Home Sweet Home

My time in Sicily is officially over. We arrived in San Diego late last night and were met by my parents who were as ecstatic to see us as we were to see them!  The flights weren't too bad and Pumpkin did great! Now we are just taking a bit of time with family and recovering from jet lag. Some time in the next day or two the house hunting will commence.

I don't think it will fully sink in that we aren't going back to Sicily (at least not any time soon) until we have a place of our own. Still, as of right now it feels so good to be "home."

Captured during our last visit to Taormina

Now that I'm home and with family I think I will finally start to get into the Christmas spirit.  Our last weeks in Sicily were spent in a nearly empty neighborhood (military housing that is closing) with loaner furniture and very few of our worldly possessions, certainly no Christmas decorations.  It didn't  feel like Christmas was coming.  However, today, as we walked into my Grandma's house, adorned with holiday decor I feel a bit of the Christmas spirit coming on.  I'm so glad that we came back in time to spend Christmas with family.

Wow, I did it!!

I set a goal for myself to blog each day for 30 days.  I wasn't sure if I could do it.  Some days were harder than others.  Some days I had a hard time thinking of what to say, other days I was out so late that I barely squeaked by and got my post up in time, but I DID IT!!  I'm so glad I participated in NaBloPoMo and Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving has really helped me focus on how blessed I am, even though I've faced a lot of challenges in the past month.  In addition several of my friends joined in the challenge and I got to connect with them in a new and fun way and get to know them a bit better. I also made new online friends through NaBloPoMo and TDOT. I even had non-blogging friends participating in the TDOT challenge via Facebook!

I'd like to send a special thanks out to my blogging friends and family who participated in Thirty Days of Thanksgiving at:

• Dandelion Days
• Creative Disaster
• My Captivating Images
• Steph Abbott Says
• The Thomas Mother Load
• Thru Catz Eyes

We'll do it again next year.  Mark your calendars for November 2011!!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 30

An old, beat up scooter in Castelmola

Today I am thankful for:

1. A bit of rest and not having a whole lot to do.  After the rush of packing and moving out doing nothing is bliss.
2. My husband's efforts at getting us checked out of the base.  While I am relaxing he is still running around taking care of things.
3. A trip into Catania this evening.  It hasn't happened yet, but Kebab is on the menu for dinner and I can't wait!
4. Being disciplined enough to blog each day for 30 days!! I did it!

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 29

The view from Castelmola (Single Image HDR)

Today we moved out of the house that has been our home for four years. After everything was packed in the car and the last bit of cleaning done it still felt like my house, like us. Even though our house was a cookie cutter copy like many others, this one was ours.  We made many memories there. I vacillate between feeling wistful at moving on and anxious anticipation for the new adventures to come. I will miss Sicily and it will now and forever be a part of who I am.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Finally being finished with the cleaning and packing
2. Passing our housing inspection with no issues
3. A comfortable room in the Navy Lodge

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 28

In Castelmola (3 shot, handheld HDR)

Today I am thankful for:

1. Good friends who helped us out in a pinch
2. A delicious panino for lunch at Bar Fortuna in Niscemi (always a treat)
3. All of the work my hubbie is doing to help get our house ready for the move

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 27

I'm getting a slightly earlier start on my post today.  Last night I got home and logged into my computer at 11:58PM and clicked "publish post" just as the clock turned to midnight.  The time stamp on my post said 11:59PM so I slipped by on the very edge!  I would have been so disappointed if I had messed up my daily blogging for a month 26 days in!  Luckily I made it, and I really can't complain about why I was so late - I was out having fun with people I love!  I'm really going to miss the friends I have here in Sicily.

Yesterday was a great day - I spent the day in Santo Stefano with a great friend enjoying the quaint town and the lovely ceramics they make.  I honestly wanted to buy one of everything to take back to the States with me but I settled for a few small pieces that I can easily ship back.

It really hit me as we were walking through the various shops that I won't have the chance to go back, at least not anytime soon. I've been in Sicily for four years and I'm used to knowing that I can go back to the places I love, but it finally sunk in that our time here is nearly up.  We only have a few more days.  No time for repeats! It made me wistful but also grateful that I have had so many wonderful experiences and to make the most of the time that I have left.

Some of the beautiful ceramics available in Santo Stefano

 My hubbie and I spent the evening with another group of friends for Thanksgiving (the sequel).  My friend cooked a delicious turkey and everyone brought side dishes and their leftovers from Thanksgiving.  It was a fantastic meal with great company!

Today has been another exciting, fun filled day!  After running a few errands Les & I headed up to Castelmola and Taormina to say our goodbyes to these lovely towns and do a bit more shopping.  We finished the day up with a stop at a going away party for another friend.

So, with all that in mind, today I am thankful for:

1. The time I've spent in Sicily, the beautiful places I've seen, and the wonderful people I've met
2. A fantastic day out with my hubbie
3. The AWESOME Gabs bag that my hubbie encouraged me to buy :)

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 26

Today I am thankful for:

1. An awesome day out with a friend
2. Exploring a new place
3. A fantastic evening & dinner with more friends

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 25

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you have a day filled with joy, love, and friendship.  We were honored to be invited to a friend's home for the most unique Thanksgiving I have ever had.  It was a mixture of Sicilian, German, Swiss, and American.  All wonderful people, and of course delicious food.  We had a fantastic afternoon.  Now we are home and I'm reflecting on everything I truly have to be thankful for.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Wonderful people to spend Thanksgiving with
2. A truly unique Thanksgiving experience
3. Not having to cook the entire meal by myself without all of my wonderful kitchen tools that are somewhere along their journey to San Diego
4. A fantastic family who I can't wait to see when I get back to the States

What are you thankful for today?

My First Blog Award!

Today one of my dear friends (Sheena @ Dandelion Days) awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award!

Thank you, Sheena!

Rules for accepting the stylish blogger award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who sent you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this on to 13 other wonderful bloggers.
4. Contact the selected bloggers and tell them about their award.

7 (very random) Things About Me

1. I love to cook but I don't think I'd ever want to be a professional chef. I might study to become a chef, but I don't think I could do it for a living.
2. I love to travel and take pictures (big shocker, I know) and would love to find a way to meld these passions into a career.
3. I studied music in college.  I didn't finish the degree (went for business instead) but I play piano and clarinet and would love to play in an ensemble again one day.
4. I had a pet rat growing up.  His name was snowball, he was all white and he was adorable.
5. In my first apartment my first pet was named Sushi. He was a beautiful Betta.  One of my Lithuanian roommates suggested the name and it stuck.
6. I love VeggieTales (and I don't have kids)
7. I really don't like overhead lights, they don't create any ambiance at all and I avoid them whenever possible.

My nominees for the Stylish Blogger Award:

1. Thru Catz Eyes
2. Jessica Rodgers Photography
3. MLP Studio
4. Living the Impossible
5. Steph Abbott Says
6. An American in Rome
7. Orangette
8. Everybody Likes Sandwiches
9. Smitten Kitchen
10. Eat Make Read
11. Whipped
12. Sicilian Simplicity
13. The Swell Life

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 24

Insignia of a U.S. Navy 1st Class Petty Officer - residing on my husband's collar

Today I am thankful for:

1. The opportunity to witness the frocking ceremony where my husband became a 1st Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy
2. A delicious dinner that used up a few more of the supplies in our pantry (Pasta with Cannellini Beans & Artichokes)
3. The upcoming long weekend (our last in Sicily!!)

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23

In Catania

Today I am thankful for:

1. My husband getting promoted!! I am so proud of him!
2. A productive day - got a bit more of the house clean and ready to move out
3. A fantastic celebratory Sushi dinner

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 22

I had fun playing with my husband's 50mm f/1.8 lens this morning - the control over depth of field is awesome!

Today I am thankful for:

1. Creative outlets - At least I still have my camera with me! I do miss my craft supplies, though.
2. A good chat with my mom (can't wait to be in the same time zone!!)
3. Grilled artichokes - I learned the method at a cooking class last week and they came out soooo good! I look forward to sharing this tasty preparation with my Stateside friends and family.

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 21

The Colorful Catania Market (captured last night)

Today I am thankful for:

1. Finding a few more goodies to pack back to the States with me (unsweetened Lindt cocoa powder & Erbolario Te' Verde Perfume)
2. Being able to celebrate the baptism of a friend's son with a delicious lunch and great people
3. Leftovers for dinner and not having to cook beyond reheating

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 20

Today I am thankful for:

1. A good night of sleep
2. A good afternoon out and about with my hubbie
3. A fun evening with friends

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19

At Bar Salerno in Mineo for my morning snack

As my time in Sicily draws to an end I am determined to savor every moment - often literally!  Normally I would exercise some amount of self control but moderation has gone out the window.

For example, when I first got to Sicily I was enamored by the cannolo - a tube-like crispy shell filled with sweetened ricotta cheese.  As the years past I somehow lost my pressing desire for cannoli and often nibbled on other sweets.  However, as my time here is soon to end I have reaffirmed my love affair with cannoli and have been having them whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Of course I can get cannoli in the States (I even know of a pretty decent place in Little Italy in San Diego) but even though they are good they cannot compare to getting them in Sicily!! This is why this morning, after my trip to the weekly market in Mineo I made the last minute decision to stop at one of my favorite bars for a mid-morning snack.  The opportunity may not present itself again, and I'm glad I took the time to go, sit, and savor.

Today I am thankful for:

1. The sweet Sicilian moments when I can sit with a cappuccino and enjoy a decadent treat
2. Cappuccino
3. Cannoli
4. Market day bounty - all sorts of fresh yummies
5. The internet - I love how it allows me to stay connected with family, old and new friends, and share my love of photography
6. A Twitter mention that I got a few days ago from Jessica @italylogue "Wow. Have been paging through the photography portfolio of @angandrieux & am in love. Gorgeous pics of #Italy & food! http://bit.ly/93oGty" So cool!!

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18

Today I am thankful for:

1. A day at home to get things done around the house (not terribly fun, but necessary)
2. My hubbie getting off work at a reasonable hour
3. My hubbie running to the store to get fixings for dinner

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17

The view from L'Antica Tenuta Malerba - an organic farm know for their amazing sheep's milk ricotta cheese

Today I am thankful for:

1. The opportunity to attend an amazing cooking class
2. The delicious food that I learned how to cook AND got to eat
3. The appreciation I've gained while living in Sicily for fresh, seasonal food

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 16

I love a man who loves his cat :)

Today I am thankful for:

1. My husband
2. As of today we have been married seven years and haven't killed each other yet :)
3. My hubbie getting the day off of work so we could spend our anniversary together
4. An awesome morning/early afternoon going to a Ricotta Cheese Workshop
5. A fantastic meal at the workshop with, you guessed it, lots of delicious ricotta cheese
6. An afternoon snooze

What are you thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 15

Snapshots from last night's dinner at Borgo Antico Agriturismo

Today I am thankful for:

1. Free classes on base
2. An easy housing inspection
3. Dinner tonight with friends
4. Making it 1/2 way through the month, blogging every single day!!

What are you thankful for today

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 14

I like color! If you didn't already know that about me, now you do. I think that is why I gravitate toward buying pack upon pack of colorful pens, and why I own at least three sets of high-end markers.  When it comes to photography as much as I love the drama of black & white  I will often color back in a little piece. I can't deal with blah.

Today my hubbie and I did a bit of shopping and ended up at H&M.  He was in need of new black socks and I found the perfect ones!  They have a little rim of color at the top. HA!  He can wear them in uniform and no one will know (unless of course they read this).  I love inserting a bit of color into the otherwise drab world of military life.  It is why whenever I'm on base I sign everything with a purple, or green, or pink pen.  Anything but boring ol' blue or black (which is what is usually required).  I actually made a postal clerk's day once by signing with a pretty colored pen.  Poor girl, so deprived of color!! I'm glad I could make her day, though.

Captured in Morro Bay, CA in January 2010

Today I am thankful for:

1. A hubbie who makes breakfast for me
2. A bit of shopping
3. The NEX having everything on my list today (shocking!!)
4. Color!
5. A clean house
6. Anticipation of a fabulous dinner at my favorite agriturismo.

What are you thankful for today?