Lemonade Anyone??

Eight posts and then a 2 month break....I think that sounds pretty reasonable. It's not like I've been busy doing anything. To be honest I just enjoy playing with Arianna, eating, surfing the internet, and napping ALL above blogging. Needless to say, it never made the priority list. However, I have so much to share with all of you that I've decided to make a commitment to this. Again. Arianna is growing and learning things so fast. I can't believe she is already 5 1/2 months! Where does the time go??? There is a photographer here (Renee Williams) that does themed shoots and we got a couple pictures of Arianna taken a couple weeks ago at a Lemonande Stand and  an Alice in Wonderland theme. Here are a few of my favorites!

Arianna just sitting at the tea table putting something in her mouth...as always.

Cute picture...although it looks like she has a beautiful bald spot:)

Wanting to put the watch in her mouth.

Still wanting to put the watch in her mouth.

Love this one:)

Arianna's boyfriend Parker....they are only 2 weeks apart:)

Looking innocent.

Yum...this lemon isn't so bad.

Wait a minute...this taste funny.

Oh geez...that is awful. Sooooo sour. Ewwwwww.

My favorite:)

Updates from lil A - Toes!!!!!!

I know my eyes are wide...but this is my tired face. I'm getting my goodnight kiss from dad.

Just taking a nap with my doggy friend Kaci.

This is my favorite thing to do these days. My feet are amazing...so much more fun to put in my mouth than my hands.

Mom was trying  to catch a picture from the side with my toes in my mouth...I wouldn't let her do it though. 

Cycas Cafe

I gave a friend a ride to pick up her car from an autoshop today and naturally we stopped in at a cafe (coffee shop). It is one of my favorites because it has such a great location and it has its OWN parking lot, a rarity here. 

The salad I had for lunch. Remember those mozzarella balls I mentioned a few days ago??? That's no dollop of sour cream on top, that is a big ball of cheese. Amazing. Of course I ate the whole thing.

View from the cafe.

The cafe is actually on a lake...the Mediterranean is right on the other side of the sliver of land you see in this pic.

Most of the cafes here are not this modern...

Cheers....To Good Landlords

Our landlord makes vino and drops us off a couple of bottles here and there. A nice perk:) Sometimes when we have company they drop off bottles three times the size of these. Another reason for everyone to visit.

Mozzarella di Bufala

Cheese. I was never much of a fan of it when we lived in the states, probably because of its fattiness. But boy do I enjoy it now. The cheese, the chocolates, the pastas, the pizzas, the wines are all quite delightful:) They sure know how to do food here.

The best cheese we've had over here is "mozzarella di bufala", or buffalo mozzarella.  It is so much better than the regular cow mozzarella. This type of mozz is produced all over the world, but nothing is quite the same as that made in the region just outside of Naples, Campana. The mozzarella is sold in a variety of shapes-small balls called bocconcini (little bites), plump spheres or braids. It is served MANY different ways but my favorite is in a caprese salad. Delicious. Simple. Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil. It was actually my first dish I had when we arrived in Italy. 

There are also places nearby where you can learn how & help make mozzarella. We haven't been yet, but plan on taking some visitors to do this if they are interested. Anyone interested in some wine & cheese??? 

Look how big these are! We bought 2 of these yesterday at a store  down the road from us. AND since they are best FRESH we ate them both before the end of the day.

Gelato Man

As I was driving to my hair appointment this morning I see a Gelato (Ice Cream) Man driving a moped cart along a major highway. I initally passed him but then decided it would make a good picture so I pulled over to the side of the road to try to snag a shot. No luck. Determined to post this man on my blog I decided to take a picture while driving. Don't worry...Arianna was not in the vehicle. Only in Italy will you see the Gelato Man driving this contraption at about 25 MPH down a highway. 

After having Arianna my hair has been a wreck...So today I treated myself to a fresh cut & color with my Italian Hairdresser, Antonio. He says "Hello". 

Spent the afternoon at the park...dad and daughter needed a power nap. 

Italian Nonna

Oh My Gosh. So after waking up this morning and thinking, "Man I've got to do another post today" I've realized that this might be a little over-zealous. However...here I am with a simple post for the day.

After a long day at a local park, Arianna and I came home and spent some time with our Italian landlady. Italians have such great hospitality. Anytime they see use outside they invite us over for a cafe, or italian espresso. Good thing she doesn't expect me to invite her over, we all know that my house is never clean enough for random drop-ins. A clean house is something I have to plan for.

These days I believe the invite to their house is primarily to see Arianna. Italians LOVE babies. Everytime we are out in town they all want me to stop so they can look at her and ask me all kinds of questions in Italian. I used to smile and nod and respond "si" to everything. After hearing the same questions over and over...I'd like to think that I understand what they are saying and I answer them correctly. But who knows....

Arianna and her Italian "nonna" or grandma...just playing and playing and playing. 

And she's out.

8 Months Later....

The first thing I promised people when Ron and I got word we were moving overseas was a blog. A way to keep everyone connected to our everyday lives. I'm not sure why it took so long to actually get it up and going. Well...let's be honest, I know EXACTLY why it is nearly June and I'm posting my FIRST post. I am a procrastinator. But that should be no surprise to anyone reading this. :)

I have no absolute purpose for this blog...I don't want to set anyone's expectations to high. This blog will be a hodgepod of everything: travel, translation errors, shopping, history, friends...etc. My main goal is too keep everyone involved in our lives while also documenting our time here in bella Napoli. WARNING: I'm assuming there will be TONS of pictures of Arianna. She is the currently the most photogenic person in our household. . My ultimate goal is to provide a post or at least a picture everyday. I see all of your eyes rolling with doubt right now and rightfully so. I am highly skeptical too, but I've got to set my goals high. Right?

I have so many stories to share from the last 8 months here in Italy. Not to mention...a huge life changing event. The birth of our beautiful daughter, Arianna. :) It has already been loads of fun and frustration and we are really looking forward to the next 2 1/2 years!

Disclaimer: Please don't judge my grammar. It will by no means be accurate and there are sure to be MILLIONS of grammatical errors. I'm sorry if this drives you nuts but the format will be as though I'm writing a casual e-mail to friends & family.

Looking forward to sharing our Neal Life with you all!!!!!!! :)

Arianna around 11 weeks...highly skeptical of my blog as well.  

Arianna and I in Sienna over Memorial Day Weekend:) She is 3 months here....getting SO big!