strawberries and mexican food

Okay, who would have thought a trip to Slovenia would have yielded delicious strawberries and terrific Mexican? We are so fortunate to border Slovenia (the former Yugoslavia). It is just a beautiful country and we are already making plans to go back.

We traveled there with some friends for the President's Day weekend. It is a two-hour drive away on the Autostrada (the Capitol, Lbjuilana). We stayed at a very pleasant Best Western, but when we checked-in we had a tiny room. The folks at the front desk upgraded us to a suite! YEAH.

Lbjilana is an interesting architectural mix of very old baroque style architecture and 60's architecture. Let's just say the 60's buildings aren't kind to the skyline.

It was extremely cold so we bundled up and headed out to the market. It is a huge market in the Old City. It unfortunately closes up at 2 so we only had a little while to wander around. Most of the vendors spoke English and the prices were so much cheaper than here. Jacqueline trained her eye on a huge box of strawberries - about the equivalant of two pints in the US. The box was only 4 Euros ($6.75). These strawberries were heaven. We couldn't keep our hands out of them b/c they smelled so much like.... strawberries. They also just burst in your mouth. We had to buy more so we did.

For lunch I had pizza - it was a layered pizza with the sauce etc. inside the flaky crusts. Michael and the girls had hot dogs. We loved the way they made them - they took a long roll, shoved it on a steel round thing to make a hole, then put your mustard inside the hole, then, the dog - NO MESS! I still can't believe we ate outside b/c of the cold.

We wandered around the Old Town some more then went shopping! The shopping is so great (and it is sale time). I had just tried to buy a sweater or two in Sacile. I couldn't bring myself to purchase them b/c they were no less than 85 Euro ($150). There was an H and M, Zara, a big mall and lots of little shops with terrific prices.

We then headed back to the very dangerous pastry shop on the bottom floor of our hotel. Jacqueline ordered some lemonade with her strawberry cake and it was that - lemon juice only with no sugar. Puck up. I think that was the only bad thing we had (yes, we tried adding sugar).

We wandered around some more and rested. We headed to Joe Pena's.

Chips and salsa, the true test. Delish and much better than our old Mexican place in Virginia.

I had a quite tasty margarita. Everyone's food was so good we decided we just drive here for a day for the Mexican food.

The next morning we headed up to the castle. It was a clear day so we had stunning views of the Julian Alps. Jacqueline headed up to the turret. There is evidence the castle was intially built in the 12th century B.C.

We wandered around the city some more. Looking at the river and the buildings. We were a little curious why on one side of the river there was no grafitti while the other walls were covered with it.

Later in the day, we hopped in some taxi's and went to the huge American styled movie theater to see "Enchanted" in English! It was too cold for more exploring. They have assigned seating in the theaters, which we thought was ingenious. None of our cell phones would work to call another taxi so the very sweet guys at the coffee bar called us one.

We ate at the hotel - one of our friends had "roasted kid" just b/c we were pretty curious as to what they would bring out. We also drank Slovenian wine. Michael enjoyed his steak. Again, another great meal.

We left for our quick drive back home on President's Day. What an unexpected treat.

pictures of January travels

yes, we are still here

Okay, It's been awhile, but I went to Texas for the holidays (3 weeks) and then Mom came back with me for 3 weeks and just left! Yowza, how time flies.
Well, I am totally in love with Venice. Mom and I went twice during her time here. It is just empty in January and February. We walked straight into St. Mark's with no wait. We also found a church, which Jacqueline made us go into, that took our breath away. I've figured out the vaperetto system a little better. We went one time on Fat Tuesday with Jacqueline in costume. She posed with everyone. I now understand why people love Venice. It is so different than any other city in the world b/c of the water.
Our whole family went to Garmisch, Germany for a conference. We stayed at a U.S. facility there and I heartily enjoyed a margarita and Starbucks coffee. The highlight was going to Cinderella's castle. We had to go in horse and carriage. I still can't believe I went and the inside is just as beautiful as the out. We throughly enjoyed our drive on the "Romantic Road." We also went to a monastary where they brew beer and had some delicious cheese. Jacqueline also went skiing for the first time!
Mom and I traveled to Aquilea about an hours drive from here. The mosaic floor, constructed in 313, is the largest mosaic in the Western Hemisphere.
I've been getting yelled at (one time by the nuns) for not dressing the girls warm enough. I just though, "and you don't put your kids in car seats and your giving me a lecture?!!!"
Julia is on the verge of walking, but believe me, I am not pushing it with my tile floors and marble stairs.
Mom enjoyed her pizza and had her first taste of gnocci.
I am back to Italian classes tomorrow - ugh. Just pray for me that I have some breakthrough. I am so far behind.

pictures

yes, we are still here

Okay, it's been awhile and much has happened. I just needed to be quiet due to the tragedy here at Aviano. The base held a beautiful memorial service for the six men who died.

Where do I start? I still haven't learned Italian even though I only have one week left of classes and I've been doing some tutoring. I locked Julia in the car with the keys (don't ask). It was freezing outside when I did this and I didn't have on my jacket.

Julia turned one in spite of me doing this. We had an awesome birthday party for her.

We traveled to the magical city of Salzburg for T'giving. Jacqueline ice skated in Salzburg for the first time! She was frightened and loved it all at the same time. We are almost done unpacking. We've all gotten the terrible stomach flu that is making the rounds (and some in our household twice). Jacqueline threw-up all over the club as we walked in for T'giving dinner. Pleasant.

The Christmas lights here are beautiful and they put their Christmas trees on their porch.
Jacqueline saw Santa arrive on a F-16. She got to run out to meet him and then he walked in holding her hand - awww!

I've thrown a baby shower and Michael turned the big one. Whew! I'm tired.

I think the hardest thing about living in Italy is that you live in Italy. You have one foot in being a tourist b/c you know your time here is limited, but you also have to create a life here. I am settling into the rhythm - greeting the shop keepers and planning my day around reposo. I still live in the car and it's a little cool now to be walking around. The farmers are almost done plowing under their corn crops and a whole new landscape has emerged.

They also take pride in making things beautiful. I went with the Officer Spouses group to the beautiful town of Spilimbergo (http://www.scuolamosaicistifriuli.it/en/gallery/default.asp) to the mosaic school. I love love love mosaics and this 3 year school is amazing and one of the best in the world. We saw the students in action: tediously chipping the stone into the same size piece for each body of work. It is one of the best "art gallery" tours I have ever done. I would never have the patience to work on project like they do. If you visit, put the school on your list as it is only 35 minutes from the house. We also had a delicious lunch with pumpkin ravioli , leek risotto and veal (and the wine was terrific as usual). I sat at the bad girl table b/c we got "in trouble" for shopping on the way to lunch. I saw a floral shop that had flower bulbs and I wanted one to show Jacqueline the flower blooming. Well, I didn't know it would be such a production. It was in a small white plastic pot for 2 euro. I took it inside and she whipped out the hot glue gun and attached 4 large green leaves then wrapped ribbon around the leaves and then adhered a ladybug to where the knot was. I was just standing there with my mouth hanging open b/c all I wanted was the bulb! My g'friend then proceeded to buy Christmas lights at the hardware store next door (as we can't use ours).

By the way, the bulb is starting to bloom!

Tragedy at Aviano

I sit typing while watching an incredibly beautiful sunset. My thoughts obviously go to the families in our community who lost loved ones in the Blackhawk crash on Thursday. Our hearts are heavy for them and our family prays for them as they take each day minute by minute and hour by hour.

As Jacqueline and I danced and watched the twinkling city lights below last night, I was reminded once again of the fragility of life and how blessed we are.

Halloween and lights

We had a terrific Halloween. It rained the days up to it and the days after. We actually "trick or treated" on Saturday evening on the base. Many people decorate their cars and the kids trick or treat out of the trunks. See above.

Jacqueline chose to be a mermaid and picked out the octupus for Julia. Michael was still TDY so he missed out.

The night prior to Halloween, I was cooking dinner and moved the crockpot (we only have one plug in our kitchen) and the electricity went out. I went to the garage to get it back on, but failed. I then went over to my g'friends house to call Michael with the girls in the pouring rain. My cell phone didn't work; I couldn't drive b/c the electric gate didn't open; and, the house phone was obviously not working. As I was going over there I saw my landlord and waved him down, but of course, I couldn't tell him what was wrong (I haven't learned "the lights are out" in my Italian class). He did go over to the house, but he couldn't get them back on either.

Michael walks in the door, unplugs the crockpot and the lights come back on. Ahh. Life in Italy!

Jacqueline likes to open the window on our stairwell and yell "buono giornio" to our neighbors. Today, she did it NAKED.

We went to a wine tasting with one of the fighter squadrons this weekend south of Udine. Terrific wine! See, it all comes back to that.