In Italia ....In Italy ...

It was  nice  to be there again ,  with Priscilla this time. Things were as they always are there,  visually... familiar things and family…As always,  the first photos I take are of the Piazza and the Adriatic Sea,  taken from the balcony of mom's 3rd floor apartment,  which is where we stayed this time...  at sunrise on our first day in Mola.  Being the off-season,  there were  fewer tourists around and it was less hectic,  which was nice.  Jet lag got the best of me,  and lots of Espresso's didn't help with sleeping much...  we spent lots of time with family and visited new places,  and favorite places too...  Mola Di Bari,  Alberobello,  Matera,  Poligniano,  Grottaglie, Ostuni,  Cisternino,  Monopoli... love them all.  Matera's  ancient cave dwellings are amazing,  and Grottaglie's ceramics are unbelievably gorgeous,  and hard to resist,   but Alberobello is my favorite and we decided to spend one night there  in a Trullo.  The one we stayed in was built in the 1800's.   It was authentic,  comfortable and  so charming... an experience we will  definitely want to repeat.  It was a great trip!

 

Viaggio Autunnale... Autumn Trip...

Things have been just a bit different around here... Although I feel very settled in this new place,  I realize that I am still a bit out of sorts.  Situating a "garden" of sorts has helped this place feel even more like home... but it's just different.  I am definitely staying busy... a wedding,  cooking for parties,  and family dinners,  but my creative juices have just not been flowing as usual... just a few Autumn touches so far,   I will continue to work on that... Meanwhile,  we are enjoying very colorful sunrises over the lake and sunsets.   Very excited for  my upcoming trip to Italy with Priscilla!  Maybe Jim realized that I need a little something,  and suggested that Priscilla and I take a trip.  A very last minute plan makes it a little stressful,  but I am happy to be going in Autumn... looking to be inspired and feel more like myself...