Carnevale in Sciacca

Carnevale, as always, was a blast.  The costumes, the food, the floats...nothing else quite like it.  This year we went to Sciacca.  It is supposed to be one of the biggest carnevale celebrations in Sicily. Our friends who were with us were a bit disappointed, they expected more, but we still had fun. This carnevale, however, was different than the one we experienced two years ago in Acireale. Acireale's carnevale celebration seemed a bit more family friendly.  Not that Sciacca's necessarily wasn't; there were kids everywhere, but I saw a lot more teenagers who were drunk, and many who needed to get a room if you know what I mean.  It wasn't quite the good-clean-fun that I expected based on my previous carnevale experience.

Lots of political commentary on the floats

This picture gives a bit of perspective on how BIG the floats were!

Front Page News!

Les' band, Killer Tomato, made the front page of the local base newspaper for their debut performance at Jox, a pub on base.

My Contribution to World Nutella Day

I know that I'm a day late posting this, but better late than never, right?  I did eat this last night, on World Nutella Day, so that counts for something, right?

Now I know this doesn't look too pretty, but oh my it is delicious!  It has become a staple in my house, a concoction that only my husband could think of...Nutella Banana.  Simply peel a banana, grab a knife, dip the knife into the Nutella jar, and then spread wonderful chocolate hazelnut goodness all over the banana.  Eat with your hands, a fork, whatever works for you.

Thanks to Adventures in Italy, Bleeding Espresso, and World Nutella Day for a wonderful reason to pull out the Nutella jar! (not that I really needed a reason)

Almond Blossoms at Agrigento

Yesterday I finally got to Agrigento to see the almond blossoms!  Les and I went on Sunday but the weather didn't cooperate. We ended up staying indoors in order to stay dry and didn't take our cameras out but for a few minutes on the way home. I was determined to see the almond blossoms again, especially since this is our last year here. My traveling companions for the day were one of my friends that I've known since we first arrived on the island, and her adorable 1yr old daughter.  I really enjoyed their company.  It was the first day trip that she and I had taken together and I don't think it will be the last.

Since I really should be working on my final paper for class right now (as opposed to blogging and editing picutures) I won't go in to a long narrative about the day, but will just share my favorite pictures. Enjoy!

Young Hands, Old Stone

 

Tomorrow is...

How to Participate in World Nutella Day

Make a recipe using Nutella. Eat Nutella with a spoon. A big one. Make art with Nutella. Wax poetic about Nutella. Cuddle with Nutella. Strike a pose with Nutella. Re-live your first experience eating Nutella. Offer Nutella as a sacrifice. Have a Nutella-eating contest or a Nutella party!

1. Do something, anything with Nutella. Make a recipe, take a picture of yourself eating it with a BIG spoon, make art, wax poetic, re-live your first experience eating Nutella. Have a Nutella-eating contest or even a Nutella party!
2. Take pictures and/or upload a video then blog about it ON February 5th, 2009. In your blog post, include links to Ms Adventures in Italy, Bleeding Espresso, and World Nutella Day as well as the World Nutella Day 2009 badge/button (above). Please try to post ON FEBRUARY 5 so that we can create a true chocolaty hazelnut wave across the blogosphere on World Nutella Day!
3. Email nutelladay [at] nutelladay [dot] com with the subject “Nutella Day Entry” and include:

• Your Name
• Your Blog’s Name
• Your Blog’s URL
• Your Post URL/Permalink
• One 100×100 pixel photo

We will post the round-up of all submission on Monday, February 9, 2009, but in the meantime, please feel free to post this announcement on your blog to spread the word!

And if you want to use an organic or other type of Nutella substitute, go for it! It’s all about the chocolate and hazelnut love!

Be sure to also add your photos to the Nutella Day Flickr Pool and your videos to the YouTube Nutella Day Station. You can also join the World Nutella Day Facebook group and follow @NutellaDay on Twitter!