Friday, October 31, 2008

October Trip with Family

As promised, here are some pics & clips of our recent trip. While my parents and the Ryans were here, we took a three day trip to Elba and Lucca (with a stopover in Pisa). It was a lot of fun and we were blessed with beautiful weather. Another interesting tidbit: we used more modes of transportation on this trip than ever before in a 60-hour period. First, we took the city bus to the train station. Then, the train from Rome to Campiglia Marritima. From there, we took the inter-city bus to Piombino (a port town). Next, we took the ferry to Portoferraio (on Elba). While we were there, we rented motorini (scooters) and rode around. Very FUN!! After another ferry ride and another bus ride, we were back on the train to Pisa, where we spent time marveling at the leaning tower. Then the train took us to Lucca...probably my favorite town in Italy. While we were in Lucca, we rented bicycles and rode around the wall. Then we were back to Rome on the train. It was a lot of transportation and a lot of traveling and a lot of fun.

Scooters in Elba

On the go...

Uncle Ron enjoys an espresso on the ferry
On the ferry

Pizza in Pisa

Yummy!

Yup, its leaning

Riding bikes is fun!

Lots of fun!
Our lunch in Lucca was scrumptious



Back in Rome at Castel Sant'Angelo


It was such a fun trip. Thanks Bensons and Ryans for coming. We really enjoyed having you here and traveling too. We hope you visit us again.

Tomorrow is the first day of November and the first day of my "30 Days of Food", so come back soon!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Vacation Pictures

October has been a great month! Not only is it my birthday month - thereby making it the BEST month - but this year, my parents and the Ryans visited. They were here for 2 weeks and we had a lot of fun. Its always exciting to have visitors...especially when they are as much fun as my parents and the Ryans! Their first weekend here we headed off to Elba, Pisa and Lucca. It was a three-day weekend for me (thank you Columbus Day) so I was able to enjoy this trip with them. The six of us had a great time and I promise I will write more about it later - once I get my pictures and video clips downloaded. For now, you can get the first half of the pictures from Bill's site. He's loaded and commented the photos for Elba (Lucca pictures will be coming soon). Here is the link: http://public.fotki.com/hurtwa/trip-to-elba/.

Our visitors also spent some time up in Umbria and Tuscany and from what I hear, they had a wonderful time. Their last several days were spent here in Rome...sightseeing and just being tourists. It was fun to come home from work and hear all about their day. I also enjoyed cooking for them and using all kinds of fancy dishes that I don't usually use!

All in all, it was wonderful to have them here. I hope they visit again soon...if not in Rome, then maybe in Panama! Oh, did I forget to mention that we're going to Panama next year?!?! Yup - we got the job we wanted and we are very excited...so start planning your vacations to the canal!

I promise I will post a few pictures and clips from Elba and Lucca soon. We rode scooters and bikes and all kinds of fun transportation. It really was a great trip! Also coming soon, my "30 Days of Food". I decided it would be fun to post a picture (at least) of the food we eat each night for a whole month. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks that will be fun - but I'm the only one writing this blog, so I guess I win!! I hope someone will enjoy it with me.

Until then, have a great day and eat something yummy!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Birthday Cake

My mommy made me the most yummiest birthday cake EVER!!! A Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Pound Cake -- it doesn't get any better than that. I had an excellent birthday and I plan to finish my cake for breakfast tomorrow. Mmmmmm......

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Brunch

Its been almost two weeks now, but I just have to share pictures of brunch. On October 5, I had my Second Annual Fall Brunch. I love brunches...absolutely love them! Brunch is by far my favorite meal of the day. I enjoy inviting friends over to chat, relax, and of course EAT! This brunch was planned in a hurry, but turned out great. And, the weather was beautiful so we were able to eat on the patio. It was a wonderful brunch and I look forward to many, many more.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Pancakes

We had pancakes last week. They were very delicious. And, yes, we ate them all. We're still working on our portion control - not so good at it yet! How could we not eat each and every one of these yummy pancakes. Add a little peanut butter and syrup and you've got yourself a complete breakfast. Can't wait to do it again!