Merry Christmas!!!

Kona is growing. He'll be one in January.

He is still such a kitten.

We put new toys under the Christmas tree. 

I guess they played a little while we were sleeping.

Java was crashed this morning.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Buon Natale!

We must learn Italian...at least a little bit.

After a long day driving to and from Lake Como, we all decided to stop at a nearby restaurant (walking distance to our villa) for a beer and a burger.

We we were all tired and hungry. 

The four adults ordered a bear and burger.

The waiter, in his broken English, asked if we wanted a small, medium or large beer.

We, of course, each ordered a large beer. 

Needless to say the large beer is a liter. 

We really must learn a little Italian - or at least enough to order beer. 

We laughed out loud when 4 of these glasses of beer arrived at the table.

I later googled it and it is a little less than 3 - 12 ounce beers. 

Road Trip to Lake Como and Bellagio

November 12, 2016 Road Trip

Our neighbors, and my work colleague, invited us to go with them to Lake Como. It was a fabulous day filled with sun, 80's music (thanks to the talents of their daughter during our car ride), a ferry ride to Bellagio, and much fun spent with great new friends.

An easy hour drive North of Milan is Lake Como. A beautiful lake surrounded by small villages. Upon our arrival we purchase bread, focaccia, cheese, salami and pastries in a piazza directly across from the ferry terminal.

The line to buy ferry tickets was long but we entertained ourselves as we waited. 

Tickets purchased for a ride across the lake to Bellagio.

The view from the ferry was beautiful. Mountains (part of the Alps) in the distance. 

The villages reminded us of the hills in Santa Barbara. 

Homes pattern the hillside with beautiful colors.

We arrived in Bellagio, had a drink and then began the climb. 

Stairs and paths to an upper village with stores and restaurants. 

The streets are so narrow. A few allowed cars.

Michael took some great photos of the narrow streets.

 

     

                             

   

                               

Michael grabbed a sandwich from this cute little food truck while we waited for the ferry.

Below, our neighbors enjoyed the sunset while we waited for the ferry back to Como. 

Overall, a great day! 

Grocery Shopping in Italy....Damn I Wish I Read & Spoke More Italian!

The first night that we arrived our awesome neighbors, originally from the UK by way of Beligium, Amsterdam and the US, took us shopping (groceries and to Ikea for bedding and dishes, etc). Did I say they are awesome? They are awesome!!!

Since then, many trips to different stores for needed furniture and groceries. We quickly learned to drive ourselves using the maps and Siri on our phones. Who knows if we are following all the rules properly and I except to see a speeding ticket because it is too much fun driving with all these round abouts and few stop lights. But that's a future post. 

Back to shopping in Italy, figuring out new brands, how to read the product labels and determine what it is that you are buying - - still, not so easy.

Milk and eggs are sold not in the refrigerated section of the market.

Instead you will find a display like this or eggs in cartons on regular shelves.

There is plenty of cheese to choose from...I am in heaven!

The selection of salami and ham is to die for... and no, we did not buy that huge salami. :)

Pasta, pasta, pasta. Bless the people who make this each day. Fresh pasta is delicious.

All of this being said, it once took me 45 minutes to find salt and sugar in my grocery store. I found 4 aisles of vino, 3 aisles filled with different kinds of cookies, and 4 or 5 aisles of pasta but salt and sugar - seriously were hiding.

By the way, a girl can live on a combination of wine pasta and cookies. 

Who needs salt (sale) or sugar (zucchero)?

Our Italian adventure continues. We spent a day at Lake Como and visited the small village of Bellagio while there. Photos from that trip to be posted in a few days. 

Today we are off on a 2 day trip to Florence and Pisa. 

Follow me in Instagram @lorimoonstudio to see a few images an then check back next week for a blog post with pictures from our adventure.