could throw a clothing item in the general direction and "make the basket"... everyone could make the basket ... except my ex.

Well, since he was so lazy, he would leave his underwear on the side of the bed... not even try to "shoot". There they lay, day after day - and after much poking and prodding and praying he would just get his
dirty underwear in the basket, I realized something else had to be done, for I was just fed up that he could not get it thru his thick head.

At the time we were both teachers, he was at the high school and I was at an elementary.  My start time was about 2 hours after his.... I was able to get the laundry started, dinner started, house tidied, etc.

I had to figure out something to have him stop irritating me with this... so this is what happened.

I had to go to work (inservice workshop) one day super early, so I was out of the house before him. The inservice was being held at our school, not off site. About 1 hour into the session the secretary comes and gets me - there was a phone call from my husband. I tell her not now, take a message, if important, and I went back to the conference. Shortly after, she returned saying he needed to talk to me.  I was frustrated at that time and I excused myself and went to the office.

On the other end he was just livid... he could not find any of his underwear and he was running late to get to work. He inquired "Did you throw them out?" and I said no, that I had to get back to my meeting... and hung up.

No kidding... about 10 minutes later, she comes back and gets me... I slip out the back and answer the phone. He (who also had a temper) was so ticked at this time... I answer the phone and he asks "I have searched this place from one end to the other and can't find my underwear.. what did you do with them...'

I could tell he was "at the end of his rope" so I said.. you didn't search everywhere... because you would have found them... go check the freezer and don't call me again". I at this point waited in the office, because I knew that phone was going to ring and by now I have told the secretary what was going on. Sure enough.. the phone rang and she said... guess who.... and I answered.

With a screaming person on the other end... I got him to "shut up" long enough to explain. I asked him "How many times have I asked you to put your dirty underwear in the basket?   Since you find it necessary to leave them at your bedside day after day when I have asked nicely for you to pick them up and "make a basket" I decided to fix the problem."

I took my large 5 qt pan, fill it with water, and shoved each pair of his underwear in the pan, and shoved the pan in the freezer. Yes I did.

So he finds this pan, has to take it to the bathtub, start running hot water to break up the block of ice, get one pair "freed" and then wring them out... followed by standing there with my hair dryer to try to dry them so he can yet get to work on time.

He got them "close enough" in his mind... because he was now "super ticked" and running late.

He got dressed and flew out the door....

Only to get to work and have the school secretary there send him home... I guess close enough wasn't - especially when he work Khaki pants and he had the "I wet myself" look upon entering school!!

He never left his underwear on the floor ever again."

Hello Birdie!

Magpie (bird) looking (and finding) bugs ... lots of bugs.
Magpies are super common  here and in southern Spain ...
Indy hates them ... they like to dive bomb her

Duck curls ...

Hard to believe DH had gotten a hair cut the day before ...
yup, the barber missed a sector.

Belpasso rules!

Outside the Belpasso Calcio (soccer club) office

Assume your position!

It gets a wee bit chilly in the apt ... especially with the snow level not too far above us.
DH  (of course, I do too, but not as much) spends quite a bit of time this way.

Sunrise on Groundhog Day

woke up really early this morning ... watched the sunrise while Indy drank bird-flavo​red water (from the bird bath)

Calming sight



my favorite voltive .. so calming to watch it flicker



It's the Year of the Dragon!

Gong Xi Fa Ca!

It is the traditional greeting meaning “wishing you prosperity”

Happy Chinese New Year to all of you!

Have been putting together several dishes
 to enjoy for our Chinese dinner.

Store shelves during trucker strike

Cold shelves in a local store ... trucker strike is having quite an effect.

Gas lines during trucker strike

A friend waiting for gas during this week's trucker's strike .... DH and I heard a rumor last night that a gas station (not the station in this picture) we go past most days got a delivery last night and was going to open at 7:00am this morning (he's normally not open on Sundays).  So we were up and on our way by 5:30am to sit outside his station and see if the rumor was true.  Another friend joined us in line ... and a few others that drove by joined the line as well.  It was TRUE!!  At 7am, he opened -- there were only about 5 cars in line at that point .. but everyone started calling to let others know gas was available.   The attendant said he got about 2000 liters of gasoline last night ... DH heard this afternoon that the station we gassed up was empty by 9am.

Another side of Indy ....

Indy doesn't cope well with loud noises ...

there were either thunder or fireworks outside ...

here she is burrowing into DH's side

pop ... fizz ... oh ... ah ...

The fireworks DH bought to welcome in New Year's ...

friends hosted a potluck and several guys brought fireworks to share. 

My favorites are the chrystanum ones.

Making Jalapeno Poppers

DH making jalenpeno poppers to take to a friend's for New Year's potluck and fireworks.



Ho Ho Ho in Nuremburg

Santa and Rudolph DH and I saw while visiting this year's

Nuremburg Christmas Market.

He gave candy to the kids whether or not he was given money.

DH and I stopped by to see him everyday we were in town.

Ho Ho Ho ... Merry Christmas everyone.

Buon Natale, Auguri and Happy New Year!

easy-peasy hummus and pita chips

Not a clue where I picked up this recipe, I've tried a bunch over the years since living in Bahrain.
Have made this recipe a few times .... and I think it's wonderful!!  It's a keeper in my house!
Dip can be made and refrigerated 5-days ahead and the chips can be kept in a resealable bag for about a week.    Neither one lasts that long in our home.
This is one of the things I'm taking this to a friend's home for a Christmas day potluck. 

Dip:
1 lemon
1 (15-oz) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4-cup tahini
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teas. vegetable oil
1/2-teas. ground cumin
1/8-teas. cayenne pepper
1/4-teas. salt
1/4-cup water
olive oil and chopped parsley for garnish

Pita chips:
6 pita bread rounds
1/4-cup olive oil
garlic salt (I generally use a little garlic powder and kosher salt ...salt is a must, the chips are really bland without some type of salt)
pepper
2 TB dried herbs such as basil or oregano (my personal favorite is basil)

To make the dip:
Squeeze the lemon and put 1/4-cup of the  juice into a blender or food processor.  Use any leftover juice however you please.

Add everything else other than the garnish ingredients in with the lemon juice and process until smooth; pausing when necessary to scrape down the sides with a spatula.

Put the hummus in a small bowl or shallow platter and drizzle with oilive oil.  Sprinkle with parsley.  It can sit at room temperature for up to four hours.

To make the chips:
Heat oven to 400-degrees.

Cut the pita rounds into 6-wedges and then separate each wedges into two pieces.
Can use small cookie cutters instead of cutting into wedges if you want the chips to be fancy.

Arrange the pita pieces on two baking sheets.  Brush the tops with olive oil, then sprinke with some garlic salt, pepper and dried herbs.

Bake the chips for about 7-minutes or until lightly browned.  Rotating trays halfway through the baking.
Cool the chips.

Leftover chips can be stored for up to a week in a resealable bag (ours never last that long). 

Santa Pup

Santa Pup DH and I saw while visiting Mineo

 (a hill town about an hour from where we live)

GIGGLE AND THE GOATS

A friend sent this to me last year ... I think it's adorable!

Street view

Looking out of the window from my doctor's office ...



Keeping the mice away?

I have missed you all!   Computer and camera both went wonky ... and work, well .. let's just say that work has been challenging.  

Didn't have much time to surf the web -did get lots done around home.

 When the weather started getting colder here (this was taken in October or so), DH and I moved our cilantro and jalapeno pepper pot  from the terrace into the kitchen.  

 The colder weather also means cold floors ... so Indy has a few towels around so she can nap in comfort in sunshine.

We've used up all the cilantro .. but still have a few jalapenos to use soon ... and then I'll move the pot back outside until next spring.

Smiles!

DH and I saw this at the market ... I smile when I look at it!

Jester at Medieval Festival

Three more clips of the jester ...

even not understanding Italian, I think he's fun to watch.

10 years ago the world changed ...

and it changed for everyone ... not just Americans.  So many people died ... of all nationalities and faiths.  So many innocents ... who had so much still to give in their lives ... who just happened to be in the wrong place when a few people wanted to make a statement.   I still know where I was when I heard  about the twin towers ... probably most of you can as well.  I watched way too much TV and listened to way too much radio when it was happening ... and for days afterward... until I finally had to turn them both off to save my sanity.   It was painful then.... and today, 10 years later... it is still painful.    DH had worked for a man who was killed in the Pentagon ... Jack had recently retired and was looking forward to life with grandchildren and experiences with his wife that they had put off due to his military career.  

I don't blame Islam as a whole ... it was a small group of people who were Islamic.  Most faiths have episodes in their history that are less than positive.   The Crusades and Inquistion pop to my mind immediately.

I'm not saying 9-11 was justified .... I'm saying the world changed and the whole of one faith can not be held at fault for the actions of a small group of their followers.   But for today ... my TV and radio will stay off ... I will work in my home and with my friends to bring beauty into the lives of those immediately around me.  

Have a blessed day, my friends, where ever you happen to be.  I wish you joy and peace.

Holly 

Say what???

what of what???

Jester in Motta S.A.

Recently Motta Sant'Anastasia (CT) Sicily had its annual Medieval Fest

 and celebrations in honor of the town’s patron saint, Santa Anastasia.

This jester was a lead performer one night. 

He's also a juggler and ventriloquist and a bunch more all rolled in one.

He was a riot to watch!

Hurting kitty

Indy had her annual physical first thing in the morning on the 24th ...

DH took her to the vet on his way in to work (he got in around 10) -

 I took her back home again at lunch.

She was out of her mini-carrier during the hour she was with me ..

she wasn't happy the vet poked, prodded and stuck her with a needle.

Poor baby....

Frying gnocchi??

Sometimes thinking outside the box just doesn't work ....

I thought this was a riot! 

Etna erupts again

Etna has been erupting off and on all year long ...

This was taken from the end of our street last Friday.

We live about a third of the way up the side of Etna....

the few lava overflows there are go down the other side of the mountain.

Gift for my son

lava plaque my son asked us to get for him ...
ordered it about a year ago from a local lava carver...
got it a few months ago...
now have to figure out how to get it to him.

DS asked me to post the picture so he could see what it looks like...

St James candlelighting - Caltagirone

This year's luminaria design on the Sta Maria steps
 in Caltagirone for the St James Festival (24-25 July).

Made for a long day ... didn't get home until nearly 2 this morning.
We enjoyed the day even so.

Messina clock tower

The astronomical clock is the most interesting component of the 60m high bell-tower on the left of the cathedral. The mechanism dating from 1933 was built in Strasbourg.   There are several different displays built into the various levels of the tower.  Each display has its own separate movement.

 At the bottom, a two-horse chariot driven by a deity indicates the day of the week; above, the central figure of Death waves his scythe threateningly at the child, youth, soldier or old man – the four ages of man – that pass before him. At the third stage, the Sanctuary of Montalto (turn left to compare it with the real one) sets the scene for a group of figures which, according to the time of year, represent the Nativity, Epiphany, Resurrection and Pentecost. At the top, the tableau enacts a scene in a local legend where the Madonna gives a letter to the ambassadors of Messina in which she thanks and agrees to protect the inhabitants of the town who were converted to Christianity by St. Paul the Apostle.  The Madonna della Lettera (Madonna of the Letter) is the patron saint of Messina.


The two young female bell-strikers are the local heroines Dina and Clarenza, who participated in the resistance against the Angevins (1282). The very top is capped with a lion who starts off the noon-time show with loud roars.   The southern side of the bell-tower (going up from the  bottom) has a perpetual calendar, the astronomical cycle with signs of the zodiac, and the phases of the moon. When the clock strikes midday, all the mechanical figures come to life while the music plays: the lion, symbol of the town, roars three times while the rooster crows from between the two girls.

Lots of fun to watch the show ... and people watch as well.

Yum ... roasted chicken!

Generally roasted on a brace over a wood fire ...

DH and I could eat this just about daily.

Via Roma in Belpasso

Looking up the main road in Belpasso toward the Mother Church

(seen at the end of the road) ....

normally traffic is very light.

Traffic jam?

Heading home one morning ....

Italian zodiac

Miserably hot here the last few days ... DH picked up a pizza on the way home from the poker tournament.

The local pizza place has a new logo on their boxes.

Happy Fourth of July!

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its Independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle,

but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."



Erma Bombeck


Happy Fourth from Holly and family!

Days gone by ,,,

Been on holiday the last few weeks ....

came back and feels like we are in mid-summer here in Sicily!

This is from last fall ... the boy is wearing a folkloric outfit that was commonly worn 50 or more years ago.

Our landlady has a picture of her son in a similar suit.

Maletto's Strawberries

The main street in Maletto during the Strawberry Festival ...

 flag performers have finished one performance and are off to another.

Household tips

Found these while purging a pile of papers ... not tried and true (yet) ....

To safely get rid of ants:

In a bowl, combine 1/2-cup molasses, 1/4-cup of sugar and 1/4-cup active dry yeast.
Pour an 1/8-inch of the mixture into shallow bowls or saucers and leave them on counters, in cupboards, under the refrigerator ... anywhere you have seen ants.  The molasses and sugar will draw the ants in ...since they can't digest the yeast, they will die after eating the mixture.


To protect recipe cards from splatters:

Rub the surface with the flat end of a white candle.  The wax will make the paper water-resistant and you can wipe away the food or grease before the stain sets.

Household wipes substitutes:

Layer coffee filters in a resealable container and add just enough multi-purpose cleaner to dampen each one.  The filters will have the power of your favorite cleaner and since they have longer fibers than paper towels, they can stand up to more scrubbing than paper towels can.

I'm going to go try this one out now ... we use coffee filters when heating things in the microwave.

I do a quick wipe down of the bathroom most mornings just before leaving for work ... wiping out the sink, the window ledge, tub ledge and commode top takes just a minute or two ...while paper towels don't cost a lot of money ... filters are a heck of a lot cheaper.    Had planned to get a dozen or so cheap wash cloths to keep pre-dampened with cleanser in a container on the window ledge ...this may work out a lot better.

Baby blankets

Three of the baby blankets I have crocheted over the last two months ...

one of the volunteer activities I do with the

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

When DH and I car-pool or go on road-trips, I generally crochet

most of the way.  Nice de-stressing activity and I can still hold a conversation or check out the scenery.

Santa Workshop gifts

One of the groups I volunteer with runs a Santa's Workshop for kids to get gifts for parents and siblings.
We collect items all year round from the local community and pull other items from our thrift shop (in new or excellent condition).  Prices range from 25-cents to a dollar or two.

We often have a lack of male oriented gifts ...had these jars in the cupboard (originally planned to make "smelly jellies" for holiday open house gifts ... but haven't taken the time). 

A bit of wrapping paper to cover the lid, stamp a tag and when December rolls around will fill the jars with peppermint candies or candy canes.