Fall is really weird here. First of all, it doesn’t “look” like fall at all. I’m dying to spend some time in Tuscany (we are hoping to head there in early November) and maybe experience fall colors.
There are no pumpkin patches at all or pumpkins readily available in any Italian stores. I scored the group above at our commissary (10 cents a pound!).
I think we will try some Pinterest ideas on the smaller ones and the four larger ones are for pumpkin carving.
I’ve tried to get out my fall decor and make little vignettes around the house…but I don’t have a mantel this year and that’s weird, too! 🙂 I miss my American autumns a little bit.
Hmm. What else. We had our third Italian hospital experience yesterday. Harper accidentally ingested pine nuts. It was pretty terrifying. I’m hoping that that was our bad luck coming in threes (first time H hurt her wrist, 2nd time was Cate’s asthma attack) and that we are DONE!
This shutdown is TICKING ME OFF. Not for me. We are getting paid. For now. I’m ticked off because I’m over selfish politicans. I’m tired of their grandstanding and narcissism. I’m tired of all of them. Both parties.
I’m sad for my friends that are sitting at home and not working. I’m sad for the state of our country. I’m even sad about little things. Like the fact that our deployed troops can’t watch football because AFN is shut down.
I’m sad, I’m disappointed, I’m revolted, and I’m MAD.
Deep breath.
Moving on.
I’m here. Just fighting the blues. It’s raining nonstop and there’s not even a hint of sunshine. And the forecast shows much of the same for the next week.
Weather totally changes my mood. Does it change yours?
Okay, this might officially be my most random post of all time.
ciao-
xoxo
S
Weather definitely changes my mood so I feel ya on that one. I live in Canada so the government shutdown baffles me. Politics is not my forte but from this vantage point I think you are correct on the selfish part. The fall colours are gorgeous here as I live on the East Coast so I will enjoy them doubly for you. Hope Harper is ok! Have a blessed day!
It totally looks like fall up here in Bavaria (just a few hours drive for you guys)!!! Come and visit! Although, it has been gray more than not, but at least all of the trees are changing colors and it feels very fallish. I took this 2 days ago: http://instagram.com/p/fFBYEnxl9q/
We don’t have a mantle this year either, and it makes decorating weird, I agree. The mantle was always the heart of the monthly decorations and all my banners and garlands….and now…what do I do with them…?!
The girls would love Bavaria…go the Edelweiss, the Armed Forces resort, it is awesome.
Hi Sweet Gal!
You have definitely had a rough patch and I feel you on this governmental nonsense – if we all have to make and stick to budgets, why can’t they, right?
I hope there is a ray or two of sunshine for you this week!!
Ciao!
Nancy
Do the Italians even do Halloween? You’ll get a front row spot to celebrate it two ways, on base American style (if they get the funding) and Italian style. Are the girls talking about what they want to be? Mine seem to start around July and don’t stop until October 31.
Living overseas was a big adjustment for me, too. Germany, however, gets a more dramatic season change than Italy. I remember watching the AFN weather and thinking how crazy it was that Italy was so much warmer than Bavaria. We discovered that Halloween is growing in popularity there but it isn’t widely celebrated. I took my kids on post of trick or treating but I was totally surprised the first year we were there when we had a few local kids come to our door for candy and they came back every year. After 4 years overseas I was so excited to move back to the USA and we have been back a year. Now, we actually long to go back to Germany! We were so happy there and we loved everything about the culture, lifestyles and food! A good German restaurant is hard to find here.
Ah but a terrific posting indeed! The pine nut thing is really scary. I hope the beating of your heart has recovered to normal. And as a former Federal worker I have gone through this furlough thing before. Life goes on. We recover. We just focus on the good things in the mean time. We are Americans. There is nothing better. Anywhere.
Returned to the Midwest to bury Mom. Fall was bursting out everywhere! I totally understand what you are going through. A few leaves have turned color here in the PNW. But I really need to find a pumpkin patch. And an old wagon for the front lawn, and maybe some corn stalks. I love your fall grouping. The silver pumpkin is just lovely.
Boo for the rain. Lauren had planned to go to Verona Sat. but didn’t due to the rain. It rained all day here yesterday is I feel your pain. Glad H is ok.
I agree with you, I am so over greedy politicians, apparently the Senate Chaplain is also. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/us/politics/senate-chaplain-shows-his-disapproval-during-morning-prayer.html?smid=fb-nytimes&WT.z_sma=PO_GUT_20131007
Maybe it will cheer you up.
Wanted to say glad Harper is ok!
And secondly, I am with you on both parties!! Sick of politics and greed.
I agree with you about the politicians – it’s all about them. If they really governed the way their voters wanted, it would a much better world. Hope Harper is feeling better. It will probably be difficult avoiding pine nuts. They’re an ingredient in alot of Italian dishes. I love to decorate for fall but this year I can’t find my fall things & if I did I couldn’t get to the mantel. Right now all my albums are in boxes hiding the fireplace. This downsizing & moving thing is hard work. But the good news is I found my scrapbook stuff & I’m ready to scrap!
Oh Steph, so glad to hear Miss H is ok. That is really scary!!! I too am with you on the whole political front. Yes, both parties. Fed up. And frustrated with the whole thing. Hang in there. I too have a hard time with rainy weather. I do much better with sunshine. It has rained here for about 4 days straight. Today is sunshine. I would send you some across the big pond, if I could. 🙂
Vitamin D! Take some ;). Living in WA State we do have those weeks without sunshine. I take about 2,000IU a day. I sure can tell a difference when I don’t take it.
Glad Harper is doing okay. No more hospital visits!
Beautiful post – love the taste of fall in Italy. Have you read Under the Tuscan Sun? I read it after we visited Tuscany this summer and it was a lovely book, kind of like reliving our time there & it was funny to read about the Italians after experiencing them…
Glad Harper is okay. Vitamin D was a must when we lived in AK, we all took it and it really helped. Hope you get to stay out of the hospital for the remainder of your time in Italy. 🙂
I would miss the fall colors too. I love the change of scenery and the cooler but not cold days. I agree with the being over the shutdown. I am glad you are still getting paid. My husband falls under the essential and must work status but not essential enough to pay you status. There are so many being affected by this in ways that are going to hurt families. I did not ask to be a casualty in this fight…I would love to tell the politicians they have received their last paycheck and only source of income for the near future and who knows how long and see what they would think about that. I know my mortgage company isn’t going to like “We’ll pay you eventually…don’t worry” Whatever! I get as frustrated as you do and then I get worked up and stressed and have to tell myself to let go. So I am letting go…deep breath!
Random, but funny in a way. I wanted to go on a similar rant myself about the politicos. 😉 WEATHER TOTALLY changes my mood. I’m sure its hard for a TX girl with all that rain. I feel your pain.
Yes, weather really does affect moods. My husband and I do not like fall/winter at all! We can’t stand the early darkness, cool temps and lack of sunshine. And living in Pgh., we get only 59 sunny days a year! So it is hard to live here. That is why most people don’t like to live in Pgh. We have an opportunity in Atlanta, and it is such a hard decision. Our kids are 10, 14 and 16 and we worry about taking them (and us) away from our friends and life here. So totally get why you are having a hard time with the weather. A beautiful sunny warm day is all it takes to put me in a great mood. If Pgh. actually had lots of sunshine, I would be happy to send you some! Read any good books lately?
Yes. I’m mad, too. Especially at the politicians who didn’t at least have the grace to donate their paychecks!
I normally do not enter discussions about politics; however; your anger at them is the same anger and frustration I feel. I think each congressman/woman should NOT be paid a penny while this gov’t is shut down. I also think each one of them should have the same health insurance (medicare, etc) as the rest of us and they should have the same retirement benefits (Social Security)as us. They are soooo over paid and do nothing. Each of them is nothing more than a huge egomaniac and only concerned about themselves. None of them gives a damn about the American people !!!
I soooo love your blog!! And those girls are the cutest!!!
Poor Harper, hope she is okay. And sorry you are feeling a little blue. Hallowe’en might not be up to much in Italy, but I’m sure Christmas will be done beautifully. I’m hoping there is some Italian sun soon to crisp up those leaves and cheer you up.
dear stephanie,
It’s in moments like this that I wish I knew you better so that I could send you a great big hug. Since I don’t, here’s just a little hug from a stranger on the internet:
((( HUG )))
I’m praying for you. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, He’s got your back.
Sending good wishes as well.
As for the weather, I understand you completely! Being cooped up inside with my gang (9 and 5 year old girls and 3 year old twin boys) can be beyond depressing, but here’s what we do:
Use it to your advantage! We will often grab a heap of blankets, set them up on the floor, moving as much furniture out of the centre of th room as we can and make it a cuddle fest. Hot chocolate, movies, board games, books, you name it. The chances of keeping them all sane when we’ve been stuck inside too long is usually low. But, somehow since doing this, they handle it a little better. Being allowed to bundle up with every blanket and stuffed animal in the house seems to do the trick.
We will also try and include them in more of the meal prep than normal. In our house, my husband and I usually play the divide and conquer routine for supper, cleanup, baths, etc. though the prep is considerably slower with them, being stuck indoors usually means the time drags on anyway so it is all ok.
Anyhow, just thought I would share a little of what has been working for us lately. I understand…we were affected by the flooding in early September and have spen an awful lot of it inside.
Ciao!
weather has such an effect on my mood & energy level. I wish there was a way to store up sunshine to pull out in the dreary days of fall/winter/spring. (whenever its needed!)
I lived in Germany for about a year and was so ready to come back to the US and like you now that I am here, I miss Germany! I still would rather live here, just would love to visit.
I would have loved to get orders for Italy…