Carnevale a Venezia and Valentine's Day

Given that we live only an hour or so away from Venice, there was no way I was going to pass up going to see Carnevale, which ended on Tuesday. Friday morning, Giada (Mr F's brother's fiancée) and I went and had breakfast at Mr F's uncl'es pastry shop, then got on our merry way to Venice. When we arrived in Piazza San Marco, there was aqua alta (high water), so we had to wind our way around the streets of Venice to avoid it.

We wandered around Venice for the day, spotting masks and costumes that we liked. We stopped and had our faces painted, saw newlyweds having their photos taken with people in costume, and stopped for a plate of pasta for lunch. (Carbonara for me, Bolognese for Giada)

Here are some of my favourites:

I could go on for days here really...I made sure I took enough photos to last me until the next time I'm back in Venice for Carnevale!

Sunday, I had to work, and Mr F and I aren't really that fussed on Valentine's Day anyway. Or so I thought. Mr F surprised me with white roses and dinner at home. We ate frozen pizzas in our pyjamas and spent the evening together. Honestly the most enjoyable Valentine's ever!

This week I'm hoping to have some more time to post as I'm not working so much now that Carnevale is over.

Ciopetta xx

Meatballs in Florence

In early January, we spent two nights in Florence on our way down to Rome, and managed to squeeze in a visit to the Uffizi Galleries while we were there. We also walked through the centre of Florence, crossed over the Ponte Vecchio and visited the markets. The highlight of the trip, however, was most defnitely the Osteria we stumbled across entirely be accident for dinner on our final night.

Pepò, despite the surly waitress, was a small, initmate restaurant\osteria serving mostly local fare. I ordered the veal meatballs, and the others ordered ribollita (a thick vegetable soup), slow cooked veal stew, spaghetti with tomato, pecorino and basil and ravioli with ragù. We ended up ordering a second plate of teh meatballs, they were that good. And sides of fried artichokes and salad. And red wine. And also a sneaky little warm chocolate pudding to sit neatly on top of all that. To top it all off, the meal came to around 100 Euros for 4 of us, including water and soft drinks. Most main dishes were around 10-15 euros. Oh, and they also have menus in English.

A highly recommened feed for anyone heading to Florence! I plan to head back in May and take my grandparents there, so will be sure to take some more snaps then.

Osteria Pepò
Via Rosina, 4/6r. - Firenze
Telephone: 055 283 259
http://www.pepo.it/

(image from http://www.ilterzogirone.it/)

Ciopetta xx

All Things Snow Related

Australia Day for me meant listening to the Triple J Hottest 100 while it snowed outside. There's still snow on the ground, but now the sun's out and it's beautiful.

The first time it snowed while I was here, Mr F and I played outside in the snow like 6 year olds for hours. Then we came inside and had hot chocolate and watched the snow continue to fall. And fall. And fall. And fall to the point where my flights to Nice were cancelled, and it was looking like I wasn't going to spend Christmas with my family.

Our first day playing in the snow behind Mr F's house:

Our Snowman/woman, complete with berries for hair and leaves for buttons.

Ciopetta xx

Gnocchi Thursday

Today was Gnocchi Day in this house.

Mr F's grandmother, mother and I spent the morning making potato gnocchi.

It's a crime, but Mr F doesn't eat gnocchi. Not even homemade-with-love type gnocchi. So I made sure I ate enough for the both of us. We served the gnocchi with fres tomato sauce (homemade, obviously!)

Matrimonio...Sicilian Style

A few months back, Mr F took me to the wedding of one of his good friends in Sicily. The ceremony was beautiful, held in a large church in the small town of Acireale. I'd never been to an Italian wedding before, and the ceremony (and in fact, the whole day) seemed much more traditional than some of the weddings I've seen back home.

The reception was held at a beautiful villa and gardens, about 10 mintues drive from the church. We had an enormous lunch (6 courses if I remember correctly) with wines. The reception had no dancing, no speeches, and the newlyweds didn't even share so much as a kiss. It was such an odd mood. Very sterile.

What was special, however, was the three buffets of desserts that were served on the balcony afterwards. Behold:

I wish I'd taken more photos now, but I assure you I was in dessert heaven and carbohydrate hell all at the same time. Then there was also the wedding cake. I ate about 15 helpings (had to sample a little of everything, you know) and then had to sit down and digest and think about what I'd done.

In other news, I found out today that I've been offered places in Perth and Sydney in a Bachelor of Science(Speech Pathology) degree. I'll be deferring until 2011 now that I've extended my stay in Italy, but I'm very excited. I'll be accepting the offer in Perth and graduating (if all goes to plan) by 2014.

And now I'm going to try and drag myself back to my translation.

Ciopetta xx

Junior Days

To celebrate my birthday in December, my Mum compiled an assortment of photos to induce embarrassment (mine) and laughter (everybody else's). Mr F saw these and killed himself laughing - I'll share...

Pursuing an already favourite past time, chatting on the phone to Nanna.

First Day of School. Note the Mickey Mouse satchel, complete with backpack straps. Mickey's Paint Party, actually. And navy Clarks sandals with Princess Jasmine socks. (Remember her? I was always more partial to Arial myself. Jasmine was a little tetchy.)

More ground breaking fashion moments. Tartan twin set. The top had buttons and a sort of cowboy tie that you did up in front of your bellybutton. Obviously the rollerblades make it. (My Christmas present that year)That and the addition of my sister. We're with my Nanna, who I adore and taught me Everyhting I Know with regards to saving money, cooking, sewing and shopping. She is a genius in the kitchen, an avid reader and loves ballroom dancing. We used to go vintage shopping all the time, and she has an enormous suitcase full of her old dresses and coats that I like to borrow from.

 She's coming to visit me in May and I cannot wait.

NYE in Nice, France

This Christmas and New Years I spent with my family in Nice. We rented an apartment and a car and explored all over the place. I was snowed in until Christmas Eve and just made it in time, but it was so nice to spend time with my family. They bought me some hot pink tulips to cheer up the apartment...

New Years Eve, we went out for a dinner and drinks and at midnight walked along the beachfront and watched the fireworks and enjoyed the festive mood.

Enjoying a NYE toast in the apartment before dinner. Say hello to my new scarf friend, Foxy. I found him in a shop window one night in Nice for 20 Euro - he was the last one left so I snapped him up quick smart and took him home.

Sister Ciopetta and myself

New Years Day was spent lounging around in the apartment, eating cheese and kebabs and drinking wine. Very relaxing start to the New Year!

Ciopetta xx