All Hallows' Eve

Tonight we went to church for the vigil service of All Hallows'. It was great! We started outside the Duomo with candles, then after prayers processed inside to the side chapel. The church was darkened except for our path, which was marked by candles. Elisa (our church soloist, who is superb) sang as we entered.

Following prayers in the chapel, we moved out the side stairs to the crypt. At that point, we read two gospel readings and some of Pope Francis's discourse to the youth in Assisi (remember that some of the kids went?). During this period, we placed our candles in front of the altar to illuminate the Bible.

We processed up to the mid-level between the crypt and the main church, where there are burials, singing an American hymn translated into Italian. It's called "On Eagle's Wings" (particularly symbolic in Todi). We Americans were unanimous that that eagle either crash landed, or didn't even take off!

Some loving snickers, and we processed into the main church, where we were seated in the choir behind the altar -- where they had displayed a motley assortment of relics in their reliquaries, rather reminiscent of a yard sale.

Lots of incense (and oops, the censer was dropped!), prayers, and an exchange of peace, and our service was over. But the evening was by no means over...this is Italy, after all! Off we traipsed to the Oratorio, where we enjoyed chestnuts (yes, roasted over an open fire!) and forget Jack Frost -- we had red wine!

James engaged in a pickup game of soccer, I chatted with a few parents from school, and it was time to go home.

Love,

Alexandra

Agriland

Alby was out of hay today, so I set off for the pet store with Jeremy. Unfortunately, it's closed on Thursday afternoon. However, I'd heard about another store where they sold stuff like that...it was unclear exactly what the store was called, but I had the general location -- so I asked at the school supply store (where I needed to stop in any case), and they told me exactly where to go.

An array of corks for your personal wine and olive oil production.

Down to Pian di Porto, and Agriland. It's a brand new store that I had seen going up and then opening, but I'd never entered. It looks from the outside like a place that sells plastic bins and stuff like that...think mini Walmart. Not very appealing for me, needless to say.

Well, it turns out to be a place that sells agricultural and pet products. I don't love it, but I was amused by several of the offerings...and they sell hay!

Olive oil cans in a variety of shapes and sizes

The requisite display of olive harvesters

...and, of course, since All Souls' Day is coming up...devotional candles!

 Love,

Alexandra

England, Ho!

We spent the last week in England visiting Paula, my cousin, and her family. It was such a nice visit, and I'm absolutely crushed that my battery died partway through and I was utterly disorganized about photos. So I don't have many to share.

Jeremy and I were THRILLED to find sushi at the airport -- first time in over a year for me!

Paula lives in a small village in the southwest corner of England. The first excitement was getting to the house. Chris, God love him, met us at the airport. That meant I could follow him through the wilds of England without worrying about directions and so on. In addition, he took the boys, which meant for a nice, quiet ride at a time that my nerves were shot!

Florence is my hat girl!

Going to the village shop

I drove a so-called "compact": a Golf. It's about 3 times the size of my car, AND I was driving on the other side of the road for the first time ever. Nervous, maybe?

Ashley kept up a refrain of, "This is so weird! I didn't know they drove on the other side!" while I was peering through the darkness for Chris's Land Rover. What I hadn't realized was that we were actually going to be driving on an EXPRESSWAY! Yikes! I white-knuckled it behind his (very considerate) lead, and really only had trouble with the concept that the lane furthest LEFT was the slow lane.

The garden was still LOVELY!

Front view of the begonias...on the way to the shops

We made it! An excited clutch tumbled out to greet us, and...Paula had dinner ready and waiting! What a wonderfully warm welcome!!! Off to bed and up for a new day!

The next morning, we set off for the village shop, just down the road. Afterwards, Jeremy and I spent some time wandering around the churchyard.

Sweet door, huh?

 

Family meal!

Pub lunch!

One day we went with Chris to Sherborne to go thrift shopping...had a pub lunch, visited the Abbey, enjoyed tea, and then back home!

The kneelers are all hand-stitched and just beautiful

Mermaid anyone?

And the columns are painted!

Daisy checking out the size of the sarcophagus

Tea for two

Daisy working on a chocolate frosting beard 

The boys pretending to be good for a few minutes after having a run-around outside!

Sunday we went to Lyme Regis, despite forecasts of vile weather. Cool and windy, but really pleasant day. And I had fish and chips! One of my goals for this trip...haven't had fish & chips for about a decade!

For those who have read Persuasion, these are the steps that stupid girl fell down

Daisy being adorable.

Paula!

Chris and Daisy waiting for ice cream

 The many faces of Daisy:

And, yes, we had a lot of other time together...great shopping, great times...no pictures. 

Love,

Alexandra

A Helping Hand

I got stuck in the alleyway again today...just under Giuseppe's house (see early post). I had Florence ring the bell. Giuseppe's wife stuck her head out of the window of an upper floor. I asked without further greeting whether Giuseppe was available. She explained that he was at work, but she'd call him. A few minutes later, she stuck her head out again to tell me he was on his way.

During the wait, another man came up and suggested a more "convenient" solution...I explained that I really don't USUALLY park in this problematic spot, but since I was out of town, I could run the risk of being towed from the alley. "No, no! That's not the solution at all! No, the solution is to sell ME the car!"

While I was acting out my heart attack at the thought of EVER getting rid of my baby, Giuseppe came up, got in the car, and within about 40 seconds had the car on the main road. As he was maneuvering, his wife and I stood by in admiration.

Love,

Alexandra

Bunny Love

It's so tiring being a bunny of leisure

We broke down and got a runner that leads from the bunny lair to the family area. It's super ugly (as in doesn't match the other carpet AT ALL, but who cares as long as the rabbit is happy, right? He spent the entire first afternoon running with his ears flapping from the bunny lair to the family room (then bounding up onto the sofa, then back down) then out onto the balcony. Oh, wait! The balcony! Hey, it's nice out here! No getting him back inside...until there's food in the offing. Or attention. Or the desire  for company. Yes, he's a very sociable rabbit.

Yes, there is chicken wire between the railings!

Love,

Alexandra

Oh, and some bonus videos! Youtube promises they'll be formatted properly soon (as in, not sideways), but I'm not sure whether they'll honor that promise...

Alby eating lettuce. He's rather loud.

Alby playing with his toy cell phone

 
Alby helping himself to grapes.

A few pictures...

Just so we remember how pretty things can be... I took these while Eleanor and I were chatting in the Piazza Garibaldi today.

Love,

Alexandra