Small Town Strategies

We are required to have snow tires during the winter, which means a twice-annual swapout. Most mechanics offer storage in their shop, and it looks something like this:

The (first) names are written on the tires

This means "nuns"...because even the sisters have to drive sometimes!

Love,

Alexandra

November Trip!

No details, other than that Michael and I had a wonderful time visiting Eleanor and Matthew for Thanksgiving in North Carolina. We were there for a short time, but played games, went to the planetarium, did some registry shopping, and so on! For completeness in the family diary, I didn't want to lose this trip.

Obligatory photo from the plane

Love,

Alexandra

New Railings

We decided definitively, having seen the rest of the house looking so nice, that the industrial-style handrailing had to be replaced. I'd wanted to ditch it from the beginning, but it was an expense we'd felt we could put off. Nope!

It was time to call Marcello again, and we wanted him to take care of the rest of the banisters while he was at it.

After discussions and sketches and trials and approvals, the day of installation arrived:

The next step is to paint the leaves, berries, and snails. This will be a DIY thing, though, and for some reason, I haven't had time yet. If not before, it will make a great project for the summer!

Love,

Alexandra

Daily Views

After seven and a half years, you might expect us to be jaded by our daily life and views. We've been delighted to discover that the beauty that surrounds us has yet to get old or be overlooked. Our experiences really reveal the joy the impressionists took in the changes of the light.

This is our morning view from the bedroom:

And our daily run to the recycling bins:

And then some other general sights:

This is our palazzo; I discovered recently that you can see
the steeple of San Fortunato from the courtyard!

Love,

Alexandra

Book Signing

There is a local author who has published books about historic figures in a cartoon-type format. He originally went to the Liceo Scientifico (science high school), but changed into a highly artistic field. His most recent work is about St Francis of Assisi, and we hosted a book presentation and signing in early December. The event was held in the Circolo Tuderte, an apartment/meeting space that is known for its frescoes and lovely proportions.

Honestly, it was hard to go, because it is in the same palazzo where my beloved hairdresser, Michele, had his salon. If you have followed the blog, he died tragically early in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. He is still very much loved and talked about locally.

Anyway, I offer you a few photos of the space for fun!

Love,

Alexandra

Two Rooms in One

The week before we had family arrive, Maurizio was finally able to deliver the furniture for the guest room. It's a pretty elaborate pair of structures: a murphy bed with built-in table and bookcases on one wall, and a clothes closet with craft armoire in another corner. No mean feat, given that there is nothing orthogonal about these spaces!

Alviero carved all the flowers by hand;
this is a traditional Umbrian pattern

When the bed is closed, there is a fold-up table

Guests have hanging space to the left

The armoire has a built-in table, plus lots of drawers
and storage space

And now, to get to work!

Love,

Alexandra